Goals were in the corners, perfect shots. Guy had all day from snipe range. Can't hang those on the goalie.
- 6628

The first one was glove side, Crow has always been or had problems glove side. Should be a little bit better there, I think.
In terms of the goals being shot high, by the same guy, it felt like fool me once ... fool me twice ...
I'm probably a lot more critical of goalies then I should be, becayse I hang a lot more on goalies, simply because it's their job. The goals shouldn't have happened because of poor passing, bad/slow reacting defense, and poor coverage of the shooter.

I know he is your boy (pick to make the team) but I could see Johnson going back again too.
- breadbag

Him and Fortin have great qualities, but the two of them don't play consistently. That line has to contribute/finish more. But last night, they might have been the sloppiest.

I hope we see some shuffling on the lines.

Kahun to me isn't effective lately.
The third line has speed but lacking some chemistry and/or muscle.

I kinda hope Q blenders a bit and loads up a bit more. One option maybe...

i.e.

Schmaltz - Toews - Saad
DeBrincat - AA - Kane
Hayden- Johnson- Kahun
Fortin- Kruger - Kampf


or maybe if they do stick with the same top 6, try to get some chemistry on line 3. I.e. Schmaltz has the puck a lot but needs someone to create a little space. Maybe the hot hand from Rockford should get a look? Ejdsell could shoot some pucks if Schmaltz gets it on his stick and he can drive the net and create space. Not sure.

If they don't shuffle the lines, then I think the message to the team has to be to simplify. A lot of the issues were mistakes at the blue lines again. D-men pressing in aggressively while they make a risky pass. Trying to force a long pass up the middle instead of just clearing the puck...etc..
- breadbag

I'd try to reunite the Schmaltz/Anisimov/Kane line to jumpstart #8. I know that's putting all your eggs on one basked but something different needs to be done.

I think Stan also needs to find a way to free up the excess defensemen and add a 3C. It might have to be another reclaimation project but that's just a risk that Stan needs to take. McCann from Florida or Copp from Winnipeg would be possible options.

I know he is your boy (pick to make the team) but I could see Johnson going back again too.
- breadbag

Agree, he could go. I do like the possibility of a Kruger/Johnson/Kampf 4th line. But at this point picking Johnson over Hayden (or vice versa) likely won't have a major impact on the team. The Hawks recalled Johnson pretty quickly after Forsberg cleared waivers, there must be something they like about him.

There is still lots to be excited about with this team. There are lots of question marks too but comparing year-over-year the team is in a much better place now. The core is playing better and the youth is starting to contribute more (I just can't say enough good things about Jokiharju). I'm not expecting a championship year, I just want to see an improvement over last year and to see signs of long term future success.

My only gripes with the team are the defense, I'm just not a fan of Manning, Davidson and Rutta.
- DarthKane

Seems like a lot of goals against happening with Manning and Davidson are on the ice, so I looked it up.

Here are the top 5 most scored against (per minute of icetime 5v5) for the Hawks.

Johnson
Manning
Kunitz
Hayden
Davidson

All 5 are dismal when considering how little the Hawks score with them on the ice. I know they are part of a 5 man unit, but it don't look good and I think the eye test general is telling us the same thing.

There is still lots to be excited about with this team. There are lots of question marks too but comparing year-over-year the team is in a much better place now. The core is playing better and the youth is starting to contribute more (I just can't say enough good things about Jokiharju). I'm not expecting a championship year, I just want to see an improvement over last year and to see signs of long term future success.

My only gripes with the team are the defense, I'm just not a fan of Manning, Davidson and Rutta.
- DarthKane

I agree with your previous post, being cornered this season in terms of: who is on the ice, who I'd still developing, who plays consistency, and how it overall affects the team. Bowman should be close to a trade, minor or otherwise, I expect/hope.

This team does feel different than last year and offers more positives, like there is already a defensive stud in Joki. Toews looks like Toews. Crow is getting comfortable in the net, shakey still, but from when he left to now, it's a noticeable difference. Sure it's a year that the core can't get back, but what are the other options? I'd say it's been handled about as good as its going to get.

I like Davidson, his game, his style, the fact he signed league minimum, and we only got him for 1 year. I think he's better than Manning, and hes better than Rutta, even though I liked him for a while. I don't mind Davidson staying up this whole season, if he keeps playing like he has the past 2 games.

Just saw BB's breakdown of goals scored against, I'm going to stick to my guns until he shows that he flat out sucks.

I'd try to reunite the Schmaltz/Anisimov/Kane line to jumpstart #8. I know that's putting all your eggs on one basked but something different needs to be done.

