OCT 6-5-0 .545
NOV 7-3-3 .654
DEC 9-5-1 .633

It took 10 games to get going, but very consistent the last 2 months, securing 64% of available points.

14 games in January. 7 home, 7 road, 10 against teams from the East.

9-5 would work for me, 10-4 would be really nice.

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.
- Mr Ricochet

Good intel there

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

Always good to see good things happen to Tallon. 9 in a row is a helluva run, but a long way to go. Looks like they might be buyers and not sellers.

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.
- John Jaeckel

The pierogies and kapusta in Toronto are horrible. Mrs. Hossa is here to fix the problem and Panik will turn into Max Paccioretty by the end of January.

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....
- BetweenTheDots

Read this, Dots. As mentioned yesterday TB is simply loaded at forward. http://www.dobberhockey.c...-a-dark-horse-more-jan-4/

Schmaltz is a center, right?

With Toews and Anisimov as 1-2 for the next 5yrs minimum (Artem's contract length/age)....I don't see Schmaltz unseating him

So then...is he a 3-4 center? They have been grooming Danault...have Kruger (for now)

A need is LW. If moving Schmaltz + gets a natural, young LW in Drouin here....then do it.

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.
- John Jaeckel

He looks good and as you mention he seems to know when to Go, when NOT to and when to get BACK. But as we saw on that softie goal v Rado he bit and got beat at his own blueline. A rookie, but a promising one

I think he has a powerful stride. I see power in this kid's skating. And Hammer is probably my favorite Hawk for the abuse he takes and never misses a shift after slappers off the inside of his knee..... But man that dude has the funkiest stride when chasing down a loose puck. Rear end out 2 feet, back arched, elbows in and pumping almost touching each other and the stick straight up in the air. Hilarious.

So if it happens it'd be Saad and Leddy for AA, Panik and Drouin?
- scottak

Saad and Leddy for Drouin,AA, Panik was for Morin, seems there are pieces missing, I don't know gentlemen, I like Drouins potential , Hmmmm, Schmaltz ,Dano, Pokka for Drouin?Has to be another piece coming back this way also, Wish we could Keep Dano and get away with Pokka and schmaltz for Drouin. T T, Dano and Drouin would give ya a lot of nice potential.

Read this, Dots. As mentioned yesterday TB is simply loaded at forward. http://www.dobberhockey.c...-a-dark-horse-more-jan-4/
- Mr Ricochet

Thanks for the article, even so my caution flag is still up. When players or agents of players ask for trades makes me pause. When The Bruins threw Seguin under the bus in the media him or his agent never made a public trade request, and he would've had every right to.

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.
- John Jaeckel

Do you think Marian knows a guy named Marcel Hossa? Is he Stan's late season acquisition?

Schmaltz is a center, right?

With Toews and Anisimov as 1-2 for the next 5yrs minimum (Artem's contract length/age)....I don't see Schmaltz unseating him

So then...is he a 3-4 center? They have been grooming Danault...have Kruger (for now)

A need is LW. If moving Schmaltz + gets a natural, young LW in Drouin here....then do it.
- PatShart

I would be OK trading Schmaltz (+) for Drouin. The time is now and Schmaltz is not ready for the NHL now and probably not for at least another year (or two).

However, if Stevie-Y is actually going to trade Drouin, I would think the line of GMs wanting in on that action is around the block. The price is going to be extremely high and it's going to take more than Schmaltz to win the Drouin derby.

Saad and Leddy for Drouin,AA, Panik was for Morin, seems there are pieces missing, I don't know gentlemen, I like Drouins potential , Hmmmm, Schmaltz ,Dano, Pokka for Drouin?Has to be another piece coming back this way also, Wish we could Keep Dano and get away with Pokka and schmaltz for Drouin. T T, Dano and Drouin would give ya a lot of nice potential.
- wonthecup10

I would hope Nesterov, Koekkoek, or DeAngelo would be coming back with Drouin.

