Who comes up from Rockford with Schmaltz not making the trip?
- z1990z

Nobody, the roster is at 23. Either Kero is ready to play or one of Oesterle or Franson plays wing on the 4th line.

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?
- Rota's Rooter

i think nhl rules require the team to be town for the next game the night before...

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

(frank) babcock...oh and his team also...

... and to think the Leafs for Morin for Panik ....

I think the Hawks are still a top 4 favorite to win the Cup, but for the first time in years I feel good making a season series bet with a Hawks fan.

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

That's why you and I have such strong mutual respect for one another, not afraid to give it to the Chicken LIttles of the world.

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.
- SimpleJack

I don't think its a concussion. I can't really recall them ever giving a probable timetable for a return with a concussion. Mainly because no one knows when the symptoms will clear up, if they do.
I think its his shoulder.

I don't think its a concussion. I can't really recall them ever giving a probable timetable for a return with a concussion. Mainly because no one knows when the symptoms will clear up, if they do.
I think its his shoulder.
- TTtime

I also don't think I they would've let him come back out for a shift. If they felt it was his head

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.
- SimpleJack

STAN FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!

That's why you and I have such strong mutual respect for one another, not afraid to give it to the Chicken LIttles of the world.
- Larsson_fan

That's not really fair either, sure fans over react, myself included, but 1G and 7 assists in 11 playoff games didn't help us get to the next level, the constant changing of forwards to flow wth Toews never really working out...

His struggles scoring were real in the past 2 years, so it's nice too see Saad and him have chemistry.

Was at the game last night with my sister and during the second period leaned over and said "man are they aggressive - such a big difference from last year!" They are not waiting for the play to come to them, they are dictating it with speed and aggression - both in their more physical play and in how the D is working. The D is going lower in the O zone and pinching more and already seeing much better forward support when they go low. LOVE how they are moving/transitioning so quickly through the neutral zone. Big relief after the inability to do so in the playoffs last year and preseason this year. Second period take over when the hits started reallly flying was breathtaking and that Panik hit on Jones on the end boards was a thing of absolute beauty! Panik should have gotten and assist because he MADE the Captain's goal! Great to be in the house to thank Panarin and cheer on Eddie!! Overall, just a really fun game!!
- Marlowe

I think you hit on everything here. As much as I love a Hammer, and every team can use a Hammer like vet, but simply said the NHL is a speed transition game. Station to station hockey doesn't work. Transition really only occurs from pressure, and to pressure you need speed. When the pressure works it causes turnovers, defensive breakdowns, teams running around and allows the attack to come in waves and allows flow and pace which creates danger. When you pressure you are bound to get caught deep or flat footed and have odd mans the other way but that's the trade off.

The Pens showed the league that the last two yrs especially on defense. How'd the D lineup look to a fan when opening night saw a pairing of Kempny and Rutta? Or Murhpy and Forsling? Scary but when the puck dropped their speed and aggression, save for Murphy who's skating IMO isn't what was advertised, allowed the whole thing able to find 4-5th gear transition despite the inevitable snafus.

Watching the 2nd-3rd pairings, Forsling especially, closely is telling me Q is allowing the kid to make aggressive mistakes cuz he's playing fast with no signs of being tentative. Don't know if this is due to the new Cossack behind the bench but the daring/pressure from the backend is easy to see as compared to last yr.

Fancy stats people and traditional stats people can all agree the best defense is the puck 180 ft from your goalie and defensive breakdowns that transition causes creates grade A's. This is what we've seen 2 games in. And when the Snafus happen from being aggressive you can absorb them cuz you're scoring 4+ times a game or Crow bails you out.

Then we get to the physical players brought in. Columbus was a great test as they are huge and borderline dirty but the Hawks did not get pushed around and as a result the speed/transition was "allowed" to occur.

And I love Q looking for balance leaving Sharp on line 3 and on the #1 PP. Not only does it bring legit balance but limits Sharp's minutes for the long haul.

And IMO there is probably a culture change. Make no mistake hockey players like to play wide open and fast and they are being allowed to do so making for a happy group. Add the speedy physical presence of the 4th line and that adds a jolt throughout the top lines besides adding a deterrent.

It's clicking right now but it's the change in philosophy I see and the players that fit that philosophy that has me optimistic. Mistakes will be made and seems that is expected/allowed but they are and will be aggressive mistakes not a passive station to station style that needs everything to go right to win types of mistakes.

That's not really fair either, sure fans over react, myself included, but 1G and 7 assists in 11 playoff games didn't help us get to the next level, the constant changing of forwards to flow wth Toews never really working out...

His struggles scoring were real in the past 2 years, so it's nice too see Saad and him have chemistry.
- BetweenTheDots

No poop they were real, by the he was gonna bounce back with no major injury...it's not like he forgot to play hockey, Chicken Little.

