They need a player like that to take up the space on their LTIR.
- powerenforcer

Hossa could conceivably come back mid-April for the run and the league couldn't do a thing about it...

Hossa could conceivably come back mid-April for the run and the league couldn't do a thing about it...
- busmaster

He could only come back if an enduring treatment existed for his condition. An MD had to sign off on the LTIR. How does an MD approve a return in April, then LTIR him again in October? That part seems a bit tricky. I don't think it could happen without the league scrutinizing it, anyway.

Regarding all these Duclair possibilities, this is his final year of his contract. I don't think the Hawks have a match for him. With Panik, the contracts don't match, even if someone thinks that's the trade to make. The Yotes wouldn't want to pay him for the remainder of the contract. Kempny is about the only matching contract I see on the Hawk roster, if they are not going to keep him this summer. Maybe Jurco, too. Well, I don't see a realistic deal to make here.

He could only come back if an enduring treatment existed for his condition. An MD had to sign off on the LTIR. How does an MD approve a return in April, then LTIR him again in October? That part seems a bit tricky. I don't think it could happen without the league scrutinizing it, anyway.
- 333inthe3rd

It was a choice made between Hossa and his doctor that he stop the treatment because of the long term risk to his heart.

If he were to try wearing his equipment again, and the rash comes back, he could go back on it short term - say from March to June - and the risk may not be as bad as taking it year round.

The risk he endured last year was a choice he made with his family and his doctor - it may be tricky, but it is a legitimate condition, with a legitimate risk factor to control it while playing.

At the end of the day, 20 whiny teams around the league will complain, but there not much that could be done - short of the league closing the loophole to LTIR - and with the current financial state of the league, I don't see that happening.

Is duclair what the hawks need i rather a 3rd line center. Looking at the teams that are out of it what center could the hawks get by packaging kempney and panik or something like that.
- Scott1977

Good point. Just another reclamation project like Panik and Jurco. This is not the type of player the Hawks are looking for at this time.

i'm guessing Hawks need to win a minimum of 26 of their remaining 44 games. That would give them 96 pts.(is that enough) and a 59% winning percentage the rest of the way. Is that possible for these guys this year?? Seems a bit daunting at the moment.
- BobP.

Agree being being five teams in your own division makes this enormous task to make the playoffs. Of coarse I hope I'm wrong but I don't see it happening.
Stan please don't trade youth for older veterans to try and make it this year . Stick with youth

Hossa could conceivably come back mid-April for the run and the league couldn't do a thing about it...
- busmaster

Until next year, when the league doesn't let the Hossa have LTIR status.

i'm guessing Hawks need to win a minimum of 26 of their remaining 44 games. That would give them 96 pts.(is that enough) and a 59% winning percentage the rest of the way. Is that possible for these guys this year?? Seems a bit daunting at the moment.
- BobP.

Hawks have 43 games left - 52 points out of 86 required to get to 96 = 60.5%.

They captured 44 out of 78 so far = 56.4% on pace for 92 - so it’s not much of a stretch.

The last play-off team in the West (Wild) currently is on pace for 94 points.

The math works - and if things go well, the Hawks should be able to get to the required tournament points.

Top line continuing to play like they have the past several games
Second line continue the 8/88 magic
Third line revolves around Kampf and AdB to become third-line productive
Fourth line - with or without Bouma - maintains its energy and aggressiveness
The defense (including the forwards) remembers how it protected Glass at the Garden
Crawford comes back strong (not sure that Glass/Forsberg can consistently hold opponents to less than 3 in each game)

And if not....

Hossa could conceivably come back mid-April for the run and the league couldn't do a thing about it...
- busmaster

A 39 year old man - not skating competitively for almost a year - no matter how good a physical specimen - no matter how dedicated he is to off season conditioning - is going to be able to come back for the tournament and play championship-level hockey.

Ain’t hap’nin’....

