Sound familiar?

“We have underperformed in the playoffs the last few years,” “The message to our fans is that ‘We are not rebuilding, we’re re-tooling.’” - Jim Rutherford- GM

Hopefully Crow turns it around, but if he plays like he has for most of the "post season", do the Hawks even offer him a contract, and look for another goalie?
- LAHawk

yes crow will get offerred a contract...to base a decision on this "playoff run" is kinda odd don't ya think: 4 months in shutdown mode, covid infection and miss all of training camp...not in top form? not surprising he is the type of goalie that has to play alot and get his rythem sync..

and what options do they have? resign lehner as UFA?...he looks to be replacement for MAF

I don't get why this keeps coming up. Strome was brutal on the wing when he played there.
- Chunk

I honestly don't remember them trying him there for very long. How many games did he play at wing? Who were his linemates? These are legit questions I would like to have answered, not trolling.

The reason I brought it up is because he does have skill, he was almost a PPG player his first year with us, and was playing pretty well this year before his ankle injury. If Dach is 2C, I don't think that Strome would be a good option for 3C. So the options become move him to wing, trade him, or do the square peg, round hole thing and make him 3C. I'm not opposed to either of the first two options, but am not a fan of option 3. That said, my preference would be to keep him at a reasonable price (how much would a UFA cost to replace him). He is still young, and no where near a finished project. I'd like to see what he could do if he went into the season after a training camp playing wing.

Pittsburgh fired all the assistant coaches.
- LAHawk

interesting how the assistant are dumped for disappointing seasons...

i guess they make all the difference between winning and losing..

Sound familiar?

“We have underperformed in the playoffs the last few years,” “The message to our fans is that ‘We are not rebuilding, we’re re-tooling.’” - Jim Rutherford- GM
- LAHawk

Except Rutherford will do it right and not make a mess of the team like Stan.

Pittsburgh fired all the assistant coaches.
- LAHawk

Clearing cap space?

I'll come back to the point that these are bonus games and an opportunity for the young guys to learn and show what they can do. Even if the Hawks get swept this experience is still worth dropping from #10 to #17 in the draft.

The kids will make mistakes, I fully expect Dach and Boqvist to screw up, they're 19 year olds playing a significant role. ADB hasn't been himself, but he's still worth holding on to and I believe he'll come around. Strome is perplexing, he's really hurting himself in the long run.

Stan has said there won't be too much turnover on the roster next season, but there will be some. I expect to see Strome back, but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't.
- DarthKane

I'll say again I like your analysis. Perhaps switching Boqvist and Koekkoek might help. The first pair plays more and might perform better than the other arrangement. Sitting Boqvist for Carlsson, however, would at least provide a dman whom won't play as scared and Carlsson won't get outmuscled how Boqvist does. There is danger when substituting a dman - a rookie, moreover - whom needs probably a few shifts to adjust to the pace and intensity after scratched the post season.

There is optimism that Boqvist gets stronger. May take a couple years gradually to add on then with added strength be feels more comfortable. He has been fast tracked and he doesn't have the strength to compete.....probably shaky with confidence too. He should be put in AHL and employ at least two descent forwards in his five man unit. He just needs time and experience along with strength.

ADB should be allowed to re-adjust his muscle through a full summer of dedicated training. He didn't loose ability to shoot and his game should come around. There may be other issues too with him but we would be giving away a 40 + scorer if he isn't given enough time to get right.

Strome presents a head scratcher. Can he get points without ADB? Would he be willing g to play a heavier game.

Strome has talent but if he isn't with complementary lineamates, he better become useful somehow since his skating is an issue. Once at speed he is fine. But getting to speed hurts him all over the ice. Being slow does not automatically mean he cannot compete NHL. We shall see how Strome does; he will have to become better next year or he will turn into a hanger on. I personally want Barrett to supplant him - might happen some time later in the next season.

Crawford stunk tonight. He stunk in 3 of the 4 games against the Oilers so he has stunk in 4 out of 5 playoffs games. Hawks have no chance against a good team with leaky goaltending. He's the only guy we got so it's not like Colliton can go to the 1B goalie - there is no 1B goalie.

I'm sure the haters will be howling about their favorite whipping boys but the buck stops with Crawford ... unfortunately the puck doesn't stop with Crawford.
- EbonyRaptor

Crow shouldn't have to win every single game for them. 20 SOG is abhorrent and the defenders chasing guys from behind the net to above the circles like my ex girlfriends 6 year old is pretty disgusting to watch.

