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

That sounds about right to me. Dmen are basically just trying to contain McDavid, because what else can you do? If Seabrook isn't there, maybe McDavid splits the D and just scores on his own.

Keith did the right thing just trying to keep himself between McDavid the Forsberg. Keith was pretty strong last night, also having to dealing the kid Yamamoto (speedy smurf) as well.

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

I thought good. Better than Kempny anyway.
- onehundredlevel

I thought Oesterle looked pretty decent. He is a damn good skater, which is a bonus when playing a team like the Oilers who has some real speedsters.

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.
- EnzoD

Forlsing has had his ups and downs, but do you think he's getting so much ice time because he's being showcased....possibly?

Forlsing has had his ups and downs, but do you think he's getting so much ice time because he's being showcased....possibly?
- tompo1015

Forsling is young and still learning the game, I would expect he'll continue to have ups and downs and young defensemen typically do. It wouldn't surprise me to see Forsling dealt, but I'm not expecting it.

I thought the effort was better (always helps when you can exit your own end) and it was the first time in the last few games that both top lines were going. The Toews line had it's chances, but had to deal with the McDavid line all night. Like the one previous poster said, Toews could have had 5 goals in that one, but just missed. I'm starting to think that goalies in the league have learned Toews almost always goes 5-hole on a breakaway chance.

The Schmaltz line had a great start and a bit more room to create. Schmaltz definitely have more jump again. I think if the top two lines keep going (not sure if Hartman is the long term 2LW) and they get a spark going on line 3, then the team will be alright.

Forsling is young and still learning the game, I would expect he'll continue to have ups and downs and young defensemen typically do. It wouldn't surprise me to see Forsling dealt, but I'm not expecting it.
- DarthKane

I'm with you in that I don't think he is being traded. I think the Hawks are feeling that his ups out-weigh the downs. If Q has a problem with a guy, he usually finds the dog house and doesn't get minutes.

I know a lot of us have liked what we see from Kempny, but I have to wonder if he is closer to being on the block because Q seems reluctant to really trust him on the ice. He gives him regular shifts at 5v5 but limited time on special teams and he was the scratch last night for Oesterle. (which is likely just that they want Forsling playing and Oesterle is playing on the left)

You are absolutely right on Toews missed shots. On his breakaway shot he did not even try to deek the goalie...that would not be the case 3 years ago. DCat also made a beautiful pass to Toews i20 feet in front of an open net and he whiffed it twice. I think he must have serious back issues.
- spanky

#slowstarter

#slowstarter
- fattybeef

Also Toews has always loved to shoot 5 hole when he gets a goalie 1 on 1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK_2hPUUlV4

I thought Oesterle looked pretty decent. He is a damn good skater, which is a bonus when playing a team like the Oilers who has some real speedsters.
- breadbag

After the game I realized I had no idea how Oesterle did. Just didn’t really notice him out there, which isn’t a bad thing.

"Especially after the 2 boarding penalties (how those were not majors is beyond me). That is on Q. I hate the stick-checking he forces the guys to do. McDavid would not have seen OT if the response was correct. "

I think you missed the 'easier said than done' part of that quote that had been used - McDavid is McDavid for a reason - it is not just some other guy -- set aside focusing on the pass for just a second - what you saw from him was some world class puck protection from a forward - it isn't flashy in a Denis Savard sense - but man - that took a lot of skill to not be stripped of it - and make no mistake Keith was trying just that - but McDavid knew that he had Keith reaching across his own body to do that -and he also knew that if Seabrook comes over to help (and mind you -you could tell Seabrook was a bit stuck in no-man's land) - then his man was wide open - he turned out to be anyway .... essentially that 2 on 2 was more like a 2 on 1 in that sense.

You couldn't really put a body on McDavid -because it was all Keith could do to catch him in the first place - and he eventually did right near the end of the play - then ... that move -not Savardian again -but it didn't have to be. Pin point backhand pass with pretty much no room in the crease to make it if even a microsecond's hesitation - it was even at risk of hitting off of Forsberg -but it didn't.

