6 days off plus the bugaboo of jet lag. The first period might find them struggling to discover their legs. Wait for it!!! SJS in NSH tomorrow nite. If SJS loses, their record will sink to 0-4-0. If they win, they still aren't going to be an amenable bunch. Should potentially make Thursday a nite to remember. Go Hawks!
- gabriel

Great point Gabriel. Although that amount of time should be used to figure out lines that actually have chemistry , fix the power play and light a fire under these defenseman to defend .

Practice lines today. Don't look if you were hoping for a big shake-up in the lines. At least Murphy is back in it.

Nylander-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Kampf-Kubalik
Caggiula-Carpenter-Smith

Keith-Gustafsson
Maatta-Seabrook
Koekkoek-Murphy

Also this from Powers:

Blackhawks announce de Haan will not practice today due to groin treatment.

Practice lines today. Don't look if you were hoping for a big shake-up in the lines. At least Murphy is back in it.

Nylander-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Kampf-Kubalik
Caggiula-Carpenter-Smith

Keith-Gustafsson
Maatta-Seabrook
Koekkoek-Murphy
- Chunk

I don't know if it was a line combo issue Game 1 as much as an effort issue based on what I watched.

Practice lines today. Don't look if you were hoping for a big shake-up in the lines. At least Murphy is back in it.

Nylander-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Kampf-Kubalik
Caggiula-Carpenter-Smith

Keith-Gustafsson
Maatta-Seabrook
Koekkoek-Murphy
- Chunk

This is starting to annoy me...

If.

If not for an incredibly fortuitous bounce off of Koekkoek, a ridiculously nonsensical delay of game call, and a stupid retaliatory penalty taken by the person most likely to do such stupid things, they’d have likely won...or at least gone to OT.

We can play the IF game all day.
- Ogilthorpe2

So Shaw should have let the guy keep pounding away at Dinky? (frank) that. The penalty was fine.

I don't know if it was a line combo issue Game 1 as much as an effort issue based on what I watched.
- nickmo2699

I don't think it was a line combo issue either. The whole team was pretty ineffective. The first goal off of a turnover put them on their heels a bit, and the third goal did the same. They didn't look really engaged until about 8 minutes left in the 3rd. No matter who is in the line-up you won't win like that.

Practice lines today. Don't look if you were hoping for a big shake-up in the lines. At least Murphy is back in it.

Nylander-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Kampf-Kubalik
Caggiula-Carpenter-Smith

Keith-Gustafsson
Maatta-Seabrook
Koekkoek-Murphy
- Chunk

JC was like a blender during the game mixing up lines like a mad man at times .

So what does he do when the team resumes practice after playing flat for most of the game, he stays with the same lines.

I thought Dach traveled with the team? If he did was it more for bonding then anything else as to why they brought the kid along.

Practice lines today. Don't look if you were hoping for a big shake-up in the lines. At least Murphy is back in it.

Nylander-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Kampf-Kubalik
Caggiula-Carpenter-Smith

Keith-Gustafsson
Maatta-Seabrook
Koekkoek-Murphy
- Chunk

JC was like a blender during the game mixing up lines like a mad man at times .

So what does he do when the team resumes practice after playing flat for most of the game, he stays with the same lines.

I thought Dach traveled with the team? If he did was it more for bonding then anything else as to why they brought the kid along.

I think that’s what we’re looking at - which makes it even more critical for JC to get the pairings and deployments right.
- Chief4Feathers

Agree, in lieu of having a true #1 anymore (Keith is default the #1 on this team but doesn't play consistently like one), the next best thing is to get the pairings right, allocate ice time efficiently, and play within a system. Seems simple but it remains to be seen if Colliton, staff, and players can get this done.

Also this from Powers:

Blackhawks announce de Haan will not practice today due to groin treatment.
- Chunk

Lovely. Just lovely.

Lovely. Just lovely.
- gabriel

Nothing new. He tweaked it last week.

So Shaw should have let the guy keep pounding away at Dinky? (frank) that. The penalty was fine.
- Elbows15

Really not even sure how that is a penalty... especially in light of the fact Dcat was being cross check in the back of the head while lying on the ice. The refs clearly see both occur. One is ok but the other is a penalty?

This is why NHL officiating continues to be a complete joke. If the NHL cares about player safety then the post whistle cross checks to the back of players neck/head have to be called.

Great point mohel.. I think the culture that has been created over the years if we all remember when Chicago was winning they at many times cane out flat or shortly after drifting through periods only to turn things around late in the games and win.

Toews , Keith, Seabrook, Kane all have winning pedigrees however I'm just wondering if their past habits have crept into the lockeroom


Also who does Chicago have in the lockeroom that can truly speak out that is normally quiet but brings truth to his voice.
- Taylorst1

Last year was Cam Ward, i would guess this year would be Shaw? Murphy?

So if Keith, deHaan, Murphy, Maatta all play like 3/4 defensemen, and Seabrook and Gus can play like legitimate NHL 5/6 - that could work nicely with better forward support and the kind of goalie play we expect.

Certainly a defined top-2 pairing would be nice - and necessary to compete for a Cup - but baby steps - get a defensive Corp working at a good consistent positionally-responsible level with forward support, and you’ve got a playoff-contending team.
- StLBravesFan

Yes, forward support is critical which is ideally part of any defensive system.

