Both are non center-centers, haha
- I Am The Breadman

Depends on what you expect a center to do, I guess. Does he need to improve on FOs? Sure. I think FOs are hugely over-rated except for certain situations. Everyone remembers the FOs that lead directly to a goal but forget the hundreds that have no bearing on possession. There have been several studies supporting this reality but people will believe what announcers tell them.

Even with Toews struggling, it was more CC than anyone else, you lose a top 5 goalie, season over they knew that, reason why they signed Ward, not great but has made some really good saves not to lose a game in regulation
- BetweenTheDots

Glass half full or half empty?

You could look at it also as, he has let in some really stoppable shots to prevent them from winning in regulation.

Just watch, there will be some kind of exception to the CBA this summer to help them......
- powerenforcer

Don't they LTIR someone every tear, and the posted a video saying he's fine and the Leafs circumvent the cap all the time?

Everyone loves the The Toronto Maple Sleeps ....

Mark Lazerus
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I asked Q if he'd keep Anton Forsberg around a little extra just to make sure Crawford was OK, but he's pretty adamant against keeping three goalies. Forsberg likely to hit waivers this week.

Depends on what you expect a center to do, I guess. Does he need to improve on FOs? Sure. I think FOs are hugely over-rated except for certain situations. Everyone remembers the FOs that lead directly to a goal but forget the hundreds that have no bearing on possession. There have been several studies supporting this reality but people will believe what announcers tell them.
- Elbows15

I think the faceoffs that lead to goals are always fresh and ready in people's minds, making them important. Like Gus's bad game, heroic pass. Really skews things.

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I asked Q if he'd keep Anton Forsberg around a little extra just to make sure Crawford was OK, but he's pretty adamant against keeping three goalies. Forsberg likely to hit waivers this week.
- breadbag

Cross your fingers, people's
Thanks breadbag for the info.

I think the faceoffs that lead to goals are always fresh and ready in people's minds, making them important. Like Gus's bad game, heroic pass. Really skews things.
- I Am The Breadman

Yeah, You could say really that is why we look at stats. Can't possibly remember each play or event, but over the course of time, the numbers paint a picture to go along with the moments.

Why? Do you think Nylander plays any different than Schmaltz? He doesn't.
- Elbows15

Nylander will at least shoot the puck unlike Schmaltz

Depends on what you expect a center to do, I guess. Does he need to improve on FOs? Sure. I think FOs are hugely over-rated except for certain situations. Everyone remembers the FOs that lead directly to a goal but forget the hundreds that have no bearing on possession. There have been several studies supporting this reality but people will believe what announcers tell them.
- Elbows15

Here's the thing about Schmaltz that scares me. Since he has been a fixture in the lineup he has had three glaring holes in his game. 1. Strength 2. FO's 3. Defensive awareness. He has a great stick and can steal pucks, bu positionally he is lack luster. The concerning thing is i dont see any improvement in these areas. Im not calling to trade him, but do we have another TT situation on our hands? Remember, when the hawks traded TT to unload Bickell's salary JJ had reported that the brass were a bit unhappy with his off ice work ethic and dedicating himself to get stronger. Schmaltz can fly and has great offensive ability, does he feel this is good enough and he doesnt have to become more complete? I dont think so, but it is just some early observation.

Wear Saad's white jersey, take the day off, Q's orders haha.

Jesus, how many of you's were suspended?
- I Am The Breadman

I've been here for awhile now. I think I have been a couple of times.

Just watch, there will be some kind of exception to the CBA this summer to help them......
- powerenforcer

Why would that happen?

Here's the thing about Schmaltz that scares me. Since he has been a fixture in the lineup he has had three glaring holes in his game. 1. Strength 2. FO's 3. Defensive awareness. He has a great stick and can steal pucks, bu positionally he is lack luster. The concerning thing is i dont see any improvement in these areas. Im not calling to trade him, but do we have another TT situation on our hands? Remember, when the hawks traded TT to unload Bickell's salary JJ had reported that the brass were a bit unhappy with his off ice work ethic and dedicating himself to get stronger. Schmaltz can fly and has great offensive ability, does he feel this is good enough and he doesnt have to become more complete? I dont think so, but it is just some early observation.
- nickmo2699

Actually, I have noticed some more strength from him this year. I remember one game where I saw him push a guy off the puck three different times, something that he wasn't really able to do last year. He still is a little adverse to contact, but maybe as he realizes his strength, and gets more and more comfortable out there, he will stop being so adverse to it. He has seemed to get a bit better as the games have gone on. Still great at stealing that puck...reminds me of Hossa a bit, at least in the way that if someone steals a puck from him, he goes and gets right back a lot of times.

Nylander will at least shoot the puck unlike Schmaltz
- GPHawksfan

Didn't Schmaltz have 23-25 goals last year? That's a lot of not shooting the puck.

No gimmick hockey in the playoffs, so OTWs mean very little. In fact it only proves this is not a respectable 5 on 5 team.

