Let's continue to hope we make good trades. As per Coyotes, they have a good coach in Tochett. A great hustler in his day. With some additional talent, that team could be dangerous. Compete level not an issue.

Amazing what a good power play can do, and what a turnaround, even when they don't score on the pp, they look dangerous, and that is also including the second pp unit. Remember when we lamented that the bigger teams could take liberties with the smallish Hawks because they didn't fear getting scored on shorthanded? Not anymore

Bill P (wiz):

First thought cross the mind when reviewing Kirby Dach is how he is doing at his level what Edjsell.is not at AHL.

No way to know if Bowmam is intrigued by the big center type prospect. The kind with their skillset

We are embarking on a wild ride until the draft lottery when we see where we draft.

It would be a shame if we did not get to or passed.on the selection of a power forward or elite center


.

Oh my. Will this winning never end!!!! Gonna screw up our future. Stan is already taking back offers and moving from a "Sellers" mode, and thinking of buying. Oh me nerves!!! Next thing he will trade 2-3 young prospects for a high cost expiring veteran to make a playoff run.
Please no. Stop this madness. Winning is nice, but enough is enough.....


- hawk35

Dumb Stan. Look at last night. Ward (FA) .926 save %, Strome (trade) scored, Kahun (FA) scored, Caggiula (trade/thievery) scored, Gus (4th round pick) scored, Hayden (3rd round pick) scored. Colliton 34 yr old coach. Stan takes a lot of crap on this blog, but he is subtly reshaping this roster without high draft picks and without giving up draft picks, clearing cap space, stocking the prospects (at least with Dmen so far). I am willing to let him move forward.

Have you looked at the Hawks next 10 or 12 games? They play all the other last place teams in the league, plus Detroit twice, Anaheim, Vancouver, and a struggling Columbus team. That's 8 winnable games. They could really start to get into playoff contention.

It's a tough situation for Bowman now. If he is going to sell, he needs to do it quick or they are going to drop out of the top 5 of the draft. Worst case scenario would be to finish like 10th in the conference. You don't make the playoffs, and you end up drafting 9th.
- biskit67

Stan does not have much to sell other than AA, and I am not sure he has that much value. If he could move him that would be a coup just to get the cap flexibility. Other than that he could move Kunitz and Kruger, but I doubt you can get more than a 7th round pick for them. They might be ok to keep for the rest of the year and see if this team can pull off a huge surprise and make the playoffs. It's not like selling them off will effect the wins and losses much for the rest of the year. They are not difference makers. If he does buy it would be for the longer term and not a rental just for this cup run.

That is the huge distinction between JC and Q. How many mistakes did Gus make before being a scratch? The answer is right around the crap ton range. Q will go down in coach history and gave us 10 amazing years, I give credit out equally to the rest that made 3 cups happen. Q liked seasoned vets and had shorter leashes for rookie mistakes. I'm not holding it against him, I'm just saying that is a huge dividing line between the 2 coaches. The jury is still out on if JC will make it far, but I've liked the turnaround. It might be that he's younger, or knows these guys from Rock, or wants to highlight people for trade as he's told to do, or give big minutes to help them into their prime, or just thinks heavier loads can be handled with a lot of confidence, even if mistakes are piling up. Maybe some or none, idk. He's not quiet and is always instructing/trying to bond with the guys after their shifts.
- I Am The Breadman

Difference between Q and JC, Q punished guys to the teams detriment. One can argue he accelerated the decline of Keith, Seabrook and Hammer because of his decisions. And in the end, the last 2 plus years, what did that get Q and the team...a flat and uninspired team. The more Gus has been trusted, warts and all, the more of an upward trajectory the team is on. Irony.

JC way is how you build a cohesive room, not a club with unaccountable people in the Champagne room.

I like the current management style.

Dumb Stan. Look at last night. Ward (FA) .926 save %, Strome (trade) scored, Kahun (FA) scored, Caggiula (trade/thievery) scored, Gus (4th round pick) scored, Hayden (3rd round pick) scored. Colliton 34 yr old coach. Stan takes a lot of crap on this blog, but he is subtly reshaping this roster without high draft picks and without giving up draft picks, clearing cap space, stocking the prospects (at least with Dmen so far). I am willing to let him move forward.
- -Doh-

I have been very skeptical of Stan, but Cagguila, Strome and the above mentioned have all made a significant impact. Not only that, but that 88 guy keeps scoring.

