It cracks me up to see people write off Toews after 3 games. He was toast after the 2017/18 season according to the posters on this blog. Then he put up what may have been his best season ever last year. Now after 3 games everyone is ready to write him off again. Crazy. Doesn't he deserve a little bigger sample size than 3 games after the last 10 years (and 3 cups) with the Hawks.

I actually don't think that's true
- vabeachbear

Let's ask Elbows. He was there.

It cracks me up to see people write off Toews after 3 games. He was toast after the 2017/18 season according to the posters on this blog. Then he put up what may have been his best season ever last year. Now after 3 games everyone is ready to write him off again. Crazy. Doesn't he deserve a little bigger sample size than 3 games after the last 10 years (and 3 cups) with the Hawks.
- -Doh-

No. What has he done for us lately?

No. What has he done for us lately?
- mohel

Sucked, sucked more, & sucked even more than that. Tonight ... I don't see it getting any better.

It cracks me up to see people write off Toews after 3 games. He was toast after the 2017/18 season according to the posters on this blog. Then he put up what may have been his best season ever last year. Now after 3 games everyone is ready to write him off again. Crazy. Doesn't he deserve a little bigger sample size than 3 games after the last 10 years (and 3 cups) with the Hawks.
- -Doh-

I don't know if you're referring to my comment or not, but I'm certainly not writing off Toews after 3 games - but, based on these 3 games he resembles the 2017/18 version of Toews more than the 2018/19 version. It's too soon to tell if that is going to be a season-long issue - my comment merely stated that it better not be if the Hawks have any chance to be successful this season.

Wow dude way to over analyze a joke. But you keep doing you.
- Blackwater13

I am mot over analizing anything. I just don't believe formet fitst round choices are playing a ton better and neinybthe lrading rradon Oilers are off to a hreat start..Anothet blogger addtessed the hot start
James Neal has scored often. Obviously the defensr must have improve. In goal Talbot - reduced to occassional starter - was shaky (i recall we chased him and he is now in.Calgary).

Whether you want to believe it or not, I was not criticizing you. As usual McDavid and Draisalti lead them
I know former teamate of Boqvist in junior and drafted ahead of him, this kid could not crack opening roster but was recalled as injury replacement for a game. Bouchard is the name i believe. Anyway cheers and keep posting. I am sure you will have some interesting thoughts to share.

It cracks me up to see people write off Toews after 3 games. He was toast after the 2017/18 season according to the posters on this blog. Then he put up what may have been his best season ever last year. Now after 3 games everyone is ready to write him off again. Crazy. Doesn't he deserve a little bigger sample size than 3 games after the last 10 years (and 3 cups) with the Hawks.
- -Doh-

Not just Toews the entire team. And the head coach that led us to improvements in many key areas last season over 50+ games all of a sudden sucks and should be fired....again...all based on 3 games while trying to fit together multiple new roster pieces. Oh and the preseason cuz we all know how important those preseason games are.

Not just Toews the entire team. And the head coach that led us to improvements in many key areas last season over 50+ games all of a sudden sucks and should be fired....again...all based on 3 games while trying to fit together multiple new roster pieces. Oh and the preseason cuz we all know how important those preseason games are.
- SimpleJack

Of all the players on this team, my only issue is Gusto, or if Koekkoek is playing but then again I'd rather have Koekkoek in instead of Gusto.

With JC don't know his system but you need to know what you have in a player and sending Gusto out on a defensive zone draw when you are up by 1, kind of dumb or breaking up the 3rd line vs SJ, that was bad coaching as well, other than that he's doing great.

Not just Toews the entire team. And the head coach that led us to improvements in many key areas last season over 50+ games all of a sudden sucks and should be fired....again...all based on 3 games while trying to fit together multiple new roster pieces. Oh and the preseason cuz we all know how important those preseason games are.
- SimpleJack

As a known optimist here in the Land of Doom, I'll say this. Last year I thought the team was shocked when Q was fired, and played like it for awhile. Then they righted the ship and seemed to play hard for JC (sorry, haters, its true). That said, the early returns (and they are still just that) suggest something ain't right. I suspect (note, I said suspect) complacency among the vets. But, time will tell the tale.

To be fair to Colliton, I don't think the core would be as motivated with any new head coach, just as I don't think the Cub core will be as motivated with whoever takes over from Madden. That is why I think Theo is going to trade 1 or 2 of the core, knowing the clubhouse has to be shaken from its complacency.

It has been pointed out by others on this blog, the Hawks used to be able to play a 30 minute game and still win. I still remember Ray Emery's (may he RIP) game where he single handidly beat Calgary. I think the core still believes that they still can play a partial game and still win.
- LAHawk

I get what your saying , but I also think that JC came in with no history either as a player who achieved or as a head coach with any history of serious accomplishments.

JC is the same age as Seabrook , most people when they get a new boss try to respect that position however if that boss had no history of anything significant and can't seem to get his people to buy into what he wants that's where problems start to occur.

