Problem is he has never shown that ability... not sure Hagel and Caggs would be much help. He is too slow to keep up with them and his best asset is setting up teamates. Neither of those guys really have the offensive prowess to benefit from Strome's skillset.

He is really only useful with Kane and Dcat.

Maybe Dach can cover for Nylander's 3-4 gaffs a game defensively.

Nylander Dach Hagel would be interesting.
- bhawks2241

Nylander Dach Hagel would be interesting...if this were Jrs or the AHL

The Knights will be a tougher match-up defensively. They don't have the McDavids, but they have more depth and they have second change the first two games - guaranteed to have the match-ups they want. Plus Ryan Reeves and Engelland taking the body early and often on Toews, Kane, Dach, Kubalik, Debrincat and the defensemen.

The good news - if Lehner is in net, those Hawk breakaway chances may ring the bell a bit more often.

The Hawks will probably be fortunate to win one game, especially if they wind up having to dig into their depth because of injuries.
- jrsamu

Except if it is David "My Hands Are Made of Stone" Kampf.

Not the first time. Toronto has one more year to suffer with him, doubt anyone would want him for $5 mil.
- LAHawk

Doesn't it seem like the opposite with Corey? He smells blood in the water and just seems to elevate his game to close out a series.

That was my point.
- fattybeef

I know. I was agreeing. Probably have more points if our PP didn't take a nose dive after game 1.

Nylander Dach Hagel would be interesting...if this were Jrs or the AHL
- PatShart

Haha, well can't argue with that.

In hindsight that Smith and Shaw money are a waste. Much needed money for solid bottom 6 depth.

That was a horrible goal he gave up.
- BetweenTheDots

Liam Foudy was a nice find at #18 overall for the Blue Jackets.

Haha, well can't argue with that.

In hindsight that Smith and Shaw money are a waste. Much needed money for solid bottom 6 depth.
- bhawks2241

That's exactly what they were supposed to be, just hasn't worked out that way...

Cant wait to see Florida win tonight! Only because that seems like the best case scenario now.

This is going to be a fun series because we are playing with house money it feels like. Actually the whole playoffs feel that way and it seems everyone is having fun.

Vegas can roll 4 lines unlike Edmonton who appeared to be only rolling 3 players. And they have 2 good goalies.

That said, some credit needs to be given to the the Hawks D, who played much better than the regular season and there were only a few times they were running around in the series. They didn't give up as many high danger opportunities and seemed to be in the right position to prevent shots from the slot and retrieve rebounds. They also were quite effective in blocking the lanes. The forwards were back too so we played like at least an average defensive squad.

Keith is playing like 2010, 1013, 2015 Keith, DeHaan has bolstered the unit as a nice steady 3-4 and Maata and KK have played above their level. If we can keep this up and we get some contribution from our third line, I say we can win at least 2 games in the series but I don't ultimately think we can beat them due to their much better depth.

We went 1-1-1 against them this year and it wasn't like how they embarrassed us the year before. At least two of the games were winnable (and we won one). Both teams will be playing at a higher level so I'm looking forward to this series.

Cant wait to see Florida win tonight! Only because that seems like the best case scenario now.
- zm333

I'm routing for Florida. I wouldn't mind seeing the Jets or Wild win also.

How does Lafreniere stack up against recent #1s - going back to McKinnon?

Sporting events west coast TV schedule is definitely advantageous, however 4AM conference calls are not.
- Angotti

The 7 hour time difference to HI is even better. Everything starts just after noon.

I don't mind the 10:30pm EST start. Only been dealing with that my whole life

I am more happy that there actually some games on earlier!

Back to the Hawks, am I the only one who really feels like the depth lines that were rolled out vs. Edmonton should really stay put? It isn't like the Oilers don't have some big boys on their team.

Not to mention, Kaner's line was pretty quiet for the most part. If they step up in the slightest, the Hawks will look that much better.

We are in now guys and gals, might as well give the team a full boost of optimism and confidence!!

Crawford himself admitted he wished he had 10 more days of training camp, and he did not feel right, but each game was getting better and better. I don't think Crow looked "off" in game 4. Also, even though it appears that Chicago's defense was improved in the play-in round, they still have given up the most high danger chances than anyone in the bubble.
- LAHawk

How does Lafreniere stack up against recent #1s - going back to McKinnon?
- StLBravesFan

To my understanding - and I’m not a scout - he is not on the level that McDavid and MacKinnon were, but probably on par with Matthews.

