I’m really liking Del Mastro’s game. He’s smart he makes some really good plays. His skating isn’t near as bad as some have suggested, he skates like a big man, it appears he isn’t putting effort into his stride but I think it’s because his stride is so long. The one thing I wish is he’d be more physical.
- paulr

I think Del Mastro's name has been called the most of the Dmen tonight. Puck is finding the kid cuz his reads are really good. ....... His skating never bothered me going back to jrs but think it was a late season callup last yr his feet looked really really heavy.

But you're right his skating has been just fine. It may have been indecision making his feet look heavy I don't know but his skating has not at all been prohibitive.

Going back to jrs when the kid was cut from the Canadian WJC squad, brought back up cuz of injury and by tournament's end that saw Canada win Gold kid worked his way up to 1st pairing and drew the opponents best.

He's proven not to count him out as he simply goes about his business with no short cuts as he climbs the ladder.

I'm really impressed with Kaisers fearless play along the boards
- BetweenTheDots

Think it was you Dots, who posted last game the club started more players under 23 than over. Great stat and it shows. Not sure about anyone else but without Jones this has been the most fun watching the Hawks since the tear down.

Club is up tempo and playing an attacking modern style. A fun brand and no coincidence it's a young group........ Too many mistakes and beakdowns but they're lettin it rip with young guys buzzin around.

He’s another guy who’s really playing well. He’s willing to hit anything . Kaiser, DelMastro, Vlasic, Crevier, Allan, Rinzel, KK, Levshunov …. How does KD pick the top six?
- paulr

This is a fast, hungry, skilled OTT group with a helluva forecheck that's hemming the Hawks in but to my eye it's the forwards that are the problem, not the D.... The D is getting to pucks and making a decent first pass but a forward doesn't get it out or another forward is not supporting him.

Yea man, would love to fast forward 5 yrs for 5 minutes to get a look see at who the Hawk Dmen are. ........ Best part is we get to watch the journey from jrs to NCAA or AHL and up to the big club.

So? MacKinnon was on a poop team, was good but not great, and got a lower 2nd contract even though he was 1OA and highly regarded. Especially if he keeps playing like this defensively. Likely just a young kid learning to play a full NHL season, but he's barely engaged in the play at this point.
- Chunk

He played on some good teams early on. He always had talent around him at wing. 16/17 was the only bad season. That was Mckinnons 4th season. Rookie season Landeskog Duchene Oreilly and Stastny.

So? MacKinnon was on a poop team, was good but not great, and got a lower 2nd contract even though he was 1OA and highly regarded. Especially if he keeps playing like this defensively. Likely just a young kid learning to play a full NHL season, but he's barely engaged in the play at this point.
- Chunk

Different time and cap. Look at Kane and Toews second contracts. I really hope but have my doubts, with the cap going up some GM/Owners don't take this thing to a new paradigm in contracts.

Maroon doing his best Datsyuk up the lane, then his best Gretzky with a beauty feed from behind the net from a tough angle to Smith for the goal......... Don't know why but it's a different, better club without Jones no matter what the fancies say.

Different time and cap. Look at Kane and Toews second contracts. I really hope but have my doubts, with the cap going up some GM/Owners don't take this thing to a new paradigm in contracts.
- rpeters01

Again, if he keep playing like he is right now, he's gonna be lucky to break $10M. He's 1 and done and not following up on anything. Combine that with being out of sorts defensively, and you don't deserve more than that.

Maroon doing his best Datsyuk up the lane, then his best Gretzky with a beauty feed from behind the net from a tough angle to Smith for the goal......... Don't know why but it's a different, better club without Jones no matter what the fancies say.
- Mr Ricochet

Maroon is so lazy most of the time. When he actually bends his knees and tries to skate he can still move a bit lol. Bet he’d look good 4th line of a contender where he’s giving maximum effort.

Can't wait till they launch AA, turning it over in his own end can't pass the puck.
- BetweenTheDots

Glad to see he hasn't been on the ice anymore.

If what we're watching tonight is the floor for the Hawks they're gonna win some games when Bedard learns to finish. ..... Kid is figuring it out but then up tempo style they're playing fits his game. .. Watching him you can't help but feel it's a matter of time.

EDM is the current TOI leader. AA has played just under 7:00. Slaggert next lowest with 9:00.

Maroon doing his best Datsyuk up the lane, then his best Gretzky with a beauty feed from behind the net from a tough angle to Smith for the goal......... Don't know why but it's a different, better club without Jones no matter what the fancies say.
- Mr Ricochet

Rig looks slow af tonight and holds up the play. Trade him for anything you can get. He’s so dobe

I think Kaisers either feeling it tonight or his brain has caught up to the speed of the NHL, he looks like a different player tonight, fingers crossed

I think Kaisers either feeling it tonight or his brain has caught up to the speed of the NHL, he looks like a different player tonight, fingers crossed
- BetweenTheDots

Indeed. Martinez can eat a Richard for that poop turnover.

Did I mention, it's so great that Seth Jones is gone, hahaha.

Sure the kids make some mistakes but at least they are kids.

Lose on an unforced error

BS goal he was looking right at the puck when he kicked it in . Tough loss

There's that special rare burst Stutzle has..... The kids fight back and get a point. .. Knight is up next.

Good game by the boys.

BS goal he was looking right at the puck when he kicked it in . Tough loss
- oldduffman

Looked like it. Not sure what Donato was doing though it’s 3 on 3 don’t make a bad pass.

Bedard needs to hit a dispensary and relax. Maybe go have some fun somewhere. Looks like a depressed teenager. That’s not good.

Lose on an unforced error
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah, that was brutal. What the hell. Bedard has nothing going on right now. It's like he's just trying to do it himself and hope his linemates follow him up.

I know I'm ragging on him a lot, but he looks like he's just going for a skate. It doesn't matter if the other team is concentrating on him. If he's as good as his billing he should be able to create for his linemates, or at least leave them more open.

Indeed. Martinez can eat a Richard for that poop turnover.
- Chunk

Was it Martinez? Thought it was Donato that threw the pass over to the bench while someone was changing.

I think Kaisers either feeling it tonight or his brain has caught up to the speed of the NHL, he looks like a different player tonight, fingers crossed
- BetweenTheDots

He’s been chomping a the bit to get in each and every shift. So has Rig btw for whatever reason but he’s so garbage every shift hate to say it

BS goal he was looking right at the puck when he kicked it in . Tough loss
- oldduffman

Bullpoop goal. Kicked it in knowingly and was obvious

Rig looks slow af tonight and holds up the play. Trade him for anything you can get. He’s so dobe
- Assman22

The Big Rig has to regulate that motor and pick his spots to engage. Not enough oil left in that deisel to run on high RPM's any more...... But yep, a nice weapon to have in the tool box for a matchup start for a playoff club.

Hope Donato is a Hawk on Saturday. ...... Forgot to mention, pregame CHSN had Seravelli on and he said he knows of a couple teams who have called the Hawks on Reichel. Said no surprise Reichel gets moved.