The core players have at least earned themselves automatic respect for their achievements.

Maybe they stopped believing in management after seeing the turnover and lack of direction . Then you fire 30 games in the winningesr coach in history and bring in a guy who by all means hasn't had a history resume and maybe he can't seem to win them over .

I know a lot are saying it's only 3 games but Toews has to produce now. It seems like every year he starts slow. I feel the Hawks will make the playoffs but something better start clicking soon. Holy crap Oilers already 9 points ahead of our Hawks
Any hoot i predict the Hawks win tonight. Expect a big game from Kane.
Think they should be starting Lehner though.

I really wish JC would try:
Saad-Toews-Kubalik
ADB-Strome-Kane

I'm not sure what the bottom 6 would look like, and my apologies to Andrew Shaw, but I think that would be our best top 6.

I really wish JC would try:
Saad-Toews-Kubalik
ADB-Strome-Kane

I'm not sure what the bottom 6 would look like, and my apologies to Andrew Shaw, but I think that would be our best top 6.
- tvetter

Send Nylander to Rockford and recall Sikura.

Saad - Toews - Sikura
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Cagguila - Shaw - Kubalik
Smith - Carpenter - Kampf

Looks like the defensive system doesn't work in the AHL either. At what level does it work?
- TJYTJY

Could be two teams ,two train wrecks this season. What will Mc. and the marketing team do?

Send Nylander to Rockford and recall Sikura.

Saad - Toews - Sikura
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Cagguila - Shaw - Kubalik
Smith - Carpenter - Kampf
- DarthKane

Rabble rouser.

Huh, Jokiharju had 16:27 TOI, was +1, and had an assist in Buffalo’s shutout of Dallas this afternoon.

Nylander must be really good to get Stan to give up a young defenseman.

Huh, Jokiharju had 16:27 TOI, was +1, and had an assist in Buffalo’s shutout of Dallas this afternoon.

Nylander must be really good to get Stan to give up a young defenseman.
- scottak

Tough to be a minus in a shut out, eh?

I heard it was JC that wanted him gone.

Kubalik

Does anyone else see any similarities between Hossa's and Kubalik's style of play. Not comparing the incredible greatness of Hossa to a rookie with 3 games experience. I just notice some similarities. The way he can play physical and/or with speed. His back check. A wicked accurate shot. Also he has very good vision and plays a 200' game. His instincts and his hockey IQ.

Does anyone think he could QB the PP? He has a wicked shot, can stick handle, has good vision, speed, a 200' game, can be physical and win board battles. After all having Gus at the point on the PP is not like having a dman at the point because we all know Gus does not know how to play D. If Kubalik could play the point, we could trade Gus for a draft pick and actually try to find a 6th defender in trade that actually plays defense. How novel it would to have 6 NHL defensemen playing defense for the Hawks. I know it has happened in the past, but it has been a while.

MIN shut out OTT. If the Hawks lose, they are the last place WC team.

Huh, Jokiharju had 16:27 TOI, was +1, and had an assist in Buffalo’s shutout of Dallas this afternoon.

Nylander must be really good to get Stan to give up a young defenseman.
- scottak

Are we gonna do this all season?

Are we gonna do this all season?
- StLBravesFan

God I hope so!

Tough to be a minus in a shut out, eh?

I heard it was JC that wanted him gone.
- mohel

JC’s solution is bringing in more of his Mora guy.

And FLA won today. It seems ex-Hawks are doing well all over the league.

Kubalik

Does anyone else see any similarities between Hossa's and Kubalik's style of play. Not comparing the incredible greatness of Hossa to a rookie with 3 games experience. I just notice some similarities. The way he can play physical and/or with speed. His back check. A wicked accurate shot. Also he has very good vision and plays a 200' game. His instincts and his hockey IQ.

Does anyone think he could QB the PP? He has a wicked shot, can stick handle, has good vision, speed, a 200' game, can be physical and win board battles. After all having Gus at the point on the PP is not like having a dman at the point because we all know Gus does not know how to play D. If Kubalik could play the point, we could trade Gus for a draft pick and actually try to find a 6th defender in trade that actually plays defense. How novel it would to have 6 NHL defensemen playing defense for the Hawks. I know it has happened in the past, but it has been a while.
- -Doh-

Not trying to be a Richard, for once, but which of the Cup winning teams has 6 NHL defensemen? Maybe '13?

Are we gonna do this all season?
- StLBravesFan

Yes he is. He really wants everyone to know where he stands. And really hope to prove he was right. Even if it is bad for the team for which he allegedly roots.

At least, that's how it looks from here.

Yes he is. He really wants everyone to know where he stands. And really hope to prove he was right. Even if it is bad for the team for which he allegedly roots.

At least, that's how it looks from here.
- mohel

Hey, I’m a Blackhawk fan for 50 years. I want them to win. But I believe that stupid, obvious mistakes should be criticized.