If Boqvist plays well the next couple of games, Gus is a goner. I just don’t understand why top two lines can’t play possession game and carry the puck in, and the 3rd and 4th lines can play the dump and chase. Also Kampf has played well, although he should not be centering a world class player like Kane. I’m not giving up on this team, the PK is doing much better of late, although a small sample size, we have played eleven games with multiple new players, it takes time to acclimate to new teammates. I for one will wait for 20-25 games before I judge the caliber of this team.
- Angotti

Enjoy your approach to the game. May be on to something here. The persistent line changing blender however, has just about driven me to a berserk level. How can any NHL team find any consistency at all, with all the maddening line changes? Shifting chairs on the Titanic is "doing something" alright. It most oft-times leads to less continuity of play.

If Boqvist plays well the next couple of games, Gus is a goner. I just don’t understand why top two lines can’t play possession game and carry the puck in, and the 3rd and 4th lines can play the dump and chase. Also Kampf has played well, although he should not be centering a world class player like Kane. I’m not giving up on this team, the PK is doing much better of late, although a small sample size, we have played eleven games with multiple new players, it takes time to acclimate to new teammates. I for one will wait for 20-25 games before I judge the caliber of this team.
- Angotti

Enjoy your approach to the game. May be on to something here. The persistent line changing blender however, has just about driven me to a berserk level. How can any NHL team find any consistency at all, with all the maddening line changes? Shifting chairs on the Titanic is "doing something" alright. It most oft-times leads to less continuity of play.

Damn my fat thumb!

As great a start as he's shown, Saad's puck control has always been on the shaky side. Receiving passes in tight quarters isn't exactly his forte. Please don't laugh, but I sometimes wonder if he wouldn't benefit from a different style stick blade. The one he has currently, has a pronounced curve. Great for getting off high quality shots. But, both receiving and initiating passes? I sometimes wonder.
- gabriel

I thought he was given an opportunity to play with Keith. I'm not sure about that pair, but we shall see. I'm fine seeing what he's got. It's not like we have an undefeated record we're trying to protect.

I'm fine with a youth movement. As much as I would hate not seeing my favorite players, all of these retools & tweaks should just be a rebuild. I will always root for my team & want them to succeed, but I have more than enough patience to sit through a rebuild. It might be best.
- I Am The Breadman

Boqvist paired with Keith during practice, we’ll see if he actually gets in a game. Keith preciously said that the NHL isn’t a developmental league, it will be interesting to see how he does babysitting a rookie. He did ok with Jokiharju last season, but it didn’t last long.

- mohel

And a good morning to you, Mr. Mo!

And a good morning to you, Mr. Mo!
- gabriel

Hello, Gabe. As usual, your points are well made.

Boqvist paired with Keith during practice, we’ll see if he actually gets in a game. Keith preciously said that the NHL isn’t a developmental league, it will be interesting to see how he does babysitting a rookie. He did ok with Jokiharju last season, but it didn’t last long.
- DarthKane

I trust Keith to see things through and help the kid. He still wants to win, I'd assume.

Wassup, Bread? Agree with your patience remark. I have been spoiled to death by recent Hawk achievements. Never thought I'd live long enough to witness it. I'll always appreciate what they've done. So, now, it's a rebuild we have to undergo? I'll be pulling for them as hard as in the glory days.
- gabriel

It's just one fan's opinion & I haven't endured a drought as long as older fans, but I will always appreciate it & cheer for my team no matter what. But I'm fine with a rebuild if Bowman or whoever is in charge of it.

Boqvist paired with Keith during practice, we’ll see if he actually gets in a game. Keith preciously said that the NHL isn’t a developmental league, it will be interesting to see how he does babysitting a rookie. He did ok with Jokiharju last season, but it didn’t last long.
- DarthKane

I'm sure Keith will teach him his masterful one handed poke check that avoids any form of contact, especially in front of the net.

