After his awful 1st period, I counted 3 times in the last 40 minutes that Gus got caught up ice and left Seabs back to defend an odd man rush by himself.

Seabrook would look a hell of a lot bette4 with a competent partner.

#GusMustGo
- scottak


EbonyRaptor is just wrong. Seabs’ play was just fine. It is a wonder that Seabs just doesn’t give up altogether, laying down on the ice and doing snow angels. Having a stationary traffic pilon as a partner would be better than Gus as you could at least place the pilon in the D-Zone. Gus is absolutely brutal.

Gus is brutal when he is in the D-Zone. However, he combines this with creating odd-man breaks, by getting caught up ice so often, that it seems by design. On one play later in the game there was Seabs all by himself, then you saw Anisimov later - then what seemed like 5 minutes later the Mighty Gus of Wind finally appeared. Sorry but if this is what Gus is going to bring to the table he simply can’t be dressed anymore.
- Z3Hawk

I noticed that play too and it was absolutely angering. The thing was that Gustafsson wasn't even that deep in the O zone so he had plenty of time with his speed to be the first person back to support Seabrook. But no, Anisimov was there first and beat Gustafsson there by a country mile.

That play plus the ill-advised passes that led to turnovers are just unacceptable and deserve a benching or at least relegation to just PP time and minimal 5-on-5 minutes.

Haha right I know they've played horribly in those over the years. I thought for sure my girlfriend would want a Cat one but she said she wants Kane, Toews, or a blank one since she's seen too many of her favs leave the team over the years lol
- Savetheembers33

Same, I got a TT W.C. from the Caps.

on a side note, how can Jokiharju see when he is squinting all the time?
- Boisy12

Almost looks like he is in pain all the time.

A few pages ago, there was discussion about the D-men. Anybody on the active roster not named Keith, Jokiharju, or Seabrook is a placeholder. Murphy and Forsling should be back soon, and that is an upgrade over what is in place for spots 4-7 now.

Rutta's deal is one year. I mentioned in a previous thread that I thought he was dealing with something. He was losing the icing footraces badly over a short stretch this season. No way he is that slow when healthy. Otherwise, that salary was the going rate (even Manning got about the same salary, yikes), unfortunately, and they had a desperate need. D is at a premium in the NHL right now. But it's only for this year. Not the end of the world.

Back to the placeholder theory, how many of the D prospects have a chance of being ready for the NHL next year? Will Boqvist or Beaudin be here next season? I have to think that's part of why so noncommittal with the contracts.

I'm far from the first person to say this, but Gustafsson needs to be converted to forward. He can pass, and he can shoot. He did make a few defensive plays, but he had some horrible lapses that can't happen.
- 333inthe3rd

Very well said. And, based on what Joki has done, Boqvist might be playing after the Knights finish.

Not a very positive start to the JC era. It's one game and the team hasn't had time to really adjust much of anything, but they came out flat and there is no reason Kane should be playing that many minutes. It might be good for his individual totals, but I don't think it helps the Hawks win games.

Glad to hear more posters agreeing with what I've been saying about Kahun. Nice player, but not looking to be cut out for line 1. I wouldn't be surprised if he is part of a trade if things continue to slide.

It wasn't all bad. They did fight back and make a game of it (even it was against a flawed Carolina team) and the PP looked a bit more energized.

The concern is that after Kane, Debrincat and Toews, the next highest scoring players are AA and Seabrook. We need a new Patrick Sharp or Hossa to help round out the forwards or we have to find some secondary scoring in a big way. I hope Stan doesn't do anything knee jerk, but finds some positive moves.

I see what you are getting at with wanting Saad to anchor the 3rd line to have 3 offensive lines instead of loading up in the top 6 only. Yet, I do think the best option is a mix of what both you and ZS are discussing with the best players in the top 6, a speedy 3rd line (yet defensively sound too), and a checking line for the 4th. Maybe something like:

Schmaltz - Toews - Saad
DeBrincat - Anisimov - Kane
Fortin/Highmore - Kahun - Sikura
Johnson - Kruger - Kampf
Kunitz/Martinsen/Hayden

Do agree with ZS that Toews needs a playmaker and Schmaltz fits that bill while Kane needs a shooter and DeBrincat fits that bill.

