The tradition of retiring numbers is silly IMO, but if it’s gonna happen the 28 should already be a done deal.

Larmer was all about the game, not about blowing smoke up anyone's ass. Definition of a true professional, and a HOF one in my opinion.

i agree and get your point...i just wasn't sure how else to phrase it..

i don't think anyone expected cat to approach 40 this year and strome at a pt/gm clip since he arrived...c'mon...

my point is that with out this high octane scoring from the top 5....the hawks might be south of the kings...
- bogiedoc

Yep exactly.

Remember, coming into this season we were hoping that Kane would still be Kane and be at least as good as he was in 2017/18 when he scored "only" 76 points in 82 games which was only the 4th time in 11 seasons that Kane didn't average at least 1 point per game or better.

Toews was supposedly on the downslide after a couple sub par seasons and he had the lowest goal total (20) and point total (52) of his career. We were just hoping to see a little of the old Toews all around game even if the scoring wasn't there.

Then there was DeBrincat who had a great rookie season with 28 goals and tied Toews with 52 points. An optimistic hope was he could get 30-some goals and 65'ish points.

With Schmaltz we hoped he could take the next step and become the 2C and not be so deferential to Kane with passing instead of shooting. Also with 52 points the hope he could get into the 60+ point range too. This was his opportunity to become the center we needed him to be for this and future seasons. Obviously that didn't work as planned but Strome is here now and filling the 2C role very well and should be a core piece going forward - and he's also scoring at pt/gm which is even more than we hoped Schmaltz would do.

Gustafsson was hardly even an afterthought heading into this season, but if he were thought of at all it was pretty much about his bad defense. He is now the 10th highest scoring d-man in the league with 43 points, after scoring only 16 points in 35 games last season.

There were other things that "needed to go right" for the Hawks to be successful and some of those have gone well and others have not - but the main thing was Kane, Toews, DeBrincat and Schmaltz (Strome) had to be better and lead the way and they have done that in spades with the unforeseen bonus of the emergence of Gustafsson as an offensive force.

Can you imagine how dismal this season would have been without the offensive explosion of those players?

Idk if I like the idea of Dzingel. Having a career year on his walk year is always a red flag for me. Especially when they're asking for around 6M per
- Savetheembers33

He’ll take a hometown discount. Kid is jonesing to play in an Indian Head sweater.

No I just know how to think big picture and not get suckered in to the moment. Might as well draft as close to #1 as possible if we aren’t gonna win the ultimate prize. That’s why I’m rooting for losses. I mean...is it really that hard to understand?

You act like I’m the one who’s losing his mind here when in reality it’s you and the countless other fans that seem to lack the ability to grasp such a SIMPLE concept. Winning games/making the playoffs does nothing for the future of the franchise. And while losing doesn’t 100% guarantee us a better draft pick, it at the very least puts us closer mathematically to landing one. And at this point(not good enough to win the Cup) what else could you possibly want? We’ve got a lot of nice pieces to build with. So let’s go and land another future asset instead of fighting for the present which inevitably leads us nowhere.
- SimpleJack

You might get a team to bite on acquiring Gus drpending upon whom yheir scouts and GM like in the draft. The idea is they get Gus and the teams exchange first round choices. You will not get near the top two and maybe not even to #5 overall by offering Gus alone. However if you are really after the 4th or next couple selections thennyou might consider offering Mitchell. I prefer to kerp the lefty Beaudin who plays defense better than the other prospects. Of course Boqvist is both far from ready and should not be considered tradable.

It is a shame to lpose yhe luxury of carrying Gus. You do fans and players a fis service by not playing hard for playoffs. You would do a disservice to the team and its fans by not going hard for a playoff but only with the available talent.

You might get a team to bite on acquiring Gus drpending upon whom yheir scouts and GM like in the draft. The idea is they get Gus and the teams exchange first round choices. You will not get near the top two and maybe not even to #5 overall by offering Gus alone. However if you are really after the 4th or next couple selections thennyou might consider offering Mitchell. I prefer to kerp the lefty Beaudin who plays defense better than the other prospects. Of course Boqvist is both far from ready and should not be considered tradable.

