Justin Lowe: Hawks Learn a New Trick
DE-FENCE… DE-FENCE… DE-FENCE.

I've been feeling like a broken record for most of the year when evaluating this Blackhawks team; they like to score goals but damn can they not keep them out.

Justin Lowe: Hawks Learn a New Trick

DE-FENCE… DE-FENCE… DE-FENCE.

I've been feeling like a broken record for most of the year when evaluating this Blackhawks team; they like to score goals but damn can they not keep them out.
- Justin Lowe

Great piece, TC! First btw!

I'm willing to cut Perlini some slack as well as Sikura. Perlini is finding his groove, and scoring. It always looked like his play was lazy and took shifts off. He always had good speed. He doesn't have to beat the crap out of guys along the boards, but just effectively use his bigger frame to shut guys down would be nice. Sikura has always fought along the boards, something AEL and I always praised him for. He was showing his vision and set-up skills last game. I never thought much of them in the hawks' future, but would love to be wrong about them.

I'm hoping my not watching the next two games means both will end in victories, and they play like they did against Dallas.

If Perlini can maintain how he's been playing and secure a spot in the lineup the trade for Schmaltz is going to go down as one of Bowman's best. Strome has really looked good after getting acclimitized for a few weeks. I'd love to see Perlini utilize his skating and shooting ability on a consistant basis and like you I'd like to see him engage physically using his body to rub guys out when battling for the puck. To begin with I'd like to see consistancy in his game and not revert back to when he arrived and played a lazy game with no purpose.

Last two games Phoenix had 27 and 39 hits respectively

Apparently they were stuck in traffic. Except Schmaltz contributed none!

Last two games Phoenix had 27 and 39 hits respectively

Apparently they were stuck in traffic. Except Schmaltz contributed none!
- jhawk59

Considering Schmaltz has been injured since December, not surprising he hasn't been contributing to hits...

I agree that the weak defense the Hawks exhibit is not solely based on personnel. It is scheme, coaching, forwards back checking and playing with discipline (not running all over the place). Most of all it is commitment. 2-1 games do not just happen. It is a mind set. Of course it does not happen without great goaltending.

Perlini may need to play with a good center (Strome) and good winger (ADB) for a few weeks to get him going and get his confidence back. So I hope they leave that line alone for a while. Bringing a new guy in and then having him play with different linemates and different roles is tough on a young player. I see similarities between Perlini and Saad. Their inconsistent effort. Also they are big and fast, but really not that physical. They have some offensive skills and will go to the net.

As I said last week, the Hawks are weak at center up and down the organization. I can see them bringing Kruger back at a low price, for 1 year, (without a NMC or NTC clause), as a 13th forward.

It cracks me up that posters want to bring in a veteran gritty forward that is a 200' player next year for the 3rd and 4th lines, and then they criticize Kunitz.

Savvy said...... "No, actually mohel, if you read paulr's reply, it was exactly that kind of post that has kept me away. JJ has moved on. And just like TC now, giving Blackhawk fans a place to "converse" about all aspects of the team is a good thing.

I didn't agree with everything JJ said. Nor did I believe every rumor but then again, rumors are just that, right?

It's not the fact that some may agree and some may not, more the issue of having old topics brought up again and again. Like the recent topic of JJ saying Debrincat wouldn't be successful, needed time in the A, had a bad attitude. OK, fine. He made a bad call on it. So be it, but then it gets hammered over and over and brought up again and again. Not enjoyable. At least not for me."


Well, you wrote that it is tiring if one doesn't fall in line with the everything is great narrative, which you clearly don't (and never have). That's an interesting take from somebody whose every post - for years - was about how Q was an idiot because of his use of Leddy. Now that's a narrative. One that lot's of people disagreed with. Should they have pouted and left? There are many negative narratives constantly revisited here. You don't complain about those, eh? Just the narratives that counter yours.

One point about the previous blogger - it has nothing to do with making a bad call; it is the manner in which he treated posters who disagreed with him. And the making up rumors thing.

Playoffs here we come!

Playoffs here we come!
- mohel

Maybe in 2020 or later.

when they hold a team to 2 or less they are on a 18 game point streak: 14-0-4 the problem is they have accomplished this in less than 1/3 of their games..

you have to conclude the stars game is the aberration; however that win vs the aves in dec was preceded by wins over the preds 2-1, and the stars 5-2. they had a similar 3 game streak in nov.

what is troubling is the aves game was almost 3 months ago and that's 3 additional months under JC and they have been very poor defensively since then; one might expect some improvement and and not a complete blow out

Maybe in 2020 or later.
- Flying Puck

I'd take 2020.

The way Perlini gets knocked down and off the puck tells me his lower half is weak. This man needs to dedicate himself to core and lower half work outs in the off season, he plays like he's 175 pounds.

The way Perlini gets knocked down and off the puck tells me his lower half is weak. This man needs to dedicate himself to core and lower half work outs in the off season, he plays like he's 175 pounds.
- BetweenTheDots

He's weak or his balance isn't good? Big difference. Remember Scott Hartnell? Always on his ass. Do you think he played like he was small?

