You know how few of these i thought they would have this year. Just another great victory morning.

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

I thought he was the best forward on the ice last night. I didn't know he had a little Kane in him, that between the legs pass to Kubs was sweet

We are posting a lot about the expansion draft. It is premature and not as important as we are making it out to be. We only lose one player and that was the "great" TVR in the last expansion draft. Most of the younger players are protected. There will be some trades between now and the draft. There could be injuries. So our roster will be a little different by the time of the draft. There are some question marks too. Seabs (injury/nmc)? Shaw? Things have a way of working themselves out. Let's revisit this after the TDL (and give it a rest until then). There is plenty to talk about with the way this team is playing.
- -Doh-

Agree and with your earlier post too. Not to bring up the expansion draft again...but I'm gonna.

I've had the same take on Carlsson this year so far vs last year and I know Wallmark is just coming off of Covid protocol, but I maybe try to keep Janmark too. Like what he brings.

My original point or what I should have highlighted I suppose was how the Hawks are set up not to lose pretty much any of their skilled young dmen or fwds.

I'll say again though, this year has been a really pleasant surprise as I mostly expected to check the standings to see where exactly they were in the league's bottom five after games.

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

The shot was at the Sikura Treatment he (Sikura) received here. 6th round puck who played a fairly solid overall game, yet crapped on because....goals.... Not saying Sikura is as good as Hagel; he's not. Just thought Sikura got a raw deal on the board.

To your drivel......I kid, I kid.... I'd lose Strome before Hagel, too. Not sure on Nylavendar, because I don't know what the problem has been (mental, physical or emotional). If the man, Stan, wants to keep one over the other, I'm okay with that.

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.
- StLBravesFan

Excellent!

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.
- Rota's Rooter

Well, yeah. It's not the first time I've been a jackass and won't be the last. At least I tried to cushion it a bit.



I view any season without a Cup as "unsuccessful", because that is the goal of every team playing a sport. Obviously, the draft is important, but I'm much less concerned about where they draft. The lottery has made final standings much less important and I just want to watch competitive hockey. The Hawks getting into the playoffs is just more chances to have a successful season (and more hockey to watch, hence I'm happy).

Agree and with your earlier post too. Not to bring up the expansion draft again...but I'm gonna.

I've had the same take on Carlsson this year so far vs last year and I know Wallmark is just coming off of Covid protocol, but I maybe try to keep Janmark too. Like what he brings.

My original point or what I should have highlighted I suppose was how the Hawks are set up not to lose pretty much any of their skilled young dmen or fwds.

I'll say again though, this year has been a really pleasant surprise as I mostly expected to check the standings to see where exactly they were in the league's bottom five after games.
- HawkintheD

Look, Francis Lavender, this pollyanna attitude is getting a little nauseating.

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

Fancy a shot in the yarbles eh, Billy Boy?

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.
- BetweenTheDots

Yes you do, but there is a difference between puck watching and being aware of where the puck is or is going. That's why "puck watching" is a term.

This is where I believe advanced stats are a very good bolster to an argument - they enhance what the eye test says. Detroit was not just taking a bunch of shots from the outside, they were getting prime chances all night. Combine that with the fact that they completely dominated all the possession and shot metrics, and yes, they should have lost that game if not for very good goaltending.

I agree completely with every word of the bolded. That can all be true at the same time as them having a horrible game. Players can lay it all on the line every shift and still be terrible. I'll reiterate what I said before - throw that game away and on to the next.

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

According to SJ he's "top 6" and they make $6-8M per year. I don't think he's top 6 on a good team.

According to SJ he's "top 6" and they make $6-8M per year. I don't think he's top 6 on a good team.
- rpeters01

Historically no, but this year yes. Look at Saad's stats on a good Colorado team, Janmark and Saad THIS year are comparable.

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

Is that based on total points or takes into consideration games in hand?

Is that based on total points or takes into consideration games in hand?
- rpeters01

Based on point percentage, the hawks are 4th.

