LOL Sharks Head Coach Peter DeBoer called his team "SOFT" on Friday. What do you think he called the Hawks??
- EnzoD

mush

We have a winner!! November 6 and starting draft talk. Tanking. It’s the Blackhawk way.
- VopatsRash

Hey Hillrod remember when I told you that your Trashville Turds would choke because of that sieve of a goalie. Well I'm saying it again. Now go back to your trailer your sister is waiting for you.

i am not a fire JC guy yet...

but if they do this it has to be a wirtz/mcd decision combo...stanbow goes too...

he should not have the authority to hire another coach...
give it to crawford for the rest of the year and then clean house...
how the (frank) do kane, toews, adb, strome go from 60 to 100 pt guys to 30-50 pt guys in 6 months...with an improved roster
- bogiedoc

I'm not sure they would like to play for Crawford but my money would be on no. Frying pan to fire kind of thing, They might be confused and frustrated now, but a change to MC might have them miserable in the not too distant future, like as soon as the adrelin bump from the change ends. As far as cleaning house, the salaries are going to make that an unbelievable challenge with the way they are structured.

If the Hawks decide to blow it up, I would trade Lehner for a big haul, and try to resign him as a FA.

I'm not sure they would like to play for Crawford but my money would be on no. Frying pan to fire kind of thing, They might be confused and frustrated now, but a change to MC might have them miserable in the not too distant future, like as soon as the adrelin bump from the change ends. As far as cleaning house, the salaries are going to make that an unbelievable challenge with the way they are structured.
- 6628

They appear to be equally if not more confused this year then last year after JC came in... that is after a full training camp. That is a very big problem and should be very concerning to the front office.

The team's defense is about the same. Lehner is just playing at an all-star level, especially on the PK. That is why the GA is down so far. Shots and high danger chances are still incredibly high.

The team's offense is notably worse than last year. With what most conclude is a more offensively gifted team with better overall depth.

According to Colliton this is due to player not playing hard on the puck and showing up ready to win...(insert whatever cliche you want). I don't see any on ice adjustments from this club. It appears the strategy is keep doing the same thing and hopefully it will work.

If the Hawks decide to blow it up, I would trade Lehner for a big haul, and try to resign him as a FA.
- LAHawk

If I'm Lehner, and assuming I don't like being jerked around, and basically chose the Hawks over other teams ... you do that one to me (regardless of the 'it's a business' thing) - then 'try' is the key word in that sentence - but I doubt that happens - I'd be done with them.

Because Lehner is a UFA -if you entertain him coming back, then you don't really mess around like that imo.

I'm not sure they would like to play for Crawford but my money would be on no. Frying pan to fire kind of thing, They might be confused and frustrated now, but a change to MC might have them miserable in the not too distant future, like as soon as the adrelin bump from the change ends. As far as cleaning house, the salaries are going to make that an unbelievable challenge with the way they are structured.
- 6628

Hello 66. It looks to me that either the players have quit on the coach and decided to get him fired, or he has completely lost the room to the extent that the team cannot function. I think there is too much talent to be as bad as they've shown. What do you think?

They appear to be equally if not more confused this year then last year after JC came in... that is after a full training camp. That is a very big problem and should be very concerning to the front office.

The team's defense is about the same. Lehner is just playing at an all-star level, especially on the PK. That is why the GA is down so far. Shots and high danger chances are still incredibly high.

The team's offense is notably worse than last year. With what most conclude is a more offensively gifted team with better overall depth.

According to Colliton this is due to player not playing hard on the puck and showing up ready to win...(insert whatever cliche you want). I don't see any on ice adjustments from this club. It appears the strategy is keep doing the same thing and hopefully it will work.
- bhawks2241

Trotz used to get two decades worth of expansion team mutants to play an effective trap to become playoff teams. Colliton can't get HOF, Calder, and vezina caliber players to have a winning record

Trotz used to get two decades worth of expansion team mutants to play an effective trap to become playoff teams. Colliton can't get HOF, Calder, and vezina caliber players to have a winning record
- Stan_Bowman

So Stan are we dumping JC and hiring Trotz?

