Forsling Injured, Blackhawks Beaten By Flames
Another night of special teams struggles for the Blackhawks ended with a loss in spite of a good even strength performance.
The Blackhawks went to the penalty kill less than five minutes into the game when Tyler Motte tripped Johnny Gaudreau. And, not surprisingly, the Flames converted to take an early 1-0 lead.
Even though Chicago also had a power play in the first, Calgary out-shot the home Hawks 13-7 in the opening 20 minutes. To say the effort was lackluster would be an understatement.
Chicago opened the second with a bang as Patrick Kane tied the game 92 seconds into the middle frame. Artem Anisimov, who was named one of the league’s three stars for last week earlier in the day, was credited with the lone assist on Kane’s second of the season.
But another penalty, this time on Richard Panik for roughing TJ Brodie, cost the Hawks as Calgary took advantage once again. Two penalties, two power play goals against and the Hawks were trailing 2-1 seven minutes into the second period.
While the offense continued to remain dormant, the penalty kill actually showed signs of life in the later stages of the second. Artemi Panarin served two minutes for high-sticking Deryk Engelland and then Motte went back to the box for four minutes for high-sticking Brodie. Chicago successfully killed those three penalties to stay within one through 40 minutes of hockey.
Unfortunately, when the third period began, Gustav Forsling did not return to the bench. He left after getting hammered by Lance Bouma and went directly to the room. The five remaining defensemen in the game included Michal Rozsival, who dressed for the first time this regular season.
Down a defenseman and needing to generate offense, the Hawks’ blue line was more active to open the third period and it paid off. Brian Campbell scored his first of the season at 4:12 into the third, tying the game at two.
After forgetting how to look like an elite netminder for much of the early going this year, Brian Elliott dusted off a dominant sequence late in regulation to preserve at least one point for the Flames and force overtime.
Both goaltenders were tremendous in regulation. Corey Crawford stopped 25 of 27 in regulation, allowing only the two power play goals. Elliott allowed two goals against 24 shots in the opening 60 minutes.
For the second time in as many contests (technically the third), the Blackhawks got an overtime power play when Michael Frolik went to the box 46 seconds into the extra session. And, as they did with two power plays against Toronto on Saturday, the Blackhawks failed to capitalize and were forced to allowing a shootout decide the contest.
It took seven rounds of shooters to finally have someone score, and it was Kris Versteeg closing the book on his former teammates.
Rozsival blocked two shots and led Chicago with three hits in 16:39. Niklas Hjalmarsson, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook were all over 25 minutes in the loss after Forsling went down in the second. Campbell finished over 21 minutes as well.
The Hawks were awful at the dot again on Monday night. Jonathan Toews won 19 of 28, but the rest of the box score was ugly in the faceoff department. Anisimov won four of 19 and Nick Schmaltz won only two of nine.
Pak line now plus 18 when 5on 5 and plus 27 forwards 5 on 5 and no d men in minus when even strength
Good tie. On a 3-1-1 stretch (with a 41% PK). Keep it going, even if the hard way.
Agree Morrison, they were fortunate to get the point. Crawford solid. Campbell looks ten years younger. Rolling four lines on sabbatical. Same old song, PK & faceoffs laughable.
.
snoozer
I think the league took notes from last season…
Toews and Hawks will kill you in 3 on 3 OT hockey… BUT- all they have to do is commit a penalty… and face the Hawk PP… then wait for Shoot out, where they will have a better chance.
Vesey has as many goals as 19,88,81 combined…
All kidding aside- when do the Hawks become sellers- and try to “Showcase” the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago??? Seriously
Wish we had Johnny Hockey. He sure undressed Campbell.
We ran into a hot determined goaltender who had to live up to expectations. That and a somewhat lacklustre effort for many parts of the game. Panik robbed blind a couple of times and Panarin as well…just not finding the spots. It is easy to see that with a real strong effort, one that these guys are well capable of, we can easily dominate a lot of games.
Campbell looked great tonight. No worries there anymore. It will all happen.
Uurgh its hard to win when the special teams are a diaster. Its also hard to win when the team takes countless dumb penalties. Roughing, highsticking and hooks 200 ft from your net are just plain stupid! Good game for Crow, Soupy and PAK line. Everyone else Woof!!!