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 you're wrong about that - 7 was suckered is all - Keith had to go like hell to even get back - and I am sure that McDavid is smart enough to do some subtle on the fly stuff which is going to give one the impression that he is about to cut over to the RD side - this isn't 'mite stuff' at all -but some major league forward play. And as someone said -he does that to everyone - I saw something similar that I think he did to 77 on Tampa a couple of years ago - where he basically fake lost the puck in some massive deke where the puck went one way around the D and McDavid the other - and bang in the net. And iirc 77 can usually be in the Norris conversations at the end of seasons in many years.

Face it - it was McDavid -- Larry David wouldn't have been able to do that - but Connor? Yeh - it happens - tip your hat -and move on.

Hell note that he only was able to do it once in the game during regulation -so something had to be working - and team just needs a little more offense - because you can't afford to cut things too close with no room for error is all (leastwise in the Edmonton game).

#slowstarter
- fattybeef

Ok Stan.....Athanasiou signs with Detroit for a 1 year deal with 1.35 million. This is a guy that can add youth, speed and size to the future of this organization. You have plenty of depth forwards and dmen to make a hockey trade. I'd think AA would welcome a trade here asap with that low ball offer. Unless you have something else up your sleeve, this one is extremely doable immediately to infuse more speed to this core.

Ok Stan.....Athanasiou signs with Detroit for a 1 year deal with 1.35 million. This is a guy that can add youth, speed and size to the future of this organization. You have plenty of depth forwards and dmen to make a hockey trade. I'd think AA would welcome a trade here asap with that low ball offer. Unless you have something else up your sleeve, this one is extremely doable immediately to infuse more speed to this core.
- Hawkytalk

Detroit needs Dmen. Kempney?

Detroit needs Dmen. Kempney?
- tompo1015

Little Ceaser's Pizza sucks. I don't want anything from that team.

Little Ceaser's Pizza sucks. I don't want anything from that team.
- powerenforcer

Wait... What are you talking about.... Nevermind
You need therapy my friend...

Little Ceaser's Pizza sucks. I don't want anything from that team.
- powerenforcer

Little Ceasar' s headquarters are in Detroit... And their pizza is as bad as all of the other UC vendors pizza slices.

Detroit needs Dmen. Kempney?
- tompo1015

I'm thinking Detroit might bite on Forsling but not Kempny. I'd almost rather give up Murphy before Forsling. Forsling's upside is so great even in his short term experience. Remember that Snuggerud is waiting his turn when healrhy, though, so who knows what the brass might be thinking. I'm on the move Anisimov wagon....for whatever draft choice we can get. Though his value is decreasing game by game with no scoring.

I'm thinking Detroit might bite on Forsling but not Kempny. I'd almost rather give up Murphy before Forsling. Forsling's upside is so great even in his short term experience. Remember that Snuggerud is waiting his turn when healrhy, though, so who knows what the brass might be thinking. I'm on the move Anisimov wagon....for whatever draft choice we can get. Though his value is decreasing game by game with no scoring.
- Hawkytalk

His value was never going to be higher than it was this summer. I was hoping for a trade in the offseason. That said, AA has steps up his game at the dot and has been good defensively. He isn't a bad guy to have on the team, but I think the Hawks need to find the right mix on line 3 and 4 and haven't yet.

Forlsing has had his ups and downs, but do you think he's getting so much ice time because he's being showcased....possibly?
- tompo1015

He is not being showcased. They want him to develop and the best way is in the NhL. They are willing to live with his bad moments because the team needs a dman who can do the skill things he shows flashes of doing. That shot is real nice,too. That is the new way some teams think.

No team is offering a star for a package which includes Forsling. Teams usually sign a free agent dman or develop their own guys. Occasionally a top prospect defenseman is traded, see Tampa- Monreal trade.

