I feel that. I only made an account because JJ said we were getting Duchene last season. Lurked for years though.
- TexasHawk

Glad we didn't.

What exactly are you referring to?

I'm all fairness, there has been a lot of silliness here over the past several years and it will be hard to beat some of the stuff that was said in the past.
- DarthKane

My favorite foolishness was after we lost to the Kings in the WCF. I think this blog traded away everyone on the team outside of Keith. As far as I am concerned, that Kings-Hawks series was the real SCF. There wasn't a team in the east that held a candle to either of them that year.

What exactly are you referring to?

I'm all fairness, there has been a lot of silliness here over the past several years and it will be hard to beat some of the stuff that was said in the past.
- DarthKane

The level of stupidity and know it all blow hards that claim to know what is going on with the team or with the players and even in the locker room. No one on this board knows a fvcking thing for sure. Except Z3. He knows everything about everything

Glad we didn't.
- DarthKane

I don't have an issue with Forsling and Hayden in Rockford. I like the potential of both guys but they wouldn't have made the Hawks a playoff team this year.

Forsling's play really started to slide in December, he needed to go to Rockford to regain some confidence and play more all-round minutes.

Hayden was fine with the limited 4th line role he had in Chicago. But I've read that the Hawks want more from Hayden in the long term and he was sent to Rockford to get some top-6 minutes and power play time rather than plan 8 minutes a night in Chicago. I fully expect to see Hayden back in Chicago either after the trade deadline or to start next season. Either way he will likely have a bigger role than he did when he was assigned to Rockford.
- DarthKane

Those 2 going to Rockford and the goaltending nightmare were signals to where the Hawks thought their season was going. The AHL is a tough, man's league, they will be better for the experience as was Kampf.

And you can look around at what Nashville did in developing their Dmen in Milwaukee and what the Leafs and Tampa and others are doing with their kids. Its a good thing.

Those 2 going to Rockford and the goaltending nightmare were signals to where the Hawks thought their season was going. The AHL is a tough, man's league, they will be better for the experience as was Kampf.

And you can look around at what Nashville did in developing their Dmen in Milwaukee and what the Leafs and Tampa and others are doing with their kids. Its a good thing.
- RickJ

Especially now that there is a coach there that has an interest in developing the kids as far as they can be.

My favorite foolishness was after we lost to the Kings in the WCF. I think this blog traded away everyone on the team outside of Keith. As far as I am concerned, that Kings-Hawks series was the real SCF. There wasn't a team in the east that held a candle to either of them that year.
- TexasHawk

I hear ya. We saw this in 2012 too with the Hawks were eliminated but the Coyotes.

I agree that changes are necessary this summer, but I don't think the team needs to be blown up. Realistically there are only 5 vets left on a team of 23 - Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook and Crawford. Kane and Crawford (when healthy) are still stars and are not an issue. Keith is on the decline but he's still a great d-man and a value for his cap hit. Toews is under-performing, but I believe he can improve. He might not be a 75 point forward again but he can be better. Seabrook can be better too, but if he's used properly. His minutes should be limited to 15 - 17 per night. I know it sucks to pay a guy $6.875 million to play third pairing minutes but that's where we're at.

I don't want to trade Toews but I would be ok trading Seabrook, as long as it's not in a Phaneuf type of deal. I'd rather keep Seabrook than take on another poor contract.

Saad I think will bounce back next season, over his career he's not been this bad and there's no reason to expect it to continue.

Where significant change needs to happen is on defense (after Keith, Seabrook, Murphy and Forsling), goaltending (better back-up) and a solid defensive centre (to take that pressure off Toews). Goaltending and centre should be easy to address this summer, defense can be done but it will be more challenging.

Those 2 going to Rockford and the goaltending nightmare were signals to where the Hawks thought their season was going. The AHL is a tough, man's league, they will be better for the experience as was Kampf.

And you can look around at what Nashville did in developing their Dmen in Milwaukee and what the Leafs and Tampa and others are doing with their kids. Its a good thing.
- RickJ

Totally agree and I think the Hawks GM realized where this season was going for a while now.

I hear ya. We saw this in 2012 too with the Hawks were eliminated but the Coyotes.

I agree that changes are necessary this summer, but I don't think the team needs to be blown up. Realistically there are only 5 vets left on a team of 23 - Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook and Crawford. Kane and Crawford (when healthy) are still stars and are not an issue. Keith is on the decline but he's still a great d-man and a value for his cap hit. Toews is under-performing, but I believe he can improve. He might not be a 75 point forward again but he can be better. Seabrook can be better too, but if he's used properly. His minutes should be limited to 15 - 17 per night. I know it sucks to pay a guy $6.875 million to play third pairing minutes but that's where we're at.

I don't want to trade Toews but I would be ok trading Seabrook, as long as it's not in a Phaneuf type of deal. I'd rather keep Seabrook than take on another poor contract.