In their 4 losses 14 goals allowed 10 on the pk 2 empty net goals and 2goals 5 on 5
Correct that 13 goals allowed and 1 even strength in 4 losses.
The players knows their problems but are unable to find a solution.. bad timing for the first goal …the game start ….6 min ..Goal …. oufffffff.
Campbell …solid player for the Hawks …good signing …
Forsling….;&!¥*#+ %~ l¥*? …..we need him back soon …TVR will be in the next game.
Tab, thanks for posting the Hockey Fights Cancer video, I know one of those little guys but the broadcast I see out here cut off the intro. I’m thrilled I got to see that. Thank you.
Outshot in regulation. Same bad PK. Outhit 35-11. Razor thin depth at forward. Rozsival on the ice for 16+ mins?
= A loss to a bottom feeder. Special.
and HAWKS2010? No he won’t.
Wall must have Vesey’s poster taped up in his bedroom right next to Fabbri’s and Marko Dano’s. Get over your school boy crushes, goof.
And this gem: “All kidding aside- when do the Hawks become sellers- and try to “Showcase” the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago??? Seriously”
Not even ten games in and the buffoon Wall is throwing in the towel … just like he throws his towel at Fabbri. You truly are dumb as a brick Wall.
Forward quality and depth simply is no longer what it needs to be. Quennevillle has enormous difficulty finding 2 1/2 competent lines to roll, let alone 4. Unless Bowman begrudgingly is working under the belief (forced or otherwise) that this is indeed a transition season, then look for him to do something fairly bold on the trade front at some point. We don’t have enough overall talent at forward to assume playoff berth is a sure thing this season. Balk at that all you want, but that’s what I see and think.
As always, in Stan and Joel I trust.
No!-the Buffoons attack specific people on this site–use that energy and talent for something worthwhile on this planet, please.
It’s tuff to be a puck possession team when you lose face offs all the time. I sit behind the goal and it was tough to watch Anesimov lose almost every draw in the offensive zone when we needed to win one. Schmaltz wasn’t much better. Until we get this fixed, problems will continue…..
Please …delete the Buffoon right now from here ….dont need those A H …..
Delete the Buffoon …..
Buffoon …out …out ..
………..”…………. kick out the buffoon …
Not much to talk about until they get the PK fixed. The defensemen haven’t been doing Crow and Darling any favors letting the opponents camp out in the crease, but the GK save % has been horrendous. They are currently dead last in SV % while short handed: 66%. Woof.
Last year full season was PK SV % was 88.7% (8th in the league) so signs point to this being fixable but man has it been a disaster thus far.
They get the PK cleaned up and suddenly things don’t look quite so dire. It’s a long season still time to work things out.
The Hawks USED to be a puck possession now they dont have the talent to be that style of team any longer. I wonder if Mike Kitchen is on a hot seat due to the horrible PK? Or if Q has enough power to protect him?
The only reason that the Flames won was Elliott. He made a ridiculous save on Panik with seconds left and the he shut out Toews, Kane, and Panarin in the shoot out. Toews is nearly at 50 per cent lifetime in shootouts so basically the game came down to a coin flip.
What exactly is Kitch supposed to do with the PK given the forward options? That’s the crux of the problem. You can’t play Toews and Hossa on every PK shift. Or Kruger. And on face offs we have precisely ONE competent forward at the dot and that is Toews.
The crummy PK will get better. But it’s a crisis of talent at forward that is the problem. Getting DesJardins back will help, but that isn’t happening soon.
Big Al- is right on Re: Face-offs… harder to dominate possession… when the other team is controlling face-offs…
How much better would this team be with Frans Nielsen versus AA??? imo- a lot better… I know SB was rumored to be after him a few years ago– then that Saad thing happened.
1st line has almost ZERO possession/cycle skill w/ 64/14… I like both players… But Toews continues to Look frustrated playing with 2 guys- with ZERO cycle game right now!
Noonan IQ96 Says: “No!-the Buffoons attack specific people on this site–use that energy and talent for something worthwhile on this planet, please.”
You and the Hall of Fame Buffoon Wall were seen holding hands at a candlelit table with life size posters of Fabbri, Vesey, and Marko Dano overhead. Noonan’s Fantasy!
2010 … that’s your weight, right chubster?
