Boqvist instantly adds something that this "D" does not have, (outside of Keith), and that is speed. I honestly think his "D" does need work, but it has improved a great deal. I would much rather watch Boqvist make mistakes then Gus or some of the other defensemen that cannot get to loose pucks anymore. If Boqvist's confidence starts to take a hit, you can always send him back to Rockford. Also, the power play has been God-awful, so that allows Boqvist to come in and help a team in the area that is his strong suit. I have nothing wrong with the Boqvist call-up because there "D" needs to rebuild at some point.

As for Dach, the kid can help now. He plays a good all-around game and will only get better. Same goes for Boqvist. The sooner the Hawks start to rebuild the better because Tuesday showed, they are not even close to being a Stanley Cup contender, let alone a playoff team.

Boqvist instantly adds something that this "D" does not have, (outside of Keith), and that is speed. I honestly think his "D" does need work, but it has improved a great deal. I would much rather watch Boqvist make mistakes then Gus or some of the other defensemen that cannot get to loose pucks anymore. If Boqvist's confidence starts to take a hit, you can always send him back to Rockford. Also, the power play has been God-awful, so that allows Boqvist to come in and help a team in the area that is his strong suit. I have nothing wrong with the Boqvist call-up because there "D" needs to rebuild at some point.

As for Dach, the kid can help now. He plays a good all-around game and will only get better. Same goes for Boqvist. The sooner the Hawks start to rebuild the better because Tuesday showed, they are not even close to being a Stanley Cup contender, let alone a playoff team.
- ChicagoHope

You know what, doesn't hurt to use this time to truly see what you got in the prospect pipeline. I personally don't want to hear the BS that Dach isn't "ready." He was picked right after two guys that are playing every night and are going through and taking their lumps too. If he sucks, it just further cements Bowman's future with another organization.

Boqvist instantly adds something that this "D" does not have, (outside of Keith), and that is speed. I honestly think his "D" does need work, but it has improved a great deal. I would much rather watch Boqvist make mistakes then Gus or some of the other defensemen that cannot get to loose pucks anymore. If Boqvist's confidence starts to take a hit, you can always send him back to Rockford. Also, the power play has been God-awful, so that allows Boqvist to come in and help a team in the area that is his strong suit. I have nothing wrong with the Boqvist call-up because there "D" needs to rebuild at some point.

As for Dach, the kid can help now. He plays a good all-around game and will only get better. Same goes for Boqvist. The sooner the Hawks start to rebuild the better because Tuesday showed, they are not even close to being a Stanley Cup contender, let alone a playoff team.
- ChicagoHope

I don't know if bringing up Boqvist is the right thing. But it's hard to watch Gusto night in and night out, btw he was watching Bonino twice putting the rebound in for a goal. Some can excel against better competition some can't, i guess we'll see.

If someone doesn't take the goalies eyes away on the PP it doesn't matter whos on it.

Not according to Kelly and the other guys. He's switched it up from Kane and others carrying the puck through the neutral zone (more a possession game) to almost 100% dump and chase (which we don't have the skills to be successful doing in his opinion).
- pdx2ord

Thanks. Didn't know he changed the offensive system that much during the offseason.

... part of the problem of having everyone play '200 ft of hockey' -is that the wingers tend to get pulled in way too low and suddenly you have no outlet ...

or in other words- that sounds a lot like 'man to man d scheme' - or the equivalent ... and I don't really know that it actually works at any level.
- SC116

Biggest mistake i felt the Hawks made vs Preds was the forwards not skating back to the pass/puck, standing along the boards and the Preds did a great job of anticipating the pass coming around the boards and intercepting it over and over and over again.

To me we struggle with teams that challenge our forwards to work hard in their own end. If we work hard on this, protecting the puck out of the zone, and get it in deep, and make a real commitment to this we will compete with anyone in this league, i think it's just a matter of time

I also think i will see a much more responsible #7 on the ice going forward.

As he should! But is it wise to take a chance with their development to sell a few tickets now?
- paulr

We can always hope that the Dach and Boqvist decision were made for hockey reasons, not marketing.

I am at this point - in the absence of contradictory information - callin them “hockey moves”.

I think it's pretty obvious that the Boqvist call has more to do with the fact that the team is struggling, the Seabrook stuff is still lingering with this team, and McD wants to keep people interested to come to the UC and watch at home than it has to do with him being ready. Honestly, this was part of why I asked in my mailbag if McD would get fired too because this is the type of stuff that he did with the Cubs too to keep fans "excited" with the team.

