I never in a million years they would send Saad back for a trade like that. He isn't as flashy, but he is just harder to play against. It really sucked that after Saad evened it up, Keith got called for the slash which was a love tap on the shin pad. I was glad they killed that off after the brutal call.
- breadbag

ManChild is a relentless player both with and without the puck. I counted at least five 50/50 puck battles that Saader won based on strength and effort. His speed, net front drive, and strength on the boards have been a huge asset to the Hawks thus far.

The league still has it's priorities mixed up. When are they going to get tough on the interference against the forwards who are trying to get into the offensive zone? Hell I have seen better tackling in the NHL than the first month of the NFL.
- powerenforcer

I normally don't sign up for your conspiracy theories, but you are BANG ON here. They are going nuts calling these meaningless taps on the stick, which most often does not give advantage to one player, but the clutching and grabbing while forwards are entering the zone continues. I am perplexed why THAT wasn't addressed. Hayden must have gotten interfered with 5 times last night as he barreled into the zone.

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- walleyeb1

Saad, Panik, and Schmaltz are beasts. Panik and Saad even kept their possession high with that game last night.

I never in a million years they would send Saad back for a trade like that. He isn't as flashy, but he is just harder to play against. It really sucked that after Saad evened it up, Keith got called for the slash which was a love tap on the shin pad. I was glad they killed that off after the brutal call.
- breadbag

Just to demonstrate what I was talking about...this to me isn't slashing...gave him a tap on the leg, didn't get the arms, stick or hands. Weak call.

Face Offs:

A major problem for the Hawks, I think, was the number of players ejected from the dot for violations.

The four Hawks who would normally have taken "all" of the face offs - Anisimov, Toes, Wingels, Kero - were 21 for 46 on face offs = 45.6% - certainly not great, but not a disaster.

The secondary face-off takers (because the primary four were kicked out) went 4 for 18 = 22.2% (Seabrook 0-1, Sharp 1-3, Bouma 0-1, Saad - 0-8
- StLBravesFan[and Saad would have taken many when Toews would have been kicked out], Hartman 2-3, Forsling 0-1, Kane 1-1).

Somehow, Chicago centers have to figure out why they were ejected, and fix it (as Chicago skaters need to figure out how to stop slashing) - play the game the way it's being called.

Kero was 37% on the draws HE TOOK, while also being out for extended PK time. Granted, one night. But it bears watching as the "Kero replaces Kruger" truism remains unproven. Highly unproven.

46% as a team is not good, terrible over the course of a season. And bear in mind, one of the four C's (night in night out) is one of the top FO guys in the league. That means the other three basically suck.

Kero was 37% on the draws HE TOOK, while also being out for extended PK time. Granted, one night. But it bears watching as the "Kero replaces Kruger" truism remains unproven. Highly unproven.

46% as a team is not good, terrible over the course of a season. And bear in mind, one of the four C's (night in night out) is one of the top FO guys in the league. That means the other three basically suck.
- John Jaeckel

LOL yep JJ...how many nights do you see Tazer win 60% an the team average is down in the 40s? ....it means the other guys are not just "below average" like Brad Richards was, but they are horrific.

As far as Kero replacing Kruger, not EVER gonna happen. I would like to have seen Dauphin get a crack there...much faster player than Kero.

Kero was 37% on the draws HE TOOK, while also being out for extended PK time. Granted, one night. But it bears watching as the "Kero replaces Kruger" truism remains unproven. Highly unproven.

46% as a team is not good, terrible over the course of a season. And bear in mind, one of the four C's (night in night out) is one of the top FO guys in the league. That means the other three basically suck.
- John Jaeckel

with the way the enforcing the face-off rules, it's a lot easier to win draws cleanly.

the value of face-offs just went up in this league imo.

Vinny would have been a nice replacement for Schmaltz last night , not that it would have been idea but the speed and chemistry they have would have helped . PP is a disaster time to try some new blood there and OT . GO HAWKS !!!

LOL yep JJ...how many nights do you see Tazer win 60% an the team average is down in the 40s? ....it means the other guys are not just "below average" like Brad Richards was, but they are horrific.

As far as Kero replacing Kruger, not EVER gonna happen. I would like to have seen Dauphin get a crack there...much faster player than Kero.
- kwolf68

I think Kampf gets first crack over Dauphin.

I think Kampf gets first crack over Dauphin.
- JRoenick97

I like him. And I think his faceoff game is potentially 2nd best on team.

I don't think I can agree that the Hawks "deserved to win", or that the Hawks were the "better 5v5 team" last night. After watching the game, and seeing the possession stats afterwards, it was not close.
- Aetherial

In a game outshot 43-21, where one line went 20-3 against you at NO POINT do you think that team deserved to win. They literally stole a point last night.

Sad thing is the first period was GOOD hockey, both teams were playing well and it was competitive, then the freaking penalty parade started and the game lost all its momentum. It seemed to bother the Hawks, but the Leafs didn't mind...they are just playing fast and loose. Matthews is already a top 5 player in the NHL.

I like him. And I think his faceoff game is potentially 2nd best on team.
- kwolf68

I actually like both of them quite a bit. They are responsible players and Dauphin has an endless motor.

