The real standings

_____________ GP PTS PTS/G
Blues_________56 73 1.304 1st Cen
Av's__________54 70 1.296 2nd Cen
Stars_________ 55 67 1.218 3rd Cen
Canucks______57 65 1.175 2nd Pac
Oilers________ 55 64 1.164 1st Pac
Knights_______57 64 1.123 3rd PAC
Flames_______57 64 1.123 WC
Jets __________57 63 1.105 WC
Yotes________ 58 63 1.086
Preds________ 55 59 1.073
Hawks_______ 55 58 1.055
Wild _________55 58 1.055
Ducks________56 53 0.946
Sharks________56 52 0.929
Kings_________57 43 0.754

Based on these results you will need a minimum of 1.105 pts per game. So 82 games x 1.105 = 91 pts. Based on that the Hawks have 27 games left and have to get 33 points. So 15W- 9L – 3OTL. They have to win or tie in regulation 18 of the of their last 27 games.

Ok Stan. Sell wisely.
- -Doh-

Games above NHL-.500 and last 10 games record:

VGK +7 4-4-2=10 (3rd in Pacific)
CAL +7 4-5-1=9 (1st WC)
WIN +6 4-5-1=9 (2nd WC)
AZ +5 3-5-2=8
NASH +4 5-5-0=10
MIN +3 6-4-0=12
CHI +3 6-2-2=14

Forget how many teams are above them - play to get games above .500 - Hawks need to pick up 3 games on WIN.

None of these 7 are exactly burning up the league - I would guess that they will all hang around NHL-.500 for the rest of the season. I'm guessing that if (only "if", not "will") the Hawks go +5 the rest of the season, they could (only "could", not "will") be in. That's 16-11 or equivalent.

There is PLENTY that Colorado would want from the Hawks.
Maata, Gus, Murphy from the D corps. And Saad, Cagg, Kubalik, Strome for the forwards. I would not be surprised if Hawks and Av's pull off a major trade. My source (ME) thinks that the most logical would be Gus or Cagg. Stan will wait a few more games to see if we drop out of the playoff race. I didn't look to see if Av's have any expiring contracts that Hawks could take but Av's will do something reasonable to improve for THIS year if they can. After Hawks win THREE Cups in the past decade, ALL GM's are reluctant to deal with Hawks, and understandably so. Come on Gus, lets get a couple more goals and you can go out the door, once and for all.
- MadHatter

Apparently John Chayka, Jim Rutherford, Don Waddell and even Steve Yzerman thought about that and decided fear of dealing with Stanbo was all bullsh$t.

No McDavid tonight!! Hawks get a break and need a win!!

No McDavid tonight!! Hawks get a break and need a win!!
- ChicagoHope

Big opportunity for Hawks with McJesus out.

Anyone else watch the Beanpot? Ryan Shea looked good, but I think we already have Ryan Shea in Chad Krys. Anyone who follows Rockford, has Krys improved defensively this year? He has the offensive game.
- LAHawk

Shea is definitely parlaying his stellar senior year into an ELC. IMO, he's in a different mold than Krys but still a much needed commodity in the system.

Whereas Krys as well as Beaudin are in the mold of the modern day NHL blueliner (excellent skater who can rush the puck and reliably flip the ice if a consistent defensive game emerges), Shea may be more of a defensive defenseman with the capacity to move the puck reasonably well.

Both Krys and Beaudin have improved as the season has progressed, learning how to protect the high danger areas, not stray out of position, battle down low for 50/50 pucks, and play the body whenever necessary.

I still think they need one more season to fully mature and be ready by 2021. Consistency is the key but love their awareness and dedication to play responsibly.

Krys is injured right now, though, along with Kurashev, Soderlund, and Hakkarainen.

What excied me is that Jake Wise looks finally healthy, and is playing first line minutes with BU. there definitely is middle 6 potential there, hope he can maintain his health and his progression.
- LAHawk

With the injuries that Wise has had dating back to his season before being drafted, it's not surprising that he is just now getting back on track. Agree, middle 6 potential even as a center is still in the cards for him.

Even during non contact drills, Wise was one of the most skilled youngsters in the past two prospect camps. Solid 200 foot player.

Guessing he plays all 4 years at BU to maximize his growth at the college level before going pro. If he didn't have the injury setbacks, he could have signed an ELC after his 2nd or 3rd year of college hockey.

With the injuries that Wise has had dating back to his season before being drafted, it's not surprising that he is just now getting back on track. Agree, middle 6 potential even as a center is still in the cards for him.

Even during non contact drills, Wise was one of the most skilled youngsters in the past two prospect camps. Solid 200 foot player.

