Things I am thankful for:

1) A once again dominant Toews. On top of his scoring, many of which are in the dirty areas, he's fighting through checks and not giving up on plays. Plus he's killing it on faceoffs. The last time the Hawks and Predators squared off in the playoffs, Johansen outplayed Toews by a wide margin. Today, I am willing to wager that Toews would thoroughly dominate Johansen.

2) I knew Jokiharju would be good but not this good this fast. I had him projected as a top 3 defender, not a #1, yet he is demonstrating that he may emerge as the Hawks #1. One upside of that would be relieving pressure on Boqvist to be the next #1 so he can just play within himself. Many felt Boqvist had the stronger camp while Jokiharju was okay. So if this is Jokiharju just being okay in the regular season, just think what Boqvist may be a year from now?

3) Kane being clutch on a regular basis and being dominant when the team needs it most so far this young season. If he's not playing full throttle yet, the NHL needs to watch out when he does.

4) DeBrincat picking up where he left off last season and showing signs of taking it to the next level. Love how elusive he is while still willing to engage physically against opponents who want nothing more than to plant him into the boards.

5) Schmaltz and Saad starting to warm up. While the points are piling up now on the stat sheet for Schmaltz, they will eventually for Saad. He wasn't good in the 1st game but has progressively played stronger on both sides of the ice the next two.

6) Anisimov for proving that he's not a useless slug. He's creating scoring chances, parking himself in the crease, and playing decent defense, all while not having the strongest linemates on line 3. Get him a playmaker and a shooter and that 3rd line could be something, especially to create even more matchup problems for the other team now that Toews has elevated the Hawks back to a team where you have to shut down 2 top lines (not just Kane's line).

But - didn't it take him a couple of years to get back to normal?
- StLBravesFan

If I remember correctly, Sid also had another issue on top of the concussions (I want to say it had something to do with his neck, but I can't 100% remember.)

If I remember correctly, Sid also had another issue on top of the concussions (I want to say it had something to do with his neck, but I can't 100% remember.)
- Jance

you may be on to something, i do recall Sid with one of those collars.....for a bad neck

Things I'm not thankful for:

1) A continually futile PP. A team with this much talent shouldn't be this anemic. I blame it on the strategy and coaching. Last year when the coaches let the players share PP ideas, that seemed to perk up the man advantage but for whatever reason the team reverted back to old ways.

2) An unrelentless defense. The offense seems to have gotten the memo on Q desiring a relentless style of play.

3) The pilgrim collars on the jerseys. Make the colored collar thinner like the Jets and a few other teams that have gotten it right with the Adidas design:



For the Hawks red jersey, make the thin colored collar white with the NHL crest encased in black (or reverse the colors). For the white jersey, make the thin colored collar red with the NHL crest encased in black (or reverse the colors).

Whatever the colors, thinning out the color can make a world of difference.

Rick Nash is about to officially retire.

Defence pairings changed up a bit today:

Keith-Joki
Gus-Seabs
Manning-Rutta

The forwards remain the same.

Defence pairings changed up a bit today:

Keith-Joki
Gus-Seabs
Manning-Rutta

The forwards remain the same.
- Justin Lowe

Looks like Manning/Rutta/Davidson are rotating.

I'd put Davidson in there (even on his offside) with Manning. Let Rutta watch from the press box for a couple games.

Still think it's funny after one mildly down year STL is considered "light." Must be a Chicago lack of class thing.

I'm thankful we have Justin writing great blogs like this.

Thankful that this guy has turned back the clock to 2013....

Looks like Manning/Rutta/Davidson are rotating.

I'd put Davidson in there (even on his offside) with Manning. Let Rutta watch from the press box for a couple games.
- Justin Lowe

New Blackhawks power play units
1: Jokiharju, DeBrincat, Kane, Schmaltz & Toews
2: Keith, Gustafsson, Kahun, Saad & Anisimov

I wouldn't be surprised if we see Seabrooks play (and numbers) start to get better now if he stays with Gus.

I would love it if they would take Keith off of the PP, and put Schmaltz on the #2 unit. I know its asking a lot of him right now, but I would then try Hayden on the #1 unit to sit in front of the net. He obviously likes going there.

Thankful that this guy has turned back the clock to 2013....



- EnzoD

Enzo, you have been very knowledgeable regarding skating in the past. Do you see anything markedly different with Toews this year vs. the past 2-3?

Any ideas as to what you would need to work on to improve this much (strength, legs, core, noggin)?

New Blackhawks power play units
1: Jokiharju, DeBrincat, Kane, Schmaltz & Toews
2: Keith, Gustafsson, Kahun, Saad & Anisimov

I wouldn't be surprised if we see Seabrooks play (and numbers) start to get better now if he stays with Gus.

