This warmed my soul this grey winter's morn. . .

Adam Vingan
@AdamVingan

The Predators are 0 for their past 30 power-play opportunities, stretching to Jan. 9 against the Blackhawks.
- pdx2ord

Gustafsson for Ekholm... fair?

(This is a joke btw)

I think Forsling had another nice game. I hope JC takes Seabrook off the PK, unfortunately he's a step behind

We finally have a defenceman who gets the puck to the net on the PP on a cheap contract. It is comical to read these trade Gus comments from the bring back Keith crowd.

I think Forsling had another nice game. I hope JC takes Seabrook off the PK, unfortunately he's a step behind
- BetweenTheDots

He looked okay except for the foot races he lost on icing calls. I don't know whether it is positioning or foot speed that was the problem.

The one thing i would like to see is when the forwards are playing defense in their own zone be disciplined enough to take away the path to the center of the ice, so many try to steal the puck behind and along the boards which allows an easier uncontested release to the sweet spot of the ice.

I think Forsling had another nice game. I hope JC takes Seabrook off the PK, unfortunately he's a step behind
- BetweenTheDots

Seabrook still possesses the hardest shot which other teams respect. Someone has to defend that shot meaning a player either allows the shot or takes himself out of his tight PK defence position. This allows a Kane or Debrincat to slip in and gain a shooting lane.

Seabrook still possesses the hardest shot which other teams respect. Someone has to defend that shot meaning a player either allows the shot or takes himself out of his tight PK defence position. This allows a Kane or Debrincat to slip in and gain a shooting lane.
- 67hawks

The PP looks great, I'm talking PK.

We finally have a defenceman who gets the puck to the net on the PP on a cheap contract. It is comical to read these trade Gus comments from the bring back Keith crowd.
- 67hawks

Ditto 67. what a difference,this goes back beyond this year. JC is abreath of fresh air too

Delia has regressed a bit since the hot start. Whether that's due to the league scouting him more closely, or coming down to earth, hard to say. If it's about the scouting, then it's on Delia to make the next adjustment.

What kind of return is possible for Gus? I mentioned in a previous thread what Chiarelli paid for Kaberle in 2011. Is a return like that even possible, or is that more about Chiarelli? And how much of the PP success is due to Gus, as opposed to the system now used, or even the addition of Strome to the 1st unit?
- 333inthe3rd

As I read your post I'm thinking when did I post this? Yea man, to all of it.

No way Delia was gonna keep a .948 SPG, no doubt with each game played the league had more to scout of him, no doubt the league adjusted and yes now the goalie/player needs to adjust.

The eye showed him struggle a bit culminating with a couple softies vs WSH before the break so I was really looking forward to seeing him after it....... He had a .903 SPG last night but the eye test showed him in his pre-struggle form. The quiet, compact, efficient style he showed early. ..... They've got to give him #1 minutes to evaluate him as fully as possible good, bad or ugly.

Was one of the few who didn't abhor Gus from the start but doesn't mean I didn't see his horrid Dzone play either. This is what Boqvist looks like except you don't see Gus standing next to the other goalie like Boqvist does and Boqvist plays against boys. Wondering what Boqvist might look like as an NHLer, IMO Gus is showing you to a degree.......... That Stan drafted a guy like Bovquist and that he said Gus ain't going anywhere (said he puts up points and works for 500 bucks a game thru next yr) shows Stan's and the organIzations tolerance for this "style".

This is where GM's and evaluation guys make their money, change franchises, on guys like Gus and Boqvist. I will defer and allow the pros to make the decision on Gus but even though we can't identify the/a ONE reason for the freakish power play that's sucked out loud for yrs Gus is one of the top reasons for it.

Wonderful concise post, 333.

Someone reported Parayko is on the market? Just checked out his contract wonder if the reporter did, because if its true i would love to see him in a Blackhawks sweater. I doubt it though he's got 3 more years left on his contract. I know where i read that, that was the article with the Muzzin trade, he said he was available in trade, wow that reporter is a moron.

The PP looks great, I'm talking PK.
- BetweenTheDots

Oops! Missed that detail.