Guessing he plays all 4 years at BU to maximize his growth at the college level before going pro. If he didn't have the injury setbacks, he could have signed an ELC after his 2nd or 3rd year of college hockey.
- AEL_Fox

Are some of the injuries related to his size and style of play. I know he is not as physical as Shaw or Caggiula, but his build is about the same. Will he be able to sustain his health game in and game out in the NHL?

Anyone hear whether Lehner or Crow is starting tonight?

Always fun to try and figure out the underlying rationale when it's not clear from the stats, especially given the TDL being right around the corner. Wonder if Stan would take the risk keeping Lehner even if they've not settled on a re-signing. Not sure why, but I sense that Lehner is going to want to test the market.
- pdx2ord

Yes, it will one of those two goalies starting tonight.

Well it will be fun to watch this board after this....


Mark Lazerus‏Verified account @MarkLazerus · 14m14 minutes ago


Strome's scratch not injury related. Colliton said he has more to give, and wanted to get Nylander back in.

Dylan Strome a healthy scratch tonight. Adam Boqvist back in, Nick Seeler out.

After an off day yesterday, just about everyone is here for the Blackhawks' optional morning skate. I believe only Keith and Saad, the usuals, have taken the option.

Well it will be fun to watch this board after this....


Mark Lazerus‏Verified account @MarkLazerus · 14m14 minutes ago


Strome's scratch not injury related. Colliton said he has more to give, and wanted to get Nylander back in.

Dylan Strome a healthy scratch tonight. Adam Boqvist back in, Nick Seeler out.

After an off day yesterday, just about everyone is here for the Blackhawks' optional morning skate. I believe only Keith and Saad, the usuals, have taken the option.
- Chunk

Long overdue. Bowman will still re-up him for $5M+.

Big opportunity for Hawks with McJesus out.
- Tyler Cameron

Now the Hawks will only lose 4-1.

Well it will be fun to watch this board after this....


Mark Lazerus‏Verified account @MarkLazerus · 14m14 minutes ago


Strome's scratch not injury related. Colliton said he has more to give, and wanted to get Nylander back in.

Dylan Strome a healthy scratch tonight. Adam Boqvist back in, Nick Seeler out.

After an off day yesterday, just about everyone is here for the Blackhawks' optional morning skate. I believe only Keith and Saad, the usuals, have taken the option.
- Chunk

Personally would have sat DBC (with a sports psychologist), and I’m not sure Nylander is an improvement over Strome. We will see. Glad to see Boqvist drawing back in.

Are some of the injuries related to his size and style of play. I know he is not as physical as Shaw or Caggiula, but his build is about the same. Will he be able to sustain his health game in and game out in the NHL?
- -Doh-

It's been a while since I've seen videos of how Wise got his injuries, but IIRC, he sustained both after routine hockey plays. I could be wrong so someone feel free to fact check me.

One prospect who needs to be careful out there is Hagel. Love his hustle and fearlessness but he's a kamikaze on the ice throwing his small frame around to make plays and sometimes getting the rough end of things.

In the same vein, though, Soderlund plays a similar style but I'm not worried about him. He's built like a fire hydrant. Whenever he's in a collision course with an opponent, he more often than not either holding his own or dishing out more pain.

Personally would have sat DBC (with a sports psychologist), and I’m not sure Nylander is an improvement over Strome. We will see. Glad to see Boqvist drawing back in.
- pdx2ord

I don't think they are viewing Nylander as a 1:1 replacement for Strome. I think they just liked the way that he was playing and Strome was struggling at bit. I'm with you on DBC.

Lehner starting tonight.

Well it will be fun to watch this board after this....


Mark Lazerus‏Verified account @MarkLazerus · 14m14 minutes ago


Strome's scratch not injury related. Colliton said he has more to give, and wanted to get Nylander back in.

Dylan Strome a healthy scratch tonight. Adam Boqvist back in, Nick Seeler out.

After an off day yesterday, just about everyone is here for the Blackhawks' optional morning skate. I believe only Keith and Saad, the usuals, have taken the option.
- Chunk

Ya that just great .Nylander is not ready .DBC should sit before Strome .Could be a long night tonight .. EDM will come out with something to prove with no McDavid ..

Kadri is out long term...anything we have that Colorado wants?
- Ogilthorpe2

Saad strome lehner Crawford to start.

Anyone else watch the Beanpot? Ryan Shea looked good, but I think we already have Ryan Shea in Chad Krys. Anyone who follows Rockford, has Krys improved defensively this year? He has the offensive game.

What excied me is that Jake Wise looks finally healthy, and is playing first line minutes with BU. there definitely is middle 6 potential there, hope he can maintain his health and his progression.
- LAHawk

Yeah, I posted last night that I watched for championship game and though all 3 of the Hawls prospects looked good. Shea was bigger and moved better than I thought he would and he plays big time minutes, including PP and PK. Hopefully he signs with the Hawks rather than go UFA in August.