I don't think its a concussion. I can't really recall them ever giving a probable timetable for a return with a concussion. Mainly because no one knows when the symptoms will clear up, if they do.
I think its his shoulder.
- TTtime

I think they're just worried about the possibility of a concussion, so they're resting him. Better safe than sorry. Could also be his neck, but the way he went down and grabbed his head make it seems like it's head related.

No poop they were real, by the he was gonna bounce back with no major injury...it's not like he forgot to play hockey, Chicken Little.
- Larsson_fan

Alrighty then

I think they're just worried about the possibility of a concussion, so they're resting him. Better safe than sorry. Could also be his neck, but the way he went down and grabbed his head make it seems like it's head related.
- L_B_R

Haven't read the blog religiously, any Hawk fancy numbers that jump out or that a fan should know?

I think they're just worried about the possibility of a concussion, so they're resting him. Better safe than sorry. Could also be his neck, but the way he went down and grabbed his head make it seems like it's head related.
- L_B_R

Could be. Agree. No reason to risk anything. Especially this early is the season. I would be curious to know whether he jumped on the ice before they knew he was heading out there. It sure looked like they called him back to the bench.

Haven't read the blog religiously, any Hawk fancy numbers that jump out or that a fan should know?
- Mr Ricochet

Two games is much too small a sample to really get any handle on anything beyond how Q's using / deploying players, but even that is skewed because of injuries to centers. They dominated the Pens in every way statistically and then were mostly a coin flip with a slight edge to Jackets (though only after the first two goals) in the second game. The transition for the team has been great, except for the 4th line, but they're dumping/chasing mostly and they're not playing a lot anyway.

Right now, I think the most interesting that Q is matching 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4 so far through the two games, so that'll be something to look for in the future. When the line was Sharp-Ansimov-Hartman in the pre-season, Q was using them like he used Bolland in the past - against high QOC no matter the zone. The addition of Debrincat on that line changes their usage imo. Kero/Wingels are still used like an energy line - taking DZS but against low QOC mostly.

Something else to look out for - Q is not playing Bouma on the PK at all so far. Kero, Saad, Toews, and Hayden are the top 4 on the team. Again, only two games so who knows how that will change, but it's interesting because everyone thought Bouma was brought in at least somewhat to be on the PK. He did play some there in the preseason but nothing so far in the real games.

Two games is much too small a sample to really get any handle on anything beyond how Q's using / deploying players, but even that is skewed because of injuries to centers. They dominated the Pens in every way statistically and then were mostly a coin flip with a slight edge to Jackets (though only after the first two goals) in the second game. The transition for the team has been great, except for the 4th line, but they're dumping/chasing mostly and they're not playing a lot anyway.

Right now, I think the most interesting that Q is matching 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4 so far through the two games, so that'll be something to look for in the future. When the line was Sharp-Ansimov-Hartman in the pre-season, Q was using them like he used Bolland in the past - against high QOC no matter the zone. The addition of Debrincat on that line changes their usage imo. Kero/Wingels are still used like an energy line - taking DZS but against low QOC mostly.

Something else to look out for - Q is not playing Bouma on the PK at all so far. Kero, Saad, Toews, and Hayden are the top 4 on the team. Again, only two games so who knows how that will change, but it's interesting because everyone thought Bouma was brought in at least somewhat to be on the PK. He did play some there in the preseason but nothing so far in the real games.
- L_B_R

Thanks, LBR. Read something interesting that Q has not sheltered Dcat. Through 2 games he's had slightly more Dzone starts than Ozone. I know you follow the starts in all 3 zones, what has Cat's breakdown been?

Regardless though, and speaking for myself, Cat's play has been a huge surprise especially away from the puck and along the boards. Kid has shown throughout his development he works to improve every yr despite putting up 100+ points yr after yr and his play along the boards and away from the puck thru 2 games shows this yr will probably be no different.

Thanks, LBR. Read something interesting that Q has not sheltered Dcat. Through 2 games he's had slightly more Dzone starts than Ozone. I know you follow the starts in all 3 zones, what has Cat's breakdown been?

Regardless though, and speaking for myself, Cat's play has been a huge surprise especially away from the puck and along the boards. Kid has shown throughout his development he works to improve every yr despite putting up 100+ points yr after yr and his play along the boards and away from the puck thru 2 games shows this yr will probably be no different.
- Mr Ricochet

It depends on what you mean by sheltered - it's based on more than zone deployment. QOC has a bigger impact on play than zone deployment. Panarin got the highest OZS share in the league last year, but he wouldn't have been considered sheltered because he faced the highest level of QOC. Kero is likely going to get more DZS but it'll be against the lowest QOC so it's kind of a shrug worthy thing.

