I hope last night was an outlier but #74 looked very much like the former #56 in the defensive zone last night.
- LAHawk

I think JCs defense is set up that way, when i watch the replay Hagel is engaged with the forward along the boards, as the forward comes out of the corner Hagel is with his man, tries to block the shot/pass looks over his right shoulder and the guy he was covering heads towards the net wide open net. Problem is if you play man to man you can't watch the puck you have to always be aware of the guy you are covering.

What i didn't like was early in the 1st 54 comes up towards the blue line Beaudin is covering him and guesses he's going to pass the puck along the boards, so his stick is on the wrong side, his body isn't in position that was just bad bad, 54 able to drive right down broadway then you see the chain reaction where Suter tried to cover for him and Suters guy ends up getting a great chance.

Not a great game but not bad and they get the win. Would love to see them clean up the passing tomorrow.

I think I'd rather see Highmore in for Johnson. I know he hits guys but not sure he really helped push the pace or extend zone time.

I suppose things aren't so bad if I'm only female doging about a 4th line guy.

When this season started, couldn't have imagined so many rookies panning out, but so far so good.

Someone posted about it here the other day too that the Hawks look pretty well set up for the expansion draft.

From the Sun Times Ben Pope...

Kirby Dach, Dominik Kubalik, Pius Suter and Philipp Kurashev, defensemen Ian Mitchell, Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin and all their other first- and second-year players are automatically exempt. That’s a huge portion of their young core that won’t count against the protection limit.

The Hawks almost certainly will protect forwards Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome, plus Kevin Lankinen as their one goalie.

The players Bowman really will have to make decisions about are forwards Alex Nylander and Brandon Hagel and defensemen Connor Murphy, Calvin de Haan and Nikita Zadorov.

If the Hawks protect two of those three defensemen, they can’t protect either forward.

Or the Hawks could protect only one of the three defensemen (likely Murphy) and protect Nylander, Hagel and another forward — probably David Kampf, Andrew Shaw (if he recovers from his latest concussion) or Mattias Janmark (if the Hawks plan to re-sign him as an unrestricted free agent this summer).

Depending on the route they take, the Hawks might end up exposing several decent players. But other teams are in far worse situations, and Bowman quickly emphasized the Hawks only can lose one player, no matter what.

- HawkintheD

While I was happy for the win, I have a different take on the game. I think they were pretty much dreadful yesterday. Detroit drove the play for most of the game.

Subban's goaltending was very good, but his decisions when he handles the puck are criminal.

Defensemen made several ill advised passes and/or were very inaccurate.

Defensive coverage was a mess.

They lost way too many board battles and 50/50's.

I'm not sure the Hawks have notably better talent (at this point in time) than Detroit. What they had yesterday was a bit of luck and more hustle (at opportune times). What the Hawks normally have over the Wings is that they have much better team support of the puck, and more line balance. I could be quite wrong on this, but it's what I am seeing.

Hard to tell in the flat cap era, but I'd guess 3/4 X $4M/$4.5M. Much depends on how well he plays the rest of the year.
- mohel

Ouch!
We would be cursing that type of contract for Janmark down the road. I would not be against resigning him but not for that kind of dough and term. I think he loves his role on this team and would sign a team friendly contract to stay.

On to another topic: For a guy who takes a lot of heat from many on this board, I thought that DeHaan looked pretty solid last night and has not nearly been playing as badly as some suggest.

I guess you could say good teams find a way. I'm still trying to convince myself the Hawks are good, but since that 0-3-1 start, they have gone 8-2-3 with a +10 goal differential. They haven't played Florida or Tampa Bay since then, so that's something to consider too. The kids have come a long way since then. Delia was also in net for those first 2 losses and has not seen the ice since then.

It's amazing to think about where we are with the expansion draft now. I thought for sure de Haan would get traded this year, now Bowman may keep him around for expansion bait. Hard telling who will get protected and picked now.
- biskit67

I for sure am enjoying the ride, it's bittersweet since the logical side says we'd be better off with a top 5 pick. Would i be surprised if they couldn't maintain it, not at all, but i enjoy their work ethic and during all this our youth is gaining valuable experience.

I think JCs defense is set up that way, when i watch the replay Hagel is engaged with the forward along the boards, as the forward comes out of the corner Hagel is with his man, tries to block the shot/pass looks over his right shoulder and the guy he was covering heads towards the net wide open net. Problem is if you play man to man you can't watch the puck you have to always be aware of the guy you are covering.

