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.
- EbonyRaptor

Stan had no choice, Kempney was a UFA, he wasn't going to sign with him being jerked around 2 seasons by Q.

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.
- LAHawk

I saw that too. He's not playing poorly (his positioning is still top notch, and he can kill a play with the best of them), but if someone with speed is on the ice, he has issues.

Damn, playing Kunitz, Hayden, Ward, having Joki in the Rock, thought this was a tank lineup

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

https://getyarn.io/yarn-c...ac-4e60-a82f-5cb2556a35c8

I'm not going to lie, DC has been a great piece, not top line quality, but he hasn't shown a reason why he shouldn't play with 19 and 88. I hope he resigns with us. Love that he scored on his old team.

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.
- nickmo2699

It was a response to Grit saying about Q speeding up their decline. I wasn't saying that anyone was arguing against. We're good.

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.
- LAHawk

Sad to hear, but he's on a team on the cusp of the playoffs, even with all of the injuries that they've suffered through.

Some one alluded to this earlier, but has anyone regressed since JC took over? You can make a case for Jokiharju, but he hasn't really regressed (according to his numbers) and at 19 is still developing.

To me, it seems like everyone has been challenged to be better, not as good as they were/have been. Considering they are still rotating guys in and out of the lineup (after wins no less), I think Stan and JC understand that this year is a "take what you can get" situation. JC took over mid-year and is still getting everyone on the same page (and it won't be until next year that it starts to really happen). I may be overstepping here, but I think Stan is smart enough to know what he has and where they stand that he won't be selling off prime prospects and picks to go after a rental of Panarin/Simmonds/Stone, etc.

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.
- Assman22

I just do not think that Hayden has the speed, hands, and hockey IQ to play on the top two lines. Also he needs to learn to play better in our Dzone. He wonders all over the place. Often you find him in front of our net. He played center in college and has not adjusted to playing on the wing (at least defensively) in the NHL. I do like his energy and physicality. A Brandon Bollig comparison.

Murphy has really settled in. He started to improve as the season went on last year and his confidence and compete level are high.

Interesting to note, when the Hawks went down into a 5-3, it was 19, 7, 2 that JC put on the ice. That speaks to the confidence (possibly misplaced) he still has in 7 (and 2) still. #7 has been the top PK Dman for the Hawks this season and Keith isn't far behind.

As was said already....props to Hayden, he got the goal that started the momentum swing. It was a game full of huge swings and once the Hawks got the Oilers spooked, they were on their heels. It shows just how fragile the Oilers are at the moment in their losing streak vs the confidence the Hawks have with their winning streak. I think a bit part is the leadership and experience the Hawks top guys have when it comes to playing hockey.

The Hawks are playing like a team that wants to be back in the race. Not sure it is sustainable. Since Dec 18, they are 11-5-3 which is great to see. They have scored near the top of the league in that span (3rd most) but also give up a ton of shots still (3rd most).

The next game is against the team holding the WC2 slot at the moment (Vancouver) and then the Hawks play 6 games against the East. Probably the team that has the best chances of nailing down that last spot at the moment is St Louis, but Colorado could be a real possibility if they get out of their current nose dive. (If their top line gets it's mojo back)

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

Just to temper our enthusiasm:

They have scored 4+7+2+6+6=25=5 per game during this winning streak (non-ENGs). Seven on the PP and 18 5x5.

How sustainable is 5 goals per game - and only one game with less than 4 - and what happens when the goals inevitably dry up a little?

Don't forget - they did lose 5 in a row - and 7 of 8 - before this nice winning streak.

The positive on this front is that they have gotten goals from 11 skaters in these 5 wins - and only 11 (44%) from their top three scorers.

Will they have enough defense - and third-period toughness - to win some 2-1 or 3-2 games when the scoring - both PP and 5x5 - comes back to a more sustainable level?

Q isnt here anymore. When will the crying or false narrative end that he "ruined young players"?

IT IS NOT A DEVELOPMENTAL LEAGUE. THEY DO NOT GET PARTICIPATION TROPHIES. SORRY YOU WERE WIRED TO BELIEVE THAT BUT COACHES ARE THERE TO WIN AND WIN ALONE. PLAYERS AT THAT LEVEL WANT TO WIN EVERY GAME NOT TANK.

Justin Lowe: The Importance of Connor Murphy

You all know that I'm not huge on game previews or recaps, I like to delve into the more interesting.

While we're on the subject though, the Hawks exploded in the 3rd period for 5 goals and defeated the Edmonton Oilers at home 6-2.

