AND Kahun. He had a shift for about 10 seconds in OT then Q went with the old reliables Saad and Anisimov....Brutal.
Kids not allowed in OT.....except Joki because it's pretty apparent that he's our best dman.
- Hawkytalk

Anisimov should NEVER hit the ice in OT. Huge Liability. Slower than a Glacier.

I think a whole bunch of people "blew it". The number one culprit should be the coach by putting a rag team on the ice against The top line of Minnesota. Duncan Keith also should get a knock for pinching and allowing Zucker and his partner have a clear breakaway. It was obvious that Kane had nothing left in the tank after his first shift in O/T .. But "Coach " kept bringing him back in. The crown jewel of bad decisions started in O/T with the 40 seconds of lackluster power play with Keith at the point. Bottom line... Not enough quality player to go around for the Hawks...
- spanky

Q was playing Kane a lot, at game’s end, even for his Defensive ability to win pucks and chip them out of the zone but you can’t just put Kane out if he is simply exhausted. Also Q NEVER calls a TIME-OUT! Abominable coaching. Also Ulf’s coaching of the D cannot get any worse. Rutta may not be an AHL D-Man - he certainly is not an NHL D-Man. The PP in OT for some reason was run by Keith and was a disaster. Keith is NOT a PP QB. He himself wasted all the time. Keith also later got immaturely caught up-ice on winning goal. Keith had a nice, fat MINUS 3 on the night.

I didn't realize it was doomsday.

Might as well come back next season because it is very clear after four games that the doomsdayers have it all figured out. It was good while it lasted everyone!

We scored on the pp guys, after Q put in Joki and Gus as qb's. We need Bill Engvall to say, "Here's your sign."

I didn't realize it was doomsday.

Might as well come back next season because it is very clear after four games that the doomsdayers have it all figured out. It was good while it lasted everyone!
- Hawks_49

I actually haven't read one end of the season post, everyone is just pissed about losing a game in ot that we should have won in regulation. Blame can be handed out to just about anyone. But, we are glad to still be getting points.

I actually haven't read one end of the season post, everyone is just pissed about losing a game in ot that we should have won in regulation. Blame can be handed out to just about anyone. But, we are glad to still be getting points.
- I Am The Breadman

You shouldn't use the word "we" and "everyone" when talking about your own opinion.

You might be pissed off, but I don't see you slinging insults at the coaching staff and players because your team lost a game in OT. Those are the doomsdayers I'm talking about.

The team did not play particularly well after they got a 2-0 lead. Blew the game late when everyone got mesmerized by the puck and left Suter alone. Oh well. That kind of stuff happens early in the season. If it is happening in game 25,30,35... then it becomes a real big problem. The major positive is that this team keeps finding ways to keep themselves in hockey games while a bunch of guys get acclimated, and without our World Class goaltender.

Just a little bit of hindsight to pour some salt in the wound after this stinker tonight.

If Stan hadn't decided to to trade Panarin for Saad, the lineup could be:

DeBrincat-Toews-Kahun
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Sikura-Schmaltz-Fortin
Kampf-Kruger-Hayden

Wouldn't that be nice.
- EbonyRaptor

If you like that lineup - 9 of the 12 were brought on (or back) by Stan (I’m leav8ng Panarin out because he’s not here).

For a team in transition and supposed to suck I'm just glad the games are watchable. I see fresh effort and that's really all I demand. I'm going to wait until the new year to make a decision to praise or rip on anyone. But in the mean time game on. Best game in the world.

Tough loss last night and some lessons (hopefully) learned by this Hawks team and coaching staff.

I will have a blog out later today with said lessons and a couple notes on tomorrow's game.

For a team in transition and supposed to suck I'm just glad the games are watchable. I see fresh effort and that's really all I demand. I'm going to wait until the new year to make a decision to praise or rip on anyone. But in the mean time game on. Best game in the world.
- 6628

Agree / I am of the same opinion- a lot more fun then the negative Nancy’s posting on here

For a team in transition and supposed to suck I'm just glad the games are watchable. I see fresh effort and that's really all I demand. I'm going to wait until the new year to make a decision to praise or rip on anyone. But in the mean time game on. Best game in the world.
- 6628

Agree. The season is not even 10 games in. There are some positives and negatives so far but the biggest positive for me is a resurgent Toews.

If that continues, to me it means the window has not been slammed shut. But like you said, maybe let things play out a bit before making sweeping and definitive declarations.

You shouldn't use the word "we" and "everyone" when talking about your own opinion.

You might be pissed off, but I don't see you slinging insults at the coaching staff and players because your team lost a game in OT. Those are the doomsdayers I'm talking about.

