A team plays to its HC expectations. Both in style and scheme. I cant stand this baby poop soft team out there. No push back. No anchor. Nothing. And it will remain this way as long as Q is running the show. Q was fine when he had stud line ups that could do it all. Now that he has to X/O to match up, he fails. PP is a joke. PK is a joke. Team D is a circus. Players get run with no response. Comical.
- z1990z

No, there are a couple of those that are holding this ship back, haha.

I said your third point once or twice. I really want Saad and Toews together. They do on the pk, look at those chances they had last night. But still, it's a good line, and don't fix what ain't broke yadda yadda. I would like to see the switch once. I don't like Kunitz in the 12 man rotation, 13th forward is fine, I would swap him and Fortin.
- I Am The Breadman

With where this team is headed I would be rotating Rockford prospects earning callups in the 12th and 13th spots. Kunitz should be placed in the 4th level testing deep dish specials until his contract runs out.

Justin - I have a non-hockey question. How do I get the page back that is all Blackhawk and shows all the blogs? I re-downloaded the site to try to get rid of a few glitches and now I can’t seem to find that page. Thanks.

With where this team is headed I would be rotating Rockford prospects earning callups in the 12th and 13th spots. Kunitz should be placed in the 4th level testing deep dish specials until his contract runs out.
- 67hawks

I've never seen a million dollars worth of pizza before.

Stamkos has just... kinda been like that this season, so far. He seems to be in an ornery mood and playing as physical as I've ever seen him.
- OzBolts

taking his cues from ovie..

taking his cues from ovie..
- bogiedoc

I think one of those blood clots traveled to his brain and changed his playing style.

taking his cues from ovie..
- bogiedoc

Physical play? WTH is that. Say what you want about the Blues, but when they had Backes, Brouwer and Reeves plowing the road they were tough to beat. Now? Average. Being physical is still a part of hockey. Not advocating dumb play, but tough/hard get after it hockey.

Moves I would like to see:

1. Chris Kunitz waived.

2. Andreas Martinsen back to Rockford

3. Call up Dylan Sikura and Matthew Highmore

4. Would like to see a "D" of when all healthy

2 - 28
56 - 7
5 - 42
44

So that does mean goodbye to 23 and 22. My man Manning has been a train wreck signing, I will admit I was way off on his play. Unfortunately, as the Hawks are currently constructed, they have 3 defensemen that are 7th defensemen on most NHL rosters. Ugly yes, but better once Murphy and Forsling return. I am not saying they are great, but they are a massive upgrade over 22 and 23.

5. Time to move 20 up with Toews and Debrincat

Nothing against the play of Kahun, but it is time to move Saad up the lineup. He seems to have got the message on how Q wants him to play. A 3rd line of Kahun, Sikura, and Highmore interests me a great deal.

6. My ideal lineup:

20 -19 -12
8- 15 - 88
Sikura - Kahun - Highmore
40 - 16 - 64

Thoughts?

I said your third point once or twice. I really want Saad and Toews together. They do on the pk, look at those chances they had last night. But still, it's a good line, and don't fix what ain't broke yadda yadda. I would like to see the switch once. I don't like Kunitz in the 12 man rotation, 13th forward is fine, I would swap him and Fortin.
- I Am The Breadman

I hear Breadman with you adding some additional great points about Toews/Saad!

Here is my point about Kunitz! I believe about 99.9% of the posters do not believe he should be in the top 12 and his peer objective numbers backs that up. However, what that doesn't show is his play recognition...he flatly knows what to do with the puck before and when he gets it (save his egregious turnover the other night that led a a goal). That very quality puts him on the 3rd line with some scoring potential at the very least some offensive flare as he does not DEAN END the puck like some others. While it hasn't amounted to anything it will especially if supplemented with the likes of Kahun, D Sikura, Kampf, even possibly AA.

I think one of those blood clots traveled to his brain and changed his playing style.
- I Am The Breadman

I'll take it. He's not scoring at his normal clip, but he's been fun to watch.