Oops! Missed that detail.
- 67hawks

No worries, i figured you did

Keith Parayko
Dahlstrom Murphy
Gusto Seabrook

That's not bad

I think Forsling had another nice game. I hope JC takes Seabrook off the PK, unfortunately he's a step behind
- BetweenTheDots

A big reason Joki was sent down. They need to get a long look at Forsling now as it relates to next yrs top 7.

Gustafsson for Ekholm... fair?

(This is a joke btw)
- Justin Lowe

Gus has to look good to a VAN, EDM, MN right now for playoff chances, AZ?, NJ?, LVG?, ANA? should the Hawks look to deal the point per game Dman.

If you were meaning the Hawks, a lot of that comes from the decision to start the season with a different coach, and not allow any time for transition prior to the season counting.

Or put another way, based upon the system that has been put in place, along with a different player eval by a different coaching staff -after that trainwreck of a losing streak ... I just don't think this would be a last place team. Not saying a first place one, but this is a competitive team and it doesn't look like they quit. Last season - they quit after January rolled around, and it was pretty ugly.

I'd be interested to know what rate the PP is at if you ditch the first 2 months of the season; maybe even only 6 weeks. It has been a major factor in the turn-around. Watching it, it isn't a fluke, either --there is a lot more movement on that than I recall seeing in a long long time...
- SC116

Ever wonder where the club would be today if JC was named coach before camp?

The media always has to have a subject to speculate about, especially around TDL and if it involves big name players.

The Hawks have an 'easy' schedule in February and the players look like they believe the season isn't over yet - exactly the opposite of last year when Berube and Forsberg were gracing the goal crease with their presence.

Doubt very much 2 or 7 or both are going anywhere in season. Earliest will be summer. Short sighted or not, emphasis is on winning now and taking a run at the playoffs.
- RickJ

Is that you, Old Duff?

The ugly transition process that occurred in November was healthy for the long term. The Country Club board members were forced back into general population with the grounds keepers and valets. It is a humbling process. But you see the results. Q made excuses for them and sheltered them for 8 years.
- TrueGrit

Love or hate Q he is a HOF coach, the game has not passed him by and didn't get stupid overnight. But even a Q lover would have to admit the last few yrs the effort of the whole group would have to be questioned and that is natural most times with familiarity.............Simply said it was time for a change.

And yes 60ish minute efforts are now common and that's not a coincidence since the coaching change.

Ever wonder where the club would be today if JC was named coach before camp?
- Mr Ricochet

undefeated, no doubt

Keith Parayko
Dahlstrom Murphy
Gusto Seabrook

That's not bad
- BetweenTheDots

Parayko is a damn near physical freak. 6ft 6in skates like a 5ft 10in guy with a 100 MPH+ slapper and doesn't rely on the stick check. ........... How he wasn't drafted into Major Junior or USHL and lasted until rd 3 of the NHL draft is puzzling. ..... Certainly didn't take the blue blood route. Played Jr A in the AJHL in Canada and NCAA at Alaska Fairbanks which probably addresses why he lasted to rd 3. But still, a guy that big that skates that well, is a Dman you'd think he would go sooner and be heavily scouted.

Truly a development story. The 25 yr old puts up more point in the NHL than he did in jrs or the NCAA. https://www.eliteprospect...ayer/89411/colton-parayko

Just out of curiosity what do you (anyone) think it would take to pry the Senators first round pick from the Avalanche?

Just out of curiosity what do you (anyone) think it would take to pry the Senators first round pick from the Avalanche?
- walleyeb1

Boqvist, Joki and their 1st?

Just out of curiosity what do you (anyone) think it would take to pry the Senators first round pick from the Avalanche?
- walleyeb1

DeBrincat, Boqvist/Jokiharju and Chicago’s first.

Also what i noticed is that the last 2 games, all but 1 goal vs the Blackhawks have come on the RD side, between the face off circle and the imaginary center lane

Love or hate Q he is a HOF coach, the game has not passed him by and didn't get stupid overnight. But even a Q lover would have to admit the last few yrs the effort of the whole group would have to be questioned and that is natural most times with familiarity.............Simply said it was time for a change.

And yes 60ish minute efforts are now common and that's not a coincidence since the coaching change.
- Mr Ricochet

Some of it is akin to a goalie change during a game. Q being fired was a shock to the system and a bit of a wake up call after the vets got done moping about it.