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

Don’t take away Rob’s ledge...he’d be homeless!

Canadian hawks blogger?
- Gerk

You bet, eh?

There goes the neighborhood, should have gotten a Chicago born writer.

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!
- nickmo2699

Matt Duchene has consistently been on the ice for more shots against than for in his whole career.

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
- TTtime

Agreed TT. Defense is a 5 man effort not 2. Rutta is 27, but IS an NHL rookie coming from the Czech league, not the KHL or AHL and has adjusted extremely well.

There was also a play last night where Keith engaged in the o-zone and the forward gave up the point and also went down deep, resulting in a 3 on 1 (bailed out by Crow)

You bet, eh?
- Justin Lowe

Meet Gerk. One of the Blues resident who is far more concerned with the Hawks than is healthy. Careful. He think he is witty.

Agreed TT. Defense is a 5 man effort not 2. Rutta is 27, but IS an NHL rookie coming from the Czech league, not the KHL or AHL and has adjusted extremely well.

There was also a play last night where Keith engaged in the o-zone and the forward gave up the point and also went down deep, resulting in a 3 on 1 (bailed out by Crow)
- TheTrob

Don't get me started on their forechecking. I like Rutta but he has hit a bit of a rough patch of late. Just part of the adjustment. He will get there. I like him better on the right. There is no reason Forsling shouldn't be back in the line-up if healthy. He IS progressing. In case some are missing it, Forsling is on the 2nd PK unit.

You bet, eh?
- Justin Lowe

ah welcome

just giving you poop

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

I dont know about a weaker team....flyers had numerous odd mans and were very good in transition, simmonds had some great looks on rebounds during the pp but did not get the bounce or 50 stoned him...hawks were outplayed...

still cant figure out structurally as a team what they are trying to do..until they figure that out and SOG's against start going down....its going to CC or bust

Meet Gerk. One of the Blues resident who is far more concerned with the Hawks than is healthy. Careful. He think he is witty.
- TTtime

blues fans in general are a sadistic bunch

cant help but come here to read about the sky falling from an organization's fan base that has won 3 cups in the last handful of years

Canadian hawks blogger?
- Gerk

Does it matter? We now live in a world of global connectivity, global economy, global entertainment, etc. My kids, perish the thought, are fully versed in Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, etc. and regularly watch the games.

Location means nothing.

Knowledge of the game, keen observation and constructive writing and criticism is whats important and JL seems to be starting off strong.

Hey Justin. Are you a Blackhawks fan or are you just covering for HB?
- busmaster

Hey Busmaster - I am a Blackhawks fan. Obviously, looking to objectively cover the team, but a fan for my entire life.

Don't worry, HB's search consisted of finding a Hawks blogger that had extensive knowledge of the team, who at the same time, can be entertaining for the community.

I'm happy they saw that person in me.

ah welcome

just giving you poop
- Gerk

All good Gerk.

You bet, eh?
- Justin Lowe

I like it. Nice to have a different perspective from north of the border. I have only been out of the USA once...and it was to Toronto. Went to Hockey Hall of Fame. Went up to top of CN Tower at night. Holy crap. Beautiful...but very high. Toronto seems like a great place. Would definitely visit again.

There was a goal in transition from a take away in the neutral zone. I'd like to see more of that.

Still think zone exits are a mess and that needs to get fixed but if they can cut more stuff off in the neutral zone then I think life gets better.

Welcome Justin. Happy to have you covering our Hawks!

ah welcome

just giving you poop
- Gerk

Don't give us Canadians poop!!!! We will just freeze it into a rock-hard poop-ball and nail you in the mouth with it!!!!!

(And then say....sorry. Cuz that's the "Canadian" way....)

Welcome Justin. Happy to have you covering our Hawks!
- ikeane

Thanks - happy to be covering them for you guys and gals!

Don't give us Canadians poop!!!! We will just freeze it into a rock-hard poop-ball and nail you in the mouth with it!!!!!

(And then say....sorry. Cuz that's the "Canadian" way....)


- hawk35

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Welcome. Don't worry about filling JJ's shoes. Just be yourself, and we will all get along just fine. We are a passionate lot.

Welcome. Don't worry about filling JJ's shoes. Just be yourself, and we will all get along just fine. We are a passionate lot.
- hpk90

Appreciate the advice!

Passion is a great thing.

Welcome. Don't worry about filling JJ's shoes. Just be yourself, and we will all get along just fine. We are a passionate lot.
- hpk90

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

It bears watching how well he plays LD. It is a shame if ANY of the young guys - Murphy, Kempny, Forsling - sits in the press box. Each has a unique set of skills/value and a defense tandem is, ideally, a mix or combination of the style both partners provide

There was and continues to be a reason Forsling plays despite gaffes each game. He plays with speed and anticipates better than the other young guys. He has improved, although he backsides with a worse game after an improved showing

These defensemen benefit more staying in Chicago with
Samuelson's oversight. On the other hand, it is debatable whether DeBrincat improves more by going to Rockford. Normally a young forward often needs or benefits from some AHL experience. But AB already has an attitude or willingness to help out. I would favor he continues his growth at the NHL level particularly when he is on a top scoring line. In this scenario he probably is exceedingly more aware to fulfill his duties.

You mentioned Q's fate. I wrote about this and i feel there was good, constructive response to my comments.

In short, let's give Q more time and see if either Q and or his players tighten the noose around Q's neck. It is encouraging to see Q get mad and punish the players. Too much of a country club atmosphere exists among veterans, at least some veterans. We have gone back and forth if an assistant coach really would solve any of the issues we have pointed out. The first game after the steam kettle whistled, is encouraging. Let's see how well the team sustains the effort. Perhaps the system Q uses will be tweaked. The power play, however, is an altogether different story.

Players do not often wish to camp in front of net. Players try the same old strategy. Puck movement could be better. Keith is not whom should be out there. Firsling and Kempny should draw Pp duty. Franson, too, is good on pp.

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!
- nickmo2699

Did you watch the Nashville game? Schmaltz was backchecking and stealing the puck a la Marian Hossa that game. I counted 4 strips that turned in to shots (and a goal) that game. If you think he sucks base don one game you're filling your own confirmation bias.

Did you watch the Nashville game? Schmaltz was backchecking and stealing the puck a la Marian Hossa that game. I counted 4 strips that turned in to shots (and a goal) that game. If you think he sucks base don one game you're filling your own confirmation bias.
- JRoenick97

Agreed. He seems to be one of the better back-checkers on most nights. Schmaltz is leading the Hawks in takeaways with 15.