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.
- Chunk

I like that he yells out directions or plays to other guys on the ice. High maturity levels from the kid.

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 recall the same. He struggled with soft tissue damage in his neck.

For those cheering for Hayden to play. Martinsen has a back injury apparently (didn't practice today).

For those cheering for Hayden to play. Martinsen has a back injury apparently (didn't practice today).
- breadbag

Thanks for the update. As long as Hayden stays productive he will stay up. Hopefully, help that 3rd line in scoring. They are good defensively but slower than (insert slow thing here)

I am thankful that we do not have to hear the majority of posters on this site female dog about how Toews is soooo old, soooo bad and will never again be worth a crap for at least another week or two.

Of course they can/will still say he is not a top 10 center (or even a 1st line center on a good team), not worth $10.5 mil and that Bowman is an idiot for giving him that kind of contract.

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).
- AEL_Fox

Or at the end of the year after his Junior season is done.

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.
- EnzoD

Great insight! I agree, he also has been doing a lot less chasing the play and more dictating at this point.If it was in fact a back injury that lingered, that can be a crippling thing. Nonetheless I am glad he has had this early success!

I am thankful they are sticking with Gus. He is only 26 and has only played in 79 NHL games. He just might be figuring things out. I think right now the Gus/Seabs might be our 2nd best pairing. When Murphy and Forsling gets back Gus and Seabs could be a decent 3rd pairing.

Defence pairings changed up a bit today:

Keith-Joki
Gus-Seabs
Manning-Rutta

The forwards remain the same.
- Justin Lowe

Until Rutta rotated out there will be problems.

Or at the end of the year after his Junior season is done.
- scottak

I'm all for that scenario, too.

Until Rutta rotated out there will be problems.
- Z3Hawk

I hope they put Davidson in for Ruta. While not in anyway spectacular, Davidson provides a steady stay at home presence on defense, that can only help stabalize the situation on that pairing

I am thankful they are sticking with Gus. He is only 26 and has only played in 79 NHL games. He just might be figuring things out. I think right now the Gus/Seabs might be our 2nd best pairing. When Murphy and Forsling gets back Gus and Seabs could be a decent 3rd pairing.
- -Doh-

As much as I rag on Gustafsson's mediocre defense, he is rather effective at defending when he does apply himself. There was a play against the Leafs where he rode the puck handler into the end boards and used sheer strength and physicality to create a turnover. More of that, please, to go along with his top notch offense.

Or at the end of the year after his Junior season is done.
- scottak

I would love to see Boqvist work with Jokiharju's strength and conditioning coach this summer.

Joki's guy in Finland should be hired by the Hawks as their Eurpoean Paul Goodman.

I am thankful they are sticking with Gus. He is only 26 and has only played in 79 NHL games. He just might be figuring things out. I think right now the Gus/Seabs might be our 2nd best pairing. When Murphy and Forsling gets back Gus and Seabs could be a decent 3rd pairing.
- -Doh-

How the tides flow. Once upon a time in a playoff series against the Blues Q basically called out Gus as the reason they lost the series. My how times change or do they? Keith has no biz on the PP yet he still marches him out there. Lets hope the effort continues and CC gets healthy quick.

I'm thankful for:

- Toews being Toews again!

- Jokiharu! Never expected him to be so good so soon. I hope his good play continues...If Boqvuist lives up to expectations, the Hawks defense is going to be something special in 2-3 years.

- A near healthy Crawford. We need his elite goaltending so that the Hawks don't always have to score 6 or 7 goals to win.

As much as I rag on Gustafsson's mediocre defense, he is rather effective at defending when he does apply himself. There was a play against the Leafs where he rode the puck handler into the end boards and used sheer strength and physicality to create a turnover. More of that, please, to go along with his top notch offense.
- AEL_Fox

I have seen a few good defensive plays this year from him. I think he is starting to put it all together. Like others on here, I really like the Gus Seabs pairing. They were gellin at the end of last year.

I hope they put Davidson in for Ruta. While not in anyway spectacular, Davidson provides a steady stay at home presence on defense, that can only help stabalize the situation on that pairing
- chuckdahammer

After Rutta's last game plus his first 2, he needs to be replaced. I liked Davidson during camp.

It's funny how players shift. Joki okay during camp, great reg season. Johnson and Kampf great camps, reg season okay. They could be a lot better. I liked it when they fought for a spot. It seems taken for granted now.

As much as I rag on Gustafsson's mediocre defense, he is rather effective at defending when he does apply himself. There was a play against the Leafs where he rode the puck handler into the end boards and used sheer strength and physicality to create a turnover. More of that, please, to go along with his top notch offense.
- AEL_Fox

He has a very high skill level and skates well. Will be interesting to see if he figures it out or if he just has a 10 cent head.

I am thankful that we do not have to hear the majority of posters on this site female dog about how Toews is soooo old, soooo bad and will never again be worth a crap for at least another week or two.

Of course they can/will still say he is not a top 10 center (or even a 1st line center on a good team), not worth $10.5 mil and that Bowman is an idiot for giving him that kind of contract.
- -Doh-

I was one of the ones dogging him and I think it was deserved. He is playing like his old self and looking to score more at least so far. Definitely at Top 5 center if he keeps this up. Can't argue with the fact he looks a lot better this year and seems to have found his hands and dangles again too.

Maybe we are looking at an even better version of Toews that can score 40g. That breakaway goal was a beauty. Clearly he worked on his skillset this offseason.