The way Perlini gets knocked down and off the puck tells me his lower half is weak. This man needs to dedicate himself to core and lower half work outs in the off season, he plays like he's 175 pounds.
- BetweenTheDots

Just an observation, but the last few games I have seen many players falling all over the ice, most of them with no one around them. I wonder if the quality of ice is deteriorating as the season goes on, buildings not spending as much time keeping the ice is great condition. Or, is it Bettman parity?

Just an observation, but the last few games I have seen many players falling all over the ice, most of them with no one around them. I wonder if the quality of ice is deteriorating as the season goes on, buildings not spending as much time keeping the ice is great condition. Or, is it Bettman parity?
- powerenforcer

You know the answer.....

Looking forward to the Coyote game tonight. They play a good system. Saw them play Toronto a couple of weeks back and stifle that offence very well. Hawks have to be patient and beware the "counter-punch".

But, I REALLY am looking forward to the track-meet on Wednesday. Hawks vs leafs. No 2-1 game there. I am calling an over/under of 10.!!!

Not been a huge fan of Bowman moves in recent years, but Strome was a huge get, Perlini was icing on the cake. The Hawks have been so weak up the middle the last few years. With Toews, Strome and Kampf, it feels as though 3 slots are spoken for. Need to find a quality 3C (preferrably with some size and grit) if Anisomov is moved this offseason and probably still need one if he isn't moved.

Crawford played well and Murphy blocked seven shots. So those two had a good game. I don´t like new line combos..and I miss Caggiula a lot. Sikura is meh, Dahlström is meh and Forsling mostly is meh and soft.

What worries me about Perlini is that he needs to play a bit smarter. Nice to see him chip in some offense, but I'm not sold on him playing away from the puck. He reminds me a lot of Panik. Good size, fast, can shoot, will score when playing with good players and the rebounds and chances are there. Away from the puck....still a lot to be desired. Perlini is young and there is time for him to improve.

It would be great if the Hawks had Hossa around still, because I bet he would help some of these guys learn. I think just losing him as a resource at practice or on the bench was a negative when it comes to learning from his experience and example. I remember hearing how guys didn't like to battle Hossa at practice. (Also, I'm certain they would elevate their effort to try to best him)

Just to echo some of the other comments, they Hawks issues are not just personnel. It is willingness to pay the price to make the play and desire to go the extra distance. There are systemic issues in their play and it isn't just some guys.

Looking forward to the Coyote game tonight. They play a good system. Saw them play Toronto a couple of weeks back and stifle that offence very well. Hawks have to be patient and beware the "counter-punch".

But, I REALLY am looking forward to the track-meet on Wednesday. Hawks vs leafs. No 2-1 game there. I am calling an over/under of 10.!!!


- hawk35

I remember the previous game against the Yotes this year...Hawks played pretty well and lost because Arizona played them so tight and had sticks in all the lanes. Not many shot got through clean the whole night.

He's weak or his balance isn't good? Big difference. Remember Scott Hartnell? Always on his ass. Do you think he played like he was small?
- paulr

If he played like Scott I'd take it, but he doesn't right now. I'm 6'4 and had issues with skating, skiing, golf and the more i trained and worked out my lower half the better i got at all those sports. I see Perlini get bumped along the boards and he really struggles holding his position or goes down to the ice. With his size weight and training if he does train he should be a forward who imposes his will.

That's an interesting take from somebody whose every post - for years - was about how Q was an idiot because of his use of Leddy. Now that's a narrative.
- mohel

Thanks for making my point -- you see, you brought up Nick, not me.

I have moved on (long ago) and even so, when I posted about other aspects of the team, players, coaches, strategy, someone ALWAYS brought up Nick and attempted to turn the conversation into that avenue.

It's doubtful the team will see another "run" of Cups, the only regret there is they should have had more than 3 during this span. Then again, the Bears should have had more than 1 SB win and the Cubs more than 1 WS.

Thanks for making my point -- you see, you brought up Nick, not me.

I have moved on (long ago) and even so, when I posted about other aspects of the team, players, coaches, strategy, someone ALWAYS brought up Nick and attempted to turn the conversation into that avenue.

It's doubtful the team will see another "run" of Cups, the only regret there is they should have had more than 3 during this span. Then again, the Bears should have had more than 1 SB win and the Cubs more than 1 WS.
- savvyone-1

My point was - and I think you caught it - that you love narratives you agree with, and want to leave when you read narratives you think are wrong.

You are a narrative guy - you just reverted to a golden oldie narrative; that the Hawks should have won more than 3 Cups. A classic Board of Doom narrative. When people counter this narrative, you whine about narratives and want to leave.

If the season ends today, Hawks without taking in account the lotto ball drop would be slotted in at pick #8...Who's your horse?

Thanks for making my point -- you see, you brought up Nick, not me.

I have moved on (long ago) and even so, when I posted about other aspects of the team, players, coaches, strategy, someone ALWAYS brought up Nick and attempted to turn the conversation into that avenue.

It's doubtful the team will see another "run" of Cups, the only regret there is they should have had more than 3 during this span. Then again, the Bears should have had more than 1 SB win and the Cubs more than 1 WS.
- savvyone-1

Savvy, here's an alternative if you choose to stay, which is what I hope you choose because you're a good guy and add something to the board. Maybe just scroll past the posts of the posters whose sunny dispositions bother you.