I will be livid if Schmaltz is involved in a deal for Drouin.
- acmidd28

Why? Drouin was a #3 overall pick/talent that has 40pts in 89gms

Schmaltz is unsigned and could go the route of Hayes if he isn't going to go right to the NHL

That's what I saw on Twitter. Maybe they'll try Panik for a game or two to replace the big, lumbering, can't stay on my skates Bickell.
- Dannyboy

Panik is a skilled, Slovakian underachiever. If the greatest 200ft Slovakian player to ever lace up skates can't inspire him to compete on a shift-shift basis, nobody can. I think this could turn out to be a really great trade by StanBo. At worst, you lost Jeremy Morin….

Why? Drouin was a #3 overall pick/talent that has 40pts in 89gms

Schmaltz is unsigned and could go the route of Hayes if he isn't going to go right to the NHL
- PatShart

FRANK Kevin Hayes

Was I the only one who thought that was a very boring game of hockey last night? UC was pretty much silent. But a win is a win so I'm happy.

Also, I'm jumping on the Panthers bandwagon pretty hard. Dale Tallon has some serious talent as a GM. Happy to see him create another monster of a team. #JaromirForPresident #Jagr2016

Why? Drouin was a #3 overall pick/talent that has 40pts in 89gms

Schmaltz is unsigned and could go the route of Hayes if he isn't going to go right to the NHL
- PatShart

I think Schmaltz upside is through the roof and would rather have Dano hit the road. Nothing against Drouin, he'll be good in the right situation but Little Nicky's going to be a player.

Gustafsson moved up to the 4th spot and TVR to 5th. Q is running with this possibility of Gus being the number 4. IIRC he was on the 1st unit of their first PP with Keith. .......So the kid gets 16:44 of ice time as the #4, 1:08 of PP time, a +1, 1 shot, 3 blocks and no glaring mistakes. Not a bad stat line.

He looked like Daley to my eye for a couple shifts. Kid was roving in the O zone. This kid doesn't lack confidence.

Was I the only one who thought that was a very boring game of hockey last night? UC was pretty much silent. But a win is a win so I'm happy.

Also, I'm jumping on the Panthers bandwagon pretty hard. Dale Tallon has some serious talent as a GM. Happy to see him create another monster of a team. #JaromirForPresident #Jagr2016
- BURDA13

I was at the game. 1st period was boring and pretty quiet. After Keith's goal in the 2nd, there was some buzz through the UC, but even after that, it wasn't buzzing like it usually is.

I think Schmaltz upside is through the roof and would rather have Dano hit the road. Nothing against Drouin, he'll be good in the right situation but Little Nicky's going to be a player.
- acmidd28

Also, decent chance Schmaltz signs when his No-Dak season is over. Plus he's a local product, Wisconsin born, but played minor hockey for the Mission. Chicago is home for the most part and would think he would want to play for the club he grew up watching.

I was at the game. 1st period was boring and pretty quiet. After Keith's goal in the 2nd, there was some buzz through the UC, but even after that, it wasn't buzzing like it usually is.
- Dannyboy

The fans, like the Blackhawks, are bored with the regular season and are anticipating the playoffs.

Panik is a skilled, Slovakian underachiever. If the greatest 200ft Slovakian player to ever lace up skates can't inspire him to compete on a shift-shift basis, nobody can. I think this could turn out to be a really great trade by StanBo. At worst, you lost Jeremy Morin….
- EnzoD

Can't lose on this deal. Firstly Morin wasn't gonna be in their plans. Panik is a guy with skill that got him drafted in round 2, good size, NHL experience, success at the AHL level, on all of Slovakia's international junior teams starting as a 17 yr old, can play both wings (we'll see on that), a friendly cap hit who has under achieved but now is given a chance to play on a top NHL team, maybe even on the 1st line.

No obligation on this guy past this year as he's an RFA next year. He doesn't work out move on.....Can't lose.

But what this also tells me is the Hawks and Toronto have been talking, obviously. Doubt that these two guys were the only ones talked about. Maybe some groundwork laid for another move down the road?

Panik: http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=11849

The fans, like the Blackhawks, are bored with the regular season and are anticipating the playoffs.
- scottak

It was pretty dead last night and sloppy play didn't help either. Plus it was family night and people were leaving in the 2nd period.

Why? Drouin was a #3 overall pick/talent that has 40pts in 89gms

Schmaltz is unsigned and could go the route of Hayes if he isn't going to go right to the NHL
- PatShart

Sure he was a #3 pick but you can't factor that into the equation anymore. The question is what's going on in Tampa? Is this a case of player entitlement or a mental coach? If the team that picked him at#3 is willing to trade him management better do their homework. Draft picks maybe, but the caution flag is up for me, if Yzerman is willing to trade the#3 pick....

couple additional thoughts from last night...

i watched the NHLN feed..

1. they were singing the praises of karlson and noting his improved defensive play; no question about his offensive skills with 41 points so far but he was not very good last night on the defensive end. standing around on the rosival shot and rebound goal by arte and on the desi goal he was very weak on the puck along the boards with the empty net behind, his overall positioning was not good...

2. they were also singing the praises of #19; throwing him out there as a hart trophy candidate and the best 200 ft player in the league

Panik is a skilled, Slovakian underachiever. If the greatest 200ft Slovakian player to ever lace up skates can't inspire him to compete on a shift-shift basis, nobody can. I think this could turn out to be a really great trade by StanBo. At worst, you lost Jeremy Morin….
- EnzoD

I'm such a big fan of these no cost to the Hawks, under the radar deals that Stan makes, big big fan.

