No worries, I’m sure there will be a stretch in February where they go 10-2-2. Then you’ll be able to project the pace over 82, and declare all is well.

The roster has been significantly improved. The talent level says they should be a playoff contender.
The HC doesn’t have a clue.
- scottak

Maybe, maybe not. You may ultimately be proven right and don’t worry you’ll be given full credit if and when that all happens.

I still think the team needs a bit more time to gel and 2 games is hardly an adequate sampl size, but I suppose that’s why they play the games, all 82 of them...usually.

If we use your theory , than how do you explain Philly great start?
Another poster nailed it in his comments JC is just a empty suit behind the bench. JC doesn't have a fantastic winning record , clearly the system he has implemented isn't working , the team has upgraded it's personnel and they look lost more times than not ,sloppy play.

Remember Denis savard ? He had the talent but couldn't get the team focused and held accountable, change the coach and add a real nhl proven coach with the same talent and you get positive results.

It was one thing last year to put drake with toews and Kane that was in the moment and Chicago lacked any talent , doing that this year with the amount of talent Chicago has compared to last year IMO shows a coach who is lost and can't hit watering he fell out of a boat.
- Taylorst1

The difference is Philly has a coach that at least has NHL experience. But I was only commenting on JC needing a full pre-season.

The difference is Philly has a coach that at least has NHL experience. But I was only commenting on JC needing a full pre-season.
- powerenforcer

That's the point JC is probably not nhl head coaching material. He has had more than enough time to run practices and drills and the time in between the first game and last night you'd think we would see improvement.

As bad as the team defensive has looked, Crawford has not been great either.

Drop Nylander to the pine.
Dach, Perlini, and DH in.
Lehner starts.

As bad as the team defensive has looked, Crawford has not been great either.

Drop Nylander to the pine.
Dach, Perlini, and DH in.
Lehner starts.
- Bjm84

Your right about Crawford I think it was more of a respect aspect to start him for the home opener.

On a positive note, Hawks did outhit the Sharks and we won the face-off stats.

- Rota's Rooter

According to many, that's the sign of a solid team! Except now......

Ugly in so many ways, but holy hell I like Kubalik, he's going to be a great player. Liked games by Shaw, Saad, Strome as well.

I think Bowman missed on Nylander, but just like the team he needs more games to show it (or not).

Goalie change coming Sat.

This season sucks so far, but it's only 2 games. You HAVE to let it play out some before making final determinations, 20 games then the gloves come off.

That's the point JC is probably not nhl head coaching material. He has had more than enough time to run practices and drills and the time in between the first game and last night you'd think we would see improvement.
- Taylorst1

JC looked a bit flustered at the bench last night and in over his head. At times he looked ready to cry.
I think what you see is what you get for the rest of the season. Those who say it is only 2 games are in denial because is not just 2 games -it is 2 games and the whole pre-season that has revealed a troubling trend.

Some thoughts:

1. Players are looking just as confused and out of place in the neutral/defensive zone as they did when Colliton started eleven months ago.

2. Colliton made a crucial error that likely cost the Hawks the game last night. He broke up the Kubalik-Kampf-Saad line after they completed dominated every shift in the first period. The last two periods no line seemed to gain any traction and the scoring chances piled up for San Jose. You cannot try to fix what isn't broken. That line needed to stay together and be relied upon heavily while they were rolling.

3. PK coverage is discombobulated. There were only a few times when guys were trying to get into passing lanes. The personnel for the PK has vastly improved over last year, and there is no reason the Hawks cannot at least be an average PK team. When I see a bunch of players with a history of being good penalty killers, and they look lost on this team, I have to put the onus on the coach.

4. Gustafsson still stands out as a mindless moron in the defensive zone. He is only worried about how to best position himself to get on the stat sheet. Other players were guilty of turnovers, but Gustafsson is almost always guilty of taking himself completely out of position in order to cheat towards the O zone. The worst part about it is that he never seems to be held accountable by the coach. In fact, he seems to get rewarded.

5. Kane floats around the D zone a lot too. On the Sharks 4th goal, watch Kane for the previous 20 or 30 seconds. He is floating around aimlessly waiting for a fluke play to happen upon his stick so he can go the other way. He ends up wandering near the side boards while his point man gets an open point shot that created the rebound to tie the game. He will not be held accountable for this.

I hope the team finds a way to fix their issues real quick, because if the Hawks start this season with a losing homestand it's going to be a big hill to climb.
- Hawks_49

Solid points. I read last night that Kampf was terrible. I also read - I think by the same poster - that Colliton was an idiot for breaking up the best line of the night. I agree with you - the line was solid. I'd be curious to hear the reason he split it up.

