Chicken or Egg?

Did he never play in the playoffs because he was on the Yotes...or did the Yotes never make the playoffs because Murphy was on the team?

Think about it. I mean, REALLY...think about it
- Ogilthorpe2

Because the 'Yotes never had any owners that wanted to win......that is all. I thought about it

Smith and Carpenter have decent skills for 4th liners though and Dach is responsible on both ends of the ice so it works for now...
- Popsghostly

I certainly agree with that. I just meant more of at first it seemed a little alarming, but after watching more, he is getting some great opportunity and is a huge mismatch, so I think it is working for now.

It's funny how the narrative of a team can change in such a short period of time. It'll probably flip again in another week or two though considering they're like 6 points outta first place for the Central and 6 points from having the worst record in the league

However, I will say they look like an actual NHL team that is capable of contending for a Playoff spot. Which is awesome. Lets hope that they can continue to stack points and keep in the hunt for the Playoffs.

Whatever meeting that did or did not happen, I'm glad it did. It was clear that the dump and chase game that JC wanted the team to play was NOT a fit for this roster. Now that he's given them the freedom to play to their style you see the confidence has gone up and the offensive is starting to produce more and more. Defense is still giving up lots of shots, but Lehner and Crow have been killing it this year a 1-2 punch (Lehner more so has been on another level). Hopefully with more time together and familiarity with one another they can tighten up even more.

Let's hope the growth continues and they keep stacking points!

P.S. that Dach kid is pretty good and is showing he definitely belongs in the NHL. Allowing him to play in a non pressure role on the 4th line was a great idea to bring offense skill to all of the lines and allow for him develop without feeling the pressure of having to do too much. Smith and Carpenter have developed some good chemistry with the kid as well. I'm fine with him getting 10-12 minutes a game for now while he continues to acclimate to the league and continues to develop his game.
- Savetheembers33

Wow you said it best. I will admit I'm guilty , I was one of the few posters who before the season started had Chicago winning the division, based on the off season moves Chicago dramatically improved on paper.

Then the entire crapping from pre season up until just recently I was frustrated , I still believe JC was a good portion of the hawks not playing up to their potential with a system that just doesnt fit with this team.

It's been said that JC changed things up and the results are much better.

It's funny how the narrative of a team can change in such a short period of time. It'll probably flip again in another week or two though considering they're like 6 points outta first place for the Central and 6 points from having the worst record in the league

However, I will say they look like an actual NHL team that is capable of contending for a Playoff spot. Which is awesome. Lets hope that they can continue to stack points and keep in the hunt for the Playoffs.

Whatever meeting that did or did not happen, I'm glad it did. It was clear that the dump and chase game that JC wanted the team to play was NOT a fit for this roster. Now that he's given them the freedom to play to their style you see the confidence has gone up and the offensive is starting to produce more and more. Defense is still giving up lots of shots, but Lehner and Crow have been killing it this year a 1-2 punch (Lehner more so has been on another level). Hopefully with more time together and familiarity with one another they can tighten up even more.

Let's hope the growth continues and they keep stacking points!

P.S. that Dach kid is pretty good and is showing he definitely belongs in the NHL. Allowing him to play in a non pressure role on the 4th line was a great idea to bring offense skill to all of the lines and allow for him develop without feeling the pressure of having to do too much. Smith and Carpenter have developed some good chemistry with the kid as well. I'm fine with him getting 10-12 minutes a game for now while he continues to acclimate to the league and continues to develop his game.
- Savetheembers33

Wow you said it best. I will admit I'm guilty , I was one of the few posters who before the season started had Chicago winning the division, based on the off season moves Chicago dramatically improved on paper.

Then the entire crapping from pre season up until just recently I was frustrated , I still believe JC was a good portion of the hawks not playing up to their potential with a system that just doesnt fit with this team.

It's been said that JC changed things up and the results are much better.

Smitty brings lots of good stuff to the lineup that doesn't always show up in the stats column. he's a good leader, can play physical and has some decent skill. others may think the foot speed isn't there but thats not everything.

Wow you said it best. I will admit I'm guilty , I was one of the few posters who before the season started had Chicago winning the division, based on the off season moves Chicago dramatically improved on paper.

Then the entire crapping from pre season up until just recently I was frustrated , I still believe JC was a good portion of the hawks not playing up to their potential with a system that just doesnt fit with this team.

