With so much young talent on that team it's kind of ridiculous to think this season is their best shot at winning the Cup - especially after the Hawks proved you can win the Cup, go through Cap hell and still win more Cups - but it will mean they have to trade away some of that talent to do so. The best case scenario for the Leafs is to win this year (obviously) because maybe then Marleau may decide to retire which would give them back $6M toward signing their RFAs.
- EbonyRaptor

What the Hawks had that the Leafs lack are the big 3 on defense. Riley is pretty good but he's no Keith and Muzzin is good but he's no Seabrook and they don't have anything close to Hjalmersson.

Important to consider and remember, RIGHT NOW, is that for the past month, especially few weeks, the Hawks are playing PLAYOFF GAMES.

They are playing in games they must win and get points. Total desperation.

Whether they make the real playoffs or not, their younger guys are getting valuable experience NOW.

For the foreseeable future, they will continue to play in playoff games. Colorado and Dallas the next 2!!

Again, go ahead and opine about style points, but if they win these games or get points you are making progress.

Then Ana, LA and SJ. Then a bunch more games, Buf, Pho, Mon, Tor all needing points for playoff spots or positioning.

How freakin cool is that!!

That would make the mot sense, hopefully that’s Stan’s plan.
- DarthKane

Seems to fit the pattern of the last couple seasons pretty well. The only players they sold were ones that didn't seem to fit the future plans.

did anyone watch that Vegas/Boston game last night

Vegas is relentless on the foreck and forced a ton of Boston TOs. Relentless foreck is NOT talent related, its desire/will. Not fun to play against teams like that and that is why that team is so successful - we have several future HOFs - does Vegas have any? Maybe MAF? Vegas is a 5 man unit pestering the hell out of the opposition for 60 minutes and then pounces on mistakes - easy concept to understand, not so easy to implement - thoughts?
- glennjpawlak22

Agreed. This is why you see so many early round upsets in hockey compared to other sports. Effort matters. I want the kids to get a taste.

How many young players/rookies has Vegas played the last 2 years?

Does Gallant hate young players too (like Q allegedly did) - or do vets understand better on 3rd and 4th line roles, you still need to work hard/forecheck and adjust your game as your minutes limit? Where younger players do not always understand 3rd/4th line nuances?

I'm sure it's more that they hate young players

Two HUGE games coming up this weekend for the Hawks if they wanna make the Playoffs. Hawks are currently tied for 5th with Colorado who we play tomorrow and then Dallas on Sunday who we are two points behind for 4th place (they play two games before our matchup so that can change).

How many young players/rookies has Vegas played the last 2 years?

Does Gallant hate young players too (like Q allegedly did) - or do vets understand better on 3rd and 4th line roles, you still need to work hard/forecheck and adjust your game as your minutes limit? Where younger players do not always understand 3rd/4th line nuances?

I'm sure it's more that they hate young players
- PatShart

Then why did you ask?

But if you want to know, the lower lines, especially 4th line is made up of young guys playing for their hockey lives. Outside of Reeves, nobody knew of any of them prior. And Reeves was not a mainstay on the 4th line.

Expand your mind.....

did anyone watch that Vegas/Boston game last night

Vegas is relentless on the foreck and forced a ton of Boston TOs. Relentless foreck is NOT talent related, its desire/will. Not fun to play against teams like that and that is why that team is so successful - we have several future HOFs - does Vegas have any? Maybe MAF? Vegas is a 5 man unit pestering the hell out of the opposition for 60 minutes and then pounces on mistakes - easy concept to understand, not so easy to implement - thoughts?
- glennjpawlak22

they play a great team game that's what got them to finals last year; they force the play hard on the forecheck; and that is the type of game which shuts the hawks down..

the hawks even when winning cups did not play an all in forecheck; you have to be able to roll 4 lines and be in great physical shape to play like that; its a tough grind to play that way for 60 minutes...bruins play a similar style

Generally agree, but I can see Krueger or Forsling deal for picks because there's replacements for them on the farm (Highmore/Joki). I'd be shocked at a rental trade.
- mohel

I thought Kruger was for sure going to be traded, but at this point if the team is gonna make a Playoff push he's the kinda guy teams want for this time of year with the experience he has. Forsling on the otherhand, I could see being moved in a deal to acquire a better forward or D-man in return. Maybe some 2 for 1 trade. We'll see though

Then why did you ask?

But if you want to know, the lower lines, especially 4th line is made up of young guys playing for their hockey lives. Outside of Reeves, nobody knew of any of them prior. And Reeves was not a mainstay on the 4th line.

Expand your mind.....
- TrueGrit

Really? Tell me these young 4th line players they have been playing. I'm curious.

How about...hmmm.

Forsling and Anisimov for Vanek?

Hawks get a top 9 forward on the last year of his contract. Detroit gets another veteran they can flip for picks during their rebuild and Forsling since Kronwall is 38 on the last year of his deal and two other defensemen are journeyman entering UFA.

How about...hmmm.

Forsling and Anisimov for Vanek?

Hawks get a top 9 forward on the last year of his contract. Detroit gets another veteran they can flip for picks during their rebuild and Forsling since Kronwall is 38 on the last year of his deal and two other defensemen are journeyman entering UFA.
- MNHawk

No rentals.

No rentals.
- mohel

It's more about cap space after this year.

Important to consider and remember, RIGHT NOW, is that for the past month, especially few weeks, the Hawks are playing PLAYOFF GAMES.

They are playing in games they must win and get points. Total desperation.

