Justin Lowe: What a Great Afternoon for a Win Who we got today: Edmonton Oilers

Season Matchup:

Chicago ✔
Edmonton ✔

18-21-3 = 39 points
6th in Pacific Division
Last game: LOST vs. Dallas (5-1) last night
GF: 115 / GA: 131
PP% = 15.8% (25th in NHL)
PK% = 70.5% (LAST in NHL)
Sniper: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – 15 goals
Producer: McJesus – 46 points
Tough Guys: – Patrick Maroon - 53 PIMs (serving game #2 of a 2 game suspension) & Adam Larsson - 133 hits
Expected Starter: Al Montoya (?)

first...for what's it worth...nothing at 12:25 EST

well the diehard posters are now clearly in post season vent and snarl mode and we have half the season...

boy this is going to be long and ugly winter/spring

first...for what's it worth...nothing at 12:25 EST

well the diehard posters are now clearly in post season vent and snarl mode and we have half the season...

boy this is going to be long and ugly winter/spring
- bogiedoc

I have no concept of time or days right now with this baby so thought I'd pump this blog out now.

Hoping the Hawks really take it to a hurting Oilers team this aft. Also hoping I will catch most of it live between changing dirty diapers.

I have no concept of time or days right now with this baby so thought I'd pump this blog out now.

Hoping the Hawks really take it to a hurting Oilers team this aft. Also hoping I will catch most of it live between changing dirty diapers.
- Justin Lowe

with new arrivals come late nights, no sleep and all those wonderful diapers...I am thankfully well removed from those days and nights...

best to you and your growing family...now get some sleep...

Why would anyone sit Hayden?

first...for what's it worth...nothing at 12:25 EST

well the diehard posters are now clearly in post season vent and snarl mode and we have half the season...

boy this is going to be long and ugly winter/spring
- bogiedoc

Perhaps the young guys, any Icehog recalls, and the fourth line players will give the better effort. Oh maybe the defensemen trying to stay in the lineup, and those being rotated out give a hoot.

Looking forward to Mondays Blog. Here are a few more I anticipate:

Front Office Wars
The Fall of the Core
and . . . 2018 Lottery Pick Primer

Congrats on your baby child, Justin. Diaper that baby with the hock logo on the outside and the oily logo on the inside.

GO HOCKS!

Q should sit Seabrook and go with youth.
Im tired of watching guys going around Seabrook. He rarely if ever challenges the puck carrier at the blue line and still manages to allow players to go around him wide and still have room to go to the front of the net

Q should sit Seabrook and go with youth.
Im tired of watching guys going around Seabrook. He rarely if ever challenges the puck carrier at the blue line and still manages to allow players to go around him wide and still have room to go to the front of the net
- molly2522

You know there are a couple different angles to look.at this, molly2522. I am going to list them and if you or the board wants.....you can dive into it. I Don't want to leave a long dialogue on each detail we could speak to regarding Seabrook's future.

The really interesting development with his TOI revolves around two points:

1). Do you value playing kids (including 27 yr old Ruuta, possibly 27 yr old Kempny) because they need to develop and you might want to showcase either while knowing this may help them and you should they later on be traded

2). Seabrook is how much better than the kids? Sure, he lends experience. Sure he is one of few who can supply some muscle and grit, will knock an opponent down. Sure by playing him against certain teams he may fare better. You mentioned the opponent skates right by him. If there is a team that would take even a partial of his salary, then perhaps over the summer they do a compliance buy out

Seabrook might be more amenable to a trade to the Jets, Flames, Oilers or a team which plays out west. His new team would play more games in Vancouver where he hails from.

This playing destination is purely spitballing because I have no clue how he might respond in the situation. I believe the point can be considered, though, also and maybe I should add MOREOVER players do not like being healthy scratches. The salary cap room would afford Bowman room to make other transactions now and in the future.

Nice write up J,. Hmmmm Forsberg don't know what it is but this guy can't win games. Thinking Mcdavid is due for a big game. Last place not trying to be a downer here but at just don't see them making the playoffs. Wonder what is the percentage they make the playoffs.
From what I have read Hawks prospects are not rated that high, lower third in the league. According to Hockey News Third worst shape next year for cap space. It's going to be a rough few years I think.

Looking forward to Mondays Blog. Here are a few more I anticipate:

Front Office Wars
The Fall of the Core
and . . . 2018 Lottery Pick Primer
- riozzo

I am concerned what type style forwards are available where Chicago makes their first round selection.

We should strongly consider staying away from the smallish players who disdain physical confrontations. Unless there is an undeniably great scorer.....Even then.... this team needs more toughness, grit.....a power forward or tough nosed center with modest (just not lacking) offensive ability. I personally also crave a dman who is mibile and can check/has size. That woul d be due to the likelihood Seabrook will not be here much longer or is trending more and more to reduced TOI. But go first after the power forward or a tough nosed center with some offensive ability who is at least fair in the face off dot.

I just peruse wiz ratings at draftsite.com after the WJC and the junior league all star games.

