Watched the Flyers/Notes last night and the difference of how both played compared
to how we play was highly noticeable. Notes moved on transition with at least 4 men
acting as one, Philly did the same, IOW the D moves with the puck, very little D to D
which Q seems to love.

The league has passed Qs system goodbye and Q doesnt have the talent he had in
10 let alone 13 let alone 15. The team still has talent but not nearly as deep as in
the cup years, so the system needs changing or the coach needs to be changed.
- gazza53

I know Q wants to go with the Run-n-Gun system, but the team and the core simply cant do that right now. Just have to adjust and find something that fits the skill set of the current group. It may be a slower chip/chase game mixed with more edge then Q wants or likes. Oh well, that is what you have right now.

Biggest issue is the lack of speed on the back end. D cant jump in much as they have zero recovery speed to get back on defense. Seabs has flat lost a gear, maybe two. Franson has been good, but is no speedster. He plays within his abilities and knows where to be. Would like to see Oesterle get more time as he can flat out skate.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Part of who I am is being extremely personable and accommodating, so prepare yourself for more questions on how to take this blog and our community to the next level. So, I really appreciate everyone being open.

I will take any and all info you guys toss my way to make it as enjoyable as possible for you cats.
- Justin Lowe

Personable is a good trait, but don't come across too needy, you get eatin alive here for that

Oh, and welcome aboard

Blackhawks lines
DeBrincat-Toews-Panik
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Sharp-Anisimov-Hayden
Bouma-Wingels-Hartman

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) November 3, 2017

- DarthKane

Question that I ask myself (And now also here) does the top 6 looks like the top 6 of a cup contender. The Hawks have had the biggest question marks on D, but only 3 of the top 6 have ever scored a goal in the playoffs (Toews/Saad/Kane). Time will tell, but a lot of unknown come playoff time.

Looking at the individual performances for the Hawks players, they are bit skewed by those first two early blowouts where the team put up 15 goals. Top scoring Hawks since those games.... (Just sharing my feelings on the guys, but none of the top guys are playing great, some are just going "okay")

Kane 11GP 3G 4A 7P -6 (not good enough, and two PP assists isn't nearly enough production for an offense only guy like Kane)

Toews 11GP 3G 3A 6P +1 (needs to be better at finishing, the guy has had a lot of chances lately but came up empty a lot, the bright side is that teams aren't scoring much against his line)

Hayden 11GP 1G 4A 5P +2 (for the kid, this is solid. Chipped in the nice short handed goal)

Keith 11GP 0G 5A 5P -5 (Keith hasn't found much success on the PP and could use a steady partner)

Panik 11GP 3G 2A 5P -1 (Panik is pretty much doing his job, but doesn't add a lot of extras that would make him a star. His run of minor penalties isn't helping)

Anisimov 11GP 4G 1A 5P 0 (I question if he is healthy, but slowly getting his game into shape)

Alex DeBrincat 11GP 2G 3A 5P -3 ( The kid oozes talent, quick thinking and fast hands, but I don't think they've found the right role for him on this team in terms of his physical tools and linemates)

Hartman 11GP 3G 1A 4P -1 (The young guy has been up and down and taking some extra penalties. Probably best if he can settle in and be that 3rd line guy who scores like 15 goals and 35 points.

Saad 11GP 2G 2A 4P 0 (Saad had the hot start, but if he isn't getting those chances in close, he isn't going to score so much. He is still helping the team (much like Hossa did) in terms of his defensive play, but the Hawks need a bit more from him.

Wingels 10GP 1G 3A 4P -4 (Wingels is a 4th liner, not much to say other than it would be nice to see them play a safe game on line 4.)

Sharp/Schmaltz with a goal and assist each, not exactly going a lot of execution, but I think it will come. Sharp isn't that far gone and Schmaltz missed some time and has been just lately back to speed, I think he will get his points more in bunches.

Personable is a good trait, but don't come across too needy, you get eatin alive here for that

Oh, and welcome aboard
- vabeachbear

Appreciate the advice sir.

.
- breadbag

Thanks for the breakdown, it helps flesh out what is going on with them.

I'd like em to switch Panik for Hayden. Just to see.

Appreciate the advice sir.
- Justin Lowe

I run a crew of guys and I try to show respect and as much as possible include them in decision making.It usually isn't worth it as it seems to just feed unrealistic expectations.Be yourself would be my advice as others have stated here as well......and welcome aboard.

I know Q wants to go with the Run-n-Gun system, but the team and the core simply cant do that right now. Just have to adjust and find something that fits the skill set of the current group. It may be a slower chip/chase game mixed with more edge then Q wants or likes. Oh well, that is what you have right now.

