Again, the HC continues to do things that make the team worse.
- scottak

He has zero clue on his own team and with his quote of moving Kubilak up to wake up Toews and Kane?

He has zero bench management. With not knowing his team makes sense that he is light years away from knowing how to match lines/D matchups, etc

Should have gave Q this roster

Well that game sucked to watch...don't get me wrong offense looked great at times especially Saad, Kampf, and Kubalik and the fourth line as well. Didn't agree with splitting them at all. Should of kept them together and let Nylander play it out with Kane and Toews. Only way they're gonna be chemistry is if they play together. Anyways, imagine how good that 3rd line COULD be if Dach plays between Saad and Kubalik and plays well. That's the kinda depth that gets you to the Playoffs.

However, we saw a lot of the same stuff we saw last year with the D unfortunately. I've been a JC supporter since he got the opportunity last year that he needed to be given a fair shake...however after half a season and having the training camp they have it's concerning to see the defensive issues the Hawks are having yet again. It's hard to say if it's personnel or the system because there are guys who have been out and they haven't been able to to build any consistency. Once de Haan gets in there and possibly Dach as well and they get a few games together maybe we can decide if it is the guys or the system. Right now it looks more like it is the system.

A lot of people have mentioned that the team looks disinterested and I would agree. It seems like some of the core seem content with their cup wins and other accolades and are just gonna ride it out. Perhaps it's not that they don't have anything left but that there is still some hard feelings about Q being let go. I'm mainly speaking of Keith. He just doesn't look the same. I know with age he's lost a step, but it seems more than that. It doesn't seem like he cares as much while he's out there. Maybe he doesn't because he's content with his career. Or maybe he feels like he's given so much that he shouldn't have to do more than he has to at this point.

Idk.

It's disappointing to see and as much as it pains me to say they might need to consider trying to deal him sooner rather than later before his value is completely gone and we have two contracts that are completely immovable. I understand he has a NTC that we would need to accept, but I'm sure any contending team would love to add someone with his experience on a 2nd pair for a Cup run.

Not advocating that we DO trade him. I'm just saying if the season continues to go the way it did last year then it's something that needs to be seriously considered to give the kids a chance to learn in the NHL and start the next chapter.

Let's hope that they can figure this stuff out and turn it around sooner rather than later otherwise we're gonna be in for a long season boys

This may be the year Kane asks for a trade

I can see this wearing on him knowing he has lots of game left

The team isnt "disinterested" 2 games in

They look completely lost and have no idea what the head coach wants them to do/where to be

This may be the year Kane asks for a trade

I can see this wearing on him knowing he has lots of game left
- PatShart

Why? This organization has been loyal to Kane, rewarding him well and sticking with him during tough times. Why would he ask for a trade when the team is going through a rough stretch? I would think Kane wants to be part of the solution going forward an not bailing on the team.

When did the Captain forget how to skate? He has been knocked down more times in the first two games than he has in the last twelve years. He and Kane look like they would rather be elsewhere. It is sad to see the heroes from the Cup teams are starting to look old and disinterested. Maybe it's time to make a really bold move and say goodbye to some of the core guys that helped us win 3 Cups. I don't care if it is only two games, anybody can give a freakin' effort and some guys on this team are not right now. Tough to watch this crap right now!!
- ChicagoHope

Marleau off the street no camp outplaying our $10.5M captain. Should be a wake up call last year's comeback is over.

The team isnt "disinterested" 2 games in

They look completely lost and have no idea what the head coach wants them to do/where to be
- PatShart

just another quick reminder: the hawks biffed on 3 break aways last night...

there possession and puck management bit them in the ass again, yet craw bailed them out at least 4x with grade A saves...

Goal 1: crow made two saves and then the shark player gets away with a bad angle shut off of crow...thats not on him

Goal 2: Double screen (hawks need to do more of this) point shot and deflection...thats not on crow.

Goal 3: "shoot the puck" burns from the goaline flips one to the net and it deflects off murphy...thats not on craw

goal 4: again "shoot the puck" burns flips one from the point, crow makes the save but the 40 year old gets inside position vs matta for the rebound...still not on crow

goal 5: sharks working it behind the net; 56 gets caught on the half board; 3 forwards are late in coverage in front of the net and sharks get a prime time chance and bury it...not craw again. he often makes that save..

can we stop the piling on of craw for last night...he once again kept this from being 7-9 goal against night..

a few fluke goals and the pk cost them..

This may be the year Kane asks for a trade

I can see this wearing on him knowing he has lots of game left
- PatShart

i don't think kane or towes will ever request a trade and the hawks will never trade them unless it is an incredible blow me a way offer...