Nice write up J,. Hmmmm Forsberg don't know what it is but this guy can't win games. Thinking Mcdavid is due for a big game. Last place not trying to be a downer here but at just don't see them making the playoffs. Wonder what is the percentage they make the playoffs.
From what I have read Hawks prospects are not rated that high, lower third in the league. According to Hockey News Third worst shape next year for cap space. It's going to be a rough few years I think.
- HamiltonHawk

Forsberg can’t win games because he and the defense can’t keep the puck out of his net - he’s started 9 games and has allowed less than 3 goals in regulation in only two of them - 1 win 8 losses in those 9.

Add in Glass’ four starts and you have 10 of 13 that Crawford didn’t start giving up 3 or more in regulation.

I know I’ve said this before - the back-up goalies can’t keep making a struggling offense get 4 goals to win.

I agree with sitting Seabs....but I know Q will never do that. Seabs and Franson are a bit slow for my liking. I would roll the other 6 d-men and hope for the best. But as I said, that won't happen.

I know the Hawks want to sign and play Sikura when he becomes available. I also think they will make a trade from now until the deadline. Bowman might be waiting to see if are in it or not to decide if we are buyers or sellers.

This week may decide if the Hawks are Buyers or in full Sellers mode.

5 Games in 7 Days without Crawford. Yikes.

I don’t see the Hawks as buyers no matter what- how can they be? Hawks are at a Franchise turning point and I await the results of the next 5 games plus the by week to determine their direction.
I see every team in the Central as stronger than the Hawks so I’m not sure how they scrape into the postseason.

Especially now that Nathan MacKinnon looks like the second coming of Sydney Crosby- both from Cole Harbour Nova Scotia.

Forsberg can’t win games because he and the defense can’t keep the puck out of his net - he’s started 9 games and has allowed less than 3 goals in regulation in only two of them - 1 win 8 losses in those 9.

Add in Glass’ four starts and you have 10 of 13 that Crawford didn’t start giving up 3 or more in regulation.

I know I’ve said this before - the back-up goalies can’t keep making a struggling offense get 4 goals to win.
- StLBravesFan

I would suggest the team tighten up for all goalies no matter what. If they consistently do that results should be consistently better.

Forsberg can’t win games because he and the defense can’t keep the puck out of his net - he’s started 9 games and has allowed less than 3 goals in regulation in only two of them - 1 win 8 losses in those 9.

Add in Glass’ four starts and you have 10 of 13 that Crawford didn’t start giving up 3 or more in regulation.

I know I’ve said this before - the back-up goalies can’t keep making a struggling offense get 4 goals to win.
- StLBravesFan

the backup GA is product of both...having these guys face 35 plus shots per game is part of the problem..most of the high quality variety

shot suppression is really poor...i think the hawks are near the top of dangerous chances against...

I would suggest the team tighten up for all goalies no matter what. If they consistently do that results should be consistently better.
- 6628

Going forward there may be enough here now and in pipeline to present an offense that can score enough if the defense is good. Therein lies the problem: defense Not just the blueline crew, but forwards better support the defense. Tighten up as you said. PERHAPS a different system, fresh voice, change some players and the defense could be much improved. But still too far from when Keith and Seabrook were on top and everyone else fell into a slot among the dmen

It's not the end of the world if the Hawks don't make the playoffs, what would really hurt us is if the front office has illusions this team is better than it actually is and makes some trades to just try to make the playoffs. Great year to reshuffle/tweek things for next season, since it sounds like the cap is going up for next year.

As management I would inform my core players, if you want a chance at a 4th cup, each one of you must put in the work in the off-season to be in the best cardio shape you've ever been in, no one on this club can take shifts or periods or games off. If they miss the playoffs hopefully this will motivate them in the off season to do just that.

It's not the end of the world if the Hawks don't make the playoffs, what would really hurt us is if the front office has illusions this team is better than it actually is and makes some trades to just try to make the playoffs. Great year to reshuffle/tweek things for next season, since it sounds like the cap is going up for next year.
- BetweenTheDots

This is the exact thing I'm working on for tomorrow's blog.

Get ready for a decisive win, boys These Oilers have been downright embarrassing lately!

Why would anyone sit Hayden?
- Colbyboy

Is there any chance that Hayden got injured in his fight? Or that Q was giving him a lighter practice because of it? I hope he isn't sitting long. The guy has a good motor.

If Hayden isn't hurt, then that will be my 14th last straw with Q.

It's not the end of the world if the Hawks don't make the playoffs, what would really hurt us is if the front office has illusions this team is better than it actually is and makes some trades to just try to make the playoffs. Great year to reshuffle/tweek things for next season, since it sounds like the cap is going up for next year.
- BetweenTheDots

I really wonder how much they can reshuffle in the offseason. Are they really ready to trade Keith or Toews? I can't see it. Seabrook, maybe, but who will take on that contract? Kane and Crawford need to stay.

So who gets traded? AA? Young guys? Hockey trades?

Or maybe they try to add some pieces in free agency? It seems the more likely route. See what can be done with a couple more pieces, continued development of the youth, maybe a high draft pick, and some rejuvenation from some of the older guys. Then if the CBA gets reopened before the 2019-20 season, maybe some of the bigger contracts get bought out and there is more flexibility to rebuild the roster.