I still don't get enough from Fortin besides his speed to see why he's in the lineup rather than refining his overall game in Rockford. If he was healthy, I'd prefer Highmore in that position. He's fast, strong on defense, and has offensive skills.
- AEL_Fox

A lot of people were surprised when Fortin got called up. I'm thinking as soon as he is healthy and gets a few games in Rockford, Highmore will be called back up.

We'll see how much (if any) time Hayden gets in the next few games. I keep seeing a Kampf, Kahun, Highmore/Hayden line in my head, but that may just be due to the volume of alcohol it not takes to get though a game.

Not a very positive start to the JC era. It's one game and the team hasn't had time to really adjust much of anything, but they came out flat and there is no reason Kane should be playing that many minutes. It might be good for his individual totals, but I don't think it helps the Hawks win games.

Glad to hear more posters agreeing with what I've been saying about Kahun. Nice player, but not looking to be cut out for line 1. I wouldn't be surprised if he is part of a trade if things continue to slide.

It wasn't all bad. They did fight back and make a game of it (even it was against a flawed Carolina team) and the PP looked a bit more energized.

The concern is that after Kane, Debrincat and Toews, the next highest scoring players are AA and Seabrook. We need a new Patrick Sharp or Hossa to help round out the forwards or we have to find some secondary scoring in a big way. I hope Stan doesn't do anything knee jerk, but finds some positive moves.
- breadbag

Saad looks like he is truly coming back. Creating a lot of chances and actually getting points. If he keeps up the way he has been, that's one.

If Schmaltz starts shooting like he did yesterday (volume not just the goal), they will get more offense going as well.

I have to concur with several here saying that we simply have some guys slotted too high. I think if you get Kahun away from other teams top defensive pairs, he would start to flourish a bit more. He has a pretty strong game, but its not refined enough to take on the best.

Not a very positive start to the JC era. It's one game and the team hasn't had time to really adjust much of anything, but they came out flat and there is no reason Kane should be playing that many minutes. It might be good for his individual totals, but I don't think it helps the Hawks win games.

Glad to hear more posters agreeing with what I've been saying about Kahun. Nice player, but not looking to be cut out for line 1. I wouldn't be surprised if he is part of a trade if things continue to slide.

It wasn't all bad. They did fight back and make a game of it (even it was against a flawed Carolina team) and the PP looked a bit more energized.

The concern is that after Kane, Debrincat and Toews, the next highest scoring players are AA and Seabrook. We need a new Patrick Sharp or Hossa to help round out the forwards or we have to find some secondary scoring in a big way. I hope Stan doesn't do anything knee jerk, but finds some positive moves.
- breadbag

If Saad can continue his stronger play of late and Schmaltz blossoms more under Colliton, then they are part of the answer to that secondary scoring question. They're both around 0.5 PPG but if trending upward and can sustain the rest of the season, then they are capable of the 50-60 point level.

Saad looks like he is truly coming back. Creating a lot of chances and actually getting points. If he keeps up the way he has been, that's one.

If Schmaltz starts shooting like he did yesterday (volume not just the goal), they will get more offense going as well.

I have to concur with several here saying that we simply have some guys slotted too high. I think if you get Kahun away from other teams top defensive pairs, he would start to flourish a bit more. He has a pretty strong game, but its not refined enough to take on the best.
- Chunk

Agree, getting a skilled player like Kahun on the 3rd line playing agaisnt lower QOC say with Sikura and either Fortin or Highmore, then that 3rd line can be a contributory force rather than a wasteland.

Very well said. And, based on what Joki has done, Boqvist might be playing after the Knights finish.
- scottak

My guess is that Boqvist and Mitchell will make strong runs to make the team next fall. Possibly Beaudin but his injury may set him back a bit. Regardless, I like his upside and think he will be an overall better player (i.e. well rounded in all zones) than Boqvist.