Thanks for the article, even so my caution flag is still up. When players or agents of players ask for trades makes me pause. When The Bruins threw Seguin under the bus in the media him or his agent never made a public trade request, and he would've had every right to.
- BetweenTheDots

I guess this agent is known for this kind of stuff. I doubt he has much say in his agent's tactics. As mentioned yesterday and in that article his draft peers stayed with their big clubs and Druin was sent down to juniors but instead of sulking tore the QMJHL up. That is a good sign......

Very interesting mention of Seguin. A very high draft pick, very young, middling and a head case in Boston, moved and he's now seemingly a generational player. Could happen with a guy like Druin.

Schmaltz is a center, right?

With Toews and Anisimov as 1-2 for the next 5yrs minimum (Artem's contract length/age)....I don't see Schmaltz unseating him

So then...is he a 3-4 center? They have been grooming Danault...have Kruger (for now)

A need is LW. If moving Schmaltz + gets a natural, young LW in Drouin here....then do it.
- PatShart

I must be wrong on this but I always thought he played wing at Green Bay. I just can't remember, but we know he's center now.

As far as his position and the Hawks, can't ever have enough good centers just like Dmen.

I would be OK trading Schmaltz (+) for Drouin. The time is now and Schmaltz is not ready for the NHL now and probably not for at least another year (or two).

However, if Stevie-Y is actually going to trade Drouin, I would think the line of GMs wanting in on that action is around the block. The price is going to be extremely high and it's going to take more than Schmaltz to win the Drouin derby.
- EbonyRaptor

Yep..........Stevie Y has to have the Seguin trade in the back of his mind.

The pierogies and kapusta in Toronto are horrible. Mrs. Hossa is here to fix the problem and Panik will turn into Max Paccioretty by the end of January.
- RickJ

Your lips to goods ears

I would be OK trading Schmaltz (+) for Drouin. The time is now and Schmaltz is not ready for the NHL now and probably not for at least another year (or two).

However, if Stevie-Y is actually going to trade Drouin, I would think the line of GMs wanting in on that action is around the block. The price is going to be extremely high and it's going to take more than Schmaltz to win the Drouin derby.
- EbonyRaptor

Not to diminish Drouin's skillset but he hasn't exactly given Stevie Y an NHL resume that looks like Patrick Kane's or John Tavares. He is a 3rd overall pick who hasn't done much to date and looks like he shouldn't have been drafted ahead of Seth Jones or Monahan or others.

Yzerman will get a very good return for Drouin but he isn't getting back established superstars.

I would be OK trading Schmaltz (+) for Drouin. The time is now and Schmaltz is not ready for the NHL now and probably not for at least another year (or two).

However, if Stevie-Y is actually going to trade Drouin, I would think the line of GMs wanting in on that action is around the block. The price is going to be extremely high and it's going to take more than Schmaltz to win the Drouin derby.
- EbonyRaptor

I would guess the price for the Hawks would be something like Schmaltz+either Pokka or Svedberg+draft pick.

Here's the thing about Schmaltz. I am reminded of the words of the "Great" Jim Cummins who said of NCAA hockey, "everyone skates around like they're ten feet tall."

So now he's having a really good World Juniors: which can be an indicator of future NHL success, or not.

He is tiny, has not played any pro hockey. He may develop into a great, really good, good or average NHL player.

The Hawks also have a lot of tiny, non physical forwards.

Drouin is more of a proven commodity now, who can likely help the Hawks (perhaps significantly) this year, and probably has as high or higher upside than Schmaltz.

I guess this agent is known for this kind of stuff. I doubt he has much say in his agent's tactics. As mentioned yesterday and in that article his draft peers stayed with their big clubs and Druin was sent down to juniors but instead of sulking tore the QMJHL up. That is a good sign......