He is certainly higher regarded than Ekblad, Hischier, Dahlin, and Hughes were.

Liam Foudy was a nice find at #18 overall for the Blue Jackets.
- RickJ

yeah I had him as the second player deleted in the 2nd round:


https://www.draftsite.com.../player/liam-foudy/29294/

To my understanding - and I’m not a scout - he is not on the level that McDavid and MacKinnon were, but probably on par with Matthews.

He is certainly higher regarded than Ekblad, Hischier, Dahlin, and Hughes were.
- TommyHawk

No no no


If you want a comparable I would go with Carolina's Andrei Svechnikov

He is really the best comp.

NOT higher regarded than Jack Hughes or Dahlin because of their skating and Hockey IQs at this juncture. Production-wise they didn't have the support that there is a good chance Lafreniere gets, if he lands on five of those franchises...

It may not take long for you all to see how my comparable is valid...

(Let's see how long it will take for the main stream media starts using my comparison, b/c I haven't heard anyone else make it yet.)

No no no


If you want a comparable I would go with Carolina's Andrei Svechnikov

He is really the best comp.

NOT higher regarded than Hughes or Dahlin because of their skating and Hockey IQs at this juncture. Production-wise they didn't have the support there is a good chance Lafreniere gets if he lands on five of those franchises...
- wiz1901

So - a potentially excellent player - but not a potential franchise player like the M’s....

Certainly would like him on the Hawks - but at only a 12 1/2% chance of getting him, not at the expense of winning the play-in round.

So - a potentially excellent player - but not a potential franchise player like the M’s....

Certainly would like him on the Hawks - but at only a 12 1/2% chance of getting him, not at the expense of winning the play-in round.
- StLBravesFan

You know I think that the 3 wins do a lot for the Hawk group and the organization. A few more wins even up the confidence.

But in an organization crying out for skilled forward depth edge and scoring, he would have been a nice addition, as would the two Ottaws picks at 3 and 5 I was trading that pick for, lol.

You know I think that the 3 wins do a lot for the Hawk group and the organization. A few more wins even up the confidence.

But in an organization crying out for skilled forward depth edge and scoring, he would have been a nice addition, as would the two Ottaws picks at 3 and 5 I was trading that pick for, lol.
- wiz1901

Be aware there is a huge bad storm from 4-7pm predicted in Chicagoland which could interfere with Chicagoland internet reception. But not in your way wiz

So - a potentially excellent player - but not a potential franchise player like the M’s....

Certainly would like him on the Hawks - but at only a 12 1/2% chance of getting him, not at the expense of winning the play-in round.
- StLBravesFan

Well, except Svechnikov is the closest I have seen to Hossa is a long time. That is who he reminds of as a player.

Lefreniere is going to be a star. Did anyone think Kane was going to be a franchise player? I don't remember.

You know I think that the 3 wins do a lot for the Hawk group and the organization. A few more wins even up the confidence.

But in an organization crying out for skilled forward depth edge and scoring, he would have been a nice addition, as would the two Ottaws picks at 3 and 5 I was trading that pick for, lol.
- wiz1901

Except Ottawa isn't making that deal. 3 and something else maybe. Not Tkachuk tho, Ottawa is keeping him.

Liam Foudy was a nice find at #18 overall for the Blue Jackets.
- RickJ

Better pick than Boqvist at #8.

I'm routing for Florida. I wouldn't mind seeing the Jets or Wild win also.
- Popsghostly

The Jets would be my pick, they're my #2 team. From a strategic/Hawks perspective, I'd go with a team in the East like Florida.

A few notes about the Vegas / Hawks games earlier this year. When you drill down on the defense it is interesting. The Hawks D at least on paper is much healthier and probably cumulatively better now than the 3 games they played against Vegas earlier this year.

10/22 game vs Vegas at home (Vegas wins 2-1 in SO)
Lehner in net
Keith 28 min
DeHaan 21 min
Maatta 20 min
Seabs 20 min
Gus 19 min
Murphy 12 min (injured during game)
Boqvist did not play

11/13 game at Vegas (Hawks win 5-3)
Crow in net
Keith 24 min
De Haan 22 min
Seabs 20 min
Gus 19 min
Maatta 19 min
Boqvist 14 min
Murphy did not play (out with groin injury)

12/10 game at Vegas (Vegas wins 5-1)
Crow in net
Gus 26 min
Murphy 23 min
Seabs 20 min
Gilbert 20 min
Boqvist 18 min
DeHaan 7 min (injured during the game)
Keith did not play (out with groin injury)