We’ll see if the trend continues but this season at least, the times he was out of the lineup, the team just overall looked better (to me anyway).

If they can make it three in a row tonite, it will mark just their second such streak for this season but both will have been achieved without Jones.

The other time they did it in Dec, they were playing some decent hockey, then Seth came back and they went on a 5 game losing streak.
- HawkintheD

Between Jones’ time off from 11/14-12/21 and the last two games, the Hawks are 8-10, not sure if he missed any other games. Does Sorensen come back with #30 toknight, or does he go to Soderblom?

Between Jones’ time off from 11/14-12/21 and the last two games, the Hawks are 8-10, not sure if he missed any other games. Does Sorensen come back with #30 toknight, or does he go to Soderblom?
- Angotti

I think you come back with Knight after that performance.

I think you come back with Knight after that performance.
- HawkintheD

Got tix for tonight's game and hoping it's Knight but fine with Soda. As long as it's not Mrazek

Got tix for tonight's game and hoping it's Knight but fine with Soda. As long as it's not Mrazek
- Assman22

They gotta showcase him one more time before the TDL.

They gotta showcase him one more time before the TDL.
- Chunk

Ha! If they do that he most assuredly remains a Hawk.

Ha! If they do that he most assuredly remains a Hawk.
- HawkintheD

Or he gets injured.

They gotta showcase him one more time before the TDL.
- Chunk

Which teams are in the market for a goalie? And which teams are willing to broker a $4.25 mill cap hit? Regardless, I'm sure he sees the writing on the wall. Wasn't long ago that he was lights out and there was no heir apparent. Crazy how things changed so quickly.

Or he gets injured.
- Angotti

Not rooting for that but doesn’t that kind of un-complicate the goalie picture for the immediate future?

Will be interesting to see if he’s able to trade him by Friday. It’s certainly a much smaller miracle than the trade he just pulled off.

Are the Leafs trying to obtain Laughton for playoffs AND eventually unseat Tavares? If so, that would not be good for our Knies offer sheet dream scenario we all keep tossing around. Offers thus far are said to be a 1st rounder + and the Leafs don't have much to give up.

Are the Leafs trying to obtain Laughton for playoffs AND eventually unseat Tavares? If so, that would not be good for our Knies offer sheet dream scenario we all keep tossing around. Offers thus far are said to be a 1st rounder + and the Leafs don't have much to give up.
- Assman22

I don't watch Knies play much but when i do he reminds me of Bertuzzi but able to stay on his skates better, am i missing something here?

Which teams are in the market for a goalie? And which teams are willing to broker a $4.25 mill cap hit? Regardless, I'm sure he sees the writing on the wall. Wasn't long ago that he was lights out and there was no heir apparent. Crazy how things changed so quickly.
- 333inthe3rd

I've gone over the market thrice over and can't find any scenario that makes sense. I know they'd like to do right by Petr but there doesn't seem like anything is there. Having a bad year, no retention spot thus 3rd team needed, and you'd be basically giving away draft capital to make it work for the next 21 games. Either waivers or press box so he can get fully healthy would be the most likely options I'd think.

I don't watch Knies play much but when i do he reminds me of Bertuzzi but able to stay on his skates better, am i missing something here?
- BetweenTheDots

Young power forward that can score and post up. Improved his skating, gets in the dirty areas, plays the body, playmaker, puck hound, consistently solid w/ positioning especially for his age. Hawks don't have that now or in the pipeline besides Boisvert (maybe) and he's years away if he makes it at all.

Young power forward that can score and post up. Improved his skating, gets in the dirty areas, plays the body, playmaker, puck hound, consistently solid w/ positioning especially for his age. Hawks don't have that now or in the pipeline besides Boisvert (maybe) and he's years away if he makes it at all.
- Assman22

I'll have to focus on him in the playoffs.

I'll have to focus on him in the playoffs.
- BetweenTheDots

We’re talking the Leafs here so if you don’t watch the first round you may be SOL.

We’re talking the Leafs here so if you don’t watch the first round you may be SOL.
- paulr

I always am a bit concerned about throwing money at a player who gets hot, looking him up i see he has 11 points in 11 games. Great for the kid and his next contract.

