Never leave the house without it.

You said it - 20 and 88 ... magic on a couple plays last night.

That, along with Rutta playing LD could solve a few issues moving forward because like it or not, I think Franson will play a lot more moving forward.
- Justin Lowe

Count me as one who does not mind Franson out there. Defensively, he leaves a lot to be desired, but from my eyes, he is the one D-man who can quickly (and more important, consistently) find a way to break out of the zone. No blind backhand passes to the slot, etc. Plus he just finds a way to get his shot through with velocity on it.

A few other observations:
1) How many times did we enter the zone three wide, drift in, then take a bad angle shot and have to scurry back to try and break up and odd man rush? The first couple games it was all layers and attacking the net.

2) I just don't think DeBrincat has the strength or mental quickness to be the player he is supposed to be right now. A "good" game for him should be much more dangerous.

3) I thought lines 3, 4 played well and actually controlled play at times.

Nice to have you aboard JL. Hopefully we don't scare you off.

Welcome JL Glad to have you.

SRS

Welcome aboard, Justin!
Go 'Hawks!
To your point re: ice quality....boy oh boy, if I was 'Hawk management, I would move heaven and earth to ensure that ice surface was the best in the world.

Welcome aboard JL!

Good to have you here and I'll look forward to your commentary/insight into our beloved Hawks

Cheers,

Murph

]Welcome aboard J Lowe

I don't get it. They have the guys who seem to be willing (or the ability at least) to do just that but like you said it's inconsistent.

For all the ragging on AA, he still knows that's where he needs to be to collect most of his goals.

Maybe some of the other guys need a reminder but it's disappointing after the first couple games it looked like they had guys crashing the net consistently and after that not so much.
- HawkintheD

AA has looked a lot better the last few games. His consistent drives to the net and ability to battle through is a big plus for the Hawks.

The problem is the Hawks tend to live on the perimeter with the likes of Kane, Schmaltz, Debrincat vs. movement through the tougher areas.

Therefore, there's rarely someone out front of the net because they're waiting for the cycle pass to come back to them to get the possession alive.

I would like to see them utilize that high tip (or at least have a player there to draw defenders away from the net) to allow them to get inside more frequently.

Never leave the house without it.

You said it - 20 and 88 ... magic on a couple plays last night.

That, along with Rutta playing LD could solve a few issues moving forward because like it or not, I think Franson will play a lot more moving forward.
- Justin Lowe

Concern: If Ruuta continues on LD. Why. Playing off side there is often an inherent weakness in your game. With Hjalmarsson it was the backhand pass, across ice and ring around boards. When Forsling returns, Ruuta slides back over to RD? For all the good & bad observations among the youthful "d," Forsling anticipates well and plays more than others with speed. The other guy I really want to see play, is Kempny. He is more reactionary but needs to play here NHL to develop. His skating, toughness as well as shot is enticing. When Franson dresses instead, although I understand he keeps things simple by playing within his limitations. Franson will sometimes play rough and has good instincts, has a good shot, and veteran smarts

One other mention goes to Anisinov. We should understand he us transitioning from the role with Kane and Panarin to a different way to play on a third line. He has his value. And a contract too rich which eventually will be moved

Welcome Aboard.

Concern: If Ruuta continues on LD. Why. Playing off side there is often an inherent weakness in your game. With Hjalmarsson it was the backhand pass, across ice and ring around boards. When Forsling returns, Ruuta slides back over to RD? For all the good & bad observations among the youthful "d," Forsling anticipates well and plays more than others with speed. The other guy I really want to see play, is Kempny. He is more reactionary but needs to play here NHL to develop. His skating, toughness as well as shot is enticing. When Franson dresses instead, although I understand he keeps things simple by playing within his limitations. Franson will sometimes play rough and has good instincts, has a good shot, and veteran smarts

One other mention goes to Anisinov. We should understand he us transitioning from the role with Kane and Panarin to a different way to play on a third line. He has his value. And a contract too rich which eventually will be moved
- jhawk59

I think if Rutta can continue to adjust to the NHL, even on his off-side, it offers Q a lot of flexibility on the backend.

I am also in the "Play Franson" camp after last night. He's a vet and his steadiness shows and something the Hawks need.

I also think you need to play Connor Murphy to see what you have there. I think he has a skill set that they Hawks can use not just this year, but down the line. I don't think it benefits anyone to have him in the press box. Ulf needs to work with #5 to get him set up for success in this Hawks system.

That leaves Seabs, Franson and Murphy playing the RD with Keith, Rutta and Kempny on the LD.

I want to see Kempny play more... and more! I think he has potential to be a steady, and at times, even dynamic player with his skating. So let the dude play.

Obviously the odd man out here is Forsling, who I know is injured, but might have trouble getting back into the lineup.

At times, I've liked what I seen from #42. Other times, I feel like more time in Rockford could help him hone his skills.

