Justin Lowe: To Be Consistent, or Not To Be, That is the Question? The Blackhawks come home to take on the Vegas Golden Knights after a 6-game road trip.

First!

No Hayden for Duclair. I'm not even sure I'd move Hartman for him. We don't need another struggling winger as a reclamation project.

Great job Justin!

“Surprise guest appearance(s) – There are already a few unlikely heroes stepping up to help this team out. Jordan Oesterle being 1 of them; is this guy as for real as the Las Vegas Knights the Hawks are about to play tonight? My answer is yes. Oesterle is building confidence with Duncan Keith and looks like a missing piece to this Hawks defence. I mentioned on an earlier thread that #82 is leading the way on the backend with the way he moves the puck with his quick ups, stretch passing, rushing the puck and creating offence in the o-zone. He looks to be a sneaky good signing by Stan.“

Here’s an eye popping note from Powers:

Jordan Oesterle was a plus-25 Corsi for the game. The Blackhawks attempted 32 shots and allowed just seven with Oesterle on the ice. They also had a 15-2 advantage in shots on goal and a 22-3 edge in scoring chances.

Congrats Justin on the family addition.

Nice write-up by the way. I thought Hino-Toews-Saad looked good last game. Would keep them together for the time being.

No!!! I would NOT move Hartman or Hayden for DuClair. Not a chance!!!

Tonight will be all about hard work. The team in Vegas puts up a great effort game in and game out and the Hawks will need to get off to a good start and try to win battles for 50-50 pucks.

No Hayden for Duclair. I'm not even sure I'd move Hartman for him. We don't need another struggling winger as a reclamation project.
- JRoenick97

The only roster player I would look to move for Duclair is Panik, and that's really just to dump his contract.

Congrats Justin on the family addition.

Nice write-up by the way. I thought Hino-Toews-Saad looked good last game. Would keep them together for the time being.

No!!! I would NOT move Hartman or Hayden for DuClair. Not a chance!!!
- hawk35

I would consider Panik though.

The only roster player I would look to move for Duclair is Panik, and that's really just to dump his contract.
DarthKane

Agreed. And toss in Jurco as a sweetener.

I see the Glass half-full for the second part of the season. As long as he and the team can continue to improve, we'll be in good shape.

Sure, there's going to be "those" nights, but that's part of the game.

In Glass We Trust.

All I have to say...........Nick Schmaltz, SHOOT THE F#CKING PUCK!!!!!

Great job Justin!

“Surprise guest appearance(s) – There are already a few unlikely heroes stepping up to help this team out. Jordan Oesterle being 1 of them; is this guy as for real as the Las Vegas Knights the Hawks are about to play tonight? My answer is yes. Oesterle is building confidence with Duncan Keith and looks like a missing piece to this Hawks defence. I mentioned on an earlier thread that #82 is leading the way on the backend with the way he moves the puck with his quick ups, stretch passing, rushing the puck and creating offence in the o-zone. He looks to be a sneaky good signing by Stan.“

Here’s an eye popping note from Powers:

Jordan Oesterle was a plus-25 Corsi for the game. The Blackhawks attempted 32 shots and allowed just seven with Oesterle on the ice. They also had a 15-2 advantage in shots on goal and a 22-3 edge in scoring chances.
- walleyeb1

I think it is a confidence issue with Schmaltz, and it is growing with each game.

I think it is a confidence issue with Schmaltz, and it is growing with each game.
- hpk90

It will be interesting to see what Q does with Anisimov when he returns. Both line combos of 38-8-88 and 8-15-88 have enjoyed some nice chemistry throughout the season. Depth wise it might make more sense to put Anisimov on the 3rd line, but he's more than capable of centering Schmaltz and Kane too.

All I have to say...........Nick Schmaltz, SHOOT THE F#CKING PUCK!!!!!
- mjaxx2

Could not agree more. Not sure I've ever seen to many prime shooting opportunities wasted, only to try and force a pass through three guys.

