Keith has good gap. Keith jumps in to the play. Keith has good offensive instincts outside of hitting the net. Keith has above average skating, still. Keith has amazing hockey awareness still despite his age. Not sure how the description is even worth comparing
- Stan_Bowman

I think he was joking. Isn't it past your bedtime?

Saad

He's been terrible since coming back from his concussion dating back to last year
- Stan_Bowman

True, he has not been as good as he was prior to concussion. The facts are t

Question. If Manning and Gus continue somewhat well. Who would you rather have sliding in for Rutta, Forsling or Murphy once they return from injury? Do you trade the other for a forward?
- SoftServe

I'd sure like to see if Forsling has progressed at all. They could use that booming shot from the point on the PP.

Wouldn't mind Joki and Forsling on 1st PP.

I think he was joking. Isn't it past your bedtime?
- Dieselhead

You sound like the guy from the movie Dazed and Confused, the guy who carries around the "Soul Pole."
Ever see that movie?

I'd sure like to see if Forsling has progressed at all. They could use that booming shot from the point on the PP.

Wouldn't mind Joki and Forsling on 1st PP.
- vabeachbear

Kane did well after breaking his wrist as a kid. I hope for the same with Forsling.

Kane did well after breaking his wrist as a kid. I hope for the same with Forsling.
- I Am The Breadman

I'm fearful that it will take him a few games to get back into it, after which time, he'll be demoted or traded.

Probably best to get a 8-10 game rehab in Rock to make sure he's got his game back. He looked good last year for a while, not sure if that's just learning, or not.

Hoping don't see the regression with Joki, he looks like a pretty good pick by Stan at this point. I know, I know, I'm not supposed to admit that.

I'm fearful that it will take him a few games to get back into it, after which time, he'll be demoted or traded.

Probably best to get a 8-10 game rehab in Rock to make sure he's got his game back. He looked good last year for a while, not sure if that's just learning, or not.

Hoping don't see the regression with Joki, he looks like a pretty good pick by Stan at this point. I know, I know, I'm not supposed to admit that.
- vabeachbear

I feel it's hard to trade an injured player, especially one that's not proven like Forsling. He will probably need to get reacclimated in Rock then stays with the big boys.

Monday Morning QB Observations:

1. Hawks are playing better than I would imagined up to this point
2. Toews appears to be back to his old self...I said many times before it is not the skill or the mileage that led to his decline. I say it was (hopefully) injuries ie, Orpik hits
3. Top 2 lines are the point producers but need more from 3rd line. Although Debrincat did not have a good game yesterday, he has been the second best forward after Toews. Schmaltz is getting better each game.
4. Kane is slightly off with very uncharacteristic turnovers in D and Neutral zone but he WILL be back; still put up points and goals
5. D core is a mess; Joker might be the best right now! As I mentioned earlier, Keith has to "re-invent" himself and his game. The days of thinking quick transition are just about over, meaning his skill set/decision-making in D zone with those "cutesy" plays of inside outlet, letting puck run through a bit then playing it, etc. What has worked in the past is now leading to turnovers and end up in the back of the net. By the way, he is still very good. Rutta is playing awful with no purpose. I just wish Gus would pick his spots better and be more cognizant of D side positioning. Manning and Seabrooks are OK. Way too many turnovers!
6. Hayden deserves bottom 6 lineup each game until he either bombs or plays himself up to top 6. AA 200 ft game is not good right now; only good at net front presence in O zone zone time. Kampf is non-existent now.
7. Ward needs to be more consistent and make that timely save. Put in Forsberg and let's see.

sadly that won't happen until he retires...
- bogiedoc

Or new coaches are brought in

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ure-nhl-memorable-battle/

Loved this bit:

Then Kane brought back the roar by tying it 33 seconds later, celebrating his skipping shot through traffic with a wry smile and the exact same "can you hear it?" meme he’d seen from Matthews.

"He did it first," said Kane, with a hint of indignation.

The message was clear: It’s not quite your moment to overshadow me just yet, young Padawan.

"Well I mean I didn’t really like [his celebration] at first," Kane told Sportsnet. "I know it’s an emotional game out there, but I didn’t really like him doing that. Even the ref was saying maybe he could have called an unsportsmanlike on that or whatever.

"Yeah, when we scored to tie it up, I was happy to kind of give it back to him. We kind of smirked at each other on the bench after that."

...

Then there was the level he found here in Chicago against some childhood heroes. This was his first four-point game in the NHL since that out-of-this-world debut.

"I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I didn’t really like what he did there, but what are you going to do?" said Kane. "It’s an emotional game. I’m sure I’ve done some stupid things and stupid celebrations before, too. He’s still a pretty young kid and these are big games for him.

