Just off the top of my head off the PK

Win more face offs

Stay in the shooting lanes, Moose does a very good job of this

If the shot gets through, defenseman need to be aware of where the forwards stick is and take it away immediately if they don't know where the puck is, really struggling at this right now to many second chance goals being given up in the last couple of games.

It would be nice if CC can absorb a few more of these shots on net, maybe he needs to borrow Bobo's parachute jersey
- BetweenTheDots

Has CC won a start yet?

Just read TVR out 5 to 6 weeks.

Has CC won a start yet?
- z1990z

He's won 1 game, but CC isn't out problem, PK is. No goalie can stop what they can't see, or 2nd and 3rd chance shots consistently, that's entirely on the 4 players in front of him being out of position and a step to slow

He's won 1 game, but CC isn't out problem, PK is. No goalie can stop what they can't see, or 2nd and 3rd chance shots consistently, that's entirely on the 4 players in front of him being out of position and a step to slow
- BetweenTheDots

And Im not throwing blame on him.. was just curious. How do we solve the PK problem? Go uber aggressive on attacking the points? The passive sag scheme aint working.

Just read TVR out 5 to 6 weeks.
- ShamRockShark

Long term = call-up forward and Frosling staying put ..

Motte needs to get off the PK, he creates no point pressure and he allows the man at the point to let off a uncontested shot (the Werenski goal proves that). Again, as i've said in recent threads, we're missing Desi more than we think. Kind of like how we missed Kruger on the PK last year. Desi creates pressure at the point and is a plus shot blocker in said circumstances. Just take off Motte and roll with Toews-Hoss, Kruger-Anisimov until Desi returns.

And Im not throwing blame on him.. was just curious. How do we solve the PK problem? Go uber aggressive on attacking the points? The passive sag scheme aint working.
- z1990z

In any sport the most important defensive player is the center or up the middle(baseball), once our centers decide to get there act together and not allow such good looks at the goalie from the blue line, or the forward, the PK will get better. Kempny looks like he's thinking instead of playing currently I believe he will get better but his play reminds me a lot of Oduya's the first year he was here.

He's won 1 game, but CC isn't out problem, PK is. No goalie can stop what they can't see, or 2nd and 3rd chance shots consistently, that's entirely on the 4 players in front of him being out of position and a step to slow
- BetweenTheDots

I was only able to see the first period of game. Yes, the PK must, must, must improve. Does anyone have numbers on 5 on 5 for these first five games? If so, please provide. I know that was a big deal last year for the Hawks....and they seem to be much improved in that area this year, which bodes well IMO.

While I agree on most of JJ's analysis over the course of past few years, I do take some issue with this constant nagging on the top six issue. Prior to the season we heard Panik should never be considered a top six winger. But he sure has played like one to me. Now Motte is not a top six winger, the morning after he played his fifth pro game and scored his first NHL goal.

With the cap what it is and with some of the salaries we have, we can't just trade for a typical top six winger like JVR, Malkin, Stamos, Nash. We have to be creative and trade for Panik and have the rookies play.

And jeez, lets give these kids more than five games to judge them. IMO Vinny Hinostroza has actually been doing fine....so not sure why we sat him and played 7 defensemen. My guess is Campbell was going to sit, then the media made a big stink about his consecutive game streak, and Q decided to play him. I think Q wanted TVR to get some ice time...so for some reason he sat Vinny. With Hossa out that made no sense to me whatsoever. Oh well, with TVR out now 5-6 weeks...we should not have an issue rolling out the same 6 d-men...and getting both Vinny and Hoss back in the lineup.

Just wondering, in the past week I've been getting, congrats you are a winner or my smartphone is so many% damaged you should download blah blah blah, and it only pops up while I'm on hockey buzz, this happening to anyone else?
- BetweenTheDots

>Yes -- quite a lot
>And last night when I went to the sight on my iPhone -- a red screen graphic took over -- from Apple -- saying "Warning -- Deceptive Website" -- didn't bother to read the long message
>Closed everything up -- won't be going on the site with my iPhone anymore
>HB should look into this

Simplistic...and not the ONLY cure....but.....