Like clockwork, watch as Wall the Buffoon pines for players Bowman didn’t sign … after every loss. And pines for players in Rockford to be called up … after every loss. And pines for personnel moves … after every loss. In other breaking news, the sun rises in the east.
I know the PK is beyond terrible it’s the ice follies right now but if the PP was better we wouldn’t have gone to a shoot out (which I really hate). Hopefully we get Desi back soon but we need better structure. Toews and Hossa were always great on the PK. We need our centers to go to face off school if we control the face off you can kill 20 seconds right off the bat. I think Schmaltz might be better off in Rockford for now.
Watching the 1st period was cringe worthy last night. Credit to Flames forecheck. Those guys really had it going and the Hawks had zero time to chase down pucks without a Calgary player right on em. Flames completely sealed down the Hawks in their own end and Hawks had basically zero breakouts of their D zone with speed.
Apart from Toews, the faceoffs remain a real problem. This is especially true on PP and PK puck drops. It has to get better.
RTF makes good points about Hawks forwards depth. It is thin right now and IS really hurting the PK. Puck pressure please?? To think that the young guys are going to be able to really pick it up is stretch, although the optimist in me hopes it can happen. With this group, board battles are a struggle. The KAP line is getting less open ice as opposing teams focus on shutting em down. Quality scoring chances to Kane look vastly reduced so far this year, yet that line has been getting points. Otherwise, can we really think Panik will light it up all year? To his credit Panik has shown some grit and some strong push back physically. We need more of that from the other forwards. Toews??
Five on five has been pretty decent. Yikes, special teams are the problem, period. Crow and Darling have been bright spots thankfully.
Motte and Forsling had rough nights. Hopefully Forsling is back soon. Rozy did a fine job last night imo. Kempny back for NJ?
This season will remain a work in progress and will be tough to watch at times, like the 1st period last night. Happy to get a point, but 2 pts should have been there at home against a struggling team like the Flames.
Lets Go Hawks!
I also meant to say how much the Hawks are really missing Andrew Shaw. The Hawks didn’t have the length of contract, or the $$ the Habs offered, and that is the cap just kicking our ass. The price that must be paid for being successful in this NHL.
Lets Go Hawks!
Buffoon clown …kick out the AH …….
OUT
OUT
They have outscored opponents 16-8 give or take a goal on 5 on 5 play so the pk is putting pressure in other areas and making try to play a normal 4 lines impossible when you have to catch up. Fsceoffs would help but anisimov and schmaltz don t take faceoffs on pk desjardins back with krueger can help there. Right now whats going on with pk is catastrophic to having uniformity in the lineup. If this area could be corrected it would allow progression in the rest of the game but until it does your playing catchup all the time and guess what.
C’mon Tab, ban the Buffoon troll.
I don’t remember – wasn’t Anisimov pretty good on faceoffs last year until he hurt his wrist? I wonder if it never fully healed.
The problems will go away with time. The kids will learn to play the PK the proper way and then the veterans will be able to do their jobs. You can see it on the PK, the young kids are out of position, then the D men have to cover for the mistake and then the puck is in the net.
The new kids have speed, some size and some talent, but they are not even close to the talent of a young Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Keith……etc. So they have to learn the game the hard way, which is not easy to do in the NHL. The only thing that the coaching staff can do is be patient, within reason, teach the kids the right way to do the job, and HOPE that as the season goes on they learn from their mistakes.
Any coach will tell you that it takes 5 guys to win a face off. Although I understand that we have our troubles at the dot, ALL of the forwards need to be better in the face off circle. Things will get better as the season goes on.
I like the direction that this team is heading. I would rather have young guys making mistakes and being held accountable than a group of middle aged guys who should be playing on some minor league team in Wyoming. The truth is that we are going to find out just how good our coaching staff really is, this year.
So now we’re blaming this on the loss of Andrew Shaw?
….chronic problems on pk and pp….this team can no longer score at will and is no longer an elite team….it is now a working class team with a few elite players….not a good start but it’s the end that counts lets hope they can find the right formula before it’s too late with current elite players…….Frolik Brower and Versteeg would still look good on Blackhawks….of course even lowly Calgary knows how you have to outhit and out muscle the Hawks and if goaltender is hot they can be shut down effectively because they rely too much on passing and shooting from long distance……
I agree. Hawks are no longer an elite team. We are now a middle of the pack type team in the Western Conference. Obviously there remain some truly elite players on this roster and some other very good pieces, but overall the salary cap has devastated our depth at forward. Losing Shaw was also a big deal. And next summer we are in line to lose Panarin given that I see no path to being able to afford him at $6 M plus per season.