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

Play Florida's again and we won't catch Carolina and Dallas by surprise next time.

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

Nylander will get a Perlini deal.

Bettman Cup Standings (Biggest Loser - PTS/GP)
1) 0.529 Sens
2) 0.647 Wings
3) 0.789 Canucks
4) 0.800 Preds (lol)
5) 0.846 Kings
6) 0.846 Rangers
7) 0.909 Sabres
8) 0.929 Sharks
9) 0.938 Ducks
10) 1.059 Oilers
11) 1.059 Jackets
12) 1.067 Yotes
13) 1.091 Wild
14) 1.111 Devils
15) 1.133 Flames
16) 1.154 Caps
17) 1.154 Pens
18) 1.167 Stars
19) 1.176 Hawks (Who da thunk this?)

Nylander will get a Perlini deal.
- rpeters01

Trade to Detroit?

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.
- LAHawk

So I guess Stan deserves a big compliment for his horse trading. He brings in Janmark and Zadorov for about the same money he was paying stone hands Saad and leaves himself with options to resign those 2 guys after the season and also avoids having to negotiate with Saad's agent. Way to go Stan!

I thought I saw Saad up on McKinnon's line vs Vegas the other night. #29 is gonna get pretty frustrated if that continues for very long.

So I guess Stan deserves a big compliment for his horse trading. He brings in Janmark and Zadorov for about the same money he was paying stone hands Saad and leaves himself with options to resign those 2 guys after the season and also avoids having to negotiate with Saad's agent. Way to go Stan!

I thought I saw Saad up on McKinnon's line vs Vegas the other night. #29 is gonna get pretty frustrated if that continues for very long.
- RickJ

Saad playing with McKinnon only because Landeskog is in COVID protocol.

Nylander will get a Perlini deal.
- rpeters01

The underachieving, former high draft pick, never gonna be more than what they are right now, but we’re gonna give em one last shot to prove everyone wrong and then immediately regret it deal?

The underachieving, former high draft pick, never gonna be more than what they are right now, but we’re gonna give em one last shot to prove everyone wrong and then immediately regret it deal?
- Ogilthorpe2

As long as his contract can be buried in Rockford, I'm good with signing him. Heck, Stan turned Perlini into a prospect in the trade to Detroit. Maybe he could do it again.

De Haan and Hagel not practicing today for maintenance reasons.

Didn't think I'd see that news this year (re: Hagel).

Yes you do, but there is a difference between puck watching and being aware of where the puck is or is going. That's why "puck watching" is a term.

This is where I believe advanced stats are a very good bolster to an argument - they enhance what the eye test says. Detroit was not just taking a bunch of shots from the outside, they were getting prime chances all night. Combine that with the fact that they completely dominated all the possession and shot metrics, and yes, they should have lost that game if not for very good goaltending.

I agree completely with every word of the bolded. That can all be true at the same time as them having a horrible game. Players can lay it all on the line every shift and still be terrible. I'll reiterate what I said before - throw that game away and on to the next.
- Chunk

It appears to me that the Hawks are maxing out their abilities. That's a good thing - says good things about the coach and the attitude/work ethic of the players. It might also be a bad thing - it means they might not have another gear. Other teams will have another gear.

I think there will be a wall soon for the kids, and I'm curious to see how the kids respond.

De Haan and Hagel not practicing today for maintenance reasons.

Didn't think I'd see that news this year (re: Hagel).
- Chunk

Hagel goes full out, he's gonna need to be forced to rest. Hopefully he gets a game off along the way.

Might be the funniest follow up tweet I've seen.

Blackhawks doing some special teams practice now.

PP1: Beaudin, DeBrincat, Kane, Strome and Boqvist (!) in the middle of the 1-3-1 in Shaw's old spot

PP2: Keith, Kurashev, Kubalik, Suter, Janmark

Follow up:

Boqvist could just be a meaningless practice fill-in, it must be said.