The team did not play particularly well after they got a 2-0 lead. Blew the game late when everyone got mesmerized by the puck and left Suter alone. Oh well. That kind of stuff happens early in the season. If it is happening in game 25,30,35... then it becomes a real big problem. The major positive is that this team keeps finding ways to keep themselves in hockey games while a bunch of guys get acclimated, and without our World Class goaltender.
- Hawks_49

I understand. Some do share my opinion though. I do get the we/everyone statement though.

Who actually needs to be fired is Ulf. He has blinders on when it comes to European D-Men. Rutta is an absolute disaster. He never accomplishes anything. I am not exaggerating. He is ALWAYS out of position. He NEVER touches an opposing player. He ALWAYS seems to be physically on the ice. He NEVER wins the puck. He should NEVER dress for the Hawks again - at this point for me it is anyone but Rutta.

Gus at least tries to accomplish something. Not defending him outright but he is Bobby Orr in comparison to Rutta.
- Z3Hawk

You have blinders on caused by your hatred of Ulf. Everything is always Ulf’s fault.

A few points from last night that stand out to me.

Hawks need to play a 60 minute effort. They say that all the time, but against Minnesota, it is always true. They are one of those teams that don't give in and don't seem to change their game plan. They grind away over and over and over. The pushback was gonna be there, just too bad the team couldn't get that extra goal. Saad was oh so close more than once.

Schmaltz is getting better game by game. His defensive game was solid. Not just the takeaways he managed, but right now, there is nobody on the team that can carry the puck through the middle with the same speed.

Jokiharju was good, but not his best of the 4 game career to me. No big issues, but he did get partially undressed a couple times, but stayed in the play.

I would send John Hayden down and see if someone like Highmore wants to bring some speed/energy to the bottom 6.

The really positive stuff..

Toews continued to make things happen.

DeBrincat is a goal machine when given the chances.

Ward looks to be gaining confidence that wasn't there in his first game or two. I wonder where his #s will end up the longer he works with the Hawks goalie coaches. (I think this is one area the Hawks coaching staff is great)

Fortin was excellent in his role. Working hard and forechecking/chasing pucks.

While they ultimately lost the battle of the puck possession and play, I will say one thing. The management of the puck in their own end when they had it was a lot better. Maybe they didn't win enough battles, but I think a lot of that was just credit to Minnesota's ability to battle back and be what Q wants from his team "relentless".

If you like that lineup - 9 of the 12 were brought on (or back) by Stan (I’m leav8ng Panarin out because he’s not here).
- StLBravesFan

I'm really not a Stan basher - I'm just extremely frustrated Saad sux this badly. I didn't hate the trade when it happened because I bought into Saad's 55 point skill level along with his better 200 foot game was basically a wash for Panarin's 75 point skill level and a lesser 200 foot game. But now that Saad appears to be reduced to a 35 point skill level and a less noticeable 200 foot game - it's frustrating. Saad's suckage is not Stan's fault.

One more thing about Schmaltz...another night of struggling at the dot. So far this season, he has taken 45 draws, won 13 lost 32. Filip Chytil, Alexander Wennberg, and
Nick Schmaltz are battling it out for league worst faceoff men. (looking at guys who have at least 25 draws to date)

Games like tonight hurt, no doubt about it. But I think it will take 20-25 games for us to see what type of team this group truly is.
- DarthKane

Ward played lights out and gives up 3 in reg 4 including ot
that spells major trouble ahead, the D is absolutely horrendous
as they have only 2 NHL caliber D men playing.

The bottom 6 needs more speed a bit more grit, 6 hits for in
a game wont cut it, the other team needs to know their might
be consequences for dangling.

Zucker consistently pyloned Seabs, I thought it was a replay
playing all night. Rutta, Manning, why? Gus hasn't passed to
Kane since sometime last year, the telepathy between them
is no longer their.

A few points from last night that stand out to me.

Hawks need to play a 60 minute effort. They say that all the time, but against Minnesota, it is always true. They are one of those teams that don't give in and don't seem to change their game plan. They grind away over and over and over. The pushback was gonna be there, just too bad the team couldn't get that extra goal. Saad was oh so close more than once.

Schmaltz is getting better game by game. His defensive game was solid. Not just the takeaways he managed, but right now, there is nobody on the team that can carry the puck through the middle with the same speed.

Jokiharju was good, but not his best of the 4 game career to me. No big issues, but he did get partially undressed a couple times, but stayed in the play.

I would send John Hayden down and see if someone like Highmore wants to bring some speed/energy to the bottom 6.

The really positive stuff..

Toews continued to make things happen.

DeBrincat is a goal machine when given the chances.

Ward looks to be gaining confidence that wasn't there in his first game or two. I wonder where his #s will end up the longer he works with the Hawks goalie coaches. (I think this is one area the Hawks coaching staff is great)

Fortin was excellent in his role. Working hard and forechecking/chasing pucks.

