[thefoss1957]

OK...my, severely flawed, guys limp into Calgary, after giving the puck away, carelessly, too often in Vancouver and Edmonton. were dominating control of the puck in both games, and an avoidable turnover changed the complexion of both games.

Will give a capsule scouting on our roster.

Debrincat-Toews-Kahun

Debrincat (the Cat) - a RH Kane Jr. Nifty, aggressive, offensive, but, has cooled off after a hot start. Main line threat off the cycle. LW one-time threat on PP1. Kane will look for cross-ice to the Cat in the predictable 'Hawk PP.

Toews - Bad turnover in D-zone cost Oil game. Been playing stronger and faster than last season. Much more dangerous off the rush.

Kahun - All potential, but, inconsistent so far, still learning. Q may drop him from 1st line if he feels that someone from bottom 6 needs to be rewarded. Personally, this fan hasn't been impressed. He seems to drag the effectiveness of this line down.

Saad-Anisimov-Kane

Saad - Speed, marginal hands, just out of Q's doghouse. Doesn't consistently bring it. Disappointing last season, and up an down to start this. Will be in front of net on PP2 unit

Anisimov (AA) - A good soldier. He was supposed to be demoted to #3C,or even traded as he has a limited NTC, but, effort and consistency, plus chemistry with Kane has moved him back up the roster. Will be main net-front screen/garbage collector on our #1PP, and is in the rotation on PK.

Kane: Had flu in BC, DNP, played like he was sick in Edmonton. If he is 100% he is the main threat, offensively, working well with Anisimov.year. Main threat for offense, and Q will double shift Kane with Kruger/Kampf if offense sputters (again). Right Boards, main playmaker, and main threat on PP1, which seems to have only 3 plays, Kane to the Cat for 1 timer, Kane to crease for jam and scramble. Kane to AA behind net for walk out jam play.

Even though announcers call this line the #2 line, it is the main O-threat line for the 'Hawks

Note:Puppet guy has Kane out for Kunitz, if this is the case, the 'Hawks are, again, doomed. Kunitz is completely done, skates of cement, hands of stone, waste of roster spot.

Fortin-Johnson-Schmaltz

Fortin - Speed to burn, but, tends to fly by, and play on perimeter. Still learning the NHL game. Marginal O-threat, could flip with Kahun to Toews line.

Johnson - Could just as easily be in Rockford. An unremarkable prospect thrown in the deep end to learn the NHL game. Nothing special noted by this fan.

Schmaltz - Q's doghouse tenant. His HORRIFIC turnover in BC a pass 3 feet behind the cutting D-Man, led to a Virtanen breakaway, that erased anything positive the 'Hawks had built. Exiled to the pressbox for the Oil game. Schmaltz was being groomed to be the #2C and work with Kane. Now demoted to #3LW, and development arrested. Speed, but, indecisive, and telegraphs and forces passes. He is an extreme liability on PP2, when he cycles to the top of the umbrella, and the Points pinch, has a habit of coughing up the puck when pressured there, and giving up SH odd men against, with him the closest man backchecking.

Kampf-Kruger-Hayden

Kampf - a Utility guy, can play C. developing into a nice defensive forward, that forechecks tenaciously. PK 1 with Kruger.

Kruger - Q abuses Kruger, toughest zone-start stats. in the NHL, of any forward that has played in every game, at about 86% Defensive starts at ES. PK1 and every other PK shift, Kruger is the main Defensive forward on the 'Hawks.

Hayden - A nice young bottom 6 forward, reliable D, tenacious forecheck. Q occasionally promotes to Toews Line RW. Main tough guy if Martinsen is scratched.

Note: this 4th line is NOT a mismatch, when out against top lines. They are a better defensive line than any other 'Hawk line. Also, they play the most direct offensive game, of any 'Hawk line, forecheking like demons. This fan views them as a much better line than the alleged line 3.

The 'Hawk defense is a hot mess!

Jokiharu/Keith

A decidedly "light" pairing, all speed and sticks, can be overpowered, and a fail in board battles. Jokiharu is 19yo and learning on a #1D pair, very good stick, but, still learning when to stand up and when to collapse. Keith has lost a step, but, still the best we have.

Gustaffson (Gus)/Seabrook

Gus is a hyperaggressive Offensive defensman. Seabrook has been abused as he nearly completely lacks the speed to recover, and has to deal with odd-men against, when Gus gets caught up ice.

Manning/Davidson

Turnover and own goal machines...these guys would suck, even as an AHL pairing.

Q's Doghouse tenants: Rutta, Schmaltz, Saad

Q's unexplainable unconditional love: Kunitz


Goalies

Crawford/Ward

I believe they lead the league in danger chances against. They aren't as bad as stats might suggest. Against Toronto, Ward gave up SIX goals, but, still had a Sv% above .90! That's how bad the 'Hawk D coverage is.

Special teams note: 'Hawks not only have the worst PP in the league (see my notes on forwards), they often play with a Forward as the high man...any turnovers end up as SHG against us. A stupid, completely predictable design that generates far more turnovers than shots, the only time the 'Hawk PP is even a threat (to opponents...they are ALWAYS a threat to themselves!) is when Kane or the Cat dangle, off script.

Good luck to you Flame fans, and your team...the only thing I will guarantee, is that the 'Hawks play a loose, up-tempo, entertaining (if you don't care about results) game. I'll be around in the GT to accept abuse!