Now we got that out of the way, I want to tell you a story about Connor Murphy.
- Justin Lowe

I've been one of Murphy's toughest critics. I always felt he didn't have the foot speed or the smarts? Then it's reported Murphy will have back surgery and not be ready for the opening of the season? I usually don't get surprised but when Connor made that defensive play on Mc Lightning with the man disadvantage, that was so (frank)ing impressive. He stayed within a sticks length to make a defensive play. When he first came back i saw a couple of forwards get by him but in the last month he's done a great job of keeping himself between the goalie and the forward. Last night was a perfect example of growth, didn't have a shot at the blue line so he tried to shoot it off the back wall to bounce in front of the goalies crease.

2 things he still has to work on,

Understand when to go to the boards and when not to

When there is any kind of prolong pressure in his own zone panics and takes some kind of bad stick penalty

He's definitely growing on me

Some one alluded to this earlier, but has anyone regressed since JC took over? You can make a case for Jokiharju, but he hasn't really regressed (according to his numbers) and at 19 is still developing.

To me, it seems like everyone has been challenged to be better, not as good as they were/have been. Considering they are still rotating guys in and out of the lineup (after wins no less), I think Stan and JC understand that this year is a "take what you can get" situation. JC took over mid-year and is still getting everyone on the same page (and it won't be until next year that it starts to really happen). I may be overstepping here, but I think Stan is smart enough to know what he has and where they stand that he won't be selling off prime prospects and picks to go after a rental of Panarin/Simmonds/Stone, etc.
- Chunk

I think this will be a pretty quiet trade deadline for the Hawks. I don't think Stan is dumb enough to part with futures for rentals and his pending UFAs will bring back pretty meager returns and are actually contributing. Things look much rosier after this 5 game winning streak (and such weak rivals in the wild card race), but this team is just as likely to reel off 5 losses in a row. If and when any of the bigger names with term and trade clauses move, I think it will be around the draft.

An observation here-

Other than that embarrassment against the Devils, the Hawks have been decent in the past 20 games even beyond the 5-game win streak. In those games, they had OT losses to Nashville, Islanders and Flames, and 1 goals losses to the Knights, Rangers, (Bruins too if you don’t count the ENG). Some quality opponents.

Even when they went on that 8-game losing streak and rough patch, look who beat them- Jets- twice, Predators, Knights-twice, Flames, Capitals and Lightning. During this time the team was still going through the Q firing shock. Some quality opponents here too.

Yeah the D is porous and when Kaner comes down to Earth, we’ll be in trouble due to the lack of secondary scoring but perhaps this team isn’t as bad as we think, and is simply a bubble team. The true gauge of the Hawks is upcoming when we face the Wings, Sens and other teams with below .500 records. If can win a majority of those games, it’ll support the bubble theory. That said, I still think tanking and drafting high is the best for the team rather than being a bubble team for the next 10 years and making it in as a Wild Card a few of the years.

Murphy has really settled in. He started to improve as the season went on last year and his confidence and compete level are high.

Interesting to note, when the Hawks went down into a 5-3, it was 19, 7, 2 that JC put on the ice. That speaks to the confidence (possibly misplaced) he still has in 7 (and 2) still. #7 has been the top PK Dman for the Hawks this season and Keith isn't far behind.

As was said already....props to Hayden, he got the goal that started the momentum swing. It was a game full of huge swings and once the Hawks got the Oilers spooked, they were on their heels. It shows just how fragile the Oilers are at the moment in their losing streak vs the confidence the Hawks have with their winning streak. I think a bit part is the leadership and experience the Hawks top guys have when it comes to playing hockey.

The Hawks are playing like a team that wants to be back in the race. Not sure it is sustainable. Since Dec 18, they are 11-5-3 which is great to see. They have scored near the top of the league in that span (3rd most) but also give up a ton of shots still (3rd most).

The next game is against the team holding the WC2 slot at the moment (Vancouver) and then the Hawks play 6 games against the East. Probably the team that has the best chances of nailing down that last spot at the moment is St Louis, but Colorado could be a real possibility if they get out of their current nose dive. (If their top line gets it's mojo back)
- breadbag

Hawks play CO 3 more times and StL one more time. Even if the Hawks do not make the playoffs they could have a say in who does make the playoffs. I would not mind knocking the Blows out of the playoffs by beating them in the UC on April 3rd.

Playoffs?! Don't talk about playoffs! Are you kidding me? Playoffs?! I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game! (Jim Mora - Indianapolis Colts)

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.
- kwolf68

Totally agree! I'm trying to feel calm and level-headed about the Blackfrogs with the mess of hopping they got to do, but the what if's are floating wildly up there. A 5 game win streak doesn't atone for the 2 8-game losing streaks, but they are facing the right direction at least. Some can argue, fine by me.

"I don't want to come back down from this cloud'" -Bush

I like Murphy a lot. He has really stepped up this year.

