Correction from earlier - as per usual, social media is putting out reports fast first, factual last. Appears that the defibrillator may have been "near by," but no one is clear whether it was or had to be used on Jay B. If it was not actually necessary, even more good news for him and his family.

how many 2nd year players after a remarkable rookie year across all sports regress? A lot. League adjusts, players have to adjust to back.

Then throw in getting paid a large amount of money and the pressure that comes with proving you are worth it......he is getting chances. He is getting shots. He's on pace for 60 points.

He hasn't been as good as last year. It happens. Nobody here knows what the coaching staff or upper management is saying to him off the ice....the hawks need the kid to be a corner stone if they are to rebound.

Now, if he continues to make Vesteeg type mistakes and the risk outweighs the reward of what he brings offensively.....I don't disagree on possibly scratching him.

However this idiotic general notion of sending him to Rockford or shipping him out of town is just dumb. it isnt' happening unless Bowman is absolutely blown away by an offer.
- SteveRain

Shipping him out of town is absurd - spending a week or less in Rockford may not be.

He hasn’t learned how to get himself out of a slump - and this is going on 58 games. Maybe some time away from the pressure of the Show gets him time to rejuvenate.

Why was the play stopped? And why wasn't the 3rd goal waved off when there was intent to blow the play dead? This is the inconsistent reffing that looks to rig games.
- powerenforcer

LOL Parody

All anybody has to do is think back over about 6 weeks to every game that was considered important to the Hawks in making a run up the standings. They've lost just about every single one.

Without the goaltending they have had all season, they are down in LA Kings standings territory.
- RickJ

yep and that's why Bowman should listen on EVERYONE on the team. Difference between shopping and listening.

You take 1 of these goalies off this team and sub in 1 of 3 jokers in the AHL and you are below the SHarks.

Oh. Well. I gave my answer. You have to let him fight through it.
- Elbows15

He does have to fight through it, he has scored at every level including the NHL, but not on first PP unit at this time.

all hawks in the 3rd and smith shutting the door

I’m definitely looking to trade DeBrincat and Strome at the TDL if we are indeed going to be sellers.

Take advantage of the value those 2 have when paired together. The rest of the league probably still thinks they’re good and we might be able to cash in big time on picks and prospects. But only if it’s the right deal, and unfortunately I don’t have much faith in our GM these days.

Shipping him out of town is absurd - spending a week or less in Rockford may not be.

He hasn’t learned how to get himself out of a slump - and this is going on 58 games. Maybe some time away from the pressure of the Show gets him time to rejuvenate.
- StLBravesFan

when he goes a few games in a row not getting any chances that is when I worry. Fact he is STILL getting chances means he's in the right spot. He;s just not finishing and the latter is probably more mental then anything else. I can recall at least 5 shots he's had where he's been absolutely stoned. Before hitting posts OR missing wide open nets.

Im sure a game off is coming if the coaching staff and/or front office deems hes regressed further.

he's also a younger player so making mistakes will happen as he's trying to do too much.....are the Hawks going to scratch Dach considering his lack of production OR his shift against Winnipeg where he gave it away twice and then took a moronic penalty? NO.

I’m definitely looking to trade DeBrincat and Strome at the TDL if we are indeed going to be sellers.

Take advantage of the value those 2 have when paired together. The rest of the league probably still thinks they’re good and we might be able to cash in big time on picks and prospects.
- SimpleJack

A guy in a terrible slump and a guy who was healthy scratched tonight? Ever hear the term "selling low"?

I think that everybody here believes that this team is flawed, or we would not be a bubble team, we just want to minimize some of the flaws. Because the team is not elite is the reason that we cannot afford two to three give aways by Gus every game, or weak goals given up by our goalies, or Smith on the PP, or the Cat not scoring, and so on.
- Angotti

yep margin for error is minimal so expecting near perfection every game isn't logical. See them play a great period, followed by a so-so and then get dominated.....tale of 1/3s each game.....

I’m definitely looking to trade DeBrincat and Strome at the TDL if we are indeed going to be sellers.

Take advantage of the value those 2 have when paired together. The rest of the league probably still thinks they’re good and we might be able to cash in big time on picks and prospects. But only if it’s the right deal, and unfortunately I don’t have much faith in our GM these days.
- SimpleJack

and are we selling Dach as well?