I think Stan also needs to find a way to free up the excess defensemen and add a 3C. It might have to be another reclaimation project but that's just a risk that Stan needs to take. McCann from Florida or Copp from Winnipeg would be possible options.
- DarthKane

Yeah, I would love if they could get a good solid 3 line option. It seems like that line just can't find a good mix.

The first one was glove side, Crow has always been or had problems glove side. Should be a little bit better there, I think.
In terms of the goals being shot high, by the same guy, it felt like fool me once ... fool me twice ...
I'm probably a lot more critical of goalies then I should be, becayse I hang a lot more on goalies, simply because it's their job. The goals shouldn't have happened because of poor passing, bad/slow reacting defense, and poor coverage of the shooter.
- I Am The Breadman

There ya go. Give a guy who can snipe all the time he needs from a favorable distance and he'll go bar in. Unreasonable to fault the goalie. Because the shooter had time on the 2nd one, if Crow takes his spot away from the last goal he scored he shoots elsewhere and has more room. Sure, be nice if he stops one of two. But with the time the guy had to shoot he could go 7 or 8 of 10 from there. Again, the D gap was the problem, not the netminder.

There ya go. Give a guy who can snipe all the time he needs from a favorable distance and he'll go bar in. Unreasonable to fault the goalie. Because the shooter had time on the 2nd one, if Crow takes his spot away from the last goal he scored he shoots elsewhere and has more room. Sure, be nice if he stops one of two. But with the time the guy had to shoot he could go 7 or 8 of 10 from there. Again, the D gap was the problem, not the netminder.
- 6628

I don't disagree with the way you analyze, but another problem with Crow is he goes way deep in the net. An angle he could have cut off, he just increased by going deeper in the net, which he did. I'm not putting the blame on just him, which you clearly highlighted from my previous post, there were breakdowns in a couple of areas. I just think it's an arbitrary argument on what are good goals and what aren't. We can make cases either way.

There ya go. Give a guy who can snipe all the time he needs from a favorable distance and he'll go bar in. Unreasonable to fault the goalie. Because the shooter had time on the 2nd one, if Crow takes his spot away from the last goal he scored he shoots elsewhere and has more room. Sure, be nice if he stops one of two. But with the time the guy had to shoot he could go 7 or 8 of 10 from there. Again, the D gap was the problem, not the netminder.
- 6628

There's a difference between faulting the goalie and expecting an elite goalie to stop those shots. Hawks message boards go back and forth on where Crawford is in terms of top goalies but the truth is he is both - an elite goalie when he plays his best and an average goalie when he doesn't play his best. The last two games he didn't play his best.

There's a difference between faulting the goalie and expecting an elite goalie to stop those shots. Hawks message boards go back and forth on where Crawford is in terms of top goalies but the truth is he is both - an elite goalie when he plays his best and an average goalie when he doesn't play his best. The last two games he didn't play his best.
- EbonyRaptor

You clearly expressed what I wanted to say. I didn't want to go back and forth, and you summed it up well.

The first one was glove side, Crow has always been or had problems glove side. Should be a little bit better there, I think.
In terms of the goals being shot high, by the same guy, it felt like fool me once ... fool me twice ...
I'm probably a lot more critical of goalies then I should be, becayse I hang a lot more on goalies, simply because it's their job. The goals shouldn't have happened because of poor passing, bad/slow reacting defense, and poor coverage of the shooter.
- I Am The Breadman

Lol, Crow doesn't have any glove side problems. He's been as good if not better than Lundqvist and has better career numbers and more Cups than Price.

Not going to start pinning losses on a dude whose played a handful of games in the last year.

The Brandon's are awful and they had a few goofy passes go awry and Vancouver took their chances. Hawks should have put them away in the first period.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. When does the "times" officially become desperate? And what would a desperate measure look like? How about putting the 3 best players on one line to see if they can consistently generate goals?

I'm pretty sure Q would consider that a desperate move given (1) his aversion to play Toews and Kane together, and (2) his aversion to play DCat with Kane. Why would a DCat-Toews-Kane line make sense?

Let me count the ways. First, it's almost criminal that one of the best playmakers in the NHL is given little or nothing to work with in terms of line mates, especially when there is a sniper like DCat available. Next, Anisimov works well as Kane's center because he doesn't require the puck and he goes to and stays around the net - Toews plays the same way, only better. Also, Toews wins more faceoffs thereby giving Kane more opportunities to do what he does best.