Very well said. And, based on what Joki has done, Boqvist might be playing after the Knights finish.
- scottak

London just got Bouchard and Formenton back and look to be a favorite to win a round or two in the playoffs - they will probably still be playing when the Hawks enpty their lockers after Game-82.

I noticed that play too and it was absolutely angering. The thing was that Gustafsson wasn't even that deep in the O zone so he had plenty of time with his speed to be the first person back to support Seabrook. But no, Anisimov was there first and beat Gustafsson there by a country mile.

That play plus the ill-advised passes that led to turnovers are just unacceptable and deserve a benching or at least relegation to just PP time and minimal 5-on-5 minutes.
- AEL_Fox

Gus of Wind NEVER - NOT EVER - busts his butt to get back. If he is caught deep up ice, or even slightly up ice, as you point out, he will not hussle back. There are only 2 possible explanations - one - he hasn’t figured out he should hustle, which would be highly troubling OR - two - he knows he should hustle and choses not to, which would also be highly troubling. I do not see a third option.

RELEASE: Blackhawks agree to terms with Beaudin

https://www.nhl.com/black...-with-beaudin/c-301768740

So what happens at the end of the season when reality sets in and the team fails to make the playoffs again? I'm sure Bowman gets fired. Management will hire someone to replace him, and then the new general manager will fire Colliton, because they have "philosophical differences." So now we've lost our Hall of Fame coach that should been let go at the end of last season, our general manager that got his accounting degree from a Cracker Jack box and whose daddy was scared that Quenneville was going to get close to his records, and Colliton who inherited a complete train wreck. McDonough should have fired both Bowman and Q.
- Flying Puck

I was and am a Q supporter, he's a very good coach who I believe in the right situation can lead a team with the right talent to a championship. That said his shelf life in Chicago was over. He wasn't getting anything out of the team. Yes part is what he had to work with but he also made many questional moves based on loyalty in some cases and curious motives in other cases.

Maybe you're right, maybe Bowman needs to go? However in the hierarchy of all companies the Boss has the right to make personell moves and Bowman is the Boss. In the last two years he and his scouts seem to have drafted well and without his hands being tied because of cap issues and of trying to prolong the window of the team being a contender Right now the signings of Ward, Davidson, Kunitz and Manning don't show much foresight but let's give him some time to see what he can do.

Why did you need to make those silly statements about Stan's degree and Scotty's jealousy? Both were ridiculous. Stan went to UND, hardly a cracker jack box, and I'm sure Scotty isn't worried about Q or anyone overtaking his wins record. It would take Q close to 10 years, of coaching winning teams, to catch up.

Gus of Wind NEVER - NOT EVER - busts his butt to get back. If he is caught deep up ice, or even slightly up ice, as you point out, he will not hussle back. There are only 2 possible explanations - one - he hasn’t figured out he should hussle, which would be highly troubling OR - two - he knows he should hussle and choses not to, which would also be highly troubling. I do not see a third option.
- Z3Hawk

There is a 3rd explanation - if Gus hustles back into the D zone he will inevitably pick up the wrong man or just turn the puck over about 25 feet in front of his own net. So why bother when Seabs is back there and he knows what to do.

RELEASE: Blackhawks agree to terms with Beaudin

https://www.nhl.com/black...-with-beaudin/c-301768740
- DarthKane

Interesting how Beaudin's contract is worth more than Boqvist's, Entwistle's and Hagel's. 1.1 million vs 925,000.

A lot of people were surprised when Fortin got called up. I'm thinking as soon as he is healthy and gets a few games in Rockford, Highmore will be called back up.

We'll see how much (if any) time Hayden gets in the next few games. I keep seeing a Kampf, Kahun, Highmore/Hayden line in my head, but that may just be due to the volume of alcohol it not takes to get though a game.
- Chunk

Per the Hawks website, Kruger is out tomorrow. Play Hayden. I still think he should be riding shotgun for Toews eventually.

