Blue jackets go all in at the deadline & since can’t win a game
- Colbyboy

Convinced "All In" is small tweaks to push an already great team over the top. Hawks getting Vermette is one example, Penguins getting Justin Shultz for basically nothing proved to be a valuable piece on their blueline.

Neither Vermette or Shultz were the sexy flavor of the days, but they were monster factors in their teams title runs.

IF ONLY Stan coulda gotten Vermette in 2014.

Looks like the Jets will take that one 5 - 2 --- not a really great place to be if you are Columbus (standings-wise).

For all of the Duchene-Dzingel talk on here several weeks back, frankly I don't know that those guys were ever actually game-changers - but rather more over-hyped blog-talker fodder for the rumours' blogs.

I think that it takes a system, and you can't just patch it together and call it good - like a baseball team adding a home-run slugger ... it is way more nuanced and integrated.

But I guess the Jackets though that they could dominate some headlines -and call it good. Doesn't appear to be working yet. My guess is that it is too late.
- SC116

Duchene and Dzingel are great forwards, but they don’t address the immediate needs in Chicago. The Hawks need defense-first forwards for the bottom 6 and PK. An argument could be make that a forward like Duchene would push somebody, like Kahun, into the bottom 6 which is an improvement. While that may be true I would still prefer going the true bottom 6 forward route.

Best time of the sports year is upon us! Final 5 weeks of the NHL season and 16 team playoffs is by far the most entertaining sporting tournament IMO. Add in MLB, NBA Playoffs....

Some excellent games on with WPGvCBJ & Trashville in Minnesota. I wonder if the Hawks show up to play tonight??

Anybody see a projected Hawks lineup?
- EnzoD

Yes. But the surprise is better theatre.

so how fast will the sharks be up 2 - 0; 5 min, 7 min, 10 min vs a team that seems to always start the game about 20 minutes late...

Duchene and Dzingel are great forwards, but they don’t address the immediate needs in Chicago. The Hawks need defense-first forwards for the bottom 6 and PK. An argument could be make that a forward like Duchene would push somebody, like Kahun, into the bottom 6 which is an improvement. While that may be true I would still prefer going the true bottom 6 forward route.
- DarthKane

They're okay forwards. Both have a tendency to bleed shots against. Hawks don't need more of those guys. Its covered.

so how fast will the sharks be up 2 - 0; 5 min, 7 min, 10 min vs a team that seems to always start the game about 20 minutes late...
- bogiedoc

Depends on when the Hawks take their 1st penalty.

Mark Lazerus
‏ @MarkLazerus

New Blackhawks lineup:

Kunitz-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Saad-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Sikura

Keith-Gustafsson
Forsling-Seabrook
Dahlstrom-Murphy

Ward
Crawford

kunitz on the top line...

ward starts

Mark Lazerus
‏ @MarkLazerus

New Blackhawks lineup:

Kunitz-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Saad-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Sikura

Keith-Gustafsson
Forsling-Seabrook
Dahlstrom-Murphy

Ward
Crawford

kunitz on the top line...

ward starts
- bogiedoc

That's odd!

3rd line is looking pretty decent as a result. JC kinda going with a 1-2 combo on each line, with some filler for the 3rd slot.

Do or die time now for the Hawks. If they don't get onto a run winning about 8 out of the next 10, then it ain't happening. Making it in is getting extremely unlikely now.

Blue jackets go all in at the deadline & since can’t win a game
- Colbyboy

Could it be a case of needing to fail insofar as a new approach by players and accepting a system - or even coaching philosophy change in system type. Spurs them onwards late late season or first round of playoffs?

Maybe.

Btw does.Panarin like golf too? World Championship coming up too. But Blue Jackets post mortem won't be all on him
.
Yes then both Torts and.Keklainen heads roll

Mark Lazerus
‏ @MarkLazerus

New Blackhawks lineup:

Kunitz-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Saad-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Sikura

Keith-Gustafsson
Forsling-Seabrook
Dahlstrom-Murphy

Ward
Crawford

kunitz on the top line...

ward starts
- bogiedoc

Chris Kunitz was a force next to Crosby for many years. If he can forecheck and go to the net, maybe? Doubt those forward lines last all game.

Mark Lazerus
‏ @MarkLazerus

New Blackhawks lineup:

Kunitz-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Saad-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Sikura

Keith-Gustafsson
Forsling-Seabrook
Dahlstrom-Murphy

Ward
Crawford

kunitz on the top line...

ward starts
- bogiedoc

Koekkoek sits. He was bad too often vs .Kings

Mark Lazerus
‏ @MarkLazerus

New Blackhawks lineup:

Kunitz-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Saad-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Sikura

Keith-Gustafsson
Forsling-Seabrook
Dahlstrom-Murphy

Ward
Crawford

kunitz on the top line...

ward starts
- bogiedoc

Kunitz on the top line is chicken poop. What the (frank) has he done to deserve this? Colliton is a buffoon

Kunitz on the 1st line.... Seriously WTF!??

Kunitz on the 1st line.... Seriously WTF!??
- BGKarras

I'm holding my tongue in case he has a good outing, but I'm ready to jump on JC if he sucks, haha!!

Kunitz on the 1st line.... Seriously WTF!??
- BGKarras

Guess all the Q bashers who said Kunitz was Q's idea look pretty silly now.

I'm holding my tongue in case he has a good outing, but I'm ready to jump on JC if he sucks, haha!!
- I Am The Breadman

Come on Bread. go for it.

both team having trouble completing passes that could have lead to nice chances

I'm holding my tongue in case he has a good outing, but I'm ready to jump on JC if he sucks, haha!!
- I Am The Breadman

Sorry Breadman but Kunitz is just occupying space. Kunitz 5to6 years ago possibly. I would rather see what the young guys can do. Alas I am thankful that we have committed to the Tanking 😉

Come on Bread. go for it.
- kwolf68

Hahaha, I'm playing the waiting game (crazy, I know), then I'm unleashing the flood gates!

Guess all the Q bashers who said Kunitz was Q's idea look pretty silly now.
- kwolf68

Wolf that narrative has me shaking my head. I guess Bettman had a say in this decision... 🤣

Sorry Breadman but Kunitz is just occupying space. Kunitz 5to6 years ago possibly. I would rather see what the young guys can do. Alas I am thankful that we have committed to the Tanking 😉
- BGKarras

As far as young guys, I just want to see Highmore at forward and Hillman and Carlson at defense. I'm not expecting much, but would love to be pleasantly surprised.

I think this is accidental tanking......

I'm holding my tongue in case he has a good outing, but I'm ready to jump on JC if he sucks, haha!!
- I Am The Breadman

After yesterday who didn't expect changes? Caligula worked so there is some logic to it. Plus he rewarded Perlini for showing up for game.

iMO, Its actually good coaching. If you're gonna bench a guy for his (frank) up, you should reward them for having a pulse.

I’ve seen enough of Kunitz experiment to end it! Please just put Saad up there Jeremy.

a blue line turnover that didn't end up in the night...

a blue line turnover that didn't end up in the night...
- bogiedoc

Twice, both by Kunitz.