Playing run and gun hockey with no regard to defense with most of the action in the Hawk end, being outshot almost every game and with a terrible penalty kill isn't sustainable. However it's fun watching them win. And maybe I'm wrong, maybe one way pond hockey is the wave of the future?
- paulr

The more i think about the more i believe it's not about how many shots, it's about limiting the goal scorers taking shots. Mantha can't hit the broad side of the barn, but Larkin is dangerous.

When he's done Kane will be the best American born player. EVer.

There isn't 89 better players ever.....not a chance.
- SteveRain

Sorry, I had my tongue in my cheek for that one, Rainman. I think they're both comfortably in the top 100.

What happened to The Drake?
- riozzo

Eye injury. Severity not known. Hoping he's ok.

I think they should keep Murphy and KooKoo together, case in point when Murphy couldn't keep the puck in on the bad bounce and Larkin took off with it, KooKoo was fast enough to at least get back and bother the shot, Dahlstom wouldn't of been able to make that play. Dahlstrom's play lately has regressed, and I think JC realizes this by the ice time, Dahlstrom 13 minutes, KooKoo 21 last night

A win is a win...…

more of the same. All offense, dumpster fire on the back end as Murphy looked BAD.

I love national tv Eddie O when isn't stuck in between Pat Foley gushing comments about Keith and can actually speak to more intelligent audience. That tying goal last night again is Keith getting back doored and this time he wasn't able to stick check it away.

But Im sure it was all Gustafsson's fault......glad to see JC has stuck with 56 starting with 19/88 over 2. 56 has some amazing offensive vision for a defender and is a weapon that is vastly underrated by many in how much impact he has on the offensive side...…...

Sorry, I had my tongue in my cheek for that one, Rainman. I think they're both comfortably in the top 100.
- mohel

Gotcha…….I figured but had to double check.

Kane continues to amaze me each and every game......

Eye injury. Severity not known. Hoping he's ok.
- Justin Lowe

Yeah, it's concerning he didn't come back. Had to have affected his vision or he'd have been back in. He's been a fine addition.

Gotcha…….I figured but had to double check.

Kane continues to amaze me each and every game......
- SteveRain

I greatly respect his desire to always improve.

Eye injury. Severity not known. Hoping he's ok.
- Justin Lowe

thanks, I was forced to watch the Masked Singer in my house last night. Puke Puke...

Now I have to catch up/

thanks, I was forced to watch the Masked Singer in my house last night. Puke Puke...

Now I have to catch up/
- riozzo

Hahaha

I think they should keep Murphy and KooKoo together, case in point when Murphy couldn't keep the puck in on the bad bounce and Larkin took off with it, KooKoo was fast enough to at least get back and bother the shot, Dahlstom wouldn't of been able to make that play. Dahlstrom's play lately has regressed, and I think JC realizes this by the ice time, Dahlstrom 13 minutes, KooKoo 21 last night
- LAHawk

I'm not sold Dahlstrom belongs in the NHL tbh. The speed isn't there and isn't going to get faster with age. Koko Puffs has been solid so far and hope his body can stay healthy

For myself i just don't take much stock in these fancy stats. Even though the Red Wings outshot the Hawks the Blackhawks dictated play for 2 periods, long stretches of puck possession in the Wings zone.

i missed the first half of the 3rd period, the last half they played solid 200 feet of hockey, to me it was pretty even and if Keith is able to get his stick on that pass it doesn't even go to OT.

These fancy stats kind of tell a story but i equate them to the fancy math numbers investors came up with to confuse the world's banking system to buy up bad mortgages in bundles.
- BetweenTheDots

The fancy stats are simply one additional tool to help in evaluation. They should be about 25-30% of the overall "score" you would give any player in a certain situation.

I don't really like the stats that simply use shot shares. I guess there is some merit, but there is no accounting for the quality of the shot taken. I remember under Q there were a few games where the Hawks outshot the opponent, but the majority of shots were from the perimeter and there was no one in front (or even near) the net.

Elliote Friedman said this morning on NHL radio, that if the Hawks make any deal, it will be a hockey trade with players going both ways, they aren't sellers, but aren't buyers either.
- LAHawk

Been saying this since the Hawks went on their winning streak two weeks ago. Bowman isn't going to just trade guys for picks or prospects. They will do hockey trades to try and help improve their team now. As they are exactly where we think they are. Not bad enough to be in the top of the draft and not good enough to seriously compete for a cup just yet. Stan should be looking for smart hockey moves to swap some guys out who can help them compete this year and going forward.

Hahaha
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah, I have been told my Man Card is suspended for 2 weeks...

A win is a win...…

more of the same. All offense, dumpster fire on the back end as Murphy looked BAD.

I love national tv Eddie O when isn't stuck in between Pat Foley gushing comments about Keith and can actually speak to more intelligent audience. That tying goal last night again is Keith getting back doored and this time he wasn't able to stick check it away.

But Im sure it was all Gustafsson's fault......glad to see JC has stuck with 56 starting with 19/88 over 2. 56 has some amazing offensive vision for a defender and is a weapon that is vastly underrated by many in how much impact he has on the offensive side...…...
- SteveRain

i don't think anyone underrates his offensive talent and vision...geez for the last 20-30 games he has been critically important to this "turn around" but his defensive woes are not underrated. He does make a defensive play now and then but he is careless and undisciplined and lacks the vision...hawks have a tough call to make on him...he is a tradeable asset now...does stan make a move that could blow-up on him

Yeah, let's get rid of this selfish Keith guy. The Hawks dont need players like this around and the young guys cant learn anything from him.

