Chicago might sneak into the playoffs, but it won't be because the team is any good.
- BINGO!

Wow. This coming from a Carolina fan who's team got 3rd seed into the playoffs back in the day because they were the best of a terrible division. If the Hawks make the playoffs, it won't be because they aren't any good. The current state of the team isn't the best this roster can do. They've been finding ways to lose winnable games. They need to shore up their D game, and step one was losing Ulf Samuelsson, who did a lot more harm than good.

Micheal Ferland on his linemates:

"I didn't realize how good Turbo (Teuvo Teravainen) was. I knew Sebastian Aho was a good player. I didn't realize how much Turbo goes to the hard areas and he's not afraid to get dirty. He's a feisty, feisty, one. He's feisty for his size."

The Hurricanes outscore their opponents 22-9 with TT on the ice thus far.
- BINGO!

WHO CARES...Take this HOT PILE of nonsense to the Canes Blog

Never understood the Pierre hate.

It feels more like one of those things where it's the thing to hate him. It's moronic frat house stuff to me.
- Hank3Henshaw

He always rubs me the wrong way. I can't stand him and I'm not one to get on the "hate someone" bandwagon.

High Danger CF% 5 v 5 for Blackhawk D this season (Natural Stat Trick)

This paints a little different picture.

Gustafsson 47.24
Seabrook 46.81
Keith 46.72
Jokiharju 44.67
Rutta 42.62
Manning 41.82
Davidson 25.00
Forsling 0.00
- scottak

I think the thing is that across the board the Hawks D that are generally good at stopping high danger changes also don't help generate many. The D we have that are good at generating offense are also get burned in the process of trying to be aggressive.

WHO CARES...Take this HOT PILE of nonsense to the Canes Blog
- BGKarras

there isn't one.

Well if that’s true then trade him while his value is so high for a nice big return. But it actually isn’t true.
- Z3Hawk

Schmaltz has talent, but I hate the way he plays. I agree -- get rid of him while (in other GMs' eyes) he still has "potential."

Speaking of ex Hawks, Darling looks WAY better this year so far. His positioning is still weird, but he's a lot quicker

TVR is probably bound for the press box once Pesce gets back. He's been kind of a mess. Way too soft in his own end.
- BINGO!

Really glad to hear that about Darling. Seemed that way in our games. Pulling for the kid.

Too bad about TVR. He was a Q fav. So interesting how certain coaches can get the best out of a player while others struggle to find that fit.

I think the thing is that across the board the Hawks D that are generally good at stopping high danger changes also don't help generate many. The D we have that are good at generating offense are also get burned in the process of trying to be aggressive.
- breadbag

Yes. Exactly.

That's why guys like Manning and Davidson need to play a very simple game. When they do that, they're effective.

The trend has been positive through JC's first set of games. Forget the damn playoffs. Continue to improve team play by way of compete, purpose and structure and make some roster moves.

Damn it if stanbow and McD think this team is playoff competitive then use that remaining 4 mil in cap space and bring a couple of players (and subtract a couple) who can play and add something.
- bogiedoc

Injuries mounting on the bluelines around the league (Boston, Pitt, Dallas). If he is paying attention, Stanbo should have some trade chips to acquire a forward or some mid round picks.

Wow. This coming from a Carolina fan who's team got 3rd seed into the playoffs back in the day because they were the best of a terrible division. If the Hawks make the playoffs, it won't be because they aren't any good. The current state of the team isn't the best this roster can do. They've been finding ways to lose winnable games. They need to shore up their D game, and step one was losing Ulf Samuelsson, who did a lot more harm than good.
- breadbag

.....that was 20 years ago........

Eddie’s wife was right. Doc is ridiculous with his players’ “sashaying” and “shuffleboarding” and whatever other awkward, ill-fitting descrptions he wishes to throw in. Never been a Doc’ fan. Give me Foley anyday.
- Z3Hawk

You can have him. For the last two years, if Foley is calling the game, I watch the game with the volume OFF. John Weideman should be TV play-by-play guy. I think he's excellent. Unfortunately, I can't co-ordinate timing the radio and TV broadcasts to be simultaneous, so I can't listen to him regularly.

Gus and Joki, another great game together. Joki got pp time. Gus is less of a disaster in his own end. I'm like the change and confidence that JC brings.

Forsling was also good in his limited 3rd line minutes with Manning. Forsling was good at breaking up plays and poking pucks away with his stick. He was also active in the o zone.
- I Am The Breadman

Listened to WGN post game, they were interviewing Manning and found it interesting. They asked him how Forsling did and what it was like playing with him. Manning said he played a good game, very smooth and poised for a young guy, especially playing his off side.

Also talked about the overall adjustment to a new team. Manning said it was an adjustment new teammates new defense system he wasn’t use to. Then they asked him about the difference between Q’s system vs Colliton’s, he was careful not to diss on Q, but said he likes JC’s much more, it’s more like what he’s use to. Said if there’s a lose puck and you can get it, you can just go get it. Don’t have to wait or worry about what side of the zone it’s on.

Bad teams can win games sometimes.

Brent Seabrook has 10 points already this year and glaciers move faster than he does. Anything is possible.
- BINGO!

Passing the puck to Kane does not make you a playmaker.

Just something to think about production wise.