I like Motte and Forsling. I think Kempny too but it’s early. No way is Schmaltz ready for the NHL. He is really struggling and can’t adapt to the speed of the game yet. Panik is just a guy. Hinostraza and Hartman do nothing for me and both should be toiling in the AHL for most of their professional careers if we are being honest. Rasmussen is useless. Tootoo is a veteran limited ability role player.
What I really want to know is can Toews reclaim his game at some point. He wasn’t the same player last season or thru the early going this season. Granted an old Hossa and a lousy left wing situation on the top line doesn’t help. But still I admit to being concerned.
Buffoon- I would be pining for Rockford prospects to be called up… but- truth be told- they don’t have many assets down there… The Swedish Goalie looks pretty decent so far… but he ain’t coming up unless injury/trade happen to Darling or Crow….
RTF- is right- especially last 2 paragraphs… Hartman/TooToo/Hino 12th/13th guy – AHL type players… but fact is there is no help In Rockford right now.
Hawks have more talent in Jrs./College/SHL – than they do in Rock… and none can be called up right now. Hayden/D-Cat/From/Fortin all have more upside then most at Rock.
Wall, the point (which you obviously missed, no surprise) is you’ll be pining for some player to be called up to be the “savior” after a few more losses … because that’s what you do. You are addicted to personnel moves, you think this is PlayStation NHL. Which is why you are bestowed with nicknames. You are odd. The world is a tuxedo, you are a pair of brown shoes.
And you have a crush on Marko Dano, hahahahahahahahaha …
Buffoon- I am odd, and own it… I am like a ” butterfly on acid”
You missed my point- there are NO saviors to be called up…
please enlighten us with some Hockey insight or knowledge…
At least I offered “Panik might surprise ” … after going to one practice- and seeing him finish several plays.
Are you still jealous of My crush on Dano…
Guess who has a crush on WALL… do you need a hint?
Wall. You are a complete idiot. First, your AA comment is ridiculous, AA is a great acquisition and makes both Kane and Bread Man better. Second, Hawks becoming sellers LOL. You are seriously deranged. The fact they are so good on 5on5 play is what is important. The rest will be solved soon enough. Get a clue buddy. You and RTF must have climbed out from behind the same rock!
Mr. Buffoon sounds an awful lot like the former BrokerWayne, hiding behind a different alias. I could be wrong and would be happy to recant if so, but just a thought. My comment is this: whom ever it is, why do you hide like a coward? Why not share your real name and offer an opinion or some insight into anything hockey related, rather than name call like a petulant child with a grudge?
Ned Schneebly.
This is better than the grade 3,s in the playground , childish fools . Tampa just gave Toronto a good slapping and guess what ????Tampa was crushed in the circle , proving once again that who scores the most GOALS wins .Don,t care about all the latest stats bout this that and the other ,.,.well perhaps i do BUT ,..,if we get a couple more guys burying the puck and a couple more guys not taking shit penalties ,.,let the winning streak begin . Toews has got to get it going ! Kiss and make up boys,.,.
I have to agree with the lack of depth at forward. No wonder Toews hasn’t been scoring or is frustrated. One of Motte or Panik has to be removed from that line. Both work hard but cannot cycle and neither can pass the puck leaving Toews to do all the play making. I haven’t seen Toews take so few shots. Motte shoots every time even when a pass may be the better play. Motte will learn but is a 3rd line player not 1st (I realise the Hawks have few options ).
Also Toews is the ONLY one who can win a faceoff. AA gets 2nd star of the week but can’t win a faceoff to save his life and Whats with Kruger falling down on every FO.
Hey Tony you dumb guido, any time you want to meet up and see who’s the coward, you’ll get your wop ass thrashed.
Now go have a plate of spaghetti with your nonna …
Wall you dolt, watching a practice doesn’t make you an expert. Idiot. It’s been established there’s likely no one at Rockford who can provide immediate help, BUT THE POINT IS it won’t stop you from pining for somebody after every loss. Because that’s what you do, you’re a pair of brown shoes in a tuxedo world, goof.