Additionally, it is NOT exciting hockey to watch - it is sloppy hockey to watch. Anyone who thinks this team is playoff bound, let alone able to make a run is pretty delusional.

This team should not entertain any thoughts of "squeaking into the playoffs". They are not deep enough, they aren't adding any top NHL talent, and their young prospects aren't suddenly going to morph into top tier talent in season.

8 and 20 are train wrecks, and the bottom six is offensively impotent. The PP and PK are terrible.

Don't ruin chances to draft high next summer. Just get a lottery pick next season, keep culling the heard of rookies and focus on who may be keepers.
- Return of the Roar

Actually, you can make the argument that 5 v 5 is where they are strongest right now. Bad PK and PP so most of their goals have been created at 5v5.

Didn't Schmaltz have 23-25 goals last year? That's a lot of not shooting the puck.
- I Am The Breadman

21 goals on 118 shots. I don't have time to dig in, but I'm willing to bet more of those goals happened while he was playing LW with Kane/AA.

Edit: I lied...I looked and I think Schmaltz scored 13 while playing with AA as his Center.

Gimmick points.
- Return of the Roar

You can't have it both ways. If your argument is the Hawks can't win 5 v 5, the Hawks have outscored their opponents 20 to 15. Right now that is the strength of their game. If your argument is that overall taking into account PK, PP and 5 V 5 the Hawks don't stand a chance, then time will tell. I would posit that as long as they stay out of the box, early season results say they can compete with anybody.

You can't have it both ways. If your argument is the Hawks can't win 5 v 5, the Hawks have outscored their opponents 20 to 15. Right now that is the strength of their game. If your argument is that overall taking into account PK, PP and 5 V 5 the Hawks don't stand a chance, then time will tell. I would posit that as long as they stay out of the box, early season results say they can compete with anybody.
- TheTrob

You make a good point about staying out of the box. The good news is that the Hawks cleaned up their act overall. I remember early last season, for the first maybe 5-6 week they were one of the top teams in terms of number of penalties. So far they have taken less than average compared to the league. A lot of the teams below them haven't played as many games.

I would add, the PK numbers are hurt by some of the dumb mistakes, like Ward passing to the opposing team. I think that play was after the Hawks gave up pretty much no chances and had some shorthanded opportunities.

Didn't Schmaltz have 23-25 goals last year? That's a lot of not shooting the puck.
- I Am The Breadman

22. You ever watch a game or just endlessly post on here?

Depends on what you expect a center to do, I guess. Does he need to improve on FOs? Sure. I think FOs are hugely over-rated except for certain situations. Everyone remembers the FOs that lead directly to a goal but forget the hundreds that have no bearing on possession. There have been several studies supporting this reality but people will believe what announcers tell them.
- Elbows15

But in those situations where they ARE important - they REALLY ARE important.

PP / PK - getting or not getting the puck means tons for either side - setting up the PP with little time gone and the puck and skaters already in the zone, vs. a clear and a 20 second clock runoff and having to reenter the zone.

End of one-goal game - either being able to set up and pull the goalie if your trying to tie it up or having to keep the goalie in net.

22. You ever watch a game or just endlessly post on here?
- GPHawksfan

I post during games, preseason or regular season, with a bunch of the guys. Plenty will vouch, or just look at previous threads. I give player synopses. I ask questions. I comment on trade proposals. I joke around. I stay positive and don't solely attack players. Why?

21 goals on 118 shots. I don't have time to dig in, but I'm willing to bet more of those goals happened while he was playing LW with Kane/AA.

Edit: I lied...I looked and I think Schmaltz scored 13 while playing with AA as his Center.
- breadbag

Breadbag, you can't be lying to me now. Jk.
That's a lot more shots than I had expected. Thanks for pulling that up. Someone has to stick up for Schmaltz.

I wonder if Saad has been playing hurt and finally now they are shutting him down for a bit. Kinda like Toews last couple years with nagging injuries. Either way some time off for Saad better reengage or re-energize him.
- sofaking3

I don’t think so, nothing to indicate that. I remember Q being asked what he needed to see out of Saad and the answer was “more”!

I don’t think so, nothing to indicate that. I remember Q being asked what he needed to see out of Saad and the answer was “more”!
- walleyeb1

Coach Scott Skiles, asked how Eddie Curry could be a better rebounder: "Jump."

You make a good point about staying out of the box. The good news is that the Hawks cleaned up their act overall. I remember early last season, for the first maybe 5-6 week they were one of the top teams in terms of number of penalties. So far they have taken less than average compared to the league. A lot of the teams below them haven't played as many games.

I would add, the PK numbers are hurt by some of the dumb mistakes, like Ward passing to the opposing team. I think that play was after the Hawks gave up pretty much no chances and had some shorthanded opportunities.
- breadbag

Thank God that season where we were 50% on the pk is behind us in the first 20 games or something like that. The Mike Kitchen days. I wonder if that was part of him being fired?

Why would that happen?
- paulr