Solid points. I read last night that Kampf was terrible. I also read - I think by the same poster - that Colliton was an idiot for breaking up the best line of the night. I agree with you - the line was solid. I'd be curious to hear the reason he split it up.
- mohel

I’d put Perlini with Cat and Strome, move Shaw with Toews and Kane, and then preserve the third line.

I’d also put Gus with DeHaan and move Murphy with Keith.

I’d put Perlini with Cat and Strome, move Shaw with Toews and Kane, and then preserve the third line.

I’d also put Gus with DeHaan and move Murphy with Keith.
- Bjm84

Kampf has actually played well at 3C, but I’d take a look at Dach there and bump Smith from 4LW

It's not as much as it's over as it's more of the same from last year.

It's very troubling to hear JC say it would be nice on the PK if we could block some shots from the point, well i got an answer put forwards out there that will and wont lean away from the shot or get caught along thre boards thinking they are faster than the puck and magically they are going to intercept the board pass.
- BetweenTheDots

What are the names of these forwards?

It's not as much as it's over as it's more of the same from last year.

It's very troubling to hear JC say it would be nice on the PK if we could block some shots from the point, well i got an answer put forwards out there that will and wont lean away from the shot or get caught along thre boards thinking they are faster than the puck and magically they are going to intercept the board pass.
- BetweenTheDots

Actually, its worse than last year.

I didn't get to see any preseason, or the Philly game. I was shocked how bad, they looked.

No energy (except the 3rd line and Shaw). Disorganized, really was surprised how slow they looked also.

I never thought Keith looked as bad a most said last year, but last night, if that's what he is, this team is in trouble.

He and Gus are a train wreck.

Also, as not to just be down on the Hawks, Karlsson, really bad at Defense.

Ugly in so many ways, but holy hell I like Kubalik, he's going to be a great player. Liked games by Shaw, Saad, Strome as well.

I think Bowman missed on Nylander, but just like the team he needs more games to show it (or not).

Goalie change coming Sat.

This season sucks so far, but it's only 2 games. You HAVE to let it play out some before making final determinations, 20 games then the gloves come off.
- kwolf68

That one-timer he took when he missed the net was one of the best shots ive seen from a Hawk in a while.

Not a big fan of Kampf, but breaking up that line after the 1st period was an asinine coaching decision.

Maybe, maybe not. You may ultimately be proven right and don’t worry you’ll be given full credit if and when that all happens.

I still think the team needs a bit more time to gel and 2 games is hardly an adequate sampl size, but I suppose that’s why they play the games, all 82 of them...usually.
- HawkintheD

Two games is plenty, jerk.

I think people need to understand that SJ is a good team. Better than 0-4 suggests. They have arguably the 2 best defenseman in the conference and they roll 4 lines. They’re definitely a legit contender(again) and were due for a breakout. We were rusty and still figuring out how to fit all the new parts together. Also without several other new pieces that are still on the horizon.

Making a definitive judgment on our team after 5 games is asinine. Be smart. Be logical. Let the season unfold. If we’re still a miss around the 1/4 mark then I’ll start to have my doubts. The defending Cup champs were literally the worst team in the league through 20+ games last season. Use your head and stop rushing to conclusions.
- SimpleJack

I understand your logic. But this isn't new. This is the same product for the past 2-3 years. So I understand people being annoyed that nothing has even changed in the slightest.

Ugly in so many ways, but holy hell I like Kubalik, he's going to be a great player. Liked games by Shaw, Saad, Strome as well.

I think Bowman missed on Nylander, but just like the team he needs more games to show it (or not).

Goalie change coming Sat.

This season sucks so far, but it's only 2 games. You HAVE to let it play out some before making final determinations, 20 games then the gloves come off.
- kwolf68

I think you are totally missing how the season is guaranteed to unfold and not listening to the posters here - its totally all over already in Chicago, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, LA, Florida, Montreal and with one more loss in Toronto too. The new powers of the league have risen in Buffalo, Carolina, Detroit and Edmonton.

I understand your logic. But this isn't new. This is the same product for the past 2-3 years. So I understand people being annoyed that nothing has even changed in the slightest.
- bsac1192

I suspect something ain't right in the room. Among the players. The vets.

Oddly enough, Hawks D kicks in a goal in each of first 2 games and lose by 1 in each.

Yeah...totally, I am buying in, burn it down!!!