I'm excited to see what the kid can do. I know it's not gonna look pretty at times while he's still learning how to be a solid Defensemen, BUT if this Defense is already playing like trash, wouldn't you prefer to see mistakes be made by a kid who CAN improve on them than a veteran like Gus who is who he is at this point? I certainly would. Let him learn on the fly, like Dach, and see if they can help spark this team. We need it. We need something. If it doesn't work then they need to look at selling off some vets including Keith, Saad, Crow, de Haan, etc. to clear room for guys to get called up and try and make an impact on this team.

Tyler fantastic wrap up and great insight as to whom you possibly see as GM or coaching candidates.

Imo I believe if the hawks continue to underperform Stan would be the next person to go, but I believe Chicago would want to have their new GM interviewed ahead of time and selected.

JC would be IMO a end of season firing.

How would keeping boqvist in the lineup full time affect the expansion selection ?
- Taylorst1

Boqvist will be exempt from the draft and doesn't have to be protected since he is a 1st year pro. It doesn't matter if he stays with the Hawks or is shuttled between Chicago and Rockford this season. He'll only have 2 years pro experience with the draft occurs in the summer of 2021 and 2 year pros are exempt. Dach in the same situation.

I think he's shown (up to this point) that he's capable of playing in the NHL now. My only question is why didn't they give him the full 14 days in the AHL, and 9 games in the NHL, and then make the announcement?
- tvetter

I would think that if it took them until the 9th game to make a decision then it must be so close that the decision should be to send him back. Making the decision now seems to indicate that it wasn't a borderline call to keep him with the Hawks. Why the announcement now? To take the pressure off Dach so he can relax and play his game rather than press.

HawkintheD is a brown noser, I bet he brought Tyler an apple too!
- paulr

He's been like that since the beginning. It's embarrassing.....

HawkintheD is a brown noser, I bet he brought Tyler an apple too!
- paulr

He did... and it was delicious.

I think it's pretty obvious that the Boqvist call has more to do with the fact that the team is struggling, the Seabrook stuff is still lingering with this team, and McD wants to keep people interested to come to the UC and watch at home than it has to do with him being ready. Honestly, this was part of why I asked in my mailbag if McD would get fired too because this is the type of stuff that he did with the Cubs too to keep fans "excited" with the team.

I'm excited to see what the kid can do. I know it's not gonna look pretty at times while he's still learning how to be a solid Defensemen, BUT if this Defense is already playing like trash, wouldn't you prefer to see mistakes be made by a kid who CAN improve on them than a veteran like Gus who is who he is at this point? I certainly would. Let him learn on the fly, like Dach, and see if they can help spark this team. We need it. We need something. If it doesn't work then they need to look at selling off some vets including Keith, Saad, Crow, de Haan, etc. to clear room for guys to get called up and try and make an impact on this team.
- Savetheembers33

I agree with your points. Just a Public Service Announcement- the Hawks have given up the 8th fewest goals in the league.

Did anyone see Nashville/Calgary last night? After 10 minutes, Nashville was outshooting Calgary 13-2, but Calgary came back and won on a goal of the year between the legs shot by Tkaczuk with .01 left in overtime. Also, the Flames scored the tying goal with the goalie pulled with less than a minute to go.

https://www.nhl.com/flame...te/t-277443698/c-70046803

Interesting how they had Goudreau in the middle of the ice, you would think he would be in Kane's position on the half wall. Also notice how Tkaczuk behind the net with the one touch pass and immendaitely went to the front for the rebound (which came right to him for the goal. Maybe the Hawks power play setup is correct, but need to rethink where players are stationed on the ice. Maybe Kane/Debrinket should be in the bumper, not on each side.

I found this on a hokey coaching blog:

The 1-3-1 power play formation has become the go to power play system for most high level teams. Almost every NHL team is using the 1-3-1, so there must be a reason. The reason? The 1-3-1 has the ability to spread players out inside the zone, keep a player in front of the net at all times, and place shooters in key positions.

FOUR IMPORTANT FACTORS WHEN USING THE 1-3-1

First: right and left handed players need to be strategically placed. (BeBrinket/Kane)
Second: your best shooter should be placed in certain positions based on what options you are going to run. Kane
Third: it is important to have a player that understands how to play in front of the net by taking away the goalies eyes, looking for tips and making themselves available with good stick position when the puck is on the half wall. Toews?
Fourth: having a point player who is comfortable and confident with the puck will help find passing lanes to spread the puck around. by default Gus.

Note who made the comment elow, my choice to replace JC, if and when it happens.