Whether they make the real playoffs or not, their younger guys are getting valuable experience NOW.

For the foreseeable future, they will continue to play in playoff games. Colorado and Dallas the next 2!!

Again, go ahead and opine about style points, but if they win these games or get points you are making progress.

Then Ana, LA and SJ. Then a bunch more games, Buf, Pho, Mon, Tor all needing points for playoff spots or positioning.

How freakin cool is that!!
- TrueGrit

You are correct. It ultimately doesn't matter how you win, just that you win. The Hawks definitely have improved after that absolute mess when JC first took over. That was the real troubling hockey. I'm talking about the series of games where the Hawks never had the lead (I think for about 1 minutes they did once) and were down 2-3 goals in the first 5-10 minutes often. Now, they are at least playing with the lead a lot.

Some fans are never satisfied with the team. I remember the complaints and perceived huge holes that the Hawks had in years where they did play great and go deep in the playoffs. Like in 2010, there were those among us that claimed the Hawks could never win without an upgrade in net. Next was the hole at 2C that was some "huge" issue or the 3rd pair on D. They did pretty well despite the insurmountable claims of some folks.

I'm not saying this team will compete for the cup this season, but they can win a lot of games when the team is motivated and engaged. They haven't been flat nearly as often lately and Kane/Toews together is still a great duo (despite the misguided claims that they shouldn't play together).

I hope everyone just enjoys the race for the playoff spot and that we get some meaningful hockey to watch. I don't buy the claims that the Hawks could not win a series. Every single year there are upsets. That is why most experts don't accurately predict the first round better than the average Joe. The right guys get hot at the right time and a team can win. For the Hawks, it would come down to their top 4 up front and the goaltending being hot at the right time. If it happens, they have a chance to do some damage (assuming they get in). It isn't that far fetched or impossible.

It's more about cap space after this year.
- MNHawk

AA can be traded in the off-season. Forsling ain't a cap worry and could be traded for pick/prospect without hurting the current team. Unless you want to overpay a couple old guys, the Hawks don't have cap worries this year or next.

No rentals.
- mohel

If not for the contract cost and ineptitude at the dot, I like what Artie brings. Size, drives to the net/ net front presence, back checks and pulls off skilled moves at times. If we had a more solid D, having him as a 3rd line center with Saad on wing would be great depth for a cup run.

Sikura is disappointing me, was hoping he would step up when Caggiula got hurt, but seemed to be a step slow on making plays in both the offensive and defensive side. I did notice that JC had him out on the 6X5 at the end of the game, but in all fairness the goal was not his fault.

Sikura is disappointing me, was hoping he would step up when Caggiula got hurt, but seemed to be a step slow on making plays in both the offensive and defensive side. I did notice that JC had him out on the 6X5 at the end of the game, but in all fairness the goal was not his fault.
- LAHawk

He doesn't look like he has a body that is NHL ready. We know size doesn't matter, but strength, speed and agility do.

If not for the contract cost and ineptitude at the dot, I like what Artie brings. Size, drives to the net/ net front presence, back checks and pulls off skilled moves at times. If we had a more solid D, having him as a 3rd line center with Saad on wing would be great depth for a cup run.
- Popsghostly

I'm one of those cretins who believes faceoffs are vastly overrated. For those who think Artie is pricy, watch what lesser players sign for in the summer.

Two HUGE games coming up this weekend for the Hawks if they wanna make the Playoffs. Hawks are currently tied for 5th with Colorado who we play tomorrow and then Dallas on Sunday who we are two points behind for 4th place (they play two games before our matchup so that can change).
- Savetheembers33

Colorado has been Jeckyll and Hyde. Dallas however will be on game 3 in 4 nights and has a huge issue scoring more than 2 goals a night. The hawks should have no problem getting 4 points to finish out the week and being a WC team. And for all of those that had futures bets on WPG, what the hell has happened to them the last 10 games or so?

I'm one of those cretins who believes faceoffs are vastly overrated. For those who think Artie is pricy, watch what lesser players sign for in the summer.
- mohel

AA is who he is, an inconsistent mediocre center, who plays really well for a week or two then becomes a ghost for two weeks. He is a 40 point guy, not terrible, but nothing to write home about either. Honestly don't think the Hawks will miss him and can maybe get that cap hit off the books to ideally start fixing the craptastic defense.

I'm one of those cretins who believes faceoffs are vastly overrated. For those who think Artie is pricy, watch what lesser players sign for in the summer.
- mohel

IMO Arty plays a soft game for a big guy and disappears way too often. His contract isn't bad, but he isn't a bargain either considering how often he lacks intensity. He can go to the net and collect some points off the back of skilled players making plays around him, but when he plays with actual 3rd line talent his line is often outmatched. The Hawks need better for the money, because of the top heavy roster. They can't afford to pay a below average 3C 4-5 million dollars.

AA is who he is, an inconsistent mediocre center, who plays really well for a week or two then becomes a ghost for two weeks. He is a 40 point guy, not terrible, but nothing to write home about either. Honestly don't think the Hawks will miss him and can maybe get that cap hit off the books to ideally start fixing the craptastic defense.
- kwolf68

Agree about what he is. I wouldn't object to a summer trade for the reasons you give.

Agree about what he is. I wouldn't object to a summer trade for the reasons you give.
- mohel

I think that's when it happens honestly. Doubt they move him during season unless they think Highmore/johnson or whoever can replace him.

Agree about what he is. I wouldn't object to a summer trade for the reasons you give.
- mohel

Will probably be traded after July 1 when his bonus gets paid.