I really like the play of Manning. He's not going to blow you away in terms of skillset, but he's had some steady play and I liked the little scrap with Vesey. Haha.
- Hank3Henshaw

Right now, Manning is the new Rundblad for me. He can do things okay, but just seems to make 1 or 2 bad plays a game that tend to result in goals again.

Right now, Manning is the new Rundblad for me. He can do things okay, but just seems to make 1 or 2 bad plays a game that tend to result in goals again.
- breadbag

Fair enough, but I think he gets a bit better each game. Hopefully he continues that trend.

Right now, Manning is the new Rundblad for me. He can do things okay, but just seems to make 1 or 2 bad plays a game that tend to result in goals again.
- breadbag

After his first turnover ... another one happened, but that one he was able to recover. I don't want to dislike him, but like you said, there is a costly turnover all the time. He can do simple things really well, but branching out past that, it be best to put your hands over your eyes.

Comparing him to Runblad, he'll that's too cruel, hahaha.

I still can't see the Hawks giving up on Rutta unless they are selling. He has been good on the PK and doing back to last season neither Forsling or Murphy were better defensively. Personally, I don't know what the plan will be but it might depend as to just how well Forsling plays if he gets back up with the Hawks in the near future. It is entirely possibly they keep him down for now and wait and see where things are at when Murphy returns.

Maybe there will be a trade to be had and once he is back playing I wouldn't rule out Murphy being the one moved either. Could be someone else will get hurt and the Hawks won't want to trade anyone. Good to have options.

Right now, Manning is the new Rundblad for me. He can do things okay, but just seems to make 1 or 2 bad plays a game that tend to result in goals again.
- breadbag

I agree, anytime he has the puck on his stick makes me nervous. The Ducks game he didn't have the puck on his stick longer than 3 seconds which is a good thing for him. We need Campbell to come here and show him a back hand pass along the boards behind the goalies net is a smart play.

Great blog as usual.

John Hayden warming up on you yet, haha? I think he's had a good 2 past games.

I went to Jan Levine's blog to read about the Rangers and what they had to say. Woofs galore. Good quotes. Talked about how the hawks are a completely different team than any other team they have played so far, hawks like having the puck, chasing the whole game, and doing everything they can to get at Lundqvist. Been a while since I've heard other teams say something good about us.

This team seems to be clicking, I agree. I'm excite for Murph and Fors to come back. Three lines rolling is better than one, but the fourth line needs a little bit of work.

I'm glad I was right about Fortin (so far.) I'm never right about anything. Saad looks to be working on all cylinders. Crow, not that tested, still looks awesome.
- I Am The Breadman

Didn’t expect Crawford back this year. What I have been most impressed with is (1) he doesn’t seem to be fighting the puck and (2) he seems extremely economical in his movements - he is not all over the play trying to find the puck and getting himself out of position in the process.

Fair enough, but I think he gets a bit better each game. Hopefully he continues that trend.
- Hank3Henshaw

I like him and some of the things he does, just saying those timely mistakes have hurt on the scoreboard which sucks. It is a bit like Toews right now, who is playing really well, but has been making some passes that are ill advised.

I really like the play of Manning. He's not going to blow you away in terms of skillset, but he's had some steady play and I liked the little scrap with Vesey. Haha.
- Hank3Henshaw

Does Manning get a one game suspension for that fight? I thought that was the rule for fighting in the last 5 min of a game.

Didn’t expect Crawford back this year. What I have been most impressed with is (1) he doesn’t seem to be fighting the puck and (2) he seems extremely economical in his movements - he is not all over the play trying to find the puck and getting himself out of position in the process.
- Spec41971

I also like how he is with the puck behind the net. He hasn't made bad passes that were predictable and has to rush to sprawl and keep the puck from going in. He'll take his time, last night felt like holding the puck for 5 seconds before passing. It seems like his head is clear and see everyting. There was one play I liked that Manning did, he had a guy coming at him, and pointed to the open man behind Crow. The opposing attacker had Manning covered, and Crow made a no look pass and it left the zone.

Does Manning get a one game suspension for that fight? I thought that was the rule for fighting in the last 5 min of a game.
- 67hawks

I think it would apply if he was deemed instigator of the fight. I think if there isn't a clear instigator, they just let it go.

Unbelievable start to the season. Not one 'expert' saw the Hawks doing this well. The season is young but as time passes the lads will only gel more and more. And CC has been a HUGE part since his return. Wow. Wow. And wow again.
Big decision - Cam Ward in game 1 or in game 2 this weekend on the back to back? Very important. I say CC against the Oilers?
- Garn.

