Tyler Cameron: Mr. 1,000
What an incredible feat; Patrick Kane has 1,000 career points.

We have been so lucky to have a player like Kane fall into our hockey lives as Blackhawks fans.

The Hawks are hot. Winners of their last 5 games and a 7-3-0 record over their last 10. Let's talk about it.

First, bright and early

Second , not so bright and not as early

A BIG Congrats to Patrick!!!

Hawks are playing some pretty good hockey right now. The Toronto game was good, the Jet game even more impressive as the Jets have had the Hawks number the last few years. A win vs Florida would really make the playoff conversation interesting. Anyway, nice to see Toews playing with such inspired effort. Kubilik a great fit with him. Good stuff.

Watching the Hawks has become fun again!!!

11 out of 15 - some bottom-feeders in their (Detroit, Ottawa, Montreal, Anaheim) - but a lot of teams in the playoffs as of now - and a lot on the road.

After the break, they need to build on that - 11 of 15 games in February are away from the UC - lots against quality teams.

I thought they needed 14-15 points in the 10 January games to have a chance (and didn’t think they could get that) - a wins against the Quennevilles tomorrow night and that’s done.

A BIG Congrats to Patrick!!!

Hawks are playing some pretty good hockey right now. The Toronto game was good, the Jet game even more impressive as the Jets have had the Hawks number the last few years. A win vs Florida would really make the playoff conversation interesting. Anyway, nice to see Toews playing with such inspired effort. Kubilik a great fit with him. Good stuff.

Watching the Hawks has become fun again!!!
- hawk35

It has. The team's gelling right now and I'd rather have them chasing a playoff spot than trending toward the bottom...nobody's catching DET anyway.

With injuries, the Hawks don't have a ton of fwd depth but when healthy they look pretty good. From what I've read, it looks like Strome will be back when play resumes after the All Star break.

That likely pushes Kampf back down to the 4th line if they keep the other two lines the same.

Did anyone notice Kane playing against the opponents RD a lot in our defensive zone. So basically he is taking the normal LW's defensive responsibility. I wonder if that is to counter act other teams strategy of activating their LD against Kane.

12-5 since the losing streak they had in December. 32 games left and only 2 against the Blues, 1 against the Stars, and none against the Avalanche. Weird scheduling. They do play a bunch against the Pacific except the Knights. The top 5 in the Pacific are within 1 point of each other, so the Hawks need to win as many as they can in the road-heavy early February schedule that goes against all the teams that are in the wild card fight.

Also, big congrats to Kane on getting to 1,000 points. Toews asked the officials before the game if they could jump on the ice and celebrate if Kane got to 1,000. Kane was the only one that didn't know about it. Great moment.

Bowman is in a tough position. I look for him to basically stand pat until close to the TDL. He has to be talking to the UFA agents to see what their contract expectations are. Also talking to every team to see what possibilities he has if the Hawks return to mediocre before the TDL. Maybe making a minor Bowman like move (Cagiulla, Kubalik). Let's hope he does not trade our best prospects or picks for a rental.


TDL February 24th. Games before then.
Panthers
@ Yotes
@ Wild
Boston
@ Jets
@ Oilers
@ Canucks
@ Flames
@ Jets
Rangers
Preds
@ Dallas

Yikes

Bowman is in a tough position. I look for him to basically stand pat until close to the TDL. He has to be talking to the UFA agents to see what their contract expectations are. Also talking to every team to see what possibilities he has if the Hawks return to mediocre before the TDL. Maybe making a minor Bowman like move (Cagiulla, Kubalik). Let's hope he does not trade our best prospects or picks for a rental.


TDL February 24th. Games before then.
Panthers
@ Yotes
@ Wild
Boston
@ Jets
@ Oilers
@ Canucks
@ Flames
@ Jets
Rangers
Preds
@ Dallas

Yikes
- -Doh-

The Trade deadline could be very interesting. Hawks with the cap space they have could actually realy take advantage of other teams yet add without giving up much. They could take on a bad expiring contract with a sweetener that can actually help them reach the playoffs and help stock the cupboard a bit more.