I have been very skeptical of Stan, but Cagguila, Strome and the above mentioned have all made a significant impact. Not only that, but that 88 guy keeps scoring.
- nickmo2699

And the 88 guy is happy because he is being surrounded by guys who can move and play and a style that suits todays NHL. All of it is not coincidence.

Its almost comedic looking back, all Q knew how to do was request a player that was cast away or traded because of Cap....don't make me list them.

Glory days is likely first song on his play list.

Difference between Q and JC, Q punished guys to the teams detriment. One can argue he accelerated the decline of Keith, Seabrook and Hammer because of his decisions. And in the end, the last 2 plus years, what did that get Q and the team...a flat and uninspired team. The more Gus has been trusted, warts and all, the more of an upward trajectory the team is on. Irony.

JC way is how you build a cohesive room, not a club with unaccountable people in the Champagne room.

I like the current management style.
- TrueGrit

Quennville did an absolutely amazing job with the Hawks from 2008 - 2016. Then he got stale. It was time for him to go. Suggesting JC is even close to Q as a coach is laughable simply because JC has such limited experience and no accomplishments.

I'm curious on how you argue that Q " accelerated the decline of Keith, Seabrook and Hammer because of his decisions".

when the trade was made for hammy it was gutsy and forward looking...
better to trade a guy like hammy a year or two early than later...
it was high risk because it involved the a warrior and 3 cup guy like hammy...
yes hammy brought a huge toughness and shot blocking but he was on the downside of his metrics and still is..
- bogiedoc

Which is what the Hawks should have done with Seabrook right after cup 3. There was no better time to sell high on him for a genuine blue chip D prospect and other prospects and picks. I know they wanted to go for the repeat and I don't blame them for that but management really should have been looking at the long game and that should never include having two dmen on the wrong side of 30 making 12M for 7+ years. I would have offered seabrook 3-4 years after 15 and if he declined moved him that year.

Amazing what a good power play can do, and what a turnaround, even when they don't score on the pp, they look dangerous, and that is also including the second pp unit. Remember when we lamented that the bigger teams could take liberties with the smallish Hawks because they didn't fear getting scored on shorthanded? Not anymore
- LAHawk

With the power play being successful you are absolutely correct. It forces the opposition to clean up their act. Also, the team members backing each other up is huge. Haven't seen such unity until quite recently.

Quennville did an absolutely amazing job with the Hawks from 2008 - 2016. Then he got stale. It was time for him to go. Suggesting JC is even close to Q as a coach is laughable simply because JC has such limited experience and no accomplishments.

I'm curious on how you argue that Q " accelerated the decline of Keith, Seabrook and Hammer because of his decisions".
- paulr

Most likely over playing them instead of letting others work thru there mistakes

Difference between Q and JC, Q punished guys to the teams detriment. One can argue he accelerated the decline of Keith, Seabrook and Hammer because of his decisions. And in the end, the last 2 plus years, what did that get Q and the team...a flat and uninspired team. The more Gus has been trusted, warts and all, the more of an upward trajectory the team is on. Irony.

JC way is how you build a cohesive room, not a club with unaccountable people in the Champagne room.

I like the current management style.
- TrueGrit

2, 4, and 7 were worked like dogs when playoffs and x amount of ot games were played into the next morning. Many others too, but not the point right now. Imo, Keith is still a horse, decline yes, but still our best. Seabs tries, but I still like him. Very slow, but still good at hitting and blocking and the helicopter swipe away. Hammer will always be a warrior, I don't watch Ari games, so I'm not following. I do see differences in them, but to me they are still top or right below it.

JC, I'm cautious with. It took awhile for shock to settle on Q gone, and a new system to "work" you can argue it hasn't, fine with me. He's got a long way to go before he finds true success, but SB has been making good trades and signings, making the hawks a better team to watch. To me, they are playing for each other and rolling with confidence. That's hard to deflate, maybe just look at the pk or shots against, but they are competitive and fighting back. I don't care where the lotto ball falls, I'm not tank-tracking, I have an exciting team to follow.

