Agree 100%. He is so hot and cold but does have the speed and talent to dominate at times. Maybe he really does belong on the wing ? So again Stan. ....we're a good solid 2C and a 4D to actually contend again. Is this Saad thing going to linger JL or might there be something in the works to move him ?

Saad + to Carolina for Faulk and a center prospect ??? They have many but Janne Kuokkanen (spelling) is their best I believe.
- Hawkytalk

Hard to move a guy like Saad when his value is so low.

I really hope it doesn't linger and not sure I buy into the he only plays for a contract narrative personally.

I do think he better assert himself this year though as going back-to-back doen years will really hurt his stock and confidence. Then the Hawks could really be stuck.

If he can't get back to his dominant offensive force Q might be forced to relegate him more to a 3rd line defensive/checking line with guys like Kahun and Fortin stealing his ice time in the top 6.

You're right about the odd man rushes. The Hawks have come together as a team and are supporting each other more in that regard.

Where they are getting beat is more breakdowns in the defensive zone, specifically right in front pf the net and down low.
- Justin Lowe

Very true, and it's not the same guy every night, last night Gusto, then Rutta, then Seabrook, then Manning not in that order, i can't stand that cross ice pass out of the dzone that almost every team is anticipating

People can change, I guess, but my first impression of Saad was that he had that fire in his belly personality. Remember he was a top of the 1st round prospect going into his draft year and then had an injury and he dropped into the 2nd round and the Hawks took him at #43. The first number he wore with the Hawks was #43 and that told me he had a chip on his shoulder like he would prove the naysayers who passed on him in the 1st round. I liked that. He needs to recapture that attitude.

Observations on the nice "comeback" W:

1. Toews is BACK! Speed, edges, hands, and great distribution; winning 1v1 battles

2. Keith's D on Tarasenko was a clinic on taking away time and space with great gap control, active stick, and hip movement

3. Guess we will have to live with very high risk/reward of Gus's play; also Manning did not have a good game; between those two turnover city in D zone

4. Hayden can score on 3rd line; just has to be protect the puck better down down

5. Please devote time (practice) for Ward and Manning for puck distribution behind net

6. You thought Sharp was a snipe, Debrincat might be be because he has better hands to change angle of puck when shooting

7. Finally game should have been salted away not ended like it did; learning experience

I was only able to catch the first 2 periods, but Jokiharju with another open ice stuff on Tarasenko.

No, I don't remember that.

What I do remember is that JJ advised against penciling in DeBrincat for 30+ goals per year for the next decade before he had ever played a game in the AHL.

In the meantime, he's proven himself to be the real deal and it's awesome! I think JJ would say the same.
- matt_ahrens

JJ was a daily wet blanket about ADB. He did far more than "advise" against penciling in ADB for 30 goals, he constantly questioned his skating, size, even character. He was as "sure" he'd fail as those he "advised" were that ADB would succeed. He was wrong, totally.

Very true, and it's not the same guy every night, last night Gusto, then Rutta, then Seabrook, then Manning not in that order, i can't stand that cross ice pass out of the dzone that almost every team is anticipating
- BetweenTheDots

I had said that earlier, same breakdowns are hitting different d men. That worries me. I know sometimes a guy can make a bad play or even an off night, but the fact that it is contagious ... not good. I hope it fixes itself, it is still young in the season. I like the pushback and getting points, but I don't like division foes getting points either.

The Hawks give up 2 PPG and which will put their PK near the bottom of the league. They PP is near the bottom as well.

While it's very exciting their underlining stats and play isn't sustainable... but hell it's exciting. Did I say that already?
- Justin Lowe

On the bright side 5 on 5 play is very exciting.

