So - I didn't think the Hawks played poorly last night. Certainly they had a few bounces not go their way, Seabrook huffing and puffing and feeling all of the Burrito he had for lunch trying to chase someone down on one of the goals was rich, Dinglecat making a poor play after the power play. Not finishing was kind of poopy.

They did everything they needed to win except finish more chances and get a few bounces.

Right now - I think you shut down the guys that are carrying stuff (I'm thinking Saad has some lingering injury), Keith doesn't play over 20 mins and you flip one of Gus or Kempny (who had a nice game again). If they can move AA for a second and a good prospect to a playoff Eastern conference team maybe you do that.

Get Highmore in the line up to see what they have there before Sikura arrives.

Come off the Hossa deal in the off season and if the cap goes up by 5 million then they have a fair amount of wiggle room to sign guys or make a move to get some more center depth or something.

Full props to the Canucks last night. They were the better team and they have some exciting young players with more exciting players on the way.
- Justin Lowe

I thought for the most part the Hawks were the better team last night. Without looking at the numbers it seemed they dominated possession and directed the play. I thought they had a few critical lapses (Oesterle, Seabs) which cost them the game.

Some other thoughts:

-19 was the best player on the ice. He needs to start burying his A+ chances (also he should've had a penalty shot).

-Hino was probably the 2nd best player. I thought he played a great game and lead the 4th line which played extremely well.

-Speaking of, Jurco was effective and Kampf had a good game as well. Q was feeling this line and trusted them over the 2nd.

-Was Kane playing last night? Ditto Saad

-Forsberg played great. Can't fault him for the L

-Schmaltz looked dynamic the first 2 periods and faded in the 3rd.

-Anisimov should be shopped, especially considering the price of C's (I'm of the opinion he'd be better suited at W).

-Hartman should also have his name thrown out there and see what he can fetch.

So - I didn't think the Hawks played poorly last night. Certainly they had a few bounces not go their way, Seabrook huffing and puffing and feeling all of the Burrito he had for lunch trying to chase someone down on one of the goals was rich, Dinglecat making a poor play after the power play. Not finishing was kind of poopy.

They did everything they needed to win except finish more chances and get a few bounces.

Right now - I think you shut down the guys that are carrying stuff (I'm thinking Saad has some lingering injury), Keith doesn't play over 20 mins and you flip one of Gus or Kempny (who had a nice game again). If they can move AA for a second and a good prospect to a playoff Eastern conference team maybe you do that.

Get Highmore in the line up to see what they have there before Sikura arrives.

Come off the Hossa deal in the off season and if the cap goes up by 5 million then they have a fair amount of wiggle room to sign guys or make a move to get some more center depth or something.
- fattybeef

That and score more goals than the opponent.

Fair enough. The Hawks did look dangerous at times, which speaks to the durability and talent of the likes of Toews, Kane, Keith, and the like.

It was a very good game from both teams. Fun to watch.
- Slip and slap

Plus those guys are all in the top 100 of all time.
-which makes it so hard to believe Hocks at bottom of the Central

I'm hoping Chicago playoff miss so it becomes harder and harder to remember when the Hocks last scored a home playoff goal. As you might remember Rinne had back to back shutouts in Chicago...........

Jesus you guys with your conspiracy theories. You have no idea what happened, all teams are quiet about head injuries.
- GPHawksfan

So you are saying he got hurt the last game he played about a week before they said he was out. And Q said he will be out some time. IE longer in Q speak. There are just alot of Odd things. about it. again this is just my opinion you can disagree.

Teams develop 'books' on goalies. These books detail any particular goalie's weaknesses. It takes a period of time but after a new goalie has been around for that period of time his effectiveness is at least partially compromised by this knowledge. Forsberg is still new.
When the league figures him out he may not be 'the goalie of the future' or even in the ballpark as some guys have posted and his .911 sv pct will more than likely sink to sub .88 like it was in Columbus.

Plus those guys are all in the top 100 of all time.
-which makes it so hard to believe Hocks at bottom of the Central

I'm hoping Chicago playoff miss so it becomes harder and harder to remember when the Hocks last scored a home playoff goal. As you might remember Rinne had back to back shutouts in Chicago...........
- VopatsRash

You can Goalie-33 should go on a date. I think you could do very well together.

Teams develop 'books' on goalies. These books detail any particular goalie's weaknesses. It takes a period of time but after a new goalie has been around for that period of time his effectiveness is at least partially compromised by this knowledge. Forsberg is still new.
When the league figures him out he may not be 'the goalie of the future' or even in the ballpark as some guys have posted and his .911 sv pct will more than likely sink to sub .88 like it was in Columbus.
- Savoy

So you're saying it will sink to when he was less experienced and more "new" because he will get more experience and less new? Okay.