Certainly not going to dispute that Mo. However, what we should be discussing is another Blowman fail, eh?
- savvyone-1

Which one? The list is long! Kidding aside - the Anisimov/Smith trade was a fail in my book. Perhaps Joker for Nylander, too, although time will tell on that

Hope you're well, Savvy.

keith looks like he still in mid summer slumber form..which is odd he has clearly stated he wants to be part of the "new Hawks".

seab is a mule...thats not changing

all we can hope for is that dehaan comes in and adds some stability to the pairing and improved overall blueline play...

nylander looks headed for a popcorn and beer night...

toews was a non factor

kane had some great chances and beauty set of kubalick but he missed the net on the break away...

Which one? The list is long! Kidding aside - the Anisimov/Smith trade was a fail in my book. Perhaps Joker for Nylander, too, although time will tell on that

Hope you're well, Savvy.
- mohel

I would agree. I would have kept Anisimov for one more year, if Dach isn't ready AA is the team's 3C for the year. If Dach is ready he can split 3C duties with AA (who can play LW).

I think it's too early to judge the long term potential of either Jokiharju or Nylander but I wouldn't have done that deal. Specifically I wouldn't have given up on Jokiharju. I would have no issue acquiring Nylander for the right price.

The de Haan trade was very good, even if he's just a 3rd pairing d-man.

I don't mind the Maatta deal, but I would have preferred the team to keep Kahun. Maybe they could have given up Perlini and prospect or The Drake.

Keith played 10+ years in a defined system

Is now on the ice with 4 forwards and no structure

Other teams gameplan too. Especially good coaches like the 2 the Hawks faced already. They see what Keith is up against when on the ice with Gustafson. And they smartly drive the play to him knowing he has zero room for error

But of course, Keith now does not know how to play the game after being one of the best Dman in the world

I don't understand the breaking up of the Kampf, Saad, Kubalik line either. They were put together at the first of training camp to build chemistry, they were by far the best line the 1st game and one period, and you break them up to fix your star players? He had other options, flip ADB and Nylander, flip Shaw and Nylander, etc. etc. so instead of having at least your third line going and your fourth line holding its own, you eff up your best line?

Or how about rewarding your best line with more ice time and let the one's not doing well sit on the bench and think about it.

I don't understand the breaking up of the Kampf, Saad, Kubalik line either. They were put together at the first of training camp to build chemistry, they were by far the best line the 1st game and one period, and you break them up to fix your star players? He had other options, flip ADB and Nylander, flip Shaw and Nylander, etc. etc. so instead of having at least your third line going and your fourth line holding its own, you eff up your best line?

Or how about rewarding your best line with more ice time and let the one's not doing well sit on the bench and think about it.
- LAHawk

Or if he really though Kane was disengaged...then why not double shift him as they did in the past?

Keep him with Toews and Nylander but then give him shifts with Caggulia and Carpenter. Kane had success with Caggulia last year as well.

Trying to put things in perspective - the first point is that despite the optimism for the 2019/20 season - it was always going to be a reloading year while we wait for the future d-corps to mature and come online with Boqvist, Beaudin and Mitchell. The same may true for the 2020/21 season. Maatta and deHaan are improvements over Dahlstrom and Rutta but they are still only stopgap measures.

The next point to put into perspective is that almost half the team is different this season and that turnover of players means it takes time to coalesce into a efficient unit and that process was hampered by the disruption of the Europe trip.

The last point is the coach is trying to implement a new system which under the best of circumstances would still be a work in progress even if there wasn't player turnover and training camp disruption. The players have to be instinctual in how they play the new system and that takes time.

I'll join the mob storming the gate when I think Stan and Colliton have the team on the wrong path - but it's far too early to make that conclusion. The team is flawed but it seemed pretty clear to me they played better last night then the first game and that is enough for me at this point to have patience.
- EbonyRaptor

This “trying to implement a new system” argument is stale. Nobody is suggesting it was difficult to implement Colliton’s “system” in Sweden Tier 2. Are you suggesting NHL players are dumber?

The reality is Colliton’s “system”, if it can even be called a system, has been in place a long time now. No more “needed a Training Camp” argument either as had a full one. What you see is what you get. Colliton’s “system” of pressure all over both zones doesn’t work at the NHL level plain and simple. NHL players are too skilled and make one move or one pass to find their wide-open team-mates. Colliton blames the players’ effort when his “system” is a JOKE! Whose not trying? The veterans? The bubble players? Please. His “system” creates wide-open opposing players all over the ice. Mark Crawford must be pulling his freakin’ hair out.

Both D behind the net, no D in front in a 4-4 game? Are you kidding me? Gus living in the offensive zone and out of position constantly. Seabrook and Maanta basically refusing to play the reckless “system”. Not NHL hockey.

Skilled NHL players welcome over-aggression, over-pursuit as that is how open ice is created with open team-mates. The Hawks again are giving up loads of shots and loads a A level chances every game which is unavoidable under this “system”.

If the Hawks were smart they’d admit the folly of hiring Colliton and make a change, as there is nothing from the Bruins’ game forward that indicates progression of any kind.

