Did not see any of the game--what is the takeaway on how Oesterle looked?

I thought good. Better than Kempny anyway.

second.


I really like the way Forsling is playing...and the Czechs.

If you want to LEARN about the new NHL instead of wasting your keystrokes on "how bad" Seabrook is, despite the quickness of recognition and execution that is THERE, watch how fast Forsling does things.
They have guys with little hesitation.

Sure, I marvel at McDavid's speed and smarts and ability, but I was impressed at how well the team especially the defenders both attack with speed but attacl enemy puck carriers with speed.

There were so many good "stick plays" by hawks.

Not trying to be a negative guy along with the optimism, but when ever the hawks are playing aback up goalie and overtime starts, I start going bad with thoughts of how "we got this FAR, and now we lose it in the shoot out?

Kaner took a penatly - get over that and look at the result...another point, eight games in they are in the top eight teams, tied with two others.
10 points out of 16
I said from the start those firt ten games were big ones.
Am I disappointed they didn't win each one, with domination?

...those days are gone.

It os not about the summer moves or even any moves right now.

It is about every fan taking the time to invest in your viewing and letting everything percolate before deciding

which new defenders suck,
who you think is so greta elsewhere and want in a trade,
why you hate Bouma,
or
why you are putting the nails in Toews' coffin.

have some fun.
watch some good hockey and accept that the league and the hawks have leveled to where etching out victories is about all the players being good enough in the games they play in.

I love my hawks but you guys start to tire me out.

It is not like they don't have future prospects and some nice ones.

it is not like they were wrong when the plucked alex DeBrincat in the second round, because it is clear he can/is and NHL caliber player already.

Isn't this a team YOU LIKE?

I miss Hammer too, and the Russian, but please, move on from CC gone seabrook gone and what the future may or may not be...

Now.

watch now, enjoy now, and allow your opinion to alter....
- wiz1901

With you on Forsling, he was actually pretty good pverall last night, made one very nice play on McDavid.

With you on the constant flogging of Seabrook and Toews.

There are some pieces and parts to this team and some extended periods of play that I do like. But I am going to remain concerned about the shot totals and the center depth until I see otherwise.

Did not see any of the game--what is the takeaway on how Oesterle looked?

I thought good. Better than Kempny anyway.
- onehundredlevel

Really? Kempny leads the team in +/-

This

Keith played it reasonably well. McDavid does that to elite dmen on the reg when he’s skating like that. Literally nothing one can do but hope to get a stick on the puck. (But of course don’t overplay the puck or you’re super hooped)

Side note- talbot made a bunch of 5 bell saves and Toews could’ve had 5 goals.

Pretty even for much of the game, but U dominated for the opening 12/13 mins and it coulda easily been over.

Think a desperate oilers teams got a little lucky
- HB77

Keith is another guy who i am not worried about. Stick tap to McDavid who is the best player in the game today.

Yes its long season and a lot of new \ young and players
- fattybeef

Team was not ready to play in St. Louis. I think even Q basically admitted it.

Sometimes, new faces and a lack of continuity is an excuse.

A lack of effort/pushback is not really excusable. It would have been MORE excusable last night—on the back end of a back to back— when the effort seemed to be better.

You know even though the oil had 42 shots on goal, i was surprised to see the oil, 5 on 5, were only able to sustain 2 shifts over 10 seconds in the 2nd period, don't know about the 3rd fell asleep, and the 1st they had none.

Disappointing thing was with all those PP's in the 2nd Hawks were only able to sustain 2 shifts around 10 seconds 5 on 5. This was the same situation against the Blues

If this is how the Oil are playing against every team i understand their 2 and 4 record.

Really? Kempny leads the team in +/-
- riozzo

Oesterle was fine. Kempny pretty much has been too.Meh.

Team was not ready to play in St. Louis. I think even Q basically admitted it.

Sometimes, new faces and a lack of continuity is an excuse.

A lack of effort/pushback is not really excusable. It would have been MORE excusable last night—on the back end of a back to back— when the effort seemed to be better.
- John Jaeckel

OK someone please explain how an entire team can't show up ready to play. I can understand a couple players, or maybe even a line having an off night, but an entire team should not have this problem. Is it a matter of the younger guys seeing the vets have an off night and just mimicking them? Never had enough coordination to play myself, so I'm trying to understand...

Wouldn't mind seeing Hayden Schmaltz Kane for a few games. Maybe go Sharp Hartman Dcat...I know hartman isn't really an ideal center but that would be an interesting combo.

