I really didn't realize how much Toews missed Saad or Saad missed Toews. The chemistry between these two looks like one of the best lines in the league sprinkle a much stronger Panik, they are fun to watch. In my opinion this is the kind of line you must have in the playoffs to be successful scoring wise.
- BetweenTheDots

No, you're forgetting, Toews is a slacker and he was done last year. LOL

Now, does 2 games prove the opposite? Not yet. But the early returns indicate that getting Saad back, his style, the way Q uses him, the continuing rise of Panik into an ungodly power forward, are all helping Toews a lot.

Someone else mentioned Hayden on this board. Wow. What an improvement in his skating.

He split the defense up the middle and held the puck doing it for a shot. He has a pretty good wrister too. He's more physical this year. What impresses me most from him though is his settling into a role, intelligence out there, and his leadership.

This guy is legit and could easily swap with Hartman.
- Bjm84

I (and others on here) hoped for this before the season but didnt think it'd work due to his skating but he really could now youre right! Move Hartman down to 3RW and let ADB grow at Rockford with full mins each night if it works out.

Congrats to Artem Anisimov! After 2 games in, you are this year's whipping boy!

There's got to be one right?
- spudrock512

He's almost old and hasn't been averaging 3 ppg like some of the other forwards through 2 games. Stan needs to find a taker for him immediamente!!!

No, you're forgetting, Toews is a slacker and he was done last year. LOL

Now, does 2 games prove the opposite? Not yet. But the early returns indicate that getting Saad back, his style, the way Q uses him, the continuing rise of Panik into an ungodly power forward, are all helping Toews a lot.
- John Jaeckel

You're not suggesting panik is super duper awesome now and potentially a future hof candidate, are you?

You're not suggesting panik is super duper awesome now and potentially a future hof candidate, are you?
- dpard

Huh?

Congrats to Artem Anisimov! After 2 games in, you are this year's whipping boy!

There's got to be one right?
- spudrock512

Lol wow I can't believe people are getting on AA
I think Darth Kane said it if AA n Sharp are on your third line you are doing ok.
I thought AA was song both games.

Congrats to Artem Anisimov! After 2 games in, you are this year's whipping boy!

There's got to be one right?
- spudrock512

Lol wow I can't believe people are getting on AA
I think Darth Kane said it if AA n Sharp are on your third line you are doing ok.
I thought AA was strong both games.

Lol wow I can't believe people are getting on AA
I think Darth Kane said it if AA n Sharp are on your third line you are doing ok.
I thought AA was strong both games.
- HamiltonHawk

And i can't believe how people make something out of nothing, but its the usual suspects

And i can't believe how people make something out of nothing, but its the usual suspects
- BetweenTheDots

You mean like people having an issue with AA being a 3rd line center or something else?

No, you're forgetting, Toews is a slacker and he was done last year. LOL

Now, does 2 games prove the opposite? Not yet. But the early returns indicate that getting Saad back, his style, the way Q uses him, the continuing rise of Panik into an ungodly power forward, are all helping Toews a lot.
- John Jaeckel

I still think Toews looked like something was wrong with him physically the last couple of years; back, concussion, fatigue, etc... something. He looks better so far this year; lighter, quicker, etc.

I got some push back a couple of blogs ago when I said Toews looked better for a bit last year but then lost it so I did some research. It turned out there were six weeks in a row in which he excelled. Here's what I found:

In 2016-2017 Toews scored 58 points; 21 goals and 37 assists in 72 games for a .8 points per game (PPG) average.

From Sunday, January 22nd through Saturday, March 4th, exactly six weeks, he scored 26 points; 10 goals and 16 assists in 17 games; 1.52 PPG.

10 = 47.6% of his goals
16 = 43.2% of his assists
26 = 44.8% of his points.
17 games = 23.6% of his total games played last season.

In the other 55 games he played, he scored 32 points, which is an average of .58 points per game. That works out to 22 points and 39 games before the streak, .56 ppg, and 10 points and 16 games after the streak, .62 ppg.

