JJ maybe this question is to early but have you heard about what maybe what the hawks will do after or names that have possibly been discussed when they put hossa on litr the second day of the regular season. To me they need a center to win faceoffs over or about 50% (bozak, clendening) and need to fill their bottom d 5,6,7 are the 2 major things need to happen if the hawks want to contend for the cup in june. Thanks love reading your blogs keep up the good work!

I predict the Hawks will be fighting for a playoff spot all year and I expect substantial growing pains for whoever ends up on the 3rd pair. Q simply cannot afford to play Keith + Seabs 26+ minutes a night all season so we will all have to live with the mistakes of the 4 young Dmen that will be in the lineup nightly. JJ eluded to StanBo adding a Veteran Dman and I think that is VITAL for this team to make the Final 16.
Once you get into the tournament, anything can happen.

Crawford will need to play WAY better than he played after his appendectomy. Darling was the superior goalie for much of last season. Offense should not be a problem. Schmaltz, while he may be a center when he matures physically, right now I think his best position is LW. Schmalt-Toews-Panik had an excellent run together in the late Winter and if Sharp falters, Schmaltz and Hartman can fill in at 2LW without major issue. Patrick Kane will drive offense on that line whether it's Sharp, Hartman, Schmaltz, Jurco or 2017 Tony Amonte.

I have been one that values face off %. And I have poo-pooed many that say it is overblown.

Sure, I STILL agree it is better to start WITH the puck than without....but that said....the following season long 2016-17 stats make me think I was wrong. A good center who is only 46% or 47% at the dot probably far outweighs a mediocure or poor center who is 53% at the dot.

Why have I change my perspective????

Bottom 3 teams last year....all in the 47% range:
Edmonton....a pretty decent year
Chicago.....led West in points
Penguins....CUP champs.

Among the best....above 53%....SECOND BEST in the entire NHL

Colorado, awful year......wow.

Nope, among equal players I still want the faceoff wins. BUT, if I can have a good center who is otherwise competent, yet just 47% on draws. Go for it. I am off the face off kick. It is a factor, but the numbers last year have me NOW convinced....just a small, small factor.

But just because sometimes some things need a more thorough deconstruction:

Tell me how many NHL players (in history) have won:

3 Cups
WJC Gold
Olympic Gold
Selke Trophy
Conn Smythe

I don't think Toews is better than Crosby. They are kind of different players. But even then . . . Sidney has made a statement the last couple of years without question.

But to say Toews is the most overrated player in history is, well, not supported by facts.

Unfortunately, a lot of what Toews has done in his career has not always shown up on the scoresheet.

To wit, when Mike Babcock was asked in 2010 who his besrt forward was on the Canadian Olympic Team (which won Gold), he said, point blank:

"Whoever's playing with Toews."

That's not an overrated player, that's really more like an underrated player. Granted that was 7 years ago when Toews was arguably at the peak of his game, not to mention 2015, when he took the Hawks on his back and basically carried them through the last two games of a Western Conference Final series they were losing.

I can name a LONG list of much more overrated players in NHL history, starting with OV.

Two subpar seasons notwithstanding, his body of work speaks for itself. And he's only 29, Ace.
- John Jaeckel

Toews is (was?) a Great player but most of his Awards are team awards. Certainly not in the top 100 of all time and certainly not worth 10 million plus. Not sure if he is in the top 100 of current NHLers, can think of 3-4 players I would want before him on most NHL rosters. I think most Blackhawk fans know this deep down. Hell Howdy Doody schooled him in the first round last year.

If you were a betting man, which way do you lean for the Blackhawks on your posts JJ? Good season or bad season?

I see them getting into playoffs and possibly losing once again in first round.
- BlackhawkMike

I'm leaning optimistic.

Toews is (was?) a Great player but most of his Awards are team awards. Certainly not in the top 100 of all time and certainly not worth 10 million plus. Not sure if he is in the top 100 of current NHLers, can think of 3-4 players I would want before him on most NHL rosters. I think most Blackhawk fans know this deep down. Hell Howdy Doody schooled him in the first round last year.

