oh and the 1-5-3 hawks were were playing just great...so great they could look past the kings...of course you blame that on Q...

cat scoring 1 goal in 8 games, gus is turnover machine leading to goals and great chances, playing with 4-5 dmen that could not even be a #7 on the preds, and absoltuely nothing from the bottom 6 all season...thats all on Q...

must say you have a solid case of Q derangement syndrome
- bogiedoc

Q had the HAWKS playing like crap for two years ,NO accountability for the Star players and punish the new and young players for every minor miscue .
He drove away young players who could not adapt to his system (what ever that was ) overnight and with his limited practice schedule
Only mistake the FO made was keeping Q around far to long ,should have been gone after his draft hissy fit .

Crow has talent that will result in good games even if he is not 100%. However, it will depend on the type of opportunities the other team has. I continue to believe he is having difficulty playing his angles and keeping his net on break-aways where he has to move in and out, front to back as the player comes quickly towards him. He just doesn’t seem as mobile as he needs to be. Now perhaps this is a pure physical and/or rustiness problem. However, it is possible it is from holdover symptoms. In any event Crow never was this easily beaten.
- Z3Hawk

crow has talent??? how nice of you to let us know...for 2 cup winning goalie who has bailed his team out for 5 years now...its just astonishing

its amazing how bad he was the last 2 games: 1 goal in regulation when he got hung out to dry about 10 times...unacceptable...and those 5 great A saves vs the kings...ridiculous he should have been 100%...

yeah he got beat on a very difficult snipe by kovalcheck...send him packing...

There is both accountability and a recognition of what is and is not working chemistry-wise in these lines:

#Blackhawks lines and pairings:
Saad-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Schmaltz
Fortin-Kampf-Kahun
Martinsen-Kruger-Hayden

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Jokiharju
Forsling-Rutta

*Johnson, Kunitz, Manning appear to be extras.

JC seems to be figuring it out. . .
- pdx2ord

JC is "figuring it out"...4th line combo in 4 games.

Wasnt Q consistently criticized for line blenders?

And...does JC know the lack of production when Toews and Kane play together, versus apart?

Zero reason/excuse for both Kampf and Kruger in the lineup at the same tine

There is both accountability and a recognition of what is and is not working chemistry-wise in these lines:

#Blackhawks lines and pairings:
Saad-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Schmaltz
Fortin-Kampf-Kahun
Martinsen-Kruger-Hayden

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Jokiharju
Forsling-Rutta

*Johnson, Kunitz, Manning appear to be extras.

JC seems to be figuring it out. . .
- pdx2ord

This is what's to be expected for tomorrow?
I'm fine with this. Gus needs to pick his game back up though. 2 good games, then the one costly play, I need to see him develop past that. Forsling and Rutta ... together again. If I'm being honest though, it's the third line. They need to put their talent together and freakin score!

Crow has talent that will result in good games even if he is not 100%. However, it will depend on the type of opportunities the other team has. I continue to believe he is having difficulty playing his angles and keeping his net on break-aways where he has to move in and out, front to back as the player comes quickly towards him. He just doesn’t seem as mobile as he needs to be. Now perhaps this is a pure physical and/or rustiness problem. However, it is possible it is from holdover symptoms. In any event Crow never was this easily beaten.
- Z3Hawk

I guess I half agree with you in that IMO he's on but not fine tuned. Man this guy won a cup being off his angle. How many times do you remember him stabbing at and stopping pucks that came from the circles that were going a full foot wide, but he won his first cup like that. .......... It was ugly man and I still believe he had to win another cup to be recognized by those that matter as being elite. You remember Crow not getting the recognition a Cup winning goalie deserves a few yrs back?

And again because of his style he is soooo hard to evaluate but for me is he tracking, in balance and as a result square and IMO he is. If he felt he was slowish, the game was too fast for him, he would have pushed too hard on that side to side pass that hit Keith's skate and overslid the puck. For this fan that was a world class save ...... Tells me he's in rhythm.

Being in rhythm is sooooo hard to do as a goalie, it's the end result in a sequence of multiple musts for a goalie to stop pucks consistently. I think that's what Eddie was referring to when he heaped praise on Crow for coming back with no camp or AHL starts after being off for 11 months, his rhythm. .... It takes game action for that to come and Crow is way ahead of that curve.

JC is "figuring it out"...4th line combo in 4 games.

Wasnt Q consistently criticized for line blenders?

And...does JC know the lack of production when Toews and Kane play together, versus apart?

Zero reason/excuse for both Kampf and Kruger in the lineup at the same tine
- PatShart

Kane and Toews seem to be generating chances this time around, even if Schmaltz was where possession went to die on that line for a while. They were doing better after Saad was moved up and Schmaltz was doing better when playing with DBC. If Kane and Toews don't score together soon, they'll probably break it up.

Who of Kunitz or Johnson would you put in for Kampf or Kruger?

JC is "figuring it out"...4th line combo in 4 games.

Wasnt Q consistently criticized for line blenders?

And...does JC know the lack of production when Toews and Kane play together, versus apart?