Put anisimov on the 4th line with wingles and kero. Could deploy them as a quasi checking line.

can someone please explain what Seabrook is doing out there?
more specifically on Maroons goal....it was a clear 2 on 2...keith had McDavid covered not allowing him to shoot/get to the net..only play Mc D had was that spin o rama pass that only a handful of players in the league can make...why seabrook left his guy unattended back door to "help" keith is beyond me...that some serious mite play right there...only good things ive seen from #7 all season has been some desperation/diving plays to break up a play...and he only needs to dive bc he's too slow to be in position...

It is very interesting that we criticize the Quesanart line combos, yet all we do is through out more line combo's...

can someone please explain what Seabrook is doing out there?
more specifically on Maroons goal....it was a clear 2 on 2...keith had McDavid covered not allowing him to shoot/get to the net..only play Mc D had was that spin o rama pass that only a handful of players in the league can make...why seabrook left his guy unattended back door to "help" keith is beyond me...that some serious mite play right there...only good things ive seen from #7 all season has been some desperation/diving plays to break up a play...and he only needs to dive bc he's too slow to be in position...
- chihawksallday

It was just a nice goal. I enjoyed it. I don't blame opposing defensemen when Kane does something improbably like backhand it right under the crossbar from the goal line.

It is very interesting that we criticize the Quesanart line combos, yet all we do is through out more line combo's...
- riozzo

Difference is some of us would like to see it over multiple game stretches. Q's blender is usually set to 1 period max

OK someone please explain how an entire team can't show up ready to play. I can understand a couple players, or maybe even a line having an off night, but an entire team should not have this problem. Is it a matter of the younger guys seeing the vets have an off night and just mimicking them? Never had enough coordination to play myself, so I'm trying to understand...
- Chunk

They ALL practice together. They ALL prepare (or not) together.

can someone please explain what Seabrook is doing out there?
more specifically on Maroons goal....it was a clear 2 on 2...keith had McDavid covered not allowing him to shoot/get to the net..only play Mc D had was that spin o rama pass that only a handful of players in the league can make...why seabrook left his guy unattended back door to "help" keith is beyond me...that some serious mite play right there...only good things ive seen from #7 all season has been some desperation/diving plays to break up a play...and he only needs to dive bc he's too slow to be in position...
- chihawksallday

I think Seabrook saw Keith getting turned into a pretzel by McDavid and was sort of caught in no man's land a bit, perhaps ready to come over and try to engage McDavid. Also, NO ONE saw that pass to Maroon coming.

In an ideal world, should Seabrook have sealed off Maroon? Yes. But it is also possible Seabrook was also at least preparing himself to come over and bail out Keith.

I think Seabrook saw Keith getting turned into a pretzel by McDavid and was sort of caught in no man's land a bit, perhaps ready to come over and try to engage McDavid. Also, NO ONE saw that pass to Maroon coming.

In an ideal world, should Seabrook have sealed off Maroon? Yes. But it is also possible Seabrook was also at least preparing himself to come over and bail out Keith.
- John Jaeckel

As well as being alert for a guy coming for a cherry picking rebound in the slot. And at least give Keith credit for keeping McDavid outside and not giving up the middle. Guys that deep and to the side are not usually as dangerous. I agree with others that have already said only a few guys make that play and we were lucky to be able to witness it. Great (frank)ing play.

Was at the Avalanche vs Blues game last night (thank you RGS Energy for the free tickets!) which was actually a very close game and would have likely gone to OT if not for an overturned Avs goal from an Offside Coaches Challenge. Was pretty lit when I got home and re-watched most of the Hawks vs Oilers game, but I thought Kane and Schmaltz had jump, and 2+7 fared as well as could be hoped for against McJesus. That goal he assisted on looks like me playing NHL18 on PS4 with the 360 backhand dish backdoor.....just wow, he is amazing. Good to see Toews getting chances, but would have been nice for him to bury one.

Biggest takeaway thus far in the season has been Q sticking with Forsling for 16+ minutes every night. He has 22+minute Top 4 D upside, and I'd like to see him get a shot at running the point on the Hawks 2nd PP unit. Like you said JJ, I love Murphy's physicality, and he just needs to relax and play hockey bc he has ability.