But Forsling is not in the category of that Tampa dman. That guy on Tampa is groomed to become a top pair. He does it all where's Forsling is primarily just an offensive type whom you hope becomes a solid second or third pair

Let me just say one thing again: Rule of thumb generally no team wants to trade for a prospect dman. Teams whom need a dman might look at young dman as a bonus. But not at an unremarkable still green Forsling.
Would you want a more established dman than Forsling if you were in Sakic's shoes?

To wit: Edmonton acquired Sekara and Larsson through trade. They have Nurse and Klefborn developing . They gave up a star in T Hall for Larson...and Larson at that time had some experience + was considered ready to take challenge as a top dman in Edm. Whereas Sekera was a free agent.

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

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that by design? Forwards in the OZ are down by the goal line trying to score, and forwards in the DZ are at the blue line defending the oppositions defense, and looking for breakaway opportunities?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that by design? Forwards in the OZ are down by the goal line trying to score, and forwards in the DZ are at the blue line defending the oppositions defense, and looking for breakaway opportunities?
- tvetter

They are --- wingers are going to be covering the point guys in their D zone - you probably got one forward in the high slot and a couple down low. They might not be all that close to the blue line -but that is the basic gist of it.

------

Yeh the guy quoted was right -Seabrook was playing pass ... although Keith was basically playing catch up like a backchecking forward -- pretty much the way I do it when on D - because I pretty much suck skating backwards fast ...

So you go and cover the winger ... which is fine, although again, McDavid was basically in and out of that area that was right at the center part of the width of the ice - it isn't like there is a real line there which says - you got him on this side of this line and I got him if he is on the other --- it is an imaginary line and you sorta have to eyeball it. By in and out of that area - it might even amount to a head fake, a stutter step anything ...

Seriously the point was McDavid had no business being able to complete that pass - without any defenders there ... let alone what happened.

They are --- wingers are going to be covering the point guys in their D zone - you probably got one forward in the high slot and a couple down low. They might not be all that close to the blue line -but that is the basic gist of it.

------

Yeh the guy quoted was right -Seabrook was playing pass ... although Keith was basically playing catch up like a backchecking forward -- pretty much the way I do it when on D - because I pretty much suck skating backwards fast ...

So you go and cover the winger ... which is fine, although again, McDavid was basically in and out of that area that was right at the center part of the width of the ice - it isn't like there is a real line there which says - you got him on this side of this line and I got him if he is on the other --- it is an imaginary line and you sorta have to eyeball it. By in and out of that area - it might even amount to a head fake, a stutter step anything ...

Seriously the point was McDavid had no business being able to complete that pass - without any defenders there ... let alone what happened.
- steve-hist-sdc

I really just chalk that up as a great play by McDavid and Seabrook not trusting his teammate to do his job and in the end it was Seabrook who didn't do his job, so be it.

My concern is the 1 goal, we've started playing WC teams and have scored 6 goals in 4 games, not counting OT, the 2 vs the Blues don't really count either. Just bad bad bad

4-2-2 after playing, I believe, 8 playoff teams from last year. I will take that. Do we have some weaknesses....sure. So do all the other teams. But the playoffs will be where this all either breaks good or bad. Long season ahead and moves will be made. April will be when we find out how good or bad we are.

I remember thinking last year how we would beat the Preds in four or five. I had a ton of confidence in winning that series. You just never know.

As far as all the line juggling goes i leave that to Q, but a part of me is really curious to see Schmaltz with Saad and Panik, looks like Schmaltz has another gear this year and in the past 2 games he's come up with some nice turnovers in the opponents end to drive possession, he's really impressed me

Also Toews has always loved to shoot 5 hole when he gets a goalie 1 on 1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK_2hPUUlV4
- breadbag

The move is deke him both ways, open the five hole in the process and tuck it in, Toews should occasionally try to finish to the left or right to keep goalies honest