John Jaeckel: Hawks Make It 8 Straight

FIRST?!?

awesome for darling to be playing like he is. I say keep giving him starts, he is fantastic as of right now. Rozy looked like poop last night. TVR dahls as a third pairing later this season would be nice, dont know if Q will roll with it though

Pretty happy what I've seen of the kids who've come up. Granted, they're filling bottom line roles, but they're not afraid. Like too seeing Clendening and Klas not being afraid to shoot. Keith seems to get a little pass happy at the point, instead of throwing it on net.

I like Darling. He's solid, if unspectacular. Stays in position, doesn't give up the huge rebounds like Niemi did, and stays big in net.

Any chance if this keeps up that Raanta could be dealt for something decent? Or do you believe they'd rather keep this unexpected surplus in net through the end of the season?

Didn't really look too dirty to me.. it was a hockey play, and no I don't hate the hawks or toews. He's actually one of my favorite outside the pens

Given the Department of Player Safety's track record I won't be surprised no matter what happens with Seidenberg but I'd say I'm pretty much in agreement with you JJ. Seems like it was more just an unfortunate ending to an otherwise so-so play. Wasn't the cleanest play in the world but I wouldn't say it was dirty either. At the very most it would be a game suspension but I wouldn't cry foul if he didn't even get a call. But the people blaming Toews are just stupid. What's he supposed to do? Not go after the puck? There are absolutely cases when players turn away from hits and put themselves in vulnerable and dangerous positions but this wasn't one of them. He may have made a VERY slight turn right before contact but Seidenberg was getting him from behind either way.

Didn't really look too dirty to me.. it was a hockey play, and no I don't hate the hawks or toews. He's actually one of my favorite outside the pens
- znagle

After looking at it again this morning, it looked fine. Minor penalty was sufficient. If the Hawks saw it as dirty, I would believe they would have tried to retaliate at some point. That type of play happens. It wasn't blatant IMO.

John Jaeckel: Hawks Make It 8 Straight
- John Jaeckel

At most Seidenberg gets a fine, and probably not even that.

Isles are bleeding goals against right now with both Hamonic and Boychuk out. Let's hope it continues.

IF Toews has any symptoms today, it's imperative that the Hawks keep him out for however long it takes. There is no rush here. Would it be nice to have home ice advantage, win the division or win the president trophy? Of course, but history has shown home ice doesn't carry the weight it used to AND the west 1-8 is a crap shoot.

As far as the hit goes, it was dirty but it was also the perfect storm. Toews was leaning forward and might have lost his edge. Either way, what I don't get is after going head first, having a history, WHY THE HELL is he out there 30 seconds later taking a face off? That is inexcusable from some elite medical staff the Hawks proclaim they have. I hope some beat writer goes to town on that. This wasn't a playoff game and if you recall back in 2013 in game 5 Toews got smoked and was pulled and sat on the bench the entire 3rd period and never played.

Overall, a big win. Had the pace taken to them in 2nd and 3rd, but Darling was huge. I wonder, just maybe, that CC flying to Boston might be him seeing Darling creeping up as a threat the same way Eddie Belfour did with Jeff Hackett back in the day? Not advocating Crawford being dealt, but Q loves this kid and the kid is making Q look a genius.

Might be time to package Raanta and Morin for a high pick or veteran banger.

After watching the Canucks "make themselves vulnerable" plenty of times to draw a penalty, I don't think that's what Towes did here. Siedenberg needs to be able to pull up a bit and not hit full force in that situation, but the penalty was all he should get.

That and a heavy CLEAN blast from Shaw or Bickell next time these teams meet

Pretty happy what I've seen of the kids who've come up. Granted, they're filling bottom line roles, but they're not afraid. Like too seeing Clendening and Klas not being afraid to shoot. Keith seems to get a little pass happy at the point, instead of throwing it on net.

I like Darling. He's solid, if unspectacular. Stays in position, doesn't give up the huge rebounds like Niemi did, and stays big in net.

Any chance if this keeps up that Raanta could be dealt for something decent? Or do you believe they'd rather keep this unexpected surplus in net through the end of the season?
- howiehandles

It's early, but Darling has looked real good so far...does the cap problem at the end of the season make them end up moving Craw? If so you've got Raanta and Darling.

At the same time if you want to move Raanta I'd try to package him with a bigger contract and try to get something of substance albeit at a cheaper cap hit back in return.