“It was always a dream as a kid to be in the NHL and play in the best league in the world,” Keith said. “And that’s all I ever wanted to do. The Stanley Cup is the goal and it still is. But those other things, certainly proud of those things too. Playing a lot of ice time is just kind of part of working on my game and hopefully the coaches can keep having trust in me. That’s something that’s got to be earned.

Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. “I think how you get around that is how he takes care of himself. He’s extremely conscientious with how he trains and how he eats. He’s a true pro. He knows how to prepare himself. I’m happy to give him some practices off and some morning skates off. I think he’s pretty good at understanding what he needs to do to get ready.

“If he doesn’t skate I’m never worried about it. He’s gonna be ready to play.”

Keeping himself in such great shape is what's made him a coaches dream all these years, and why he has a chance to keep playing into his 40's.

“I never felt like I was satisfied or content,” Keith said. “Still don’t. There's another Cup there and I think that’s what motivates players. As soon as you start taking a breath or resting is when everything passes you by.”

Mark Lazerus‏Verified account @MarkLazerus
Mark Lazerus Retweeted Gavin Morales

Colliton didn't have much of an update on Caggiula. Sounds like there was some swelling around his eye. "He got hit in the eye. If it was a cut, he probably would have come back. But we'll see if it clears up. That's what we're thinking will happen."

The fancy stats are simply one additional tool to help in evaluation. They should be about 25-30% of the overall "score" you would give any player in a certain situation.

I don't really like the stats that simply use shot shares. I guess there is some merit, but there is no accounting for the quality of the shot taken. I remember under Q there were a few games where the Hawks outshot the opponent, but the majority of shots were from the perimeter and there was no one in front (or even near) the net.
- Chunk

This is fair, i think it would be more effective if the hockey players didn't know these stats existed, but they do and i believe can skew them. I've heard agents bring this garbage in when it's time to negotiate a contact.

I mean there were at least 10 shots last night that shouldn't of even counted they were so weak, but that's my issue.

If the Leafs play the Bruins again in the playoffs I think they are in big trouble because the Bruins game plan will be to isolate and stop Marner and Marner's line will become ineffective. It will be up to Matthews to step up and lead the Leafs, if he can the Leafs have a chance. Strangely I like the Leafs chances against Tampa allot better. Tampa will play run and gun with the Leafs allowing the Leafs to play their game. Either way I can't see the Leafs getting by either team. Should the Leafs go out in the first round I think more than Gardiner and Hainsey will be gone.
- paulr

With so much young talent on that team it's kind of ridiculous to think this season is their best shot at winning the Cup - especially after the Hawks proved you can win the Cup, go through Cap hell and still win more Cups - but it will mean they have to trade away some of that talent to do so. The best case scenario for the Leafs is to win this year (obviously) because maybe then Marleau may decide to retire which would give them back $6M toward signing their RFAs.

When he's done Kane will be the best American born player. EVer.

There isn't 89 better players ever.....not a chance.
- SteveRain

My money is on Jack Skille

I concur, 100%. Getting their butts handed to them might result in some players buying in on defense in the future.
- mohel

This 100%

Yeah, let's get rid of this selfish Keith guy. The Hawks dont need players like this around and the young guys cant learn anything from him.

“It was always a dream as a kid to be in the NHL and play in the best league in the world,” Keith said. “And that’s all I ever wanted to do. The Stanley Cup is the goal and it still is. But those other things, certainly proud of those things too. Playing a lot of ice time is just kind of part of working on my game and hopefully the coaches can keep having trust in me. That’s something that’s got to be earned.

Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. “I think how you get around that is how he takes care of himself. He’s extremely conscientious with how he trains and how he eats. He’s a true pro. He knows how to prepare himself. I’m happy to give him some practices off and some morning skates off. I think he’s pretty good at understanding what he needs to do to get ready.

“If he doesn’t skate I’m never worried about it. He’s gonna be ready to play.”

Keeping himself in such great shape is what's made him a coaches dream all these years, and why he has a chance to keep playing into his 40's.

“I never felt like I was satisfied or content,” Keith said. “Still don’t. There's another Cup there and I think that’s what motivates players. As soon as you start taking a breath or resting is when everything passes you by.”
- PatShart

I read that as well. I think those calling him selfish are in the vast minority. most of the calls for trading him are based on the premise that he is still really good and on a great contract (for what he brings). That combination typically brings a huge return at the TDL. If they were not showing any improvement and getting blown out every night then I could at least see the argument for trying to move him.

A lot of people here don’t want to admit it, but Seabrook’s still the second best defender on the roster.
- Ogilthorpe2

Assuming you imply Keith is the best defender and also assuming you define "defender" to mean in the d-zone - I may be swinging my vote toward Koekkoek on that one. Still early - only a handful of games, but I'm liking what I'm seeing from coo coo in the d-zone.

I concur, 100%. Getting their butts handed to them might result in some players buying in on defense in the future.
- mohel

did anyone watch that Vegas/Boston game last night

Vegas is relentless on the foreck and forced a ton of Boston TOs. Relentless foreck is NOT talent related, its desire/will. Not fun to play against teams like that and that is why that team is so successful - we have several future HOFs - does Vegas have any? Maybe MAF? Vegas is a 5 man unit pestering the hell out of the opposition for 60 minutes and then pounces on mistakes - easy concept to understand, not so easy to implement - thoughts?

Been saying this since the Hawks went on their winning streak two weeks ago. Bowman isn't going to just trade guys for picks or prospects. They will do hockey trades to try and help improve their team now. As they are exactly where we think they are. Not bad enough to be in the top of the draft and not good enough to seriously compete for a cup just yet. Stan should be looking for smart hockey moves to swap some guys out who can help them compete this year and going forward.
- Savetheembers33

Generally agree, but I can see Krueger or Forsling deal for picks because there's replacements for them on the farm (Highmore/Joki). I'd be shocked at a rental trade.