From the start of the year, the Hawks have been lacking another steady figure on the back end. Too many young / new faces. I feel if Franson can string together some consistent play and the D pairs even out, the Hawks can get on a bit of a roll.

That is my 0.02 on why I like Rutta sliding over to LD.

The Hawks PP will continue to drive us all nuts until there is more movement. The puck needs to move faster. Players need to move their damn feet.

Not sure Rutta is an answer on the left side. He was being beat at the blue line all game.

Can the Bouma experiment end now? I counted at least three times him skating around with his stick in the air left passing lanes open which led to passes finding a wide open Flyer. Add in he is constantly out of position and it all adds up to one useless player.

repost from previous thread:

heard one of the studio guys on NHL network talk about how craw has been the hawks MVP for the last 5 years...the guy is a winner, battler and never quits...yeah he has bad days/nights....so does everyone else. Top 3 at least...you can keep your bobros, holtbys and prices of the nhl world...

one blogger has him as the best goalie in the WC over the last five years...no question..and it ain't close

the blues who ever they got: no
preds: rinne been excellent for about a season plus
aves: forget about it
stars: ugh
jets: umm no
wild: sorry
kings: quick at one time was great
edm: who dat
sharks: no way
flames: seriously?
ducks: gibson been good but not for 5 years
az: lol
canucks: what a joke

the flyers didn't get any bounces and craw stoned them or they lose that game...

flyers were behind the hawks d most of the night..

repost from previous thread:

heard one of the studio guys on NHL network talk about how craw has been the hawks MVP for the last 5 years...the guy is a winner, battler and never quits...yeah he has bad days/nights....so does everyone else. Top 3 at least...you can keep your bobros, holtbys and prices of the nhl world...

one blogger has him as the best goalie in the WC over the last five years...no question..and it ain't close

the blues who ever they got: no
preds: rinne been excellent for about a season plus
aves: forget about it
stars: ugh
jets: umm no
wild: sorry
kings: quick at one time was great
edm: who dat
sharks: no way
flames: seriously?
ducks: gibson been good but not for 5 years
az: lol
canucks: what a joke

the flyers didn't get any bounces and craw stoned them or they lose that game...

flyers were behind the hawks d most of the night..
- bogiedoc

Saw an interesting write up on ESPN from Custance that ranked goalies. He had CC ranked among the top 5 and along with his appraisal which was very positive were two anonymous comments from NHL GM's.

One of them said he used to not think that highly of Crow but after 2 Cups and seeing him put the team on his back time and again, he knew better than to just chalk it up to Crow playing behind a good D.

The other guy's comments were the exact opposite as if he hadn't seen a game since they were bounced by the Yotes in 2012.

Welcome Justin and congratulations. I'm looking forward to you blogs and insights on the Hawks.

Concern: If Ruuta continues on LD. Why. Playing off side there is often an inherent weakness in your game. With Hjalmarsson it was the backhand pass, across ice and ring around boards. When Forsling returns, Ruuta slides back over to RD? For all the good & bad observations among the youthful "d," Forsling anticipates well and plays more than others with speed. The other guy I really want to see play, is Kempny. He is more reactionary but needs to play here NHL to develop. His skating, toughness as well as shot is enticing. When Franson dresses instead, although I understand he keeps things simple by playing within his limitations. Franson will sometimes play rough and has good instincts, has a good shot, and veteran smarts

One other mention goes to Anisinov. We should understand he us transitioning from the role with Kane and Panarin to a different way to play on a third line. He has his value. And a contract too rich which eventually will be moved
- jhawk59

A few observations from the 100 level last night.

- Ice surface is still horrible at the UC. puck bouncing all over.
- Officials are still inconsistent and brutal. So much blatant obstruction and
interference allowed all over the ice and seemingly ticky-tack infractions called. No penalty replays at the UC, so tough to really tell what was warranted and what wasn't some times. Also, why no instigator penalty on the Murphy/Laughton fight? Clean hard hit by Murphy. I have no problem with Laughton sticking up for a teammate, nor with Murphy answering the bell, but that is truly the essence of what the instigator penalty is about.
- Debrincat is fine, and at times very effective. Yes he makes mistakes, yes he still has to learn, but at this point no-one in Rockford is a better option, especially in a top 6 role.
- I don't have advanced stats in front of me, but the eye test tells me that so far this season Seabrook is your biggest liability on defense. He has never had the best footwork, or been very quick, but he has always had an ability to make a good first pass and to hit the open man up ice. I have seen him mishandle, turnover or just whiff on so many passes and clearing attempts that it makes you just wonder what is going on. Yeah, he has gotten older, has a lot of miles on the legs and has slowed a step or more, but he really looks bad. Maybe its time to stop some of the blaming his poor play on him having to "baby sit" newcomers/youngsters and focus the lens on the fact that he himself has just not been good.
- still too much "flash" in their game. It's really time to simplify, then their talent can take over. Too many times the play dies on the extra pass or the fancy play attempt. Get the puck out, get it up ice, get it on net, and crash for the rebounds (same applies to the PP). Establish a flow and the fancy stuff will open back up.

