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

It is his younger brother

Is there a free online stream of the USA/Russia Junior game today?? Thanks in advance!

Finland just won Sweden in U20 semifinals and hopefully USA will beat Russia later today. So we could see Matthews against Laine and Puljujärvi. Probably the 1st, 2nd and 3rd picks in next the NHL draft.

As for the Hawks prospects Joni Tuulola and Gustav Forsling are both d´men with good puck skills. Forsling is better skater and shot is way much better. But I understand why Hawks drafted Tuulola and went after Forsling (don´t know why Benning did it though) because they both play the game Hawks/Q way. Forsling is very poised with the puck and real threat on point. Tuulola is pretty raw physically and both have lot to learn about playing without the puck. I still believe Stan´s best trade ever might come out be that Clendening/Forsling swap.

Schmaltz has been really good and hopefully he will continue that today against Russia but tommorrow he can suck against Finland..

Right now, its between Holtby and Crow for the Vezina. IMO, the only threat to Kane's Hart Trophy (if healthy) is Erik Karlsson.


Not to be a homer here but I guess I will. I believe you need to have Jonathon Quick in the Vezina discussion. Doughty should win the Norris. IMO..

Looking at the stats from the top picks in the 2013 draft - it's more a case of fewer games played for Drouin than not playing as well as his peers, at least when comparing ppg with the other forwards in the top-10.

1. MacKinnon (F) 185 games, 134 points (0.72 ppg)
2. Barkov (F) 154 games, 83 points (0.54 ppg)
3. Drouin (F) 89 games, 40 points (0.45 ppg)
4. Jones (D) 198 games, 63 points
5. Lindholm (F) 178 games, 75 points (0.42 ppg)
6. Monahan (F) 194 games, 122 points (0.63 ppg)
7. Nurse (D) 33 games, 7 points
8. Ristolainen (D) 151 games, 50 points
9. Horvat (F) 107 games, 35 points (0.33 ppg)
10. Nichuskin (F) 125 games, 50 points (0.40 ppg)

It is his younger brother
- Cup-Bearer

Yes. Wonder if Marian has talked about bringing him in for a "tryout" at LW"?

Right now, its between Holtby and Crow for the Vezina. IMO, the only threat to Kane's Hart Trophy (if healthy) is Erik Karlsson.


Not to be a homer here but I guess I will. I believe you need to have Jonathon Quick in the Vezina discussion. Doughty should win the Norris. IMO..
- arh777

At the midway point, the 3 goalies heading to Vegas would be Crawford, Holtby and Quick. As for the Norris, that is probably also Karlsson's to lose. Remember, the Norris has basically become the Art Ross trophy for defenseman. I would take Doughty on my team over Karlsson any day.

Looking at the stats from the top picks in the 2013 draft - it's more a case of fewer games played for Drouin than not playing as well as his peers, at least when comparing ppg with the other forwards in the top-10.

1. MacKinnon (F) 185 games, 134 points (0.72 ppg)
2. Barkov (F) 154 games, 83 points (0.54 ppg)
3. Drouin (F) 89 games, 40 points (0.45 ppg)
4. Jones (D) 198 games, 63 points
5. Lindholm (F) 178 games, 75 points (0.42 ppg)
6. Monahan (F) 194 games, 122 points (0.63 ppg)
7. Nurse (D) 33 games, 7 points
8. Ristolainen (D) 151 games, 50 points
9. Horvat (F) 107 games, 35 points (0.33 ppg)
10. Nichuskin (F) 125 games, 50 points (0.40 ppg)
- EbonyRaptor

Seth Jones, Darnell Nurse and Rasmus Ristolainen are all going to be very good NHL defenseman for years to come. Pretty outstanding top 10 for Dmen. Barkov is just now entering "Beast Mode". He's a stud.

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

Glad too hear that about Drouin and in all fairness the player has to have his agent on a leash, he represents the player.

If I recall correctly he didn't struggle playing as much as they thought he needs to be more responsible off the ice. In Tampa Drouin can't beat teammates out for a roster spot, and the whole time Boston was criticizing Seguin he bit his lip which told me he has character, and he used it as fuel.

Yes. Wonder if Marian has talked about bringing him in for a "tryout" at LW"?
- powerenforcer

I seem to remember his play falling off after a knee injury and that was probably 7 or 8 years ago. Better to put our time and efforts into a younger guy like Dano, Panik, the smallish WI kid or the whiney Tampa guy

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.
- scottak

Agreed but they've had some problems with the East. 2 losses to New Jersey, then Philly was bad, Carolina ??? Let's see how they produce after the back to back with Pitt. I'm thinking it's just the lack of intensity playing the weaker Eastern Conf teams, but those lost points may be significant come April. If they can't turn it up a notch this week, we'll know more.

At the midway point, the 3 goalies heading to Vegas would be Crawford, Holtby and Quick. As for the Norris, that is probably also Karlsson's to lose. Remember, the Norris has basically become the Art Ross trophy for defenseman. I would take Doughty on my team over Karlsson any day.
- EnzoD

Agreed that I would take Doughty over karlsson. But, how can original poster say Karlsson is only threat to Kane for Hart....then a sentence or two later say Doughty for Norris. If karlsson is only threat to kane for hart, surely he would be front runner for Norris. Line of thinking just doesn't make much sense....

