IMHO, one of the biggest changes this off season that will help the team immensely isn't a trade or free agent signing. It's bringing Ulf aboard as an assistant coach. I love his philosophy of making a first good pass out of the zone then skating with it to the other zone.

As many have commented, it will reduce the need to rely so heavily on the inconsistent stretch pass. More importantly, it will help the Hawks avoid wasting time in their own zone passing/cycling the puck between the D-men which increases the potential of the other team forcing turnovers and flipping the ice in dangerous zones.

If the other team is going to force a turnover, it's way better for it to happen in the neutral zone or in our offensive zone (assuming the Hawks are in position to retreat and backcheck to defend and neutralize any odd-man breaks).

Just found this on the inter webs, this is what I'm taking about:


- John Jaeckel

Threw the lumber. Took his guy off the puck and crashed the net.

JJ - Hawks drafted Parker Foo who is going to follow his brother Spencer Foo to Union. Spencer Foo is a big College FA right now. Are Hawks in on him as there is now a brother connection.

Just found this on the inter webs, this is what I'm taking about:


- John Jaeckel

Did you see who else was on the ice during that pk? Reminds me of things Kruger did before the wrist injuries.

I'm sure this has been asked many times before: who is the girl in the pic? I'm, erm, asking for a friend.

We will see which guy helps his team the most. I am looking forward to the competition.
- Savoy

Ask Gaborik what Torts thinks of babyshat soft perimeter play he's gonna get from Semin...i mean Panarin

Did you see who else was on the ice during that pk? Reminds me of things Kruger did before the wrist injuries.
- Rtoppel

Dauphin is a competitor who can really skate, kill penalties, and plays big for his size. He is going to improve the bottom 6 in the way it needed to be improved.

IMHO, one of the biggest changes this off season that will help the team immensely isn't a trade or free agent signing. It's bringing Ulf aboard as an assistant coach. I love his philosophy of making a first good pass out of the zone then skating with it to the other zone.

As many have commented, it will reduce the need to rely so heavily on the inconsistent stretch pass. More importantly, it will help the Hawks avoid wasting time in their own zone passing/cycling the puck between the D-men which increases the potential of the other team forcing turnovers and flipping the ice in dangerous zones.

If the other team is going to force a turnover, it's way better for it to happen in the neutral zone or in our offensive zone (assuming the Hawks are in position to retreat and backcheck to defend and neutralize any odd-man breaks).
- AEL_Fox

The stretch pass works when you have forwards that can skate and know where they should be on the ice. They had a ridiculous amount of new forwards last year especially in their 1st/2nd year in the system had as much to do with it "not working" than anything

Are some people on this blog just here to argue? Or are they just plain ignant?

Speed kills. No matter what sport. You can teach shooting, catching, stick handling, how to throw a curve ball, how to shoot a jump shot, etc. But it's very difficult to teach another human being how to run or skate faster. Anyone who doesn't understand this, watch coaches tape of the Hawks-Nashville series or any NFL offense that has pre-49er Randy Moss in it. Defenses need to stay passive for fear someone will get behind them. It's as simple as that. In sports, the aggressor normally wins. Speed eliminates opponent's aggression.

In hard cap sports, the pecking order of importance is talent, contract, age. Yes, we all loved #4. But in 2 years, he was going to be unaffordable. So in the new world of the hard cap, you get what you can in trades before your players become unaffordable. Ditto #72. Stan needed to flip the two guys with the most VALUE in the new world.The worst thing you can do is hold onto guys TOO LONG. All that does is turn your team into a bunch of old, slow, overpaid players that don't win.

We will see which guy helps his team the most. I am looking forward to the competition.
- Savoy

You will will likely judge it by regular season goals and assists, and I am pretty sure Panarin will win that.

I love the idea of him and Wennberg together wth likely Atkinson on the other side. Remember last week when you said there was no way the hawks would deal Panarin, much less to Columbus? (jk)

I will judge this deal on the overall impact Saad has on the Hawks 5-on-5, scoring balance, PK and in the playoffs.

Wrong.

if you played hockey at any level above peewee, tell me how speed is not a factor. With specifics. Please.

And fancy stats are only valuable when you consider context. See the post above.

You win 15 second drive-by hot take of the day, go get your gift bag.
- John Jaeckel

Anyone who believe speed doesn't kill doesn't understand its impact ---- in any sport.

And here's the coolest thing about speed. It never, ever slumps.

Are some people on this blog just here to argue? Or are they just plain ignant?

Speed kills. No matter what sport. You can teach shooting, catching, stick handling, how to throw a curve ball, how to shoot a jump shot, etc. But it's very difficult to teach another human being how to run or skate faster. Anyone who doesn't understand this, watch coaches tape of the Hawks-Nashville series or any NFL offense that has pre-49er Randy Moss in it. Defenses need to stay passive for fear someone will get behind them. It's as simple as that. In sports, the aggressor normally wins. Speed eliminates opponent's aggression.