TVR dahls as a third pairing later this season would be nice, dont know if Q will roll with it though
- the_dough_boy

How close to 100% is TvR going to be once he's back? Is TvR's knee injury going to take time to get back to 100%, much like what was speculated about Versteeg's knee injury and poor play last season?

Pretty happy what I've seen of the kids who've come up. Granted, they're filling bottom line roles, but they're not afraid. Like too seeing Clendening and Klas not being afraid to shoot. Keith seems to get a little pass happy at the point, instead of throwing it on net.

I like Darling. He's solid, if unspectacular. Stays in position, doesn't give up the huge rebounds like Niemi did, and stays big in net.

Any chance if this keeps up that Raanta could be dealt for something decent? Or do you believe they'd rather keep this unexpected surplus in net through the end of the season?
- howiehandles

When you say "unspectacular," what do you mean? If you're speaking stylistically, I find Darling's style in net more appealing than Crawford. CC is a solid goalie-gets results, but is very robotic between the pipes. Might be a bold statement here, but I feel both Darling and Raanta are more athletic in net than CC. I also like Darling and Raanta's demeanor and presence in net more. Just my opinion, though.
The Hawks are in an interesting spot with three guys that seem to be able to jump in and take the reigns--granted, Darling still has a number of games to get under his belt, but he certainly looks solid to me.

After looking at it again this morning, it looked fine. Minor penalty was sufficient. If the Hawks saw it as dirty, I would believe they would have tried to retaliate at some point. That type of play happens. It wasn't blatant IMO.
- howiehandles

I agree completely, just one of those unfortunate plays that happen especially against a team that won't shy away from taking the body. Hopefully toews is fine, wish he was in pittsburgh instead of us drafting staal... sid first line center with toews second and geno on his wing

FIRST?!?

awesome for darling to be playing like he is. I say keep giving him starts, he is fantastic as of right now. Rozy looked like poop last night. TVR dahls as a third pairing later this season would be nice, dont know if Q will roll with it though
- the_dough_boy

Won't happen even if TVR was healthy. Q likes his vets and IMO, he made sure Rozy was kept this season. If Rozy, the "old guy" has to take every other game off and/or miss one of the two of back-to-backs, then I'm happy with it.

Last thing I want to see is 3rd pairing elevate DK's TOI. DK is already too high on TOI for my liking over the course of the season and I'd love to see his TOI get down and stay down, close to 24 mins (2013 cup year) going into the playoffs, instead of the nearly 26 mins he's at now.

I agree completely, just one of those unfortunate plays that happen especially against a team that won't shy away from taking the body. Hopefully toews is fine, wish he was in pittsburgh instead of us drafting staal... toews first line center with sid second and geno on his wing
- znagle

Fixed that for you

When you say "unspectacular," what do you mean? If you're speaking stylistically, I find Darling's style in net more appealing than Crawford. CC is a solid goalie-gets results, but is very robotic between the pipes. Might be a bold statement here, but I feel both Darling and Raanta are more athletic in net than CC. I also like Darling and Raanta's demeanor and presence in net more. Just my opinion, though.
The Hawks are in an interesting spot with three guys that seem to be able to jump in and take the reigns--granted, Darling still has a number of games to get under his belt, but he certainly looks solid to me.
- Hank3Henshaw

I also like Darling a lot, but he needs to work on his rebound control. There are many times he puts a rebound right out into the slot. It has just been fortunate for the Hawks that no opposing team has really capitalized on those...yet.

How close to 100% is TvR going to be once he's back? Is TvR's knee injury going to take time to get back to 100%, much like what was speculated about Versteeg's knee injury and poor play last season?
- EKolb13

Completely different injuries - Versteeg had a catastrophic ACL tear, TVR has a fractured kneecap.

Has Morin booked any flights lately? Reserved any hotel/motel rooms or found an apartment somewhere? Really curious to see where he gets dealt. I'm sure some of you twitter people could find something like that out, no?

Sweet game last night, Kanes goal made me jump up and start laughing. Everybody was trying so hard from Kane trying to settle the puck down, to Rask trying to get in position to make the save, to Kelly i think it was behind Rask trying to stop the puck from going in and then Kane finally snaps it in. It was great.

Toews hit wasnt dirty, but at least Kane went up to Seidenberg and gave him a love tap. Seidenberg looked like he was ready for some poop to go down but then he realized it was Kane and was just like ah ok whatever haha.