- VopatsRash

He has 3 more Cups, and all of the aforementioned team and individual accolades, that the Great Ryan Johansen doesn't have.

And he's 29.

Sometimes, if you're wondering whether people think you're dumb or not, it's best to not open your mouth and thereby remove all doubt.

I'm excited to see how the pieces do fit, if they fit (JJ's #6.) Seeing the roster turnover from last year is startling:

Hossa
Hammer
Panarin
Kruger
Campbell
Oduya
Desi
(Sure, it was time to let the bottom three go but they were veterans who knew their roles, even if they had lost a step or two.)

The additions:
Saad
Murphy
Sharp
Wingles
TBD D-men
TBD Hossa LTIR replacements

At this point, that's a net loss of talent (and probably wins) but it is a major roster shift that sets a new direction, a mini-reboot.

How the Hossa cap space gets used will be interesting. I could see the team delaying it to see what the biggest needs are and I could also see them having something lined up for day 2 (I hope it's the latter.)

He has 3 more Cups, and all of the aforementioned team and individual accolades, that the Great Ryan Johansen doesn't have.

And he's 29.

Sometimes, if you're wondering whether people think you're dumb or not, it's best to not open your mouth and thereby remove all doubt.
- John Jaeckel

But VopatsRash need to remind us how awesome it is to finish in 2nd place...like that is some sort of accomplishment. Like Ricky Bobby said, "if you ain't first, you're last".

I have been one that values face off %. And I have poo-pooed many that say it is overblown.

Sure, I STILL agree it is better to start WITH the puck than without....but that said....the following season long 2016-17 stats make me think I was wrong. A good center who is only 46% or 47% at the dot probably far outweighs a mediocure or poor center who is 53% at the dot.

Why have I change my perspective????

Bottom 3 teams last year....all in the 47% range:
Edmonton....a pretty decent year
Chicago.....led West in points
Penguins....CUP champs.

Among the best....above 53%....SECOND BEST in the entire NHL

Colorado, awful year......wow.

Nope, among equal players I still want the faceoff wins. BUT, if I can have a good center who is otherwise competent, yet just 47% on draws. Go for it. I am off the face off kick. It is a factor, but the numbers last year have me NOW convinced....just a small, small factor.


- hawk35

Big logical issue here. Outweighs them how? it all depends on the situation the draw is taken in and what happens after that.

You want a statistical argument?

Go look at the Hawks FO%, PK% and postseason success in 2015, 2016 and 2017, the last three seasons. All have declined from year to year. That doesn't necessarily prove a cause and effect.

But you don't have to think hard on it to make a connection between FO% and PK%—hell the first faceoff after a call always takes place in the defending team's end and typically the bulk of every two minutes of PIM time is spent defending in your end.

And I don't think it takes a math genius then to make a connection between declining PK% and overall decline in wins and losses and postseason success.

I'm sure most of us are penciling in Forsberg as the backup goalie (me included), but is he 100% a lock or could Berube have a strong camp and take the spot forcing Forsberg to start in Rockford? Just wondering. I know Forsberg has the stronger profile and has won the AHL's Calder Cup so my money is still on him to backup Crawford.
- AEL_Fox

Highly doubtful, but meh, you never know. Bowman at least has said he sees Forsberg as the backup.

He has 3 more Cups, and all of the aforementioned team and individual accolades, that the Great Ryan Johansen doesn't have.

And he's 29.

Sometimes, if you're wondering whether people think you're dumb or not, it's best to not open your mouth and thereby remove all doubt.
- John Jaeckel

Congrats you have three cups. You guys are done and need to rebuild and gut roster. That is what happens when u win cups. Young players want to get overpaid. Toews is overrated. He will not break 60 points and he shouldn't make Canada roster ever again. Even if they go this year. To many dead weight contracts on team with Toews and seabrook. You cant sign any free agents anymore. Start to sell house now while players still have some value. Otherwise you will be bubble team for next five years before drop off.