It is a shame to lpose yhe luxury of carrying Gus. You do fans and players a fis service by not playing hard for playoffs. You would do a disservice to the team and its fans by not going hard for a playoff but only with the available talent.
- jhawk59

Idk if I like the idea of Dzingel. Having a career year on his walk year is always a red flag for me. Especially when they're asking for around 6M per
- Savetheembers33

His career scoring has been an upward progression - it's not like he had plateaued and now this season is an outlier.

2016/17: 14 goals 32 points in 81 games
2017/18: 23 goals 41 points in 79 games
2018/19: 22 goals 44 points in 57 games

He skates well, has a high motor, plays either wing or center. and pots 20+ goals and 50'ish points or better. Hopefully the Hawks can sign him for more like around $5M.

His career scoring has been an upward progression - it's not like he had plateaued and now this season is an outlier.

2016/17: 14 goals 32 points in 81 games
2017/18: 23 goals 41 points in 79 games
2018/19: 22 goals 44 points in 57 games

He skates well, has a high motor, plays either wing or center. and pots 20+ goals and 50'ish points or better. Hopefully the Hawks can sign him for more like around $5M.
- EbonyRaptor

Caggiulla-Toews-Kane
Cat-Strome-Dzingel
Saad-Anisimov-Kahun
Kampf-Kruger-Hayden

Yep exactly.

Remember, coming into this season we were hoping that Kane would still be Kane and be at least as good as he was in 2017/18 when he scored "only" 76 points in 82 games which was only the 4th time in 11 seasons that Kane didn't average at least 1 point per game or better.

Toews was supposedly on the downslide after a couple sub par seasons and he had the lowest goal total (20) and point total (52) of his career. We were just hoping to see a little of the old Toews all around game even if the scoring wasn't there.

Then there was DeBrincat who had a great rookie season with 28 goals and tied Toews with 52 points. An optimistic hope was he could get 30-some goals and 65'ish points.

With Schmaltz we hoped he could take the next step and become the 2C and not be so deferential to Kane with passing instead of shooting. Also with 52 points the hope he could get into the 60+ point range too. This was his opportunity to become the center we needed him to be for this and future seasons. Obviously that didn't work as planned but Strome is here now and filling the 2C role very well and should be a core piece going forward - and he's also scoring at pt/gm which is even more than we hoped Schmaltz would do.

Gustafsson was hardly even an afterthought heading into this season, but if he were thought of at all it was pretty much about his bad defense. He is now the 10th highest scoring d-man in the league with 43 points, after scoring only 16 points in 35 games last season.

There were other things that "needed to go right" for the Hawks to be successful and some of those have gone well and others have not - but the main thing was Kane, Toews, DeBrincat and Schmaltz (Strome) had to be better and lead the way and they have done that in spades with the unforeseen bonus of the emergence of Gustafsson as an offensive force.

Can you imagine how dismal this season would have been without the offensive explosion of those players?
- EbonyRaptor

and how about that secondary scoring: perlini (3), kampf (3), kruger (4), kunitz (1), Hayden (3) but maybe kahun (11), arte (10) and Caggiula are the secondary scoring

Caggiulla-Toews-Kane
Cat-Strome-Dzingel
Saad-Anisimov-Kahun
Kampf-Kruger-Hayden
- EnzoD

There you go - an upgrade on the 2nd line which pushes an upgrade on the 3rd line. There is a "hockey trade" that Stan can make that would also help the push for the playoffs - depending on what the cost to Ottawa would be. Or, just sign him in the summer as a UFA

and how about that secondary scoring: perlini (3), kampf (3), kruger (4), kunitz (1), Hayden (3) but maybe kahun (11), arte (10) and Caggiula are the secondary scoring
- bogiedoc

The secondary scoring isn't that bad when you consider Saad (21), AA (10) and Kahun (11).

