Justin Lowe: Transition Year for Blackhawks Going According to Plan
The Blackhawks will never admit that they are happy with their club's performance this year. The Hawks are falling out of the playoff run and their position in the standings isn't a shock.

The Hawks were not a good team last year; so for Stan Bowman to go out and sign Ward, Manning and Kunitz and think that, along with the progression of his younger players that this was a "winning" team.

For me, there is a lot to like about what has happened this year. There are also some very troubling signs. Below is my top 3 in both.

Nice read Justin! The D is the key. Until something happens there, the rest is moot.

I’d say that’s a pretty fair assessment, although I’d say Delia regressed over the arc of his call-up. The last few appearances were pretty sub-par.

I’d be interested in your opinion of Jeremy Colliton so far.

the february win streak was the aberration and pretender...even as they were winning catalyzed by their pp and high octane top 6; everything else about this team remain unchanged: a dreadful defensive team and PK.

you can count on this team giving up 3 or more goals every game; someway they will beat themselves despite the offensive fireworks of kane, cat, toews, strome and gus

i don't expect anything to change for the remaining 16 games other than more losses as the energy and psychological mojo of this team will dissipate...

I’d say that’s a pretty fair assessment, although I’d say Delia regressed over the arc of his call-up. The last few appearances were pretty sub-par.

I’d be interested in your opinion of Jeremy Colliton so far.
- scottak

i agree...but as young goalie facing the barrage of shots and high quality chances i think he began to take on to much with a sense he had to be perfect every game

great experience for him and he will learn and get better...

i agree...but as young goalie facing the barrage of shots and high quality chances i think he began to take on to much with a sense he had to be perfect every game

great experience for him and he will learn and get better...
- bogiedoc

It's partly the shots against and partly scouting. You never really know what a new goalie will be like until he's played at least a full season. This allows for intensive scouting to understand the goalies strengths and weaknesses. This time next year we'll have a better understanding if Delia is an NHL calibre goalie or not.

It's partly the shots against and partly scouting. You never really know what a new goalie will be like until he's played at least a full season. This allows for intensive scouting to understand the goalies strengths and weaknesses. This time next year we'll have a better understanding if Delia is an NHL calibre goalie or not.
- paulr

i agree with you...we have seen many a young goalie come in and be outstanding for 1/2 - to full season and then the league catches up...

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl/pick_odds

The only thing left to look forward to for this season.

I don't know about this "playoff birth" that you speak of but they have been laying a lot of eggs lately.

I don't know about this "playoff birth" that you speak of but they have been laying a lot of eggs lately.
- 67hawks

Oh, I see what you did there....you silly guy....



But, seriously, play the young guys....bring up some Rockford guys for a look....and tank the last 20. Still an outside shot at a Top 5 pick. Don't hold back....go for it!!!

Who will end up coaching more games for the Blackhawks. Denis Savard (147 games - no playoffs)or Jeremy Colliton (51 games so far)?

I like Jeremy. But so far his contribution to the Hawks was putting the right 5 guys on the PP. No other part of the Hawks' game has improved. The defensive structure looks like a Chinese fire drill. Maybe it is all personnel. I am willing to give Stan time to retool the roster this summer. (He has made some good moves recently.) I am willing to give Jeremy a better roster and a full training camp. But by this time next year if he sticks with the man-to-man system and the D does not improve drastically Jeremy needs to go.

Not sold on Delia yet. May be the answer. Maybe not. Best situation is Crow plays 66% of the games next year and Delia 33%.

I like Forsberg's style better than Delia. I find his transition to the NHL similar to Crow. Slow! Mainly mental.

Look for a dark horse to compete for a roster spot next year and the year after. Nalimov? Lankinen? Gravel?

Love the fact that some keep thinking a "training camp" solves implementing some sort of new defensive system

That...and then how people want a 4th line like Vegas, for instance. How many young players/rookies are on a good teams 4th line? Answer is...not many. They're made up of vets like Wingels or Kunitz "type" players. Because good coaches (like Q, Trotz, Gallant, etc) know what to expect from vets like that and those vets know their role of 10-12 min a night is important versus younger players/rookies still trying to find their way in the NHL

Yet, when Q or whoever plays the vets in that role, people cry and whine that they'd rather have some young kid in there.

As far as Kampf, he needs a helluva lot more compete and fire in him if he wants to be a good 3rd-4th line center. While Kruger never lit the lamp, and shouldnt make more than 1mil, his compete level is near the top. Dont see any of that out of Kampf, dont miss him one bit while hes been out. He's the new Dennis Rasmussen.