I predict the Hawks will be fighting for a playoff spot all year and I expect substantial growing pains for whoever ends up on the 3rd pair. Q simply cannot afford to play Keith + Seabs 26+ minutes a night all season so we will all have to live with the mistakes of the 4 young Dmen that will be in the lineup nightly. JJ eluded to StanBo adding a Veteran Dman and I think that is VITAL for this team to make the Final 16.
Once you get into the tournament, anything can happen.

Crawford will need to play WAY better than he played after his appendectomy. Darling was the superior goalie for much of last season. Offense should not be a problem. Schmaltz, while he may be a center when he matures physically, right now I think his best position is LW. Schmalt-Toews-Panik had an excellent run together in the late Winter and if Sharp falters, Schmaltz and Hartman can fill in at 2LW without major issue. Patrick Kane will drive offense on that line whether it's Sharp, Hartman, Schmaltz, Jurco or 2017 Tony Amonte.
- EnzoD

Great post Enzo...I think the biggest concern has to be the defense, especially after losing Hammer. The kids will have to play major minutes with some growing pains. Also we have no idea what we're going to get from #2 and #19 this season.
We know both have battled injuries...the other big factor is losing an all world player in #81. Kids on offense need to continue to grow and hopefully show up in the playoffs. So it'll be a mixed bag as this team finds its way.

Also anyone else reading Sam Fels' book right now? Madison Street Station...pretty entertaining read to this point.

Congrats you have three cups. You guys are done and need to rebuild and gut roster. That is what happens when u win cups. Young players want to get overpaid. Toews is overrated. He will not break 60 points and he shouldn't make Canada roster ever again. Even if they go this year. To many dead weight contracts on team with Toews and seabrook. You cant sign any free agents anymore. Start to sell house now while players still have some value. Otherwise you will be bubble team for next five years before drop off.
- hanleyaj

Tell us how you really feel.

He has 3 more Cups, and all of the aforementioned team and individual accolades, that the Great Ryan Johansen doesn't have.

And he's 29.

Sometimes, if you're wondering whether people think you're dumb or not, it's best to not open your mouth and thereby remove all doubt.
- John Jaeckel

B

LMAO. JJ. YOU SHOULD ADD DROPS MIC TO THIS POST

Congrats you have three cups. You guys are done and need to rebuild and gut roster. That is what happens when u win cups. Young players want to get overpaid. Toews is overrated. He will not break 60 points and he shouldn't make Canada roster ever again. Even if they go this year. To many dead weight contracts on team with Toews and seabrook. You cant sign any free agents anymore. Start to sell house now while players still have some value. Otherwise you will be bubble team for next five years before drop off.
- hanleyaj

Tell us how you really feel.
- teh_HAWKZ

Deep Down you know i am right.

Toews is (was?) a Great player but most of his Awards are team awards. Certainly not in the top 100 of all time and certainly not worth 10 million plus. Not sure if he is in the top 100 of current NHLers, can think of 3-4 players I would want before him on most NHL rosters. I think most Blackhawk fans know this deep down. Hell Howdy Doody schooled him in the first round last year.

- VopatsRash

Don't think, you might hurt yourself. Also, I found this quote to be very applicable to you Redneck poop kickers in Tennessee after your OH SO CLOSE YET SO FAR 2nd place finish this year considering the % of people without teeth is substantially higher in your neck of the woods.






Also, please get the frank out of here you worthless troll. Same goes to today's Buffalo Sabres troll.

can someone explain to me the Difference of LTIR a player in the summer and after the season starts? I know you cannot accumulate daily cap space for a trade if you do it over the summer, but on the other side would Markov have taken a 1 year 2.5 mil deal or something over the summer? wouldn't that be easier then trying to trade for a rental after the season starts? We don't have much to give up at this point of value.

Congrats you have three cups. You guys are done and need to rebuild and gut roster. That is what happens when u win cups. Young players want to get overpaid. Toews is overrated. He will not break 60 points and he shouldn't make Canada roster ever again. Even if they go this year. To many dead weight contracts on team with Toews and seabrook. You cant sign any free agents anymore. Start to sell house now while players still have some value. Otherwise you will be bubble team for next five years before drop off.
- hanleyaj

You're right. Congratulations on not winning any cups. I'm sure mediocrity is exciting for you. Btw, Eichel is a pompous ass. Enjoy paying him for mediocre play. I'm going to buy the nhl package just so I can turn off the buffalo games.