I bet, if the Hawks PK was at 75-80% these first 5 games, their record is easily 3-2 or 4-1 and we are not nearly as concerned.

Fix the PK, and this team IS at least a wild card. Then a few upgrades and we can talk making a noise in the playoffs.

But, until the PK is fixed, these Hawks (or any team killing penalties at <50%) is a "Dead Team Walking...or Skating".

Worse EVER PK is the 79-80 Kings at 67.7%. Damn, we are mile worse than that. This HAS to get better!!!!

Keeping a game close with limited effort and trying to rally late just isn't working anymore. It didn't work for large stretches last year. I would rather see a solid effort for 60 minutes win or lose. If they only want to play important games there may not be any important games to play.
- rickboardman

Yea, man................ It ain't like when they were loaded a few years ago and were irritated at even having to lace em up in December, January and February but there is still enough of that core left where that stink can still infect this group.

In their defense every team sleepwalks some games but some more than others. The Hawks however don't have near the talent to get away with it as in the past, nowhere near. ....... When you come to play a Tort's team, especially one that's 0-2 and 4-5-6 days off to prepare, you're gonna have to fight for every inch of ice.

>Yes -- quite a lot
>And last night when I went to the sight on my iPhone -- a red screen graphic took over -- from Apple -- saying "Warning -- Deceptive Website" -- didn't bother to read the long message
>Closed everything up -- won't be going on the site with my iPhone anymore
>HB should look into this
- SnapitUpstairs

HB is as invasive a site and more dangerous to my computer than any site I ever visit. I come, read and get the hell out before my machine needs shut down and restarted.

Yea, man................ It ain't like when they were loaded a few years ago and were irritated at even having to lace em up in December, January and February but there is still enough of that core left where that stink can still infect this group.

In their defense every team sleepwalks some games but some more than others. The Hawks however don't have near the talent to get away with it as in the past, nowhere near. ....... When you come to play a Tort's team, especially one that's 0-2 and 4-5-6 days off to prepare, you're gonna have to fight for every inch of ice.
- Mr Ricochet

What about Hino on the PK? His speed could be useful attacking the point.

Did we watch the same game?

Chicago looked sluggish out of the gate & Columbus seriously out played them in the 1st period. Gave up 2 power play goals, 1 in the 1st & 1 early in the 2nd & Columbus went into a shut down mode. The penalty kill is still struggling. If your #1 penalty killer goes 2-9, 18.2% in the face off circle that's a problem.

Chicago seriously outplayed Columbus in the 2nd & 3rd but Bobrovsky played great.

5 rookies dressed last night. That's 25% of your roster. It's going to take far more than 5 games to develop chemistry with a roster that is often dressing 6 rookies & numerous other players that either weren't here last season or barely played. Give it 15 to 25 games. Some where in there it should start to gel together.

The roster is a bit of a mess currently. With no cap space & no way out of it, with out moving a core piece, what you see is what you get. Signing Toews & Kane to matching 10.4 deals has seriously hand cuffed Chicago's resources. In today's cap world both are overapid by almost 2 mil each.
- striker777

In the cap world it's near impossible to overcome over payment but I'd rather see top 6 guys overpaid than dime a dozen bottom 6 guys if you must overpay.

It's the hand they have NOW. Management has to play it with little to no room for error. Panarin is the next conundrum. Nice problem to have, too many good players, if you don't handle a delicate complex situation with a meat cleaver.

Smart money was on the Jackets last night anyways. No real surprise IMO minus Crawford stoning them.... Laaaaaazy night for Crow. That near miss by Dubinsky in the crease on the feed from Atkinson from behind the net was horrid and lazy by Crow. The near miss wrap around by Wenneberg same thing. ..... Crow simply decided not to put the effort in on either play.

Hawk fans are not accustomed to the Parity that now exists. The East has improved. Nashville was picked by many to win the Central. Detroit beats them last night.

Vancouver picked to be 30th and they are 4-0. Don't look now but the Avs are much better. Beat Tampa Bay the Cup favorites 4-0 on Wednesday.

Leafs are better, Habs are Better..... on and on. It's a tough league and getting to 100 points is not ss easy as it once was.
It's win this year or bust for Washington as next year they join the Hawks in Cap Hell.