With the exception of 2/3 of the Tampa game and the Arizona game, every game has been entertaining. As much as I enjoy game victories and hate game losses, I do not judge the team game to game. I look at the season in 8-game increments (10%) of the season. For the first group, the hawks won 4 and lost 4; arguably better than most expectations — including mine. The second group of 8 is off to a 2-0 start; I expect this group of 8 to end better than 4-4. If it does, it will exhibit growth and development many of us did not see in this team

Does Manning get a one game suspension for that fight? I thought that was the rule for fighting in the last 5 min of a game.
- 67hawks

I'm just guessing but I thought that you get a one game suspension only if you get an instigator penalty as well, I could be wrong though.

Does Manning get a one game suspension for that fight? I thought that was the rule for fighting in the last 5 min of a game.
- 67hawks

That would be great

There were times on the Nyr pp where they did the push em back entry, and we were sniffing it out and testing it. The guy who I thought did it the most was Schmaltz.

Never been a big fan of Yeo
- BetweenTheDots

I love him as the blows coach!

There were times on the Nyr pp where they did the push em back entry, and we were sniffing it out and testing it. The guy who I thought did it the most was Schmaltz.
- I Am The Breadman

Between him, Toews, Saad and AA, I feel like we stole a lot of pucks off the Rangers because they weren't moving it quickly.

There were times on the Nyr pp where they did the push em back entry, and we were sniffing it out and testing it. The guy who I thought did it the most was Schmaltz.
- I Am The Breadman

Keith seems to LOVE the push em back...its like if he doesnt have that option he is LOST getting the puck in the PP Zone - 56 MUCH BETTER at Power Play entry!!!

As much as I rag on Anisimov, he has made multiple good plays the last three games. He's maintained tough possession of the puck through traffic and created some havoc in front of the net. Credit where credit is due, he has looked good.

Manning coughed a puck up and then got caught looking while New York scored last night, he should be the 7th defenseman once Forsling is back or if they want to test out Davidson again. I don't have confidence in our zone when Manning is out there.

Schmaltz had some very nice takeaways and good speed through the neutral zone last night.

Hayden skates like he's wading through mashed potatoes, the legs are churning but he's just not really going anywhere. He kind of flails about in puck battles too. I like his game when it works, but other times he just gets pantsed out there.

Fortin is a welcome addition of speed, every defenseman caught at their own blueline has that look of 'oh crap' when Fortin takes the puck wide. Hope he sticks.

I wouldn't mind giving Jokiharju or Gus 1st PP time, Seabrook is too slow to keep pucks in, and Keith's shot is too weak for any defense to commit to him. They know his shot won't go in so they don't bother blocking his lane.

I love him as the blows coach!
- Spec41971

I think it was the 13 handshake when the hawks beat Minny, and Kane and Yeo were face-to-face with each other, and Kane says you got one hell of a team. A funny but great compliment from a 24/25 year old kid.

Blues game is going to be interesting, they’re in free fall mode. Not really sure what their problem is besides Allen, but something’s amiss.
- walleyeb1

The Hawks are great slump-busters, I expect the Blues to come out strong and pummel them.

Edmonton McDavids!!

I am becoming a huge Alexandre Fortin fan. I love watching him and Schmaltz together. Those two can absolutely FLY.
- frafra

Q did what I have been advocating for Schmaltz. That is to get him away from Kane for 2 reasons
-he has too much respect for the vets on the team, thus the overpassing issue. He needs to play with other young players that he can lead on another line.
-his next contract should not be set on inflated stats influenced by having Kane as a line mate

As for Fortin, I admit to be eating crow on this one. I was all for sending him to Rockford after that failed first line experiment. Love to see that Schmaltz/Fortin youth combination now no matter who centers them.

Keith seems to LOVE the push em back...its like if he doesnt have that option he is LOST getting the puck in the PP Zone - 56 MUCH BETTER at Power Play entry!!!
- glennjpawlak22

Agree.

56 was on fire last night! He earned a lot of minutes last night. Loved Joki too.

I really like the play of Manning. He's not going to blow you away in terms of skillset, but he's had some steady play and I liked the little scrap with Vesey. Haha.
- Hank3Henshaw

Manning is beyond useless. He should hit the waiver wire immediately. Unfortunately that won’t happen anytime soon, so I have root for an injury. Too bad Vesey didn’t land any damaging blows.

Kunitz also should never see the ice again.

The Hawks are great slump-busters, I expect the Blues to come out strong and pummel them.

Edmonton McDavids!!


- DarthKane

I only want to see Neegan if you predicted hawks pounding the blues.
"Taking it like a champ."

Agree.

56 was on fire last night! He earned a lot of minutes last night. Loved Joki too.
- I Am The Breadman

i didnt like that facial reaction by Schmaltz after he assisted on the Fortin goal - almost like, yeah we scored, but i am not happy to be on Line 3 - thoughts anyone?