Saad I think will bounce back next season, over his career he's not been this bad and there's no reason to expect it to continue.

Where significant change needs to happen is on defense (after Keith, Seabrook, Murphy and Forsling), goaltending (better back-up) and a solid defensive centre (to take that pressure off Toews). Goaltending and centre should be easy to address this summer, defense can be done but it will be more challenging.
- DarthKane

I'm sure Saad will bounce back too. He isn't a bad player but his lack of finish and then being sent down the lineup has derailed this season.

Thanks pdx!
His face looks gaunt and you can usually tell (with hockey players at least) in the neck/shoulder area. From the pics you posted, pretty easy to see he's not nearly as ripped as he once was. Can't quite tell with the legs (him sitting vs standing it's always difficult to compare).

But upper body for sure. Look at the big difference in the arms/biceps too.
He's no Bobby Hull during his prime, that's for sure.
(for the old-timers like me, I can always remember one interview of him in the locker w/his shirt off and one of his kids being antsy and hitting the old man repeatedly in the gut. Of course, the punches were bouncing off and Bobby didn't even seem to notice).
- savvyone-1

C'mon. Lets not try and read more into this then is there. I'll be the first to agree that Toews has not played as well as he can, but the pictures show the difference between a kid and a man. His face has matured and he has lost the "baby fat". His biceps are not smaller, in the poses where he looks bigger its because they are folded across his chest, with the back of the hands accentuating the biceps (try it yourself). His legs are in shape, and I'm guessing if he took the shirt off he would still be ripped.

He has probably been battling back issues and that is what has effected his skating and strength on his skates.

All I know is we sat Seabs one game and we won 8-2 (Granted, it was the Sens). Since then he has never sat and we have been bad. And Q will almost always stick with a winning lineup. Why he put Seabs back in is beyond me.

I hear ya. We saw this in 2012 too with the Hawks were eliminated but the Coyotes.

I agree that changes are necessary this summer, but I don't think the team needs to be blown up. Realistically there are only 5 vets left on a team of 23 - Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook and Crawford. Kane and Crawford (when healthy) are still stars and are not an issue. Keith is on the decline but he's still a great d-man and a value for his cap hit. Toews is under-performing, but I believe he can improve. He might not be a 75 point forward again but he can be better. Seabrook can be better too, but if he's used properly. His minutes should be limited to 15 - 17 per night. I know it sucks to pay a guy $6.875 million to play third pairing minutes but that's where we're at.

I don't want to trade Toews but I would be ok trading Seabrook, as long as it's not in a Phaneuf type of deal. I'd rather keep Seabrook than take on another poor contract.

Saad I think will bounce back next season, over his career he's not been this bad and there's no reason to expect it to continue.

Where significant change needs to happen is on defense (after Keith, Seabrook, Murphy and Forsling), goaltending (better back-up) and a solid defensive centre (to take that pressure off Toews). Goaltending and centre should be easy to address this summer, defense can be done but it will be more challenging.
- DarthKane

If this thing with Crawford becomes ongoing extending into next year, goaltending will become the first priority.

I hear ya. We saw this in 2012 too with the Hawks were eliminated but the Coyotes.

I agree that changes are necessary this summer, but I don't think the team needs to be blown up. Realistically there are only 5 vets left on a team of 23 - Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook and Crawford. Kane and Crawford (when healthy) are still stars and are not an issue. Keith is on the decline but he's still a great d-man and a value for his cap hit. Toews is under-performing, but I believe he can improve. He might not be a 75 point forward again but he can be better. Seabrook can be better too, but if he's used properly. His minutes should be limited to 15 - 17 per night. I know it sucks to pay a guy $6.875 million to play third pairing minutes but that's where we're at.

I don't want to trade Toews but I would be ok trading Seabrook, as long as it's not in a Phaneuf type of deal. I'd rather keep Seabrook than take on another poor contract.

Saad I think will bounce back next season, over his career he's not been this bad and there's no reason to expect it to continue.

Where significant change needs to happen is on defense (after Keith, Seabrook, Murphy and Forsling), goaltending (better back-up) and a solid defensive centre (to take that pressure off Toews). Goaltending and centre should be easy to address this summer, defense can be done but it will be more challenging.
- DarthKane

Well said Darth. The over-reaction at times on this board is silly.

I think one of the issues that the core is experiencing this season is that most of them are pressing and gripping those sticks a little too tightly. Many of them are just trying to do too much. It's like chasing the lead in baseball and trying to hit the 6-run homer. Keith is probably the main culprit in this, when he is at his best he keeps things simple, when he is bad he makes mistakes trying to thread the ill-advised backhand or saucer pass instead of the basic play. Saad has needed a positvie/lucky bounce for weeks/months. Every time he touches the puck he is just fighting it.

The one guy I'm not sure about is Seabrook. I agree that 3rd pairing and protected minutes are all he should play next season, unless he can come in and prove this year was just an anomaly for whatever reason. Forsling should be in that 3rd pair with him until he can learn to play D.