To be fair, a lot of the Hawks do the same thing. But, Schmaltz is worse because he generates so many good/prime chances, only to never pull the trigger.

I'm not at all surprised that Stan "likes our team" and that no moves are planned.

If thats true, if some guys dont improve, be prepared to be a bubble team.

It will be interesting to see what Q does with Anisimov when he returns. Both line combos of 38-8-88 and 8-15-88 have enjoyed some nice chemistry throughout the season. Depth wise it might make more sense to put Anisimov on the 3rd line, but he's more than capable of centering Schmaltz and Kane too.
- DarthKane

It’ll also be interesting to see who gets sent down to Rockford.

what about when Craw returns do they send down glass or Forsberg?
SAAD-T-HINO
HART-SCH-KANE
Sharp-AA-CAT
WINGELS-KEMPF-HAYDEN

I think KEMPF has been more noticeable then Bouma and I would be fine moving Panik in for a few games and sit sharp. He did score a goal I just don't see him doing positive much other then carrying the puck on the wing. Boards he is bad, traffic bad, passing bad, net presences bad.

When Stan says he "is happy with his team. He likes the make-up of the group and thinks they can get better without the help of external additions," I think he means they still don't know what they have with this roster in the short term or the long term. They want to understand who among the younger guys will reach their potential and who among the older guys are just going through slumps or really lost their ability to compete at a high level.

It makes sense. No sense in mortgaging the future for a short term asset with an expiring contract. But also, no sense in committing long term to a mid-level, complimentary player if the team needs high end talent to replace the leadership sometime soon.

Good question - I say Forsberg stays.

If you're Stan and Forsberg gets claimed on waivers that Panarin trade might look even worse on the surface.

I like Glass and the story that he brings... but boy, he's an adventure out there. He's got borderline NHL skills and he's 32.

The Hawks don't have much in the pipe and to lose Forsberg over Glass when Crawford will ultimately play 90% of the games when he returns (if healthy) ... it would hurt their long-term depth.

Any rumors anywhere as to what happened to Crawford?

Game injury - play injury - off ice injury - concussions issues from numerous hits?

Good question - I say Forsberg stays.

If you're Stan and Forsberg gets claimed on waivers that Panarin trade might look even worse on the surface.

I like Glass and the story that he brings... but boy, he's an adventure out there. He's got borderline NHL skills and he's 32.

The Hawks don't have much in the pipe and to lose Forsberg over Glass when Crawford will ultimately play 90% of the games when he returns (if healthy) ... it would hurt their long-term depth.
- Justin Lowe

I’d be shocked if they waived Forsberg and kept Glass up.

When Stan says he "is happy with his team. He likes the make-up of the group and thinks they can get better without the help of external additions," I think he means they still don't know what they have with this roster in the short term or the long term. They want to understand who among the younger guys will reach their potential and who among the older guys are just going through slumps or really lost their ability to compete at a high level.

It makes sense. No sense in mortgaging the future for a short term asset with an expiring contract. But also, no sense in committing long term to a mid-level, complimentary player if the team needs high end talent to replace the leadership sometime soon.
- matt_ahrens

I have heard this.

The team is not doing management any favours. If the core was still rolling at a great clip, they would be able to evaluate their younger players with a bit more ease. Now, guys like Debrincat, Hayden, Hartman, Forsling, etc. could play bigger roles than originally planned in a shortened timeline.

If Stan does evaluate any trades with his younger guys... he has to hit a homerun with the return. No room for errors.

All I have to say...........Nick Schmaltz, SHOOT THE F#CKING PUCK!!!!!
- mjaxx2

Stick this on Smaltzys helmet:

Stick this on Smaltzys helmet:


- riozzo

Stick it on the goalie's mask.

Agree on this... the kid needs to shoot.

He has been driving the net more lately which has been a great sign. Toss in more shots and he'll be a dangerous weapon every game playing with Kane - opposing teams won't what those 2 are doing.