“Considering the time we spent in [the defensive zone], we did a pretty good job of limiting the chances,” Jeremy Colliton said. “They got a lot of shots, but at some point, it starts to wear on you when you can’t exit clean. And we could never get a push going the other way.”

and that's the good news...ehhh

For those who are still interested, I finally watched last weekend's sweep of the Hogs by the Monsters where they lost a combined 12-1. Surprisingly, the team didn't play horribly both games and actually had plenty of scoring chances and momentum that they just couldn't capitalize on.

Yes, they could've played better here and there but many goals were unlucky bounces. Let's put it this way: even though the scores say otherwise, the Hogs have been competing start to finish and generating offensive momentum with sustained pressure (i.e. not just a bunch of one-n-dones).

7-1 loss to Monsters

Goal 1: puck redirected by a Monsters player fooling Delia
Goal 2: Delia lost his net for easy goal; Hogs defending as best they could with an open cage
Goal 3: puck deflected off of Carlsson's skate
Goal 4: Fortin turnover then resulting shot off of Delia's stick knob (depending on how the puck hit his stick, it could've gone wide or gone in the net)
Goal 5: Boqvist chased his man behind the net but McCoshen was not covering anyone and his back was to the rest of the play
Goal 6: puck redirected off of at least 2 Hog players and actually seemed like 3 players
Goal 7: Holm no where near the guy he shouldve been covering who created a screen for his teammate who scored the goal

5-0 loss to Monsters

Goal 1: Holm not covering anyone and let the winger skate uncontested down the right wing for a top-shelf snipe
Goal 2: Holm turnover then Carlsson accidentally knocks puck in the net with a valiant attempt to poke the puck wide
Goal 3: Tuulola blocking Tomkins' vision going for a block
Goal 4: nobody took the man behind the net easy pass to a streaking shooter
Goal 5: Tomkins screened on the PP by the great Marko Dano
- AEL_Fox

alot of encouragement here....

I get to see Howard & Jeffery for Phi. It's not going to be a good day.

My thoughts are that the top brass should be honest with the fans and say they are rebuilding, not retooling. I think Bovquist for all his indecision showed better defensive awareness than Gus did. I would keep both up here and play and live with the inexperience and mistakes. Then go to those with the NMC and NTC and say this is the new reality, if you don’t want to be part of it, we will find you some other place to play.

I would not even care if the Hawks are perceived to get hosed in a deal, the past decade is gone, us fans are forever grateful.

Gus should be put on waivers, you are getting zero for him at the TDL, if he clears, let him go back to Sweden and play with Forsling.
- LAHawk

Agree with every word, LA.

alot of encouragement here....

- bogiedoc

It now makes sense why Boqvist was pulled up

He was chasing players behind the net...ne has the system down and there is nothing more for him to learn there

“Considering the time we spent in
- bogiedoc[the defensive zone], we did a pretty good job of limiting the chances,” Jeremy Colliton said. “They got a lot of shots, but at some point, it starts to wear on you when you can’t exit clean. And we could never get a push going the other way.”

and that's the good news...ehhh

It's never been broached, but could the Hawks not be in top physical condition? That COULD be a partial reason they look gassed in their own end and are unable to exit? How can professional hockey players be trapped for 3 consecutive minutes. Has occurred in two straight games.

It's never been broached, but could the Hawks not be in top physical condition? That COULD be a partial reason they look gassed in their own end and are unable to exit? How can professional hockey players be trapped for 3 consecutive minutes. Has occurred in two straight games.
- gabriel

that was the kane line...and that happens quite a bit...hard to get offense going when you are stuck chasing the puck in your own end every other shift;

no i don't think its conditioning...

chasing around for 3 minutes that will gas even the best conditioned like keith..

typical shift is 45 seconds...

A bit of funny from Dan R over on the The Athletic until we get the real deal from Tyler:

Colliton's System Explained!

It was a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma but I figured it out!

1. Try anything and everything to see what works.
2. When you find something that works, change or abandon it.
3. Blame everything on the players.
3a. Lack of Preparation (forget about who is responsible for preparing the players)
3b. Lack of Work Ethic (it's not about who picks the players or decides to play them)
3c. Lack of Performance (that means everyone else's but his)
4. Don't say anything that will show you don't know anything (talk in circles and ambiguities).
5. Hope for goalie wins.
- pdx2ord

Sounds exactly like a Chinese Fire Drill!!

My thoughts are that the top brass should be honest with the fans and say they are rebuilding, not retooling. I think Bovquist for all his indecision showed better defensive awareness than Gus did. I would keep both up here and play and live with the inexperience and mistakes. Then go to those with the NMC and NTC and say this is the new reality, if you don’t want to be part of it, we will find you some other place to play.

I would not even care if the Hawks are perceived to get hosed in a deal, the past decade is gone, us fans are forever grateful.

Gus should be put on waivers, you are getting zero for him at the TDL, if he clears, let him go back to Sweden and play with Forsling.
- LAHawk

A 27 year old defenceman who scored 60 points last year on waivers? Yes, he would last about 5 seconds -not good asset management.

