More proof that this little warm streak is simply a mirage.
- mohel

Playing run and gun hockey with no regard to defense with most of the action in the Hawk end, being outshot almost every game and with a terrible penalty kill isn't sustainable. However it's fun watching them win. And maybe I'm wrong, maybe one way pond hockey is the wave of the future?

If you missed it... I am compiling a Mailbag Blog: trade deadline edition for tomorrow.

Some of you have posted great questions already that I will add in.

Send me anything about the Hawks deadline, future roster and/or prospects.

Cheers,
Ty

Forsling for Kapanen makes too much sense, no?
- Assman22

Chicago would need to offer A LOT more, like maybe a 3rd round draft pick.

Playing run and gun hockey with no regard to defense with most of the action in the Hawk end, being outshot almost every game and with a terrible penalty kill isn't sustainable. However it's fun watching them win. And maybe I'm wrong, maybe one way pond hockey is the wave of the future?
- paulr

I think that's the only way for this team to be competitive at this time.

If you're a Hawk fan if you're a Leaf fan makes 0 sense
- HamiltonHawk

Cap hell is a female dog. They're screwed on defense. Young cheap offensively-strong Swedish d-man - right up Babcock's alley. You're right tho Kap > Forsling

Thought the Vanek non-call last night was unfortunate. All 4 officials missed the play. In the future, that type of incident needs to be reviewable. The NHL doesn't need to review things like the NFL. But, when a guy is leaking from his lip to the bottom of his chin, it needs further investigation IMHO.

Cap hell is a female dog. They're screwed on defense. Young cheap offensively-strong Swedish d-man - right up Babcock's alley. You're right tho Kap > Forsling
- Assman22

You're right about cap hell. But there's still gonna be a lot of teams that offer more than Forsling. Lots more.

We ARE in the bizzaro world. From Mark Lazerus’ article in The Athletic today.

Sure is. The off-again, on-again linemates were brought back together for the fourth time in the past two seasons ahead of the Jan. 20 game against the Capitals. The Blackhawks started their seven-game win streak that vaulted them back into playoff contention that afternoon, with Toews and Kane each putting up five points. In all, Kane has a ridiculous 11 goals and 16 assists in the 12 games they’ve been together, and Toews has an only slightly less ridiculous 10 goals and nine assists. And only five of those 20 goals have come on the power play. So they’ve been clearly dominant in 5-on-5 play.

Well, sort of. The underlying numbers are actually quite bizarre. Their relative Corsi is in the black, but they’re still under water (entering Wednesday’s game) at 46.94 percent. They’re getting out-shot and out-chanced, but they’re outscoring opponents 15-8 at 5-on-5. Include the stint they had together earlier in the season, and the Blackhawks have given up 93 high-danger scoring chances while posting just 66 of their own with Kane and Toews on the ice together. But high-danger goals? They’re up 7-4. (All analytics via Natural Stat Trick.)
- scottak

its upside down kinda streak...BUT you can bet these 1 goal high scoring wins will go the other way at some point just like it did with two 8 game losing streaks...

JL: Since it appears that Stan is looking to make "hockey trades" at the TDL, what trades do you see (or don't see) the Hawks making?

Elliote Friedman said this morning on NHL radio, that if the Hawks make any deal, it will be a hockey trade with players going both ways, they aren't sellers, but aren't buyers either.
- LAHawk

Mike Babcock is drooling in anticipation of getting Jonathan Toews in trade for the playoff run, because as pronounced on this board last year his days as a #1C were over and should be shipped out for a #2 pick to hasten the rebuild.

its upside down kinda streak...BUT you can bet these 1 goal high scoring wins will go the other way at some point just like it did with two 8 game losing streaks...
- bogiedoc

Well if you realize that the team as currently comprised on defense is horrible, and even if trying to play a more defensive style you are still going to give up 3-4 goals a game, might as well let the stallions run, cause the only way we are giving up 2 goals or less if the goaltenders stand on their head. That is why I hope Crawford doesn't come back this year, imagine if Anthony Mantha would of run over Crow last night instead of Ward, we have seen that already when Crow returned and why he went back on the shelf.

More proof that this little warm streak is simply a mirage.
- mohel

Or proof that Toews and Kane deserve to be considered in the top 100 players of all time...

Lots of sarcasm about moving this guy or that for “glorious cap space” - but in a hard cap league going forward, the teams that will ultimates keep Cup windows open for more than one or two runs are those that (a) manage the cap most effectively, and (b) find “cheap” young talent that shines above the league (which is part of the same thing).

Cap space is as important an asset as a top-tier talent.
- StLBravesFan

All the more important to be as successful as we have with the Euro free agents. They contribute a lot and are cheap (minus the performance bonuses of course).

A lot of people here don’t want to admit it, but Seabrook’s still the second best defender on the roster.
- Ogilthorpe2

Mostly agree with this; it was a disaster the past two games.

