2 games!
- GPHawksfan

2 for 2

He's played 2 games and one of them was with 7 dmen. He was better than Forsling and showed some willingness bo play physical.
- GPHawksfan

He isn't better than Forsling.

It is a misnomer to say Keith has an attitude problem. An attitude problrm implies many negative factors. Earlier i used "attitude problem;" i shoukd have just given the longer drawn out description of his play these last two seasons which often is called listless, error prone, doesn't seem interested to compete. Some talk also last season about disenchanted with his defense partner

I have also explained that he most likely is still a capable player, still skates well. He may need a partner whom is a good fit and a better team around him to lift his spirit.

Actually with young dmen now coming aboard in camp, in exhibitions, even regular season i think prospects need to see not just hear how a veteran keeps
In shape and how a veteran smallish size (emphasis added) like them has thrived in a long career with these traits: good skaters most of them/likes to challenge/smart/knows how to throw a big hit once in a while).

Keith can be really good although he is prone to bone headed decisions sometimes. Nonetheless, a smart heady savvy veteran
.
- jhawk59

You said he had an attitude problem. He has played hard throughout. Bear in mind that frustration can many times look like not caring. I have seen no evidence of him not caring,
Furthermore, his responses to the queries regarding his futures tells me exactly the opposite. It tells me he believes in his team mates and the organization.

Anyone care to predict where Kane finishes in top ten scoring?

You said he had an attitude problem. He has played hard throughout. Bear in mind that frustration can many times look like not caring. I have seen no evidence of him not caring,
Furthermore, his responses to the queries regarding his futures tells me exactly the opposite. It tells me he believes in his team mates and the organization.
- Elbows15

I admitted that using the term "attitude problem" was not actually the correct terminology

You have an excellent response to this which i will now agree is the accurate assessment of Keith's travails.

Duncan Keith is still the best defenseman on the Chicago Blackhawks. He is a 2x Norris winner, 1x Conn Smythe, 3x SC winner.

In the 2010 Olympics, he logged the most minutes of Canadian defenseman, and helped lead Canada to the Gold Medal.

In the 2015 SC playoffs, he logged a ridiculous amount of minutes, and willed the Hawks (along with Hammer, JO & Seabs) to a SC win. He also scored the game winner in the final game.

He has been an outstanding professional his entire career. Young players have stated they look up to him, including Jokiharju this season.

He’s been forced to baby sit a bunch of youngsters the past few seasons, which has impacted his numbers. Every playoff contender would love to have him, but most can’t afford him.

And this season, he and Jokiharju were excellent early on. And in the last 3 games, all Blackhawk wins, he’s been reunited with his old partner. And he and Seabrook have been unscored on 5v5 in the last 3 victories.

Does he make mistakes? Of course, so do all defensemen, that’s why goals are scored.

Unless he wants to leave, he will play out his contract with the Blackhawks, mentoring the young defenseman, and continuing to contribute, probably on the 2nd or 3rd pair.

And after he retires, his sweater and number will beretired to the rafters of the UC, and he’ll enter the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

Please, enough about ‘Keith sucks’ & ‘Keith has a bad attitude’. We’ve been fortunate to watch the entire career of an outstanding athlete.

Duncan Keith is still the best defenseman on the Chicago Blackhawks. He is a 2x Norris winner, 1x Conn Smythe, 3x SC winner.

In the 2010 Olympics, he logged the most minutes of Canadian defenseman, and helped lead Canada to the Gold Medal.

In the 2015 SC playoffs, he logged a ridiculous amount of minutes, and willed the Hawks (along with Hammer, JO & Seabs) to a SC win. He also scored the game winner in the final game.

He has been an outstanding professional his entire career. Young players have stated they look up to him, including Jokiharju this season.

He’s been forced to baby sit a bunch of youngsters the past few seasons, which has impacted his numbers. Every playoff contender would love to have him, but most can’t afford him.

And this season, he and Jokiharju were excellent early on. And in the last 3 games, all Blackhawk wins, he’s been reunited with his old partner. And he and Seabrook have been unscored on 5v5 in the last 3 victories.

Does he make mistakes? Of course, so do all defensemen, that’s why goals are scored.

Unless he wants to leave, he will play out his contract with the Blackhawks, mentoring the young defenseman, and continuing to contribute, probably on the 2nd or 3rd pair.

And after he retires, his sweater and number will he retires to the rafters of the UC, and he’ll enter the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

Please, enough about ‘Keith sucks’ & ‘Keith has a bad attitude’.
- scottak

Absolutely. His number MUST be retired immediately after he retires.

