Schedule breakdown:

Against the top three in the division - TBL, Car, FLA - teams clearly better than the Hawks - they are 1-4-2=4 points.

Against three teams we thought would be better than the Hawks - but maybe aren’t - Dal, Nash, CBJ - 6-2-2=14 points.

Against the one team we thought they were better than - Det - 4-0-0=8

So, 35 games remaining: 17 (half) against the top group, 14 against the middle group - the ones competing with the Hawks for a tournament spot - and 4 against the bottom.

Gonna b tuff.
- StLBravesFan

True, but four of those were the 1st four games of the year, when disorgan-i-zation was the order of the day. I agree that those three teams are better than the Hawks, but I'm curious to see how the team stacks up against the Florida teams.

I don t know if anyone else had to listen to the Columbus feed, but they were first salivating that Subban was in the net. They said he is shaky, looses the net, etc. etc. After Laine hit the post, they (especially Jody Shelley) said, just get pucks to the net, he has goalpost in his head. At the start of the third period, they said he has been lucky, going back to Laine’s goal post in the first period. After the game, they were still talking how lucky Subban was.

I thought it was very unprofessional broadcasting, besides I thought Subban really helped himself out with improved rebound control. With only playing approximately once every week/ten days, his only clunker so far has been game 1. And he has yet to play a “home game”. What athleticism on the save on Jones in the first period. Best part about it, he stayed in control.

I will take a lucky goalie with a .930 save percentage any day of the week. Is Subban another Jimmy Waite success story?
- LAHawk

When you listen to opposing coaches, players and broadcasters they always talk like it was embarrassing to lose to a team as weak as the Hawks. They don't come right out and say it, but it is pretty clear. Probably, like most posters on this blog, they had very low expectations for this team and they feel the roster has a lot of inexperienced players and does not have much talent.

Been a beast, we hopefully get a third for him at The TDL. That is the bad part of Stan’s acquisitions to flip this year. They mean more to this team, than what they are going to get at the TDL. Maybe someone will pay a Vermette price for Janmark? Highly unlikely. Another Stan fail
- LAHawk

If you can only get a 3rd round pick or later for any player, and this team is in a playoff position at the TDL, Stan will have to think hard about that. Now a 1st or a 2nd is a little different story.

True, but four of those were the 1st four games of the year, when disorgan-i-zation was the order of the day. I agree that those three teams are better than the Hawks, but I'm curious to see how the team stacks up against the Florida teams.
- mohel

We shall see after two against Detroit this weekend: 5 against TBL and 4 against FLA, surrounding two against Dallas, including another road trip of almost two weeks.

Anything since the Vermette one? I also seem to remember people lamenting giving up a 1st and the great Klas Dahlbeck in that deal.

Vermette and Dezy allowed them to roll 4 pretty effective lines for that run.
- HawkintheD

I was speaking of all teams, not just the Hawks. A whole lot of the TDL moves do not necessarily translate into playoff success for the buyers, though I am sure many of the sellers are happy with the inflated returns.

Talking about playoffs, talking about rebuilding, taking about trade deadline, very very exciting times.

Still playing the game in my head from last night, they played very well as a team. Had a bit of a fire sale going on between 5 minutes left and when we scored the goal. Boys did a very nice job of composing themselves being patient defensively to close out the game.

https://www.tsn.ca/los-an...-trade-deadline-1.1599391

Does Zadorov qualify?

https://www.tsn.ca/los-angeles-kings-eye-dynamic-left-shot-defenceman-ahead-of-nhl-trade-deadline-1.1599391

Does Zadorov qualify?
- LAHawk

Strange definition of the word "dynamic" but sure why not.

I don t know if anyone else had to listen to the Columbus feed, but they were first salivating that Subban was in the net. They said he is shaky, looses the net, etc. etc. After Laine hit the post, they (especially Jody Shelley) said, just get pucks to the net, he has goalpost in his head. At the start of the third period, they said he has been lucky, going back to Laine’s goal post in the first period. After the game, they were still talking how lucky Subban was.

I thought it was very unprofessional broadcasting, besides I thought Subban really helped himself out with improved rebound control. With only playing approximately once every week/ten days, his only clunker so far has been game 1. And he has yet to play a “home game”. What athleticism on the save on Jones in the first period. Best part about it, he stayed in control.

I will take a lucky goalie with a .930 save percentage any day of the week. Is Subban another Jimmy Waite success story?
- LAHawk

Lucky is much better than bad, as in $10M Carey Price these days. .875 Save% in his last 6 games and really horrible again last night. Enjoy Subban and Lankinen while they are playing well.

And for poor goaltending AND defence, the Isles pumped 5 past Halak in the 3rd period last night. Bruins looked like the Red Wings.

Lucky is much better than bad, as in $10M Carey Price these days. .875 Save% in his last 6 games and really horrible again last night. Enjoy Subban and Lankinen while they are playing well.