There you go - an upgrade on the 2nd line which pushes an upgrade on the 3rd line. There is a "hockey trade" that Stan can make that would also help the push for the playoffs - depending on what the cost to Ottawa would be. Or, just sign him in the summer as a UFA
- EbonyRaptor

Yep and my suggested 3rd line had some shifts together tonight and looked good. I see no reason to break up the Top Line as Caggiulla has been a perfect fit

Yep and my suggested 3rd line had some shifts together tonight and looked good. I see no reason to break up the Top Line as Caggiulla has been a perfect fit
- EnzoD

I agree. Caggiula isn't filling the net but he's playing his role and if it ain't broke - don't fix it.

Speaking of the Hawks scoring so well this season - scoring is up across the league and I'm wondering what the reason for it is. There are currently 34 guys averaging 1 point per game of better and although maybe some of them tail off before the end of the season - that is a whole lot more players than in the past bunch of season. Looking at the scoring leaders and figuring anything 82 points and above for the entire season would be the cutoff for ppg scorers. Look at the past few seasons:

2018/19 - 34 players averaging 1+ ppg
2017/18 - 20 players with 82+ points
2016/17 - 7 players with 82+ points
2015/16 - 5 players with 82+ points
2014/15 - 3 players with 82+ points

Was there a change in goalie pads or something?

Yep and my suggested 3rd line had some shifts together tonight and looked good. I see no reason to break up the Top Line as Caggiulla has been a perfect fit
- EnzoD

Question is whether The Drake will be Panik 2.0 or not. I’d say ride him til he flames out.

I agree. Caggiula isn't filling the net but he's playing his role and if it ain't broke - don't fix it.

Speaking of the Hawks scoring so well this season - scoring is up across the league and I'm wondering what the reason for it is. There are currently 34 guys averaging 1 point per game of better and although maybe some of them tail off before the end of the season - that is a whole lot more players than in the past bunch of season. Looking at the scoring leaders and figuring anything 82 points and above for the entire season would be the cutoff for ppg scorers. Look at the past few seasons:

2018/19 - 34 players averaging 1+ ppg
2017/18 - 20 players with 82+ points
2016/17 - 7 players with 82+ points
2015/16 - 5 players with 82+ points
2014/15 - 3 players with 82+ points

Was there a change in goalie pads or something?
- EbonyRaptor

They reduced the size of the chest protectors, possibly the leg pads too. But I’m 100% sure the chest protector was downsized.

They reduced the size of the chest protectors, possibly the leg pads too. But I’m 100% sure the chest protector was downsized.
- EnzoD

Ah - I figured it had to be something like that. Cool - I like the higher scoring.

Ah - I figured it had to be something like that. Cool - I like the higher scoring.
- EbonyRaptor

https://www.google.com/ur...oM7B&ust=1551000418770288

“Changes to Goaltending Gear

Last year, goalies were forced to shrink their leg pads and pants. In 2018-19, the league has turned its focus to arm and chest protectors. Here, the NHL wants netminders making saves with their skill and athleticism, as opposed to simply shrugging their pad into the right place.

The updated Rule 11.3, which handles chest and arm pads, focuses on making sure pads are fitted specifically for each netminder and not excessively large.

"The chest and arm protector worn by each goalkeeper must be anatomically proportional and size-specific based on the individual physical characteristics of that goalkeeper," the rule states.

It then goes into specifics on how arm, elbow, shoulder and clavicle should be sized:

"Elbow floaters have been reduced from 7 inches to 6 across the front. Bicep and forearm pads must taper—5.5 inches to 4.5, then 4.5 to 4. Clavicle floaters cannot extend more than 2 inches above the shoulder at the lateral edge, 1.5 inches at midpoint and 0.5 inches at the medial edge. Shoulder caps cannot project laterally beyond shoulders more than 1.5 inches."”

Not if you don’t get NHL level goaltending.
- LAHawk

Great point.The choice of Delia in this very key game was simply wrong.He looked awful on a number of goals tonight.It is hard enough to beat good teams - borders on the impossible if the goaltending is poor.