He isn't better than Forsling.
- Elbows15

Forsling was real good last night as well.

Forsling was real good last night as well.
- Justin Lowe

I thought so too. My eye test tells me he's got an extra gear he uses on the defensive ends to close gaps and put himself between the puck and the opponent.

Forsling was real good last night as well.
- Justin Lowe

I would be loathe to give up Forsling just yet. We have seen him play very well. He just needs to take the next step and become more consistent. To me, it seems he tends to lose confidence. Not unusual for young players. Have to hope he matures past that and realize he has the tools to be very solid NHL- D-man. Cause he does.

Duncan Keith is still the best defenseman on the Chicago Blackhawks. He is a 2x Norris winner, 1x Conn Smythe, 3x SC winner.

In the 2010 Olympics, he logged the most minutes of Canadian defenseman, and helped lead Canada to the Gold Medal.

In the 2015 SC playoffs, he logged a ridiculous amount of minutes, and willed the Hawks (along with Hammer, JO & Seabs) to a SC win. He also scored the game winner in the final game.

He has been an outstanding professional his entire career. Young players have stated they look up to him, including Jokiharju this season.

He’s been forced to baby sit a bunch of youngsters the past few seasons, which has impacted his numbers. Every playoff contender would love to have him, but most can’t afford him.

And this season, he and Jokiharju were excellent early on. And in the last 3 games, all Blackhawk wins, he’s been reunited with his old partner. And he and Seabrook have been unscored on 5v5 in the last 3 victories.

Does he make mistakes? Of course, so do all defensemen, that’s why goals are scored.

Unless he wants to leave, he will play out his contract with the Blackhawks, mentoring the young defenseman, and continuing to contribute, probably on the 2nd or 3rd pair.

And after he retires, his sweater and number will beretired to the rafters of the UC, and he’ll enter the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

Please, enough about ‘Keith sucks’ & ‘Keith has a bad attitude’. We’ve been fortunate to watch the entire career of an outstanding athlete.
- scottak

He is the best D-man to ever wear the Indianhead. Bar none. And I don't count Orr

Forsling was real good last night as well.
- Justin Lowe

I saw the same thing. Made couple of real nice defensive plays and assisted that first goal. I thought Dahlstrom had solid game too. Was more active with the puck and moves pritty well for a big guy. I like him.

The Lazerus article in yeasterday’s ‘The Athletic’ should be required reading for everyone here. Great stuff about Jokiharju, Keith, Hayden and others.

The Lazerus article in yeasterday’s ‘The Athletic’ should be required reading for everyone here. Great stuff about Jokiharju, Keith, Hayden and others.
- scottak

I´ve read it and that was a good piece. But disagree what he wrote about Jokiharju. He wasn´t that great lately and I think he benefits playing more. He scored his first pro goal in his first game with Hogs.

Kurashev’s game in the Q is on NHL Network now. Quebec is down 2-0 near the end of the 1st.

#96 in white.

You said he had an attitude problem. He has played hard throughout. Bear in mind that frustration can many times look like not caring. I have seen no evidence of him not caring,
Furthermore, his responses to the queries regarding his futures tells me exactly the opposite. It tells me he believes in his team mates and the organization.
- Elbows15

and he doesn't like or is very uncomfortable speaking to the press; with the assinine questions he gets asked I would not want to talk to them either...as Lazerus keith doesn't bow to all the BS going on around him or the team...

Is Keith frustrated? Wouldn't you be when your dogcrap GM makes the moves he's made. How bout that last offseason...How bout the trades the offseason before...These guys have won multiple cups it's got to be eating at them at times. I'm sure these guys would love nothing better than to somehow sneak in as a 7th or 8th seed and hand it to the Preds or someone else. It's not going to happen but...

meanwhile an interesting game last night. Liked seeing the pushback from the captain and Seabs after the Sabres went after Kane. Also Saad seems to be be hitting his stride. 17 goals now on the season. He could easily finish with 30. I have a hard time seeing him being moved.

The Hawks firedrill of a defense continues to be the problem. The question is do you wait and see if any of the kids takes a next step while you burn more time off the core's clock? Sure Gus runs a nice PP, but he can't clear the puck out of his own end to save his life...or does Stan take some of that summer money and sign a couple of decent dmen along with Panarin. As far as the breadman - you know McD is all in on this. This would be the ultimate fan convention star for him and you'd put him right back along side Kane -

If they're not going to fix the defense the least they can do is keep their true superstar happy. And with the way Kane's playing right now he might just pot 50 this year.