Well if you realize that the team as currently comprised on defense is horrible, and even if trying to play a more defensive style you are still going to give up 3-4 goals a game, might as well let the stallions run, cause the only way we are giving up 2 goals or less if the goaltenders stand on their head. That is why I hope Crawford doesn't come back this year, imagine if Anthony Mantha would of run over Crow last night instead of Ward, we have seen that already when Crow returned and why he went back on the shelf.
- LAHawk

Don't get me started. You CAN'T deliver an open ice clean check anymore because the guy did his job. But, you CAN run goaltenders at your leisure. Gotta love the consistency of the NHL, sometimes.

I think that's the only way for this team to be competitive at this time.
- mohel

I think this is the way the league is going, towards a more up tempo, more offense type of game. Just keep the puck in the offensive zone, and if it does get in your zone, get to it and get it out quickly. Pressure the puck carrier to cough it up when you don't have it. The defense is going more towards rover/puck movers because of this. Although, I think a team like this needs a deep group of forwards. Look at how Pittsburgh won, with this type of style. The hawks/Stan know this and are trying to adapt. I think this is the reason for the man to man scheme.

Chicago would need to offer A LOT more, like maybe a 3rd round draft pick.
- DarthKane

Right.

Two question marks i could live without. This Kapenen is far more intriguing and worth more than oh let us say Saad. What Saad can be vs what the pundits suggest is the soon erstwhile Maple Leaf. Have that thought with a soggy donut and a Tim Horton's coffee!

Or proof that Toews and Kane deserve to be considered in the top 100 players of all time...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

No way. Kane maybe sneaks into the low 90's.

I think this is the way the league is going, towards a more up tempo, more offense type of game. Just keep the puck in the offensive zone, and if it does get in your zone, get to it and get it out quickly. Pressure the puck carrier to cough it up when you don't have it. The defense is going more towards rover/puck movers because of this. Although, I think a team like this needs a deep group of forwards. Look at how Pittsburgh won, with this type of style. The hawks/Stan know this and are trying to adapt. I think this is the reason for the man to man scheme.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Agreed. I was saying that trying to win games 5-4 is the only option for the Hawks now, and that they've embraced that. I don't think it'll get them anywhere if they get in the playoffs, but they're gonna get nowhere trying to win 3-2, imo.

Agreed. I was saying that trying to win games 5-4 is the only option for the Hawks now, and that they've embraced that. I don't think it'll get them anywhere if they get in the playoffs, but they're gonna get nowhere trying to win 3-2, imo.
- mohel

if they get in the playoffs and get smoked in 5 because they do not embrace the full team D concept, that would not be the worst thing - learning not only how to play playoff hockey, but also learning how to WIN playoff hockey games is very important to the growth of this team

Thought the Vanek non-call last night was unfortunate. All 4 officials missed the play. In the future, that type of incident needs to be reviewable. The NHL doesn't need to review things like the NFL. But, when a guy is leaking from his lip to the bottom of his chin, it needs further investigation IMHO.
- gabriel

I still remember the game where Jocelyn Lemieux had his face butchered from Konstantinov and nothing was called. I guess there is a different rule book when Chicago plays in Detroit.

What happened to The Drake?

No way. Kane maybe sneaks into the low 90's.
- mohel

When he's done Kane will be the best American born player. EVer.

There isn't 89 better players ever.....not a chance.

We ARE in the bizzaro world. From Mark Lazerus’ article in The Athletic today.

Sure is. The off-again, on-again linemates were brought back together for the fourth time in the past two seasons ahead of the Jan. 20 game against the Capitals. The Blackhawks started their seven-game win streak that vaulted them back into playoff contention that afternoon, with Toews and Kane each putting up five points. In all, Kane has a ridiculous 11 goals and 16 assists in the 12 games they’ve been together, and Toews has an only slightly less ridiculous 10 goals and nine assists. And only five of those 20 goals have come on the power play. So they’ve been clearly dominant in 5-on-5 play.

Well, sort of. The underlying numbers are actually quite bizarre. Their relative Corsi is in the black, but they’re still under water (entering Wednesday’s game) at 46.94 percent. They’re getting out-shot and out-chanced, but they’re outscoring opponents 15-8 at 5-on-5. Include the stint they had together earlier in the season, and the Blackhawks have given up 93 high-danger scoring chances while posting just 66 of their own with Kane and Toews on the ice together. But high-danger goals? They’re up 7-4. (All analytics via Natural Stat Trick.)
- scottak

For myself i just don't take much stock in these fancy stats. Even though the Red Wings outshot the Hawks the Blackhawks dictated play for 2 periods, long stretches of puck possession in the Wings zone.

i missed the first half of the 3rd period, the last half they played solid 200 feet of hockey, to me it was pretty even and if Keith is able to get his stick on that pass it doesn't even go to OT.

These fancy stats kind of tell a story but i equate them to the fancy math numbers investors came up with to confuse the world's banking system to buy up bad mortgages in bundles.

if they get in the playoffs and get smoked in 5 because they do not embrace the full team D concept, that would not be the worst thing - learning not only how to play playoff hockey, but also learning how to WIN playoff hockey games is very important to the growth of this team
- glennjpawlak22

I concur, 100%. Getting their butts handed to them might result in some players buying in on defense in the future.