Observations on the nice "comeback" W:

1. Toews is BACK! Speed, edges, hands, and great distribution; winning 1v1 battles

2. Keith's D on Tarasenko was a clinic on taking away time and space with great gap control, active stick, and hip movement

3. Guess we will have to live with very high risk/reward of Gus's play; also Manning did not have a good game; between those two turnover city in D zone

4. Hayden can score on 3rd line; just has to be protect the puck better down down

5. Please devote time (practice) for Ward and Manning for puck distribution behind net

6. You thought Sharp was a snipe, Debrincat might be be because he has better hands to change angle of puck when shooting

7. Finally game should have been salted away not ended like it did; learning experience
- D2D

I agree with you on all points, except 3. Gus should not get a pass for one good play. How many posters said Gus had a bad night, Gus better be a scratch, Gus better be gone for Forsling, another bad turnover by Gus, my favorite bad play by him was .... then he makes a nice shot pass (it was nice) but all is forgiven? A freaking lot, just go back and read them. Then I call him out, and I get to eat my words, it was funny. That risk-reward is skewed heavily in the wrong direction, really not good as a DEFENSE man. I like Gus, but that was a bad game by him. Gus almost lost the game with that Schenn breakaway. And the opposite, I wouldn't say Manning had a bad game because of 2 bad plays, 1 being Ward's fault on a bad pass.

Also, I would include Joki in the Vlady shutdown night, just because he was Keith's partner. Point 7, there might be a lot more learning experiences like this, Minny should have been, but we saw the same 2-0 lead blown. Bad penalties called and not called especially in this game, more than Minny.

On the bright side 5 on 5 play is very exciting.
- walleyeb1

So is 3 on 3.

I agree with you on all points, except 3. Gus should not get a pass for one good play. How many posters said Gus had a bad night, Gus better be a scratch, Gus better be gone for Forsling, another bad turnover by Gus, my favorite bad play by him was .... then he makes a nice shot pass (it was nice) but all is forgiven? A freaking lot, just go back and read them. Then I call him out, and I get to eat my words, very funny. That risk-reward is skewed heavily in the wrong direction though. I like Gus, but that was a bad game by him. Gus almost lost the game wit that Schenn breakaway. And the opposite, I wouldn't say Manning had a bad game because of 2 bad plays, 1 being Ward's fault on a bad pass.

Also, I would include Joki in the Vlady shutdown night, just because he was Keith's partner. Point 7, there might be a lot more learning experiences like this, Minny should have been, but we saw the same 2-0 lead blown. Bad penalties called and not called especially in this game, more than Minny.
- I Am The Breadman

Ya he contained Vlad in open ice again almost effortlessly on a play

The good news is that they are winning while their special teams really suck. If - and it is a big if - they can figure out special teams, the winning could be sustainable. (that's the positive spin.)
- matt_ahrens

Absolutely. I've been saying the same for 9 years here.

These are the kind of games that give the NHL a bad name. It was obvious that the Blues were not in this game, yet the refs allowed them back in (just like Minny game). Parity crap is crap. Is it all bad if a team gets blown out? Why do the refs have to help the morale of a team.

Too bad too, because the way that game was officiated, the Blues were all set up to win.
- powerenforcer

Hawks were handed powerplays too. Give me a break.

How’d we end up 50.8% at the dot when Toews was only 47.8% at the dot?

Hawks were handed powerplays too. Give me a break.
- RobShouts

No question they were. In some games you breathe on a guy and it's a call. It might be because the league wants more scoring and they think the chances are better with more man advantages. That theory dosen't work so well here, but overall it might. But I think you're right, it works both ways.

How’d we end up 50.8% at the dot when Toews was only 47.8% at the dot?
- walleyeb1

They must have had a good 3rd period because after the 2nd (i think it was the 2nd) they were 1/3 vs 2/3 for Stl in percentage

No question they were. In some games you breathe on a guy and it's a call. It might be because the league wants more scoring and they think the chances are better with more man advantages. That theory dosen't work so well here, but overall it might. But I think you're right, it works both ways.
- 6628

Huh? A delay of game and Burtozzo running over Ward? What are you talking about? The Bouwmester interference was a legit call. If anything the Hawks didn’t get several calls last night. Like Kane getting lumberjacked 10ft from the net with the puck on his stick.