What i didn't like was early in the 1st 54 comes up towards the blue line Beaudin is covering him and guesses he's going to pass the puck along the boards, so his stick is on the wrong side, his body isn't in position that was just bad bad, 54 able to drive right down broadway then you see the chain reaction where Suter tried to cover for him and Suters guy ends up getting a great chance.
- BetweenTheDots

No defense is set up where players are supposed to puck watch. Beaudin, like virtually everyone else yesterday had a bad game in their own zone. Thank the lucky stars for the win, throw that game in the trash and come back better on Wed.

You gotta be impressed by the contributions and development of our "under 25" crew. Is there a team in the league with any better under 25 talent. There surely can't be many!

Kubrick, D-Cat, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Suter....and so many others have been so impressive. Even the 2 goalies are playing way better than I ever would have imagined.

So far, no complaints by the effort or results of our boys so far. They have been a pleasant surprise!

Keep it up fellas!!!
- hawk35

Kubrick is way older than 25

Ouch!
We would be cursing that type of contract for Janmark down the road. I would not be against resigning him but not for that kind of dough and term. I think he loves his role on this team and would sign a team friendly contract to stay.

On to another topic: For a guy who takes a lot of heat from many on this board, I thought that DeHaan looked pretty solid last night and has not nearly been playing as badly as some suggest.
- 67hawks

Janmark's value was depressed because he had back to back 6 goal (21 and 25 pt) seasons. He is already at 6 goals and 10pts. His number will undoubtedly go up, but maybe not to $4.5M due to age. Maybe high $3M's due to revenue and cap being flat?

Strome’s last two games - good at the dot. The three games before that - 30%.

Season - 45%. You could live with that.
- StLBravesFan

As I said, I'm not a Strome fan but, face offs seem to be the least of his issues this season.

BTW, the Hawks are currently out of the running for a draft lottery pick. If the season ended today they'd be in the playoffs.

Kubrick is way older than 25
- GPHawksfan

Nice. I was going to make " A Clockwork Orange" reference, but this is better.

Nice. I was going to make " A Clockwork Orange" reference, but this is better.
- Chunk

As I said, I'm not a Strome fan but, face offs seem to be the least of his issues this season.

BTW, the Hawks are currently out of the running for a draft lottery pick. If the season ended today they'd be in the playoffs.
- Rota's Rooter

I'm normally not one to completely crap on a comment, but they've only played 17 games (not quite 1/3 of the season). MTL once started a season 10-0 and missed the playoffs horribly. Let's at least wait until they get past the half-way mark.

Four OT wins.

Two of them on goals by AdB on excellent setups from Kane. You’d expect that.

But two on goals by young skaters (Suter and Kubalik) with rookies all over the ice (all four on the ice on Suter’s, two rookies and a sophomore, plus a backup goalie, on Kybelik’s). You wouldn’t expect that.

Credit due to Colliton for turning the ice over to inexperience (to get them experience) in pressure situations like OT, instead of playing it safe.

I still have questions and doubts, but a lot of good decisions by Colliton this season.
- StLBravesFan

Hello, Sage. Good points. Some credit also due Stan The Builder, who added the kids who made that play in OT. And perhaps for hiring the coach who seems to have been a good selection, at least for this stage of development.

Were you able to get the vaccine yet? Hope so.

Janmark's value was depressed because he had back to back 6 goal (21 and 25 pt) seasons. He is already at 6 goals and 10pts. His number will undoubtedly go up, but maybe not to $4.5M due to age. Maybe high $3M's due to revenue and cap being flat?
- Chunk

Those claiming that Walmark was better than Janmark are having their eyes opened. Janmark played with scrubs in Dallas and never got an offensive role. Walmark is slow and just another easily replaceable guy.

Janmark's value was depressed because he had back to back 6 goal (21 and 25 pt) seasons. He is already at 6 goals and 10pts. His number will undoubtedly go up, but maybe not to $4.5M due to age. Maybe high $3M's due to revenue and cap being flat?
- Chunk

Janmark has replaced Saad (at $6 mil., good luck getting that in UFA next year Brandon). Scores goals, skates fast, good along the board, kills penalties, and plays the power play. Actually he is playing better than Saad did, he is a much smarter hockey player.

I'm normally not one to completely crap on a comment, but they've only played 17 games (not quite 1/3 of the season). MTL once started a season 10-0 and missed the playoffs horribly. Let's at least wait until they get past the half-way mark.
- Chunk

But you did anyway didn't you?



Trust me, I'd rather have a high draft pick this year rather than sneaking into the playoffs.

