John Jaeckel: Varlamov Stones The Hawks

The Avs goalie was a stud.

A few posts on both sides.

PP looked very uncomfortable again.


Oh well

The Avs goalie was a stud.

A few posts on both sides.

PP looked very uncomfortable again.


Oh well
- mrploves33

It happens. Hope for a better start vs MN tomorrow night and desired finish.

To JJ's point...

On the Teuvo Watch, meh, ok, he's occasionally showing us what we already knew—that he can recognize and pass. To my eye, he still looks like a (clearly talented) boy who's a little uncomfortable playing in the company of men


...thought TT was a little better than meh and maybe a little uncomfortable, but still saw him make a nice steal and play behind the Avs goal in the corner; also, playing on the boards a few times and came away with the puck. I know all the scouting reports have pegged him as strictly a perimeter player so I thought that was good to see.

I agree that when or before KV comes back, TT should be back and finishing the year in RFD.

Avs played well and the Pizza man had a 2 for 1 special last night.

Craw didn't have a chance on either goal. And he looked real strong the rest of the way. But does Raanta get a start here at some point just to change it up.

Once again a dogcrap PP. Overall the Hawks had plenty of shots, but didn't go to the net until late it seemed.

Thought TT looked good at times yesterday in particular at the dot.

It's the January blahs right now for this team. Meanwhile Steeger had a little work done on his hand yesterday...

http://www.csnchicago.com...-undergoes-procedure-hand

This is starting to remind me of what happened last year when the Hawks played awesome hockey up through December (as I recall they were at or near the top of the Central and the league and had a stellar defensive record) and then after scoring 4-5 goals in many of the games near the end of Raanta's run while Crawford was out with an injury, their defense got terribly leaky including Crawford as well as forwards who no longer wanted to backcheck. The rest of the season the Hawks were barely above a .500 club and ended up in 3rd place in the Central. Let's hope history does not repeat as bad habbits are hard to eliminate.

Avs played well and the Pizza man had a 2 for 1 special last night.

Craw didn't have a chance on either goal. And he looked real strong the rest of the way. But does Raanta get a start here at some point just to change it up.

Once again a dogcrap PP. Overall the Hawks had plenty of shots, but didn't go to the net until late it seemed.

Thought TT looked good at times yesterday in particular at the dot.

It's the January blahs right now for this team. Meanwhile Steeger had a little work done on his hand yesterday...

http://www.csnchicago.com...-undergoes-procedure-hand
- DK002

Morning DK. I know the Hawks were a bit off at the dot last night but remember seeing TT win one cleanly.

No pinning this all on CC either but I wouldn't mind seeing Raanta get a start over the next few.

Why is Richards not on the 1st line PP? He and Seabs are the few that can get a shot on net. Give Keith a rest during the PP. It will only help later in the season and PO.

JJ,

Crawford has been especially slow to react to pucks early in the games since his return...

While he may have injured his ankle....do you think there is anything else going on with him?

Crawford's game last night was mixed. Other than the goals (which had issues other than Crawford), the Avs just missed a couple golden chances when Crawford was swimming around in his net or laying on his back. I just don't like the way he is playing right now. Zero is still zero and Crawford can do nothing about the Hawks not scoring.

The bigger problems are zero net presence, a freakishly soft (yet skilled) team that seemingly can only score on the tick, tac toe plays as opposed to the dirty goals, not enough sandpaper and a powerplay that often appears to be only interested in the one perfect look (which explains the perimeter passing often seen). Another thing of concern was the disaster on the dot last night. The Hawks were horribly dominated in the circles and I am still waiting for Shaw to return to wing where he should be.

I DO LIKE the way Nordstrom has developed. His growth from last year to this year is noticeable (to me at least). And while Runblad is still iffy in his own zone, his offensive game is very strong and he is now seeing increased PowerPlay time (I see virtually no dropoff between he and Leddy). One thing I do like about Rundlad on the PP is he seems to have more simplicity and purpose in his game than many of the other point guys. He seems fine just getting the puck low and letting our forwards scrap (snort) for the puck.