Hawks 4 games next week, who should I pick up and start in my league? forsberg or glass

Off any topic ,but man the leafs are reminding me of Vancouver around ten years ago .Hair pulling diving and arrogant fans who team has done very little ..Hope it works out the same for them ..

Hawks have 43 games left - 52 points out of 86 required to get to 96 = 60.5%.

They captured 44 out of 78 so far = 56.4% on pace for 92 - so it’s not much of a stretch.

The last play-off team in the West (Wild) currently is on pace for 94 points.

The math works - and if things go well, the Hawks should be able to get to the required tournament points.

Top line continuing to play like they have the past several games
Second line continue the 8/88 magic
Third line revolves around Kampf and AdB to become third-line productive
Fourth line - with or without Bouma - maintains its energy and aggressiveness
The defense (including the forwards) remembers how it protected Glass at the Garden
Crawford comes back strong (not sure that Glass/Forsberg can consistently hold opponents to less than 3 in each game)

And if not....
- StLBravesFan

Goaltending will determine whether they make the playoffs or not. Glass is a nice story, but 3rd or 4th string goaltenders don't often get a team to the Show.

Goaltending will determine whether they make the playoffs or not. Glass is a nice story, but 3rd or 4th string goaltenders don't often get a team to the Show.
- RickJ

Have to agree

Off any topic ,but man the leafs are reminding me of Vancouver around ten years ago .Hair pulling diving and arrogant fans who team has done very little ..Hope it works out the same for them ..
- oldduffman

Go tell it on the TSN blog just like the good ole days Duffman Remember when there used to be 1000 pre game posts here and the Nucks trolls were everywhere?

Go tell it on the TSN blog just like the good ole days Duffman Remember when there used to be 1000 pre game posts here and the Nucks trolls were everywhere?
- eagle50

those were best of times

Go tell it on the TSN blog just like the good ole days Duffman Remember when there used to be 1000 pre game posts here and the Nucks trolls were everywhere?
- eagle50

Yes Eagle those were good time ..

Goaltending will determine whether they make the playoffs or not. Glass is a nice story, but 3rd or 4th string goaltenders don't often get a team to the Show.
- RickJ

Its more than that. Goalies can’t score, and the lack of consistent offense has been this team’s problem all year.

More than anything, they need Captain .63 points per game (padded somewhat by empty netters) to get back to playing down low in the crease and the dirty areas like he did against the Rangers and the Jets, and lead his line and his team by example.

When they get Crawford and AA back, and can keep Kampf playing solid two-way hockey and winning faceoffs, they will be tougher down the middle and have more offensive options.

The D corps has progressed nicely. Once a big critic of Murphy, I have to admit he is playing much better. Instead of leaning so hard on the top four, Q now has depth, coaching, and options there as well. Props to Ulf for sure here.

We will know this team is in a better spot when there are more consecutive games played like the ones in WPG and NY. Consistency is everything. A .600 winning percentage is attainable, but I still see this as a season-long struggle.

It was a choice made between Hossa and his doctor that he stop the treatment because of the long term risk to his heart.

If he were to try wearing his equipment again, and the rash comes back, he could go back on it short term - say from March to June - and the risk may not be as bad as taking it year round.

The risk he endured last year was a choice he made with his family and his doctor - it may be tricky, but it is a legitimate condition, with a legitimate risk factor to control it while playing.

At the end of the day, 20 whiny teams around the league will complain, but there not much that could be done - short of the league closing the loophole to LTIR - and with the current financial state of the league, I don't see that happening.
- dahawks8819

How can he go back on LTIR next year? And can he come back in April 2019, also? I don't see how the league would permit this scheme.

Saw the 'Hawks at Rangers game via dvr. To my eye, Vinnie H is developing some backchecking skills akin to what I've seen this year from Schmaultzie. I love, love LOVE it!! Also, eye test-wise, very pleased to see all 5 skaters on the TV screen as much as I did.

Its more than that. Goalies can’t score, and the lack of consistent offense has been this team’s problem all year.

