Yea I doubt the Oil would do that. They would be down to like 1 line. Doubt they'd do that. To trade Hall, Eberle and RNH in the span of a little over a year or so would be mad.

Carolina has the perfect trade partner with the Lanche. You get Duchene and have the high end D young player (Hanifan) they'd want. You'd have to probably throw in another prospect or a high pick, but I think there is a real fit with Canes/Lanche.

I also am not in love with Car centers overall...Faulk, Staal are solid and I do like Faulk, but nothing really high end on this list. You add Duchene to Faulk and Staal with Freddie on line 4 that's seriously good.
- kwolf68

Faulk is a defenseman?

You're not Ron

Noah's getting better but he isn't what he's hyped up to be.
You're right, though, that trading him for RNH would likely be a waste, but leaving Jeff Skinner on a line with Derek Ryan and Josh Jooris is just plain cruel.
- BINGO!

Hanifin is still really young. A lot of D-men his age are still in juniors or the A. If it were me, I would be really hesitant to move him too soon. He has all the physical attributes you want for today's NHL. If he is moved, for me, it has to be for someone with star potential. RNH isn't that guy. Not sure Duchene has the make-up to be THE guy but definitely would be an upgrade.

Mostly a lurker too. Welcome!

As Milbury pointed out...the positioning on the forecheck last night was a disaster as well as D men getting caught up ice. PP a mess. To me...they don't look to be any better than they were the last few games they just played a weaker team. But IDK.

You're not Ron
- ObeseOprah

Good luck, Justin.

If Crow still has one whole in his game, it's puck handling. Not as often as it used to be when he left the net, but even one time last night he made my nether regions pucker.

You're not Ron
- ObeseOprah

Maybe after all of this is over, you and I could get an apartment together.

... the timing on that will be... a surprise as well.

I'll keep you guys in the loop as much as possible. There is a lot in the works right now.
- Justin Lowe

You should know we're not a patient bunch. Just look at all the "the sky is falling" posts after 13 games

You can accomplish the same thing by eliminating Bouma. DinkyCat has been fine. He isn't over-matched at this level.
- TTtime

Agreed. I saw at least 4 times where he missed on a check because he was too slow to get there, including the tripping penalty

Faulk is a defenseman?
- BINGO!

You may be right, but he is probably better at faceoffs than Nick Schmaltz

Hanifin is still really young. A lot of D-men his age are still in juniors or the A. If it were me, I would be really hesitant to move him too soon. He has all the physical attributes you want for today's NHL. If he is moved, for me, it has to be for someone with star potential. RNH isn't that guy. Not sure Duchene has the make-up to be THE guy but definitely would be an upgrade.
- TTtime

That's kind of the issue. It's really hard to find THE guy out there right now. There's a thought that adding an impact LW and moving Aho to C could be the way to go as well. Probably cheaper.

Mostly a lurker too. Welcome!

As Milbury pointed out...the positioning on the forecheck last night was a disaster as well as D men getting caught up ice. PP a mess. To me...they don't look to be any better than they were the last few games they just played a weaker team. But IDK.
- thepld

Thanks PLD.

I think you're on to something. It's nice to see a win, but there are concerning trends still happening.

What I've been trying to figure out is what they are actually trying to do with their transition game.

Early in the season, it looked like Ulf was given the reigns to coach the defence to push the puck up as quickly as possible through the neutral zone.

This strategy either needed more time to develop or the Hawks just don't have the personal with enough skill to execute.

The D were consistently missing on passes and/or the forwards weren't getting there quick enough to push the play ahead.

Now, it looks like they have reverted to their old ways of holding on to the puck more, moving it D-to-D and firing their infamous stretch pass.

To my eye, management and coaching knows they have to adjust to this new NHL to keep up but they don't have the right horses to do so.

Therefore, Q & Co. are in survival mode with their strategy until further notice.

Welcome Justin and Thank You for Volunteering to step up and continue to keep this the most insightful and informative Best Blog on The Buzz Your Fore Bloggers have made it! I fit the *avid reader/minimalist responder characteristic (lurker makes me feel like I should be standing outside that window over your left shoulder) I look forward to continuing to read from your perspective and await the surprises

A couple of positives from last nights game

19 finally scored on a break away
Even if AAs main value at the moment is grabbing the rebounds and potting the puck which nobody else seems willing to do as of late I'll take it

Baby Steps but hopefully the days of optional practices are gone

He did. I still blame a lot of the breakdown on the forwards though. They all seem to chase the puck carrier and end up on the same side of the ice. Teams break that pressure and are coming up ice with speed and numbers. Seabrook IS struggling but last night Rutta was getting beat at the blue line consistently leaving Seabrook alone and scrambling.
- TTtime

A big problem with young defenseman is knowing when to give up the blue-line. That is one of Forslings biggest issues, is that he tries to stay in the O-zone a little too long after possession change, and then is forced to chase. As a veteran Seabrook should understand this better, and also understand that if his D partner is hanging onto the blue-line a little longer he needs to read and react quicker and back off. Yeah Rutta got caught a few times, but Seabs should be able to read and react to that much better than he has, and in addition, knows he lacks to foot speed to recover so even more reason to back off sooner and not "scramble". Multiple times last night, sitting down low, you could HEAR Rutta calling out the breaking player to Seabrook and he was just too slow to react.

