Dale Hawerchuk review

This is my first in depth player review.

It is of this beautiful card

I have done mini reviews previously for all the hero cards. But wanted to take a closer look at some of the cards that I have been fortunate enough to use this year. I'm at a point where this last week I am the happiest I have been with a team build. I actually have 6 team synergies active (all of the original ones except TT), while actually liking over 90 percent of the actual cards and not feeling I'm carrying bodies as just synergy plugs.

My current team looks like this: team Puckin Hostile

Have played with Hawerchuk for several hundred games. I would guess about 300 games or so. About 150 games on RW, about 100 at C and the last 50ish at RD.

Synergies: +3 WW, +2 RF

Skating: 95/100. Base card stats are 95/94/94 for acceleration/agility/speed, with 90 balance and 92 endurance. TW is activated for me, making him a 98/97/97. I do not have RF active currently, but that would kick his acceleration up even further.

He can fly. It is effortless. Reaches top speed quick. Excellent top speed once obtained and good endurance (especially with the +2 from CG to maintain it). The speed plays AWESOME on defense. He can keep up or catch up to just about anyone (in the rare event he or his partner get caught). Can springboard a rush out of his end and lead a charge up ice.

I don't know that I'd rate many cards as 'better' skaters, though the only arguments I'd have on my squad are 97 Crosby, 94 Senko, Sullivan and 89 Mackinnon (I'd probably say the 89 Mackinnon has the best pure acceleration/speed combo).

Shooting: 95/100

This card is as impressive shooting as it is skating.

Base wrist shot is 96/94 acc/power. Base slap shot is 95/92 acc/power.

I have WW, B and 1T activated, so in essence his card plays as 99/97 with the wrister and 98/98 with the slapper. It is the accuracy which makes this shooting card special.

Playing him at RD has lead to countless hammered one-timers that punish opposing defenses. Or a move past a charging forward, walk into the slot and then tee up a slapper or simply use that beautiful wrist shot.

Honestly, the only comparable shots in this game when combining wristers, slapper, one-t's and power AND accuracy that I have used are MOVi, Datsyuk, Blake, Wilson and 97 Crosby (haven't used Halloween Heatley, but I'd imagine him as well). I prefer his shot to my 94 Senko by comparison.

Hands: 90/100

Base card stats are 94 (deking, hand-eye and passing) and 95 puck control.

With so many team synergies activated, the numbers are actually higher for me. I only give it a 90 partially because I am not the world's greatest deker. I don't maximize this as much as someone else might. But, trust me, he's good. The only guys I would rate BETTER by my own comparison to my other players are Datsyuk and 97 Crosby.

Makes great break out passes. Can get passes through that others can't. Holds on to the puck well. Dekes, when I pull them off appropriately, are fast and quick. Can pull all of them off.

Checking: 80/100

Base card stats are 90 aggressiveness, 89 checking and 93 strength.

Here's the thing. He's 5'11, 185 pounds. Even with solid base card stats, he is not running over medium to big size guys. He can flatten smaller guys. He can catch a medium size guy pretty good when he has momentum, but he's not knocking over the bigger bodied guys. Fortunately, he does well enough to at least dislodge and interrupt those guys. He has enough to do that. But you don't run him in your lineup for the physical presence. (RF would add +3 to body checking, and that could make some more difference).

Defense: 92/100

Base card stats are 92 DA, 91 stick check, 89 body check, with 85 discipline and 85 FO.

Very solid two way player. With T and SB activated, have very few problems with him defensively (again, RF would enhance this). This is why I run him on defense. He is NOT a liability. He is, in fact, quite the opposite. In good position. Very good poke check. Acceleration and closing speed to get into lanes or to attacking players is phenomenal.

EXTRA:

Versatility: 100/100

Can play literally anywhere.

More than serviceable at center with his 85 faceoffs. Good playmaker in that role to feed your wings. And MORE than enough shot (see above) to capitalize when he gets his chances.

Lethal on the wing. The speed and shot combo are top notch. Card stat wise and game play wise.

WELL ABOVE AVERAGE on defense. He and ASG Weber have been the second pair I've been seeking behind Blake/Wilson for months.

Final thoughts:

I LOVE my team synergies. It should speak volumes that I have exactly two cards on my roster that do not have a team synergy point ... MOVi and Hawerchuk.

THIS (the no team synergy) is literally my only knock against him. If I ever stop using him, it will be because of that. I have no plans on that at this point BTW (just saying).

Right now, he is criminally underpriced (been seeing him for like 120-125??). This is an absurdly low price for the value he brings. The ONLY better value I got all year was buying Blake WAY back for 175K.

Bottom line is he is super versatile and so good at everything (minus being able to run people over).

Hope this helps.