More than anything, they need Captain .63 points per game (padded somewhat by empty netters) to get back to playing down low in the crease and the dirty areas like he did against the Rangers and the Jets, and lead his line and his team by example.

When they get Crawford and AA back, and can keep Kampf playing solid two-way hockey and winning faceoffs, they will be tougher down the middle and have more offensive options.

The D corps has progressed nicely. Once a big critic of Murphy, I have to admit he is playing much better. Instead of leaning so hard on the top four, Q now has depth, coaching, and options there as well. Props to Ulf for sure here.

We will know this team is in a better spot when there are more consecutive games played like the ones in WPG and NY. Consistency is everything. A .600 winning percentage is attainable, but I still see this as a season-long struggle.
- Return of the Roar

Yup, agree with you on the offensive output requirement.

Making the playoffs is going to be very difficult for this team. Getting to .600 requires winning games in the WCF and particularly within the Central. So far the results aren't playoff worthy. Lets hope they improve.

Its more than that. Goalies can’t score, and the lack of consistent offense has been this team’s problem all year.

More than anything, they need Captain .63 points per game (padded somewhat by empty netters) to get back to playing down low in the crease and the dirty areas like he did against the Rangers and the Jets, and lead his line and his team by example.

When they get Crawford and AA back, and can keep Kampf playing solid two-way hockey and winning faceoffs, they will be tougher down the middle and have more offensive options.

The D corps has progressed nicely. Once a big critic of Murphy, I have to admit he is playing much better. Instead of leaning so hard on the top four, Q now has depth, coaching, and options there as well. Props to Ulf for sure here.

We will know this team is in a better spot when there are more consecutive games played like the ones in WPG and NY. Consistency is everything. A .600 winning percentage is attainable, but I still see this as a season-long struggle.
- Return of the Roar

Some may downplay empty net goals . but they are very important and the players is out there for a reason , defense . Nothing better then see the puck go in to virtually end the game with a victory ..

Some may downplay empty net goals . but they are very important and the players is out there for a reason , defense . Nothing better then see the puck go in to virtually end the game with a victory ..
- oldduffman

I agree with you Duff, unless your 72 looking for that bonus.

How can he go back on LTIR next year? And can he come back in April 2019, also? I don't see how the league would permit this scheme.
- 333inthe3rd

It's not a scheme. He has a legitimate condition.

See it from the eyes of Hawk management - and the league office....

Marian Hossa wii be a first ballot hall of famer. Who's gonna say they don't want to see him back on the ice - if he's physically able??

He is considered by all to be a warrior - this is not how he wanted to go out. There is still fire left in him - if he can be ready for the playoffs, I don't see how anyone would stop him.

Some may downplay empty net goals . but they are very important and the players is out there for a reason , defense . Nothing better then see the puck go in to virtually end the game with a victory ..
- oldduffman

But not as important as the first period first goal of the contest, so that the other team is chasing the game.

Or the second period goal that gives you a two goal lead, relieving pressure on your goalie.

Or the third period tying goal or one that gives you the lead and the chance to get the ENG.

Hawks are 16th in total goals, 17th in 5x5 goals, 27th in PP goals. They ARE 12th in ENGs.

It's not a scheme. He has a legitimate condition.

See it from the eyes of Hawk management - and the league office....

Marian Hossa wii be a first ballot hall of famer. Who's gonna say they don't want to see him back on the ice - if he's physically able??

He is considered by all to be a warrior - this is not how he wanted to go out. There is still fire left in him - if he can be ready for the playoffs, I don't see how anyone would stop him.
- dahawks8819

How can Hossa immediately play in the post season if Chicago does not make the playoffs? They could trade him. But that could be tricky if Bowman is uncertain at the trade deadline if the team sneaks in on the last qualifier - 8th seed. Otherwise Hossa would have to be released. Either way there would be two teams not all whiny mouthed about Hossa. The playoff and or late season action could well be a last hurrah for a HoF warrior. It might be the best solution for both Hossa and the team. His health is important so if he plays again, it might just be a classy move for Bowman to complete for a classy player.