Wow. This coming from a Carolina fan who's team got 3rd seed into the playoffs back in the day because they were the best of a terrible division. If the Hawks make the playoffs, it won't be because they aren't any good. The current state of the team isn't the best this roster can do. They've been finding ways to lose winnable games. They need to shore up their D game, and step one was losing Ulf Samuelsson, who did a lot more harm than good.
- breadbag

Not a player but Ulf's system was terrible. Lots of broken breakout passes and DMen getting caught pinching in. Maybe it would have worked with better D but that would need to be adjusted.

Agree they've lost 4 games I think blowing 2-goal leads and things like that Minny last second shorthanded game tying goal. Those were definitely winnable games.

Schmaltz has talent, but I hate the way he plays. I agree -- get rid of him while (in other GMs' eyes) he still has "potential."
- BMWChiFan

Are you guys selling anything yourselves. I have a hunch there are bargains to be had.

What is hard to give up on are Schmaltz's high end skills. Todays high speed high skill game is what a guy like Schmaltz should excel in but the skill he has in abundance he lacks smarts and competitiveness to go with it. I am sure Hawk management is hoping that he'll learn to think the game better and start getting more involved and not playing on the periphery all the time. If the Hawks can sign him to a bridge deal it will give him more time to "find his game". I'd hate to lose that potential in a young player but he has to round out his game.
- paulr

Unfortunately, aggressiveness is not in Schmaltz's DNA. He'll never be able to change.

Lot of grief for Seebs today ,he did score the winning goal getting in position for a great shot and rebound on the PP !!.. That most likely would have been knocked in by either Shamaltz or Toews if not kicked in by blues defender .

I know his contract is a lot to swallow ,but to me at least Seebs try's to play within his abilities as what they are now . And the simpler game planning of JC can only help that . As for Keith he seems to try and do far to much and ends up in trouble ,He is a great talent no doubt ,just need to use the Kiss system ..

And to me TANK !! is a dirty four letter word at this time of the year

GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!

.....that was 20 years ago........
- BINGO!

My point is that you can't make the playoffs and be a bad team anymore, Especially not in the West. If the Hawks make it, it will be because they worked for it.

Unfortunately, aggressiveness is not in Schmaltz's DNA. He'll never be able to change.
- BMWChiFan

Please tell me what stock to buy! Were you also able to look into the future and predict Teuvo Teravainen would suddenly be able to play with more aggresiveness than what he showed in Chicago? If you did the Hawks need you as their next GM!

Great to see the Hawks get back in the win column against STL last night. Gotta wonder if that is gonna further push along the idea of Q ending up back there at some point soon...

Seems like the team is gelling together after the team has played a few games and practiced together. Liking the line combinations a bit more after the past two games. One complaint though, they need to get Schmaltz away from Kane. I like him a lot as a player and he has TONS of room to grow and be a potential legit top 6 playmaker, but he is ALWAYS looking to pass to him even if he's got a lane to the net. We need to put a veteran guy or at least a guy who plays with a lot of poise out there with Toews and Kane so they can just do their thing. Dylan Sikura crossed my mind but idk how well he would adjust to that kind of pressure playing with those guys.

I liked the 12-64-24 and 20-15-40 lines a lot. The "third" line played very well at times as a power forward type of line that just drives to the net. Heck even 14-62-29 played very well and created a few scoring chances. Seems like they're starting to build some chemistry which is good.

Defense looked better again last night. I like the idea of Keith and Seabrook together even though they've both lost a few steps. Same as Kane and Toews, they're experienced and they know what to expect out of one another so they can just play and not have to overthink or over worry about things. Gus looked better with Joki which could just be a few game spurt he puts on, but we'll see. Good to see Forsling back and play solid. Hopefully he can build off that. Makes me wonder if when Murphy comes back the D-pairings are gonna be...

Keith-Seabrook
Gus-Joki
Forsling-Murphy
Manning

Time will tell.

Heard a rumor that the Kings might be willing to trade Tyler Toffoli. Wonder if Stan can find the marbles and whits to pull something like that off without overpaying.

Please tell me what stock to buy! Were you also able to look into the future and predict Teuvo Teravainen would suddenly be able to play with more aggresiveness than what he showed in Chicago? If you did the Hawks need you as their next GM!
- paulr

I'll do it if the Hawks give me their traditional NMC!

Passing the puck to Kane does not make you a playmaker.

Just something to think about production wise.
- TrueGrit

Kane or not Kane - you still have to put the puck where he can do something with it.

Easier to do with someone who can turn goose crap into foie gros - but it’s still not automatic.

He always rubs me the wrong way. I can't stand him and I'm not one to get on the "hate someone" bandwagon.
- breadbag

The most annoying thing about Pierre is he blows in the breeze like a flag. In a one minute period he will say something like “The Boston forecheck clearly will be the deciding factor tonight as Chicago simply can’t deal with it” to “Chicago’s crisp passing easily beating the Boston forecheck.” This type of sine wave analysis will go on the whole game.

I'll do it if the Hawks give me their traditional NMC!
- BMWChiFan

If you can see into the future as you claim you won't need an NMC.

Unfortunately, aggressiveness is not in Schmaltz's DNA. He'll never be able to change.
- BMWChiFan

Bingo is right about TT: he engages much more with Carolina than he did here. Seems to have traded his alligator arms for a functioning pair.

Schmaltz is only 22. Less than 100 games in the Show, I think - plus a handful in Rockfish. Giving up on him now is absurd, I think, considering his skills and potential.

Attitude wise - at least he backchecks reasonably effectively.