I'm sure Keith will teach him his masterful one handed poke check that avoids any form of contact, especially in front of the net.
- Hawkytalk

Will Keith teach Boqvist how to slap shot the puck into their opponents shin pads?

I'm sure Keith will teach him his masterful one handed poke check that avoids any form of contact, especially in front of the net.
- Hawkytalk

That stick checking style is already part of Boqvist's tool belt as that's how he has been defending in the AHL. Although not willing to battle down low or in corners like fellow rookies Beaudin and Krys, Boqvist does show a capacity to stick his hip out or do a simple body bump to create disruption.

Hello, Gabe. As usual, your points are well made.
- mohel

Thank you. Quick question for you. Would you ever consider 5 forwards on the second half of the PP? It's usually perceived as an act of desperation, I know. This year may be an exception to the rule, due to forwards who could really motor back to defend? Seems there is little to no lateral movement at the points. Too blasted predictable. That said, stats provided would probably prove me wrong on this. I'd still might be tempted to give it a shot. Kubalik and Nylander come to mind.

Thank you. Quick question for you. Would you ever consider 5 forwards on the second half of the PP? It's usually perceived as an act of desperation, I know. This year may be an exception to the rule, due to forwards who could really motor back to defend? Seems there is little to no lateral movement at the points. Too blasted predictable. That said, stats provided would probably prove me wrong on this. I'd still might be tempted to give it a shot. Kubalik and Nylander come to mind.
- gabriel

I've actually thought about 5 attackers at one point recently too, but they have to do that ... attack. Too much passing, too much perimeter, too much one & done, too much chasing. I would be fine trying it, but you have to find the right combination also. I feel like this team has no identity & poop is just being tossed at the wall, hoping for the best. I love a good pp, but NEED a good pk. So far the best pk'er has been who it should be, the goalie. Time to start helping out the goalie.

Will Keith teach Boqvist how to slap shot the puck into their opponents shin pads?
- DarthKane

Keith, in his prime, was a master at knowing when to jump in and when not to. Hope he can teach this to Bo. Funny about the shin pads. You just know now that opposing forwards are begging him to shoot.

This core Seebs even more owe me nothing, they gave me something I never thought I see in my lifetime 3 x over . I salute all the great players and coaches management involved in bring 3 Cups to the loyal fans of Chicago and parts unknown .
If I don't see another Cup in my lifetime I will still be cheering wildly for my favorite all time team in any sport . I am human and do get frustrated at times ,but in the long big pitcher scheme of things a year here or decade there it really don't matter .Not going to complain about Toews effort or Seebs short Cummings ,they were absolute warriors for us during those runs . Sit back and enjoy the toboggan ride to the bottom ,get back up , grab your sled run to the top of the hill and do it all over again .If there was ever a year to be at bottom this is it ,the top two picks look like can't miss players. Deep draft .It time for history to start repeating itself ,like that hot dog I just slam back ugh . GO HAWKS GO !!!!!!

Thank you. Quick question for you. Would you ever consider 5 forwards on the second half of the PP? It's usually perceived as an act of desperation, I know. This year may be an exception to the rule, due to forwards who could really motor back to defend? Seems there is little to no lateral movement at the points. Too blasted predictable. That said, stats provided would probably prove me wrong on this. I'd still might be tempted to give it a shot. Kubalik and Nylander come to mind.
- gabriel

Having 5 forwards on PP2 isn't a bad thing as long as ideally 2 of them are excellent skaters who play solid defense as their unit would be on the ice when the penalty expires.

The last thing you want is a breakaway against Crawford or Lehner once the penalized player springs from the box because the 5 forwards are playing too deep in the O zone.

I thought he was given an opportunity to play with Keith. I'm not sure about that pair, but we shall see. I'm fine seeing what he's got. It's not like we have an undefeated record we're trying to protect.