The better team won, with out really trying really hard and by a margin.

Would you rather be a Blackhawks or Blue Jackets fan today?

First I hope everyone is healthy and doing good. Surreal time since I last posted back in early March before covid.

Stayed away even during the Edmonton series because like many others I view these games as a bonus. SUre I want the Hawks to win, and IF every single thing went their way, they could win the cup. Just like the other 24 teams involved.

However the Hawks margin for error is so miniscule it's tough.

If you have posted here or on the DH board, back in 2006-07 I was a huge proponent of making the dance because the younger guys needed that experience. People can argue what intangible truly brings, but when you play in the fastest, skilled, and most competitive league in the world AND then you face a team and players who SOLELY focus on you....thats a whole other level of compete and focus on EVERY SINGLE detail needed to move on to the next round. Each round after that those details, and raising your game, and winning your 50/50 battles gets even more magnified. If the most skilled guys were just enough, you could ride 1 or 2 guys like the NBA.....but this isn't basketball.

Crawford is no where near the level he was back in February/March. That much to me is obvious. 5 games in, we have seen THE Crawford from previous years for all of 1 game.....game 4 vs Edmonton. He seems to be lacking endurance/stamina and Im sure getting hit with covid took his toll and having even a more shortened training camp isn't helping. He seems to be "ducking" shots. Head down, shoulders leaning in and he's getting beating high way too often. No excuses for goals against 1 and 3 last night. Both he makes 10/10 times. This team only has a chance if we get more consistent CC from game 4 vs edmonton.

Dach...wow.....we speculated an offseason with muscle added would do wonders and this kid looks stronger, faster, more confident. By far the most impressive since March.

Boqvist...needs to add size so he can navigate the heavy game. By far not writing him off.

IF we go to negative town......I just don't know if there has been more a polarizing player for the Hawks in the Toews/Kane era like we have with Strome. Dear god. I don't see much of a compete out of him. He had a nice graze into a guy on his way to the bench but 1 goal, a team worse +/-, I still haven't seen him win a 50/50 puck against the wall OR beat a guy to one.....to me with a flat cap.....unless hes taking a HUGE team friendly 1 year deal......you have to part ways. You can't lose a Saad or DeBrincat or Kubalik keeping this goof. Yes he's played all of 164 games, but the problem is outside of the partial year after being traded here......what has he done to warrant a pay increase for what he is? Not only that but where does he slot?

Im very curious to see how Bowman navigates this cap this summer/fall. This is on "house money", kudos to whoever coined that term for this...dead on, and it wasn't like this was a legit 8 seed prior to Covid shutdown. So do we think they are jumping 4 teams and likely having to subtract at least 1, maybe 2, proven NHL players to get cap compliant? Going to be tough.

Hawks will go as far as 88/50 take them. They make it go. 2 just fascinates me as to how he can do what he does at 37. Chelios like with his fitness, if not even better.

Toews is a warrior but he's not as skilled as Kane to carry a team offensively for a long duration.

Hawks need 88 to get rolling and it's obvious Edmonton AND Vegas both are taking away his space and forcing him to give the puck up as quickly as possible.

To me you pair him back up with 19 and 8 and let 8 snipe with open ice and let 19 do the dirty work. Put 20/77/12 together.

Still think they can beat Vegas......but just glad we have this distraction in August of the playoffs.

Tell that to Sean Couturier
- LAHawk

I mentioned Sharp earlier. Coutourier is another great example.

I honestly don't remember them trying him there for very long. How many games did he play at wing? Who were his linemates? These are legit questions I would like to have answered, not trolling.

The reason I brought it up is because he does have skill, he was almost a PPG player his first year with us, and was playing pretty well this year before his ankle injury. If Dach is 2C, I don't think that Strome would be a good option for 3C. So the options become move him to wing, trade him, or do the square peg, round hole thing and make him 3C. I'm not opposed to either of the first two options, but am not a fan of option 3. That said, my preference would be to keep him at a reasonable price (how much would a UFA cost to replace him). He is still young, and no where near a finished project. I'd like to see what he could do if he went into the season after a training camp playing wing.
- tvetter

It's hard to find, but from what I pieced together he played 12 games on wing. Admittedly not very long, but he was not very effective there. Here is some additional info from an article at the beginning of the year:

