Been off the boards for a while. But I am perplexed with the lack of reality here.
What do we want as Hawk fans? This year anyways?
The team is nothing going nowhere. Why would you want this team to win one more game this year and end up 7th from the bottom with no chance at the entry draft sweepstakes? This year is already a total bust. Screw the ticket sales. Ownership SHOULD and NEEDS TO suffer along side of us for the bad bad decisions they made along the way - right Stan! Why should Rocky continue to rake it in when he gives us this to cheer for? Suffer my friend - read em' and weep along side of us. One less serving of caviar for you.
The goal should be to secure the best chance possible at getting number one draft pick. A secondary goal is to rid ourselves of the current upper management. And while we are on our way to last place in the league we should encourage some of our soon to be totally washed up big contract non producing boys to accept contracts somewhere - anywhere - else - if anyone would have them. Hey, they might even get another ring if they accept a move.
Imagine next year with Jack Hughes on a line along with all the up and comers that will be ready by then.
Go Hawks go - lose baby lose! We already know "you can do it".

Rutta on waivers.

Literally just wrote about this as a possibility. Good guess. He's not the best hockey player.

Rutta on waivers.

Literally just wrote about this as a possibility. Good guess. He's not the best hockey player.
- Justin Lowe

Do you see him passing through, what teams need a 5-6 dman?

Do you see him passing through, what teams need a 5-6 dman?
- I Am The Breadman

I do seem him passing through to be honest.

Maybe someone takes a flyer on him as a depth RHD with an expiring contract.

Glad to see Perlini is starting to come around since the Jets game.

It's all about Strome, though

I do seem him passing through to be honest.

Maybe someone takes a flyer on him as a depth RHD with an expiring contract.
- Justin Lowe

I could see him passing through and then being a piece of a trade.

Glad to see Perlini is starting to come around since the Jets game.

It's all about Strome, though
- Hank3Henshaw

Perlini was much better last night. He will be a solid top 9 guy once he gets more comfortable IMO.

So, a lot of people on here and elsewhere commenting on uncomfortable Toews / Pierre interview. They've always had great chemistry in past.

I'll share a rumor from second half of last season, now that history clearly did not turn out this way. I heard from one of my best sources near the Hawks (from when I blogged during the dark ages) that Stan was going to be out at the end of last season and the Hawks were focused on either Pierre or Brisebois from TB as the new GM. Q supposedly lobbied hard for Pierre -- they are buddies and frequent a spot on York Road in Oak Brook when Pierre is in town.

I have no insights into what (if anything) happened after that; source has gone dark since. Obviously Stan is still around. TB locked down Brisebois by handing him the keys.

But I've noticed Pierre's demeanor involving the Hawks has been strange since then.

Justin or others -- did anyone hear anything like this at all?

I do seem him passing through to be honest.

Maybe someone takes a flyer on him as a depth RHD with an expiring contract.
- Justin Lowe

It's all the signs of a trade coming, recalled and resigned, now waivers.

Perlini was much better last night. He will be a solid top 9 guy once he gets more comfortable IMO.
- Justin Lowe

Agreed

It was bitter sweet watching Seabs score his goal, and he had a "celebration face" that said I don't know how much longer I'm going to be here.

I do seem him passing through to be honest.

Maybe someone takes a flyer on him as a depth RHD with an expiring contract.
- Justin Lowe

Forgot he had a European assignment clause, wonder how that fits into the picture.

They could bring back Darryl, Brent and Rich for "one last shift" collectively or individually. "That's gold Jerry, gold"!
- Rota's Rooter

Watch out man if McD hears us talking about this he might explode his pants and demand Stan make this trade ASAP

If they team can play as well as they did last night and stay in most games BUT still lose the majority of them I think that would be the best case scenario for this team going forward. If they don't get blown out constantly, guys give a good effort, the kids develop, guys build chemistry together, you sell off Kruger, Rutta, Ward, Gus, etc. (and possibly one of AA, Keith, or Crow if you wanna get a good return and clear cap) to recoup some draft picks, prospects, etc. to clear room for a few guys to get a chance to show what they can do as well, and end up with a Top 3 pick in the Draft it could be possible to see this team turn it around next year or at least start to.

- Savetheembers33

Generally agree with this: compete and push back each game even if still missing elements to get out of the basement. Not necessarily dead last but bottom 5-7 teams. Again, dead last doesn't guarantee the 1st overall pick. The lottery still gives them a shot.