Still waaayyyy tooo many entitled and spoiled fans imho.

For those longing for the day Gus will be gone, you would lose by 2 or 3 each game.

The blind rage and mob mentality is soooo played.

He is the only one that can make a break out pass and support the offense. But by all means, lets blame him for Koekoek kicking in a goal in the first game, Murphy punching one in, and Keith getting turnstyled...and on and on....

Perlini in for Nylander Saturday..
- TrueGrit

Some tweaks to the roster may help - Perlini, Dach (when ready) and de Haan. That's not to say these guys are show-stoppers, they could just be better options than Nylander, Kampf and Koekkoek. It will take more than these three guys to turn things around but give this group some time. This team has experienced significant turnover, both on the ice and within the coaching staff.

I'd also expect to see Lehner on Saturday. Not that Crawford has been terrible but Lehner needs to play and since the team is losing I would expect a change.

Ugly in so many ways, but holy hell I like Kubalik, he's going to be a great player. Liked games by Shaw, Saad, Strome as well.

I think Bowman missed on Nylander, but just like the team he needs more games to show it (or not).

Goalie change coming Sat.

This season sucks so far, but it's only 2 games. You HAVE to let it play out some before making final determinations, 20 games then the gloves come off.
- kwolf68

Still too early to call that . Ideally Nylander would play on the 3rd line in more protect minutes while he acclimates to the NHL level. The team doesn't have a veteran 3C to play Nylander while and while I like Kampf he can't carry that third line.

Maybe something like Saad - Shaw - Nylander? Assuming Dach goes back to the W.

Ugly in so many ways, but holy hell I like Kubalik, he's going to be a great player. Liked games by Shaw, Saad, Strome as well.

I think Bowman missed on Nylander, but just like the team he needs more games to show it (or not).

Goalie change coming Sat.

This season sucks so far, but it's only 2 games. You HAVE to let it play out some before making final determinations, 20 games then the gloves come off.
- kwolf68

Agreed. I only was able to watch the 1st period but, he did look good.

Judging from what has been posted and looking at the fancy stats, swapping Kublai Khan and Nylander to play their off-wings was a disaster. I wonder if they actually practiced playing their off-wing or JC was shooting from the hip? Regardless it didn't work. Maybe Shaw on the LW with Toews and Kane and Kubalik slots in with El Gato and Strome.

You're right. I'm pretty sure we'll see Perlini (good or evil?), Lehner and if healthy De Haan and Dach.

On a positive note, Hawks did outhit the Sharks and we won the face-off stats.

- Rota's Rooter

Except the FO leading directly and immediately to SJs first PP goal.

Sarcasm aside, it IS important to win special teams FOs.

JC looked a bit flustered at the bench last night and in over his head. At times he looked ready to cry.
I think what you see is what you get for the rest of the season. Those who say it is only 2 games are in denial because is not just 2 games -it is 2 games and the whole pre-season that has revealed a troubling trend.
- 67hawks

Well said 67hawks. I'd also mention that JC had more than half of last year to grow into his role learn and then utilize the 6 months of down time to build a staff figure out a system that compliments his players skills .

Their wasn't really any surprises as to whom was going to make the team. Also they have sidelined Dach I get they want to make sure he is okay and give him some time that he missed in preseason to get in game shape, but the clock is ticking to either put him in and see if he is ready or send him back.

Keith and Gus have been a train wreck in preseason and it's carried over into the regular season and I'm curious what JC plans to do in order to fix that issue , it's dragged on long enough

I think you are totally missing how the season is guaranteed to unfold and not listening to the posters here - its totally all over already in Chicago, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, LA, Florida, Montreal and with one more loss in Toronto too. The new powers of the league have risen in Buffalo, Carolina, Detroit and Edmonton.
- RickJ

I have a feeling that when we face these new powers and the Tampa Bays, Bostons, and Washingtons then it is going to get real ugly. Especially after they get to watch videos of our previous games to take advantage of our exposed weaknesses.

I have a feeling that when we face these new powers and the Tampa Bays, Bostons, and Washingtons then it is going to get real ugly. Especially after they get to watch videos of our previous games to take advantage of our exposed weaknesses.
- 67hawks

Were you expecting the Blackhawks to be in the upper echelon of the league and be able to compete with the best? I sure wasn't - their objective has to be to slide into a wild card spot by playing well enough in the own division to do it.

And for what ts worth - this isn't their final roster, far from it. It won't be long before the Rockford shuttle starts up with regular service to W.Madison St.