I am believing that the Hawks defensive problems are not entirely personel related. Sure they could use an upgrade or two on defense and possibly some defensive shut down forwards, but many goals against the Hawks happen as a result of poor puck management ... turnovers ... resulting in goals in transition off the rush or wide open players ... as a result of turnover / puck management. The few times this year the Hawks played an entire game, defensively well, they managed to "gum up" the neutral zone. Maybe they should ease up on the high risk-high reward, run and gun style. I am not saying they should play a trap, but tweeks and adjustments in the scheme, might just cut down on those high danger chances that many occur because of turnovers and poor puck management. There is plenty of offense on this team as we know and good team defense will lead to even more offensive chances.

How would you like to be a Jackets fan right now?

Mortgage the future at the TDL. Scoring dries up thereafter. Tough schedule ahead. Good chance that your team does not make the playoffs. Half of your team potentially walks off July 1.
- 67hawks

Answer.......... Matt Duchene.
There has to be a correlation on why all his teams turn into losers.

If we are in full audition mode, What roles exactly are Seabs and Kunitz trying out for?
- Beaver-Warrior

Well Seabs I understand because he is under contract beyond this year, but Kunitz baffles me because he is clearly done. We should be auditioning prospects in his spot.

The only reason I can think of for playing Kunitz is to relay a message to potential UFAs. The message being that you will be treated with dignity if you sign on with this organization.

Well Seabs I understand because he is under contract beyond this year, but Kunitz baffles me because he is clearly done. We should be auditioning prospects in his spot.

The only reason I can think of for playing Kunitz is to relay a message to potential UFAs. The message being that you will be treated with dignity if you sign on with this organization.
- 67hawks

And given a NMC !!

Answer.......... Matt Duchene.
There has to be a correlation on why all his teams turn into losers.
- Hawkytalk

Duchene may regret his decision to not re-up with Ottawa when he had the chance. I think his value on the open market is taking a beating right now.
And if the Hawks have any thoughts about pursuing Dzingel, they should looking at how he adjusts away from the comfortable environment he had with his previous team. He could be a big gamble on a large deal.

Well Seabs I understand because he is under contract beyond this year, but Kunitz baffles me because he is clearly done. We should be auditioning prospects in his spot.

The only reason I can think of for playing Kunitz is to relay a message to potential UFAs. The message being that you will be treated with dignity if you sign on with this organization.
- 67hawks

Besides Johnson I don't think there are too many prospects worth auditioning in Rockford. Highmore needs to play in Rockford for a while, I could see him getting a long look at training camp.

I don't anticipate the Hawks signing any un-signed prospects (i.e. Mitchell, Kuraschev) for this season and it impacts the next expansion draft. They might be willing to sign a college free agent or European free agent for this season, that wouldn't surprise me.

Columbus definitely took a risk, but it's one I think they had to make. All they really gave up was a few draft picks and some unproven NHL talent or prospects.

If it looks like some of the pending UFAs won't sign they can flip them for draft picks before July 1. Although they won't be great draft picks.

At least the Jackets showed their fan base they are serious about winning and they are willing to go all-in.
- DarthKane

I like the logic behind what you said, especially the winning culture, but just playing devil's advocate ... who will trade picks and prospects for players a month away from free agency day and contributed nothing to the team after being traded?

Duchene may regret his decision to not re-up with Ottawa when he had the chance. I think his value on the open market is taking a beating right now.
And if the Hawks have any thoughts about pursuing Dzingel, they should looking at how he adjusts away from the comfortable environment he had with his previous team. He could be a big gamble on a large deal.
- 67hawks

Duchene will be fine. Many GMs lose their intellegence at the TDL and on July 1. Bank on a GM overpaying for Duchene both in terms of cobtract and term.

Thank you for sending it...
- TrueGrit

Hahahaha! No problem, just glad you're giving it a run for its money. It will cost you a third round pick btw.

Duchene may regret his decision to not re-up with Ottawa when he had the chance. I think his value on the open market is taking a beating right now.
And if the Hawks have any thoughts about pursuing Dzingel, they should looking at how he adjusts away from the comfortable environment he had with his previous team. He could be a big gamble on a large deal.
- 67hawks

Duchene will still hit the jackpot at free agency and he can go back to Ottawa if he wants to. Although I think the Sens have moved on (just my guess).