Geez the Bears offense is worse than the Hawks.

that was the kane line...and that happens quite a bit...hard to get offense going when you are stuck chasing the puck in your own end every other shift;

no i don't think its conditioning...

chasing around for 3 minutes that will gas even the best conditioned like keith..

typical shift is 45 seconds...
- bogiedoc

Understood fully what you said, Bogie. I'm saying, they don't even look capable of icing the puck during the initial phases of any sustained onslaught. Lack of exit strategy, brains, desire, poor D coordinator?

Great line by the Bears TV announcer... the Eagles defensive line are Sharks and Trubisky is the chum.

that was the kane line...and that happens quite a bit...hard to get offense going when you are stuck chasing the puck in your own end every other shift;

no i don't think its conditioning...

chasing around for 3 minutes that will gas even the best conditioned like keith..

typical shift is 45 seconds...
- bogiedoc

Why should any 5x5 play resemble a team that looks like they're minus a stick? Know they get run down and how difficult things get. LA Kings are now the Harlem Globetrotters on ice? A new D coordinator may be warranted. This cannot continue, unless we're planning on being the laughingstock of the league.

https://sports.yahoo.com/...vid-backes-234728655.html

after the check om backes the sen player just crashes like sack of bricks...see the hit at about the 1:25 mark of embedded video...

This talk of gutting the CORE should should stop. There Is no core except Kane. To me the core is who was left after the 2010 cup. Kane Toews, Hossa, Sharp, Keith, Seabs, Hammer. Keith is not the player he was nor should anyone expect him to be. Seabs and Toews well that's been talked about and not sure either one can be moved.
Maybe I'm too optimistic but I thought this team would be better, this forward group should have no trouble scoring . I just don't think JC system is gonna work and if he can't adapt he needs to go.
- HamiltonHawk

I don't think being a little optimistic was unrealistic. JC not the correct choice? Some low-key sabotage afoot to enact a change? Both? Somebody, somewhere, needs to clear the air one way or the other. And, soon.

Geez the Bears offense is worse than the Hawks.
- boilermaker100

Everything about this game makes me sick.

Well, if your hall of fame coach couldn't get it done the last few years then who is? I credit management for taking a risk and trying something out of the box. But no matter what moving forward better fundamentals have to be a priority.
- 6628

Yes, and yes!!!

Yet Q has FLA on pace for 105 points, after only playing 5 of 14 at home.

Sure, JC was an excellent replacement for a HOF coach.
- scottak

How were things under said Hall of Fame coach? Cup. Lost in 7 in round one. Swept in round one. Out of playoffs. Crap to start the year.

The great coach saw a long downhill trajectory. It has continued under this coach. Obvious conclusion? Gotta be the coach. Nothing to do with anything else.

How were things under said Hall of Fame coach? Cup. Lost in 7 in round one. Swept in round one. Out of playoffs. Crap to start the year.

The great coach saw a long downhill trajectory. It has continued under this coach. Obvious conclusion? Gotta be the coach. Nothing to do with anything else.
- mohel

Back at it again, I see! Love it. JC might not be the answer. But, the winnowing out process should begin with the players. JC as our new hatchet man. Funny as hell to consider. Young guys seem to like him. Think they'll hold on to JC longer, than most people expect. For better, or for worse.

How were things under said Hall of Fame coach? Cup. Lost in 7 in round one. Swept in round one. Out of playoffs. Crap to start the year.

The great coach saw a long downhill trajectory. It has continued under this coach. Obvious conclusion? Gotta be the coach. Nothing to do with anything else.
- mohel

I loved Q and his time here, but as you point out, it was his time to go. Now we're going to pine for mediocrity or worse because the coach was a HOF'er.

While the Colliton hiring might not have been good, it sounds like Q is doing in FL what he did here in getting a talented team to achieve.

I think the Hawks are more talented than they're showing, but it's fun to speculate on what Q could do since this place second guesses every player ever moved.

Yes ...and from the looks if the Bowman Senior advice line might be closed. Like Scotty is not healthy possibly.
- just69sayin

https://thelinknewspaper....man-bring-history-to-life

He was fine just a couple of days ago.

Another interesting quote regarding a $11 mil. Dollar defenseman about systems:

Drew, he admitted that he’s still having trouble adapting to your system. A Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, he said he’s not satisfied, he said he’s on the ice for too many goals. Your thoughts on is he having issues adapting to what you want from him?] We all have issues. I have issues adapting to the players and figuring out their personalities. It’s not going to be easy. Change is hard, and it is for all of us. It’s human nature just to do what you’re comfortable with.
- LAHawk

This!

This is what is going with the Blackhawks.

On a positive note, just checked the box score and Mitch has busted 20 yards passing in the third quarter.

The games not on here in the D today so I can't see, but I laughed at Elbows for comparing Mitch to Henry Burris. I'm may still laugh at him but he may not be wrong on this one.

Actually he is wrong, Mitch is more Craig Krenzel than Henry Burris.

Eagles up 19-0...outgaining the Bears 277-9. And you guys think the Hawks are pathetic. It's all relative, eh? (for Paulr).

The Bears just got their 3rd first down on the day in the 3rd quarter. Offense 2.0.