Justin Lowe: So, How Does Everyone Feel Today?
The Hawks suffered a loss to a lesser Canucks team last night. This was as much of a must-win game that they've had all year and they blew it.

Where do they go from here?
- Justin Lowe

It's that kind of thinking that will delay your rebuild. Vancouver is not a lesser team. Sure their goaltending needs a total overhaul but that's coming from Utica. Other than that, you have stronger, more experiences high end players but --- as you saw --- Vancouver, when healthy, is more balanced.

Lets not talk about the contract situation during the rebuild.

You may need to do something insane like Price for one of your 10 million dollar men.

It's that kind of thinking that will delay your rebuild. Vancouver is not a lesser team. Sure their goaltending needs a total overhaul but that's coming from Utica. Other than that, you have stronger, more experiences high end players but --- as you saw --- Vancouver, when healthy, is more balanced.

Lets not talk about the contract situation during the rebuild.

You may need to do something insane like Price for one of your 10 million dollar men.
- Beatle_john

and price for one of the 10M dollar men makes sense because?

It's that kind of thinking that will delay your rebuild. Vancouver is not a lesser team. Sure their goaltending needs a total overhaul but that's coming from Utica. Other than that, you have stronger, more experiences high end players but --- as you saw --- Vancouver, when healthy, is more balanced.

Lets not talk about the contract situation during the rebuild.

You may need to do something insane like Price for one of your 10 million dollar men.
- Beatle_john

He already explained in a comment above yours that he meant lesser in the standings. hawks have 11 more points.

Now how do I feel?

I really like this team. Still. And forever

Justin Lowe: So, How Does Everyone Feel Today?
The Hawks suffered a loss to a lesser Canucks team last night. This was as much of a must-win game that they've had all year and they blew it.

Where do they go from here?
- Justin Lowe

SELL Mortimer SELL !!

New GM

To clarify, the Canucks had “fewer” points.

Realistically should be looking to sell/ reload for next year w core the want long term.

Worst thing they can do is give up assets just to chase making the playoffs. Would just set them back further from the bigger adjustment that needs to occur.
- Gerk

Thank you for sharing this post; this is my preference as well. My current annoyance and fear is that the team keeps moving the line as to the deadline to decide whether to be buyers or sellers, to go for it now or start a rebuild, etc.

Wherever that line finally is, I just prefer the team to not sell its youngsters and prospects (at least the ones they determine are the ones they want to build around moving forward) for a season that is likely not salvageable in terms of making and going deep in the playoffs.

Everyone on this team--other than Kane--should be made available.

But I have zero confidence in the current GM making those deals.

You can Goalie-33 should go on a date. I think you could do very well together.
- JRoenick97

They are the same person, just logging in under different usernames. Pathetic.

New GM
- glennjpawlak22

Will be very interesting to see what this team does if they fall out of the playoff picture soon. Will they decide to sell off on old vets?

That and score more goals than the opponent.
- BlackhawkMike

implied lol

Everyone on this team--other than Kane--should be made available.

But I have zero confidence in the current GM making those deals.
- tompo1015

No they shouldn't. That's how you get worse. There are 13 players under 25 on this team with several first and second year players that are good or will be good. You grow your team, you don't throw it away.

No they shouldn't. That's how you get worse. There are 13 players under 25 on this team with several first and second year players that are good or will be good. You grow your team, you don't throw it away.
- JRoenick97

Curious, which players do you think should not be available under any circumstances.

Well said Justin.

I believe the Hawks will basically keep this team intact for one more year, including Bowman and Q.

Kane is their only elite player.
Toews is a fixture on the team.
Seabs contract is impossible to move.
Keith and Crow are playing at a high level and are on reasonable contracts.
Trading Saad would be admitting a mistake and that is not going to happen.

They could move AA for the right price at the TDL, and that right price might be a younger cost controlled almost NHL ready center coming back with a 2nd round pick.

They could move a fringe player like an extra dman or winger for a late round draft pick.

Chance of making the playoffs 15%.

Curious, which players do you think should not be available under any circumstances.
- walleyeb1

Any circumstances (outside of some ridiculous offer): Schmaltz, Keith, Crow, Hayden, ADB, Saad, Kampf

Would prefer to keep/re-sign: Hino, Gus, Rutta, Hartman, Duclair, Oesterle

Would move if the deal was REALLY good: Toews, Kane, Seabs. And I mean really good, like Seabs + for Trouba, or Toews+ for Tavares with a guaranteed re-sign, or Kane for everyone.

Was at the game last night. Was a big fan of Seabrook but he's looking done. Beyond slow, indecisive and having a real hard time positionally. Debincat looks dangerous almost every time he has the puck while Duclaire looks like a huge upgrade from Panik. Saad looks totally ordinary while Hartman was pretty much invisible. Kempny is totally lost with zero confidence. Toews was our best player. The pace only comes in spurts now. This team is lacking both identity and direction.