This might have already been posted, but Kruger officially out for tomorrow's game.

I'm guessing Johnson draws in. Maybe Hayden for somebody as well.

Per the Hawks website, Kruger is out tomorrow. Play Hayden. I still think he should be riding shotgun for Toews eventually.
- hpk90

I don't share your enthusiasm with Hayden, I think he should be in Rockford.

I don't share your enthusiasm with Hayden, I think he should be in Rockford.
- DarthKane

Seeems to me that it is one of either Martinsen or Hayden in the lineup to give them some semblance of physicality up front. Looks like Martinsen is winning the battle to impress the coaches so far.

I was and am a Q supporter, he's a very good coach who I believe in the right situation can lead a team with the right talent to a championship. That said his shelf life in Chicago was over. He wasn't getting anything out of the team. Yes part is what he had to work with but he also made many questional moves based on loyalty in some cases and curious motives in other cases.

Maybe you're right, maybe Bowman needs to go? However in the hierarchy of all companies the Boss has the right to make personell moves and Bowman is the Boss. In the last two years he and his scouts seem to have drafted well and without his hands being tied because of cap issues and of trying to prolong the window of the team being a contender Right now the signings of Ward, Davidson, Kunitz and Manning don't show much foresight but let's give him some time to see what he can do.

Why did you need to make those silly statements about Stan's degree and Scotty's jealousy? Both were ridiculous. Stan went to UND, hardly a cracker jack box, and I'm sure Scotty isn't worried about Q or anyone overtaking his wins record. It would take Q close to 10 years, of coaching winning teams, to catch up.
- paulr

My problem with Bowman is that he does not appear to be creative or take risks with personnel. He has a pattern (older vets and "rescues from the lower levels of players)." He has not tried to hit it really big with a "hockey trade" or a free-agent signing. I am sure the cap has a lot to do with it, but I have a feeling that he just does not like to take risk (or is prevented from doing so by a very conservative upper-level management team). For example, there have been some high-end skilled forwards signed or traded for by other teams that he has not gone after (JVR, Pacioretty, Jordan Eberle, etc.). Maybe he did and failed. We will probably never know. However, that is my perception of his leaderhip and management style.

I don't share your enthusiasm with Hayden, I think he should be in Rockford.
- DarthKane

Perhaps you are right. Either way, he needs to be playing. I would rather see him in Rockford than the bench here.

My problem with Bowman is that he does not appear to be creative or take risks with personnel. He has a pattern (older vets and "rescues from the lower levels of players)." He has not tried to hit it really big with a "hockey trade" or a free-agent signing. I am sure the cap has a lot to do with it, but I have a feeling that he just does not like to take risk (or is prevented from doing so by a very conservative upper-level management team). For example, there have been some high-end skilled forwards signed or traded for by other teams that he has not gone after (JVR, Pacioretty, Jordan Eberle, etc.). Maybe he did and failed. We will probably never know. However, that is my perception of his leaderhip and management style.
- hpk90

Until we know for sure that McD is not involved in some way on player decisions, I am not about to blame Stan 100% on the makeup of this team and the contracts that were handed out. I still think McD has his hands in the cookie jar.

There is a 3rd explanation - if Gus hustles back into the D zone he will inevitably pick up the wrong man or just turn the puck over about 25 feet in front of his own net. So why bother when Seabs is back there and he knows what to do.
- RickJ

Sorry Rick - I stopped short. Should’ve added that Gus actually hustlling back would at best be ineffectual and in all liklihood would make the situation worse.

I don't share your enthusiasm with Hayden, I think he should be in Rockford.
- DarthKane

I like Hayden's hustle, I just don't like how slow he is. His acceleration is pretty poor. Hopefully he's working on it.

One thing the Hawks could use is a top line replacement for Kahun. Kahun is very good, I love his game, but he'd be more effective as a middle 6 forward. I think he could get good cycles going with middle 6 guys and maybe awaken some of the sleeping guys in the bottom 9.