As for Debrincat, his line with Anisimov-Sharp is getting more DZS than any other (though Kero's injury is likely skewing those numbers some). Split into 3 zones, Debrincat's had: 26.47 OZS, 32.35 DZS, and 41.18 NZS. He's faced almost exclusively 3rd line QOC. He is not being deployed quite as deep as with his linemates though - they're DZS% are 47.37 (Anisimov) and 45.95 (Sharp) and they typically face slightly higher QOC during this time (Kane, Hayden are shifting with them). So Q is not sheltering him but he's not expecting him to play a full checking line role either.

Q does not appear to be as focused with zone deployment so far and is matching straight up primarily. Since both games were controlled by the Hawks in terms of goals pretty early on, it's hard to say if this is by design or just Q letting it play out. And honestly, it's been two games where centers were injured so it's hard to read too much into any of this. We'll know more by game 20.

I don't think its a concussion. I can't really recall them ever giving a probable timetable for a return with a concussion. Mainly because no one knows when the symptoms will clear up, if they do.
I think its his shoulder.
- TTtime

I thought maybe it was his knee. It got torqued and sandwiched between savard and johnson and then savard fell on him...but Q said upper body not lower.

If it was concusion I don't think he comes back for that 1 shift. so you might be right with the shoulder call...johnson walloped him pretty upper chest near the shoulder...

I thought maybe it was his knee. It got torqued and sandwiched between savard and johnson and then savard fell on him...but Q said upper body not lower.

If it was concusion I don't think he comes back for that 1 shift. so you might be right with the shoulder call...johnson walloped him pretty upper chest near the shoulder...
- bogiedoc

Schmaltz didn't go on a shift - he went out for 2 seconds and then was called back to the bench. Calling him back to the bench is what makes me think it was a head thing - like he wanted to go back out but they told him no. Also Johnson's head hit Schmaltz's pretty hard - you can see Schmaltz's head whip back from the impact.

I think you hit on everything here. As much as I love a Hammer, and every team can use a Hammer like vet, but simply said the NHL is a speed transition game. Station to station hockey doesn't work. Transition really only occurs from pressure, and to pressure you need speed. When the pressure works it causes turnovers, defensive breakdowns, teams running around and allows the attack to come in waves and allows flow and pace which creates danger. When you pressure you are bound to get caught deep or flat footed and have odd mans the other way but that's the trade off.

The Pens showed the league that the last two yrs especially on defense. How'd the D lineup look to a fan when opening night saw a pairing of Kempny and Rutta? Or Murhpy and Forsling? Scary but when the puck dropped their speed and aggression, save for Murphy who's skating IMO isn't what was advertised, allowed the whole thing able to find 4-5th gear transition despite the inevitable snafus.

Watching the 2nd-3rd pairings, Forsling especially, closely is telling me Q is allowing the kid to make aggressive mistakes cuz he's playing fast with no signs of being tentative. Don't know if this is due to the new Cossack behind the bench but the daring/pressure from the backend is easy to see as compared to last yr.

Fancy stats people and traditional stats people can all agree the best defense is the puck 180 ft from your goalie and defensive breakdowns that transition causes creates grade A's. This is what we've seen 2 games in. And when the Snafus happen from being aggressive you can absorb them cuz you're scoring 4+ times a game or Crow bails you out.

Then we get to the physical players brought in. Columbus was a great test as they are huge and borderline dirty but the Hawks did not get pushed around and as a result the speed/transition was "allowed" to occur.

And I love Q looking for balance leaving Sharp on line 3 and on the #1 PP. Not only does it bring legit balance but limits Sharp's minutes for the long haul.

And IMO there is probably a culture change. Make no mistake hockey players like to play wide open and fast and they are being allowed to do so making for a happy group. Add the speedy physical presence of the 4th line and that adds a jolt throughout the top lines besides adding a deterrent.

It's clicking right now but it's the change in philosophy I see and the players that fit that philosophy that has me optimistic. Mistakes will be made and seems that is expected/allowed but they are and will be aggressive mistakes not a passive station to station style that needs everything to go right to win types of mistakes.
- Mr Ricochet

IMO this is the investment you need to make in your youngin's in order for them to have a chance to be where you need them come April. Guys like Forsling and even Kempny and Rutta should be much better at handing pressure and the speed of playoff games if you let them play through those lumps now, win or lose.

To answer the original blog question:

HMMM GOOD!

I thought maybe it was his knee. It got torqued and sandwiched between savard and johnson and then savard fell on him...but Q said upper body not lower.

If it was concusion I don't think he comes back for that 1 shift. so you might be right with the shoulder call...johnson walloped him pretty upper chest near the shoulder...
- bogiedoc

from reddit

from reddit


- pdx2ord

Bet torts drew that one up