Agreed Rota.

That "BANGER LINE" mentality and play has disappeared this year which makes me think it's coming from the coaches.

Sure would be nice to throw Hayden and Martinsen out there to smash a few guys and control the play down low when the Hawks need a spark.
- Justin Lowe

The banger line died midway last season especially when Hayden and Bouma were sent to Rockford. Agree, a line with Kruger centering two of Hayden, Martinsen, and Kunitz would be nice.

Johnson needs more seasoning so send him back down. If someone replaces him, I'd go with Highmore or Sikura. Leaning towards Sikura to inject another offensive weapon and speed to the 3rd line with say Anisimov, Schmaltz, or Kampf centering and Fortin on opposite wing.

The banger line died midway last season especially when Hayden and Bouma were sent to Rockford. Agree, a line with Kruger centering two of Hayden, Martinsen, and Kunitz would be nice.

Johnson needs more seasoning so send him back down. If someone replaces him, I'd go with Highmore or Sikura. Leaning towards Sikura to inject another offensive weapon and speed to the 3rd line with say Anisimov, Schmaltz, or Kampf centering and Fortin on opposite wing.
- AEL_Fox

I agree with everything, AEL! The banger line was broken very early. Kampf should be in between Schmaltz and Fortin. I like Sikura, and wouldn't mind him coming up, but I think Highmore is long overdue.

Nice write up, but disagree on #40. I thought he played well.
The game could have easily been 5-0, great to see the Hawks flying out there!

What happened to good old fashioned chip and chase? I don't like the push em back either, most teams do it, but when we see it, it seems like the opps. have us on radar and steal it nearly every time. And most times we end up offsides because of the guys always standing at the blue line for the puck straggler to bring it across the line, one guy has already over anticipated and jumped the gun.

"Mother Superior jumped the gun." -The Beatles.
- I Am The Breadman

It does seem like many teams do the "push em back" strategy. When the Hawks do it, though, they do it half ass where the puck just sputters behind the passer. The Hawks are essentially beating themselves where the other team doesn't even have to try to steal it as it's just gift wrapped for them. If the Hawks are going to employ that strategy, do it right and do it with authority.

Ideally, just have a strong puck carrier bring the puck up ice to start the rush and enter the zone. Kane and Gustafsson are great at it. And for all the bashing he receives for this or that, Schmaltz is really good at it, too. I actually think he's the best at it.

Schmaltz is good at it...until someone steps up to hit him - then he bails

Agree on a lot of the positives mentioned from last night.

I was severely disappointed that the hardest hit Manson took after the dust up with Dcat was from Kane behind the net. I would think if Hayden has any understanding of his role, the next time he was on the ice with a chance to lay the body on Manson he should have done so with full effort. The fact that he didn't tells me he thinks he is more of a scorer, than a physical guy. Until he fixes that mentality, he will bounce in and out of the lineup.
- hereismike1

The only problem with this is Manson didnt really do anything. He made a nice hit on the Cat that was 100% clean and not that hard, yes Cat stuck up for himself and thats the end of it. No need to fight in this situation. Now if it was dirty, or he absolutely leveled him, then we have a different story.

Nice write up, but disagree on #40. I thought he played well.
The game could have easily been 5-0, great to see the Hawks flying out there!
- Boisy12

that's fair Boisy.

Maybe I just keep expecting even more from Hayden. Thought he had some sloppy plays and decision making at times.

Also, forgot to mention in the blog... Rockford takes on San Antonio tonight.

Colin Delia looks like he's getting the start.

The only problem with this is Manson didnt really do anything. He made a nice hit on the Cat that was 100% clean and not that hard, yes Cat stuck up for himself and thats the end of it. No need to fight in this situation. Now if it was dirty, or he absolutely leveled him, then we have a different story.
- Boisy12

How Getzlaf didn't get a penalty for jumping in (roughing) is beyond me. There was no reason he should have even been involved in it.

The key to this team all hinges on Corey Crawford's health. He gives the Hawks a legitimate shot to win every night. So impressive considering he has hardly played in a calendar year.

Q's kick in the pants to Saad has paid huge dividends. Saad has been in beast-mode the last 2 games. He is showing absolutely no fear in going to the net, and he is a presence every time he is on the ice now, great to see!!

Does this team have some obvious flaws?
Yes, they can drive you nuts playing in the defensive zone. Bottom 6 production and depth is clearly a concern. Any major injury to a key cog would be devastating.