The other major piece is the goaltending question. Does CC come back long term or hang it up and Delia has looked stellar and times and horrid as others as you'd expect a kid to. His defense hasn't done him any favors...

On to Minni tonight...

I would be loathe to give up Forsling just yet. We have seen him play very well. He just needs to take the next step and become more consistent. To me, it seems he tends to lose confidence. Not unusual for young players. Have to hope he matures past that and realize he has the tools to be very solid NHL- D-man. Cause he does.
- Elbows15

I think the biggest thing with Forsling is him staying healthy. He's missed some big chunks of time so it's kind of tough to know exactly what you have in him.

I´ve read it and that was a good piece. But disagree what he wrote about Jokiharju. He wasn´t that great lately and I think he benefits playing more. He scored his first pro goal in his first game with Hogs.
- MjulQvist

That goal was the reason why it was a good idea to send him down. Let him get some confidence and learn the pro game. He has a lot of years ahead of him and he is only 19.

Scott Powers: "The Blackhawks believe Dominik Kubalik, who was recently acquired from the Los Angeles Kings for a fifth-round pick, has the potential to be a top-nine forward. The organization’s scouts are high on him. It also helps that Kubalik is friends with Dominik Kahun. Kubalik, 23, has 19 goals and 26 assists in 39 games in Switzerland’s top division this season."

It seems to me the hawks always push this narrative of somebody's castoff becoming their top six guy. Give me a break.

Kurashev’s game in the Q is on NHL Network now. Quebec is down 2-0 near the end of the 1rst

#96 in white.
- scottak

He plays in the traditionally high scoring Quebec League. Defense, what defense? Is a kni k on this junior cicuit.

That said, I wonder how good is his coaching and development while in the Q. Because he seems to be the real deal offensively. Might he need to shore up his game one year in Rockford? Interestingly the reports surfaced that Chicago is considering bringing in someone to better develop prospects in Rockford.

On another topic with some questions too which might be forthcoming......over on Score app is a story about three current players whom could conceivably change position and do quite well. Those players: Gardiner, Ekblad Coyle.

There is mentioned how well Bug Buff and Burns transitioned. The basis for this story is the fact that the Maple Leafs Friday night retired the # of Red Kelly, who had a Norris Award and later found great success as a forward.

The imagination runs amok over the chemistry Gus has shown with Kane.

You know whom played a very brief amount of center on Chicago. Clue: a Norris Trophy he has. He will never gi yo centet but I wonder if Collitin and Bowman discussed taking a look at Gus as a forward.

I thought so too. My eye test tells me he's got an extra gear he uses on the defensive ends to close gaps and put himself between the puck and the opponent.
- 35Tony0

Putting aside the Blackhawks staples of stick checking and helicopter poke checking from the belly, what you described is at minimum what all defenders need to be able to do regardless of whether they are considered physical (i.e. heavy style, hitting) or not. Manage your gaps and body the opponent off the puck. Just getting in the way to bump the puck carrier can often be enough to create separation. Being able to do this consistently also reduces the need to clutch and grab.

I saw the same thing. Made couple of real nice defensive plays and assisted that first goal. I thought Dahlstrom had solid game too. Was more active with the puck and moves pritty well for a big guy. I like him.
- MjulQvist

If I had to choose 2 of Forsling, Dahlstrom, and Koekkoek, right now I would go with the Swedes.

Scott Powers: "The Blackhawks believe Dominik Kubalik, who was recently acquired from the Los Angeles Kings for a fifth-round pick, has the potential to be a top-nine forward. The organization’s scouts are high on him. It also helps that Kubalik is friends with Dominik Kahun. Kubalik, 23, has 19 goals and 26 assists in 39 games in Switzerland’s top division this season."

It seems to me the hawks always push this narrative of somebody's castoff becoming their top six guy. Give me a break.
- bogiedoc

TBF, they did say top 9, but point taken.

hawks have played 52 games and have 47 points: on pace for 74 pts.
they are "only" 5 points out but need to pass 6 teams: good luck
given the level of mediocracy in the WC this year (hooray for bettmans parity); 90 pts gets you a wild card spot.

the hawks have 30 games left to get 43 pts thats over a pt a game clip: for example a 19-5-5 record = 43 pts and the other 6 teams have to be .500 or less.

thus this team give you any evidence that it go on that kind of run?