I’m going to watch Denver University live 100level either this weekend or next weekend and I’ll have a close eye on Ian Mitchell. He looked good for Canada this past summer and has 1G 8A in 8GP for the Pioneers.
- EnzoD

Awesome, I’ve got decent hopes for Mitchell. Really hoping that a couple of the Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Krys, Jokiharju bunch turn into very good players.

Hopefully the Hawks will be able to buy out Seabrook at the next CBA and it doesn't count against the cap. He's so (frank)ing done. Might as well trade Keith and just blow this whole thing up.

End of the season have a feeling Bowman will be cleaning out his office
- BetweenTheDots

There likely won't be compliance buyouts this time unless the salary cap drops like it did last time.

Yep. Probably don’t have to give him $5 per if he keeps up this lousy streak.

He’s 22 people, still learning, still putting on muscle. Getting him at $5x5 wouldn’t be terrible. You can teach all the things everyone hates about him (shoot more, take contact, win faceoffs).

There’s a couple other slight forwards we had at a young age who didn’t play the body every chance, they went on to pile up points. Patrick Kane, Tuevo Terravainen.

Schmaltz will never be Kane. He could easily be as good as TT. Teuvo was written off by everyone, including me, we were dead wrong. We called him soft, a perimeter wuss, etc. and we were wrong.

NS is already a better defensive player than TT, if he fixes his current woes he can be a better player and a leader on this team.

Nick Schmaltz at $5x5 would end up being a solid deal. You don’t find top talent in free agency for $5 AAV. Nick Schmaltz can absolutely be a top talent.
- ObeseOprah

Schmaltz isn't good at defense, most of his steals are in the neutral zone or offensive zone. The defensive zone is where defense actually counts and it's as familiar as the moon is to him. Kane too for that matter.

I think he's playing his way into a 2 year prove it bridge deal, but this is Stan we're talking about after all...
- Davewn

Schmaltz is AWFUL!!! When you need to make a LIST because there are simply so many things about a player that you despise it is not good. Top of such LIST - refuses to shoot from perfect positions preferring to pass nonsensically to worse sometimes impossible positions AND will not take a check or make a check to win a puck ever. Etc Etc.

In OT why he was awarded by starting I have no idea as he had played brutal, lazy and afraid all night. In OT he twice trapped himself deep in the Hurticanes’ zone just stupidly skating. In OT when he finally got back to his own zone he gave new meaning to the word fly-by. I simply don’t want to be tortured by him anymore. Please trade him.

Winner, winner - chicken dinner!

McD is a big part of the problem. And before someone chimes in again about how much he’s increased the financial value of the Hawks, just stop. He did what just about every poster here would have come up with on their own - get home games on TV and promote the two new wonder twins (i.e. Toews and Kane). Marketing 101 does not make him a genius - and shouldn’t make him untouchable from Rocky’s perspective. This organization needs bonafide hockey professionals in the front office.
- Chief4Feathers

I don't begrudge McD for the job he's done as a business executive - he's done very well on that side of the Hawks organization. But, when the Hawks had the best team in the league the business end of the Hawks could co-exist and flourish as much as the team success on the ice. But that isn't the case anymore - now there needs to be a prioritization of either business success over hockey success or hockey success over business success and McD will want business success over hockey success. If that's what Rocky wants then McD will keep his job. If Rocky prioritizes winning hockey games over squeezing every dime out of the business, then he should put a hockey man in McD's place.

The Front Office didnt do JC any favors by proclaiming this to be a playoff team.

This team isnt and is now done. Q, at least would have gotten the most out of a bad roster. JC stands no chance, especially with the hand picked Barry Smith and Don Granato looking over his shoulder and the FO calling the shots.

JC may be a good coach, but it will never happen here under this regime. To all those who thought Q was the problem, enjoy.

He's not wrong. Schmaltz plays like a (frank)ing moron.
- GPHawksfan

GP - we are agreeing a lot - who knew? SCHMALTZ IS AWFUL!

You dont win playoff series with guys like Schmaltz.
- tompo1015

You don’t win period with dumb, lazy, afraid players like Schmaltz. I despise him - trade him now.

Schmaltz is AWFUL!!! When you need to make a LIST because there are simply so many things about a player that you despise it is not good. Top of such LIST - refuses to shoot from perfect positions preferring to pass nonsensically to worse sometimes impossible positions AND will not take a check or make a check to win a puck ever. Etc Etc.