Drouin is a LW too I think......drool.....

Drouin-Toews-Hossa
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane

(drool....again)

Also, decent chance Schmaltz signs when his No-Dak season is over. Plus he's a local product, Wisconsin born, but played minor hockey for the Mission. Chicago is home for the most part and would think he would want to play for the club he grew up watching.
- acmidd28

He seems to have some good upside, I will agree there. Hasn't played in the NHL so I think judgement should be reserved until then in my opinion. If a deal comes along where Dano or TT does not have to be included then I think that is an avenue to explore for sure.

Can't lose on this deal. Firstly Morin wasn't gonna be in their plans. Panik is a guy with skill that got him drafted in round 2, good size, NHL experience, success at the AHL level, on all of Slovakia's international junior teams starting as a 17 yr old, can play both wings (we'll see on that), a friendly cap hit who has under achieved but now is given a chance to play on a top NHL team, maybe even on the 1st line.

No obligation on this guy past this year as he's an RFA next year. He doesn't work out move on.....Can't lose.

But what this also tells me is the Hawks and Toronto have been talking, obviously. Doubt that these two guys were the only ones talked about. Maybe some groundwork laid for another move down the road?

Panik: http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=11849
- Mr Ricochet

Looking at his stats, he has had success in the AHL. Doesn't mean it transcends to the big boys. Maybe he wasn't in the right situation, but my guess is if the light doesn't go on here, he realizes that the minors or Europe is his ceiling. Watch and learn from Hossa. But let's not Panik.

Gustafsson moved up to the 4th spot and TVR to 5th. Q is running with this possibility of Gus being the number 4. IIRC he was on the 1st unit of their first PP with Keith. .......So the kid gets 16:44 of ice time as the #4, 1:08 of PP time, a +1, 1 shot, 3 blocks and no glaring mistakes. Not a bad stat line.

He looked like Daley to my eye for a couple shifts. Kid was roving in the O zone. This kid doesn't lack confidence.
- Mr Ricochet

I agree Gusto looks good, what even looked better was 17 minutes for, Rozy, TVR and Gusto top 3 didn't have to carry the burden last night

Q says Panik to the bigs. General Fanager has him here already. Looking like he gets a shot with line 1.
- hocktock

That would be the lightning in a bottle move. Also have to wonder if Big Hoss himself didn't tip Stanley off on Panik—if it works. I would think for certain they talked to him.

Drouin playing LW with Toews and Hossa

Can't lose on this deal. Firstly Morin wasn't gonna be in their plans. Panik is a guy with skill that got him drafted in round 2, good size, NHL experience, success at the AHL level, on all of Slovakia's international junior teams starting as a 17 yr old, can play both wings (we'll see on that), a friendly cap hit who has under achieved but now is given a chance to play on a top NHL team, maybe even on the 1st line.

No obligation on this guy past this year as he's an RFA next year. He doesn't work out move on.....Can't lose.

But what this also tells me is the Hawks and Toronto have been talking, obviously. Doubt that these two guys were the only ones talked about. Maybe some groundwork laid for another move down the road?

Panik: http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=11849
- Mr Ricochet

Again, if they give him a shot in the lottery spot (1LW), you know they talked to Hossa at least on whether the kid can play the left side. Hossa is the guy struggling most with the revolving door of right wings in that spot—Slovakia is a small country and it's national hockey organization is also small. Hossa and his family know all these guys quite well.

fattybeef
Today @ 10:10 AM ET

Winning the games you ought to win is a good thing.

Panarin drilling Anderson in the dome twice was funny.

Crawford had a stellar game.

Pretty boring until the Hawks scored and even after that it was rather pedestrian. Nice to get a win but a lot of these games recently have been the opposite of entertaining.

I think the bolded part is symptomatic of a larger portion of the league and an overall problem they have, unfortunately.

I will be livid if Schmaltz is involved in a deal for Drouin.
- acmidd28

I don't know how much influence Cooper would have in a TB trade but there is a connection with Cooper and Schmaltz.

Cooper coached the USHL Green Bay Gamblers in 08/09 and 09/10. He also had GM duties. He left for Norfolk for the 11/12 season and that's when Schmaltz came to play for GB. But Cooper's top guys, Eric Rud and Derrick Lalonde, took over when he left so I'm sure they both scouted Schmaltz together and in fact was recruited (think he may have signed him) by Cooper before he left.

So there is history and familiarity there.

Gustafsson moved up to the 4th spot and TVR to 5th. Q is running with this possibility of Gus being the number 4. IIRC he was on the 1st unit of their first PP with Keith. .......So the kid gets 16:44 of ice time as the #4, 1:08 of PP time, a +1, 1 shot, 3 blocks and no glaring mistakes. Not a bad stat line.

He looked like Daley to my eye for a couple shifts. Kid was roving in the O zone. This kid doesn't lack confidence.
- Mr Ricochet

He does play the rover a bit. Sort of that Daley/Campbell style for sure, but he has a mean streak and defensive willingness I like (blocking shots). I also liked his awareness when pinching, he would recognize when the play was dying and GET BACK, and I am sure this is what Q likes.

Aside from that, squint your eyes a bit when he skates (looking at posture and stride) and he looks a lot like . . . Niklas Hjalmarsson, although obviously a different stature and style of play.

It was pretty dead last night and sloppy play didn't help either. Plus it was family night and people were leaving in the 2nd period.
- dyoung

All those Sunday games are. Great start times for the fan but the games are sleepy.