Hello 66. It looks to me that either the players have quit on the coach and decided to get him fired, or he has completely lost the room to the extent that the team cannot function. I think there is too much talent to be as bad as they've shown. What do you think?
- mohel

Or its a stupid system that doesn't work

Or its a stupid system that doesn't work
- fattybeef

I buy that the system is causing them to play below their abilities. But not that far below.

Continuing the kick JC and and StanBo while they are down thread:

https://theathletic.com/1...ave-taken-full-advantage/

If I'm Lehner, and assuming I don't like being jerked around, and basically chose the Hawks over other teams ... you do that one to me (regardless of the 'it's a business' thing) - then 'try' is the key word in that sentence - but I doubt that happens - I'd be done with them.

Because Lehner is a UFA -if you entertain him coming back, then you don't really mess around like that imo.
- SC116

There is no guarantee he is coming back, especially wtih the poop in front of him now, so maximize what you can get now, see if he will come back, or else hold him and possibly lose him for nada.

Would love others thoughts here.

Why not play two systems? IIRC, the Hawks previously would carry in, teams would plug the neutral zone, and the Hawks wouldn’t adapt. It seems now to be the opposite, teams are prepared for the dump, and the Hawks aren’t adjusting.

Why can’t we play a hybrid system? If the defense is giving you the neutral zone, look for the outlet passes and carry it in. If they’re clogging the neutral zone, then shift and dump the puck.

Why is it one or the other?

Would love others thoughts here.

Why not play two systems? IIRC, the Hawks previously would carry in, teams would plug the neutral zone, and the Hawks wouldn’t adapt. It seems now to be the opposite, teams are prepared for the dump, and the Hawks aren’t adjusting.

Why can’t we play a hybrid system? If the defense is giving you the neutral zone, look for the outlet passes and carry it in. If they’re clogging the neutral zone, then shift and dump the puck.

Why is it one or the other?
- Bjm84

I’d also add that many of our skilled players are not built for forechecking, they lack either the size(Kane, Cat) or speed(Strome).

Why not have different strategies for different lines?

I’d also add that many of our skilled players are not built for forechecking, they lack either the size(Kane, Cat) or speed(Strome).

Why not have different strategies for different lines?
- Bjm84

Had this same thought. Many of the games, the bottom six has been effective while the top lines look like garbage. Doing what you suggest would seem to require more consistent lineups.

Had this same thought. Many of the games, the bottom six has been effective while the top lines look like garbage. Doing what you suggest would seem to require more consistent lineups.
- mohel

It makes no sense to make the decision beforehand. Try to carry it in, but if in doubt, dump it.

Watched the Hawks dump it over and over last night and the Sharks goalie was just waiting behind the net and grabbed it every time. It's dumb.

At this point, the Hawks are -3 to "Bettman .500" (4-7-3). The closest teams they are chasing in a playoff spot are Calgary (9-7-2) and Winnipeg (9-7-1) at +2 each. So - the Hawks are really only 5 points out of the tournament. Do-able.
- StLBravesFan

Hawks have only 11 points, Winnipeg 17 pts, Calgary 20. You prob mean the Hawks are behind by 5 games, not 5 points, which is a huge difference. The season needs to turn around very soon as its slipping away.

At least they sent Gilbert down, so we don't have to deal with the 8D issue anymore.

Meanwhile, 8n the ‘Sunshine State’, the players seem to enjoy playing for their new coach. From ‘The Athletic.

Quenneville has his team working hard and fast.

Most practices only last 45 minutes or so, but the Panthers are skating almost the entire time. Defensive problems the team has faced in the past are starting to disappear, and bad habits are popping up less and less.

“In talking to guys before the season, I did not hear one bad thing (about Quenneville),” Vatrano said. “He brings a real energy to the rink every day, and everyone knows what he expects out of you. He holds himself to that same standard. He makes sure we are doing the right things.

“It has been fun to be coached by him, and it is fun coming to the rink every day. You know you’re going to work hard every single day. Every game and every meeting, we’re prepared. You cannot be halfway here. You have to be all-in and committed to the way he wants to play, to doing the right things and taking care of yourself off the ice. There’s accountability here and we need that.’’