In hard cap sports, the pecking order of importance is talent, contract, age. Yes, we all loved #4. But in 2 years, he was going to be unaffordable. So in the new world of the hard cap, you get what you can in trades before your players become unaffordable. Ditto #72. Stan needed to flip the two guys with the most VALUE in the new world.The worst thing you can do is hold onto guys TOO LONG. All that does is turn your team into a bunch of old, slow, overpaid players that don't win.
- DMCsPulledHammy

No, a Caps Troll read the title of the blog and says that's a cliche'. So not true.

The stretch pass works when you have forwards that can skate and know where they should be on the ice. They had a ridiculous amount of new forwards last year especially in their 1st/2nd year in the system had as much to do with it "not working" than anything
- PatShart

Thanks for the insight. Totally agree. Not saying to eliminate the stretch pass completely as a player like Saad is adept at converting those passes into strong offensive rushes. But Ulf's strategy should give the Hawks more options to move the puck up ice especially against teams that send 1-2 guys into our zone to hound our blueliners.

Yeah I find it laughable how many dismiss hammer. How many think saad is a 40 g scorer and will magically be flying down the left side like the wind. Has to have the puck first and let's see how that develops.

Hawks traded/lost 3 elite players. Got 1 back and 2 guys this board wants to live because they are fast and young. Hopefully they pan out.

Hawks still over the cap have to sign forsberg at least. Maybe jurco. They man end up under the cap so they can slide hossa on LTIR and accrue money to fix holes in season.

See what's next but let's hope more moves.
- SteveRain

You bring up solid points. We are at the incomplete stage now. Lets revisit in 90 days.

The stretch pass works when you have forwards that can skate and know where they should be on the ice. They had a ridiculous amount of new forwards last year especially in their 1st/2nd year in the system had as much to do with it "not working" than anything
- PatShart

As much as I have come to appreciate Panik, he never seemed to be able to gather the puck in stride, or be in the right position to do so, and he was the only real threat the hawks has the last two years on the stretch pass. Sadder is a guy who is proven to bring that element, collecting the puck from the blade of Keith and Seabrook at minimum.

Again, Hjalmarsson and Oduya made some of these passes too, but it's not like Kemeny and Murphy can't. Both have that ability as well.

And finishing one of these stretch pass plays, just one, sends a message to scouts and coaches, you better be a step further back when you play these guys because they can do this. It is not just a goal or two here or there, it changes the other team's whole approach and psychology.

You will will likely judge it by regular season goals and assists, and I am pretty sure Panarin will win that.

I love the idea of him and Weinberg together wth likely Atkinson on the other side. Remember last week when you said there was no way the hawks would deal Panarin, much less to Columbus? (jk)

I will judge this deal on the overall impact Saad has on the Hawks 5-on-5, scoring balance, PK and in the playoffs.
- John Jaeckel

No I sure don't remember that. I said it would be a big mistake to trade Panarin. I still believe that. It's done now for better or worse. I hope Saad helps the Hawks more than Panarin helped the Hawks. I really doubt it will turn out that way but time will tell. Hope remains eternal.

Steve, sorry to say bud but those in charge of USA Hockey AND I disagree totally with your unfair criticisms of Murphy. You don't get named CAPTAIN of the USA Team without bringing a great deal to the table. Contact Savoy and have a nice cry together about the loss of Hammer and Panarin and move on. The trades are done and StanBo did a great job.
- Z3Hawk

Because being a captain of a junior team
Makes him a great player? Really? Ok.

Same guy who bashed mcdavid who just won the Lindsay hart and Ross.

Sorry. Hammer is a better player then Murphy. And I can't wait until people start crying about the hawks d in November.

- mrpaulish

Ha. No issie with saad.

Hammer > Murphy every day of the week.

Murphy needs consistency. Last American d man who was hyped with speed etc was mike green. How is he defensively? How is Schultz defensively?

Team got weaker short term. Long term let's hope it works.

As much as I have come to appreciate Panik, he never seemed to be able to gather the puck in stride, or be in the right position to do so, and he was the only real threat the hawks has the last two years on the stretch pass. Sadder is a guy who is proven to bring that element, collecting the puck from the blade of Keith and Seabrook at minimum.

Again, Hjalmarsson and Oduya made some of these passes too, but it's not like Kemeny and Murphy can't. Both have that ability as well.

And finishing one of these stretch pass plays, just one, sends a message to scouts and coaches, you better be a step further back when you play these guys because they can do this. It is not just a goal or two here or there, it changes the other team's whole approach and psychology.
- John Jaeckel

Yep...Panik is not a guy you see getting the puck on the stuck in full stride. Saad can/will. It will be interesting to see if Panik can elevate that part of his game, or if we just saw his career year

The stretch pass/being in the right spot (timing) can make your team speed or make your team look like garbage. And it takes forwards that are willing and able to go to the right spots without the puck.

