As i watch the power play, i really enjoy the passing, the more aggressive the PK the quicker the puck is off of each players stick.

I believe they are trying to duplicate this in the defensive zone but players are not getting into those spots or are not sure where to be. I just wish one of the dmen would stay in front of the goalie instead of close to the boards or behind the net.
- BetweenTheDots

I would settle for ANYONE being in the slot. The Hawks have had an issue in that area for the last couple of seasons. In both schemes.

Careful.....dont' be critical. The fun police are out in full effect.

For the record, agreed...….but lets sit back and enjoy the show, and then watch people lose their minds when 8-7 games vanish come playoff time and hawks are getting shelled in their brief appearance.
- SteveRain

I think most people know the Hawks are a fringe playoff team. I think most know the weaknesses of the team. But most like the fact the team is playing hard and winning, albiet not playing correctly or with the necessary talent to be a cup contender. If they make the playoffs, the Hawks very likely won't win a round in fact they might not win a game but aren't you happy the team is playing hard enought to try to get into the playoffs?

So long as Bowman doesn't move prospects or draft picks to get into the playoffs I am fine with the team making the playoffs even though I know it's unlikely they make any noise.

Hopefully Bowman put all those scenarios on the table, and just doesn’t get tunnel vision. By that I mean becoming fixated on these college players. And this is just my opinion, we were all keyed up last year about Hayden and Sakura and a couple others. And now there are some other names being mentioned. Well, I like John Hayden but he’s not going to be Billy Guerin I guess. And Dylan Sakura in my mind will be back playing in house leagues with in five years. Now I know there will be people there will not agree with me and that is fine. If there are a couple of hockey trades to be made that will make this team better for now and the future hopefully Stan is all in even if it means giving up a couple of these prospects.
And as far as Rockford goes Matthew Highmore Probably should be the only one that should get a look.

Don't forget the Isle's have a new general manager (Lamarello) who is famous for building strong defensive teams (New Jersey), and after Tavares left he signed Kühnhackl, Komarov, Martin and Filppula, all solid defensively responsible forwards
- LAHawk

Agree. But other than Tavares their TOI is dominated by the same top 6 forwards and top 5 dmen as last year.

So I think our if our younger Dmen and forwards can get incrementally better at the 200' game the corporate results could be significantly better.

Hopefully Bowman put all those scenarios on the table, and just doesn’t get tunnel vision. By that I mean becoming fixated on these college players. And this is just my opinion, we were all keyed up last year about Hayden and Sakura and a couple others. And now there are some other names being mentioned. Well, I like John Hayden but he’s not going to be Billy Guerin I guess. And Dylan Sakura in my mind will be back playing in house leagues with in five years. Now I know there will be people there will not agree with me and that is fine. If there are a couple of hockey traits to be made that will make this team better for now and the future hopefully Stan is all in even if it means giving up a couple of these prospects.
And as far as Rockford goes Matthew Highmore Probably should be the only one that should get a look.
- wonthecup10

But he can't fight.

Hopefully Bowman put all those scenarios on the table, and just doesn’t get tunnel vision. By that I mean becoming fixated on these college players. And this is just my opinion, we were all keyed up last year about Hayden and Sakura and a couple others. And now there are some other names being mentioned. Well, I like John Hayden but he’s not going to be Billy Guerin I guess. And Dylan Sakura in my mind will be back playing in house leagues with in five years. Now I know there will be people there will not agree with me and that is fine. If there are a couple of hockey trades to be made that will make this team better for now and the future hopefully Stan is all in even if it means giving up a couple of these prospects.
And as far as Rockford goes Matthew Highmore Probably should be the only one that should get a look.
- wonthecup10

Sikura has played a whopping 15-ish games in the NHL. Might be a bit early to make a judgement on him.
Josh Manson sucks BTW.

Same can be said about St.Louis. 2 months ago Yeo made Bouwmeester a healthy scratch and kept trotting out the industrial league goaltender Jake Allen who let in a couple of bad ones every night. Berube makes some adjustments, Binnington gives them some goaltending and the team takes off.

No matter what bloggers say, there is some value in these old warhorse Dmen who know how to play the game like Hainsey, Bouwmeeester, Girardi, Keith etc. if they get some support with the other 4 skaters playing the correct way.
- RickJ

Another good example of a team that struggled defensively getting better in a short period of time without a huge roster transition.

I think most people know the Hawks are a fringe playoff team. I think most know the weaknesses of the team. But most like the fact the team is playing hard and winning, albiet not playing correctly or with the necessary talent to be a cup contender. If they make the playoffs, the Hawks very likely won't win a round in fact they might not win a game but aren't you happy the team is playing hard enought to try to get into the playoffs?

