This is more concerning but at the same time hard to keep possession when the puck ends up in the back of the net

- BetweenTheDots

It is a good point. I also think the improved PP this year has had the effect of them taking their foot off the gas a bit 5v5. If you are getting ahead with the man advantage a bit more, you are more likely to have to teams pushing back at you 5v5, all the while you aren't likely to be pushing as hard yourself. Not claiming that is the end of the story, but I would bet it has some bearing on it.

shoe number #2 just went thud....

#3 is kruger to ltir and then.....
- bogiedoc

again, Kruger should be LTIRd BEFORE moving money, not after, or else Chicago wont get his full cap hit relief

Its seeming more and more like he has skills but is mossing his physical anything on the ice.id rather risk him getting better later for somone else and get someone who can perform now (and near future)

Hawks waived scuds, incoming trade?
- the_dough_boy

THIS and we'll see. Transactions are in the mail....they have to be if One Goal is 2016.

So, I think that you have a group that lacks quite a bit of polish.

Between Dunno, Sekac, Richardie P, Moose, Other assorted prospect that doesn't live up to astronomical expectations, there is a yearish learning curve that needs to run its course. Maybe two in some cases before they get close to potential (if things progress well).

All those guys are serviceable NHLers for the most part though. Some combination of Rozy, TVR, Gus Gus and Lurch is a pretty substandard bottom 3.

Regardless of the word vomit spewed from Pat and Eddy and the steadfast loyalty from every blackhawkolic regarding Seabrook, the defensive stats that matter, like driving possession and suppressing shots, are not where they have been traditionally this year and started to take a down turn last year. Numbers aren't everything, but they are important over the course of 130 NHL games.

47.9% CF at 5v5 is an atrocious and inexcusable stat for a player of his alleged calibre. Scoring chances against is about par with last year but a striking difference between that and the rest of his career. He is getting a similar minute spread as Keith over the lines.

Explanations: TVR who he has been playing with mostly, is not capable of playing on the second pairing at a high enough level. Gus Gus is not capable of playing on the second pairing at a high enough level. The player is incapable of carrying a young and inexperienced player but plays a good sidekick. The player just got a nice raise and a long contract but deteriorating.

Solutions: Play 7 with 2 and solve that problem and let hammer do what he has done for most of his career and make mediocre to average defenders look like studs.

Forward wise, move what they have to move to get Staal, move Shaw to the third line and restore balance to the force. (Because acquiring a defender is going to be a nightmare and they can just oust score everyone like in 2010 this way) Everything else should sort itself out when Hossa and Kruger come back. Deal with the consequences at the draft. Most reasonable people should be content with an off year after a repeat to break new guys in and\or move heavy assets out.

out shot for me was not that big of a deal. we were up 3-0 after 22 mins and we out shooting them by 5 at that point. Teams are going to get more aggressive and put more shots on goal and take more chances.

I sat the 1st row behind the bench last night. It was allot fun. TT power play goal was a nice shot but it was 3-5. Sveds goal was better he took a pass pretty deep and his shot does seem to get through but for the life me I have no idea why, he does not take it quickly and its not super hard, but his seem to and hammers do not?

Darling was solid all night and made 1 highlight reel stop. He had a bunch of scrums going on right in the crease and did not really lose his goal which was good.

of the FR I thought des looked good and also thought Sved was pretty good.

In general I think I would be pretty cautious trading for any Maple leafs Most seem to disappoint where ever they go.
- kmw4631

that is true but the hawks have been getting out shot with sog against often in the mid 30's...they average almost 32 sog's against. They have been coughing up high quality all year forcing craw and darling to do head stands all year...this has been going on since last year...

also they routinely starting games slow and not prepared to play...

can darling and crow continue that in the playoffs vs the like of kings, stars, blues forward corps....also the hawks have not been good coming from behind..so when they spit the bit in the first...game is usually over...

toews playing with a combo of shaw, panik, desi, tt is a big problem come play off time...

hossa needs to come back with some gitty-up and score and that hole at LW needs to be filled....

So, I think that you have a group that lacks quite a bit of polish.

Between Dunno, Sekac, Richardie P, Moose, Other assorted prospect that doesn't live up to astronomical expectations, there is a yearish learning curve that needs to run its course. Maybe two in some cases before they get close to potential (if things progress well).

All those guys are serviceable NHLers for the most part though. Some combination of Rozy, TVR, Gus Gus and Lurch is a pretty substandard bottom 3.

Regardless of the word vomit spewed from Pat and Eddy and the steadfast loyalty from every blackhawkolic regarding Seabrook, the defensive stats that matter, like driving possession and suppressing shots, are not where they have been traditionally this year and started to take a down turn last year. Numbers aren't everything, but they are important over the course of 130 NHL games.

47.9% CF at 5v5 is an atrocious and inexcusable stat for a player of his alleged calibre. Scoring chances against is about par with last year but a striking difference between that and the rest of his career. He is getting a similar minute spread as Keith over the lines.

Explanations: TVR who he has been playing with mostly, is not capable of playing on the second pairing at a high enough level. Gus Gus is not capable of playing on the second pairing at a high enough level. The player is incapable of carrying a young and inexperienced player but plays a good sidekick. The player just got a nice raise and a long contract but deteriorating.

Solutions: Play 7 with 2 and solve that problem and let hammer do what he has done for most of his career and make mediocre to average defenders look like studs.