Equally as thankful for Joki. Hearing him yell out instructions as 19 year old during the speed of the NHL game doesn't just show maturity it also tells me he understands the game and can think/react to it at the NHL level. Have to assume the heavier teams in the West will start taking runs at him sooner than later.

How the tides flow. Once upon a time in a playoff series against the Blues Q basically called out Gus as the reason they lost the series. My how times change or do they? Keith has no biz on the PP yet he still marches him out there. Lets hope the effort continues and CC gets healthy quick.
- z1990z

I believe that Q singled Gus out for being out of position on the GWG which also turned out to be the series winning goal. In any case he was 23 at the time with only 41 NHL games under his belt.

I was one of the ones dogging him and I think it was deserved. He is playing like his old self and looking to score more at least so far. Definitely at Top 5 center if he keeps this up. Can't argue with the fact he looks a lot better this year and seems to have found his hands and dangles again too.

Maybe we are looking at an even better version of Toews that can score 40g. That breakaway goal was a beauty. Clearly he worked on his skillset this offseason.

Equally as thankful for Joki. Hearing him yell out instructions as 19 year old during the speed of the NHL game doesn't just show maturity it also tells me he understands the game and can think/react to it at the NHL level. Have to assume the heavier teams in the West will start taking runs at him sooner than later.
- bhawks2241

I know it's early and it could just be a case of many pro athletes starting a new season like gangbusters but then retreat back to their previous water levels, but a part of me thinks Toews has not only bounced back so far but may have also found a brand new gear, beast mode, or what have you.

As for Jokiharju, given his improved strength and his uber confidence which will just get better over time, I can see other teams looking to run him into next week but he may just acquit himself well by standing up to the fury unphased. He's not a hulking blueliner like Byfuglien, Parayko, or Hedman but he doesn't seem like he gets scared that easy (or at all).

I was one of the ones dogging him and I think it was deserved. He is playing like his old self and looking to score more at least so far. Definitely at Top 5 center if he keeps this up. Can't argue with the fact he looks a lot better this year and seems to have found his hands and dangles again too.

Maybe we are looking at an even better version of Toews that can score 40g. That breakaway goal was a beauty. Clearly he worked on his skillset this offseason.

Equally as thankful for Joki. Hearing him yell out instructions as 19 year old during the speed of the NHL game doesn't just show maturity it also tells me he understands the game and can think/react to it at the NHL level. Have to assume the heavier teams in the West will start taking runs at him sooner than later.
- bhawks2241

Criticizing Toews play is one thing. Saying he was too old and would never be good again is another.

Criticizing Toews play is one thing. Saying he was too old and would never be good again is another.
- -Doh-

Ad Nauseam.

I was one of the ones dogging him and I think it was deserved. He is playing like his old self and looking to score more at least so far. Definitely at Top 5 center if he keeps this up. Can't argue with the fact he looks a lot better this year and seems to have found his hands and dangles again too.

Maybe we are looking at an even better version of Toews that can score 40g. That breakaway goal was a beauty. Clearly he worked on his skillset this offseason.

Equally as thankful for Joki. Hearing him yell out instructions as 19 year old during the speed of the NHL game doesn't just show maturity it also tells me he understands the game and can think/react to it at the NHL level. Have to assume the heavier teams in the West will start taking runs at him sooner than later.
- bhawks2241

Not his best game, I think - I’d gladly settle for 25 and Selke-contention - that’s where he was so valuable in the Cup era.

I've enjoyed the games so far. It's great for hockey to be back and to see just where the team will fit into the West.

Just carrying over some discussion from last blog.

Rutta has struggled (maybe the most), but as a pair with Gus, haven't been any worse than Seabrook/Manning through these first 3 games. All 4 guys in the bottom two pairs have struggled with moving the puck without turning it over. Some poor passing and mistakes under pressure. The positive for Seabrook/Manning is that they each scored a goal. They've also been handicapped a bit with some more Dzone shifts.

Seabrook and Manning have had more of that defensive load on their shoulders. My point is that I'm not saying Rutta has been better than Seabrook or Manning, just that it seems Seabrook/Manning are being overwhelmed more because of their usage. I feel like they assignment has been tougher and it shows. Maybe it would be more ideal to have someone else playing with Manning and doing the dirty work and let Seabrook get some easier shifts 5v5. I just think it would be great if they had one more solid stay at home guy in the lineup right now.

We have one D pair working decently well and 2 that are underwhelming at the moment. Right now, based on playing time

Keith - Jokiharju
Gus - Rutta
Manning - Seabrook
Davidson

The guys getting the most PK duty to far (Total Minutes)
Keith, Rutta, Seabrook, Manning.

Most PP minutes
Seabrook, Keith, Gustafsson...
- breadbag

What I am expecting is for those bottom two pairs to continue to struggle, sometimes either pair can show descent.and poor moments s in the same game.

I would add this, too: how much hope do we have for them? Perhaps if Davidson now or sometime around the half season mark -either Davidson or someone from Rockford could be substituted. For now the dmen here and throughout the system need to play.

Although it is always an objective to put different style dmen together so that they complement each other, it looks as a season of musical chairs among bottom pair dmen. As currently constructed the bottom two pairs just do not appear barely acceptable. I would be glad to be wrong; time will tell

We might get Dahlstrom, Forsling first and any other youngsters in Rockford will really need to be superlative, simple and consistent just to get a cup of coffee..