We complain about our dismal team performance being linked to poor production from our core.
Interestingly when Crosby scored his 400th the other night, it was only his first goal in 11 games (according to Tracey Mayers tweet) yet Pittsburgh keeps winning.
- 67hawks

Take a gander at all the support players or role players who play their system. It is nearly akin to having Toews Keith Seabrook, Kane, Crawford still good with Rockford Icehogs filling out the cast

We complain about our dismal team performance being linked to poor production from our core.
Interestingly when Crosby scored his 400th the other night, it was only his first goal in 11 games (according to Tracey Mayers tweet) yet Pittsburgh keeps winning.
- 67hawks

Malkin, Kessel, and Crosby all have over 60 points. Crosby has 43 assists. Talk about guys that have played a lot of hockey the last few years,btw. I don't understand your point. Their best players (core) have been producing a bit better than the Hawks, wouldn't you say?

Tampa's D-core is huge. Stralman is the only guy under 6'. Killhorn, Kucherov, Callahan, and Kunitz are all tough forwards to play against.

Tampa hasn't won anything but as whole their team is a lot tougher to play against than the current Hawks team.

Nice right up Justin.

I believe McD, Bowman and Q stay.

The D needs to get better. I would like to see them add a 1st or 2nd pairing shut down dman that can block shots and clear opponents out of the crease and win corner battles. A tough guy with some leadership would be great. But they will no come cheap.

At the beginning of this season Bowman, Q, and Ulfie probably thought Seabs, Murphy, Rutta and Kempy would be that type of player. They have been at times, but their inconsistency is maddening, especially when they are inconsistent in their physicality, energy or urgency.

Personally I like Kempny's physicality, urgency, energy as much as anyone on our defense. He makes way too many mistakes, but I think they are correctable over time.

It is pretty obvious Keith, Seabs, Murphy, and Oesterle return. I would be shocked if Forsling did not return to the big club. If you added a top pairing or 2nd pairing dman I would not mind seeing Kempny and Rutta also return. Then let them fight it out in training camp for playing time.

Ummm, if this were the Sox people would be cancelling season tickets and just not showing up.

The best bad sox season was when it was Farmer and Stone on the radio and all they did was beat up the guys on the field and make sarcastic remarks. It was wonderful.

Hawk has always been Hawk but certainly something special the last few years. Benetti is great to listen to though. Even if the game is going poorly him and Stone make it pretty interesting.

Spending money on washed up guys that Kenny or Jerry were hard for 10 years after their prime became a problem. A lot of sentimental free agent signings as well as front office hires. I think now that they're letting Hahn do his job rather ruthlessly - there are things to be excited about now which is pretty great.
- fattybeef

That happens even when the team's winning and Sox fans have pretty much all the excuses covered in regard to not turning out at the ballpark.

I don't watch much baseball anymore but when I do that's one thing I miss is Stone doing Cub games...thanks Dusty.

The Sox again have a viable pipeline of yutes.

Tampa's D-core is huge. Stralman is the only guy under 6'. Killhorn, Kucherov, Callahan, and Kunitz are all tough forwards to play against.

Tampa hasn't won anything but as whole their team is a lot tougher to play against than the current Hawks team.
- bhawks2241

Their huge guys don't hit much. Girardi and Dochtin and the hit leaders and they are playing 16 minutes a night. Callahan and Kunitz have value outside of being gritty. My points is that nobody builds "gritty" teams anymore. They build fast, talented teams and have a couple grittier guys sprinkled in. It's hardly a need. Their suffocating defensive skill and potent offense is much more a reason for them to be winning.

I don't mean to be one of those guys who corrects a blog writer, but this is the 3rd meeting between these teams this year with the Hawks winning both. We lost to Philadelphia in a shootout last game 4-3, we haven't played Boston in months...

As one of the few Yotes fans on here, I was ecstatic when we traded Murphy and that terrible contract. He is nothing more than a 3rd pairing D and to get out from under it was nice, as was getting Hammer. Now that he is healthy, he's been very solid on the back end and I can see him being a catalyst for us to re-sign OEL. I've respected what the Hawks have done now for 9 plus years, but man Bowman needs to go. The Seabrooke contract, the AA contract, giving Panik what he did, trading Panarin. It seems to me that there might be a power struggle this off season with Bowman versus Q. And quite honestly, I would fire Tocchet in a heart beat (as would most other teams) if Q became available. Just seems that a new GM is needed from here in the desert.