Zero reason/excuse for both Kampf and Kruger in the lineup at the same tine
- PatShart

I think this is a little unfair to hold JC (who has only coached 5 nhl games) to Q's standards (the 2nd most winningest coach in the nhl.) There should and probably will be an evaluation period for JC to look at what worked, what didn't, and was he acting appropriately in how it was handled. That time shouldn't be now though. Line blender is welcome at this time.

JC is "figuring it out"...4th line combo in 4 games.

Wasnt Q consistently criticized for line blenders?

And...does JC know the lack of production when Toews and Kane play together, versus apart?

Zero reason/excuse for both Kampf and Kruger in the lineup at the same tine
- PatShart

Been thinking about that stat of the poor production you posted about Kane and Toews together. It's just too big a sample size for me to dismiss but after thinking about it thought Toews hasn't been right for a few yrs now. Is that the reason for that stat?

Toews sure looks like he's back with a quick first step and the puck not bouncing off his stick. I think I do like reuniting them.

I want wins like anyone else but to my eye I like the direction under JC. The club looks like it's playing with more zip and for longer, are not running around in their zone and look structured. ........ Keep this up, find the correct combinations, absorb the systems more fully and wins should come. I've not had a problem at all watching the full 60 minutes since the Carolina game 3 back.

Who of Kunitz or Johnson would you put in for Kampf or Kruger?
- pdx2ord

Is death an option?

If those where my only 2 choices (Kunitz or Johnson)...I'd opt for Kunitz

Have to play him and hope he can get 5-8 goals by the TDL, and get a pick for him for a team wanting "cup depth"

Ugh. Hawks were suppose to beat the Kings 🤣
- KINGS67

Nope The Tank is On!
#TANKFORHUGHES

There is both accountability and a recognition of what is and is not working chemistry-wise in these lines:

#Blackhawks lines and pairings:
Saad-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Schmaltz
Fortin-Kampf-Kahun
Martinsen-Kruger-Hayden

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Jokiharju
Forsling-Rutta

*Johnson, Kunitz, Manning appear to be extras.

JC seems to be figuring it out. . .
- pdx2ord

Putting aside the lack of depth, I like these lines much better. Because of the lack of depth, that's still rolling out two 4th lines but nothing Colliton can do with the cards he's dealt. Kahun is the only one who is arguably not a 4th liner.

Agree with Breadman that the 3rd line is the pivotal factor. Once there is sufficient personnel to ice a solid 3rd line that can score, play reliable defense, and forecheck like the Richardens, then the Hawks can roll 3 strong lines plus a checking/agitator 4th line. Some ingredients are there but the final product once you bake it all together comes out like crap.

Sikura could be a solution to consider. He forechecks with speed like Fortin and even dumps and chases. He has a knack of dumping the puck to an area where the opponents aren't so that he or a teammate can retrieve it. Great patience, poise, vision, and passes/shoots equally well. And while not a physical player, he doesn't shy away from checks like Schmaltz. He might side step to avoid a check and stay in the play if he can but he won't bail out.

Putting aside the lack of depth, I like these lines much better. Because of the lack of depth, that's still rolling out two 4th lines but nothing Colliton can do with the cards he's dealt. Kahun is the only one who is arguably not a 4th liner.

Agree with Breadman that the 3rd line is the pivotal factor. Once there is sufficient personnel to ice a solid 3rd line that can score, play reliable defense, and forecheck like the Richardens, then the Hawks can roll 3 strong lines plus a checking/agitator 4th line. Some ingredients are there but the final product once you bake it all together comes out like crap.

Sikura could be a solution to consider. He forechecks with speed like Fortin and even dumps and chases. He has a knack of dumping the puck to an area where the opponents aren't so that he or a teammate can retrieve it. Great patience, poise, vision, and passes/shoots equally well. And while not a physical player, he doesn't shy away from checks like Schmaltz. He might side step to avoid a check and stay in the play if he can but he won't bail out.
- AEL_Fox

. I want J.J. back !

There is both accountability and a recognition of what is and is not working chemistry-wise in these lines:

#Blackhawks lines and pairings:
Saad-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Schmaltz
Fortin-Kampf-Kahun
Martinsen-Kruger-Hayden

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Jokiharju
Forsling-Rutta

*Johnson, Kunitz, Manning appear to be extras.

JC seems to be figuring it out. . .
- pdx2ord

Fortin in - Kunitz out. YIPPEE!!!

Actually - Anyone in - Kunitz out. YIPPEE!!!

I guess I half agree with you in that IMO he's on but not fine tuned. Man this guy won a cup being off his angle. How many times do you remember him stabbing at and stopping pucks that came from the circles that were going a full foot wide, but he won his first cup like that. .......... It was ugly man and I still believe he had to win another cup to be recognized by those that matter as being elite. You remember Crow not getting the recognition a Cup winning goalie deserves a few yrs back?

And again because of his style he is soooo hard to evaluate but for me is he tracking, in balance and as a result square and IMO he is. If he felt he was slowish, the game was too fast for him, he would have pushed too hard on that side to side pass that hit Keith's skate and overslid the puck. For this fan that was a world class save ...... Tells me he's in rhythm.

