I get what they are trying to do with PP1, but I don't really like/agree with it. Everyone knows that the Hawks needs some net front presence on the PP. None of those forwards are going to do it, unless they expect Fortin to do it (which is quite a bit to expect).
- Chunk

This all year long. The PP wil still suck, amazes me that Q as long as he has coached has not figured this out

"It looks to be a real kick in the pants for Brandon Saad. The guy just flat out needs to produce. He's not Artemi Panarin"

No he's not and he looks slow. However, when it comes to post season production, Panarin is no Saad.

Hawks don't win the cup in 2015 without Saad. And Panarin has yet to show up for an entire playoff series.
- Tanuki

Saad looks better than he did the first game but still having issues with skating balance and handling the puck?

I really hope we are done with Rutta, i think Q is hoping to get the player he had to start last year with, but it's not happening and if it's a groin then let him heal, something

And for Christ's sake, can i have all my defenseman not leave the defensive zone until the puck leaves it or you are certain your team mate has possession. Oy vey

This isn't directed at you...

While I'm not writing off Fortin, it takes more than speed to be effective, just ask Viktor Stalberg. I'm all for giving Fortin a chance and I am intrigued to see what he can do with Schmaltz and Kane, but it's too early to have any realistic expectations.
- DarthKane

Not writing him off either, but what is the deal with him scoring only 4 goals in 53 games last year in Rockford? From that to playing with Kane and Schmaltz, that is quite a leap.

Shaw with half retained for Hillman, Anisimov, and a 3rd.

Brings some depth scoring, some energy, and a guy who can play any forward position decently.
- ObeseOprah

I can see the reasoning, but isn't Shaw too injury prone at this point? And moving on from Hillman is way too soon. Not all the D prospects will make it, but it is not worth it, yet.

Thanks Justin! Ward had at least 5 Grade A saves last night and got the Hawks a point in a game MN could’ve won in regulation. Fortin has game changing speed and Kane’s 2nd line with the Hawks 2 best skaters in 8+84 should be a challenge for STL to contain. Hayden can throw a mean right hand, but he has been pretty ineffective.

Kunitz is like Sharp last year, smart plays but over the hill. Doesn’t hurt you, but doesn’t help much either.


Message sending time for Q with Saad after doing virtually nothing in both the Pre and Regular Season thus far.

Maybe Davidson can lock down the 6D spot. He looked good in preseason and laid a few good hits.
- EnzoD

I mostly agree, but where are the Blackhawks right now? Certainly not Stanley Cup contenders. So why give a roster spot to this guy? Maybe the Hawks are back in contention a year or two down the road, but he'll be retired by then. Is he a stablizing force for the youngsters? Perhaps. But I'd rather see others get the TOI with an eye to the future. I don't mind him in general, but what's the point?

I do get a feel of this Hawks team right now is a lot like the Wannstedt Bears era players. What i mean by this is these players have hockey qualities but unfortunately many of them don't understand the game.

So basically non hockey players

Not a SINGLE NHL game on a Friday night 2nd week of the season?!?! League is run by idiots.

I mostly agree, but where are the Blackhawks right now? Certainly not Stanley Cup contenders. So why give a roster spot to this guy? Maybe the Hawks are back in contention a year or two down the road, but he'll be retired by then. Is he a stablizing force for the youngsters? Perhaps. But I'd rather see others get the TOI with an eye to the future. I don't mind him in general, but what's the point?
- matt_ahrens

His track record of winning, style of play, leadership, intangibles, yada yada yada

Not writing him off either, but what is the deal with him scoring only 4 goals in 53 games last year in Rockford? From that to playing with Kane and Schmaltz, that is quite a leap.
- stonefire

Wasn't there a similarity with Shaw? Nothing in Rockford, produced in the big league?

I don't like those comparing Fortin to Hino.

Yes both are fast but Hino didn't really use his speed to disrupt on the forecheck or to change the game. I hope that is something that Fortin can do. He looked like he was willing to do so last night.
- bhawks2241

After the wild realized how fast Fortin was last night, they held, tripped and interfered with him the entire evening, honestly the 2nd period last night ws a perfect example of how refs put their whistles away to give the home team a chance to win. Hell even boy scout Eddie O at one point exclaimed, What no penalty after one of the Hawks were tripped behind the net

Not writing him off either, but what is the deal with him scoring only 4 goals in 53 games last year in Rockford? From that to playing with Kane and Schmaltz, that is quite a leap.
- stonefire

When you only have five effective top-6 skaters (including Kahun) and there are no other good options in the show (presumably Sikura at some point, but not today)....