Is this team better than I thought? Yes
I have been entertained so far, very excited about the play of Toews. Nice to see Debrincat continually getting better and better. Kane is Kane. Seabrook has bounced back too. They are not Cup contenders, but I do feel if the key pieces remain healthy, they will compete for a postseason spot.
- ChicagoHope

Overall, this team is more exciting to watch so far this season than last. More compete. Lots of mistakes still and many areas to shore up but trending in a good direction.

Someone else mentioned this in the last blog but many of the things that had to go right this season to help the team bounce back has materialized so far as well:

1) Resurgence of Toews and Saad. Toews has been that way since Game 1 while Saad more recently. Regardless, the way they have resurged has been emphatic with not just an "I'm back" but an "I'M BACK!"

2) Although not to the extent as 19 and 20, Seabrook looks better this season. More mobile and steady. He's making boneheaded plays but seems less than a year ago.

3) As others have noted, Crawford has picked up where he left off and doesn't feel like he even missed the last 11 months with his severe injury and symptoms.

4) DeBrincat has taken it to another level in his sophomore year. No slump for him.

5) Anisimov and Schmaltz have been fine. They could be better but it's still early and they are doing things to help the team each game.

6) Penalties aside, Kruger is healthy again and helping to take the all important D zone draws. A lot of them. This has contributed to Toews being able to lead the top line and make it dominant.

Agree on a lot of the positives mentioned from last night.

I was severely disappointed that the hardest hit Manson took after the dust up with Dcat was from Kane behind the net. I would think if Hayden has any understanding of his role, the next time he was on the ice with a chance to lay the body on Manson he should have done so with full effort. The fact that he didn't tells me he thinks he is more of a scorer, than a physical guy. Until he fixes that mentality, he will bounce in and out of the lineup.
- hereismike1

Part of me wanted someone to take it to Manson to stick up for DeBrincat but this Hawks team doesn't really do that whether we like it or not. They still need to assert payback on Ritchie who cheapshotted Rozsival and ended his career but that was a while ago and Ritchie is still cheapshotting the Hawks.

Not holding my breath. Beat them on the scoreboard, right?

Part of me wanted someone to take it to Manson to stick up for DeBrincat but this Hawks team doesn't really do that whether we like it or not. They still need to assert payback on Ritchie who cheapshotted Rozsival and ended his career but that was a while ago and Ritchie is still cheapshotting the Hawks.

Not holding my breath. Beat them on the scoreboard, right?
- AEL_Fox

I actually noticed a few times around the net Seabrook knocked down Ritchie, and nearly every other time gave him small cross checks and shots here and there.

There seems to be a theme that Q doesn't want guys knocking guys down around our net on the board. If you saw his comments after the debacle against TB, he said exactly that. He didn't see them paying a price for being around our net and not too many bodies put on people in the slot. So wherever the idea came from that Q wants guys like Gus to watch people take ten whacks at the goalie until they score, doesn't hold water.

Part of me wanted someone to take it to Manson to stick up for DeBrincat but this Hawks team doesn't really do that whether we like it or not. They still need to assert payback on Ritchie who cheapshotted Rozsival and ended his career but that was a while ago and Ritchie is still cheapshotting the Hawks.

Not holding my breath. Beat them on the scoreboard, right?
- AEL_Fox

I like this approach better, beat them on the scoreboard, and on the ice!

I actually noticed a few times around the net Seabrook knocked down Ritchie, and nearly every other time gave him small cross checks and shots here and there.

There seems to be a theme that Q doesn't want guys knocking guys down around our net on the board. If you saw his comments after the debacle against TB, he said exactly that. He didn't see them paying a price for being around our net and not too many bodies put on people in the slot. So wherever the idea came from that Q wants guys like Gus to watch people take ten whacks at the goalie until they score, doesn't hold water.
- hereismike1

One possible reason for Q may not want defenders knocking opponents down in the crease is because it creates a traffic jam in front of Crawford/Ward to the point where they can't make clean saves. Then again, the Hawks are really bad at letting the other team get between them and the net causing not just a screen but a double screen if they're not careful.

Wouldn't it be better to always have the opponent in front of you so you're between that person and your goalie? Seems like common sense but I'm no coach.

How Getzlaf didn't get a penalty for jumping in (roughing) is beyond me. There was no reason he should have even been involved in it.
- powerenforcer

Agree. Another poster mentioned that what Manson did really wasn't that bad and DeBrincat just got upset and stood up for himself. Either way, Getzlaf shouldn't have been able to be the 3rd man in. It's one thing if Getzlaf is just trying to separate the two but he's giving DeBrincat the business as much as Manson.