The difficult part is maintaining a positive culture that stresses growth, brotherhood, and compete level whether the team is the worst team standing wise, slightly higher, or middle of the pack.

Dahlstrom played a very solid game last night. Wasn't too flashy and made a lot of smart quick plays with the puck (like the shot that led to the Martinsen goal). That's what we need from our defense. Solid smart play. The flashy stuff will come once Boqvist, Mitchell, and Beaudin get their shot. For now we need solid smart defensive guys who can make quick plays to clear the puck from the net and D-Zone. I liked him and Murphy together. I would be on board to see them together as our 3rd pairing D for the majority of the rest of the year.

Dahlstrom showed in his first game this season what he is relied upon to do in Rockford: eat minutes, play unflashy yet steady defense, and put shots on net whenever he can.

I feel that he and Murphy could be the 2nd pair, then have Seabrook with one of Manning and Gustafsson on the 3rd pair. Keep Rutta (if he clears waivers) and Davidson (once off IR) in the AHL.

Sikura had a solid game as well. Again, nothing really flashy, but a few nice plays here and there. That's good to see and hopefully he can build off of that going forward as I'd be shocked if he end up back in Rockford (unless he plays THAT bad; then we're in even more trouble). It's harder for teams to zero in on our top 2 lines when our bottom six actually have some skill and a shot to do some damage when they hit the ice. Sikura definitely could help the team there and be able to build off of that going forward.

In his limited minutes Sikura was solid on the forecheck and backcheck with his speed. He showed composure when he had the puck and had a few prime offensive opportunities to feed linemates. He has good anticipation and surveys his options.

I like him on the 3rd line so he can get his bearings again in the NHL but could see him eventually getting some time with Toews and Saad (flip-flopping with Kahun). While I do see them with similar traits (shifty, quick, poised, patient, vision), I do see Sikura with the greater upside. But right now, nothing wrong with where both are slotted presently.

Rutta on waivers.

Literally just wrote about this as a possibility. Good guess. He's not the best hockey player.
- Justin Lowe

This has been long overdue. Like a year overdue from happening. Hate being an a$$ about guys cuz I don't wish anyone to do bad or anything like that, but there are so many key moments that lead to goals where Rutta is involved that there's no way he should have been offered the contract that he got.

Just out of curiosity, what are we looking at retaining cap wise if he goes to Rockford OR ends up going back to Europe?

I hope people quit questioning the commitment of 2, 7, 19 & 88. For a meaningless win in a lost season, Kane risked serious injury trying to get to a rolling puck for a clinching empty netter, JT was solid in both ends, Keith looked like vintage Duncs, even Saad looked like the mini-Hoss we hoped for.

Stan just needs to surround them with NHL level talent.
- scottak

that was a helluva effort..and had dislocated shoulder or wrist injury all over it...fortunately he seemed ok..

can this team put BTB effort like this...well they did a few times this year...

but until they figure out how to keep opponents under 3 they will remain at the bottom...33 games and allowed 3 or more in 26 of them...

It was bitter sweet watching Seabs score his goal, and he had a "celebration face" that said I don't know how much longer I'm going to be here.
- I Am The Breadman

yeah great shot...he is one of the few dman that gets his shot through and on net...
#2 is a play killer...

but SEAB had a hand and stick in all 3 goals by Rust...not good

So, a lot of people on here and elsewhere commenting on uncomfortable Toews / Pierre interview. They've always had great chemistry in past.

- gmurban

I had the volume on low while watching the game but did Pierre mention the obligatory reference of Toews and Crosby being products of Shattuck St. Mary's?

I had the volume on low while watching the game but did Pierre mention the obligatory reference of Toews and Crosby being products of Shattuck St. Mary's?
- AEL_Fox

No, but his moron was showing. Took forever to ask a question that was barely a question.

yeah great shot...he is one of the few dman that gets his shot through and on net...
#2 is a play killer...

but SEAB had a hand and stick in all 3 goals by Rust...not good
- bogiedoc

I know, Bogie, I know. He had a rough game, and has been rough. It was just sad to see his face.

-Strome: looking like one of Stan's best trades as he has a high hockey IQ, great poise and vision with the puck, slows the game down and makes a smart play almost every time he touches it. Also uses his long reach to compensate for the slow feet defensively. Love watching him play with Kane and Cat

-Cat: what an amazing goal to catch that grenade pass on his backhand, drag his foot for onside, walk around Matta like a cone, and shelf....love the Cat

-Martinesen-Kruger-Hayden: Pierre, for all his quirks and Eddie O infatuation, knows hockey and he called it out early that Hayden and his linemates were a force. As long as Martinesen isn't out defending the final 90 seconds of a tie game in the 3rd, when he is on his game I love how he plays...big, fast, physical, and went to the net.