Well Dr. Jekyll must have run out of that serum he was taking earlier in the season because Mr. Hyde hasn't made an appearance for over a week. Hopefully he won't brew up some more over the upcoming break.

This team has been fun to watch the past few games and I have been impressed with their play even with taking into account the quality of the opposition. During the streak they have been giving up only a couple of goals per game and the PK is humming along. I think the players are finally bonding and enjoy winning too, so let's hope they can finish out the 1st half of the season with a win over Florida.

Too bad the break is coming up while they are on this streak. It's a double edged sword. I'm sure some players could use a break to recharge and heal their aches and pains, but on the other hand, it would be nice to see them play while they are on this roll.

Doing little to nothing before/at the trade deadline is what I fear most. They'd call it a "measured approach." Of course, something HAS to give in regards to goaltending no matter what. What we have now, is no longer tenable. Keep one, dump both and then what? Stan has a lot on his plate. Don't envy the guy, at all.

The Trade deadline could be very interesting. Hawks with the cap space they have could actually realy take advantage of other teams yet add without giving up much. They could take on a bad expiring contract with a sweetener that can actually help them reach the playoffs and help stock the cupboard a bit more.
- SaskHawkFan

The Hawks have cap space. But according to Capfriendly 4 teams have more than $15mil in cap space, 5 teams have more than $10 mil, 8 teams have more than $5 mil. So teams looking to dump bad contracts will have plenty of options, other than the Hawks. So Bowman has flexibility, but so do a lot of teams. I do not see him as a king maker.

Bowman is in a tough position. I look for him to basically stand pat until close to the TDL. He has to be talking to the UFA agents to see what their contract expectations are. Also talking to every team to see what possibilities he has if the Hawks return to mediocre before the TDL. Maybe making a minor Bowman like move (Cagiulla, Kubalik). Let's hope he does not trade our best prospects or picks for a rental.


TDL February 24th. Games before then.
Panthers
@ Yotes
@ Wild
Boston
@ Jets
@ Oilers
@ Canucks
@ Flames
@ Jets
Rangers
Preds
@ Dallas

Yikes
- -Doh-

Moving Kubalik? That had to be an oversight on your behalf, right, Doh?

Bowman is in a tough position. I look for him to basically stand pat until close to the TDL. He has to be talking to the UFA agents to see what their contract expectations are. Also talking to every team to see what possibilities he has if the Hawks return to mediocre before the TDL. Maybe making a minor Bowman like move (Cagiulla, Kubalik). Let's hope he does not trade our best prospects or picks for a rental.


TDL February 24th. Games before then.
Panthers
@ Yotes
@ Wild
Boston
@ Jets
@ Oilers
@ Canucks
@ Flames
@ Jets
Rangers
Preds
@ Dallas

Yikes
- -Doh-

I don't know if the 10 day break will help or hurt. From injury and rest standpoint it will help but when you are going good ya want to keep going and play. But the upcoming schedule is tough.

>>>If you listened to my appearance on The-Rink podcast, you would have heard me say that I didn't think the Hawks had it in them to go on a winning streak.<<<

A winning/pt streak was certainly possible with this team but doing it with 5 guys on IR, their well know defensive problems and with their schedule looked to be a long shot shot. I am/was more concerned that if they did have a streak of 2-3 weeks would they then turn around and give it all back with another bad stretch. And looking at that up coming schedule...well...don't get cocky.

what has been great to see is clear across the board improvement in team defensive and offensive play with a dominant pk. Man have they been good with their sticks, positioning and decision making.