Being a competitive team is possible without a true #1 or even both a #1 and #2. Vegas has done it in their first two seasons with all players F and D dedicated to systems, playing whistle to whistle and attacking in waves in both ends.

The Vegas blueline is comprised of 2nd and 3rd pair players. Theodore is the closest to a 1st pair, iMO. I could be wrong, though, as I don't follow them that closely.

Also this from Powers:

Blackhawks announce de Haan will not practice today due to groin treatment.
- Chunk

EDIT: Calvin DeHaan games played per season over his NHL Career...


51, 65, 72, 82, 33, 74

If.

If not for an incredibly fortuitous bounce off of Koekkoek, a ridiculously nonsensical delay of game call, and a stupid retaliatory penalty taken by the person most likely to do such stupid things, they’d have likely won...or at least gone to OT.

We can play the IF game all day.
- Ogilthorpe2

Seriously that was good penalty taken by Shaw finally someone willing to do something other than watch his teammate get his a$$ kicked. Stop your moaning

Also this from Powers:

Blackhawks announce de Haan will not practice today due to groin treatment.
- Chunk

Meh, no big deal. I treat my groin almost everyday - sometimes twice.

Yes, forward support is critical which is ideally part of any defensive system.

Being a competitive team is possible without a true #1 or even both a #1 and #2. Vegas has done it in their first two seasons with all players F and D dedicated to systems, playing whistle to whistle and attacking in waves in both ends.

The Vegas blueline is comprised of 2nd and 3rd pair players. Theodore is the closest to a 1st pair, iMO. I could be wrong, though, as I don't follow them that closely.
- AEL_Fox

Vegas used dump and chase on the offensive side when stuffed in the NZ, had a non-stop forecheck from all four lines, and their defense were not reliant exclusively on the poke check.

Unless and until these three elements become part of the Hawks' game it is just going to be more of the same.

This D group just screams softness. Can't imagine a single top six forward in the NHL not drooling to play against the Hawks.

Murphy and DeHaan are better than Gilbert and Koo Koo, but let's be honest - their presence in the starting lineup is hardly in push the team over the top territory, unless the threshold you are pushing over is from AHL player to average NHL player.

This is once again a team built on a weak budget that got marginally better (on paper), and has a few nice prospects a season or two yet away.

So, to summarize, these are the HB excuses for the Hawk's 1st game performance:

.perennial all-stars deHaan & Murphy are out of the lineup due to injuries
.the ice was way too slow in Prague
.training camp was too short to fully implement the systems
.the team has too may new faces to be able to implement the systems
.long flight to Europe for the first game
.jet lag from the difficult travel
.Keith is too old
.the defensive parings are wrong
.Perlini is not focused/committed enough
.Kampf sucks
.Dach is out with injury
.bad puck luck

SJ is coming in with an 0-3 record, and a -9 goal differential. The Hawks should be able to win the home opener. Unless:

.the stress of the home opener gets to the team
.all the new faces are intimidated by Cornelison's anthem singing
.jet-lagged from the return trip
.SJ tries real hard to turn their poor start around

So, to summarize, these are the HB excuses for the Hawk's 1st game performance:

.perennial all-stars deHaan & Murphy are out of the lineup due to injuries
.the ice was way too slow in Prague
.training camp was too short to fully implement the systems
.the team has too may new faces to be able to implement the systems
.long flight to Europe for the first game
.jet lag from the difficult travel
.Keith is too old
.the defensive parings are wrong
.Perlini is not focused/committed enough
.Kampf sucks
.Dach is out with injury
.bad puck luck

SJ is coming in with an 0-3 record, and a -9 goal differential. The Hawks should be able to win the home opener. Unless:

.the stress of the home opener gets to the team
.all the new faces are intimidated by Cornelison's anthem singing
.jet-lagged from the return trip
.SJ tries real hard to turn their poor start around
- scottak

There is 3 more days until the next game, there will be much more reasons conjured up

SJ is coming in with an 0-3 record, and a -9 goal differential. The Hawks should be able to win the home opener. Unless:


- scottak

Ackbar game written all over it.

Nothing new. He tweaked it last week.
- Elbows15

Only concern would be the Hawks preferring him to dress, due to a lack of realistic alternatives at this moment. But, relatively certain they wouldn't rush the guy? I'd much prefer losing him another 2-4 games now, than an entire month later down the road.

Last year was Cam Ward, i would guess this year would be Shaw? Murphy?
- LAHawk

Was going to say the same thing that it was Ward last year that ripped the team a new one for playing like sh!t. This year I would agree Shaw could be one and I am guessing Smith as the other.

Vegas used dump and chase on the offensive side when stuffed in the NZ, had a non-stop forecheck from all four lines, and their defense were not reliant exclusively on the poke check.

Unless and until these three elements become part of the Hawks' game it is just going to be more of the same.

This D group just screams softness. Can't imagine a single top six forward in the NHL not drooling to play against the Hawks.

Murphy and DeHaan are better than Gilbert and Koo Koo, but let's be honest - their presence in the starting lineup is hardly in push the team over the top territory, unless the threshold you are pushing over is from AHL player to average NHL player.

This is once again a team built on a weak budget that got marginally better (on paper), and has a few nice prospects a season or two yet away.
- Return of the Roar

Great points all around. No argument except I want to wait and see how the D corps plays collectively once Murphy and de Haan rejoin. So far so good with Maatta at least. And Seabrook for that matter.