How did we get to this place? I can't imagine that simply losing two players turns our team into a complete dumpster fire defensively. How did a system that worked so well defensively (shot suppression in particular) turn so bad? Has the system changed? Are these new players really that bad?

I'm asking on a technical level since I can't personally pinpoint if anything is actually different in their structure or if the players are simply not executing.
- Chunk

The Hawks’ defensive “system” did change when Ulf joined as a coach. All teams want their D to chip in offensively but normally on a of defence first basis. Pinch or penetrate the offensive zone only when it is safe to do so. Ulf’s “system” demands that the Hawks’ D penetrate at what seemingly appears to be all costs. The Hawks’ D feels pressure to penetrate any time the puck is in the offensive zone whether the Hawks have possession or not. This “system” is a actually insane and is the direct reason the Hawks give up more odd-man breaks in a few games than some teams give up in a few months. Q seemed to have tuned down the chaos as last year progressed but it is back in full crazy force this year again. I thought that both Q and Ulf should have been replaced but at the very least Ulf should have been.

While I'm at it, what the heck to the coaches see in the "push-em-back" entry that they love so much? It works once or twice per game when they actually use it with speed, but they have this recurring (and terrible) habit of kind of coasting up, trying to find an opening, get caught up on the wall and the puck kicks back out or is going the other way shorthanded.
- Chunk

The “push-em-back” has run its course. The greatest problem with it is there is no synchronicity for the players. It is impossible to come up the ice together with speed. Players are left waiting standing still at the blue line. Time for a new approach that relies on speed. Amothrr issue of course is PK units have seen it over and over again.

Just a hypothetical - would you rather have Panarin at $9M or Schmaltz at $6M?

Now, Panarin is probably going to get more than $9M, but just for the sake of argument - let's say Columbus and the Hawks work out a deal where Columbus signs Panarin for $9M with the arrangement that he gets traded to the Hawks for Schmaltz.

What do you think? Reunite Panarin-Anisimov-Kane to go along with DCat-Toews-Kahun.
- EbonyRaptor

In isolation? Panarin at $9 million. But we know it's not that straight forward. If Panarin at $9 million limits the Hawks ability to re-sign other players long term (i.e. ADB) and build quality depth then it's not worth it.

Scott Powers seems to think he's staying down there for now and going to have to really play well to steal a spot or wait for an injury... Steal a spot? Manning, Rutta and Davidson shouldn't even sniff the ice!
- SoftServe

Forsling will be back in Chicago before the US Thanksgiving. That's a DK guarantee.

Just a hypothetical - would you rather have Panarin at $9M or Schmaltz at $6M?

Now, Panarin is probably going to get more than $9M, but just for the sake of argument - let's say Columbus and the Hawks work out a deal where Columbus signs Panarin for $9M with the arrangement that he gets traded to the Hawks for Schmaltz.


What do you think? Reunite Panarin-Anisimov-Kane to go along with DCat-Toews-Kahun.
- EbonyRaptor

That's what I've been thinking. Some here say he burned a bridge either cause he didn't get up for the post season or because he doesn't want to date a black woman. He sure would sell tickets. Btw, it took ovi 10 years to figure out how to be a post season player.

Go hocks

Forsling will be back in Chicago before the US Thanksgiving. That's a DK guarantee.
- DarthKane

Great, another day I have to log, haha. Schmaltz has 50 games to go, and Forsling has a month.

How did we get to this place? I can't imagine that simply losing two players turns our team into a complete dumpster fire defensively. How did a system that worked so well defensively (shot suppression in particular) turn so bad? Has the system changed? Are these new players really that bad?

I'm asking on a technical level since I can't personally pinpoint if anything is actually different in their structure or if the players are simply not executing.
- Chunk

Hard to point to one specific problem, but if I had to pick one, I’d go with players being out of position. Just not recognizing where they need to be for example:

Just a hypothetical - would you rather have Panarin at $9M or Schmaltz at $6M?

Now, Panarin is probably going to get more than $9M, but just for the sake of argument - let's say Columbus and the Hawks work out a deal where Columbus signs Panarin for $9M with the arrangement that he gets traded to the Hawks for Schmaltz.

What do you think? Reunite Panarin-Anisimov-Kane to go along with DCat-Toews-Kahun.
- EbonyRaptor

Panarin all day long. He's not the most defensively responsible but him, Kane and AA were a point per game line

In isolation? Panarin at $9 million. But we know it's not that straight forward. If Panarin at $9 million limits the Hawks ability to re-sign other players long term (i.e. ADB) and build quality depth then it's not worth it.
- DarthKane

True - I wouldn't do the trade either if it means losing Schmaltz in the trade and DeBrincat due to Cap space. Course, it wouldn't be losing DeBrincat - but the delta $3M has to come from somewhere. There is cap space remaining now and the Cap will probably go up but cap space will be needed for other players - not just DeBrincat. So a more accurate comparison would be Panarin at $9M versus Schmaltz and a $3M player.

Realistically Panarin wouldn't agree because he has probably moved on with his life, and rightfully so. But ... he and Kane were special together so ... maybe?