Salieri, the patron saint of mediocrity lives in buffalo.

Highly doubtful, but meh, you never know. Bowman at least has said he sees Forsberg as the backup.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks for your insight and the reminder of Bowman's sound byte about where he sees Forsberg.

As far as goalies in the pipeline go, one has to think that at least one of Glass, Tomkins, Delia, and Peeters can eventually develop into at least a solid backup. There's also Nalimov who didn't attend prospects camp this summer but don't know much about him.

I know Waite is the goalie coach but does he shuttle between Hawks and Hogs practices to tutor the tenders? Or does Rockford have its own goalie coach? Colliton is known to be great at player development but that can only take him so far with goalies unless he is well versed in training and technique for that position.

It is funny how fans thought Toews and Ovi were better then crosby. Now you cant give them away with their contracts. I always knew toews was the must overrated player in NHL history.
- hanleyaj

Nope we just thought he was better THEN Jack Eichel will EVER be, all around!

I guess you don't have much to discuss except the delusion that your team will be BETTER this upcoming season, and need to troll here...

Great post Enzo...I think the biggest concern has to be the defense, especially after losing Hammer. The kids will have to play major minutes with some growing pains. Also we have no idea what we're going to get from #2 and #19 this season.
We know both have battled injuries...the other big factor is losing an all world player in #81. Kids on offense need to continue to grow and hopefully show up in the playoffs. So it'll be a mixed bag as this team finds its way.

Also anyone else reading Sam Fels' book right now? Madison Street Station...pretty entertaining read to this point.
- DK002

I don't think the bolded above can be emphasized enough, DK. Even at this late stage of his career, Hoss played an elite 200-foot game -- that simply cannot be easily replaced.

In any event, if Toews and Keith cannot regain form, the Hawks are not going far, regardless of the roster changes ....

Congrats you have three cups. You guys are done and need to rebuild and gut roster. That is what happens when u win cups. Young players want to get overpaid. Toews is overrated. He will not break 60 points and he shouldn't make Canada roster ever again. Even if they go this year. To many dead weight contracts on team with Toews and seabrook. You cant sign any free agents anymore. Start to sell house now while players still have some value. Otherwise you will be bubble team for next five years before drop off.
- hanleyaj

Hah. Go away. We were first in the West with 5-6 rookies as regulars last year.

He has 3 more Cups, and all of the aforementioned team and individual accolades, that the Great Ryan Johansen doesn't have.

And he's 29.

Sometimes, if you're wondering whether people think you're dumb or not, it's best to not open your mouth and thereby remove all doubt.
- John Jaeckel

Nice!

I predict the Hawks will be fighting for a playoff spot all year and I expect substantial growing pains for whoever ends up on the 3rd pair. Q simply cannot afford to play Keith + Seabs 26+ minutes a night all season so we will all have to live with the mistakes of the 4 young Dmen that will be in the lineup nightly. JJ eluded to StanBo adding a Veteran Dman and I think that is VITAL for this team to make the Final 16.
Once you get into the tournament, anything can happen.

Crawford will need to play WAY better than he played after his appendectomy. Darling was the superior goalie for much of last season. Offense should not be a problem. Schmaltz, while he may be a center when he matures physically, right now I think his best position is LW. Schmalt-Toews-Panik had an excellent run together in the late Winter and if Sharp falters, Schmaltz and Hartman can fill in at 2LW without major issue. Patrick Kane will drive offense on that line whether it's Sharp, Hartman, Schmaltz, Jurco or 2017 Tony Amonte.
- EnzoD

I agree with you. Just hoping that the growing pains are not too painful along the way. They need to find the right compliment to Kane ... as you said, he drives the line no mattter who is on it. Anisimov is the big body in front of the net - Kane primarily on the perimeter. Problem at times last year, both Kane and Panarin were working on the perimeter exclusively