Finally, it has become painfully clear that the Hawks don't have more than 3 legitimate top-6 players - Saad and Schmaltz have flashes but are a notch below top-6 caliber - put the top-6 guys together and throw the rest of the riffraff together any way you want.

I was hopeful after the Hawks start but overall I think this is a developmental year for the Hawks. Not ideal with Kane, Toews, Seabrook and Keith all getting older but there's not much else the can do. It's not like the Hawks prospect pool is filled with prime candidates that can be dealt for short term players. At some point the team has to let their prospects develop and see what they have. For me this season is about the development of key young players. Some of done well while others haven't done so well (yet). That's not to say the under-performers are busts and need to go, they just haven't shown the desired consistency yet.

The good - DeBrincat, Jokiharju, Kahun

The not-so-good - Schmaltz

Too soon to tell - Fortin

Guys like Kunitz, Hayden, Martinsen, Manning, Rutta, and Davidson are all placeholders at best. None of them add much value and wouldn't play significant roles on a contender.

I think Stan needs to make a move soon, not necessarily a blockbuster but he needs to do something.
- DarthKane

I would add Saad to the too soon to tell group, given his very up and down play, but your post is spot on.

The real problem they have though is that even the good they have coming in the pipeline doesn't address AT ALL the atrociously weak play in the O zone to retain possession, unless they pass around the perimeter, the weak play in the neutral zone, losing 50/50 pucks all night, and the inability to kill cycles in their end, or generate any breakout scheme other than the oh so predictable stretch pass.

But what can SB do when over 60% of your cap dollars are tied up in seven guys, six of which have to approve any decisions to move them? With salaries climbing that ratio doesn't improve, preventing quality FAs from signing. Sort of leaves the only option as hoping more McDavids are in the draft at the same time the team blows, and that SB actually picks those players instead of pure speed and skill guys.

Lol, Crow doesn't have any glove side problems. He's been as good if not better than Lundqvist and has better career numbers and more Cups than Price.

Not going to start pinning losses on a dude whose played a handful of games in the last year.

The Brandon's are awful and they had a few goofy passes go awry and Vancouver took their chances. Hawks should have put them away in the first period.
- fattybeef

Crow has always had a weak glove hand. Back to early in his career. Comparing Crow to Lunk-head and Overpriced Price, of course Crow is better. That doesn't eliminate the fact that he has been average the past 2 games in net.

Nowhere did I say, that game was all Crow's fault that we lost. Blame can be pinned elsewhere, and I did.

Manning, I don't care for, Davidson, I won't write-off yet. Yes, the game should have been put away early.

Crow has always had a weak glove hand. Back to early in his career. Comparing Crow to Lunk-head and Overpriced Price, of course Crow is better. That doesn't eliminate the fact that he has been average the past 2 games in net.

Nowhere did I say, that game was all Crow's fault that we lost. Blame can be pinned elsewhere, and I did.

Manning, I don't care for, Davidson, I won't write-off yet. Yes, the game should have been put away early.
- I Am The Breadman

So. Not. True.

This is a team game, and the team in front of him the last two games has been atrocious, hanging CC out to dry with nearly impossible save chances.

So. Not. True.

This is a team game, and the team in front of him the last two games has been atrocious, hanging CC out to dry with nearly impossible save chances.
- Return of the Roar

Thats what I'm saying, everyone is at fault.

Nucks are not a good team when healthy. Nucks are an even worse team given the amount of injuries they have. If the Hawks don't play like it's game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, they just don't have the depth of talent needed to win most nights. When your Captain has a perfect primary assist to the Nucks on the GWG in the third....ouch. Schmaltz with 1 goal in 13 games and an egregious turnover that completely changed the complexion of the game. Hawks were dominating with a lead and 8 gifts Virtanen a breakaway.

No bueno.

Fire Q, Crows glove. The bottom line is this team is a product attrition of talented depth/role players, fostered by overall poor management of assets. Yes, the salary cap played a role too.

there are no line combos or system repairs that will hide the fact that the Hawks are a below average team. The question is will the Hawks admit that and move toward a full rebuild? And does Rocky trust Bowman, the guy most responsible for the product on the ice, with that rebuild?