I would love it if they would take Keith off of the PP, and put Schmaltz on the #2 unit. I know its asking a lot of him right now, but I would then try Hayden on the #1 unit to sit in front of the net. He obviously likes going there.
- Chunk

Grabbed him in fantasy hockey off waivers

Dahlin 3GP 0P -1
Jokiharju 3 GP 5P +5


Can you say Calder Trophy

In terms of scoring yes...not in defense or GA.
they started 3-0-1 with 22 goals and 7 GA...then everything went to hell.
- bogiedoc

Corey>>>>>Ward
Seabs, Keith, Rutta all taken a step back

Grabbed him in fantasy hockey off waivers

Dahlin 3GP 0P -1
Jokiharju 3 GP 5P +5


Can you say Calder Trophy
- EnzoD

That will make talking heads all over the NHL implode...

Grabbed him in fantasy hockey off waivers

Dahlin 3GP 0P -1
Jokiharju 3 GP 5P +5


Can you say Calder Trophy
- EnzoD

I just can't believe how calm/confident he is. There is no anxiety with the puck on his stick and pressure coming. I also like that he makes quick decisions and doesn't hold on to the puck all that long.

Enzo, you have been very knowledgeable regarding skating in the past. Do you see anything markedly different with Toews this year vs. the past 2-3?

Any ideas as to what you would need to work on to improve this much (strength, legs, core, noggin)?
- Chunk

It looked to me last year that Toews had no explosiveness OR endurance in his skating. When you don't have the cardio, you are pacing yourself and coasting around instead of what we've seen from Johnny thus far....constant pace and moving his feet. We've heard rumors that a potential back injury could have been dragging him down, and that may be possible. But, I always thought it was in the legs with 19 and that comes down to offseason training and conditioning. Johnny is moving his feet, and whether it's confidence or working on his puck skills over the summer...he has dangles again. Just a night and day difference in the player from watching him last season. Probably a few reasons for that.

I'm thankful the Hawks seem to have a blue chip rookie in Jokiharju. If he is the heir apparent to Keith in being the alpha defenseman, that is a huge hole filled for the next 10-12 years. It's exciting to think their top 4 d-men starting in 2022 or so are already being groomed in the system.

I'm thankful to see Toews playing like 2015. A fully-rested and 100% healthy Toews is a great thing.

I'm thankful there are only 2 more games left before the possibility of a #50 sighting. If he can play even as well as an above-average goaltender, this team won't have to try to score 5 goals a game.

Matt Murry concussion - pick up the phone Stan!!!

I'm thankful the Hawks seem to have a blue chip rookie in Jokiharju. If he is the heir apparent to Keith in being the alpha defenseman, that is a huge hole filled for the next 10-12 years. It's exciting to think their top 4 d-men starting in 2022 or so are already being groomed in the system.

I'm thankful to see Toews playing like 2015. A fully-rested and 100% healthy Toews is a great thing.

I'm thankful there are only 2 more games left before the possibility of a #50 sighting. If he can play even as well as an above-average goaltender, this team won't have to try to score 5 goals a game.
- biskit67

has there been anything in the news on how Crow is looking? is he at full practice with the team?

I know it is very early, and the bloom could easily fall off the rose, but you have to give Stan some credit on Kahun. He is not dragging anyone down thus far, and seem to be able to either create, get to, or pass to open ice on a fairly consistent basis.

One of the early comments on him was that he was able to see the ice and plays quickly, and react. The assist on ADB's last goal was impressive in that manner.

I know it is very early, and the bloom could easily fall off the rose, but you have to give Stan some credit on Kahun. He is not dragging anyone down thus far, and seem to be able to either create, get to, or pass to open ice on a fairly consistent basis.

One of the early comments on him was that he was able to see the ice and plays quickly, and react. The assist on ADB's last goal was impressive in that manner.
- Chunk

no way that play happens last year - first of all Toews would have fallen or never been quick enough to get puck and then pass...

If I remember correctly, Sid also had another issue on top of the concussions (I want to say it had something to do with his neck, but I can't 100% remember.)
- Jance

I don't remember another injury, but he's a pain in my ass.

Defence pairings changed up a bit today:

Keith-Joki
Gus-Seabs
Manning-Rutta

The forwards remain the same.
- Justin Lowe

I like that better than what we've been seeing. Gus and Seabs good pair last year

Grabbed him in fantasy hockey off waivers

Dahlin 3GP 0P -1
Jokiharju 3 GP 5P +5


Can you say Calder Trophy
- EnzoD

That's what I was chanting. Joki for calder. Screw Rasmus Dahlin. Joki for calder.