It's a hockey discussion forum - we aren't curing cancer here, so sure why not. 4 games into an 82 game season - 5% of the season, but sure, let's play. Random thoughts:
Saad - I'm LOVING what he's doing. Net front presence and grit. Can anyone recall a greasy goal from a Hawks player last season? Saad already has two or three and other guys are going net front too (Anisomov vs. Habs). He's made Toews better (which is really why he's here over Arti, isn't it?)
Panik - really liking his play as well. He still has problems staying out of the box, but I'm liking his grit. While he didn't get an assist on the goal the other night, his effort on that check on the boards to take the puck and generate the chance was a thing of beauty and sorely missing from this team.
Kane - well, I liked his first two games. They were a clinic in puck movement and highlight reel. Very disappointed in the last two. He has those random 'I'm disinterested' road games every season. He just had two in a row at the very start of the season after a long rest. Missing Schmatlz perhaps?
Schmaltz - loving what he did. Poor kid is taking a beating. Need him back ASAP.
Crow - 3 goals allowed in 3 games on 107 shots. Fantastic. The Columbus goal was fluky and the Habs goal was a the result of a terrible Hartman turnover and a shot he wasn't expecting (but one I still think he should have had). He's been outstanding.
Toews - he looks quicker and he's winning board battles. Saad has given him a shot in the arm. He leads the league as a +8. Not hard to do when your two linemates have 8 goals in 4 games (and he himself has 2G). That pace won't continue, but I like it. He's at 55.8% for FO. I'd like to see that a bit higher, but I'll take it with the officiating silliness. He's on pace for 41G/62A/103PTS and a +164. That would be pretty good.
Anisimov - I like that he got a goal the other night be being net front (on a greasy pass). He's surprisingly at 55% on FO which is a very good thing. That said, he looks very slow to me.
DeBrincat - kid had a great game the other night. The goal was great but the pass on the AA goal was better. Really like his game and his grit. All those points going around in games 1 and 2 and him not getting one was surprising (he did have a post). I do like the grit, but I want him to table it. He stood up to big guys giving 6 inches and 70 pounds and while that's cool, it could come back to bite him.
Ruuta/Kempny/Forsling - very much liking their game and pleasantly surprised at the size and speed. Forsling's seasoning last year improved his game dramatically. Really liking Rutta. In particularly, I'm liking how the defense actually now has guys who can bring size and speed AND activate and get shots through from the point. Something SORELY missing before. I thought this was going to be a big concern for the Hawks but it's looking to be a strength. Don't like the shot totals from the opposing teams last two games, but that seemed to be more of an issue with the forward vs. the D men
Forsberg - a great game against Tor that stole a point. Very much like what I saw. Small sample size but so far so good. I'll say it this way - the Hawks have a back up goalie.
Murphy/Franson - so far so good. I like that Franson likes to shoot the damn puck. The Franson pass on the PP goal was excellent.
Hartman - terrible turnover leads to a goal the other night, but I like how his game has advanced.
Sharp - looks healthy and fast. Good stuff.
All in all, 7 out of 8 points in the first 4 games of a tough schedule of 4 games in the first 6 days against playoff teams including the SC champion - I'll take it!