I don't watch Knies play much but when i do he reminds me of Bertuzzi but able to stay on his skates better, am i missing something here?
- BetweenTheDots

The thing I most disappointed with Bertuzzi is he really isn’t very physical. He will camp in front of the net but he doesn’t lay big hits often. Not going to wow you with his ability to win board battles. Pretty bad year if you take away his 1 unit PP time.

I’m not a fan of offer sheets because they can come back to bite you. Once a team is built up to contend, such team most certainly will be up against the cap. With all these draft picks, one day it will be almost impossible to keep them all. That’s when a team will pounce on one of your RFA’s.

I always am a bit concerned about throwing money at a player who gets hot, looking him up i see he has 11 points in 11 games. Great for the kid and his next contract.
- BetweenTheDots

Knies would be the perfect line mate for Bedard. He’d look after the heavy lifting, the fore checking, back checking, screening the goalie, the physical battles and he’s got good hands. He may not put up huge numbers now but keep in mind he’s in his second season, he does allot more than just score and the leafs shuffle him around quite a bit including being spotted on the power play.

I’m not a fan of offer sheets because they can come back to bite you. Once a team is built up to contend, such team most certainly will be up against the cap. With all these draft picks, one day it will be almost impossible to keep them all. That’s when a team will pounce on one of your RFA’s.
- Angotti

It’s a gamble but if Chicago doesn’t offer sheet an RFA there’s no guarantee it won’t eventually happen to them. KD has to do what he can to improve the team, if that means improving the team with an RFA then do it. Just make sure it’s a player the team really wants and needs.

It’s a gamble but if Chicago doesn’t offer sheet an RFA there’s no guarantee it won’t eventually happen to them. KD has to do what he can to improve the team, if that means improving the team with an RFA then do it. Just make sure it’s a player the team really wants and needs.
- paulr

Marner and Rantanen. Those are the first two players they should look into this summer.

I’m not a fan of offer sheets because they can come back to bite you. Once a team is built up to contend, such team most certainly will be up against the cap. With all these draft picks, one day it will be almost impossible to keep them all. That’s when a team will pounce on one of your RFA’s.
- Angotti

Offer sheeting isn't the only way to do it. The Hawks can simply trade for his signing rights and get him as well. Then the other team has more freedom to negotiate more favorable return than just draft picks.

If a high enough proportion of the Hawks draft picks hit their high-water marks, then they won't be able to keep all of them anyway. At that point, it's simply just asset management. On its face, it is a good thing that the Hawks are adding more picks in later years - as long as they don't make all of those picks. It gives them lots of ammunition to go to other teams that are in poorer cap position and offers them a valuable return if they simply can't fit in a good player.

Marner and Rantanen. Those are the first two players they should look into this summer.
- frafra

As with all would-be FA's, they need to be available first. Then they also have to want to come to the Hawks (we saw this play out negatively with Guentzel this past summer). All indications seem to point to Marner wanting to remain with the Leafs.

As with all would-be FA's, they need to be available first. Then they also have to want to come to the Hawks (we saw this play out negatively with Guentzel this past summer). All indications seem to point to Marner wanting to remain with the Leafs.
- Chunk

There are some rumours here that Toronto may try to trade Marner for Rantanen at the deadline. If that’s true I expect Rantanen would be re-signed over the summer and I expect Carolina would lock up Marner.

Young power forward that can score and post up. Improved his skating, gets in the dirty areas, plays the body, playmaker, puck hound, consistently solid w/ positioning especially for his age. Hawks don't have that now or in the pipeline besides Boisvert (maybe) and he's years away if he makes it at all.
- Assman22

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought a PBP Guy said during a game that Kniess weighs 230 lbs. Your description of him is spot on but I'd add his motor doesn't stop.......... A true NHL power forward.

He wasn't always that way. Watched him for a couple yrs with the powerhouse Tri City Storm of the USHL. Played under coach Noreen who wins multiple USHL cups and insists on 2 way hockey and positioning. Kid was well coached and that showed in his game. Then went to U of MN.

Kid has been coached up and took a fantastic path. With his size, tools, slow and steady path the kid is the real deal. A kid who can and does go into beast mode.

Vítek Vaněček Traded to Panthers to back up Bob. Too bad Mrazek wasn’t part of the Jones trade.