In OT why he was awarded by starting I have no idea as he had played brutal, lazy and afraid all night. In OT he twice trapped himself deep in the Hurticanes’ zone just stupidly skating. In OT when he finally got back to his own zone he gave new meaning to the word fly-by. I simply don’t want to be tortured by him anymore. Please trade him.
- Z3Hawk

Z3, you call me riled up??? What the hey hey??? Haha

good news: they held a team to 2 goals in regulation
bad news: blew another 2 goals lead and loss in OT
the ugly: kane over played and then quit; Aho burries it.
very ugly: hawks with 2 pts out of their last 16 pts....whooo hooo

the thanksgiving playoff elimination express is still on track
- bogiedoc

Kane didn’t quit. He was exhausted and at bench for a change and did his very best to get back into play. Kampf complete bonehead play trapped everyone.

I’m excited for this playoff run you guys

Sharpie's Mr. Happy on the broadcast lol
- philco28

Go away Sharpie if you can’t be even slightly analytical and critical.

On 2nd Hurricanes’ PP goal there was no mention by anyone in their deep analysis that the goal was caused by Anisimov who tried to stickhandle through the entire Hurricanes’ team then getting plastered against the end boards. He took himself completely out if the play and the puck was already in the net by the time he got back to the D-Zone.

Kane didn’t quit. He was exhausted and at bench for a change and did his very best to get back into play. Kampf complete bonehead play trapped everyone.
- Z3Hawk

sorry...don't care how exhausted you are you can't lay back in OT and allow your mates to deal with a 3 on 2 where one pass beats 2 guys and game over...

he didn't even attempt to get back into the play...

I know things look bleak right now, but at least we have a somewhat restocked cupboard of prospects to hope for.

I know Boqvist is at 11 points in 13 games in London. Does anyone have any news about other prospects in juniors or other leagues?
- ObeseOprah

Try elite prospects dot com

I’m excited for this playoff run you guys
- EnzoD

I’m excited for this playoff run you guys
- EnzoD

I’m excited that the draft is in Vancouver in 2019.

good news: they held a team to 2 goals in regulation
bad news: blew another 2 goals lead and loss in OT
the ugly: kane over played and then quit; Aho burries it.
very ugly: hawks with 2 pts out of their last 16 pts....whooo hooo

the thanksgiving playoff elimination express is still on track
- bogiedoc

I don’t think the Hawks will win a game before thanksgiving. My guess is that their next win comes against Vegas on the 27th.

I don’t think the Hawks will win a game before thanksgiving. My guess is that their next win comes against Vegas on the 27th.
- DarthKane

2019? I didnt know that schedule was out already

I don't think there's any point in firing Stan unless McD is also fired because if McD is still there he is going to hire a GM that answers to him because he's a control freak and therefore the GM he hires will be looking over his shoulder from day#1 instead of hiring a GM with the final say on moves and the autonomy to do so.
- EbonyRaptor

Ding ding ding.

If they go
2-2 & 18 the next 22 games - how does Management spin this ??

If they go
2-2 & 18 the next 22 games - how does Management spin this ??
- Colbyboy

2-2-18 is a .500 team according to Foley.

I’m excited that the draft is in Vancouver in 2019.
- DarthKane

Shouldn’t be too long of a wait to see the Hawks 1st selection....BUT Maybe McStanBo will trade the Hawks 1st for Weise again for the playoff push. JC will give him a solid 12min/game unlike that idiot Quenneville

I think JC's plan to try to turnaround the team is to give each non-core player opportunity and responsibility to play important minutes/make a play. Those who perform will be part of the future; those that don't will soon be pressboxed or in Rockford.

Schmaltz is AWFUL!!! When you need to make a LIST because there are simply so many things about a player that you despise it is not good. Top of such LIST - refuses to shoot from perfect positions preferring to pass nonsensically to worse sometimes impossible positions AND will not take a check or make a check to win a puck ever. Etc Etc.

In OT why he was awarded by starting I have no idea as he had played brutal, lazy and afraid all night. In OT he twice trapped himself deep in the Hurticanes’ zone just stupidly skating. In OT when he finally got back to his own zone he gave new meaning to the word fly-by. I simply don’t want to be tortured by him anymore. Please trade him.
- Z3Hawk

Hockey sense. Some have it, #8 don't.

I know things look bleak right now, but at least we have a somewhat restocked cupboard of prospects to hope for.

I know Boqvist is at 11 points in 13 games in London. Does anyone have any news about other prospects in juniors or other leagues?
- ObeseOprah

It's easy to throw mud right now ,got give the new guy sometime . Did not see the game tonight ,seemed like the HAWKS were hitting a little more that's encouraging. Tough couple of minutes on the PK ,the dreaded DOG penalty . I hope they find their way soon ,but if It all goes south there sure are a couple shinny Jr. Players there for the picking .
Entwistle (Hamilton OHL ) Looks like a player, seen him in the Russia/Canada game here the other night easily 1st or 2nd star that night . Boqvist is a blue chipper ,and playing under Dale Hunter in London a breeding ground for pro's . Beaudin And Wise could become decent players . HAWKS will be alright