I also like Darling a lot, but he needs to work on his rebound control. There are many times he puts a rebound right out into the slot. It has just been fortunate for the Hawks that no opposing team has really capitalized on those...yet.
- ChadBot

He really needs to work on puck handling as well. He's pretty god awful at passing to the D men.

I agree completely, just one of those unfortunate plays that happen especially against a team that won't shy away from taking the body. Hopefully toews is fine, wish he was in pittsburgh instead of us drafting staal... sid first line center with toews second and geno on his wing
- znagle

I don't know, guys. Isn't there that rule that the pursuing player is supposed to put their hand on the players back to let him know he's there, then bear-hug him (of sorts) into the boards so it's a safer play? I didn't see that happen. I know it was a questionable hit and people see it different ways. But, regardless, I think Julien's comments are really uncalled for. Let's say that play is flipped and a Hawks puts a questionable hit on Boston's beloved Lucic or someone else on the Bruins. Does Julien still say the same thing?

Given the Department of Player Safety's track record I won't be surprised no matter what happens with Seidenberg but I'd say I'm pretty much in agreement with you JJ. Seems like it was more just an unfortunate ending to an otherwise so-so play. Wasn't the cleanest play in the world but I wouldn't say it was dirty either. At the very most it would be a game suspension but I wouldn't cry foul if he didn't even get a call. But the people blaming Toews are just stupid. What's he supposed to do? Not go after the puck? There are absolutely cases when players turn away from hits and put themselves in vulnerable and dangerous positions but this wasn't one of them. He may have made a VERY slight turn right before contact but Seidenberg was getting him from behind either way.
- daaaahawks

As was said several times last nite:

NOT a dirty hit, but a dangerous one and one that could have - and SHOULD have - been avoided. Seidenberg saw the numbers in plenty of time to back off the somewhat-high hard hit.

But I'm concerned that league protocol seems not to have been followed: after the hit - obviously the head into the ledge (not the one we find ourselves on here so often) - Toews was a bit foggy - trying to shake off the cobwebs - he should have been sent to the quiet room immediately given (a) his reaction to the hit, and (b) his history of concussions.

Either you have a protocol or you don't.

Seidenberg hit on Toews...not dirty?

His numbers were never out of sight and he shoved him into the boards. Seidenberg is not a saint. He has had borderline hits a few times in his career. Idk if it is the differing opinion of people who have seen hockey back in the day to people who have grown up with the sport from the 90's on. But if that ever happened to me or one of my teammates there would be retaliation. However, I dont expect the Hawks to come to their captains aid because its been 7 years and he has taken plenty of cheap shots without a response.

Ive seen one player come to the Captains aid and that is 88...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_dSYGOL4os

As was said several times last nite:

NOT a dirty hit, but a dangerous one and one that could have - and SHOULD have - been avoided. Seidenberg saw the numbers in plenty of time to back off the somewhat-high hard hit.

But I'm concerned that league protocol seems not to have been followed: after the hit - obviously the head into the ledge (not the one we find ourselves on here so often) - Toews was a bit foggy - trying to shake off the cobwebs - he should have been sent to the quiet room immediately given (a) his reaction to the hit, and (b) his history of concussions.

Either you have a protocol or you don't.
- StLBravesFan

100% agreed and the fact that he Hawks tout this medical staff as the league's best and we know the damn guys name, Michael Terry, was more concerning to me then the hit. This is your franchise player. Your key guy. You are up in the game, get him off the ice, to the dressing room, and test him out.

Instead.....he's back out there taking the next draw immediately, and what were to happen if we were to have been crunched again? Somebody should have been and better be held accountable.

Yeah, I know these guys are warriors, etc. I respect that, but a head injury to a guy who has had his bell rung a TON is not something to allow the player to dictate to you. 2 pts in December doesn't mean crap if they were to lose Toews for months because the medical staff failed to act.

How close to 100% is TvR going to be once he's back? Is TvR's knee injury going to take time to get back to 100%, much like what was speculated about Versteeg's knee injury and poor play last season?
- EKolb13

the only issue I see is that there aren't that many teams out there looking for a starter....Edmonton is the only team I see that could use a #1 right now

It's early, but Darling has looked real good so far...does the cap problem at the end of the season make them end up moving Craw? If so you've got Raanta and Darling.

At the same time if you want to move Raanta I'd try to package him with a bigger contract and try to get something of substance albeit at a cheaper cap hit back in return.
- DK002

Agree. Bick or Sharp? Most likely after the season. Maybe Raanta could be a sweetener.