Being in rhythm is sooooo hard to do as a goalie, it's the end result in a sequence of multiple musts for a goalie to stop pucks consistently. I think that's what Eddie was referring to when he heaped praise on Crow for coming back with no camp or AHL starts after being off for 11 months, his rhythm. .... It takes game action for that to come and Crow is way ahead of that curve.
- Mr Ricochet

My biggest concern, as I have said, is on quick moving plays towards him like break-aways. Seems to me he is not reacting fast enough or is not mobile enough, moving in and out. Gets caught with lots of the net available. Actually seems quite immobile. On plane he will still make lots of saves.

. I want J.J. back !
- GlennL

Why? I like JJ, and go to his site on a fairly regular basis, but Justin is doing a great job.

My biggest concern, as I have said, is on quick moving plays towards him like break-aways. Seems to me he is not reacting fast enough or is not mobile enough, moving in and out. Gets caught with lots of the net available. Actually seems quite immobile. On plane he will still make lots of saves.
- Z3Hawk

Those are two of the most lethal snipers on Earth in Kovalchuk + Kopitar. I’d trade 50, if possible.

#Tank

There is both accountability and a recognition of what is and is not working chemistry-wise in these lines:

#Blackhawks lines and pairings:
Saad-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Schmaltz
Fortin-Kampf-Kahun
Martinsen-Kruger-Hayden

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Jokiharju
Forsling-Rutta

*Johnson, Kunitz, Manning appear to be extras.

JC seems to be figuring it out. . .
- pdx2ord

Dylan Sikura should be close to joining this team to enter onto that 3rd line.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Sikura and Ejdsell (whom have some nice chemistry together in RFD) both on that line centred by Johnson or Kampf.

This team needs depth scoring and are not, and will not get it from anyone in the bottom 6.

I do like that 4th line with Hayden and Martinsen back together though to provide some spark and energy. Those two played well in RFD together and in the preseason, so not sure why to split them up.

Those are two of the most lethal snipers on Earth in Kovalchuk + Kopitar. I’d trade 50, if possible.

#Tank
- EnzoD

Agree. I'm a big CC fan...but they should move him and AA as well. I like Anisimov as well, but I dont think he'll be valued as it seems like the front office wants Kampf to be showcased

Dylan Sikura should be close to joining this team to enter onto that 3rd line.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Sikura and Ejdsell (whom have some nice chemistry together in RFD) both on that line centred by Johnson or Kampf.

This team needs depth scoring and are not, and will not get it from anyone in the bottom 6.

I do like that 4th line with Hayden and Martinsen back together though to provide some spark and energy. Those two played well in RFD together and in the preseason, so not sure why to split them up.
- Justin Lowe

I don’t see anything in Kampfs game that tells me he should be an NHL center. His is ok on D. Zero offensive skill. Skating is maybe above average. Brings nothing physically. Same with Johnson. I liked Kahuns game. He’s tenacious on the puck and has quick edges/shifty. I think a solid 3rd line guy.

At least Kruger can cycle the puck. Kampf has less offense. I like the top 6 as is.

Can Kahun play center? Maybe between Sikura and Fortin or Ejdsell?

Q had the HAWKS playing like crap for two years ,NO accountability for the Star players and punish the new and young players for every minor miscue .
He drove away young players who could not adapt to his system (what ever that was ) overnight and with his limited practice schedule
Only mistake the FO made was keeping Q around far to long ,should have been gone after his draft hissy fit .
- oldduffman

olddumbman, move to the present and get off Q already. In case you didn't notice, he's gone. We're all sick of hearing the same old same old from you for two years.

Crow has talent that will result in good games even if he is not 100%. However, it will depend on the type of opportunities the other team has. I continue to believe he is having difficulty playing his angles and keeping his net on break-aways where he has to move in and out, front to back as the player comes quickly towards him. He just doesn’t seem as mobile as he needs to be. Now perhaps this is a pure physical and/or rustiness problem. However, it is possible it is from holdover symptoms. In any event Crow never was this easily beaten.
- Z3Hawk

Dr. Z at it again.

Agree. I'm a big CC fan...but they should move him and AA as well. I like Anisimov as well, but I dont think he'll be valued as it seems like the front office wants Kampf to be showcased
- PatShart

I like AA, but I think he could get a decent return at the TDL (especially if they take a big expiring contract back). AA for bad contract and a 1st?

JC is "figuring it out"...4th line combo in 4 games.

Wasnt Q consistently criticized for line blenders?

And...does JC know the lack of production when Toews and Kane play together, versus apart?

Zero reason/excuse for both Kampf and Kruger in the lineup at the same tine
- PatShart

Zero reason/excuse for Kruger to be on the team. Or in the NHL.

Fortin in - Kunitz out. YIPPEE!!!

Actually - Anyone in - Kunitz out. YIPPEE!!!
- EbonyRaptor

Agree & Agree. Double Yippie!

Why? I like JJ, and go to his site on a fairly regular basis, but Justin is doing a great job.
- tvetter

For sure!