I'd be ok with the Hawks signing Dzingel as long as the term and dollars aren't excessive. I would rather the Hawks focus on the specific areas of weakness - defense and PK.

Tanev and Sheahan would be good additions for the bottom 6 and PK, again if the term and dollars are reasonable. If I had to pick only one I'd target Tanev.

There aren't many quality depth free agency defensemen the Hawks can sign without breaking the bank. Maybe Patrik Nemeth. I think the Hawks will have to upgrade their defense via the trade market rather than free agency.

Duchene may regret his decision to not re-up with Ottawa when he had the chance. I think his value on the open market is taking a beating right now.
And if the Hawks have any thoughts about pursuing Dzingel, they should looking at how he adjusts away from the comfortable environment he had with his previous team. He could be a big gamble on a large deal.
- 67hawks

Supposedly Ottawa thinks they have a good chance of signing Duchene. He liked the area, took out an ad saying what a wonderful time he had playing with the team, and Ottawa definitely has the cap space and needs to spend to at least get to the cap floor.

Duchene may regret his decision to not re-up with Ottawa when he had the chance. I think his value on the open market is taking a beating right now.
And if the Hawks have any thoughts about pursuing Dzingel, they should looking at how he adjusts away from the comfortable environment he had with his previous team. He could be a big gamble on a large deal.
- 67hawks

I've got no issue with them pursuing Dzingel as long as they take the entire picture into account. He was having a career year before the trade. The fact that he came back down to Earth is to be expected. As long as the contract is appropriate, He is a solid pickup.

Answer.......... Matt Duchene.
There has to be a correlation on why all his teams turn into losers.
- Hawkytalk

Watch Stan acquire him for a massive contract!!!

Looked like Kampf was matched against Eichel most of the night and did a good job.

I'm not sure Colliton and the players have allowed themselves to realize they are in audition mode yet. I wouldn't expect the players to because they're programmed to try to win every game, as they should be. But Colliton appears to be of that mindset too because moving the players around in the lineup could just as easily be trying something different to spark the team than it is audition mode. The fact that Kunitz played and Sikura didn't seems more of a winning this game is important thing than an audition thing. Although maybe Colliton doesn't want to lose the room by prioritizing auditions over winning?

From seeing the game, he was trying to match Kampf against Eichel, and maybe thought he would have a better chance of Kampf succeeding with Kunitz than with Sikura.

I'm not sure Colliton and the players have allowed themselves to realize they are in audition mode yet. I wouldn't expect the players to because they're programmed to try to win every game, as they should be. But Colliton appears to be of that mindset too because moving the players around in the lineup could just as easily be trying something different to spark the team than it is audition mode. The fact that Kunitz played and Sikura didn't seems more of a winning this game is important thing than an audition thing. Although maybe Colliton doesn't want to lose the room by prioritizing auditions over winning?
- EbonyRaptor

Who is concerned about the long term trajectory of the team? I'd argue it's not the coach but the GM. Like the players a coach is concerned about the day to day success of his team and only concern himself of future games if rest or injuries factor into his roster decisions. I think it's up to Bowman to tell Coliton to begin 'auditions' be they personnel or tactics and strategies in nature.

I am believing that the Hawks defensive problems are not entirely personel related. Sure they could use an upgrade or two on defense and possibly some defensive shut down forwards, but many goals against the Hawks happen as a result of poor puck management ... turnovers ... resulting in goals in transition off the rush or wide open players ... as a result of turnover / puck management. The few times this year the Hawks played an entire game, defensively well, they managed to "gum up" the neutral zone. Maybe they should ease up on the high risk-high reward, run and gun style. I am not saying they should play a trap, but tweeks and adjustments in the scheme, might just cut down on those high danger chances that many occur because of turnovers and poor puck management. There is plenty of offense on this team as we know and good team defense will lead to even more offensive chances.
- chuckdahammer

Agreed...Gus made some HORRIFIC passes in his own zone last night. And while they weren't all turnovers, they weren't all able to be handled either. Q loved area passes, Gus can't even find the area. They were either behind, ahead or just a straight up giveaway.

The other thing is, it seems a lot of the time, all 3 forwards end up really deep and the puck is turned over causing 3-2 and 2-1 breaks. Where's the layering? That happened a lot in the 3rd period yesterday, especially on Buffalo's goal.