As for the yelling Brouwer warned about, the Panthers have not really seen that side of Quenneville yet.

Sure, players say, he has raised his voice a time or two, but Quenneville can get his mood across with just a look.

Ekblad, for instance, said instead of screaming after a loss or focusing on “all the bad things we did,” Quenneville has focused on how to do things better and improve as a team.

The Panthers seem to have taken to that approach.

“After a bad game sometimes, you come into the room and you can feel that depression,” Ekblad said. “Right now, it is not like that. There is no ‘Screw you guys!’ There is a lot more optimism, more of a positive outlook, and each day you come to the rink with a fresh outlook and almost a new lease on life.

“He wants us to fix our mistakes, not dwell on them and continue to think about them and lose confidence in what we’re doing. I wouldn’t say he is a yeller at all, but he has a real optimistic approach to teaching. He wants us to find a way to be better. It’s a ‘moving forward’ mentality, not a look-back one. It really works.

“It is so different around here and so exciting. It really is awesome.”

Hawks have only 11 points, Winnipeg 17 pts, Calgary 20. You prob mean the Hawks are behind by 5 games, not 5 points, which is a huge difference. The season needs to turn around very soon as its slipping away.
- DontKnowNutin

Nope.

I look at the difference between the relationships to .500 - it eliminates the “games in hand” issue.

Calgary is +2 having played 18 games; Chicago is -3 having played 14 - 4 less. I look at them as being 5 points behind Calgary.

If the Hawks play real .500 in the 4 catch-up games (2 wins 2 losses in regulation, or any combination that gets them 4 points - 1-1-2 / 0-0-4), they will still be -3, but now really 5 points behind.

From ‘The Hockey News’.

In the weeks and months to come, what’s far more likely than the Blackhawks searching for a fix is that Chicago GM Stan Bowman will look to re-home those who are no longer of use and those whose time with the team is nearing its end. Pending unrestricted free agent Erik Gustafsson is on the short list to be moved, and it would come as a surprise to no one if other depth pieces were shipped out, as well. Heck, if the price is right, Lehner might even be made available. He, like Gustafsson, is a pending UFA. If Lehner can’t be re-signed, better to cut bait and get something than lose him for nothing as a free agent. Regardless, current pieces will be moved out for assets, be they picks or prospects or projects.

But this is what needs to happen before it gets better in Chicago. This roster has to be stripped for parts, it has to fail, it has to add top talents through the draft and then the coaching staff and management need to give those players the room to grow. We’re already seeing one part of that process enacted with Kirby Dach remaining with the NHL club and Adam Boqvist brought up from the AHL. Further moves, though, will have to be executed carefully, meticulously, by Bowman, assuming he’s given the chance to steer this ship back on course. He will need to exercise patience, adding only where needed and ensuring he doesn’t further muddy the cap situation by overpaying to fit a round peg into a square hole on a team that’s nowhere near contention. There can’t be major missteps. As it is, Chicago can hardly afford the minor. (Speaking of which, the jury remains out on the Alexander Nylander-Henri Jokiharju swap, but the Blackhawks sure could use another young, promising blueliner about now.)

In due time, and with clever maneuvering, Chicago will come out the other side of this and the Blackhawks are going to be a competitive club again. They might even do so while Kane and Toews are still on their current contracts, which have three years remaining after this season. That’s the natural ebb and flow of the league in the salary cap era. Top teams are top teams, then they slip and stumble and fall only to reset, reload and return to contention.

But the harrowing reality for the Blackhawks right now is that before the time comes that they take a meaningful step forward, things will likely have to get even worse, impossible as that might seem.

From ‘The Hockey News’.

~snip...

But the harrowing reality for the Blackhawks right now is that before the time comes that they take a meaningful step forward, things will likely have to get even worse , impossible as that might seem.
- scottak

Sounds about right.

Gilbert sent back to Rockfish.

Room for a forward call-up - Sikura, Highmore, Wedin...?

Gilbert sent back to Rockfish.

Room for a forward call-up - Sikura, Highmore, Wedin...?
- StLBravesFan

When Murphy comes back, we will be at 8 dmen again. When is he slated to come back, the 16th?