"But, yeah, a lot of respect for his game and the way he plays and he’s a remarkable player. He’s going to be a great player for a long time.

"Just a heat of the moment type of thing, you know?"

and really hated this reminder - ugh, Bettman and the owners

"It was this perfect little window into the sporting soul of these two players. (For those of us holding a Canadian passport, call it a chilling reminder of how scary Team USA would have been had the NHL players gone to the Pyeonchang Olympics in February…)"

Here is a question when crawford comes back hawks carrying 3 goalies? Forseberg if sent down would have clear waivers so what the hawks do? Trade forseberg for forward help or carry 3 goalies?

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/matthews-kane-show-future-nhl-memorable-battle/

Loved this bit:



and really hated this reminder - ugh, Bettman and the owners

"It was this perfect little window into the sporting soul of these two players. (For those of us holding a Canadian passport, call it a chilling reminder of how scary Team USA would have been had the NHL players gone to the Pyeonchang Olympics in February…)"
- pdx2ord

Good read, thanks. Bettman ..... sloppy nuts.

Here is a question when crawford comes back hawks carrying 3 goalies? Forseberg if sent down would have clear waivers so what the hawks do? Trade forseberg for forward help or carry 3 goalies?
- Scott1977

Forseberg has trade value?

Here is a question when crawford comes back hawks carrying 3 goalies? Forseberg if sent down would have clear waivers so what the hawks do? Trade forseberg for forward help or carry 3 goalies?
- Scott1977

Tough call - anyone know if the Hawks had/have a mental skills coach working with Forsberg? Seems to be the knock on him - technically proficient, but mentally weak. One bad goal let in and he can collapse. Would hate to give up on the younger of the two backups if his issues can be resolved.

yeah...i know...I can't believe it either...

2-0-1 with 14 GA...0-10 on the pp...

Forseberg has trade value?
- Beaver-Warrior

Keeping 3 goalies until they’re sure Crawford is 100% would make sense, but Powers wrote the Hawks have no intention of keeping 3 goalies and plan to trade Forsberg.

I think a fair return for Forsberg would be Malkin or Duchene.

Keeping 3 goalies until they’re sure Crawford is 100% would make sense, but Powers wrote the Hawks have no intention of keeping 3 goalies and plan to trade Forsberg.

I think a fair return for Forsberg would be Malkin or Duchene.
- DarthKane

We can get McDavid if we throw in Rutta with Berg.

Tough call - anyone know if the Hawks had/have a mental skills coach working with Forsberg? Seems to be the knock on him - technically proficient, but mentally weak. One bad goal let in and he can collapse. Would hate to give up on the younger of the two backups if his issues can be resolved.
- pdx2ord

I'm fairly certain the Hawks have a mental skills coach or whatever the title may be. Recall reading an interview where a Hawk player referenced one.

Even if they do have one, not sure if they are working with Forsberg specifically amongst others.

I'm fairly certain the Hawks have a mental skills coach or whatever the title may be. Recall reading an interview where a Hawk player referenced one.

Even if they do have one, not sure if they are working with Forsberg specifically amongst others.
- AEL_Fox

It's the drill Sgt from that Geico commercial that says, "Why don't you chug on over to mamby pamby land, where maybe we can find some self-confidence for you, you jackwagon." Then he throws the tissue box at the guy and calls him a crybaby.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

It’s early, small sample size, etc.

BUT,
Ward 89 saves, 14 GA, 4.62 GAA, .843 Save %

That’s not bad, that’s historically bad.

I'm fairly certain the Hawks have a mental skills coach or whatever the title may be. Recall reading an interview where a Hawk player referenced one.

Even if they do have one, not sure if they are working with Forsberg specifically amongst others.
- AEL_Fox

They do have one and Duncan Keith uses him almost daily.

He's available to all players. I heard Forsberg was working on getting better in that area. I'm not sure it was with the Hawks staff though.

Here is a question when crawford comes back hawks carrying 3 goalies? Forseberg if sent down would have clear waivers so what the hawks do? Trade forseberg for forward help or carry 3 goalies?
- Scott1977

I've heard that they really want to keep Forsberg. Even if it is in the AHL.

The Hawks will not keep 3 goalies up when Crawford is healthy.

It’s early, small sample size, etc.

BUT,
Ward 89 saves, 14 GA, 4.62 GAA, .843 Save %

That’s not bad, that’s historically bad.
- scottak

It's really shocking when looking at that that the Hawks are 2-0-1.

They do have one and Duncan Keith uses him almost daily.

He's available to all players. I heard Forsberg was working on getting better in that area. I'm not sure it was with the Hawks staff though.
- Justin Lowe

Thanks, Justin! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving holiday weekend.