Physical play? WTH is that. Say what you want about the Blues, but when they had Backes, Brouwer and Reeves plowing the road they were tough to beat. Now? Average. Being physical is still a part of hockey. Not advocating dumb play, but tough/hard get after it hockey.
- z1990z

Losing is easier to take when a team plays the way that Blues team did or even how some of our pre-2010 teams did. Soft passive play compounds fan frustration during these one-sided losses. I would even be somewhat less frustrated if Q would blow his top and show some passion, but like this team he kind of rolls with similar passiveness.

I hear Breadman with you adding some additional great points about Toews/Saad!

Here is my point about Kunitz! I believe about 99.9% of the posters do not believe he should be in the top 12 and his peer objective numbers backs that up. However, what that doesn't show is his play recognition...he flatly knows what to do with the puck before and when he gets it (save his egregious turnover the other night that led a a goal). That very quality puts him on the 3rd line with some scoring potential at the very least some offensive flare as he does not DEAN END the puck like some others. While it hasn't amounted to anything it will especially if supplemented with the likes of Kahun, D Sikura, Kampf, even possibly AA.
- D2D

I agree with you, I like that he fights for pucks and parks his butt in the blue paint(I'm not totally against him) he does offer good things some other players lack, but when he has the puck in the neutral or d zone, it scares me. He's good with Arty on the third line, but they were just so slow. Arty has made improvements, but it is still noticeable.

If Schmaltz isnt going to take a 2-3yr bridge deal for no more than 3mil...I'd say move him.

Dude is Kyle Turris at best - but cant play center and plays baby poop soft.

I'd wonder if he could be moved for the D man Ritsolinen in Buffalo. They need offense and he was rumored to be on the block before the season started...was signed by the previous GM

If Schmaltz isnt going to take a 2-3yr bridge deal for no more than 3mil...I'd say move him.

Dude is Kyle Turris at best - but cant play center and plays baby poop soft.

I'd wonder if he could be moved for the D man Ritsolinen in Buffalo. They need offense and he was rumored to be on the block before the season started...was signed by the previous GM
- PatShart

Pad Schmaltz numbers then trade him

If Schmaltz isnt going to take a 2-3yr bridge deal for no more than 3mil...I'd say move him.

Dude is Kyle Turris at best - but cant play center and plays baby poop soft.

I'd wonder if he could be moved for the D man Ritsolinen in Buffalo. They need offense and he was rumored to be on the block before the season started...was signed by the previous GM
- PatShart

I wouldn't mind a bridge deal, I will go as high as a 4x4, BUT he has to surpass his goal totals last year, and improve at the dot, when Arty gets tossed. I know its vague and loosely arguable, but it can be managed. This is a critical season and he has to showcase himself. He needs to take last night's game and build upon that, plus he has chemistry with Kane. I wouldn't separate those two.

Three first round picks for Buffalo, that's pretty nice, granted, two of them will be mid-late twenties.

If Schmaltz isnt going to take a 2-3yr bridge deal for no more than 3mil...I'd say move him.

Dude is Kyle Turris at best - but cant play center and plays baby poop soft.

I'd wonder if he could be moved for the D man Ritsolinen in Buffalo. They need offense and he was rumored to be on the block before the season started...was signed by the previous GM
- PatShart

Not a bad idea. I see Schmaltz at some point down the road playing in Europe where he would be a better fit. Or Seattle. This guy has a lot of growing up to do if he wants more than 3 mil.

The whole "Anisimov is slow" thing needs to be put to rest.

He's tall and lanky. Tall and lanky players have different strides/skating styles. He gets to the areas he needs to go. Corners and the net. Places you need to go to help your team win. (Saad, Schmaltz should take notice). And plays solid D position in his own zone. He doesnt try doing too much with the puck and is smart as hell and plays a solid 2 way game.

His back pressure (meanining pressuring him, slow and all from behind) on the small, 'speedy' Cam Atkinson forced him to lose the puck resulting in Kanes goal vs CLB on Saturday

Ummmm last night's game was horrid. +50 shots is baaaaaad bad bad.

Same things that they had issues with last year. Poor work in the neutral zone and readily yielding the blue line. Then atrocious zone exits and not able to pick up any loose pucks to go the other way.

They're not that slow of a team and should be able to carry the puck or drive it forward with a quick outlet pass with someone cheating a - la Sharp or Saad (three years ago) on that back side. Woof.