I agree was disappointed Forsberg was not given a shot at the start of the year after a decent camp . Hope he is resigned

Who will end up coaching more games for the Blackhawks. Denis Savard (147 games - no playoffs)or Jeremy Colliton (51 games so far)?

I like Jeremy. But so far his contribution to the Hawks was putting the right 5 guys on the PP. No other part of the Hawks' game has improved. The defensive structure looks like a Chinese fire drill. Maybe it is all personnel. I am willing to give Stan time to retool the roster this summer. (He has made some good moves recently.) I am willing to give Jeremy a better roster and a full training camp. But by this time next year if he sticks with the man-to-man system and the D does not improve drastically Jeremy needs to go.
- -Doh-

I don't think it's a "maybe".

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl/pick_odds

The only thing left to look forward to for this season.
- Rota's Rooter

They should be able to jump behind Vancouver. Anything more than that will be tough. But that’ll slot them 6th!

the february win streak was the aberration and pretender...even as they were winning catalyzed by their pp and high octane top 6; everything else about this team remain unchanged: a dreadful defensive team and PK.

you can count on this team giving up 3 or more goals every game; someway they will beat themselves despite the offensive fireworks of kane, cat, toews, strome and gus

i don't expect anything to change for the remaining 16 games other than more losses as the energy and psychological mojo of this team will dissipate...
- bogiedoc

That win streak was a great thing, it shows what the team is capable of, albeit not consistently. It should provide a starting point to build from and it showed the top 6 and PP are not the long term issue.

The picture has become more clear, I'm looking forward to seeing how the Hawks address their team needs in the off-season.

I agree was disappointed Forsberg was not given a shot at the start of the year after a decent camp . Hope he is resigned
- oldduffman

He didn't earn the opportunity, Crawford, Ward and Delia are all better than him. I'm fine with Forsberg signed as AHL depth, but he hasn't shown he's ready for NHL duty.

Who will end up coaching more games for the Blackhawks. Denis Savard (147 games - no playoffs)or Jeremy Colliton (51 games so far)?

I like Jeremy. But so far his contribution to the Hawks was putting the right 5 guys on the PP. No other part of the Hawks' game has improved. The defensive structure looks like a Chinese fire drill. Maybe it is all personnel. I am willing to give Stan time to retool the roster this summer. (He has made some good moves recently.) I am willing to give Jeremy a better roster and a full training camp. But by this time next year if he sticks with the man-to-man system and the D does not improve drastically Jeremy needs to go.
- -Doh-

Anybody know how the Rockford teams under JC were defensively compared to the rest of the AHL?

We are DOOMED to 20 years near the bottom of the league? No Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook or Hossa anywhere in sight. Hope you enjoyed the ride (many here seemed not to), it won't be back soon.

Who will end up coaching more games for the Blackhawks. Denis Savard (147 games - no playoffs)or Jeremy Colliton (51 games so far)?

I like Jeremy. But so far his contribution to the Hawks was putting the right 5 guys on the PP. No other part of the Hawks' game has improved. The defensive structure looks like a Chinese fire drill. Maybe it is all personnel. I am willing to give Stan time to retool the roster this summer. (He has made some good moves recently.) I am willing to give Jeremy a better roster and a full training camp. But by this time next year if he sticks with the man-to-man system and the D does not improve drastically Jeremy needs to go.
- -Doh-

Not to worry, Stan has his eyes on a guy coaching Poprad in the Slovakian Hockey League. He’s next up after JC.

But Justin would you trade Gus just to exchange a few spots up.in round one, say from a #8 - 10 to a #6. Overall It will take something signifucant to move up a few spots..

The idea is if you can then select the one forward whom stands out and this forward projects as part of your future top six. I know a few months ago wiz said it is the top six stand apart. I know we need a fiesty power forward type with descent size ideally in our top six. It is difficult to trade a weaoon like Gus. This trade could result in a player moves into the third line whom.has been used in the top six previously - example Saad.

Anybody know how the Rockford teams under JC were defensively compared to the rest of the AHL?
- RaleighHawk

Not sure - I'm sure it's on the interweb somewhere - but JC was the coach last year when they went to the finals.

I don't think it's a "maybe".
- paulr

Key word is "all". Personnel is definitely part of the problem But not 100%. The system may not be suitable for the NHL also. Maybe 50/50.

Key word is "all". Personnel is definitely part of the problem But not 100%. The system may not be suitable for the NHL also. Maybe 50/50.
- -Doh-

Well, the "personnel" doesn't seem too committed to defense. They'd be much improved if they were.