Most likely over playing them instead of letting others work thru there mistakes
- Abadseed

I'm figuring that will be the argument too but it's very hard to dispute Q's methods when he guided the team to 3 cups. We know for certain what Q did worked. A theory telling us another would have worked too, is just a theory. As a Hawk fan I'll take the cup wins over some guys theory any day.

Stan does not have much to sell other than AA, and I am not sure he has that much value. If he could move him that would be a coup just to get the cap flexibility. Other than that he could move Kunitz and Kruger, but I doubt you can get more than a 7th round pick for them. They might be ok to keep for the rest of the year and see if this team can pull off a huge surprise and make the playoffs. It's not like selling them off will effect the wins and losses much for the rest of the year. They are not difference makers. If he does buy it would be for the longer term and not a rental just for this cup run.
- -Doh-

I think they'll end up keeping Krugs as they have zero center depth especially if they plan to move AA at some point. Interesting lines lately with a scorer on one side and a def forward on the other up and down the lineup. Would still like to see Hayden given a chance on the top line with Toews/Kane like they're doing with The Drake before they sell him for a late pick or middling prospect. Always liked Hayden and think he just needs a solid role to gameplan for rather than bumping in and out of the lineup.

When Toews was seeing everyone off the ice at the end of the game last night, those guys were jacked, and looked like they genuinely believe in what they have going right now...it was awesome to see! I hope the Hawks can shed dead weight like Kruger, AA, and Kunitz at the deadline and find themselves a nice, young cost controlled 3rd line center.

Also, I have such bro crush on Drake Caggiula right now
The kid is still only 24 which is crazy.

Nice blog! #5 is starting to play better and part of this D going forward.

OK People,

I know the Hawks have to jump over a lot of teams and played a couple more games than most, but I am a believer that they will make the playoffs. No I haven't had Kool-aid this morning.


They have to jump over the likes of the Wild, Blues, Avs, Canucks, Coyotes, Oilers, Ducks. Do any of those teams scare you? Not me. It wont' take 95 points like previous seasons to make the playoffs.

This can be done. The way the PP is thriving with Kane and Gus along with Kane's playing out of his mind with Toews on his line and JC is not juggling the lines lately, the D being shored up and learning the system, this could be a sort of Renaissance as the team is firing on all cylinders right now. Can they keep it up? Who knows, but Crow is skating again and if they keep climbing, he may be able to play again this year. Stranger things have happened. This doesn't mean I would be buyers and think Stan can sell a player or two for future picks and not really miss a beat or even make a hockey trade ala Caggiula for Manning.

Winning is contagious!

I like what I see now.

As the Kool Aid Man would say:
OH YEAH!

Much respect to Murphy. He has really shown high character and work ethic to become a solid top 4 guy. Last year he was brutal and while a large part of that result can be put on Q's plate with his constant scratching, jerking him around the lineup, the fact is Murphy DOES LOOK so much better this year, for whatever reason.

Re: Keith and Seabrook. Yes, they are not playing the way they once did, but if the Hawks hang around and have a chance at a legit playoff spot, perhaps those two will find that passion once again, or if not that just dig down a little deeper and pull something out of this.

Just think if 2 and 7 were playing at their 2015 levels, how good this team would be RIGHT NOW? The Hawks are two Top 4 D-men away from being a legit team. I have thought we need to go trade or F/A those 2 players, but maybe Keith and Seabs can be those two guys, dunno. Not holding my breath, but those guys have a legacy of brilliance and given most thought toews (admittedly younger) was washed up last year, maybe there is more in the gas tanks of 2 and 7. Who knows.

I do know it's hard to feel poopty about the team when they are on a 5-game winning streak and only 3 points out the playoffs, much as I want to feel poopty, just can't.

Also, I have such bro crush on Drake Caggiula right now
The kid is still only 24 which is crazy.
- SoftServe

He is really playing well. Bowman may not have hit a home run with that trade, but he put one in the gap that's for sure. I bet Stan hated to see that GM get fired from the Oilers, he was probably plotting another move. Davidson and Kunitz for Draisatl would have worked for me.