It's been said that JC changed things up and the results are much better.
- Taylorst1

You're funny

It could be just coincidental or possibly him getting up to speed after missing training camp - but Dach has played 14 games - the first 9 games with the possibility the team could decide to send him back to JRs. Did crossing the 10 game threshold take a little pressure off the young player and maybe allow him to play his game a little better? Or maybe the change in team play opened things up for him a little more than the tight defensive style previously? Or maybe it's purely coincidental - but he had only 3 points through the first 9 games and he has 6 points in the last 4 games. Just normal ebbs and flows - or something more?

It could be just coincidental or possibly him getting up to speed after missing training camp - but Dach has played 14 games - the first 9 games with the possibility the team could decide to send him back to JRs. Did crossing the 10 game threshold take a little pressure off the young player and maybe allow him to play his game a little better? Or maybe the change in team play opened things up for him a little more than the tight defensive style previously? Or maybe it's purely coincidental - but he had only 3 points through the first 9 games and he has 6 points in the last 4 games. Just normal ebbs and flows - or something more?
- EbonyRaptor

He is also playing more. Almost 14 minutes last night, a minute and a half more than Kampf. I know it is a home game, but seems JC is also getting better at matching lines. He had Kampf, Shaw and Kubalik against Eichel's line most of the night. Kampf's line seems to become the shutdown line, which is fine by me. Free's Toews and his line to be play more offensive.

It was disappointing de Haan served up that pizza to Eichal last night - would have loved to see Crow get a shutout (not to mention I don't care for skunky beer face Eichal).

He is also playing more. Almost 14 minutes last night, a minute and a half more than Kampf. I know it is a home game, but seems JC is also getting better at matching lines. He had Kampf, Shaw and Kubalik against Eichel's line most of the night. Kampf's line seems to become the shutdown line, which is fine by me. Free's Toews and his line to be play more offensive.
- LAHawk

Those 3 guys all had less than 9:00 5v5 TOI so JC may have intended to play them against Eichal/Reinhart/Olofsson but I think as Dach played more in the second half of the game - the 3rd line played less.

Those 3 guys all had less than 9:00 5v5 TOI so JC may have intended to play them against Eichal/Reinhart/Olofsson but I think as Dach played more in the second half of the game - the 3rd line played less.
- EbonyRaptor

Shaw hasn't been doing much for me at all... especially on the PP.

I'd flip Dach and Shaw in the lineup and put Dach on the PP instead of Shaw.

It could be just coincidental or possibly him getting up to speed after missing training camp - but Dach has played 14 games - the first 9 games with the possibility the team could decide to send him back to JRs. Did crossing the 10 game threshold take a little pressure off the young player and maybe allow him to play his game a little better? Or maybe the change in team play opened things up for him a little more than the tight defensive style previously? Or maybe it's purely coincidental - but he had only 3 points through the first 9 games and he has 6 points in the last 4 games. Just normal ebbs and flows - or something more?
- EbonyRaptor

Probably the game at NHL level is starting to slow down for him, that’s part of the process. Not sure how many goals this kid will end up with this year, my over and under is 18. Can’t wait to see this kid with another 12-15 pounds on him in the next couple of years.

He is also playing more. Almost 14 minutes last night, a minute and a half more than Kampf. I know it is a home game, but seems JC is also getting better at matching lines. He had Kampf, Shaw and Kubalik against Eichel's line most of the night. Kampf's line seems to become the shutdown line, which is fine by me. Free's Toews and his line to be play more offensive.
- LAHawk

I do think it's easier to put Dach on the ice when you can trust him to be defensively responsible.

As far as the Toews line goes, I'm liking it a lot, they seem to be taking on the role as the closers, they have been scoring late in games during this winning streak, putting the game out of reach.

Is it a case of the puck bouncing their way or hard collective work paying off. If pissed off, or red ass (please no picture Ogi) Gusto shows up every night going forward this team not only make the playoffs but make some noise.

Shaw hasn't been doing much for me at all... especially on the PP.

I'd flip Dach and Shaw in the lineup and put Dach on the PP instead of Shaw.
- bhawks2241

While I tend to agree with you, I don’t think the Hawks want to give Dach much more ice time right now. Last night was abnormal, as they gave him more ice time in the third trying to get the kid a hat trick.