The Hawks have cap space. But according to Capfriendly 4 teams have more than $15mil in cap space, 5 teams have more than $10 mil, 8 teams have more than $5 mil. So teams looking to dump bad contracts will have plenty of options, other than the Hawks. So Bowman has flexibility, but so do a lot of teams. I do not see him as a king maker.
- -Doh-

despite this nice run...i don't want to see stanbow get overly aggressive in buy mode. and start giving picks and prospects for expiring contracts.

Moving Kubalik? That had to be an oversight on your behalf, right, Doh?
- gabriel

I took it to mean a move similar to the trades that got us The Drake and Kubalik. I would hope Stan doesn't trade The Drake, and if he trades Kubalik, he better get a haul.

Agree totally in principle. But, man, wouldn't an established winger look good about now?

GP PTS PTS/G
1CE Blues 49 68 1.388
2CE Av's 48 60 1.250
3CE Stars 48 58 1.208
1PA Canuck 49 58 1.184
2PA Oilers 49 57 1.163
3PA Flames 50 57 1.140
WC Knights 51 57 1.118
WC Yotes 51 57 1.118
Jets 49 54 1.102
Preds 47 51 1.085
Hawks 50 54 1.080
Wild 48 50 1.042
Sharks 50 46 0.920
Ducks 48 43 0.896
Kings 50 41 0.820

Top of Pacific is bunched up. But the bottom of the division is weak. I still think Preds make the playoffs. So tough row ahead.

I see Av's and Jets making major moves at the TDL.

Moving Kubalik? That had to be an oversight on your behalf, right, Doh?
- gabriel

I was referring to minor moves that Bowman made in the past during the season to acquire Kubalik and Caggiula. Subtle moves but really nice moves. Kubalik for a 5th. Caggiula for Brandon Manning.

Agree totally in principle. But, man, wouldn't an established winger look good about now?
- gabriel

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that the established winger "added" is The Cat. My prediction is that he's gonna put the biscuit in the basket more often after the break.

I took it to mean a move similar to the trades that got us The Drake and Kubalik. I would hope Stan doesn't trade The Drake, and if he trades Kubalik, he better get a haul.
- tvetter

Thanks for the clarification. Need my 2nd cup of coffee, obviously. Kubalik one great find. Hang on to him. Might be a mainstay for years to come. Felt the same way regarding Dcat, now openly wondering. Things can really change in this game, no?

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that the established winger "added" is The Cat. My prediction is that he's gonna put the biscuit in the basket more often after the break.
- mohel

That would be huge (and possible).

Personally, I think this win streak has put JC and StanBo in a better position.

JC having his players buy in and poke check every enemy play that gets close to loose pucks or are in possession of them dampens as many entires into the Hawk territory.

Here is the thing about the mix of bodies:

Of Course you must have high end superior offensive creators and a team w/o a Kane, is less likely to create looks.

We have to give the entire forward contingent on how well they press, use their sticks, and delight in attacking around the high end skilled players.
Everyone even the dee-men seem to be delighting in the attacks and presses.

Have no idea if the early season pitfalls were eating at the group, but certainly they SEEM to be enjoying the game now, and that is certainly a part of winning, and confidence and the like.

I don't think the streak affects their trade deadline thinking...if it is there, they deal off Gus or a forward...

If they cant get the adds(eg. draft picks, young promising fits)
they want, they simply stay the course...because they are still on the outside looking in, and a string of tough losses will complicate playoff fanatsies.

Would they help some team wanting to make a 3rd team deal by taking an ending contract, maybe, but only because they want picks for the re-tool...but not necessarily as players they would have the va

They want the seats sold, they want a season ticket waiting list, they want lemonade sales, so they will sell new beginnings but won't go crazy to sell off or buy over this string of successes....

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that the established winger "added" is The Cat. My prediction is that he's gonna put the biscuit in the basket more often after the break.
- mohel

I keep patiently standing by. Haven't given up hope, either. If he goes off on a few of his patented tears, all bets are off. Potentially could get very interesting around here.