So long as Bowman doesn't move prospects or draft picks to get into the playoffs I am fine with the team making the playoffs even though I know it's unlikely they make any noise.
- paulr

This.

I don’t care if they “blow” their chance at a lottery pick as long as they don’t sacrifice any current assets to get in the dance.

Sikura has played a whopping 15-ish games in the NHL. Might be a bit early to make a judgement on him.
Josh Manson sucks BTW.
- Elbows15

Nope. Sikura sucks. He's what, 28 years old?

Sikura has played a whopping 15-ish games in the NHL. Might be a bit early to make a judgement on him.
Josh Manson sucks BTW.
- Elbows15

Yes.

And meh. Sucks may be a bit harsh, but I wouldn’t give up much to get him.

Another good example of a team that struggled defensively getting better in a short period of time without a huge roster transition.
- -Doh-

Other than Tampa, Blues playing the best hockey of any team in the NHL right now.

And their reward will be a 1st round matchup with Nashville or Winnipeg.

It's to late for that. We've won to much and will miss out on a top 5 pick this year... Mind as well get the experience for Cat, Strome, etc.
- RedRevenge

Really? With 22 games left we are only 5 points from a tie for the 3rd overall pick the draft. We could make the playoffs or we could have a very very good draft pick. There is still a lot of hockey to play (25% of the season). Anything could happen. TDL moves could have a major effect on the bottom 15 teams too.

Yes.

And meh. Sucks may be a bit harsh, but I wouldn’t give up much to get him.
- Ogilthorpe2

Nobody ever gets a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression. Sikura failed the test, he should be dispatched to the ECHL immediately unless the Oilers were willing to take him.

Nope. Sikura sucks. He's what, 28 years old?
- mohel

35 I think

Maybe JC just figures they aren't going to fix this defense until training camp next season and decided to just outscore everyone. Genius if you ask me.
- Elbows15

He's definitely keeping his core superstars (those that seem to be the consensus "keepers") happier that way. I know they'd prefer to be winning going away every night, but despite their PR spin, some of them DO like those individual accolades and stats. Kane and DBC, especially.

Yes.

And meh. Sucks may be a bit harsh, but I wouldn’t give up much to get him.
- Ogilthorpe2

This year? Sucks is being generous. Now Montour? Him i would take. Stay away from Fowler. The guy gets caved in every time he is on the ice.

I agree. Its why he would be a shutdown center. We are getting caught in the semantics of what lines are called I think.
- Elbows15

I think Kampf is best suited as a 4C because he has little or no offense. Whether that makes him "the" shutdown center or not, he shouldn't be hamstringing the offensive potential of the 3rd line.

Nope. Sikura sucks. He's what, 28 years old?
- mohel

unimpressive was the word.....but not everyone can be Joakim Nordstrom

Other than Tampa, Blues playing the best hockey of any team in the NHL right now.

And their reward will be a 1st round matchup with Nashville or Winnipeg.
- RickJ

I hate to say this but the Blues would beat Nashville.

Another good example of a team that struggled defensively getting better in a short period of time without a huge roster transition.
- -Doh-

Blues roster was a lot better then the Hawks to start the year and Yeo is an awful coach. Not as bad as Q as though...…..

I hate to say this but the Blues would beat Nashville.
- Elbows15

I hate both teams but Nashville more so.

I think Kampf is best suited as a 4C because he has little or no offense. Whether that makes him "the" shutdown center or not, he shouldn't be hamstringing the offensive potential of the 3rd line.
- EbonyRaptor

Depends on how the coach chooses to deploy the lines. Kampf playing "4C" may actually have what would be considered 3C TOI. Its why I said we were getting caught in the semantics of how we call lines.

I think most people know the Hawks are a fringe playoff team. I think most know the weaknesses of the team. But most like the fact the team is playing hard and winning, albiet not playing correctly or with the necessary talent to be a cup contender. If they make the playoffs, the Hawks very likely won't win a round in fact they might not win a game but aren't you happy the team is playing hard enought to try to get into the playoffs?

So long as Bowman doesn't move prospects or draft picks to get into the playoffs I am fine with the team making the playoffs even though I know it's unlikely they make any noise.
- paulr

going to be tough to stand pat. Playoff gate for Rocky, and some would criticize the organization for standing pat and god forbid McDonough have to deal with that animal.

I hate both teams but Nashville more so.
- RickJ

I would just hope for massive injuries to both?

I think they have the shutdown center. Kampf.
- Elbows15

No they don't!!