What about next year when Kubalik, likely, regresses?

Young guys need to learn to consistency=patience by the fans.

8 WC teams separated by 6 pts....(frank) that...

and are we selling Dach as well?

What about next year when Kubalik, likely, regresses?

Young guys need to learn to consistency=patience by the fans.
- SteveRain

LOL Amen. I may not agree with you on politics, but damn I do love your hockey takes.

A guy in a terrible slump and a guy who was healthy scratched tonight? Ever hear the term "selling low"?
- kwolf68

seems more of a question of effort by Strome reading the pregame quotes by JC, where as the effort by 12 may be there in the coaches eyes.

seems more of a question of effort by Strome reading the pregame quotes by JC, where as the effort by 12 may be there in the coaches eyes.
- SteveRain

Understand and if Strome is not giving effort thats a REAL concern, because within the last year Bowman has traded for Strome and Nylander, now two guys with questions about what's inside their chest. Very disappointing.

They apparently were waiving to the Ducks trainers. Not sure why?
- paulr

When a guy goes down like that it's all hands on deck no matter what team those hands are affiliated with.

All anybody has to do is think back over about 6 weeks to every game that was considered important to the Hawks in making a run up the standings. They've lost just about every single one.

Without the goaltending they have had all season, they are down in LA Kings standings territory.
- RickJ

They're just good enough to lose.

seems more of a question of effort by Strome reading the pregame quotes by JC, where as the effort by 12 may be there in the coaches eyes.
- SteveRain

Yeah, he's definitely making an effort. Challenge is that scoring goals is not his only issue right now, and the efforts he is making in the other areas, like passing, have been pretty costly lately.

LOL Amen. I may not agree with you on politics, but damn I do love your hockey takes.
- kwolf68

Haha, thanks.....Im retired from talking politics on here....I was bored last night and it came up and got WAY OUT of control.....that's on me.

Still think too many posters don't realize this is a rebuild.....and honestly the rest of the year the only time I will get fired up is IF by 2/24 Bowman doesn't deal some of these of UFAs or RFAs he has zero intention of signing OR some veterans who can help escalate the replenishment of the prospects they need....

and are we selling Dach as well?

What about next year when Kubalik, likely, regresses?

Young guys need to learn to consistency=patience by the fans.
- SteveRain

A. Why in gods name would we trade Dach?

B. Why is Kubalik likely to regress?

And what does any of that have to do with Cat and Strome being a potentially enticing haul for contenders that might overpay and help improve our future?

It’s not even that I’m through being patient with Cat because he’s slumping, it’s that I recognize his value(especially if paired with Strome) and with the TDL coming up and us (likely)being sellers I’m trying to take advantage of the situation.

So Smith is just going to rip his own mask off every time he's fearful of an impending goal?
- pdx2ord

That dude is a flippin actor

Understand and if Strome is not giving effort thats a REAL concern, because within the last year Bowman has traded for Strome and Nylander, now two guys with questions about what's inside their chest. Very disappointing.
- kwolf68

Ineffective and lack of effort are two hugely different things. I took JC's quotes to mean he has to play better. Not a lack of effort.

When a guy goes down like that it's all hands on deck no matter what team those hands are affiliated with.
- 6628

you ever seen that first hand before?

Way the stretcher was on the ice figured it came from the Ducks tunnel or the zam gate.

Haha, thanks.....Im retired from talking politics on here....I was bored last night and it came up and got WAY OUT of control.....that's on me.

Still think too many posters don't realize this is a rebuild.....and honestly the rest of the year the only time I will get fired up is IF by 2/24 Bowman doesn't deal some of these of UFAs or RFAs he has zero intention of signing OR some veterans who can help escalate the replenishment of the prospects they need....
- SteveRain

All good man. I totally respect you owning it, I've done that poop myself. As far as as your 2nd paragraph 100% agree.

The ONLY thing making this hard is watching the Penguins with a legit shot at a fourth Cup which would easily erase the Hawks as the best team of the 2010s.

LOL Amen. I may not agree with you on politics, but damn I do love your hockey takes.
- kwolf68

I also really like what SteveRain has to say 99% of the time. But on this occasion I disagree. No harm in shopping Cat and Strome.