TT was meh...wasn't impressed overall. Yet he still gets to moved to a line with Kane later in the game. What did he do to deserve a chance to play with the big boys? Supports theory that some players are favored (the hyped players) while others are not.

Still a very good team with high end talent, but a 3rd-5 seed in the West when all is said and done.

It happens. Hope for a better start vs MN tomorrow night and desired finish.

To JJ's point...

On the Teuvo Watch, meh, ok, he's occasionally showing us what we already knew—that he can recognize and pass. To my eye, he still looks like a (clearly talented) boy who's a little uncomfortable playing in the company of men


...thought TT was a little better than meh and maybe a little uncomfortable, but still saw him make a nice steal and play behind the Avs goal in the corner; also, playing on the boards a few times and came away with the puck. I know all the scouting reports have pegged him as strictly a perimeter player so I thought that was good to see.

I agree that when or before KV comes back, TT should be back and finishing the year in RFD.
- HawkintheD

I thought he was noticeable more on the offensive end. His steal was sweet and that was all skill more than board work. I must've missed his play against the boards so I can't comment either way but I'll take your word on it. Still as we all know, he's a work in progress.

I thought Craw didn't look comfortable. Lot of flopping around.

If your Q, do you change things up on the back to back and maybe go Raanta on Thursday and Craw on Friday?

I thought Craw didn't look comfortable. Lot of flopping around.

If your Q, do you change things up on the back to back and maybe go Raanta on Thursday and Craw on Friday?
- golfbard

Three games in four nights, so Raanta will get a look somewhere in there. The real question is whether you continue to play him if he gets good results.

I thought Craw didn't look comfortable. Lot of flopping around.

If your Q, do you change things up on the back to back and maybe go Raanta on Thursday and Craw on Friday?
- golfbard

I think Crawford hasn't looked that sharp since his return from injury in any of his games.
What stood out for me watching last night was the amount of times the Hawks tried forcing passes, especially to the middle- which a lot of times the Avs had clogged up. There were a number of opportunities where it looked like they could rip it on net, but chose to try the "cute" passing. I think they'll bounce back tonight, though.

I don't know what's up with Keith this year, but he has been pretty bad. He seems to be caught out of position and chasing the play a lot more than usual. He seems to have reverted to 2011 Duncan Keith. Seabrook, on the other hand, has been a stud. I only wish they would replace Keith with Seabrook on the PP...too many shin pads!!!

I think Crawford hasn't looked that sharp since his return from injury in any of his games.
What stood out for me watching last night was the amount of times the Hawks tried forcing passes, especially to the middle- which a lot of times the Avs had clogged up. There were a number of opportunities where it looked like they could rip it on net, but chose to try the "cute" passing. I think they'll bounce back tonight, though.
- Hank3Henshaw

Yea the numbers don't lie in terms of before and after his injury. The neutral zone remained a problem and in the first period the gap control was awful.. how many times were the D backing up so close to together and the Avs skating in on near breakaways from the right point. The defensive positioning and neutral zone play has been awful for the last 6-7 games.

I thought he was noticeable more on the offensive end. His steal was sweet and that was all skill more than board work. I must've missed his play against the boards so I can't comment either way but I'll take your word on it. Still as we all know, he's a work in progress.
- golfbard

Was mostly saying I noticed him along the boards and he came out with the puck a few times, wasn't suggesting he was outmuscling guys in the corners...just pointing out he isn't as allergic to pine/particle board as most reports would suggest.

Crawford's game last night was mixed. Other than the goals (which had issues other than Crawford), the Avs just missed a couple golden chances when Crawford was swimming around in his net or laying on his back. I just don't like the way he is playing right now. Zero is still zero and Crawford can do nothing about the Hawks not scoring.

The bigger problems are zero net presence, a freakishly soft (yet skilled) team that seemingly can only score on the tick, tac toe plays as opposed to the dirty goals, not enough sandpaper and a powerplay that often appears to be only interested in the one perfect look (which explains the perimeter passing often seen). Another thing of concern was the disaster on the dot last night. The Hawks were horribly dominated in the circles and I am still waiting for Shaw to return to wing where he should be.