Fire Q, Crows glove. The bottom line is this team is a product of age, salary cap and poor management of assets.

there are no line combos or system repairs that will hide the facts that the Hawks are a below average team. The question is will the Hawks admit that and move toward a full rebuild? And does Rocky trust Bowman, the guy most responsible for the product on the ice, with that rebuild?
- kwolf68

Believe in ONE GOAL

Nucks are not a good team when healthy. Nucks are an even worse team given the amount of injuries they have. If the Hawks don't play like it's game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, they just don't have the depth of talent needed to win most nights. When your Captain has a perfect primary assist to the Nucks on the GWG in the third....ouch. Schmaltz with 1 goal in 13 games and an egregious turnover that completely changed the complexion of the game. Hawks were dominating with a lead and 8 gifts Virtanen a breakaway.

No bueno.
- EnzoD

Schmaltz pass wasn't the best but..... our stupid D scheme is still stupid. There is no one high in the zone. All 3 forward were down low and so was Gus.

Hawks give up so many odd man rushes. I don't understand Ulf's system. Its high risk low reward and just plain stupid given the D we have on the roster.

Fire Q, Crows glove. The bottom line is this team is a product attrition of talented depth/role players, fostered by overall poor management of assets. Yes, the salary cap played a role too.

there are no line combos or system repairs that will hide the fact that the Hawks are a below average team. The question is will the Hawks admit that and move toward a full rebuild? And does Rocky trust Bowman, the guy most responsible for the product on the ice, with that rebuild?
- kwolf68

They need 2 pieces to be a playoff bubble team. Not a legendary team like they were 6 years ago, but they don't seem to far off given the emergence of Debrincat and Jokiharju, the next wave of impact skating dmen in Boquist and Mitchell (who I htink both make the team next year). Schmaltz has talent and he has some shifts making plays that are exceptional....BUT...his lack of strength, and more importantly IMO, his lack of nasty/edge/snarl given his size....IDK how you can feel comfortable giving him a long term deal given what we've seen thus far

Schmaltz pass wasn't the best but..... our stupid D scheme is still stupid. There is no one high in the zone. All 3 forward were down low and so was Gus.

Hawks give up so many odd man rushes. I don't understand Ulf's system. Its high risk low reward and just plain stupid given the D we have on the roster.
- bhawks2241

They do it because the forwards are too weak to hold the puck without help from pinching D guys.

And, if they do hold it in for a while, the D guys when playing back, can't hold pucks inside the blueline, resulting in dead rushes and/or odd man breaks the other way.

I'd try to reunite the Schmaltz/Anisimov/Kane line to jumpstart #8. I know that's putting all your eggs on one basked but something different needs to be done.

I think Stan also needs to find a way to free up the excess defensemen and add a 3C. It might have to be another reclaimation project but that's just a risk that Stan needs to take. McCann from Florida or Copp from Winnipeg would be possible options.
- DarthKane

I agree with you, we need to find a way to cut loose about three of our defensmen... They are all IceHog caliber players who are FRINGE NHL PLAYERS at best.

Our top 2 lines are also void a couple of players that can score. Kahun is a hustler but not a 1st liner. Schmaltz and Saad right now are enigma twins . They both at times shows small flashes and than disappear. Schmaltz would be high on my trade list. Saad would also be high on the trade list but no GM is going to take his contract.

IMO, the current makeup of the the Hawks wil not be enough to make the playoffs. A llegitimate top 6 center who is willing to play in the tough areas in front of the goal and a top 4 defenseman who can quickly carry the puck out of our zone is needed to be traded for to be a playoff contender.

I agree with you, we need to find a way to cut loose about three of our defensmen... They are all IceHog caliber players who are FRINGE NHL PLAYERS at best.

Our top 2 lines are also void a couple of players that can score. Kahun is a hustler but not a 1st liner. Schmaltz and Saad right now are enigma twins . They both at times shows small flashes and than disappear. Schmaltz would be high on my trade list. Saad would also be high on the trade list but no GM is going to take his contract.

IMO, the current makeup of the the Hawks wil not be enough to make the playoffs. A llegitimate top 6 center who is willing to play in the tough areas in front of the goal and a top 4 defenseman who can quickly carry the puck out of our zone is needed to be traded for to be a playoff contender.
- spanky

I expect them to be drafting in a similar position...8-10 next summer. Get another impact player, move/lose dead cap weight in Rutta ($2.3mil), Manning ($2.25mil), Murphy ($3.85), Ward ($3mil), Kruger ($2.77mil) Kunitz ($1mil) = $15.17 mil off the books! Lets say there's a $2mil cap increase and they currently have $4mil in cap space. That's about $20million dollars in cap space to work with.

Lock up the Cat at $6mil x 5 years


UFA Targets next summer:

Jacob Trouba
Tyler Myers
William Karllson
Anders Lee
Brock Nelson
Joel Edmunsson
Mark Stone
**Artemi Panarin