Right now, its between Holtby and Crow for the Vezina. IMO, the only threat to Kane's Hart Trophy (if healthy) is Erik Karlsson.


Not to be a homer here but I guess I will. I believe you need to have Jonathon Quick in the Vezina discussion. Doughty should win the Norris. IMO..
- arh777

There is definitely some homerism going on saying Crawford is a top 2 finalist.

Luongo is probably sitting second right now with how he is willing Florida to the playoffs

Luongo .929 sv pct, 2.07 GAA, 3 shutouts

Crawford .925 sv pct, 2.24 GAA, 6 shutouts

and dont sit there and tell me Chicago has a worse defense than Florida, because they dont

Agreed that I would take Doughty over karlsson. But, how can original poster say Karlsson is only threat to Kane for Hart....then a sentence or two later say Doughty for Norris. If karlsson is only threat to kane for hart, surely he would be front runner for Norris. Line of thinking just doesn't make much sense....
- hawk35

He was quoting my original post. I stated that only Karlsson is a threat for the Hart bc I think Seguin/Benn cancel each other out for that award as MVP. Karlsson is almost a 1 man show in Ottawa.

Seth Jones, Darnell Nurse and Rasmus Ristolainen are all going to be very good NHL defenseman for years to come. Pretty outstanding top 10 for Dmen. Barkov is just now entering "Beast Mode". He's a stud.
- EnzoD

Wonder what the old TB blogger (Scott?) feels about Drouin asking for a trade?

I think if they can bring in Drouin without giving up an everyday player, you do it. I'm a bit surprised at just how much the landscape of D prospects has changed for the hawks in the last year or two. If Pokka is part of the deal, there aren't too many up and comers left, but still way more D depth than forward on the actual roster right now.

I am not one for labels, so I wouldn't go around claiming Gus is suddenly the #4 dman on the team, considering he played the fewest minutes on the blueline still, but great to see those minutes spread out. Good to see Seabrook get a break, playing under 20, rather than the 24-25 he usually gets. Will be interesting to see how he is used and if he will evolve into someone Q trusts to kill penalties. He can skate decently, he seems to have some good hockey IQ, and adds a bit of that aggressiveness to join the play. Bringing him up makes me like the Daley trade more, because really he brings a lot of what Daley did (minus the experience) and they have Scuderi as a bit of a backup guy who can at least take a few shifts and help give Rosy some nights off.

A lot of people complaining about last nights game being boring. I thought it was one of the best game the Hawks have played all year! Also with EG moved up to the 4th d-man ( which he should be ) it must have lit a fire under TVR. To me that was the best game I have ever seen him play! Joining the rush and solid positioning in the defensive end. I think we are set in the back end now and lets get that #1 LW. If it turns out to be Panic that would be sweet.

I wouldn't trade Schmaltz+ for Drouin. Schmaltz is two years younger than Teuvo, has a similar skillset and is already slightly bigger. He played on the Chicago Mission U16 team with Hawks prospect Anthony Louis. Both of whom were also linemates the past two years at Prospect Camp and they were VERY noticeable.

There is definitely some homerism going on saying Crawford is a top 2 finalist.

Luongo is probably sitting second right now with how he is willing Florida to the playoffs

Luongo .929 sv pct, 2.07 GAA, 3 shutouts

Crawford .925 sv pct, 2.24 GAA, 6 shutouts

and dont sit there and tell me Chicago has a worse defense than Florida, because they dont
- FourFeathers773

I agree with you. There are a lot of goalies that could probably find themselves in the running by the end of the year.

Right now there isn't that much separating a number of top goalies. Crawford, Quick, Holtby, Schneider, Luongo, and really some other guys could get back into contention if their teams have strong second halfs. Bishop, Dubnyk and Fluery aren't too shabby right now either. Crawford could be a finalist, which would be great for him.

I agree with you. There are a lot of goalies that could probably find themselves in the running by the end of the year.

Right now there isn't that much separating a number of top goalies. Crawford, Quick, Holtby, Schneider, Luongo, and really some other guys could get back into contention if their teams have strong second halfs. Bishop, Dubnyk and Fluery aren't too shabby right now either. Crawford could be a finalist, which would be great for him.
- breadbag

All this^

FTR, i said I pegged Crawford as 5th right now and some took it as some great offense that once again Crawford was getting no respect. On the contrary, I felt guys like Luongo were getting no credit where credit was/is due

There is definitely some homerism going on saying Crawford is a top 2 finalist.

Luongo is probably sitting second right now with how he is willing Florida to the playoffs

Luongo .929 sv pct, 2.07 GAA, 3 shutouts

Crawford .925 sv pct, 2.24 GAA, 6 shutouts

and dont sit there and tell me Chicago has a worse defense than Florida, because they dont
- FourFeathers773

Good thing Price is injured.

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

Morin came back with AA & Dano for Saad, no? I mentioned the main players after all the deals would shake out.

Is there a free online stream of the USA/Russia Junior game today?? Thanks in advance!
- EnzoD

https://youtu.be/MjMMGtN30Rg

https://youtu.be/MjMMGtN30Rg
- Dabearshawks

you "Da" Man!

We need to draft/trade for goaltending depth.

Anything happens in that department =