Nice blog! #5 is starting to play better and part of this D going forward.

OK People,

I know the Hawks have to jump over a lot of teams and played a couple more games than most, but I am a believer that they will make the playoffs. No I haven't had Kool-aid this morning.


They have to jump over the likes of the Wild, Blues, Avs, Canucks, Coyotes, Oilers, Ducks. Do any of those teams scare you? Not me. It wont' take 95 points like previous seasons to make the playoffs.

This can be done. The way the PP is thriving with Kane and Gus along with Kane's playing out of his mind with Toews on his line and JC is not juggling the lines lately, the D being shored up and learning the system, this could be a sort of Renaissance as the team is firing on all cylinders right now. Can they keep it up? Who knows, but Crow is skating again and if they keep climbing, he may be able to play again this year. Stranger things have happened. This doesn't mean I would be buyers and think Stan can sell a player or two for future picks and not really miss a beat or even make a hockey trade ala Caggiula for Manning.

Winning is contagious!

I like what I see now.

As the Kool Aid Man would say:
OH YEAH!
- stan-ley-cups

Jumped the Ducks yesterday. Can get within one point of the Canucks tonight. There is a possibility, they could be tied with other teams 1 point out of the playoffs if everything plays out in their favor today.

Oh my. Will this winning never end!!!! Gonna screw up our future. Stan is already taking back offers and moving from a "Sellers" mode, and thinking of buying. Oh me nerves!!! Next thing he will trade 2-3 young prospects for a high cost expiring veteran to make a playoff run.
Please no. Stop this madness. Winning is nice, but enough is enough.....


- hawk35

Exactly this.

2, 4, and 7 were worked like dogs when playoffs and x amount of ot games were played into the next morning. Many others too, but not the point right now. Imo, Keith is still a horse, decline yes, but still our best. Seabs tries, but I still like him. Very slow, but still good at hitting and blocking and the helicopter swipe away. Hammer will always be a warrior, I don't watch Ari games, so I'm not following. I do see differences in them, but to me they are still top or right below it.

JC, I'm cautious with. It took awhile for shock to settle on Q gone, and a new system to "work" you can argue it hasn't, fine with me. He's got a long way to go before he finds true success, but SB has been making good trades and signings, making the hawks a better team to watch. To me, they are playing for each other and rolling with confidence. That's hard to deflate, maybe just look at the pk or shots against, but they are competitive and fighting back. I don't care where the lotto ball falls, I'm not tank-tracking, I have an exciting team to follow.
- I Am The Breadman

Bread, that's what is needed to win three cups. You have to ride your horses. Am I misunderstanding what you are saying? None of us were complaining about their usage 2015 and prior when we were going on runs.

2, 4, and 7 were worked like dogs when playoffs and x amount of ot games were played into the next morning. Many others too, but not the point right now. Imo, Keith is still a horse, decline yes, but still our best. Seabs tries, but I still like him. Very slow, but still good at hitting and blocking and the helicopter swipe away. Hammer will always be a warrior, I don't watch Ari games, so I'm not following. I do see differences in them, but to me they are still top or right below it.

JC, I'm cautious with. It took awhile for shock to settle on Q gone, and a new system to "work" you can argue it hasn't, fine with me. He's got a long way to go before he finds true success, but SB has been making good trades and signings, making the hawks a better team to watch. To me, they are playing for each other and rolling with confidence. That's hard to deflate, maybe just look at the pk or shots against, but they are competitive and fighting back. I don't care where the lotto ball falls, I'm not tank-tracking, I have an exciting team to follow.
- I Am The Breadman

I watched Arizona last night, and have caught a few games on TV. If you think Seabrook has slowed down, Jammy looks just as slow, as a matter of fact looks like a left handed Seabrook now.

I think Kempny was plenty confident, just Q didn't like his game or maybe more accurately, wouldn't live with Kempny's mistakes. It's not like he played scared when he went to the Caps last year.
- Davewn

Yep, trading Kempny is not on the plus side of Stan's moves. Q being the grizzled old d-man that he was had little to none tolerance for what he saw as defensive deficiencies due to mental mistakes. He's probably making the same mental mistakes but they're not as much of a problem because the team around him is better.