Should be a fun game tonight. Sold my tickets, as I can always make a profit from these games. I will say though, I genuinely enjoy Hawks fans at games. They are the most respectful fans I have come across in the arena as a season ticket holder.

If I were Bowman I'd be wheeling and dealing anyone not named Kane, Keith, Schmaltz, Saad for picks and prospects.

Duclair still has a ton of name value to people who remember his mini-streak with NYR and decent season with ARI years ago. He has his moments but it might be a good chance to sell high on him.

Too many 'potential' players on this team. Oesterle, Forsling, Hinostroza, Kempny, Duclair, Hayden, Hartman. None have solidified an everyday spot, few would play on the 2013 roster.

Then there's the in-betweeners: Ruutta, Wingels, Bouma, Kampf, Murphy. These guys are all mostly past the age of development, and are about replacement level players. None of them can buy a goal.

You know a team is bad when Patrick Kane is snake-bitten for more than a handful of games. The team has no goalie, no Power Play, no #1 center, and no shutdown pairing. The first two are fixable with a Crawford return and new PP coach. The #1 center and shutdown pairing require actual roster moves.

This team reminds me of the 2011 team that lost to Vancouver: Skille, Dowell, Pisani, Stalberg, Hendry, Boynton... too many bums. Even that team still had a ton of depth compared to this one.
- ObeseOprah

While I agree none of those guys likely play on the 2013 roster I don't think it's a fair or apples to apples comparison and I think the team's at a different fork in the road than it was then.

Alos, I wouldn't be looking to deal Saad or Schmaltz but I would be listening on any of the current Core players.

We complain about our dismal team performance being linked to poor production from our core.
Interestingly when Crosby scored his 400th the other night, it was only his first goal in 11 games (according to Tracey Mayers tweet) yet Pittsburgh keeps winning.
- 67hawks

But the Pens' core didn't all go south.

Crosby - 11 games - 0 goals 13 assists = 13 points
Malkin - 11 games - 11 goals 6 assists = 17 points
Kessel - 11 games - 4 goals 9 assists - 13 points

Team - 41 goals in those 11 games

Even tho Sid wasn't scoring, he was piling up assists - and the rest of his team was scoring.

The whole Hawks' team only scored 21 in the last 11 games.

I don't mean to be one of those guys who corrects a blog writer, but this is the 3rd meeting between these teams this year with the Hawks winning both. We lost to Philadelphia in a shootout last game 4-3, we haven't played Boston in months...

As one of the few Yotes fans on here, I was ecstatic when we traded Murphy and that terrible contract. He is nothing more than a 3rd pairing D and to get out from under it was nice, as was getting Hammer. Now that he is healthy, he's been very solid on the back end and I can see him being a catalyst for us to re-sign OEL. I've respected what the Hawks have done now for 9 plus years, but man Bowman needs to go. The Seabrooke contract, the AA contract, giving Panik what he did, trading Panarin. It seems to me that there might be a power struggle this off season with Bowman versus Q. And quite honestly, I would fire Tocchet in a heart beat (as would most other teams) if Q became available. Just seems that a new GM is needed from here in the desert.

Should be a fun game tonight. Sold my tickets, as I can always make a profit from these games. I will say though, I genuinely enjoy Hawks fans at games. They are the most respectful fans I have come across in the arena as a season ticket holder.
- gmiel1980

There is nothing wrong with AA's contract. It's pretty average for players of his caliber. There's also logic in trading Panarin for Saad. Panarin needs a new deal after next season and Saad is signed for 4 years. Nobody would know that Saad would be mired in a huge slump most of this season. Seabrooks deal is bad and he should feel bad. Panik was a gamble and it went bad, but he was an animal last season.

There is nothing wrong with AA's contract. It's pretty average for players of his caliber. There's also logic in trading Panarin for Saad. Panarin needs a new deal after next season and Saad is signed for 4 years. Nobody would know that Saad would be mired in a huge slump most of this season. Seabrooks deal is bad and he should feel bad. Panik was a gamble and it went bad, but he was an animal last season.
- JRoenick97

Thanks for dispelling board myths. Saved me a boatload of keystrokes.