He hadn't played an NHL game in a month and he's thrust into a virtual 4 pointer like this. That's my guess as to his limited minutes. I'm not a huge fan of his...yet.
- philco28

Joki, arguably from the start of the season, and certainly right this second, is a better D-Man than Gus, Dahlstrom, Koekoek and Forsling. Colliton is in over his head.You don’t go from coaching Swedish Beer League to the NHL. It is actually a joke. You see the immature “coaching” at key times. Well coached teams do NOT have D-Men like Koekoek making dangerous cross-ice passes that give up a break-away for the GWG, late in a game. That pass was just ridiculous. Gus, of course, was of absolutely no help defensively on that play.

Gus is AWFUL. I do NOT care about his offence or his PP play. He is minus 11 after a minus 2 last night. He hasn’t fallen further because of an outlier plus 4 against a weak Wings team. Colliton loves Gus, dislikes Joki. Are you freakin’ kidding me? Gus was AWFUL on the last 2 Avs’ goals. Was too high on the Koekoek give-away so, of course, could do nothing to prevent the break-away, for the GWG. Then on the Empty Net goal he made no effort at all to win the puck at the blue-line. Then just loafed down the ice - Gus has no heart, he couldn’t care less. Trade him for any return please - addition by subtraction.

Colliton is NOT an NHL Coach - he never even had to prove he was an AHL Coach. Last season he rode old veterans, with no future with the Hawks, to minor play-off success in Rockford. Get it - he didn’t develop young players at the AHL level, he rode old players. Any improvements the Hawks have shown have come from Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook and Ward willing it - they are “coaching” this team trying to over-come Colliton’s non-sensical moves.

Joki made the rookie mistake of contesting a shot and the timing of that likely messed up Delia's read. Youth is on his side you're right.

Kahun loses a D-Zone draw that is subsequently buried.
Koekkoek gift wraps a breakaway. Credit to him for trying to break it up, but dude made a great shot.

Team gives up 7 at home vs Ott, blows a 4-1 3rd period lead in Det (but wins) and tonight are chasing the game from the hop. Defensive frailties remain glaring.

Lucky for this club, there are many games to play.
- philco28

Thought Delia could have done better with that one. The one where Toews and Young Henri were on the double team.

I agree. Caggiula isn't filling the net but he's playing his role and if it ain't broke - don't fix it.

Speaking of the Hawks scoring so well this season - scoring is up across the league and I'm wondering what the reason for it is. There are currently 34 guys averaging 1 point per game of better and although maybe some of them tail off before the end of the season - that is a whole lot more players than in the past bunch of season. Looking at the scoring leaders and figuring anything 82 points and above for the entire season would be the cutoff for ppg scorers. Look at the past few seasons:

2018/19 - 34 players averaging 1+ ppg
2017/18 - 20 players with 82+ points
2016/17 - 7 players with 82+ points
2015/16 - 5 players with 82+ points
2014/15 - 3 players with 82+ points

Was there a change in goalie pads or something?
- EbonyRaptor

Caggiula has NOT been the perfect fit. Whatever effectiveness he showed with Kane and Toews to start has wavered. He is simply not a top 3 or top 6 player. Few are. He simply does not score enough. Time to flip-flop for Saad or trade for a top-flight winger.

Joki, arguably from the start of the season, and certainly right this second, is a better D-Man than Gus, Dahlstrom, Koekoek and Forsling. Colliton is in over his head.You don’t go from coaching Swedish Beer League to the NHL. It is actually a joke. You see the immature “coaching” at key times. Well coached teams do NOT have D-Men like Koekoek making dangerous cross-ice passes that give up a break-away for the GWG, late in a game. That pass was just ridiculous. Gus, of course, was of absolutely no help defensively on that play.

Gus is AWFUL. I do NOT care about his offence or his PP play. He is minus 11 after a minus 2 last night. He hasn’t fallen further because of an outlier plus 4 against a weak Wings team. Colliton loves Gus, dislikes Joki. Are you freakin’ kidding me? Gus was AWFUL on the last 2 Avs’ goals. Was too high on the Koekoek give-away so, of course, could do nothing to prevent the break-away, for the GWG. Then on the Empty Net goal he made no effort at all to win the puck at the blue-line. Then just loafed down the ice - Gus has no heart, he couldn’t care less. Trade him for any return please - addition by subtraction.