Welcome Justin as for murphy it will be a work in progress lots of potential there. Its tough spot for him coming from a losing team arz to team that expects to win it all every year so more pressure more expectations and more criticism. Remember odaya he suck his first year took him long time to figure out Q system so I think it will be the same with murphy. Any trade whispers with the hawks and what they might be looking at and maybe involved in?

I missed the game last night, but sounds like they put in a solid effort.

Is Rutta gonna be playing his off side every night now? I know hes been solid so far this year, but it seems counter productive to weaken him by playing him on his off side rather than just letting him be good on his natural side.

Also, are we holding off on firing Q?

Welcome Justin!

Overall, I think the Hawks were kind of okay last night. Definitely saved by Crawford with all the odd man breaks Philly had. I think Franson is easily one of their best 6 d-men right now. You can see he is offense-minded, but he made a couple heady plays on defense too.

I think one issue is with shot selection. Guys will shoot when the goalie has a wide open view of the puck. Other times, they seemed to make one pass too many. The few times they shot with a player or two in front, it was a mad scramble for the puck. You gotta get those greasy goals.

Anyway, glad they got off the bad streak and regardless of style points for the game, they still got the 2 standings points.

Glad it wasn’t Tanner doing this blog, lol!
Welcome JL!
This blog gets crazy at times! You’re gonna love it!

I thought the NHL on NBC guys did a nice job highlighting the defensive mistakes the Hawks were making in the break between the 1st & 2nd periods. Schmaltz had an especially egregious mistake when he came into the defensive zone, left his man, and sort of wandered around watching the play. And he wasn't the only offender.

The main problem is not the defensemen, it's the forwards. Not great in the offensive zone, and not good on coverage in the d zone and especially bad on zone exits.

I think if Rutta can continue to adjust to the NHL, even on his off-side, it offers Q a lot of flexibility on the backend.

I am also in the "Play Franson" camp after last night. He's a vet and his steadiness shows and something the Hawks need.

I also think you need to play Connor Murphy to see what you have there. I think he has a skill set that they Hawks can use not just this year, but down the line. I don't think it benefits anyone to have him in the press box. Ulf needs to work with #5 to get him set up for success in this Hawks system.

That leaves Seabs, Franson and Murphy playing the RD with Keith, Rutta and Kempny on the LD.

I want to see Kempny play more... and more! I think he has potential to be a steady, and at times, even dynamic player with his skating. So let the dude play.

Obviously the odd man out here is Forsling, who I know is injured, but might have trouble getting back into the lineup.

At times, I've liked what I seen from #42. Other times, I feel like more time in Rockford could help him hone his skills.

From the start of the year, the Hawks have been lacking another steady figure on the back end. Too many young / new faces. I feel if Franson can string together some consistent play and the D pairs even out, the Hawks can get on a bit of a roll.

That is my 0.02 on why I like Rutta sliding over to LD.
- Justin Lowe

Spot on Justin, and welcome to the real "Madhouse on Hockeybuzz"

The potential with Forsling is obviously there, but he more than anyone else in the D-corps needs more seasoning in Rockford. I'm not exactly sure where the love from Q comes from based on his showing in games so far. In some games you can see the opposition "picking" on him, repeatedly playing it in to his side and pressuring him. Almost like a QB picking on the weakest CB. I'm sure that Q/Ulf see the offensive upside to Forsling, but at this point in time this team needs more guys with Defensive upside.

You win this time, Justin Lowe.

Keith and Franson had a Corsi in the mid 60s. Seabs and Rutta had one in the upper 30s. Kempny and Murphy in the upper 20s. Yikes. I'd like to see Seabs-kempny and Murphy-Rutta next game.

Saw an interesting write up on ESPN from Custance that ranked goalies. He had CC ranked among the top 5 and along with his appraisal which was very positive were two anonymous comments from NHL GM's.

One of them said he used to not think that highly of Crow but after 2 Cups and seeing him put the team on his back time and again, he knew better than to just chalk it up to Crow playing behind a good D.

The other guy's comments were the exact opposite as if he hadn't seen a game since they were bounced by the Yotes in 2012.
- HawkintheD

yep..i think it was kevin weeks who was highly praise worthy of CC. After that 2012 meltdown he...he showed what he is made of coming back incredibly strong mentally and physically...nothing bothers him. He is the not the most athletic nor will will he give you a seasons worth of highlight reel saves but that's because his positioning and technique and goalie smarts keep him out of those situations..

but when called upon he can deliver the WOW save(s) how about this quadruple beauty vs habs a few years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTPH9yZju7Y

I missed the game last night, but sounds like they put in a solid effort.

Is Rutta gonna be playing his off side every night now? I know hes been solid so far this year, but it seems counter productive to weaken him by playing him on his off side rather than just letting him be good on his natural side.

Also, are we holding off on firing Q?
- BlazinMike

We'll let him live to see another day.