Who is concerned about the long term trajectory of the team? I'd argue it's not the coach but the GM. Like the players a coach is concerned about the day to day success of his team and only concern himself of future games if rest or injuries factor into his roster decisions. I think it's up to Bowman to tell Coliton to begin 'auditions' be they personnel or tactics and strategies in nature.
- paulr

I think he has, putting Perlini with Strome/Cat and Hayden on the top line. Maybe they are starting to audition who's here and then as they get closer to the end of the season (and they are TRULY out of it), that's when you get the callups and players like Kunitz, Hayden and possibly Seabrook sit.

From seeing the game, he was trying to match Kampf against Eichel, and maybe thought he would have a better chance of Kampf succeeding with Kunitz than with Sikura.
- LAHawk

He's been a solid bottom 6 addition.

Who is concerned about the long term trajectory of the team? I'd argue it's not the coach but the GM. Like the players a coach is concerned about the day to day success of his team and only concern himself of future games if rest or injuries factor into his roster decisions. I think it's up to Bowman to tell Coliton to begin 'auditions' be they personnel or tactics and strategies in nature.
- paulr

But isn't the coach also responsible for helping younger players grow? I mean there is a lot of talk on the bench and ice during play between vets and young players, but the coach, is in a sense, developing players. JC is always talking with players, but gives more ice duties and more time for getting young players acclimated. Joki was tasked with shutting down McDavid, and LA pointed out that Kampf was matched against Eichel. Both did well. I know the NHL isn't a development league, but I think coaches still have long term trajectory jobs.

From seeing the game, he was trying to match Kampf against Eichel, and maybe thought he would have a better chance of Kampf succeeding with Kunitz than with Sikura.
- LAHawk

Good point.

But isn't the coach also responsible for helping younger players grow? I mean there is a lot of talk on the bench and ice during play between vets and young players, but the coach, is in a sense, developing players. JC is always talking with players, but gives more ice duties and more time for getting young players acclimated. Joki was tasked with shutting down McDavid, and LA pointed out that Kampf was matched against Eichel. Both did well. I know the NHL isn't a development league, but I think coaches still have long term trajectory jobs.
- I Am The Breadman

That is an interesting question because it could be argued, and I would even argue, for and against at the NHL level. Other than learning specific systems is the NHL where you want players to be taught ? Or is that what the minors are for? On the other hand when a team is rebuilding can it be done at the NHL level?

I am believing that the Hawks defensive problems are not entirely personel related. Sure they could use an upgrade or two on defense and possibly some defensive shut down forwards, but many goals against the Hawks happen as a result of poor puck management ... turnovers ... resulting in goals in transition off the rush or wide open players ... as a result of turnover / puck management. The few times this year the Hawks played an entire game, defensively well, they managed to "gum up" the neutral zone. Maybe they should ease up on the high risk-high reward, run and gun style. I am not saying they should play a trap, but tweeks and adjustments in the scheme, might just cut down on those high danger chances that many occur because of turnovers and poor puck management. There is plenty of offense on this team as we know and good team defense will lead to even more offensive chances.
- chuckdahammer

Well said! Even with the current personnel this team should be able to play a much defense. If they had a legitimate defensive scheme (that they are currently lacking), someone who can coach it and require it (Collition?), players that buy into it and are committed to it (??) or be traded or sent to the Rock (Stan).

Of course adding a good defensive dman and shut down forwards would speed up the process.

Agreed...Gus made some HORRIFIC passes in his own zone last night. And while they weren't all turnovers, they weren't all able to be handled either. Q loved area passes, Gus can't even find the area. They were either behind, ahead or just a straight up giveaway.

The other thing is, it seems a lot of the time, all 3 forwards end up really deep and the puck is turned over causing 3-2 and 2-1 breaks. Where's the layering? That happened a lot in the 3rd period yesterday, especially on Buffalo's goal.
- CanOCorn

You bring up a great point about the layering. I didn't consider that but should have.
Have the feeling that Colliton might realize this too and would not be surprised to see some adjustments to the system when training camp starts next season. He seems like a coach who is constantly thinking of ways to get better. Plus he will have a better handle on the personel and know what they can and can't do. They have all made defensive mistakes but Gus seems to really stand out with his errors. One thing that I have noticed the defense do more ... that they did not do under Q ... is to use the body to position / box out opponents more in front of the net. Q was so intent on the stick check, which is vital too .... but their comes time where body positioning is more important