You should know we're not a patient bunch. Just look at all the "the sky is falling" posts after 13 games
- tvetter

ArlingtonRob is probably not coming in off the ledge anytime soon.

You should know we're not a patient bunch. Just look at all the "the sky is falling" posts after 13 games
- tvetter

I'm bracing myself.

My goal is to help walk those off the ledge. If that happens on a daily basis, then so be it.

ArlingtonRob is probably not coming in off the ledge anytime soon.
- TheTrob

I'll send him supplies and keep an eye on him.

Welcome Justin and Thank You for Volunteering to step up and continue to keep this the most insightful and informative Best Blog on The Buzz Your Fore Bloggers have made it! I fit the *avid reader/minimalist responder characteristic (lurker makes me feel like I should be standing outside that window over your left shoulder) I look forward to continuing to read from your perspective and await the surprises

A couple of positives from last nights game

19 finally scored on a break away
Even if AAs main value at the moment is grabbing the rebounds and potting the puck which nobody else seems willing to do as of late I'll take it

Baby Steps but hopefully the days of optional practices are gone
- moms2sense1puck

Thanks for the welcome.

I was pumped to see #19 score on that breakaway... and to even have a breakaway to begin with.

So much has been made about his lost offensive touch. The guy needs to build some confidence back up and plays like that will help.

JL! Welcome brotha! Look forward reading more from you in the future!

As for the game.....NICK SCHMALTZ WAS NEVER TAUGHT DEFENSE AND DEFENDING ON THE BACKCHECK. This was very clear last night and makes me cringe.

Matt Duchene please!

Canadian hawks blogger?

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

I don't think so. I think it was a one-off because Forsling was hurt. I think Q likes Rutta and wants to keep him in the line up. Probably seeing if this could be an option in a pinch.

Canadian hawks blogger?
- Gerk

Canadian hawks captain, goalie, #1 defenseman, coach, GM...

Thanks PLD.

I think you're on to something. It's nice to see a win, but there are concerning trends still happening.

What I've been trying to figure out is what they are actually trying to do with their transition game.

Early in the season, it looked like Ulf was given the reigns to coach the defence to push the puck up as quickly as possible through the neutral zone.

This strategy either needed more time to develop or the Hawks just don't have the personal with enough skill to execute.

The D were consistently missing on passes and/or the forwards weren't getting there quick enough to push the play ahead.

Now, it looks like they have reverted to their old ways of holding on to the puck more, moving it D-to-D and firing their infamous stretch pass.

To my eye, management and coaching knows they have to adjust to this new NHL to keep up but they don't have the right horses to do so.

Therefore, Q & Co. are in survival mode with their strategy until further notice.
- Justin Lowe

Aaahhhhhh, the million (or multi-million) dollar question. Is it the players or the coaching? the system or the inability to execute what is necessary?

You can see some changes occasionally in the breakout, where the D-to-D and firing the stretch pass still exists, but there is also a wrinkle now where the Center (or Kane) has been dropping down and carrying the puck out of the zone and up the ice. Unfortunately, not many other wrinkles, or consistent attempts to abandon the old, known, ineffective method. The D has been turned over from all but #2 & #7, but the same "active sticks" method still reigns supreme. Keith is never going to be physical, probably not Forsling either, but you have other options in #5/#6/#7/#11 and maybe even #44 to play a little more physical, yet the default is still passive. Active sticks, wrapped passes, forwards flying the zone, etc. If system changes have been made they are minimal.

Canadian hawks captain, goalie, #1 defenseman, coach, GM...
- Slofire94

To be fair last few weeks most of this board wants the bulk of them shipped out of town.

A big problem with young defenseman is knowing when to give up the blue-line. That is one of Forslings biggest issues, is that he tries to stay in the O-zone a little too long after possession change, and then is forced to chase. As a veteran Seabrook should understand this better, and also understand that if his D partner is hanging onto the blue-line a little longer he needs to read and react quicker and back off. Yeah Rutta got caught a few times, but Seabs should be able to read and react to that much better than he has, and in addition, knows he lacks to foot speed to recover so even more reason to back off sooner and not "scramble". Multiple times last night, sitting down low, you could HEAR Rutta calling out the breaking player to Seabrook and he was just too slow to react.
- TheTrob

All fine and good but I was referring to his own blue line. Rutta is 27. At the other blue line its nice he points out the breaking player but it is still leaving one D-man back with a swarm coming at him and the all the forward in no position to help. Rutta was stepping up at his own blue line when he had no forward support.

Yeah sure, Seabrook IS struggling. But he and the other D-men need the forwards to be in better position to apply back pressure. That is where my biggest issues are. Its pretty much across the board up front