Their huge guys don't hit much. Girardi and Dochtin and the hit leaders and they are playing 16 minutes a night. Callahan and Kunitz have value outside of being gritty. My points is that nobody builds "gritty" teams anymore. They build fast, talented teams and have a couple grittier guys sprinkled in. It's hardly a need. Their suffocating defensive skill and potent offense is much more a reason for them to be winning.
- JRoenick97

I agree and think this is the direction the Hawks need to go in. Justin alluded to it in his blog that teams like the Penguins and Leafs who attack and defend in waves are the way to win in today's NHL. The current Hawks one-and-done and perimeter offense is not attacking in waves. Stick checking, allowing the other team to crash the net, and giving up high-end scoring chances is not defending in waves.

The Hawks have a good nucleus of players with skill to build from. The defense needs more work, though. And I'm in the camp that there needs to be a new coaching staff to instill accountability, work ethic, and pushback mentality.

Tampa's D-core is huge. Stralman is the only guy under 6'. Killhorn, Kucherov, Callahan, and Kunitz are all tough forwards to play against.

Tampa hasn't won anything but as whole their team is a lot tougher to play against than the current Hawks team.
- bhawks2241

Had to look this up bc I thought he was 6'2" 210. You're right, listed 5'11" 190 but man does he play big and physical at that size.

Their huge guys don't hit much. Girardi and Dochtin and the hit leaders and they are playing 16 minutes a night. Callahan and Kunitz have value outside of being gritty. My points is that nobody builds "gritty" teams anymore. They build fast, talented teams and have a couple grittier guys sprinkled in. It's hardly a need. Their suffocating defensive skill and potent offense is much more a reason for them to be winning.
- JRoenick97

Another thing to note about the Lightning, they've made some bold moves to change things up: St. Louis for Callahan, Drouin for Sergachev, Bishop for Budaj and crappy picks, Gudas and a 1st for Coburn.

A lot of these moves look like absolute loses on paper, St. Louis is better than Callahan, Bishop was a multi-Vezina candidate, Gudas and a 1st were likely more valuable than Coburn at the time. But after the dust has settled Yzerman has come out on top. A winning team make all grey areas suddenly look like great victories, and the Hawks are experiencing the flip side of that.

The Lightning convinced two of their top three players (Stamkos, Hedman) to resign for less than they likely could've commanded as UFAs. The Hawks have gotten that luxury once with Keith, and taken baths on the Toews and Seabrook contracts.

My question is, who is the core now? Do you consider bad assets (value vs. Cap hit) core members still?

It was: 19, 88, 2, 81, 7, 4, 50
Now it's: 19,88, 2, 7, 20, 50?

Our complementary 'outer core' was: 20, 10, 27, 65
Now it's: 12, 8, 5, 82?

I don't mean to be one of those guys who corrects a blog writer, but this is the 3rd meeting between these teams this year with the Hawks winning both. We lost to Philadelphia in a shootout last game 4-3, we haven't played Boston in months...

As one of the few Yotes fans on here, I was ecstatic when we traded Murphy and that terrible contract. He is nothing more than a 3rd pairing D and to get out from under it was nice, as was getting Hammer. Now that he is healthy, he's been very solid on the back end and I can see him being a catalyst for us to re-sign OEL. I've respected what the Hawks have done now for 9 plus years, but man Bowman needs to go. The Seabrooke contract, the AA contract, giving Panik what he did, trading Panarin. It seems to me that there might be a power struggle this off season with Bowman versus Q. And quite honestly, I would fire Tocchet in a heart beat (as would most other teams) if Q became available. Just seems that a new GM is needed from here in the desert.

Should be a fun game tonight. Sold my tickets, as I can always make a profit from these games. I will say though, I genuinely enjoy Hawks fans at games. They are the most respectful fans I have come across in the arena as a season ticket holder.
- gmiel1980

Good post and agreed on all fronts. What are your thoughts on Duclair's time in AZ and his overall play/potential?

But the Pens' core didn't all go south.

Crosby - 11 games - 0 goals 13 assists = 13 points
Malkin - 11 games - 11 goals 6 assists = 17 points
Kessel - 11 games - 4 goals 9 assists - 13 points

Team - 41 goals in those 11 games

Even tho Sid wasn't scoring, he was piling up assists - and the rest of his team was scoring.