And for poor goaltending AND defence, the Isles pumped 5 past Halak in the 3rd period last night. Bruins looked like the Red Wings.
- RickJ

And Florida's $600K goaltender taking the starting position away from it's $10 mil. goaltender who hasn't played well in over a year.

Been a beast, we hopefully get a third for him at The TDL. That is the bad part of Stan’s acquisitions to flip this year. They mean more to this team, than what they are going to get at the TDL. Maybe someone will pay a Vermette price for Janmark? Highly unlikely. Another Stan fail
- LAHawk

Why trade a guy for a most likely meaningless draft choice if he's helping the team unless you're tanking?

And Florida's $600K goaltender taking the starting position away from it's $10 mil. goaltender who hasn't played well in over a year.
- LAHawk

Bob was another great signing by Uncle Dale, who I've heard is one of the best GM's of all time.

Why trade a guy for a most likely meaningless draft choice if he's helping the team unless you're tanking?
- rpeters01

Because in all honesty, i just do not see the Hawks making the playoffs. Ask me again after this next month, and then I would say the Hawks should keep the vets they acquired to flip.

Seeing more of Wallmark and less of Strome does not break my heart.

Having said that I am hoping and praying for a full and quick recovery for Strome.
- -Doh-

Why? Walmark is useless.

Bob was another great signing by Uncle Dale, who I've heard is one of the best GM's of all time.
- mohel

You mean the GM in one of his last moves traded Trochek to Carolina for Eric Haula and Lucas Wallmark who are no longer with the team? Of course it is true Trochek was struggling under Q.

Seeing more of Wallmark and less of Strome does not break my heart.

Having said that I am hoping and praying for a full and quick recovery for Strome.
- -Doh-

Walmark can't get there. He's brutally slow. He has a shorter stride than Keith with a fraction of Keith's foot speed. The guy that referred him to SB to sign needs a slap.

True, but four of those were the 1st four games of the year, when disorgan-i-zation was the order of the day. I agree that those three teams are better than the Hawks, but I'm curious to see how the team stacks up against the Florida teams.
- mohel

Even I who had them at 36pts will admit they're a better team than the team who played the first four games. Now we will find out how much they've closed the gap in March. I think the Panthers are better as well.

Surprisingly, it seems like the Hawks have found a pretty capable backup goaltender that can take some minutes off of their surprising #1 goaler. Jimmy Waite doing some good coaching work with these 2 guys.

Forgotten little fact about Subban - the Bruins tried to sneak him thru waivers a couple of years ago and were PO'd when Vegas claimed him. Originally he had been a Boston #1 round draft pick in 2012.
- RickJ

I'm not ready to say who is the starter and who is the back up? I will say goalie is not our biggest problem!

Bob was another great signing by Uncle Dale, who I've heard is one of the best GM's of all time.
- mohel

Florida also paying for Darling's buyout. About 2M this year and 1M for the following 2 years.

Bob was another great signing by Uncle Dale, who I've heard is one of the best GM's of all time.
- mohel

It seemed like good goaltending was their biggest detriment. Bob was a swing, he's always been inconsistent, but for that team at that time it was a deal that can be justified as having to make. Oops.

Schedule breakdown:

Against the top three in the division - TBL, Car, FLA - teams clearly better than the Hawks - they are 1-4-2=4 points.

Against three teams we thought would be better than the Hawks - but maybe aren’t - Dal, Nash, CBJ - 6-2-2=14 points.

Against the one team we thought they were better than - Det - 4-0-0=8

So, 35 games remaining: 17 (half) against the top group, 14 against the middle group - the ones competing with the Hawks for a tournament spot - and 4 against the bottom.

Gonna b tuff.
- StLBravesFan

Totally agree with this.

And agree with LAHawk about the playoffs.

I do like how this team has played so far though, which has far exceeded my expectations.

one thought I had with Subban playing well and we can only protect one goalie. the best player we might expose in the EXP draft might be a goalie signed for next year.
assuming Seabrook waives. I also wonder if Teows would waive.

one thought I had with Subban playing well and we can only protect one goalie. the best player we might expose in the EXP draft might be a goalie signed for next year.
assuming Seabrook waives. I also wonder if Teows would waive.
- kmw4631

Why would Toews waive? , not like he is playing and is benched? I wonder if his illness will be cured before training camp next year, or it's the last we have seen of Captain Serious. There has not been a peep from anyone (management/players) saying they can't wait for him to start skating and join the team. Although "not life threatening", it must be serious if he is able to be kept on LTIR.

I'm not ready to say who is the starter and who is the back up? I will say goalie is not our biggest problem!
- rpeters01

I think the Coach probably has decided who his #1 starter is right now but that can always change. NHL shooters have this nasty habit of exposing a goaltender's weaknesses after facing him a few times and watching tape. Lankinen might have a couple of rough nights so its good to know Subban can at least play, which is more than can be said for Delia.

Hawks are now 7-1-2 in the 2nd game of the 2-game sets this season, and 6-0-0 for their last 6. Statistical anomaly? Players adjusting / learning their competition better than the other team? Dare I suggest – coaching?