Colliton is NOT an NHL Coach - he never even had to prove he was an AHL Coach. Last season he rode old veterans, with no future with the Hawks, to minor play-off success in Rockford. Get it - he didn’t develop young players at the AHL level, he rode old players. Any improvements the Hawks have shown have come from Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook and Ward willing it - they are “coaching” this team trying to over-come Colliton’s non-sensical moves.
- Z3Hawk

Preach brother! You can’t promote a guy to HC of an NHL Original 6 team with zero experience as an NHL Assistant or HC. Huge fail by Stan. I’ve said it before, JC will not be the HC when the Blackhawks are again contending for the Stanley Cup.

Historically, the best HC in all sports are guys who have gotten fired at least once. Belichick got fired in Cleveland, he’s now one of the greatest coaches in sports history. Pete Carroll got fired in NE, and has done well in SEA. Q was an assistant, and was fired before winning 3x with the Hawks.

The NHL is not the place to have a HC figure out which end is up. JC’s strategy seems to be playing KANE 25+ minutes a night, and hope he scores a couple.

Joki, arguably from the start of the season, and certainly right this second, is a better D-Man than Gus, Dahlstrom, Koekoek and Forsling. Colliton is in over his head.You don’t go from coaching Swedish Beer League to the NHL. It is actually a joke. You see the immature “coaching” at key times. Well coached teams do NOT have D-Men like Koekoek making dangerous cross-ice passes that give up a break-away for the GWG, late in a game. That pass was just ridiculous. Gus, of course, was of absolutely no help defensively on that play.

Gus is AWFUL. I do NOT care about his offence or his PP play. He is minus 11 after a minus 2 last night. He hasn’t fallen further because of an outlier plus 4 against a weak Wings team. Colliton loves Gus, dislikes Joki. Are you freakin’ kidding me? Gus was AWFUL on the last 2 Avs’ goals. Was too high on the Koekoek give-away so, of course, could do nothing to prevent the break-away, for the GWG. Then on the Empty Net goal he made no effort at all to win the puck at the blue-line. Then just loafed down the ice - Gus has no heart, he couldn’t care less. Trade him for any return please - addition by subtraction.

Colliton is NOT an NHL Coach - he never even had to prove he was an AHL Coach. Last season he rode old veterans, with no future with the Hawks, to minor play-off success in Rockford. Get it - he didn’t develop young players at the AHL level, he rode old players. Any improvements the Hawks have shown have come from Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook and Ward willing it - they are “coaching” this team trying to over-come Colliton’s non-sensical moves.
- Z3Hawk

While some of Coliton's moves are curious, who are we to determine if he's capable of coaching an NHL team? Quenneville, one of the most accomplished coaches of all time, wasn't able to do much with the group you are complaining about. As you pointed out the defensive ranks are pretty bare. With the exception of Keith none are second pairing defensemen, they'd all be in the third pairing or the AHL on a good NHL team. Also the goaltending is average at best with some hope Delia can develop into an NHL calibre goaltender.

While Coliton doesn't have much with work with on the backend he has some serious firepower up front. So he coaches to that strength and has the team play a high risk, high reward game of pond hockey where the Hawks try to outscore the opponent while not being able to take care of their own zone. As we saw last night, the high risk, high reward game became high risk, no reward because defensive lapses and poor goaltending resulted in a loss in a game the Hawks were in control of.

There isn't a coach anywhere that can get much out of this Hawk team. There are just too many players who aren't NHL calibre. The saying "You can't make chicken salad out of chicken poop" applies here.

Still a great game last night, playoff hockey. JC has all playing at high intensity. obviously Delia is showing weakness, SB is proven right for signing Ward, we may beg him to stay next year yet. AND it goes without saying, Crow is sorely missed at this pivotable time.

So what have we learned in the last 18 hours or so?

It is better to swing your stick at a players head than to make a solid body check. In other words, the Penguins are still Bettman's favorite team.