At some point - doing the same stupid stuff - which is mostly "system" based NOT players effort - is 100% on the coach and they need to drastically simplify and change the way they play. This is ridiculous.

If theyre going to give up 40-50 shots at least set yourself up to get 40 or 50 the other way.

With where this team is headed I would be rotating Rockford prospects earning callups in the 12th and 13th spots. Kunitz should be placed in the 4th level testing deep dish specials until his contract runs out.
- 67hawks

Unfortunately he's one of the rare people willing to stand in front of the goalie on the PP and do it effectively.

I believe the huge problem with this team is time and space, so many of them seem to be in no man's land all the time. Then when the we get puck possession in the dzone, the opponent drops a dman deep and the other plays anticipate the outlet pass over and over and over again. The Preds did this in a playoff series and it sure seems we really don't have an answer for it for 3 years now.

Any player with a stick in their hand has "chemistry with Kane" - because of Kane.

Away from Kane, Schmaltz will be lucky to get 40pts. Lucky.

He's not worth the 3mil max I'd offer him. That 3mil would only be if Kane wants to keep him here/on his line.

Ummmm last night's game was horrid. +50 shots is baaaaaad bad bad.

Same things that they had issues with last year. Poor work in the neutral zone and readily yielding the blue line. Then atrocious zone exits and not able to pick up any loose pucks to go the other way.

They're not that slow of a team and should be able to carry the puck or drive it forward with a quick outlet pass with someone cheating a - la Sharp or Saad (three years ago) on that back side. Woof.

At some point - doing the same stupid stuff - which is mostly "system" based NOT players effort - is 100% on the coach and they need to drastically simplify and change the way they play. This is ridiculous.

If theyre going to give up 40-50 shots at least set yourself up to get 40 or 50 the other way.
- fattybeef

You stated it was system based- which it is. It takes time to learn a system and once again, they have a lot of turnover. Its going to take time - probably this whole season - and then trying NOT to have to add 7-8 new players to the roster, but maybe only 2-3. Then, there will be that consistency.

It takes time, and not just a few games.

Any player with a stick in their hand has "chemistry with Kane" - because of Kane.

Away from Kane, Schmaltz will be lucky to get 40pts. Lucky.

He's not worth the 3mil max I'd offer him. That 3mil would only be if Kane wants to keep him here/on his line.
- PatShart

Kane is great, but that first point isn't entirely true. Posters have pointed out Kane's frustration. Attribute that to himself or linemates or how the other team defends him. Kane can make a lot happen, but the pp should be better with him on it. If Domingue was a second faster, Schmaltz wouldn't have had his goal. Kane is the driving force of the second line. Chemistry is slowly building, it's not already in place just being with Kane.

That was really bad, I mean knock somebody on their a$$ or at least attempt to lift a stick Gus. There is no fear of standing in front of the net.

If Schmaltz isnt going to take a 2-3yr bridge deal for no more than 3mil...I'd say move him.

Dude is Kyle Turris at best - but cant play center and plays baby poop soft.

I'd wonder if he could be moved for the D man Ritsolinen in Buffalo. They need offense and he was rumored to be on the block before the season started...was signed by the previous GM
- PatShart

I think it was rumored they were looking to swap him for a left handed dman of similar age and ability.

Kane is great, but that first point isn't entirely true. Posters have pointed out Kane's frustration. Attribute that to himself or linemates or how the other team defends him. Kane can make a lot happen, but the pp should be better with him on it. If Domingue was a second faster, Schmaltz wouldn't have had his goal. Kane is the driving force of the second line. Chemistry is slowly building, it's not already in place just being with Kane.
- I Am The Breadman

It actually is true.

Kane makes every player he plays with better. There's open ice on his line because he draws 2 dmen every time he has the puck - and has the ability to get the puck to the open man.

Put Schmaltz on the 3rd line and let me know if he drives the line, or gets smothered because hes incapable and or unwilling to take hits to make plays on a consistent basis to create open space for linemates.

Schmaltz is good in open ice with room to operate (like most all NHL players). But in a tight checking game...hes invisible.

It's good to have speed and skill when no one is around you. But do it when theres tight checking. He cant