Toews tried to help DeBrincat but Ritchie grabs him by the face and drags him down.

I like this approach better, beat them on the scoreboard, and on the ice!
- powerenforcer

I get why people want and like this style, but aside from 2010 when they had guys like Buff and Ladd, when have the Hawks (post 2007) ever played like this?

If you don't have to go out of your way to make a hit, and it separates the puck, then by all means go for it. But gong after Manson because he is a bully and pushed ADB around won't do anything but likely get a penalty. You've got Hayden, and maybe Manning and Seabrook that are big enough to actually do anything (since Martinsen isn't playing).

John Scott - Bad at hockey
Carcillo - Bad at hockey
Bollig - bad at hockey

I'd much rather they play every single game the same way they played last night and be competitive, than have guys trying to be tough, when they are not that type of player.

Dcat toews kahun
Saad AA kane
Fortin kampf smaltz
Matinsin kruger hayden
Send Johnson back to Rockford or put kunitz on waivers.

Also IMO there is going to be a trade sometime in the next 3 weeks. So my question to the panel is two part: first what area do the hawks address with said possible trade bottom six scoring or defense. Second do entertain possibly trade smaltz for future d help say like nurse faulk truboa etc.. What would a trade look like what pieces going and coming back.

Saad was "awesome" because he did the things everyone was saying he wasnt doing previously- he went to the net with/without the puck, he drove the play, he played between the dots ...and did it all game.

Which he didnt do consistently last year, and didnt do it the first few games of the year.

To be a "6mil dollar man", he needs to do that every game...or goes back to being an overpaid passenger, which shouldnt be acceptable
- PatShart

Saad was engaged all game, not sleepwalking. And the thing I think is best is where his goals came from, power move near the net and followup with his own rebound. That's what he needs to do. And the EN goal was good hustle. Good on him.

Toews' skating ability and puck control compared to last season.....wow, like 2 different players. The change of direction move on Hampus Lindholm (a good skating dman) to get to the net was excellent.


Saad looks to have found his legs, which is what has always been his best asset...strong skating with a large frame.

Dcat toews kahun
Saad AA kane
Fortin kampf smaltz
Matinsin kruger hayden
Send Johnson back to Rockford or put kunitz on waivers.

Also IMO there is going to be a trade sometime in the next 3 weeks. So my question to the panel is two part: first what area do the hawks address with said possible trade bottom six scoring or defense. Second do entertain possibly trade smaltz for future d help say like nurse faulk truboa etc.. What would a trade look like what pieces going and coming back.
- Scott1977

I like the way you think, Scott, great lines. I think a d trade is coming for some picks soon too, maybe not 3 weeks soon, but when Murphy comes back, I would guess. Your first question, I have been asking too, I don't know. Second question, I'm sure there are entertaining offers/discussions all of the time, but trading Schmatlz is something that I would not like to see.

Toews' skating ability and puck control compared to last season.....wow, like 2 different players. The change of direction move on Hampus Lindholm (a good skating dman) to get to the net was excellent.


Saad looks to have found his legs, which is what has always been his best asset...strong skating with a large frame.
- EnzoD

So who's your new whipping boy?

I wonder if Luke Johnson getting called up instead of the more obvious guy(s) is a move more for Schmaltz to get energy or comfort as I understand those two won the NCAA championship together.

So who's your new whipping boy?
- paulr

Stanley Bowman, now and forever!

Dcat toews kahun
Saad AA kane
Fortin kampf smaltz
Matinsin kruger hayden
Send Johnson back to Rockford or put kunitz on waivers.

Also IMO there is going to be a trade sometime in the next 3 weeks. So my question to the panel is two part: first what area do the hawks address with said possible trade bottom six scoring or defense. Second do entertain possibly trade smaltz for future d help say like nurse faulk truboa etc.. What would a trade look like what pieces going and coming back.
- Scott1977

If they do anything for a D-man, I think it will be for immediate help and not necessarily for the future. They seem to be really happy with their pipeline of talent, and they have a need right now for a Defenseman who is worth his contract.

If you are trading Schmaltz, I would think you would need to get another center back. I would like to see a true center who can be responsible on both ends and put up 50-60pts. Unfortunately, those typically are expensive and rare.

I wonder if Luke Johnson getting called up instead of the more obvious guy(s) is a move more for Schmaltz to get energy or comfort as I understand those two won the NCAA championship together.
- 6628

Didn't think of that. A good reason, but Highmore or Sikura could add energy too.