It's a 20's league with a few exceptions and good young players are not accepting bridge deals .... They want to be paid ad now
Saad
Monaghan
Goudreau
Nugent Hopkins
Hall
on and on

What about Hino on the PK? His speed could be useful attacking the point.
- z1990z

Going tonight and will focus on that pee wee PK of theirs with a birds eye view. In a word, embarrassing.

I have posted the biggest surprise to me of this year has been Hino. He's faster than I realized and yes, anyone with that kind of speed can be disruptive all over the ice. But speed minus IQ means little. Stahlberg and Skille should be exhibit A and B for any Hawk fan on that account.

Hino is a proven scorer throughout. If he puts in the prep time he can help as a bottom 6 guy.

Hawk fans are not accustomed to the Parity that now exists. The East has improved. Nashville was picked by many to win the Central. Detroit beats them last night.

Vancouver picked to be 30th and they are 4-0. Don't look now but the Avs are much better. Beat Tampa Bay the Cup favorites 4-0 on Wednesday.

Leafs are better, Habs are Better..... on and on. It's a tough league and getting to 100 points is not ss easy as it once was.
It's win this year or bust for Washington as next year they join the Hawks in Cap Hell.

It's a 20's league with a few exceptions and good young players are not accepting bridge deals .... They want to be paid ad now
Saad
Monaghan
Goudreau
Nugent Hopkins
Hall
on and on
- Colbyboy

How good he'd look on Toews LW right now...

Hawk fans are not accustomed to the Parity that now exists. The East has improved. Nashville was picked by many to win the Central. Detroit beats them last night.

Vancouver picked to be 30th and they are 4-0. Don't look now but the Avs are much better. Beat Tampa Bay the Cup favorites 4-0 on Wednesday.

Leafs are better, Habs are Better..... on and on. It's a tough league and getting to 100 points is not ss easy as it once was.
It's win this year or bust for Washington as next year they join the Hawks in Cap Hell.

It's a 20's league with a few exceptions and good young players are not accepting bridge deals .... They want to be paid ad now
Saad
Monaghan
Goudreau
Nugent Hopkins
Hall
on and on
- Colbyboy

Indeed!! The difference between 12th and 8th place in all divisions will probably only be a few points. Little to no room for error.

Most fun team I've seen on the NHL package, Florida. Team is skilled, balanced, HUNGRY, well coached and are without 2 top 6 guys in Huberdeau (3rd line I think) and Bjugstad.

He's won 1 game, but CC isn't out problem, PK is. No goalie can stop what they can't see, or 2nd and 3rd chance shots consistently, that's entirely on the 4 players in front of him being out of position and a step to slow
- BetweenTheDots

Tell me how I'm wrong here.

You have a goalie who's below average. So you put together a PK scheme of packing it in, playing passive, shut down lanes, block shots and do anything you can to keep a puck from getting to your goalie.

You have a stud goalie. So you put together a PK scheme that is aggressive, takes away time and space, is a danger to go the other way with an odd man rush or breakaway cuz you know if they beat your aggression you know you have a stud back there.

No?

Indeed!! The difference between 12th and 8th place in all divisions will probably only be a few points. Little to no room for error.

Most fun team I've seen on the NHL package, Florida. Team is skilled, balanced, HUNGRY, well coached and are without 2 top 6 guys in Huberdeau (3rd line I think) and Bjugstad.
- Mr Ricochet

And still lots of empty seats in the stands.

I was watching the Thursday nite game against the Caps - box score said 12,000 were there - but on TV, the lower bowl looked mostly empty.

Tell me how I'm wrong here.

You have a goalie who's below average. So you put together a PK scheme of packing it in, playing passive, shut down lanes, block shots and do anything you can to keep a puck from getting to your goalie.

You have a stud goalie. So you put together a PK scheme that is aggressive, takes away time and space, is a danger to go the other way with an odd man rush or breakaway cuz you know if they beat your aggression you know you have a stud back there.

No?
- Mr Ricochet

For lack of common sense in this matter.. See Quenville, Joel

Simplistic...and not the ONLY cure....but.....