Panarin all day long. He's not the most defensively responsible but him, Kane and AA were a point per game line
- BetweenTheDots

Panarin is my favorite (like you can't tell) and the problem with that line was the playoffs, nothing came out of them. Now that Toews and Adb have something going plus you can insert Kahun or Saad, then you have 2 nightmare lines to defend against. Flesh out the bottom 6 with Rockford kids, Kampf, Krugs, Hayden, Martinsen which seems good to me as long as they chip in. D is a little bit troubling, but when injuries heal, I see a better d corp, plus d on the way. Crow ... need I say more. That's a competitive team, but Panarin needs to take a hometown discount, I don't see it happening among other reasons. Stranger things have happened.

Panarin is my favorite (like you can't tell) and the problem with that line was the playoffs, nothing came out of them. Now that Toews and Adb have something going plus you can insert Kahun or Saad, then you have 2 nightmare lines to defend against. Flesh out the bottom 6 with Rockford kids, Kampf, Krugs, Hayden, Martinsen which seems good to me as long as they chip in. D is a little bit troubling, but when injuries heal, I see a better d corp, plus d on the way. Crow ... need I say more. That's a competitive team, but Panarin needs to take a hometown discount, I don't see it happening among other reasons. Stranger things have happened.
- I Am The Breadman

Well even if he doesn't score in the playoffs, you can't make the play offs if you don't accumulate 100 points as a team.

Well even if he doesn't score in the playoffs, you can't make the play offs if you don't accumulate 100 points as a team.
- BetweenTheDots

Which I think could happen, but there will be some goalie wins.

Stan said in an interview that he'll likely look to make a move once all the d-men are healthy. Which makes total sense.

Forsling and Murphy may not be superstars but they are better than Rutta, Davidson, Gustafsson and Manning. Once healthy the Hawks D will be much improved. I would Keep Gus and trade/waive two of Rutta, Davidson and Manning.

Gus may not be a stud on defense, but the team should keep him as an offensive minded 3rd pairing.
- DarthKane

Is Gus someone you try out as a forward. He’s got really good chemistry with Kane.

Is Gus someone you try out as a forward. He’s got really good chemistry with Kane.
- pdx2ord

He's going to have to win a board battle on a regular basis. Not sure about that.

Is Gus someone you try out as a forward. He’s got really good chemistry with Kane.
- pdx2ord

I've wondered the same thing. I'm just going to safely say no. As incredible of a story as a d man in his mid twenties converts to wing in the top 6 slotted as Kane's winger, I just don't see it. He's not a bad d man, costly turnovers, but not bad. Every d man has had multiple slip ups already.

Is Gus someone you try out as a forward. He’s got really good chemistry with Kane.
- pdx2ord

He does but I doubt it. Don’t really know why I think that. Maybe it’s just because it doesn’t happen too often.

My next door neighbour's kid is 12 and a very good goalie and is willing to play for just a slight increase on the current allowance his mother gives him. Stan could dump Cro and Ward and use the money to offer sheet Auston Mathews next summer.
- RickJ

But dammit Rick, can the kid drop-em?

But dammit Rick, can the kid drop-em?
- savvyone-1

I wish he'd drop his hand from his ear when he scores a goal in the UC ... oh, wait ... Kane did it for him.

Crap, you meant the 12 year old ...

Don't forget PIT (Murray just got concussed), CBJ (the team that drafted him likely wouldn't mind having him back)
- ObeseOprah

Marray is back already and CLB backup is better than Forsberg that's why they traded Forsberg

Marray is back already and CLB backup is better than Forsberg that's why they traded Forsberg
- GPHawksfan

I wonder if they are worried about Bob. and free agency looming over them, not saying Forsberg is better, but do they have a contigency plan?

I wonder if they are worried about Bob. and free agency looming over them, not saying Forsberg is better, but do they have a contigency plan?
- I Am The Breadman

That's entirely possible. I forgot about Bob being a UFA and potentially leaving.

That's entirely possible. I forgot about Bob being a UFA and potentially leaving.
- GPHawksfan

I don't watch CBJ games, I don't know if you do or anyone else, but IF Bob leaves, does Forsberg or Korpisalo (forgive the butchering) look like #1 starters? I saw a little bit of Forsberg from being trusted into the #1 and looked comfortable, but mentally shakey. Something he would have to overcome. I don't want to say that instantly rules him out, but another set of eyes want to comment?

How did we get to this place? I can't imagine that simply losing two players turns our team into a complete dumpster fire defensively. How did a system that worked so well defensively (shot suppression in particular) turn so bad? Has the system changed? Are these new players really that bad?

I'm asking on a technical level since I can't personally pinpoint if anything is actually different in their structure or if the players are simply not executing.
- Chunk

Because the Blackhawks only have 3 defenseman (not counting the 2 that are injured) who are NHL defensemen. 1 of the 3 is 19, the other two are slightly past their peak years. And the guy playing in the OHL is probably better than the other 4 on the active roster.

That's entirely possible. I forgot about Bob being a UFA and potentially leaving.
- GPHawksfan

Bob, like Panarin, has been pretty clear that he wants to leave (at least that was the news a month or so ago). Maybe they've talked him off the ledge.

Because the Blackhawks only have 3 defenseman (not counting the 2 that are injured) who are NHL defensemen. 1 of the 3 is 19, the other two are slightly past their peak years. And the guy playing in the OHL is probably better than the other 4 on the active roster.
- scottak

I get everything you're saying but even 7 and 2 are passing to forwards who are being crashed down on, the rookie is the only one who recognizes this and skates it to center ice and dumps it in.