While they ultimately lost the battle of the puck possession and play, I will say one thing. The management of the puck in their own end when they had it was a lot better. Maybe they didn't win enough battles, but I think a lot of that was just credit to Minnesota's ability to battle back and be what Q wants from his team "relentless".
- breadbag

I agree with you on Schmaltz, both sides of his game. I would like to see him, Kane, and Fortin play together.

As far as Ward goes, he's good in different positions and bad in others. He was great in multiple players battling for the puck in front of him. When someone shoots from a distance, he seems to have a harder time. Some times he is screened, I grant that. He seems to have more control with a bunch of bodies in the blue paint with him.

60 minute effort has to be there. They got lucky seasons ago when they played half the game and Crow bailed them out. That isn't a luxury right now.

I actually haven't read one end of the season post, everyone is just pissed about losing a game in ot that we should have won in regulation. Blame can be handed out to just about anyone. But, we are glad to still be getting points.
- I Am The Breadman

And we could and should have prevented a team within our Division from getting 2 points in the standings.

I agree with you on Schmaltz, both sides of his game. I would like to see him, Kane, and Fortin play together.

As far as Ward goes, he's good in different positions and bad in others. He was great in multiple players battling for the puck in front of him. When someone shoots from a distance, he seems to have a harder time. Some times he is screened, I grant that. He seems to have more control with a bunch of bodies in the blue paint with him.

60 minute effort has to be there. They got lucky seasons ago when they played half the game and Crow bailed them out. That isn't a luxury right now.
- I Am The Breadman

Ward just looked dialed in last night to me. There were some wide open chances right in the middle that he turned away. Some of it was the Minnesota game plan of just put it near the blue paint and hope to put it in, which I agree Ward handled pretty well.

Ward just looked dialed in last night to me. There were some wide open chances right in the middle that he turned away. Some of it was the Minnesota game plan of just put it near the blue paint and hope to put it in, which I agree Ward handled pretty well.
- breadbag

He played well, but I do blame him AND the rest of the team for the ot goal. All I ask is that he closes his legs. He kept them alive for the majority of that game. It was a goalie duel, Dubnyk isn't a slouch either. He robbed Schmaltz on that pp shot.

My observations from last night:
Kane was under the weather or something, because he had no jump in his game.

The Hawks took the entire second period off.

Fortin has serious speed, the kid glides faster than most of our guys sprint.

Rutta had one good defensive play, punching the puck out of the crease during a pile up. The rest was bad.

Keith needs to real it in. He looks like a very early Keith, getting too fancy and coughing pucks up.

Ward was great until the third period. You just can’t give up a goal in the last three seconds, come on.

Schmaltz is a play driving force, great defense and transition. Wish he’d shoot more.

Hayden had good effort but not as much results.

Debrincat is an offensive force, I’m starting to understand how he piled up goals on the Otters.

Joel blew that game in OT putting Saad and Anisimov out there, you don’t put your slowest forward out at 3 on 3.

I know it is early in the season, but just a quick glance at the standings, and some teams are completely in the wrong spot. Vegas, only won one game? They became an old team quickly. I know it will fix itself around Christmas, but still interesting to look at.

I agree with you on Schmaltz, both sides of his game. I would like to see him, Kane, and Fortin play together.

As far as Ward goes, he's good in different positions and bad in others. He was great in multiple players battling for the puck in front of him. When someone shoots from a distance, he seems to have a harder time. Some times he is screened, I grant that. He seems to have more control with a bunch of bodies in the blue paint with him.

60 minute effort has to be there. They got lucky seasons ago when they played half the game and Crow bailed them out. That isn't a luxury right now.
- I Am The Breadman

Fortin reminds me of another Hino. Keep the second line together and let Saad figure it out.

Nice write up Justin.

Although I agree it should be lower scoring tonight, I think it will be, but only in relative terms to the Sunday 7-6 shootout.

By lower scoring, I am thinking a 4-3 or 5-3 game.
I just don't see the hawks defence or goaltending being good enough that they surrender any less than 3 goals. This offence will have the burden of having to score 4 or 5 or 6 goals MOST nights if we want a "W".

I have loved our ability to light the lamp, but in our zone we are still a sh-t show. Our team defence is horrid, and our goaltending is mediocure at best.

May as well open it up and play fire-wagon hockey and see what happens. Especially against a team like Minny. Play it as open as possible and just try to score one more than them.

Until Crawford comes back, and our "D" gels al little. I think that is all we can do.

Oh....how is Jokiharju??? Heard he missed practice being ill. Is he playing tonight. Cuz behind the blue line, he is the brightest spot I have seen so far this year!!! Anyone know???

Go Hawks!!!!
- hawk35

As per my post from yesterday. Although I was spot on regarding the score, my apologies to Cam Ward....as it was TEAM defense that let this one slip away, and not poor goaltending. Cam was solid last night. His best game yet.

The Team defense....well, that will be a battle all year I think.