Justin Lowe: The Crow Flies Again + Coyotes Primer It was difficult to cheer for the Hawks at times from January-April after their starting goaltender Corey Crawford mysteriously landed on the IR.

It was with cautious optimism that we cheered for him to return to the Hawks lineup, even though his interview at the Blackhawks Fan Convention revealed that he wasn't 100% himself as he emotionally spoke to the media about his struggles to get healthy.

Well, it looks like he's back!

Just wanted to say thanks again for the great posts!

Ditto!!!

I disagree somewhat on Hinostroza being someone who is greatly missed by the top 9. I did like him as a player, but he's one of those guys that still seems like a tweener, not enough finish to consistently score in the top 6, and not enough grit or defensive awareness to be a bottom 6 guy. In my mind, Dominik Kahun IS Hinostroza's replacement, and has done a great job so far exceeding expectations and filling the top 6 role. If dumping Hinostroza to get rid of Hossa's contract was the main centerpiece, I'm more than fine with that 5 million in cap space to instead replace him with Kahun. In that deal, Kruger has been fine, and Entwhistle looks like he could be a real player in a couple of years. The Hawks are winning that trade big time so far.

Saad’s career averages would put him closer to 20 than to 25 goals per season.

I've watched all of the Yotes games this year (morbid curiosity, and I wanted to see how guys like Panik, Hino, and Oesterle handle playing larger roles). They do put a lot of pressure on teams, particularly in the Anaheim game that they won. The problem that I see is that they don't play with a lot of structure.

Hino is exactly the same as he was here, which is to say that he's fast, works the boards well, and tries really hard. He has a decent shot, but tends to "wind up" a bit which gives the goalie an extra second to see where it is coming from and adjust.

Panik is same story, but he has been coasting a bit.

Oesterle seems like he has improved a bit on last year. More defensively sound, and still a threat offensively.

Raanta is the big key for them. He is seeing the puck really well. He does get hung out to dry a bit though and you can kind of see him get frustrated.

Hopefully the Hawks can jump out early (3 goal lead!!) and salt the rest of it away.

Looks like our boys are going to find themselves a test tonight, can our goal scoring solve their staunch appearing defense?

Saad’s career averages would put him closer to 20 than to 25 goals per season.
- scottak

His career high of 31 makes him capable of 25

Any reports on projected lines and defense pairs tonight? Updates on Forsling?


Toews' and Kane's lines should be able to score 1 goal apiece and the 3rd line is due for a goal! 3-1 Hawks

Good to see Crawford getting back in the saddle!!!

His career high of 31 makes him capable of 25
- Ogilthorpe2

10 - 15 is more realistic, and of those 5 - 10 will be empty net goals.

Great blog, Justin.

I said last post. 1. I'm glad Crow is in the net, I appreciate you saying caution, he needs to get game-acclimated again. Might take a while, but this is one small step for man, and a giant leap for the hawks. 2. I figured Saad wouldn't scratch Saad. White was a message, we'll see if it was received or if the next step needs to be taken. It could also have to do with his trade request (?) 3. I figured Johnson would go down. Ad you said, healthy scratch, plus there isn't much to his game now besides dumb penalties. I like Kruger as 4th center. It's good when a dman is quiet, not a forward. Johnson needs the Rock time, his camp didn't translate to reg. season too well.

His career high of 31 makes him capable of 25
- Ogilthorpe2

The last blog you said vaping makes the user look like a douchebag...I think it also isn't as safe or better option. It's more addictive and most times leads the user to cigarettes. Just wanted to say this.

Looks like our boys are going to find themselves a test tonight, can our goal scoring solve their staunch appearing defense?
- 35Tony0

I think you mean stench, not staunch.

His career high of 31 makes him capable of 25
- Ogilthorpe2

Outlier. Never been near that # before or after.

10 - 15 is more realistic, and of those 5 - 10 will be empty net goals.
- DarthKane

Ain't gonna be on the ice at the end with a 1 goal lead to even get a chance.

Bwahahaha lmao 5 empty netters . Saad is nothing but a overpaid underachieving head case. For 6 million id expect a lot more outta him especially being paired with Kane he should easily get 60 to 65 points.

5-2 Hawks!

5-2 Coyotes .

Any reports on projected lines and defense pairs tonight? Updates on Forsling?


Toews' and Kane's lines should be able to score 1 goal apiece and the 3rd line is due for a goal! 3-1 Hawks
- EnzoD

Regarding Forsling, I think the timeline Q gave about a week ago was "a couple/three weeks", so probably early Nov still. I haven't seen anything new.

Been one week practicing with the team, but they have the option of sending him to Rockford without waivers also to get him some game time.

10 - 15 is more realistic, and of those 5 - 10 will be empty net goals.
- DarthKane

Are you counting own goals? Probably about 5 of those are in the Hawks net too.

His career high of 31 makes him capable of 25
- Ogilthorpe2

His average for the three seasons before last year make him closer to 30 than to 20.

The last blog you said vaping makes the user look like a douchebag...I think it also isn't as safe or better option. It's more addictive and most times leads the user to cigarettes. Just wanted to say this.
- I Am The Breadman

Plus there are new studies out on vaping, and more coming out everyday. There is some evidence that vaping could also be somewhat harmful, specifically to cells in the mouth and throat. Anything you do that is unnatural is going to be harmful to some degree.

Hard to ignore the Admiral Ackbar potential for tonight’s game, especially if the Hawks pull their usual playing down to their level of competition.

His average for the three seasons before last year make him closer to 30 than to 20.
- StLBravesFan

Saad has 455 regular season NHL games
125 goals in those games
.2747252 goals per game
That's 22.5 goals in a 82 game season

If you include playoffs, 141 goals in 527 games, .267552 per game, for an average of 21.9 per 82 games.


He scored 31 goals once. His next highest total was 23.

Going by the numbers, he is most likely to score 21-22 goals during an 82 game season. And if I were wagering on it, I'd bet he never breaks 30 again.