The issue I see is the crowd of right handed defenseman. Seabrook is nearly immovable, Joker should be full time next season and obviously Murphy slotting in his poop down role. How does one convince Michell and Boqvist that their is an opportunity? I would personally like to sign Mitchell this summer and let Boq play another summer in the O. That is all only if the opportunity can present itself.
- zm333

Boqvist nearly made the team this year despite everyone agreeing he should develop (including him). The kid is too talented to not be given an opportunity. The only argument I could see against him is his physical size.

It was rare not to see this Hawks team implode like they have all year when things haven't gone their way.

I also wonder if they have changed their conditioning program, it seems to me this team gets stronger the longer the game goes on?

An observation here-

Other than that embarrassment against the Devils, the Hawks have been decent in the past 20 games even beyond the 5-game win streak. In those games, they had OT losses to Nashville, Islanders and Flames, and 1 goals losses to the Knights, Rangers, (Bruins too if you don’t count the ENG). Some quality opponents.

Even when they went on that 8-game losing streak and rough patch, look who beat them- Jets- twice, Predators, Knights-twice, Flames, Capitals and Lightning. During this time the team was still going through the Q firing shock. Some quality opponents here too.

Yeah the D is porous and when Kaner comes down to Earth, we’ll be in trouble due to the lack of secondary scoring but perhaps this team isn’t as bad as we think, and is simply a bubble team. The true gauge of the Hawks is upcoming when we face the Wings, Sens and other teams with below .500 records. If can win a majority of those games, it’ll support the bubble theory. That said, I still think tanking and drafting high is the best for the team rather than being a bubble team for the next 10 years and making it in as a Wild Card a few of the years.
- Popsghostly

I mean goals from Strome, Kahun, Hayden and Cagguila last night. If you look at the whole league, you will see a lack of secondary scoring on every team not named Tampa or Calgary.

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

First, I am not anointing JC above Q or anyone. I am simply talking philosophy. I will also go further and say the philosophy is dictated by circumstances, which work out to JC favor in my perception. To be clear, there is less expectation to win now, so there is more real/perceived tolerance for players to develop.

Agree on the stale part for sure. As we saw with Pittsburgh, who enjoyed glory and then tough times, decisions they made in how they played and structured their roster in real time, minimized the depths sub par play. Even with bad injuries and Cap issues, they were competitive and made the playoffs. They never had to rebuild, they retooled. That meant changing the captain of the ship a few times.

I know I do it a lot, but I am not belittling the teams accomplishments, which Q is a big part of.

My argument for the potential acceleration of decline is simply how much he leaned on them to play so many hard minutes. I would not trade any of those minutes for the 2015 outcome, but even the last few years, the reluctance to utilize other defenders and run them out of town took away added capacity.

Hawks play CO 3 more times and StL one more time. Even if the Hawks do not make the playoffs they could have a say in who does make the playoffs. I would not mind knocking the Blows out of the playoffs by beating them in the UC on April 3rd.

Playoffs?! Don't talk about playoffs! Are you kidding me? Playoffs?! I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game! (Jim Mora - Indianapolis Colts)
- -Doh-

I've said to knock teams out of playoff spots in a couple of pm's to guys, also. I would love to screw with the blues, like last season.

I just do not think that Hayden has the speed, hands, and hockey IQ to play on the top two lines. Also he needs to learn to play better in our Dzone. He wonders all over the place. Often you find him in front of our net. He played center in college and has not adjusted to playing on the wing (at least defensively) in the NHL. I do like his energy and physicality. A Brandon Bollig comparison.
- -Doh-

Hayden, to me, could be a 3rd line keeper. Has some hands. Plays physical....but....has to show consistency. Some shifts he looks like a solid power forward, others he is invisible. When playing well, I love him as a 3rd liner. Plus, he is young and SHOULD get better.

I mean goals from Strome, Kahun, Hayden and Cagguila last night. If you look at the whole league, you will see a lack of secondary scoring on every team not named Tampa or Calgary.
- nickmo2699

Last 2 games it's been the secondary scoring doing the damage, the Wild weren't going to let Kane beat them, the Cat, Strome and Kahun line have been a productive line.

Hayden, to me, could be a 3rd line keeper. Has some hands. Plays physical....but....has to show consistency. Some shifts he looks like a solid power forward, others he is invisible. When playing well, I love him as a 3rd liner. Plus, he is young and SHOULD get better.
- hawk35

He seems pretty strong on the puck when he can actually get to it and is willing to go to the net. His trouble seems to be when he floats and doesn't play physically. I don't have a problem with him in the bottom 6 at all.

Totally agree! I'm trying to feel calm and level-headed about the Blackfrogs with the mess of hopping they got to do, but the what if's are floating wildly up there. A 5 game win streak doesn't atone for the 2 8-game losing streaks, but they are facing the right direction at least. Some can argue, fine by me.

"I don't want to come back down from this cloud'" -Bush
- I Am The Breadman

Nice prediction on Talbot last night