I saw the BU/BC game last Monday and didn't really see much from Wise or Vlassic but both of them played very well last night. Maybe Wise has a little something after all, and Vlassic is BIG with big reach. He doesn't have quickness but most 6'6" 18 year olds haven't fully developed yet so there still time for him to improve in that area.

Well it will be fun to watch this board after this....


Mark Lazerus‏Verified account @MarkLazerus · 14m14 minutes ago


Strome's scratch not injury related. Colliton said he has more to give, and wanted to get Nylander back in.

Dylan Strome a healthy scratch tonight. Adam Boqvist back in, Nick Seeler out.

After an off day yesterday, just about everyone is here for the Blackhawks' optional morning skate. I believe only Keith and Saad, the usuals, have taken the option.
- Chunk

Nothing in the four games he's been back - his TOI has dropped to 11:55 min. and 10:24 the last two games.

I think it's time to sit AdB for a game or two - he needs to look at the game a different way. It's one thing to be unable to score - it's another to make mistakes that lead to bad things.

Personally would have sat DBC (with a sports psychologist), and I’m not sure Nylander is an improvement over Strome. We will see. Glad to see Boqvist drawing back in.
- pdx2ord

When it comes to Cat imho is the training affected his ability to feel the puck on his stick and what made him such a weapon his lightning quick accurate shot on net.

I don't think they are viewing Nylander as a 1:1 replacement for Strome. I think they just liked the way that he was playing and Strome was struggling at bit. I'm with you on DBC.

Lehner starting tonight.
- Chunk

Why not just go with 6 forwards?
The others have been relatively worthless anyway.
Strome, Nylander, Cat, Kampf, Smith, Highmore -- all worthless.
Go with your best 2 lines and rest be damned.
If anyone should be sitting it should be 12 and 15. And keep 92 out since he's worthless as well. Kampf and Highmore try hard. Except plays go to die with Kampf.

It's been a while since I've seen videos of how Wise got his injuries, but IIRC, he sustained both after routine hockey plays. I could be wrong so someone feel free to fact check me.

One prospect who needs to be careful out there is Hagel. Love his hustle and fearlessness but he's a kamikaze on the ice throwing his small frame around to make plays and sometimes getting the rough end of things.

In the same vein, though, Soderlund plays a similar style but I'm not worried about him. He's built like a fire hydrant. Whenever he's in a collision course with an opponent, he more often than not either holding his own or dishing out more pain.
- AEL_Fox

Thanks for the info. These young guys that are 180lbs and want to play a physical brand of hockey, need to go about it in a very smart way. They need to know when to pull up. (Not to the degree that TT and Schmaltz pulled up, almost every time.) They can still play a physical game though.

It's been a while since I've seen videos of how Wise got his injuries, but IIRC, he sustained both after routine hockey plays. I could be wrong so someone feel free to fact check me.

One prospect who needs to be careful out there is Hagel. Love his hustle and fearlessness but he's a kamikaze on the ice throwing his small frame around to make plays and sometimes getting the rough end of things.

In the same vein, though, Soderlund plays a similar style but I'm not worried about him. He's built like a fire hydrant. Whenever he's in a collision course with an opponent, he more often than not either holding his own or dishing out more pain.
- AEL_Fox

The first injury was a broken collarbone. The second was a shoulder injury (although I can't find much detail about it, i.e. when/how/actual injury).

Thanks for the info. These young guys that are 180lbs and want to play a physical brand of hockey, need to go about it in a very smart way. They need to know when to pull up. (Not to the degree that TT and Schmaltz pulled up, almost every time.) They can still play a physical game though.
- -Doh-

That's great

Anyone hear whether Lehner or Crow is starting tonight?

Always fun to try and figure out the underlying rationale when it's not clear from the stats, especially given the TDL being right around the corner. Wonder if Stan would take the risk keeping Lehner even if they've not settled on a re-signing. Not sure why, but I sense that Lehner is going to want to test the market.
- pdx2ord

I'm not overly familiar with the Hawks roster so don't jump down my throat here, but looking at CapFriendly you guys seem to have a lot of cap space with not a ton of people to sign in the next year or two. With Lehner likely getting dealt, and Crow being a UFA, would the Hawks be interested in Georgiev? Rangers need to clear some cap space next year and the Hawks could use a goalie for the future (unless you have an emerging prospect I don't know about). I'm thinking something along the lines of Georgiev and Staal (cap dump) for a later pick (maybe 4th/5th round). Thoughts?

Elite Championship Rally speeches though...
- Ogilthorpe2

"F,inyeah"