You are addicted to personnel moves, you seem to think after every loss “they should have signed this guy” “they should call this guy up” blah blah and on and on it goes. You never shut up. And then you claim “you called it”. You clown, that’s because you yap so much. Now go do what we all know you really want to do, call up Fabbri and take him out on a date.
@ RTF
I’m not a fan of Kitch to begin with. I’ve heard rumblings about him for some time now. Nothing horrible just about the working relationship with Dineen might not be the greatest. Also that he is very much a yes man with Q and sometimes it helps to have a different opinion and voice on hockey decisions. Alot of this rumblings got flushed out when Dineen was rumored to be head to the AVS in the offseason. Anyways a horrific PK won’t help his case.
WALL = BUFFOON
Aaaayyyyy why you pick’n on da eyetallions!?!?!?
Don’t make me send Fernando Pisani to knee cap you…
RTF, Wall, Buffoon…whoever. Just kind of embarrassing guys.
We’re here to converse about hockey. Share insight, opinions, ask questions. Please don’t ruin what is in my opinion one of the last remaining classy sports blog sites. And to everyone else, just ignore. No need to fuel the fire.
Anyone have any insight to the seriousness of forsling’s injury?
Why does the Center (e.g., Arnismov) need the be the one who takes the faceoff.
Seems like I remember Patrick Kane doing pretty well while taking faceoffs for Jonathan when Jonathan was nursing an injured shoulder a few years back.
Gander – agreed. Now, if Tab also agrees, perhaps he can do something about it and keep the trolls confined to their mother’s basements and not on his blog ruining our conversations.
I’ve heard that Forsling’s injury is not serious, that he’s day-to-day. Love the way he’s been playing so far. Small sample size, but he looks poised and I like his decision making when he has the puck. Would love to see him paired with Jammer.
Forsling? Um, he’s sick. My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who saw Gustav pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it’s pretty serious.
Kane was 42% at the dot when he played center and his goals and assists were down.
1. Hartman, Hinostraza, Rasmussen are various forms of non-upside don’t really belong in the NHL suck.
2. Panik isn’t top line material on any planet.
3. Hossa maybe plays 60 games a season at this point and can’t really be relied upon anymore for offense of significance.
4. This team is brutally bad at face-offs outside of Toews.
5. Schmaltz ain’t ready for this league.
6. Rolling 4 lines is an extreme pipe dream at this stage.
7. The PK is tragic, mainly because the forward quality and depth doesn’t exist anymore to always kill 2 minutes.
Moral of the story? Unless Bowman is willing to chalk this up as a transition season completely, then a trade for a forward (or two) is an eventual certainty. As currently constructed we claw real real hard for one of the eight playoff slots in the Western Conference. Not a certainty by any stretch.
@ RTF
Spot on! I agree that Schmaltz might be over matched but with this line up it cant hurt to have him up here. I said it earlier and I’ll repeat it again this is the least talented playoff team the Hawks have iced since 2011. At least the 2011 had a younger core. This is what a team on the decline looks like.
To much money tied up in top 2 guys ,we have our hands tied in some regards .,hard to bring in or keep those 3 to 4 million dollars cast members who do so much for relatively so little . Those heavy cap hitters not going away for years to come ,.,.so suck it up ,let the kids play ,and learn,..,You can always watch the Cubs .
Banter re: Kitchen food for thought. That is Q’s guy for sure. But Q played w/ Dineen, that’s his boy as well.
Q is loyal, he will not fire Kitchen, no way, even if the PK gives up 2 goals a game the rest of the season. At the rate it s going, this is possible. Q will drown his sorrows at local equine parlor near you.
Daily faceoff posted these lines:
14,19,88
72,15,81
64,8,38
70,16,22
Now aren’t ALWAYS accurate, but I would be interested in seeing those lines in action.
heard Forsling is out Friday most likely
Read this, about Tazers points (goals/assists). This is normal for him.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/patrick-kane-hopes-he-can-help-ignite-jonathan-toews-offense/
The FW may not be as deep as 09/10/13/14/15/16. Does anyone think were not going to add a couple good FW at trade and deadline. We do it every yr. We need to let the young guys get experience and those guys will get better during yr and each yr. Then the best of the best younger guys are in 12 FW after deadline and playoffs. We keep everybody and have depth guys.