The whole Hawks' team only scored 21 in the last 11 games.
- StLBravesFan

SBF, excellent comparison. One line sums it up - not scoring.

But the Pens' core didn't all go south.

Crosby - 11 games - 0 goals 13 assists = 13 points
Malkin - 11 games - 11 goals 6 assists = 17 points
Kessel - 11 games - 4 goals 9 assists - 13 points

Team - 41 goals in those 11 games

Even tho Sid wasn't scoring, he was piling up assists - and the rest of his team was scoring.

The whole Hawks' team only scored 21 in the last 11 games.
- StLBravesFan

SBF, excellent comparison. One line sums it up - not scoring.

There is nothing wrong with AA's contract. It's pretty average for players of his caliber. There's also logic in trading Panarin for Saad. Panarin needs a new deal after next season and Saad is signed for 4 years. Nobody would know that Saad would be mired in a huge slump most of this season. Seabrooks deal is bad and he should feel bad. Panik was a gamble and it went bad, but he was an animal last season.
- JRoenick97

If Panarin does not sign off on a new deal in the next year, do you think he might want to be re-united with Kane as a UFA?
A team friendly long term deal could make that possible if he is willing.

Meant to mention, thanks and enjoyed the write up Justin. Count me also as not being happy if all the same guys come back on D next year.

Would like to see them identify and trade for one without having to part with Dinky or Schmaltz.

While the Hawks aren't good this year, it doesn't mean they are without assets that other teams would want.

SBF, excellent comparison. One line sums it up - not scoring.
- riozzo

If the team was scoring Kane and Toews would likely have more assists as well (like Crosby).

Another day where I expect I will feel like Charlie Brown by the end of the evening. As every game day breaks, my hope rise that tonight is going to be the night the Hawks put it all together in a manner that is sustainable and propels them up the standings and into the playoffs by the end of the year.

But as the game begins and starts to run it’s course, I keep seeing Lucy kneeling there with one finger over the point of the football as it sits poised for me to rush up and kick it through the uprights. The closer the Hawks game gets to 20:00 of the third period, the louder and more intense I hear Lucy yelling at me to come in and kick it. The Hawks game ends......and they pulled the ball away again just as I put my plant foot down to make the kick b

Oh, Hawks, don’t let me down tonight!

If Panarin does not sign off on a new deal in the next year, do you think he might want to be re-united with Kane as a UFA?
A team friendly long term deal could make that possible if he is willing.
- 67hawks

I would love that, but I'm not holding my breath. Hawks sent him packing, but I guess we sent Saad too.

If Panarin does not sign off on a new deal in the next year, do you think he might want to be re-united with Kane as a UFA?
A team friendly long term deal could make that possible if he is willing.
- 67hawks

I doubt it based on 1) his negative reaction to the way the trade was handled, and 2) his repeated statements about wanting to "play his game" and make a name for himself apart from Kane.

But, anything's possible.

Justin i liked your proposal for klefbom but klefbom would not be my pick if your your giving up dcat and forsling i think with that package hawks could do better pesce or salvin from carolina sanhiem from phily etc. Agree d needs to be much different and better next year.

Good post and agreed on all fronts. What are your thoughts on Duclair's time in AZ and his overall play/potential?
- EnzoD

I thought he was misused from the about midway through his first season on. His first season, he was with Hanzal and Domi. That line drove possession (for a weak possession team) and you could tell the chemistry Domi and DuClair had together. You could see he needed help on the defensive side, and that he free lanced a bit. I think Tippett was the worst coach for him. He did though have an unreal shooting percentage which we knew was not going to be sustainable.

His second year, he started cold and then they stuck him on the 4th line with the likes of Richardson, Martinhook, insert garbage player here etc. Then there was the demotion and while he didn't tear it up in the AHL, they had completely torpedoed his confidence and it was almost done there. I thought he played well this year, but I am no scout and the coaches here couldn't stand how again, he free-lanced and had some defensive liabilities. But it's not like we have a 1C or anything close to that here that he can play with...

I think we gave up on him WAY too quick. You can't teach his kind of speed, and he does have a pretty good shot. He needs to be with someone like Toews, a decent offensive center who can set him up, but also cover for him a bit on the back end. I'll always think the Duclair trade was a give back for us basically stealing Hammer from you guys. Give him some time, and I think you will like what you see. With that veteran leadership there, they will get the best out of him once he learns the system...