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.
- Ogilthorpe2

Christ, man...wishing an injury on a guy? Yikes.

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?
- glennjpawlak22

I SAID THE SAME THING!!!!

Like he was taking his mug shot.

Rose did the same thing with the Bulls once.

I SAID THE SAME THING!!!!

Like he was taking his mug shot.

Rose did the same thing with the Bulls once.
- I Am The Breadman

Maybe he was just being calm and professional. Some buys don't celebrate as much as others. Schmaltz is all about taking care of business.

Maybe he was just being calm and professional. Some buys don't celebrate as much as others. Schmaltz is all about taking care of business.
- DarthKane

It looked like Craptain Serious to me.

It looked like Craptain Serious to me.
- I Am The Breadman

Toews shows a lot of passion when he scores or lumber jack slashes someone!!!

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.
- 67hawks

I'm not advocating for treading schmaltz, as I do like the guy and the way he plays for the most part, but does anyone think that Columbus would take schmaltz and Murphy for panarin? It would be a rental, so maybe too much? or schmaltz and a second round pick that turns into a first if panarin resigns?

Christ, man...wishing an injury on a guy? Yikes.
- Hank3Henshaw

Between Stan giving the guy $1.5 and an extra year too much, and Q’s soft spot for D-men that remind him of himself when he was as a player, it’s the only realistic way to get him in the press box where he belongs.

Davidson (and everyone else) > Manning

Toews shows a lot of passion when he scores or lumber jack slashes someone!!!
- glennjpawlak22

It's not a knock on Toews, he just had a crappy demeanor. Toews is celebrating because he didn't have this hot start like last season. He's making up for lost times.

Hahaha, I could have done without the slash. Live to fight another day on that one.

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.
- 67hawks

If these two can stick and play well together on a 3rd line, it could be HUGE for this team. Watching Fortin skate live is impressive. He literally flies by people. I also love that he goes right in front of the net and busts his tail end to get back.

If the Hawks are contenders in early December, would going out and making a move for a "Matt Duchene" to center those two sound appealing?

It looked like Craptain Serious to me.
- I Am The Breadman

"Craptain" Serious

Between Stan giving the guy $1.5 and an extra year too much, and Q’s soft spot for D-men that remind him of himself when he was as a player, it’s the only realistic way to get him in the press box where he belongs.

Davidson (and everyone else) > Manning
- Ogilthorpe2

Correct, but I would rather have neither in the top 6. Once Forsling and Murphy return they should replace the 3rd unit.

I forget who reported it, but there were lots of scouts at the last Rockford game. That worries me a bit, Forsling's first game back and all these scouts attend the game? I wouldn't be shocked to see him dealt, but I would rather see him play over Rutta, Manning and Davidson.

"Craptain" Serious


- Hank3Henshaw

Hahaha, yeah, I know.
I need Pam Poovey going, "Eeeh."

Hawks have some unknowns and some holes but they have to be happy to be 2 points out of first place right now. Especially considering the blunders early and the poor special teams.

The next 10 games will help us find out if this team belongs near the top or not.

Correct, but I would rather have neither in the top 6. Once Forsling and Murphy return they should replace the 3rd unit.

I forget who reported it, but there were lots of scouts at the last Rockford game. That worries me a bit, Forsling's first game back and all these scouts attend the game? I wouldn't be shocked to see him dealt, but I would rather see him play over Rutta, Manning and Davidson.
- DarthKane

What's the knock on Davidson? Honest question.

I haven't seen him play yet, but I'm curious because there were a number of Oilers fans who seemed to be bummed he wasn't resigned (again) and felt that EDM management dogged him and that his up-and-down career is not actually reflective of the potential talent he has.

Correct, but I would rather have neither in the top 6. Once Forsling and Murphy return they should replace the 3rd unit.

I forget who reported it, but there were lots of scouts at the last Rockford game. That worries me a bit, Forsling's first game back and all these scouts attend the game? I wouldn't be shocked to see him dealt, but I would rather see him play over Rutta, Manning and Davidson.
- DarthKane

I agree 100%

I just fear that as long as Stan allows Manning to be an option for Q, he’s gonna play...unfortunately.

What's the knock on Davidson? Honest question.

I haven't seen him play yet, but I'm curious because there were a number of Oilers fans who seemed to be bummed he wasn't resigned (again) and felt that EDM management dogged him and that his up-and-down career is not actually reflective of the potential talent he has.
- Hank3Henshaw

Maybe he was just being calm and professional. Some buys don't celebrate as much as others. Schmaltz is all about taking care of business.
- DarthKane

We are at the point of bashing Schmatlz bc of his facial expressions? The kid back checks like no one else on the Hawks. If he lacked passion we wouldn't see him give a crap after losing possession.

Again Q puts him on the PK. If Q didn't like Schmaltz's play or defensive awareness or demeanor you can bet he wouldn't be out on the PK.

I've never seen a 22 year old ragged so much. This is like all those years posters ragged on Kane and wanted him gone

We are at the point of bashing Schmatlz bc of his facial expressions? The kid back checks like no one else on the Hawks. If he lacked passion we wouldn't see him give a crap after losing possession.

Again Q puts him on the PK. If Q didn't like Schmaltz's play or defensive awareness or demeanor you can bet he wouldn't be out on the PK.

I've never seen a 22 year old ragged so much. This is like all those years posters ragged on Kane and wanted him gone
- bhawks2241

#badforthebrand

We are at the point of bashing Schmatlz bc of his facial expressions? The kid back checks like no one else on the Hawks. If he lacked passion we wouldn't see him give a crap after losing possession.

Again Q puts him on the PK. If Q didn't like Schmaltz's play or defensive awareness or demeanor you can bet he wouldn't be out on the PK.

I've never seen a 22 year old ragged so much. This is like all those years posters ragged on Kane and wanted him gone
- bhawks2241

Out of the posts of not liking his play, entertaining the thought of trading him, or poking fun at his facial expression ... it is definitely the lesser of the evils.

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.
- breadbag

I think this is correct. But if you are going to fight someone like Vesey, at least pummel him...

- I Am The Breadman

Hahaha.

I mean, that would make more sense if the Oilers had traded Davidson to the Hawks.

Hahaha.

I mean, that would make more sense if the Oilers had traded Davidson to the Hawks.
- Hank3Henshaw

I think it works in both contexts.

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

Oh I actually really like Hayden, I just thought his game vs. Anaheim was a bit sloppy and I wanted more from him.

I thought he was better last night.

Oh I actually really like Hayden, I just thought his game vs. Anaheim was a bit sloppy and I wanted more from him.

I thought he was better last night.
- Justin Lowe

Ahhh, gotcha.

That game was not super great. I feel like the Hawks could have ran away with it and made a bit more of a statement.

Anyway, take the points right now. 14 points and a winning streak is kind of neat.