This “trying to implement a new system” argument is stale. Nobody is suggesting it was difficult to implement Colliton’s “system” in Sweden Tier 2. Are you suggesting NHL players are dumber?

The reality is Colliton’s “system”, if it can even be called a system, has been in place a long time now. No more “needed a Training Camp” argument either as had a full one. What you see is what you get. Colliton’s “system” of pressure all over both zones doesn’t work at the NHL level plain and simple. NHL players are too skilled and make one move or one pass to find their wide-open team-mates. Colliton blames the players’ effort when his “system” is a JOKE! Whose not trying? The veterans? The bubble players? Please. His “system” creates wide-open opposing players all over the ice. Mark Crawford must be pulling his freakin’ hair out.

Both D behind the net, no D in front in a 4-4 game? Are you kidding me? Gus living in the offensive zone and out of position constantly. Seabrook and Maanta basically refusing to play the reckless “system”. Not NHL hockey.

Skilled NHL players welcome over-aggression, over-pursuit as that is how open ice is created with open team-mates. The Hawks again are giving up loads of shots and loads a A level chances every game which is unavoidable under this “system”.

If the Hawks were smart they’d admit the folly of hiring Colliton and make a change, as there is nothing from the Bruins’ game forward that indicates progression of any kind.
- Z3Hawk

You are spot on that Seabrook and Maata- who have looked steady - basically are not playing the chase game JC wants which makes them look like the best pair. And that's why Keith is running around so much. Between having Gus in his wing, trying to chase/pressure the puck all over the boards - while trying to actually play REAL defense, wont help anyone.

I do think some people have the same mentality as JC. "Well if Keith, Toews, Crawford or Kane simply play better we would win this game" - when their HC is not putting them in positions to succeed. In fact, hes hindering it and the players are getting the blame

there is no mystery for the switch and nylander and kubalick:

nylander was floating and doing nothing; kubs was playing well and the puck was finding him

jc made the switch to get that top line going and it almost worked kubs and kane just missed on a couple set-ups...

there is no mystery for the switch and nylander and kubalick:

nylander was floating and doing nothing; kubs was playing well and the puck was finding him

jc made the switch to get that top line going and it almost worked kubs and kane just missed on a couple set-ups...
- bogiedoc

Stop yourself. He never has a reason - he uses the magic 8 ball.

I am afraid father time and his knee injury (never was the same after it), has made Keith no better than a #4 defenseman on a good team. And after 2 games you can argue that Matta has played more like a #1 defenseman than Keith.
- LAHawk

Except when Maatta gave up inside position to the guy in front of the net. 2nd period, either goal 3 or 4.

you guys are full of it shoving JC under the bus....he is .500 coach with a very flawed bifuracted team: a fading core with big $$'s and trying to patch something together to make a team...

hawks personell tunrnover year to year over the last 3 years is tops in the league from what i have read in the past...no team has gone through as much turnover as the hawks...

its been four years and still can't find a winger to play with toews despite what over 16 tryouts since 2015 and hossa's departure...

JC & Stan
A 2-8 start puts Stan in a bind.
Move on from his boy admitting he made a mistake?
Or
If not his off season moves look a disaster?

Either way it seems to me a horrible start is on the GM & JC will be out.

there is no mystery for the switch and nylander and kubalick:

nylander was floating and doing nothing; kubs was playing well and the puck was finding him

jc made the switch to get that top line going and it almost worked kubs and kane just missed on a couple set-ups...
- bogiedoc

The puck wasn't simply "finding him"

He and Saad were playing very well together and creating space for each other

Kubilak had 0 shots after the 1st and Saads play and ice time dwindled. So then the 1st and 3rd line were eliminated by the Head Coach...in a lame excuse "get a line going"

2 games in and after both 1st periods he jumbled lines

AND, if he wants to do that - do it to start the period. I believe he began the switch a few minutes into the period and not the start- which jumbles lines even more

It was also good to see Gus lead the Dmen in ice time again

FWIW, I read a comment on another blog that Colliton said he moved Kubalik to the 1st line to wake up Kane and Toews and get them going offensively. I don't know if that's true, but if Kane and Toews need to be awakened to play in front of the opening night crowd, it's going to be a long season.
- boilermaker100

KANE had 3 points in Game 1, he needed to be woken up? And people complained about Q’s line blender, JC changes the lines almost every shift.

His next ‘strategy’ will be going back to playing 88 every other shift.

JC & Stan
A 2-8 start puts Stan in a bind.
Move on from his boy admitting he made a mistake?
Or
If not his off season moves look a disaster?

Either way it seems to me a horrible start is on the GM & JC will be out.
- Colbyboy

no question a start like that would be disaster considering they are starting the season with 8 of 9 at home...but JC will not be fired...that would be absurd and clearly state they don't have clue...

sadly they have blown 2 winnable games...