And as far as the argument the Hawks lost 3 "elite" players (not you, JJ). What's "elite"? Kane is an elite forward. Keith is an elite defenceman. Hjarlmarsson - and nothing against him - isn't better than Seabrook. How good would Nik been had he played with Lurch Svedberg or Mental Midget Gustafson - 2 ECHL players? Seabrook brings everything Nik does, and a more physical element AND amd offensive ability. Again, appreciate everything Nik did, but there are a lot of others in the league that can do what he brought amd he's not "elite".

Hossa will be missed, no doubt. But he was nearing the end, the wrong side of 38 (nothing good happens after 38, let's be honest). This day was gonna come, just may have been a year early than thought. Hopefully Saad will bring some of that two way play Hossa gave (and PK minutes) with some younger legs.

No I sure don't remember that. I said it would be a big mistake to trade Panarin. I still believe that. It's done now for better or worse. I hope Saad helps the Hawks more than Panarin helped the Hawks. I really doubt it will turn out that way but time will tell. Hope remains eternal.
- Savoy

Just bear in mind, the 2015 team's top 6:

Saad-Toews-Hossa
Bickell-Richards-Kane

2013:

Saad-Toews-Hossa
Sharp-Handzus-kane (something like that anyway)

Point being—and fully granted, this is also somewhat out of context—who was there and who wasn't?

What this suggests to me is Saad has unique chemistry with Toews, and I will even go as far as Panik is sort of Hossa-Lite stylistically, and after a point, it almost doesn't matter who Kane lines up with.

You bring up solid points. We are at the incomplete stage now. Lets revisit in 90 days.
- blackhawk24

Thanks. I hope Murphy pans out. I really do.

Just tired of reading how he was captain of a junior team makes him some elite player. It doesn't. Lots of potential with him and raw ability.

As usual great post Snap. Agree with every word.
- kwolf68

>Many thanks, Wolfie

Because being a captain of a junior team
Makes him a great player? Really? Ok.

Same guy who bashed mcdavid who just won the Lindsay hart and Ross.

Sorry. Hammer is a better player then Murphy. And I can't wait until people start crying about the hawks d in November.
- SteveRain

Is Murphy that bad that we're going to be pining for Hjalmarsson by November - or will we be saying that yeah, Hammer is better than Murphy - but Murphy does his job, provides some things that the Swede didn't (speed, some additional grit), and with what Dauphin give them on the bottom six, the trade is working out up for Chicago?

I don't know which - I'm hopeful for the latter.

Putting a roster together is a balancing act - give up a little here to get a bit more there....

David Haugh in today's Tribune related this incident at (I guess) yesterday's presser:

According to David Haugh in today's Trib: As Blackhawks first-round draft pick Henri Jokiharju entered a room full of reporters late Friday night at the United Center, he felt someone grab his arm.

Jonathan Toews wanted to pull Jokiharju aside briefly to do what good captains do. Toews made eye contact. Then he left a lasting impression. "They will give you my number so call me if you need anything at all,'' Toews told the 18-year-old who appeared in awe of his future teammate.

Very captain-like.
- StLBravesFan

>Great to hear
>Thanks for sharing, Sage

Yep...Panik is not a guy you see getting the puck on the stuck in full stride. Saad can/will. It will be interesting to see if Panik can elevate that part of his game, or if we just saw his career year

The stretch pass/being in the right spot (timing) can make your team speed or make your team look like garbage. And it takes forwards that are willing and able to go to the right spots without the puck.

And as far as the argument the Hawks lost 3 "elite" players (not you, JJ). What's "elite"? Kane is an elite forward. Keith is an elite defenceman. Hjarlmarsson - and nothing against him - isn't better than Seabrook. How good would Nik been had he played with Lurch Svedberg or Mental Midget Gustafson - 2 ECHL players? Seabrook brings everything Nik does, and a more physical element AND amd offensive ability. Again, appreciate everything Nik did, but there are a lot of others in the league that can do what he brought amd he's not "elite".

Hossa will be missed, no doubt. But he was nearing the end, the wrong side of 38 (nothing good happens after 38, let's be honest). This day was gonna come, just may have been a year early than thought. Hopefully Saad will bring some of that two way play Hossa gave (and PK minutes) with some younger legs.
- PatShart

I think they lose a lot of emotional intangibles with Hossa, Hammer and Kruger.

Saad restores some of that.

Hard to say in Murphy but he does have some edge at times.

I have some confidence fans are going to love Dauphin for just that reason—effort every shift, competitiveness.