So our beloved hawks end up getting a playoff spot under the 24 team format. Nothing new, just reiterating. Hawks in the playoffs are good for tv ratings after all. Not to sound ungrateful, since the NHL threw us a bone we didn’t deserve, but man we don’t deserve this. As a team I mean. The fans, for all the loyalty and time we invest in this team, do. This team was just on their way to another mediocre finish three years running. Thanks NHL.
Line #1: standard, you know what it is. Nuff said.
Line #2: I can just hear the triggers being pulled. Yes, this is your all-offensive line! Plenty of goals for, plenty against. Cat and strome have struggled this year. Badly at times. Suffice to say, I’ll take whatever combination gets the best out of (supposedly) two of our best players. Putting Kane with them does that and no other winger comes close. Period. No defense? Well, I’d be more worried about our actual defense.
Line #3: what do you get when you put a pit bull, a messiah sent from bowman land, and a black sheep together? This line! Dach plays defense, nylander does whatever it is he’s been up to this year, and caggs protects the the two bigger guys. Potentially a dependable defensive line, and hopefully a somewhat offensive line.
Line #4: shutdown line pure and simple. Hopefully they have enough energy to actually closedown mcdavid and draisital in some capacity. With all respect, I’m not too hopeful.
D-Pair #1: Keith, boqvist. Old guard, new guard. Let’s see what playoff hockey actually brings out of boqvist. As for Duncan, let’s see if the hall of famer still has it.
D-Pair #2: de Haan, Murphy. One armed man, dependable man. Joking aside, really hope de Haan stays healthy enough to actually do what he was traded for. As for Murphy, he’s the one guy who’s been relatively consistent. I do like this line. If it’s healthy...
D-Pair #3: maatta, Mitchell. Cement skates, flashy skates. Maatta has shown this year (ehhh) that in the right role, he can be dependable. I’m not exactly a fan, especially against the speed of Edmonton. As for Mitchell, my love for him goes back at least two years. I have high hopes for him, but I’m definitely not crazy enough to think he’s cale makar territory. I hope he just shows good decision making, but as far as pro hockey goes, he’s going straight into the lions den with possibly the two best forwards in hockey.
If this team gets going it could upset some teams in the playoffs
You’re not wrong. It’s a good case of experience vs. youth. Not saying the hawks don’t have their share of youth, but they definitely have the experience to know what needs to be done in the playoffs. The oilers, though, do have the two best offensive forwards in hockey and nurse and klefbom on the back end. Goalie is where the hawks need to blitz them.
1st line looks good. Cat-Strome-Kane line was not good at all during the season. Probably better to put lane with dach and maybe Caggula/Nylander on the 2nd. Keep Strome with cat and caggula/nylander on the 3rd. 4th looks good, but I would swap smith with Highmore. Highmore was really good when he played last year and has a lot more speed than smith which we need. Only change on D that I would make is swapping Mitchell with koekkoek. I .just don't see them throwing Mitchell in right away in the playoffs, however it could happen I guess. Overall, it looks good. Go hawks
You're right about the description, but I have a feeling that the NHL wanted A.) simply more viewership and B.) BOTH NY teams, CHI, and VAN all go in because of this. I'm pretty sure after TOR...those markets are 2-5 in terms of money...so there's a reason for it too.
I like these lines alot. I know Cat/Strome/Kane didn't play all that great together this year, but A.) they didn't play a ton together this year and B.) That was a beast line last year. I'd be happy with those forward lines. I'd personally swap Murphy with Boqvist. DeHaan's supposedly ready and he's a bruiser. He can help Boqvist and the 2nd line will allow Boqvist more efficient PP time. I'd also put in Delia over Subban.
You're right about the description, but I have a feeling that the NHL wanted A.) simply more viewership and B.) BOTH NY teams, CHI, and VAN all go in because of this. I'm pretty sure after TOR...those markets are 2-5 in terms of money...so there's a reason for it too.
I like these lines alot. I know Cat/Strome/Kane didn't play all that great together this year, but A.) they didn't play a ton together this year and B.) That was a beast line last year. I'd be happy with those forward lines. I'd personally swap Murphy with Boqvist. DeHaan's supposedly ready and he's a bruiser. He can help Boqvist and the 2nd line will allow Boqvist more efficient PP time. I'd also put in Delia over Subban.
Overall, really great lines to me though!
Quoting: exo2769
You're right about the description, but I have a feeling that the NHL wanted A.) simply more viewership and B.) BOTH NY teams, CHI, and VAN all go in because of this. I'm pretty sure after TOR...those markets are 2-5 in terms of money...so there's a reason for it too.
I like these lines alot. I know Cat/Strome/Kane didn't play all that great together this year, but A.) they didn't play a ton together this year and B.) That was a beast line last year. I'd be happy with those forward lines. I'd personally swap Murphy with Boqvist. DeHaan's supposedly ready and he's a bruiser. He can help Boqvist and the 2nd line will allow Boqvist more efficient PP time. I'd also put in Delia over Subban.
Overall, really great lines to me though!
Problem is the Cat - Strome - Kane line got scored on way more then goals they put in. If they roll out that line they better have Keith and Murphy on the ice to limit the damage.
You're right about the description, but I have a feeling that the NHL wanted A.) simply more viewership and B.) BOTH NY teams, CHI, and VAN all go in because of this. I'm pretty sure after TOR...those markets are 2-5 in terms of money...so there's a reason for it too.
I like these lines alot. I know Cat/Strome/Kane didn't play all that great together this year, but A.) they didn't play a ton together this year and B.) That was a beast line last year. I'd be happy with those forward lines. I'd personally swap Murphy with Boqvist. DeHaan's supposedly ready and he's a bruiser. He can help Boqvist and the 2nd line will allow Boqvist more efficient PP time. I'd also put in Delia over Subban.
Overall, really great lines to me though!
I’d be down for boqvist with Keith or de haan. Keith and Murphy actually is the logical choice for 1st pair, especially if cat strome Kane happens. I like that idea!
You’re not wrong. It’s a good case of experience vs. youth. Not saying the hawks don’t have their share of youth, but they definitely have the experience to know what needs to be done in the playoffs. The oilers, though, do have the two best offensive forwards in hockey and nurse and klefbom on the back end. Goalie is where the hawks need to blitz them.
Here’s to a fascinating first round matchup.
It’ll go to 6 or 7 games imo. I think I’ll put hawks over them in my pool
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