I don't have an explanation for it but he just looked better in that streak. I think he got hit and reinsured whatever it was that was bothering him and his productivity fell off. But that is just my speculation.

You mean like people having an issue with AA being a 3rd line center or something else?
- HawkintheD

Hmmm not exactly

I hope the Blackhawks org. sends a tape to the league, officials, and DOPS of the hit that took Schmaltz out and asks them all when the rules changed that allows players without the puck to be checked. Explain that Matthews and Drouin will be receiving the same treatment and no penalties better be called!

So are we pretty sure its concussion symptoms for Schmaltz? Any chance it could be a collar bone or shoulder or anything else? From what I've seen watching the replay and the way he was helped off the ice its gotta be a concussion. And that makes sense as far as the timeline Q gave for when he hopes he can return which is Thursday.

And i can't believe how people make something out of nothing, but its the usual suspects
- BetweenTheDots

Huh?

No, you're forgetting, Toews is a slacker and he was done last year. LOL

Now, does 2 games prove the opposite? Not yet. But the early returns indicate that getting Saad back, his style, the way Q uses him, the continuing rise of Panik into an ungodly power forward, are all helping Toews a lot.
- John Jaeckel

Panik should prolly keep his head up in Toronto. Hard nosed coaches like Babcock don't like getting shown up after they cut a guy loose. And Panik so far has done just that.

Both teams will have plenty of scoring chances tomorrow night. The outcome of the game will be decided by goaltending IMO

Both teams will have plenty of scoring chances tomorrow night. The outcome of the game will be decided by goaltending IMO
- SimpleJack

So you're saying whichever goalie gives up the least number of goals wins?

Panik should prolly keep his head up in Toronto. Hard nosed coaches like Babcock don't like getting shown up after they cut a guy loose. And Panik so far has done just that.
- 6628

That and IIRC he banged a couple teammates' wives/girlfriends

Someone mentioned The Cat needs time in Rockford. I disagree. He has played like he belongs. Hit the post yesterday too so was very close to his first goal. Also, Murphy did a lot of little things right yesterday. I thought it was his best game as a Hawk. As long as AA remains 3C or 4C we are fine. Him, Sharp and Cat are a good third line. Even Bouma and Wingels looked pretty decent. Monday night should be fun and should really test our young d-men.

That and IIRC he banged a couple teammates' wives/girlfriends
- Assman22

Hadn't heard that, but that would be a reason.

Someone mentioned The Cat needs time in Rockford. I disagree. He has played like he belongs. Hit the post yesterday too so was very close to his first goal. Also, Murphy did a lot of little things right yesterday. I thought it was his best game as a Hawk. As long as AA remains 3C or 4C we are fine. Him, Sharp and Cat are a good third line. Even Bouma and Wingels looked pretty decent. Monday night should be fun and should really test our young d-men.
- onehundredlevel

Yeah I'm not sure why Cat needs to spend time in RFD. He certainly doesn't look lost and he's not getting pushed around, coughing up the puck if someone looks at him funny, etc.

He might need a bit more defensive responsibility but playing with Sharp and AA that may come in time.

So you're saying whichever goalie gives up the least number of goals wins?
- dpard

After years and years of research yes, I believe I have that part figured out.

Looking back a few years ago its amazing how well we've developed our young forwards. Schmaltz, Hartman, Hayden, Kero, Hinostroza, DeBrincat, Fortin, and Saad before them. Hell even look at the way Panik has elevated his game since joining our system and moving his way from the bottom 6 all the way up to earning a permanent role next to Toews.

That's a group that includes several top line/top 6 caliber talents, wingers and centers alike. Also some nice pieces to fill bottom 6 roles. LOTS of speed. LOTS of commitment to 2 way play and what's often referred to as "grit", even from the guys with the smaller bodies.

This is a clinic on how to reload/retool a roster around a core of superstars.

I'm curious to know with the game tomorrow night does the team fly out today to get in without a problem and I assume a decent night's rest or fly out tomorrow morning? I assume there would be a morning skate tomorrow also?

Who comes up from Rockford with Schmaltz not making the trip?