While I tend to agree with you, I don’t think the Hawks want to give Dach much more ice time right now. Last night was abnormal, as they gave him more ice time in the third trying to get the kid a hat trick.
- Angotti

Agreed. He played hard and was making plays so they gave him some extra time out there especially when he had a chance at the hat trick. I would leave him on the 4th line with Smith and Carpenter for now and just keep letting him grow as a player.

I'm sure there will be some trades happening. Picture might get clearer.
- powerenforcer

Undoubtedly

It was disappointing de Haan served up that pizza to Eichal last night - would have loved to see Crow get a shutout (not to mention I don't care for skunky beer face Eichal).
- EbonyRaptor

You really must have enjoyed how badly Eichel screwed up on Dach’s 2 goals. Didn’t pick him up on #1, and let him skate right by while he watched the puck on #2. Eichel at least owned up to how badly he screwed up #2 in post game interviews.

Agreed. He played hard and was making plays so they gave him some extra time out there especially when he had a chance at the hat trick. I would leave him on the 4th line with Smith and Carpenter for now and just keep letting him grow as a player.
- Savetheembers33

Kotkemieni got around 13 minutes a game for Montreal last year, and they were not nearly as strong at Center as the Hawks are (when was the last time you could say that about a Hawk team). I would be very happy if Dach averages 13 minutes a game for the year.

Does anyone remember the song "Camp Granada" by Alan Sherman. The kid is writing his parents asking them to come and get him from the summer camp because everything about it is absolutely awful. Then at the very end of the song, he tells them to disregard the letter because it stopped raining and guys are swimming, sailing and playing ball.

That sums up this blog. The Hawks are terrible. Colliton is terrible. His system is terrible. Bowman is terrible. McDonough is terrible. Oh wait they just won 4 in a row. Everything is good.

Koo Koo 1st. While they see what Mitchell has. Then one of de Haan, Murphy or Maata is exposed to the expansion draft?
- mohel

Most likely if Seabrook will not waive his no trade clause.

If I am Biemsn shoes I tell Seabrook that if he does not waive his no trade clause, then he may wind up finishing the contract in the press box,, Rockford or on Injury Reserve if he has even a minor Injury. Thank you for your service; we.would like you to collect on your paycheck even if you are no longer one of our top dmen. But in fairness we as a team must try to win for our sake as well as for the fans. Your final years in this contract will be dictated by your ability to remain in the mix or not.

Maybe he could be a player/coach but it interferes with ast coach who has that duty. I wish he would waive his no trade. Can't be bought out? And therefore not have to protect from expansion

Why did Boqvist not play last game for Rockford?

Because the 'Yotes never had any owners that wanted to win......that is all. I thought about it
- powerenforcer

That’s just what they want you to think.

Drouin and Byron out weeks, Montreal needed forward depth before this happened.

Cory Schneider put on waivers for the Devils. His sapary cap is $6 mil. for the 2 years after this.

Does anyone remember the song "Camp Granada" by Alan Sherman. The kid is writing his parents asking them to come and get him from the summer camp because everything about it is absolutely awful. Then at the very end of the song, he tells them to disregard the letter because it stopped raining and guys are swimming, sailing and playing ball.

That sums up this blog. The Hawks are terrible. Colliton is terrible. His system is terrible. Bowman is terrible. McDonough is terrible. Oh wait they just won 4 in a row. Everything is good.
- -Doh-

Well the dump and chase was awful so the complaints by many on here were justified. Colliton changed it up and now the offense is cooking mainly because they are carrying the puck into the zone a lot more instead of deferring to the dump and chase the majority of the time (yes the dumping the puck in is a good thing to counter an opposing teams game plan but the Hawks to start the year were intentionally dumping the puck in even when they didn't need to).

Does anyone remember the song "Camp Granada" by Alan Sherman. The kid is writing his parents asking them to come and get him from the summer camp because everything about it is absolutely awful. Then at the very end of the song, he tells them to disregard the letter because it stopped raining and guys are swimming, sailing and playing ball.

That sums up this blog. The Hawks are terrible. Colliton is terrible. His system is terrible. Bowman is terrible. McDonough is terrible. Oh wait they just won 4 in a row. Everything is good.
- -Doh-

Welcome aboard. You’ll get the hang of it eventually.