C'mon. Lets not try and read more into this then is there. I'll be the first to agree that Toews has not played as well as he can, but the pictures show the difference between a kid and a man. His face has matured and he has lost the "baby fat". His biceps are not smaller, in the poses where he looks bigger its because they are folded across his chest, with the back of the hands accentuating the biceps (try it yourself). His legs are in shape, and I'm guessing if he took the shirt off he would still be ripped.

He has probably been battling back issues and that is what has effected his skating and strength on his skates.
- TheTrob

Which was why I mentioned perhaps he move to a wing, not really this season, but for the not so distant future. The dude has taken a pounding over the years and it's catching up to him quickly. More than we would like.

If this thing with Crawford becomes ongoing extending into next year, goaltending will become the first priority.
- 67hawks

If Crawford's long-term health is a question for the club should they trade him? I realize that means his value is diminished but some clubs might be willing to take a chance on him. I'm not in favour of trading Crawford, but it might be something to think about.

What exactly are you referring to?

I'm all fairness, there has been a lot of silliness here over the past several years and it will be hard to beat some of the stuff that was said in the past.
- DarthKane

What ever happened to Eli? Did anyone find out?

I'm not sure of all the waiver conditions, but his age and professional experience probably has something to do with it. It's not a big deal, I doubt he's claimed but if he is it's not a big loss.
- DarthKane

Darth - so true, shock the world if he is claimed. too bad it didnt work out for him, seems like the team really liked him personally and it was a feel good story for sure. didnt be beat the Rangers in his first game on National TV in the Garden?

I'm all for any goalie that doesn't give up goals on shots from behind the goal line.

Glass is showing why he spent 7 years in the KHL, and Forsberg is clearly not ready for the NHL.

This is on Stan for not signing an experienced NHL veteran back-up before the season started.

I'm all for any goalie that doesn't give up goals on shots from behind the goal line.

Glass is showing why he spent 7 years in the KHL, and Forsberg is clearly not ready for the NHL.

This is on Stan for not signing an experienced NHL veteran back-up before the season started.
- scottak

I didn't mind going with Forsberg as the back-up. If all went to plan he would have been the back-up for two years and slowly developed into (hopefully) a starter. But Crawford's long term injury messed up those plans and he was thrown into a situation he wasn't ready for. I still prefer Forsberg over Glass, but neither has shown themselves to be an NHL caliber goaltender.

While I believe the Hawks need to upgrade their goaltending next season I'd be careful about signing a 30+ year old free agent. Stan needs to think about replacing Crawford at the end of this deal. Although it's highly unlikely, I'll hope that Berube can show something when he is recalled. He's only one year older than Forsberg.

To add to your comment our top C at the dot would be AA at a dazzling 46%
- riozzo

Nope. Kampf at 51.1% checks in as #2 in FO%.

That is why I stated in the previous blog that Oesterle is a nice asset, but we do not need 4 of him.
- 67hawks

I remember that comment and definitely agreed with it when I read it (sorry, didn't have time to post at that time).

The same could be said about the glut of bottom-6 forwards we have on the roster now and in Rockford. Highmore, Kampf, and Johnson (and Dauphin before he got traded back to the Coyotes) are somewhat redundant as bottom-6 centers and most of them are best suited for 4th line. Sooner or later, redundant players and prospects should be traded for others who fill lack of depth at other positions.

Forsling (and Hayden too) is down in Rockford for a reason. As much ice time as possible and instruction/coaching/development and hopefully learning what it takes to win. Nothing wrong with that. Forsling should be up next year playing on the 2nd pairing.

Gustaffson, Rutta, Kempny are more or less all disposable bottom of the depth chart pieces. If a trade offer comes along 1 or 2 of them are gone.
- RickJ

Don't disagree; the minor league development for both Hayden and Forsling is good for their long-term growth so I have no qualms about their time in the AHL.

Nope. Kampf at 51.1% checks in as #2 in FO%.
- Rota's Rooter

I think he means in terms of faceoffs taken. AA has taken the second most faceoffs on the team. 15 also has taken the second most faceoffs in the defensive zone this season (even if you take into account the games he wasn't healthy enough to play)

Furthermore, while Kampf has been a pleasant addition to the team this year, I still tend to think he would sit behind 8 & 15 on the depth chart.

Especially now that there is a coach there that has an interest in developing the kids as far as they can be.
- GPHawksfan

I was thinking the same thing since I imagine there's a marked difference between prospects developing under Dent and those developing under Colliton. Dent didn't have a strong track record while so far Colliton seems to be making an impact on his brief tenure so far.

Don't disagree; the minor league development for both Hayden and Forsling is good for their long-term growth so I have no qualms about their time in the AHL.
- AEL_Fox

I read somewhere that Forsling has been relegated to 3rd pairing D. Anyone who watches Icehog games know if this is true? I was disappointed when I read that because I felt that he would excel there.