They might as well throw in unlimited Punch and Pie.
- breadbag

Whoa whoa whoa, someone's flying off the handle now, haha.

https://www.nbcsports.com...n-and-power-play-concerns

Lots more Saad discussion with some guys who get behind the scenes

I'm probably wrong, but my guess is that Rockford is light on forwards or want options, especially if the hawks plan on recalling more.
- I Am The Breadman

He won't be playing in Rockford, he'll keep playing in Hamilton where he appears to be doing well.

He's a good fourth line center, but terrible on the wing. He's alleviating the pressure off of Toews. Toews would do o zone and d zone draws plus pk and pp. That's a lot. Since we have a faceoff guy in the d zone like Kruger, one can say that this has helped in Toews's resurgence and can spend more time attacking the net. He doesn't have to spend so much time in the d zone on draws. He still does, but not as much. I think Justin said 95% d zone draws for Kruger.
- I Am The Breadman

Having Kruger back as 4C to take a majority of D zone faceoffs is pivotal for not only Toews resurgence but for helping the scoring lines focus more on that than being shutdown lines too.

IMHO, the Hawks are partway there toward this end: the other part that is missing is assembling an effective 3rd line that is solid defensively, disruptive, and talented enough to provide secondary scoring.

I'm going to beat this drum until it happens or the Hawks get close to it: Sikura being playmaker on the 3rd line would be helpful along with Anisimov centering and playing the role of net crasher and space creator plus having a fast winger like Fortin to use disruptive speed.

He won't be playing in Rockford, he'll keep playing in Hamilton where he appears to be doing well.
- DarthKane

As I said, I'm probably wrong. The Hawks know what's good for his development. Thanks for correcting me, though.

Having Kruger back as 4C to take a majority of D zone faceoffs is pivotal for not only Toews resurgence but for helping the scoring lines focus more on that than being shutdown lines too.

IMHO, the Hawks are partway there toward this end: the other part that is missing is assembling an effective 3rd line that is solid defensively, disruptive, and talented enough to provide secondary scoring.

I'm going to beat this drum until it happens or the Hawks get close to it: Sikura being playmaker on the 3rd line would be helpful along with Anisimov centering and playing the role of net crasher and space creator plus having a fast winger like Fortin to use disruptive speed.
- AEL_Fox

If Sikura keeps up his game, pace, production yadda yadda, which wasn't evident during preseason at all, so the "message" of here's what you have to do to play in the nhl was received, I don't see why he won't be the next call-up and fill that role. In this short amount of time, maybe a few more Rockford games under his belt, he earned to be the next call-up.

He's a good fourth line center, but terrible on the wing. He's alleviating the pressure off of Toews. Toews would do o zone and d zone draws plus pk and pp. That's a lot. Since we have a faceoff guy in the d zone like Kruger, one can say that this has helped in Toews's resurgence and can spend more time attacking the net. He doesn't have to spend so much time in the d zone on draws. He still does, but not as much. I think Justin said 95% d zone draws for Kruger.
- I Am The Breadman

thats HUGE!!!!!

thats HUGE!!!!!
- glennjpawlak22

I sent you a pm, yesterday, I don't know if you saw it.

My opinion on Saad is that right now he lacks heart and desire. He looks to have the same attitude my kids have when I try to wake them up in the morning for school. He is also putting forth the same effort they do to clean their room, they are not passionate about doing it so they just go through the motions.
- waitforawhistle

He's seemed hot and cold throughout his career. I'd also say that he, at times, plays up to the ability of his teammates and line mates. At other times he seems disinterested.

From an outsider perspective (i.e. mine,) Toews has brought his A game on and off the ice. The culture shift back to being a winner is what can bring Saad around, IMHO. He needs to find the fire within himself, but if he does, he has the team support he'll need to earn that paycheck (and perhaps the next contract.) I don't know what he needs to do to find that fire, but I hope he figures it out.

Just going off this:

‘‘Nothing was said to me about a lineup change or anything like that,’’ Saad said. ‘‘You just come in, you see your jersey, you go out there and play.’’
- Boisy12

a white jersey for non-injured 6 mildo per...is worth a thousand words..

he didn't have to say anything verbally about a line-up change

One positive is that at least for now, we are still getting points without an effective Saad. That's a pretty big accomplishment with few, if any, positive results coming from a player who was re-acquired to be a major cog in our system.

Fortin, Kampf, Hayden, Kahun and the Kat to a lesser, cooler extent, play with determination and battle. The Captain is serious this year. All these efforts really highlight Saad not winning battles and not appearing to give it all this year.

The media calling out Saad about not caring, comparing him to Jay Cutler, now that's an insult i don't care who you are, didn't know the optional skate only 3 people didn't show up, Keith, Ward and Saad, Damn

I sent you a pm, yesterday, I don't know if you saw it.
- I Am The Breadman

just replied, sorry, i didnt see it. i hardly if ever ck that inbox

just replied, sorry, i didnt see it. i hardly if ever ck that inbox
- glennjpawlak22

Totally fine. It's actually on me, my bad.