Very interesting mention of Seguin. A very high draft pick, very young, middling and a head case in Boston, moved and he's now seemingly a generational player. Could happen with a guy like Druin.
- Mr Ricochet

Walsh was Havlat's and I believe Michal Frolik's agent.

I would guess the price for the Hawks would be something like Schmaltz+either Pokka or Svedberg+draft pick.

Here's the thing about Schmaltz. I am reminded of the words of the "Great" Jim Cummins who said of NCAA hockey, "everyone skates around like they're ten feet tall."

So now he's having a really good World Juniors: which can be an indicator of future NHL success, or not.

He is tiny, has not played any pro hockey. He may develop into a great, really good, good or average NHL player.

The Hawks also have a lot of tiny, non physical forwards.

Drouin is more of a proven commodity now, who can likely help the Hawks (perhaps significantly) this year, and probably has as high or higher upside than Schmaltz.
- John Jaeckel

You need to remove those quotations and this whole post will then ring true

I would guess the price for the Hawks would be something like Schmaltz+either Pokka or Svedberg+draft pick.

Here's the thing about Schmaltz. I am reminded of the words of the "Great" Jim Cummins who said of NCAA hockey, "everyone skates around like they're ten feet tall."

So now he's having a really good World Juniors: which can be an indicator of future NHL success, or not.

He is tiny, has not played any pro hockey. He may develop into a great, really good, good or average NHL player.

The Hawks also have a lot of tiny, non physical forwards.

Drouin is more of a proven commodity now, who can likely help the Hawks (perhaps significantly) this year, and probably has as high or higher upside than Schmaltz.
- John Jaeckel

If they could acquire Drouin for Schmaltz and a combo of Pokka or Svedberg and picks, that would be amazing.

A young core of Panarin, TT, Dano, and Drouin to go along with the "older" guys of Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Seabs, and Hammer would be pretty damn nice.

If the Hawks wouldn't have to give up TT or Dano, I would think no one in Rockford, outside of Dano, is untouchable and it would be a no-brainer to acquire a potentially game changing talent like Drouin.

I would guess the price for the Hawks would be something like Schmaltz+either Pokka or Svedberg+draft pick.

Here's the thing about Schmaltz. I am reminded of the words of the "Great" Jim Cummins who said of NCAA hockey, "everyone skates around like they're ten feet tall."

So now he's having a really good World Juniors: which can be an indicator of future NHL success, or not.

He is tiny, has not played any pro hockey. He may develop into a great, really good, good or average NHL player.

The Hawks also have a lot of tiny, non physical forwards.

Drouin is more of a proven commodity now, who can likely help the Hawks (perhaps significantly) this year, and probably has as high or higher upside than Schmaltz.
- John Jaeckel

With a cage on and no fighting allowed!! .....

The instant the Hawks took Schmaltz when Fabbri was still on the board I posted any place I could find that it was a mistake. My problem after watching Schmaltz, a good bit, in junior was his compete. A blind guy could see his skill but a guy with supersonic hearing would never here a collision he was in. When the game got rough he was nowhere near the action.

Things change, I said that Jaden Schwartz was a floater after watching him in the USHL, and that changed as he was a 1st round pick. He's doing ok in St Louis.

Am I the only person here wondering what this infatuation with Drouin is all about?

Am I the only person here wondering what this infatuation with Drouin is all about?
- captainserious

A #3 overall pick from 3 years ago who is (supposedly) on the trade block. I would love for the Hawks to get him but not if they have to overpay (too much).

Am I the only person here wondering what this infatuation with Drouin is all about?
- captainserious

Because a "lightning in a bottle" trade is all we are likely to see come from the Hawk FO, and Drouin may be be the best talent obtainable with the assets they are willing to part with.

Given Stanbow's timid nature, no actual talent for talent trade is likely to happen. He has no cap space to work with and will not risk trading solid regular roster players of any great value.

Like I said a few weeks ago, we will know in due time how "all in" the Hawk FO is to win another cup this season. All in for me would be an overpay for Killorn, even as a rental.