Q hates practice more then the players ..lol
- oldduffman

Why an optional skate ??
We see this team giving up leads late in games and seemingly running out of gas. My eye test is telling me that the opposition is better conditioned, especially when Quenneville doesn't like to use his younger guys as much as the vets. How bout MORE practice time instead of less at the beginning of the year. ...especially on special teams.
Maybe we might see some improvement.
I don't get it.

Toews sucks
Seabs sucks
Ward sucks
Q sucks
Stan sucks

Too old.
Too young.
Should have 10 points.
Won't make playoffs.
Embarrassing.

GO Hawks!!!!!!

Observations on the nice "comeback" W:

1. Toews is BACK! Speed, edges, hands, and great distribution; winning 1v1 battles

2. Keith's D on Tarasenko was a clinic on taking away time and space with great gap control, active stick, and hip movement

3. Guess we will have to live with very high risk/reward of Gus's play; also Manning did not have a good game; between those two turnover city in D zone

4. Hayden can score on 3rd line; just has to be protect the puck better down down

5. Please devote time (practice) for Ward and Manning for puck distribution behind net

6. You thought Sharp was a snipe, Debrincat might be be because he has better hands to change angle of puck when shooting

7. Finally game should have been salted away not ended like it did; learning experience
- D2D

In addition - he seems to be better than Sharp - and Panarin - at moving without the puck to get into a good position to score.

Huh? A delay of game and Burtozzo running over Ward? What are you talking about? The Bouwmester interference was a legit call. If anything the Hawks didn’t get several calls last night. Like Kane getting lumberjacked 10ft from the net with the puck on his stick.
- bhawks2241

As didn’t St. Louis (bad syntax I know) - like Terasenko getting his wrists slashed ny AdB in the slot disrupting a scoring chance for the Blue Russia.

The incompetence runs both ways.

Why an optional skate ??
We see this team giving up leads late in games and seemingly running out of gas. My eye test is telling me that the opposition is better conditioned, especially when Quenneville doesn't like to use his younger guys as much as the vets. How bout MORE practice time instead of less at the beginning of the year. ...especially on special teams.
Maybe we might see some improvement.
I don't get it.
- Hawkytalk

No game until Thursday.

No need to burn them out this early with so many days off.

In addition - he seems to be better than Sharp - and Panarin - at moving without the puck to get into a good position to score.
- StLBravesFan

And his defensive side of the game too. He'll hit and take the puck away.

The Hawks give up 2 PPG and which will put their PK near the bottom of the league. They PP is near the bottom as well.

While it's very exciting their underlining stats and play isn't sustainable... but hell it's exciting. Did I say that already?
- Justin Lowe

They lucky to have the record that they have they really in hindsight should be 0-5 but late heroics have saved them.. Next game rutta needs to sit to sit insert Davidson. Can manning play the right side because i don't see the hawks sitting manning for essentially rutta. Gus has been ok overall very good offense instincts but needs to improve in the d zone wonder if the hawks would consider making him a forward. I personally like what fortin brung so far speed forecheck and skill also not afraid to go to the net and corners but needs to produce to stay with the big club.

Why an optional skate ??
We see this team giving up leads late in games and seemingly running out of gas. My eye test is telling me that the opposition is better conditioned, especially when Quenneville doesn't like to use his younger guys as much as the vets. How bout MORE practice time instead of less at the beginning of the year. ...especially on special teams.
Maybe we might see some improvement.
I don't get it.
- Hawkytalk

Running out of gas: I think it’s more learning how to win.

Nine of the 18 skaters are either first or second year and haven’t yet won in the Show.

Knowing how to win - how to get and hold a lead - is as much a skill as any skating / shooting / defensive skill. Knowing how to win in the NHL takes time and experience.