He's a good fourth line center, but terrible on the wing. He's alleviating the pressure off of Toews. Toews would do o zone and d zone draws plus pk and pp. That's a lot. Since we have a faceoff guy in the d zone like Kruger, one can say that this has helped in Toews's resurgence and can spend more time attacking the net. He doesn't have to spend so much time in the d zone on draws. He still does, but not as much. I think Justin said 95% d zone draws for Kruger.
- I Am The Breadman

Wanna bet by mid season he'll be the 4th C.

does anyone know the waiver wire thing in NHL? if we put Forsberg on waivers and some team claims him, can he be pulled back like in MLB?

does anyone know the waiver wire thing in NHL? if we put Forsberg on waivers and some team claims him, can he be pulled back like in MLB?
- glennjpawlak22

I don't think so.

I think whoever claims him has to put him on their NHL roster. And then if they try to send him down, same thing...back thru waivers

He's a good fourth line center, but terrible on the wing. He's alleviating the pressure off of Toews. Toews would do o zone and d zone draws plus pk and pp. That's a lot. Since we have a faceoff guy in the d zone like Kruger, one can say that this has helped in Toews's resurgence and can spend more time attacking the net. He doesn't have to spend so much time in the d zone on draws. He still does, but not as much. I think Justin said 95% d zone draws for Kruger.
- I Am The Breadman

Just for info, here are the breakdown of starts for Kruger

Ozone 2 time
Neutral zone 19 times
Dzone 48 times.

So ratio of Ozone to Dzone starts is about 96% Dzone.

Kruger didn't take all those draws on those starts, but he has taken 48 draws, winning 22 and losing 26. Won 18- Lost 20 at even strength and Won 4- Lost 6 on the PK.

Kruger took one faceoff in the ozone, 12 in the Neutral zone and 35 in the Dzone.

Looking at the Dzone draws specifically

Kruger 35 draws - won 16 lost 19 - 45.7%
AA 27 draws - won 15 lost 12 - 55.6%
Toews 25 draws - won 15 lost 10 60%
Johnson 7 draws - won 2 - lost 5 28.6%
Kampf 6 draws - won 3 lost 3 - 50%
Schmaltz 1 draw - won 0 lost 1 - 0%

The bottom two lines have helped keep the top two lines out of the Dzone. Kruger and AA both taking a good number of Dzone draws.

Just for info, here are the breakdown of starts for Kruger

Ozone 2 time
Neutral zone 19 times
Dzone 48 times.

So ratio of Ozone to Dzone starts is about 96% Dzone.

Kruger didn't take all those draws on those starts, but he has taken 48 draws, winning 22 and losing 26. Won 18- Lost 20 at even strength and Won 4- Lost 6 on the PK.

Kruger took one faceoff in the ozone, 12 in the Neutral zone and 35 in the Dzone.

Looking at the Dzone draws specifically

Kruger 35 draws - won 16 lost 19 - 45.7%
AA 27 draws - won 15 lost 12 - 55.6%
Toews 25 draws - won 15 lost 10 60%
Johnson 7 draws - won 2 - lost 5 28.6%
Kampf 6 draws - won 3 lost 3 - 50%
Schmaltz 1 draw - won 0 lost 1 - 0%

The bottom two lines have helped keep the top two lines out of the Dzone. Kruger and AA both taking a good number of Dzone draws.
- breadbag

Great info!!! thanks for putting that together, makes a great deal of sense.

Is that right 3 Goals in 4 games for the Yotes? Ouch

Having Kruger back as 4C to take a majority of D zone faceoffs is pivotal for not only Toews resurgence but for helping the scoring lines focus more on that than being shutdown lines too.

IMHO, the Hawks are partway there toward this end: the other part that is missing is assembling an effective 3rd line that is solid defensively, disruptive, and talented enough to provide secondary scoring.

I'm going to beat this drum until it happens or the Hawks get close to it: Sikura being playmaker on the 3rd line would be helpful along with Anisimov centering and playing the role of net crasher and space creator plus having a fast winger like Fortin to use disruptive speed.
- AEL_Fox

To comment on Justin's point on how the club feels "different" this yr IMO it's small things, not splashy signings, that has made the difference and Kruger is one of them.

Freeing Toews up and saving his legs from taking heavy Dzone faceoffs is huge.

Giving Toews a responsible skilled 2 way "pro" with IQ in Kahun to skate with can't be underestimated. Add Dcat to that line and Toews has stability on his line he hasn't gotten along with not having to do everything, taking D zone draws, has freed his legs and mind up. 9 in 5 speaks volumes but the eye test even more so. Toews looks fresh and hungry and proper slotting/linemates/allocation has helped in that regard.

Is that right 3 Goals in 4 games for the Yotes? Ouch
- BetweenTheDots

Yup.... that just means they'll be good for 8 goals against the Hawks on Thursday.

https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/blackhawks/hawks-talk-podcast-crawfords-return-saads-demotion-and-power-play-concerns

Lots more Saad discussion with some guys who get behind the scenes
- pdx2ord

Thanks for the link. I'm a Boyle fan as a mature, balanced, honest broker.

Yup.... that just means they'll be good for 8 goals against the Hawks on Thursday.
- DarthKane