I'm fine with a youth movement. As much as I would hate not seeing my favorite players, all of these retools & tweaks should just be a rebuild. I will always root for my team & want them to succeed, but I have more than enough patience to sit through a rebuild. It might be best.
- I Am The Breadman

Agreed. Almost 60 years a fan here (still filling a diaper in '61, but ma & pa told me I was already a fan...). Patience, not that I had it, was the only way to go. Including a couple/few Cup Finals losses....baby brother was a Canadiens fan, there were fisticuffs. Dad whupped me for it because I was older, even though I could kinda tell he wasn't super pleased a Canadiens fan had sprung from his loins.
This team, with the NMC's, is gonna take a while. My best hope is these Cup winning warriors instill some of their greatest traits onto the newcomers.
They can and WILL play better hockey this year. Way too much talent to be performing at the level they are now. They are NOT a bottom five team.

Enjoy your approach to the game. May be on to something here. The persistent line changing blender however, has just about driven me to a berserk level. How can any NHL team find any consistency at all, with all the maddening line changes? Shifting chairs on the Titanic is "doing something" alright. It most oft-times leads to less continuity of play.
- gabriel

I agree, too many line changes when you consider all the new players that we have. Yes JC has to find the right combinations, but stick with the lines that are working and change the ones that are not. I know, I know, none of them are working, but some have for a shift or two, so leave those alone and keep the blender on the rest(process of elimination) going until you find at least three decent lines. Look, there’s some talent here, for sure more than last year, cup contenders? Nah, wildcard team, could be. My glass is half full, and when I lean the other way I get a smaller glass.

Agreed. Almost 60 years a fan here (still filling a diaper in '61, but ma & pa told me I was already a fan...). Patience, not that I had it, was the only way to go. Including a couple/few Cup Finals losses....baby brother was a Canadiens fan, there were fisticuffs. Dad whupped me for it because I was older, even though I could kinda tell he wasn't super pleased a Canadiens fan had sprung from his loins.
This team, with the NMC's, is gonna take a while. My best hope is these Cup winning warriors instill some of their greatest traits onto the newcomers.
They can and WILL play better hockey this year. Way too much talent to be performing at the level they are now. They are NOT a bottom five team.
- 35Tony0

Liked this post a lot. A lot of good memories for you.

I agree, too many line changes when you consider all the new players that we have. Yes JC has to find the right combinations, but stick with the lines that are working and change the ones that are not. I know, I know, none of them are working, but some have for a shift or two, so leave those alone and keep the blender on the rest(process of elimination) going until you find at least three decent lines. Look, there’s some talent here, for sure more than last year, cup contenders? Nah, wildcard team, could be. My glass is half full, and when I lean the other way I get a smaller glass.
- Angotti

Entirely too practical and logical for my tastes. LOl! Can't wait for that process of elimination to conclude. Go Hawks!

After you guys listen to the Spittin' Chiclets on Keith, listen to episode 214's last 34 minutes with Kirby Dach:

https://podcasts.apple.co...112425552?i=1000455562783

After you guys listen to the Spittin' Chiclets on Keith, listen to episode 214's last 34 minutes with Kirby Dach:

https://podcasts.apple.co...112425552?i=1000455562783
- wiz1901

Sounds like a pretty cool western Canadian kid to me - loved it.

Sounds like a pretty cool western Canadian kid to me - loved it.
- EbonyRaptor

yeah, exactly what I thought while listening...

Agreed. Almost 60 years a fan here (still filling a diaper in '61, but ma & pa told me I was already a fan...). Patience, not that I had it, was the only way to go. Including a couple/few Cup Finals losses....baby brother was a Canadiens fan, there were fisticuffs. Dad whupped me for it because I was older, even though I could kinda tell he wasn't super pleased a Canadiens fan had sprung from his loins.
This team, with the NMC's, is gonna take a while. My best hope is these Cup winning warriors instill some of their greatest traits onto the newcomers.
They can and WILL play better hockey this year. Way too much talent to be performing at the level they are now. They are NOT a bottom five team.
- 35Tony0