I bet, if the Hawks PK was at 75-80% these first 5 games, their record is easily 3-2 or 4-1 and we are not nearly as concerned.

Fix the PK, and this team IS at least a wild card. Then a few upgrades and we can talk making a noise in the playoffs.

But, until the PK is fixed, these Hawks (or any team killing penalties at <50%) is a "Dead Team Walking...or Skating".

Worse EVER PK is the 79-80 Kings at 67.7%. Damn, we are mile worse than that. This HAS to get better!!!!


- hawk35

It's not simplistic IMO it's obvious and common sense. You have a team starting 3-4-5 rookies every night, a top 4 and a patchwork top 6. With 69 million on the PP you must at all costs have a top 10 PK.

Top 10 special teams play is a must........................ Of course the club realizes they suck on the PK and are trying but that ain't good enough. Not with a top 5 netminder, two of your top 4 guys playing PK and a bottom 6 guy overpaid to be a PK/shutdown specialist.

And still lots of empty seats in the stands.

I was watching the Thursday nite game against the Caps - box score said 12,000 were there - but on TV, the lower bowl looked mostly empty.
- StLBravesFan

Did you see that? It was heartbreaking IMO. I don't see how that owner can stay there icing a team that good, and were good last year so this isn't out of left field, against an Ovechkin led powerhouse team.

I watch that team as long as I can stand listening to that whining, sniveling, moaning at the refs on every shift Denis Potvin. A wretched color guy but one helluva player.

Tell me how I'm wrong here.

You have a goalie who's below average. So you put together a PK scheme of packing it in, playing passive, shut down lanes, block shots and do anything you can to keep a puck from getting to your goalie.

You have a stud goalie. So you put together a PK scheme that is aggressive, takes away time and space, is a danger to go the other way with an odd man rush or breakaway cuz you know if they beat your aggression you know you have a stud back there.

No?
- Mr Ricochet

Mr. R, CC stats might seem a bit off right now but don't you think it is a little too soon to call him below average? Compared to some goalies, he is above average, based on his record. He shows up at big times. Who I am most concerned about is AA. Guy looks kind of out of it and lazy. His defensive play seems to be a bit slow so far. Hopefully he picks it up.

I was only able to see the first period of game. Yes, the PK must, must, must improve. Does anyone have numbers on 5 on 5 for these first five games? If so, please provide. I know that was a big deal last year for the Hawks....and they seem to be much improved in that area this year, which bodes well IMO.

While I agree on most of JJ's analysis over the course of past few years, I do take some issue with this constant nagging on the top six issue. Prior to the season we heard Panik should never be considered a top six winger. But he sure has played like one to me. Now Motte is not a top six winger, the morning after he played his fifth pro game and scored his first NHL goal.

With the cap what it is and with some of the salaries we have, we can't just trade for a typical top six winger like JVR, Malkin, Stamos, Nash. We have to be creative and trade for Panik and have the rookies play.

And jeez, lets give these kids more than five games to judge them. IMO Vinny Hinostroza has actually been doing fine....so not sure why we sat him and played 7 defensemen. My guess is Campbell was going to sit, then the media made a big stink about his consecutive game streak, and Q decided to play him. I think Q wanted TVR to get some ice time...so for some reason he sat Vinny. With Hossa out that made no sense to me whatsoever. Oh well, with TVR out now 5-6 weeks...we should not have an issue rolling out the same 6 d-men...and getting both Vinny and Hoss back in the lineup.
- onehundredlevel

One has to be a hater not to see Panik's combo of size, speed and skill. That's what we all suffered through this offseasson, Panik is "garbage" from too many.

I've been a Panik guy since the day he was acquired cuz the great Babcock wouldn't roster him as his Leafs tanked the season and achieved their goal, Matthews. Was a screamer when Q REFUSED to play him all series v STL.

But even a Panik guy realizes his problem is consistency. Consistency can be a problem for players but power forwards especially so. This is the best chance he's ever had and if he isn't consistent now he's lumped in with thousands who have all the ability but will never reach their ceiling.

What I like best so far from him is his awareness. He's not just playing in the Ozone, IMO you can see he's making effort to be aware in all 3 zones. His positioning, from what I've seen, has been good overall.