I DO LIKE the way Nordstrom has developed. His growth from last year to this year is noticeable (to me at least). And while Runblad is still iffy in his own zone, his offensive game is very strong and he is now seeing increased PowerPlay time (I see virtually no dropoff between he and Leddy). One thing I do like about Rundlad on the PP is he seems to have more simplicity and purpose in his game than many of the other point guys. He seems fine just getting the puck low and letting our forwards scrap (snort) for the puck.

TT was meh...wasn't impressed overall. Yet he still gets to moved to a line with Kane later in the game. What did he do to deserve a chance to play with the big boys? Supports theory that some players are favored (the hyped players) while others are not.

Still a very good team with high end talent, but a 3rd-5 seed in the West when all is said and done.
- kwolf68

Agree with your point on Nordy and even when KV comes back would like to see him stick for a bit. As far as TT being favored? Not so sure about that.

Q had the line blender on puree last night so I don't really think it had much to do him being favored as Q trying something out to see if it would work. Saad played some with Kane too so I'm not sure outside the top 6 (who all I believe in different combos were on the ice with each other last night at different points) you may have preferred there instead.

Last night's game made me sick......

I'm going to be honest, I was hoping for McNeil to be called up, have Sharp with Kane and Richards, and a line of Bicks, McNeil and Shaw.

Q puzzles me to no end. He shows no hesitation in changing up the lines, but
--he makes no adjustments to the same power play which fails him game after game
--he sticks with the goalie who has been shaky since he came back from that stupid off-ice injury (for all the homer CC defenders -try trading him to see what his real value is)

Was mostly saying I noticed him along the boards and he came out with the puck a few times, wasn't suggesting he was outmuscling guys in the corners...just pointing out he isn't as allergic to pine/particle board as most reports would suggest.
- HawkintheD

He definitely has some skills. Still a little lost on the ice at times, maybe its adjusting to moving from center to wing, but he seems to be occupying the space where others are and/or having teammates run into him more than once. His biggest need is to get stronger. A few times he was eliminated from a play like a rag doll, just being shoved aside. Thats the true sign of a boy playing with men.

Anyone else think there is maybe still some grieving going on with these guys over Clint Reiff? I dont know if anyone else saw but the report from the coroner listed the cause of death as suicide, and after seeing Q weeping in that show talking about it, it makes me think these guys were close.

He definitely has some skills. Still a little lost on the ice at times, maybe its adjusting to moving from center to wing, but he seems to be occupying the space where others are and/or having teammates run into him more than once. His biggest need is to get stronger. A few times he was eliminated from a play like a rag doll, just being shoved aside. Thats the true sign of a boy playing with men.
- TheTrob

Have no argument with him getting physically stronger and did see a play where the big Russian on DAL sent him flying along the boards but TT stayed on his skates and went back after him. I'm also sure TT needs time to realize where he and others in relation are on the ice.

Not comparing him to Kane because I think Kane is physically stronger but also not buying the boy among men line of thinking. I was at the Hawk vs Det game up here at the Joe and saw Kaner thrown aside with one hand by uber douche Brendan Smith. None of us would suggest Kane is a boy among men, simply a smaller player.

Also please don't think I'm confusing the NHL with the Finnish Elite League but TT was playing with men there. Apples to oranges I know, but also think he needs some more seasoning in the A.

Anyone else think there is maybe still some grieving going on with these guys over Clint Reiff? I dont know if anyone else saw but the report from the coroner listed the cause of death as suicide, and after seeing Q weeping in that show talking about it, it makes me think these guys were close.
- BlazinMike

Sounds like a lot of them were so I think what you're suggesting is reasonable. They haven't been having great starts for the last 6 games so it's possible they are preoccupied I suppose.

I'm going to be honest, I was hoping for McNeil to be called up, have Sharp with Kane and Richards, and a line of Bicks, McNeil and Shaw.
- resqmed99

Does TT still have some games to burn before losing a year of eligibility? If so we still might see McNeil before Verstteg comes back