Biggest issue is the lack of speed on the back end. D cant jump in much as they have zero recovery speed to get back on defense. Seabs has flat lost a gear, maybe two. Franson has been good, but is no speedster. He plays within his abilities and knows where to be. Would like to see Oesterle get more time as he can flat out skate.
- z1990z

Agree totally, Seabs love him to death, but his stick is like as magnet when it touches the puck, it's gone as fast as when it touched it, and where it goes nobody
knows.

I run a crew of guys and I try to show respect and as much as possible include them in decision making.It usually isn't worth it as it seems to just feed unrealistic expectations.Be yourself would be my advice as others have stated here as well......and welcome aboard.
- eagle50

- TTtime

Perfect! The winters are much better in Arizona than here in Canada. ha.
- Justin Lowe

Not when you factor in the quality of hockey!

Are the Kings good again?

Seems like they've established some new, young talents that are helping their depth at forward and on defense.

And most of this impressive early play has been without Jeff Carter, who should be centering Pearson and Toffoli whenever he's ready to return.

Quick is healthy again and seems to be on a mission.

Scary team moving forward. Wish we were them right now, lol

I think its time we call up Hinostroza and see what he can do

- TTtime

Pretty cool: https://chicago.suntimes....s-world-series-tradition/

I think its time we call up Hinostroza and see what he can do
- SimpleJack

Who goes down? Has to be a defenseman - one of Kempny, Rutta, Forsling, Oesterle. Who doesn’t have to go thru waivers?

I like the third line, but Sharp is definitely the weak link (sadly). I think Vinnie would look good in that spot, at least as part of a rotation with Sharp.
- DarthKane

Agree, but do you think they would sit Sharp without any type of injury?

Who goes down? Has to be a defenseman - one of Kempny, Rutta, Forsling, Oesterle. Who doesn’t have to go thru waivers?
- StLBravesFan

I believe it's:

No waivers = Forsling and Rutta
Waivers = Kempny and Oesterle

Geez Oldduffman! Maybe give the guy a day or two before you start in on him.
- HawkintheD

What ! How did I start in on him ?? Q and his line up maybe . HAWKS need a change behind the bench , look a LA Pitt .

I think its time we call up Hinostroza and see what he can do
- SimpleJack

Yes and put him with Hartman and Schmaltz on the 3rd line . AA Kane DBC .And Panik Toews Saad .. Hartman Wingles Sharp .And Dineen behind the bench .!!

What ! How did I start in on him ?? Q and his line up maybe . HAWKS need a change behind the bench , look a LA Pitt .
- oldduffman

You called him a girl

You called him a girl
- Ogilthorpe2

Oh !! Dam I did ..Thanks ..So very Sorry Justin , it was a misprint I swear . This Just -In It will not happen again ..

Yes and put him with Hartman and Schmaltz on the 3rd line . AA Kane DBC .And Panik Toews Saad .. Hartman Wingles Sharp .And Dineen behind the bench .!!
- oldduffman

Maybe flip Hino and Sharp. You really need a shooter with Schmaltz. I don't think Sharp has looked all that bad and he has shown he has some burst still. That line and the Hawks in general have not been able to set-up shop in the ozone much or find open ice.

Sharp has no one to get him the puck on the third line with AA and Hartman/Dcat.

4th line of Hartman Wingles Hino is niceeeeeeee.

Oh !! Dam I did ..Thanks ..So very Sorry Justin , it was a misprint I swear . This Just -In It will not happen again ..
- oldduffman

See what you did there.

Maybe flip Hino and Sharp. You really need a shooter with Schmaltz. I don't think Sharp has looked all that bad and he has shown he has some burst still. That line and the Hawks in general have not been able to set-up shop in the ozone much or find open ice.

Sharp has no one to get him the puck on the third line with AA and Hartman/Dcat.

4th line of Hartman Wingles Hino is niceeeeeeee.
- bhawks2241

Yes that would be a decent move , Sharp has not looked to bad . Vinny looked good with Hartman and Schmaltz last year all I was thinking .

Maybe flip Hino and Sharp. You really need a shooter with Schmaltz. I don't think Sharp has looked all that bad and he has shown he has some burst still. That line and the Hawks in general have not been able to set-up shop in the ozone much or find open ice.

Sharp has no one to get him the puck on the third line with AA and Hartman/Dcat.

4th line of Hartman Wingles Hino is niceeeeeeee.
- bhawks2241

I know before the season started, many of us (including me) were prognosticating a 3rd line of Sharp, Schmaltz, Hartman. Schmaltz is the playmaker with a shooter in Sharp and a greasy guy like Hartman. Plus both Sharp and Hartman have the grit to protect Schmaltz from bigger opponents who target him.

Edit: I will say though that my preference is for Schmaltz to stay at 2C with Kane. Just need a shooting winger to complement them. Having Saad with them is a good step in the right direction but would rather Saad stick with Toews and Panik. This is just a convoluted way of saying we're short a top 6 winger.