-Toews+ Saad: both strong on the puck across 200ft. Toews seems to elevate his game against Sid. I thought Toews was MUCH more noticable than both Sid and Geno last night. Toews and Saad couldv'e had another 2 goals created last night.


-Dahlstrom + Joki : both were poised, moved the puck quickly and effectively and I love how both of these guys shoot first, and are excellent at getting their shot through to the net.


Really nice to get a win and have a hockey game that was full of energy, pace, scoring, and not a total poop show like we've all watched the last 6 weeks.

Justin any truth to the recent rumor of keith AA to pitt for kessell? Personally i would not do that trade i think you wait until TDL and see if any other teams could get involved. Keith to toronto makes the most sense or buffalo more because of cap space. And going forward keep kruger hayden Martinsin together simlar to vegas's 4th line. Much needed win last night but still shakey in d zone and giving up 40+ shots against.

Rather keep Seabrook than do that deal

Generally agree with this: compete and push back each game even if still missing elements to get out of the basement. Not necessarily dead last but bottom 5-7 teams. Again, dead last doesn't guarantee the 1st overall pick. The lottery still gives them a shot.

The difficult part is maintaining a positive culture that stresses growth, brotherhood, and compete level whether the team is the worst team standing wise, slightly higher, or middle of the pack.


Dahlstrom showed in his first game this season what he is relied upon to do in Rockford: eat minutes, play unflashy yet steady defense, and put shots on net whenever he can.

I feel that he and Murphy could be the 2nd pair, then have Seabrook with one of Manning and Gustafsson on the 3rd pair. Keep Rutta (if he clears waivers) and Davidson (once off IR) in the AHL.

In his limited minutes Sikura was solid on the forecheck and backcheck with his speed. He showed composure when he had the puck and had a few prime offensive opportunities to feed linemates. He has good anticipation and surveys his options.

I like him on the 3rd line so he can get his bearings again in the NHL but could see him eventually getting some time with Toews and Saad (flip-flopping with Kahun). While I do see them with similar traits (shifty, quick, poised, patient, vision), I do see Sikura with the greater upside. But right now, nothing wrong with where both are slotted presently.
- AEL_Fox

Agreed, You want to see the team play hard, grow together, and be competitive, but still end up at least in the Top 5 of the bottom of the standings. Like you said, finishing with the worst record likely won't get you the first pick. Finishing in the bottom 5 gives you a good shot at it though.

Yeah after I posted that I thought about it and wondered if they would be considered the "2nd" pair Defense. I think they may become the shutdown defense for the team with how they can bring a physical, smart, quick plays to clear the puck. Though once all are at 100%, I think it'll be Forsling and Seabrook together as the "2nd/3rd" pair with Keith and Joki at the top. Then one (or possibly both) of Manning (more likely) and Gus as the 7th D-man.

Exactly. Sikura brings more of what we need to this team and I could most definitely see him bounce up to play with Toews and Saad at some point (possibly even on a Kane line depending on how he plays). Him, Kahun (like you said), and Perlini are all guys who I see as the "wildcards" on this roster right now. Maybe one or more can "boom" with the right circumstances but more than likely they all are more than capable bottom six depth guys that this team desperately needs who fit the mold as 3rd line players who could slide up if needed.

I think the opposite. He was floating without the puck, minimal effort the first two periods. Other than hitting the post he was a non-factor.
- nickmo2699

I would have to agree with scottak on his observations of Saad last night. He was carrying and protecting the puck well last night. Quite a few times he had strong rushes up ice but it was during a line change so he didn't have any outlets to convert that rush into a better scoring opportunity. He at least got the puck deep and could have made something happen had teammates been skating on the other side or behind him.

Also, I was happy to see Saad get an EN goal after his shot off the post earlier and in so many other games prior. I know shots off the post are not goals no matter how you slice it but he could easily have 13-15 goals this season if half of them bounced in his favor.

He's on pace for 23 goals and 46 points so off his career best of 53 points. IMHO, he's been one of the best Hawks forwards. The way he has been playing since the white shirt situation, I feel he will at least match this career high.