That Powerplay… woof – Sure, they scored a goal, but the kicker was the SHG they gave up to blow the lead with under 30 seconds to go in the game. This powerplay is a disaster and it needs to be fixed.



over and over and over

After the wild realized how fast Fortin was last night, they held, tripped and interfered with him the entire evening, honestly the 2nd period last night ws a perfect example of how refs put their whistles away to give the home team a chance to win. Hell even boy scout Eddie O at one point exclaimed, What no penalty after one of the Hawks were tripped behind the net
- BetweenTheDots

yeah nice take down of rutta by stahl before he scored

While I want to believe Saad will view the demotion as a "kick in the pants" as you note, I'm fearful he does not (as posted at tail end of last thread):

https://www.nbcsports.com...gh-blackhawks-are-looking

Maybe he's putting a positive spin on it to save face, but sounds like Saad and Q are not on same page about why the line change.

I read this little bit and feel like Saad really doesn't think there is an issue. So hard to tell, though, when they are all media coached to within an inch of their lives:
- pdx2ord

well its either produce or he gets moved..hawks can't have 4th line production for 6 mildo

yeah nice take down of rutta by stahl before he scored
- bogiedoc

Yep, easily could have nullified that goal with a tripping penalty. I was a bit surprised, i saw him go down so i rewound it about 3 times because i couldn't tell if he fell on his own. Sure enough i could see Staals 12 foot stick tangled in his legs.

well its either produce or he gets moved..hawks can't have 4th line production for 6 mildo
- bogiedoc

Other teams will have taken notice, moving Saad now likely means getting back a similar under performer also making too much money. I would wait awhile too see if performance improves but its getting to be nearly a full season of mediocre play. I've always considered him to be a bit overrated.

Other teams will have taken notice, moving Saad now likely means getting back a similar under performer also making too much money. I would wait awhile too see if performance improves but its getting to be nearly a full season of mediocre play. I've always considered him to be a bit overrated.
- RickJ

Playing exclusively with Toews/Hossa or Kane will do that

Other teams will have taken notice, moving Saad now likely means getting back a similar under performer also making too much money. I would wait awhile too see if performance improves but its getting to be nearly a full season of mediocre play. I've always considered him to be a bit overrated.
- RickJ

the question is how does he get it going with 4th line minutes and line mates...

for sure his market value has dropped...they are not going to give him away

Not a SINGLE NHL game on a Friday night 2nd week of the season?!?! League is run by idiots.
- EnzoD

This

Unacceptable and embarrassing

After the wild realized how fast Fortin was last night, they held, tripped and interfered with him the entire evening, honestly the 2nd period last night ws a perfect example of how refs put their whistles away to give the home team a chance to win. Hell even boy scout Eddie O at one point exclaimed, What no penalty after one of the Hawks were tripped behind the net
- BetweenTheDots

The Wild's first and tying goals were all set up because Staal tripped a player to gain access to the puck. The next person to say refs are impartial to the game needs a swift kick in the a$$. Every official in every sport league (pee wee to pros) has a major hand in the outcome of the games.

Yep, easily should have nullified that goal with a tripping penalty. I was a bit surprised, i saw him go down so i rewound it about 5 times because i couldn't tell if he fell on his own. Sure enough i could see Staals 12 foot stick tangled in his legs.
- MnGump

I corrected your comment. What else would you expect from a Wild team though - can't score a goal without the zebra's help (at least against Chicago)

Yep, easily should have nullified that goal with a tripping penalty. I was a bit surprised, i saw him go down so i rewound it about 5 times because i couldn't tell if he fell on his own. Sure enough i could see Staals 12 foot stick tangled in his legs.
- MnGump

I corrected your comment. What else would you expect from a Wild team though - can't score a goal without the zebra's help (at least against Chicago)

the question is how does he get it going with 4th line minutes and line mates...

for sure his market value has dropped...they are not going to give him away
- bogiedoc

It's been one practice. Even if Q starts these lines against the Blues tomorrow night - so what - it's one game.