Forward wise, move what they have to move to get Staal, move Shaw to the third line and restore balance to the force. (Because acquiring a defender is going to be a nightmare and they can just oust score everyone like in 2010 this way) Everything else should sort itself out when Hossa and Kruger come back. Deal with the consequences at the draft. Most reasonable people should be content with an off year after a repeat to break new guys in and\or move heavy assets out.
- fattybeef

I do like your idea of #2 and #7 getting together. I'd think #7 would have to stay at home a bit more, as the only complaint I'd have is #2 gambles a bit positionally and #7 isn't as good at bailing him out as #4.

This doesnt really make sense or else they would have LTIRd Kruger BEFORE sending down scuderi.

If Bowman REALLY was going to hug the cap ceiling to get the maximum LTIR benefit for Kruger, he would have kept Scuderi up AND recalled bickell AND swapped out a lower current salaried roster player or two like Svedberg at $575k for a more expensive ice hog like Pokka at $925k. All those moves just bump us closer to the cap

Moving scuderi down and recalling anyone from rockford is a pretty even money swap.

If anything he is just sending down scuderi and calling up someone cheaper to be another day farther under the cap (since the salary cap is a daily accrual) and he is trying to bank as much cap space available to have at the TDL
- hawkeytalkman

Not sure what Stan is doing cap-wise, maybe trying to bank space prior to getting up to the cap before putting Kruger on LTIR. Maybe he thinks he can come up with enough space without going the LTIR route.

From Ek:
Start here today...

Talking to sources today and it appears an Andrew Ladd trade could be close...possibly Chicago who put Scuderi on waivers, but don't expect (or really even want) to lose him come playoff time...
- BURDA13

Oooohhhh now that would be interesting. I just don't see him as the answer to line 1. He's a good forward but I really don't think he'll help that line score more goals

Oooohhhh now that would be interesting. I just don't see him as the answer to line 1. He's a good forward but I really don't think he'll help that line score more goals
- BetweenTheDots

I'm hoping this is not the case, he is not the player the Hawks need

I agree there is blame to go around on the puck possession side.
Much of it has to do with not having 4 lines going at the same time....And the passing is not as sharp this year as in the past.

If I were writing the formula for Bowman he should look for an available player that is currently more of a 2nd liner on a lesser team...Kind of like Vermette and then bring him here to anchor the 3rd line.

There still is a good deal of inexperience out on the ice, so it wouldn't hurt to bring in a player Q will trust and can find a spot for...
- Al

Exactly where I am.

that is true but the hawks have been getting out shot with sog against often in the mid 30's...they average almost 32 sog's against. They have been coughing up high quality all year forcing craw and darling to do head stands all year...this has been going on since last year...

also they routinely starting games slow and not prepared to play...

can darling and crow continue that in the playoffs vs the like of kings, stars, blues forward corps....also the hawks have not been good coming from behind..so when they spit the bit in the first...game is usually over...
- bogiedoc

This is really true. This season (looking 09-10 until now) is their lowest win% when the opposing team scores first. I don't know how much of that is random luck, but the comebacks are not happening like they once did. It has definitely been a score first or lose kind of year.

@philco (quotes aint working)

Why reward TT with top line play when he has been nothing but mediocre (at very best).

Don't put him on the top line, send him to rockford for a spell to get his confidence back and maybe he will shoot more.

Bring dano up gor some games try him out @LW1 hes been playing well. Shuft shaw down to TT's spot and go from there. Hell with hoss out try Dano-19-TT as a line and see if that works if anythig. But TT gasnt shown he deserves a top 6 spot imo
- the_dough_boy

TT may never fit in here but his talent level is far above Dano or anyone in Rockford.
I think TT needs to play with skillful players and there are only so many to go around, even on this club.

Players need to be put in a position to succeed and so far TT hasn't shown the ability to adapt to any situation.

you still think you won that daley - scuds trade?

you still think you won that daley - scuds trade?
- martox

Yes.

you still think you won that daley - scuds trade?
- martox

Yes

Wasn't this the second domino? First was Bickell going down? I could be wrong.

Final was Kruger going on LTIR.
- CanOCorn

Correct. Kruger move depends on how much cap room they need to create.

I have thought for a while now that John Moore would be a PERFECT fit on the bottom pairing...cap friendly, quick and a solid puck moving D man
- ChicagoDave

The only one of those three I have ever heard the Hawks had interest in was Johnny Moore.

you still think you won that daley - scuds trade?
- martox

Depends on what your definition of the word "won" is.

Correct. Kruger move depends on how much cap room they need to create.
- John Jaeckel

Still don't get this part, waiving Scuderi has the opposite affect.

Thx Al for the twitter love

Exactly where I am.
- John Jaeckel

And let me add, while not exactly the same player as Vermette, a little bit of Andrew Ladd could be just what the doctor ordered

Not sure what Stan is doing cap-wise, maybe trying to bank space prior to getting up to the cap before putting Kruger on LTIR. Maybe he thinks he can come up with enough space without going the LTIR route.
- walleyeb1

From my understanding of the cap, and i read into it pretty extensively, that seems to be my guess too

I think he is just scraping pennies together on the daily cap for the TDL

you still think you won that daley - scuds trade?
- martox

We'll let you know this summer.

How is the 4.5 million Daley doing for you guys

Still don't get this part, waiving Scuderi has the opposite affect.
- walleyeb1

Waiving Scuderi creates cap room. Let's not over complicate this by looking at it only in terms of the Hawks cap. What if a salary goes the other way?

As far as Kruger going on LTIR, and the timing of that, my source is a hockey guy and not a cap guy so he might have been off there. Dunno.