At the start of the year, it seemed the Hawks were bad enough that they would just protect nobody in the draft! Now it seems they will lose a useful player. Times change! Hopefully they lose Nylavendar or de Haan. Nothing against CDH, but he's getting up a bit in age, is almost as slow as Strome, and has a shoulder held together by duct tape.

I do not want to lose Sikura II, aka Hagel. (This nickname is not a shot at Hagel).

Seabs could help a lot by waiving, if that is allowed in his situation.
- mohel

You sure about that Pallie? Sure sounds like a shot. Somehow I think he gets protected. Stan, JC, his teammates...they all talk up his game in the press and it's hard not to like what he brings.

I'll dissent from your line of thinking. I'd almost protect Nylavendar over Strome. Call me crazy or a glutton for punishment but I'd still like to see if he can develop into a consistent top 6 fwd.

Nice. I was going to make " A Clockwork Orange" reference, but this is better.
- Chunk

I haven't liked anything he did since "Paths of Glory" and "The Killing".

I haven't liked anything he did since "Paths of Glory" and "The Killing".
- StLBravesFan

I just watched that the other week. It was done in 1957. Sweet lord, how old are you?

Janmark's value was depressed because he had back to back 6 goal (21 and 25 pt) seasons. He is already at 6 goals and 10pts. His number will undoubtedly go up, but maybe not to $4.5M due to age. Maybe high $3M's due to revenue and cap being flat?
- Chunk

If he signs a four year deal, he'll be 32 when it ends. I don't think age is that much of a concern. The concern is when the front office feels like they can make a playoff run. If it is the next few years, the guy looks like a solid piece to me. If they see a longer time frame, they may trade him for Kelley lottery tickets. They may also trade him if they think they have enough kids without him (and assuming Dach and Toews return).

Hello, Sage. Good points. Some credit also due Stan The Builder, who added the kids who made that play in OT. And perhaps for hiring the coach who seems to have been a good selection, at least for this stage of development.

Were you able to get the vaccine yet? Hope so.
- mohel

We got our first dose last Saturday - second will be on March 6.

Our daughter in NYC generally manages a steak house in Manhattan - restaurant workers are included in the current group there - she has an appointment this week in The Bronx - I don't think she's ever been to the Bronx, but it's not too far from her Harlem abode. So she's set up.

Our other daughter and family in Deerfield are not yet eligible, so....

And yes on Bowman - so far, so good.

You sure about that Pallie? Sure sounds like a shot. Somehow I think he gets protected. Stan, JC, his teammates...they all talk up his game in the press and it's hard not to like what he brings.

I'll dissent from your line of thinking. I'd almost protect Nylavendar over Strome. Call me crazy or a glutton for punishment but I'd still like to see if he can develop into a consistent top 6 fwd.
- HawkintheD

Problem is he can’t play center, and he’s not surpassing Kane/Cat/Kubalik on the top 6 winger depth chart. So for that final spot I’d be looking at trying out Suter, Janmark(really hoping we re-sign him), and Kurashev all before Nylander.

I just watched that the other week. It was done in 1957. Sweet lord, how old are you?
- Rota's Rooter

I didn't see them first-run - only on TV much later - but I was a Bar Mitzvah a year later.

You figure it out....

Paths was one of Kirk Douglas' better roles - and he had a lot of good ones.

No defense is set up where players are supposed to puck watch. Beaudin, like virtually everyone else yesterday had a bad game in their own zone. Thank the lucky stars for the win, throw that game in the trash and come back better on Wed.
- Chunk

Well Chunk you kind of have to be aware of where the puck is.

The Blackhawks won a game you think they should of lost? I thought they hustled and played tough on defense. Offensively was tough to watch for sure.

As i said before, every game is its own story. Was it pretty? No. Was it gritty? Yes.

Did they compete? Yes.

Problem is he can’t play center, and he’s not surpassing Kane/Cat/Kubalik on the top 6 winger depth chart. So for that final spot I’d be looking at trying out Suter, Janmark(really hoping we re-sign him), and Kurashev all before Nylander.
- SimpleJack

Hopefully Stan can make a handshake deal with Janmark to sign after the expansion draft, so we don't have to protect him.

Those claiming that Walmark was better than Janmark are having their eyes opened. Janmark played with scrubs in Dallas and never got an offensive role. Walmark is slow and just another easily replaceable guy.
- GPHawksfan

When they were both signed, I was more interested in Wallmark, because I was more familiar with his game after watching a lot of CAR games. Janmark got kind of lost in the wash in DAL because almost everyone on that team played the same style, and he wasn't putting up points.

I've been more than impressed with the return thus far (don't tell Elbows). He's consistently one of the most effective F's on the ice.