Take the point and hope for a complete effort next game. Would not be opposed to seeing Vinny/Kampf/Highmore get a look on lines 3/4 soon.

can someone please explain what Seabrook is doing out there?
more specifically on Maroons goal....it was a clear 2 on 2...keith had McDavid covered not allowing him to shoot/get to the net..only play Mc D had was that spin o rama pass that only a handful of players in the league can make...why seabrook left his guy unattended back door to "help" keith is beyond me...that some serious mite play right there...only good things ive seen from #7 all season has been some desperation/diving plays to break up a play...and he only needs to dive bc he's too slow to be in position...
- chihawksallday

Seabrook didn't leave Maroon alone because he never had him in the 1st place. Watch the replay Seabs has his stick down cutting off McDavid's forehand pass to Maroon. Maroon who was all alone back at his own blue line while his opposing winger Panik, was down farting around at the goal line waiting for a back door pass while the play was working itself out of the zone.

They ALL practice together. They ALL prepare (or not) together.
- John Jaeckel

Fair enough, but at some point don't you realize that you are getting embarrassed and pick it the f up?

Like in the 2nd intermission, maybe someone says "hey, we are bleeding shots. Maybe we take care of our own end and the offense will come off of that." That's what we keep hearing in all the post game interviews...

I'm sure I'm simplifying this too much, but I would think that if you see a problem in game, you would concentrate on that problem.

I just remember last year, the assessment was he was done, couldn't skate anymore, kept falling down. Now is he getting branded with the Hossa thing: "can't finish anymore" ?

Personally, I am happy he is getting that many grade A chances.

His hands have not gone at 29. He'll finish his share. And still on pace for 31 goals this year.
- John Jaeckel

Well Toews supposed changed up his training regime to get faster after seeing himself and his team get waxed last year. Will it help? I have no idea.....what I do know is he's getting all sorts of room and scoring chances because Saad has come back even better then when he left. That kid is an absolute beast.

Again way early, and I see the narrative coming....but the other 3 lines to me have to be corrected. I'd drop 38 down and move up 12 with 88 and 8. This isn't 1986 where Basil MacCrae is out there taking runs at Kane.

if not 88 is going to continue to flounder with 38 weighing him down as a guy that unlike Shaw, doesn't IMO, have the god given skill set to play with Kane.

Wow, Wiz extending the olive branch instead of flogging someone with it.
Nice post Wiz
- 6628

Maybe it was my state of mind, after just watching ICE GUARDIANS on NetFlix streamng...

Shout out to Derrick, who shouted it out to me...and since he write screenplays, i trusted it was a well thought out production.

It is really brilliant, and worth the viewing time.

Seabrook didn't leave Maroon alone because he never had him in the 1st place. Watch the replay Seabs has his stick down cutting off McDavid's forehand pass to Maroon. Maroon who was all alone back at his own blue line while his opposing winger Panik, was down farting around at the goal line waiting for a back door pass while the play was working itself out of the zone.
- Rota's Rooter

Seabrook's the new hate child......hes paid way too much, he's apparently fat, slow, and just bad if I have simplified it all from what I have read on here and see in sly blogs from so called Hawks "experts"

This is going to be a long year.....lots of new faces, lots of holes still exist, no cap money, a young defense and essentially 3 lines that routinely get run over and dominated in shots for/against.

Maybe it was my state of mind, after just watching ICE GUARDIANS on NetFlix streamng...

Shout out to Derrick, who shouted it out to me...and since he write screenplays, i trusted it was a well thought out production.

It is really brilliant, and worth the viewing time.
- wiz1901

Busy as all hell right now, but I will check it out soon. Thanks.

Wouldn't mind seeing Hayden Schmaltz Kane for a few games. Maybe go Sharp Hartman Dcat...I know hartman isn't really an ideal center but that would be an interesting combo.

Put anisimov on the 4th line with wingles and kero. Could deploy them as a quasi checking line.
- bhawks2241

What an interesting concept

Wouldn't mind seeing Hayden Schmaltz Kane for a few games. Maybe go Sharp Hartman Dcat...I know hartman isn't really an ideal center but that would be an interesting combo.

Put anisimov on the 4th line with wingles and kero. Could deploy them as a quasi checking line.
- bhawks2241

I'd like to see Hayden get an opportunity to do more, there's not much he can do offensively playing with Kero or Wingels or Bouma. I wonder if he'll get sent to Rockford to get more ice time and allow the club to try Kampf, Hinostroza or Highmore. Hayden doesn't deserve to be sent to Rockford, but he can be sent down without going through waivers.