Tony Granato on 11/13/2018
This is clearly the best power play system to run if you are looking to get the most scoring options. Hope any coach that reads this will immediately convert their power play to this. You will find the most success in this system if the right intellectual players are put on the ice. On a side note, it is better to have the side shooters on their off hands to be able to attack the net off the pass. This will make for a quicker attack and better scoring opportunity.

I agree with your points. Just a Public Service Announcement- the Hawks have given up the 8th fewest goals in the league.
- mohel

Per game?

Per game?
- BetweenTheDots

Total, but they've caught up to the pack in games played.

If Gus and Bovquist are both dressed, guess who's power play time probably gets reduced (DK).

Total, but they've caught up to the pack in games played.
- mohel

Not bad, just stay the course i believe the scoring will come once the stars legs are in hockey shape

Like the Hawk game Tuesday, last night the Predators thoroughly outplayed Calgary through two periods. Nashville had a 4-1 lead and out shot the Flames 27-9 through two periods.

Did the Flames give up in the 3rd? No they roared back and tied the game at 4, fell behind 5-4 and then came back again and tied the game in the last minute. Then they went on to win with Tkachuck scoring with 1 second left in OT.

Maybe Nashville took the foot off the pedal in the 3rd but the Flames, in contrast to the Hawks didn't just throw in the towel.

Per game?
- BetweenTheDots

The Florida Panthers, with a certain mustachioed legend behind the bench, have given up 15 more goals, in two more games.

Maybe the talented Panthersare struggling with the new system?

I agree with your points. Just a Public Service Announcement- the Hawks have given up the 8th fewest goals in the league.
- mohel

Haven't they also played the fewest games?

The Florida Panthers, with a certain mustachioed legend behind the bench, have given up 15 more goals, in two more games.

Maybe the talented Panthersare struggling with the new system?
- mohel

They're winning...

Did anyone see Nashville/Calgary last night? After 10 minutes, Nashville was outshooting Calgary 13-2, but Calgary came back and won on a goal of the year between the legs shot by Tkaczuk with .01 left in overtime. Also, the Flames scored the tying goal with the goalie pulled with less than a minute to go.

https://www.nhl.com/flame...te/t-277443698/c-70046803

Interesting how they had Goudreau in the middle of the ice, you would think he would be in Kane's position on the half wall. Also notice how Tkaczuk behind the net with the one touch pass and immendaitely went to the front for the rebound (which came right to him for the goal. Maybe the Hawks power play setup is correct, but need to rethink where players are stationed on the ice. Maybe Kane/Debrinket should be in the bumper, not on each side.

I found this on a hokey coaching blog:

The 1-3-1 power play formation has become the go to power play system for most high level teams. Almost every NHL team is using the 1-3-1, so there must be a reason. The reason? The 1-3-1 has the ability to spread players out inside the zone, keep a player in front of the net at all times, and place shooters in key positions.

FOUR IMPORTANT FACTORS WHEN USING THE 1-3-1

First: right and left handed players need to be strategically placed. (BeBrinket/Kane)
Second: your best shooter should be placed in certain positions based on what options you are going to run. Kane
Third: it is important to have a player that understands how to play in front of the net by taking away the goalies eyes, looking for tips and making themselves available with good stick position when the puck is on the half wall. Toews?
Fourth: having a point player who is comfortable and confident with the puck will help find passing lanes to spread the puck around. by default Gus.

Note who made the comment elow, my choice to replace JC, if and when it happens.

Tony Granato on 11/13/2018
This is clearly the best power play system to run if you are looking to get the most scoring options. Hope any coach that reads this will immediately convert their power play to this. You will find the most success in this system if the right intellectual players are put on the ice. On a side note, it is better to have the side shooters on their off hands to be able to attack the net off the pass. This will make for a quicker attack and better scoring opportunity.
- LAHawk

Ha, I also just posted about the Flames comeback last night. Goes to show you what can happen if you don't give up.

Didn't they play the same system last year? If so, it didn't seem to hurt Kane then. And Toews had his best year in several seasons.
- mohel

Thye did not play the same system last year as it was more run and gun. Colliton did say that during camp he was going to implement the man on man more on d and so far Train wreck.

Thanks. Didn't know he changed the offensive system that much during the offseason.
- mohel

That is kind of worrisome. None of their Top 6 are dump and chase type players nor are any of the top 6 guys speed guys. This explains Kane's frustration. Dump and chase with Strome Dcat Toews and Kane is borderline idiotic. Perfect example of a coach trying to make players fit his system instead of adapting the system to the personnel.

Also explains the 3rd line of Saad Kampf Kubalik having some early success. Saad and Kampf are the only guys with size and good speed that can get in an disrupt on the forecheck with any kind of regularity.