Ohh yea I think the DEfense is deeper then it was on any of those yrs the FW were deeper. With salary cap for the forst couple yrs of core players higher caphits we have to have more young guys/.600-.800 vet kind of caphits to get threw to the deadline and then we can and will like every yr get what we need.
I think its more important to have the Defense good to go then to try and find those kind of players at deadline. Its harder to get defenseman/centers then other positions. Plus we have young guys that are FW in the prospects and a diamond in the rough with 42.
Sample size. We have the same stats after are annual NOV/DEC runs we go on every yr then I would be a little worried.
Who cares if the core/roster is on decline because its still at/near peak of a dynasty core/and role guys. Still better then any other core in hockey, when we have a decent enough supporting role guys.
It doesn’t matter were the roster/team is now (first 40 games) it matters for 2nd 40 games/playoffs.
Perspective. Were going to win the Stanley Cup again. Just not sure on what yrs.
MORRISON
Does anyone think were not going to add a couple good FW at trade and deadline. We do it every yr.
Who cares if the core/roster is on decline because its still at/near peak of a dynasty core/and role guys. Still better then any other core in hockey, when we have a decent enough supporting role guys.
The only way Bowman adds good forwards at the deadline is if 1) Hawks are a lock for the playoffs which at this juncture is questionable and 2) If he gives up more top draft picks like has the past two years…..Which, is part of the problem when you look at the Hawks prospect depth. Terrible.
I guess as long as he doesn’t give up more than single 7th rounders four years down the pipe for trash like Kimmo Timonen it’d be ok.
As for the “better than every other core in hockey statement? Really? Wouldn’t be a homer by chance would ya? Red welding goggles maybe?
AlbertaHawksFan- I’m standing with Morrison …Crawford, Keith, Seabrook, Hammer, Hossa, Toews, Kane, and now Panarin….yup…best core in the NHL…you could start a new team with these guys, fill in the blanks and have an instant #1 contender. Plus added bonus for a strong winning attitude and invaluable experience as to how to get there. These guys know whats up and when better than any other grouping from any other team. Red goggles not withstanding.
Only off yr we had was 11 (we were short handed with 6 ahl players) and even though we started shitty 8-9, we were 16 games over .500 at game 81. There are more good teams in conference now then then so, that doesn’t mean +15 is 8 seed.
I think theres only 1 or 2 teams above +22-25 and the 3/4/5/6 seeds will be +17-22 over .500 so who knows that, would guess were in the 17-22 range because we have been every yr and that is right there again as one of the top teams that has done it before and more then any other team. Difference is this yr we have full rest and last yr we didn’t. Which will have our key guys restored.
I not agree/disagree, I do not know how anybody can go by 7 games (or even 10), I think we need at least 20 games to get an idea of how good the roster is. I personally think games 20-40 is going to tell us what kind of team we have.
The thing we know is what trends we have done before and that is we are +25-30 in 09/10/13 and around +20 in 12/14/15/16. That we usually play really good in games 20-40 and in playoffs.
M.M your 8 man roster adds up to about 52 million dollars a year , great looking core BUT kinda hard to fill the roster with quality players with the scratch left over on the cap You dig ,.,.have a look @ the Habs cap hit ,.,those boys are built to perform this year . No one on their team making stupid money ,.,they have picked up Danault for nothing ,signed Shaw for what ,.,.,half a million more than the Hawks could afford to put on the table ,they to have drafted quite well the past 5 years or so , BUT they do not have those albatross contracts like Toews and Kane strapped around their necks . The Hawks are in for a tough season but lets not piss away some good young talent again at deadline . Give the kids a chance ,so far so good .
HawkHead- Good Good! Wise words.
The jury is still out on Montreal. They haven’t done anything with these players and they started hot like this last year as well. They rely too much on Price. They also don’t have 3 Stanley Cups in the last 7 years so the players aren’t getting MAX salaries (Pacioretty-pun intended)). I’m with Morrison let’s wait and see before we start turning over the elite teams to Montreal. I like those lines Gander.
Not giving up on Schmaltz yet. He’s young, the season is early, and he’s got speed. He’s had some issues but he’s had some times when he’s looked good in the mix. The West is gonna be top heavy again this year, but there’s no reason the Blackhawks won’t be in towards the top. After last night’s OT win at NJ, they’re above 0.500 and I think looking better in some respects.
Go Blackhawks!!!!