The league still has it's priorities mixed up. When are they going to get tough on the interference against the forwards who are trying to get into the offensive zone? Hell I have seen better tackling in the NHL than the first month of the NFL.
- powerenforcer

Seems like they're reacting to the slash on Goudreau last season, and Crosby's slash on Methot, in clamping down on slashing calls.

Seems like they're more concerned about thumbs than concussions.

I actually like both of them quite a bit. They are responsible players and Dauphin has an endless motor.
- JRoenick97

Yep agree.

I respect your optimism but the difference between the 2 teams that played last night is FAR greater than anything one player can offset.

Hawks were outclassed to such an extent that you cant possibly say its because one player was out of the lineup.

Hawks team speed isn't quite what we thought it was. Neither is the team defense. Both got exposed big time last night.
- SimpleJack

Let's go even farther than your astute observation.
First, in reference to the JRoenicke remark that we'll be better once Schmautz returns, oh sure, we will be better.

But as you say, last night exposed a team weakness. Not just face offs. Team speed. Quality of the defensemen after Ruuta.

By looking deep at the problem (we were tremendously outplayed), was it just forwards not providing defensemen the support they need?

No, it is also star players not held accountable. Sometimes your best players should not be excused for their laziness or lack if effort. When you change the style your team plays, YOU NEED ACCOUNTABILITY. Coach Q best keep that in mind. Accountability for all, not merely a you my blueluner who made mistakes.

I would not be surprised if Franson or Oesterle is in,Forsling out. Actually sooner or later lack if improvement froom both Kempny and Murphy could result in both Oesterle and Franson in. Maybe a trade too.

I actually like both of them quite a bit. They are responsible players and Dauphin has an endless motor.
- JRoenick97

I like them for same reasons. But if they are in, whom is out of lineup. Discounting injuries. For time being neither is replacing AA.[img][/img]

Let's go even farther than your astute observation.
First, in reference to the JRoenicke remark that we'll be better once Schmautz returns, oh sure, we will be better.

But as you say, last night exposed a team weakness. Not just face offs. Team speed. Qya mitt if the defensemen after Ruuta.

By looking deep we at the problem where a we were tremendously outplayed, was it just forwards not providing defensemen the support they need?

No, it is also star players not held accountable. Sometimes your best players should not be excused for their laziness or lack if effort. When you change the style your team plays, YOU NEED ACCOUNTABILITY. Coach Q best keep that in mind. Accountability for all, not merely a you my blueluner who made mistakes.

I would not be surprised if Franson or Oesterle is in,Forsling out. Actually sooner or later lack if improvement froom both Kempny and Murphy could result in both Oesterle and Franson in. Maybe a trade too.
- jhawk59

You say team speed is an issue and then say Franson will be in the lineup. Sure.

They're not going to make a trade after a one-goal game lost in OT after two dominating performances. Come on lol.

I think some here may be overreacting to being outskated by arguably the fastest team in the NHL in a tough building to play in. The Penguins and Blue Jackets are two damn good teams that the Hawks dominated. In the NHL Regular Season, you are going to have good and bad nights. Hopefully Q recognized how awful Hartman-Anisimov-Kane were last night, and tinkers with the middle 6 a bit.


I'd like to see these lines until 8 is back in the lineup...

Saad-Toews-Panik
Hartman-Sharp-Kane
Debrincat-Anisimov-Hayden
Wingels-Kero-Bouma

You say team speed is an issue and then say Franson will be in the lineup. Sure.

They're not going to make a trade after a one-goal game lost in OT after two dominating performances. Come on lol.
- L_B_R

Mark my words, there will be pining for Rosy very soon to shore up this lousy defence group.

Mark my words, there will be pining for Rosy very soon to shore up this lousy defence group.
- RickJ

Except they haven't been lousy at all.

Hey guys and gals - I was at the Leafs game last night and am heading to the game in Montreal in a few hours.

Anything specific you guys want me to keep an eye out for?

Happy to report back if so.

Hey guys and gals - I was at the Leafs game last night and am heading to the game in Montreal in a few hours.

Anything specific you guys want me to keep an eye out for?

Happy to report back if so.
- TyCamScore

Yes, can you tell us if Richard Panik is banging anyone's wife/gf?

Yes, can you tell us if Richard Panik is banging anyone's wife/gf?
- kwolf68

Just yours.

Just yours.
- BINGO!

You say team speed is an issue and then say Franson will be in the lineup. Sure.

They're not going to make a trade after a one-goal game lost in OT after two dominating performances. Come on lol.
- L_B_R

Tell you one thing: although he's a "quitter," "no good" and not worth trading one of our future hallf of fame prospects or rookies for:

Matt Duchene is a 55%+ faceoff guy (who can kill penalties), blazing fast, responsible defensively (in spite of some cherry picked stats from a horrid Avalanche team last year) and is pretty much a skilled guy offensively who can play C or wing.

Or we can sit around and marvel at how much DeBrincat isn't scoring or how he looks laid out in the corner by the kind of hit he's gonna see more of until he realizes he ain't in the OHL anymore.

Being a Hawk fan comes with choices.