Dach made his NHL debut last weekend and started out as the second-line center, which was Strome's usual spot. But rather than bumping him to the third line, Strome was moved to the wing, partly because the Blackhawks didn't want to take away his minutes. The other part is the team feels that line of Dach, Strome and Patrick Kane could work in the long run.
But Strome is still adjusting to the switch and it sounds like he's preparing for the possibility of the move lasting more than just a few games.
"It's not something I'm used to, but I'm working on it," Strome said. "I wouldn't say I'm comfortable yet, but I'm trying to get better every day at it. It's something new to me. I think it's a little bit less skating, it's a little bit you gotta hold onto the puck a little bit longer. I'm working on it, I'm trying to get better at it and hopefully I can continue to grow and be a good winger."
The Blackhawks like having versatility among their forward group, but the only way to get both Dach and Strome top-six action is to move one to the wing and Strome is the guy who's making the transition, at least for now, with a healthy lineup.
So even though it may not be permanent, you have to wonder whether Strome's future is at the wing if Dach is kept on the NHL roster for the entire season.
"It's a matter of looking at our centers and who's most comfortable low," Colliton said. "I think Dach can do a really good job for us. Maybe it frees up Stromer to have a little more pressure on the puck up ice, make a few plays. Last year he had a stretch with [Artem] Anisimov where he kind of shared the center role and I thought that helped him at times. It's an option. I think with Dach in there, I liked our center group a bit more."

Would you rather be a Blackhawks or Blue Jackets fan today?
- powerenforcer

Hawks. I'm from Chicago.

Hey Steve - I didnt want to copy/respond to your mexicohawk-esque lecture....

But I agree with putting 8/19 together

If this team stands a remote chance, they need to put 88 in a position to carry the team/opportunity to do so

Unless ADB or Dach begin putting the puck in the net - the boa constrictor team defence will suffocate Kane more and more. People will complain that Kane is invisible- but there is nothing he will be able to do until there is a threat on the ice with him

With the layoff, Toews has legs. Put him and Kane together.

I went with - 91/18/88 - have had success playing together

20/77/8 - Saad and Kubilak have had chemistry all year together. Put Dach between them. All 3 have speed and are responsible defensively

12/17/36 - Dont get scored on? Maybe Highmore's motor/work ethic can run off. Can also double shift Kane/Kubilak at times at RW on this line

22/67/92 - Nylander hasnt been bad (or good), just kind of meh. Put him down with these guys and see if he can just continue to play responsible

But I think this can give them a bit deeper of a lineup which is needed more vs Vegas than it was vs EDM

It's hard to find, but from what I pieced together he played 12 games on wing. Admittedly not very long, but he was not very effective there. Here is some additional info from an article at the beginning of the year:

Dach made his NHL debut last weekend and started out as the second-line center, which was Strome's usual spot. But rather than bumping him to the third line, Strome was moved to the wing, partly because the Blackhawks didn't want to take away his minutes. The other part is the team feels that line of Dach, Strome and Patrick Kane could work in the long run.
But Strome is still adjusting to the switch and it sounds like he's preparing for the possibility of the move lasting more than just a few games.
"It's not something I'm used to, but I'm working on it," Strome said. "I wouldn't say I'm comfortable yet, but I'm trying to get better every day at it. It's something new to me. I think it's a little bit less skating, it's a little bit you gotta hold onto the puck a little bit longer. I'm working on it, I'm trying to get better at it and hopefully I can continue to grow and be a good winger."
The Blackhawks like having versatility among their forward group, but the only way to get both Dach and Strome top-six action is to move one to the wing and Strome is the guy who's making the transition, at least for now, with a healthy lineup.
So even though it may not be permanent, you have to wonder whether Strome's future is at the wing if Dach is kept on the NHL roster for the entire season.
"It's a matter of looking at our centers and who's most comfortable low," Colliton said. "I think Dach can do a really good job for us. Maybe it frees up Stromer to have a little more pressure on the puck up ice, make a few plays. Last year he had a stretch with
- Chunk[Artem] Anisimov where he kind of shared the center role and I thought that helped him at times. It's an option. I think with Dach in there, I liked our center group a bit more."

Thanks. Good info.

Except Rutherford will do it right and not make a mess of the team like Stan.
- DarthKane

Grubradson, Galchenyuk, Hornqvist, Johnson, Bjustad....

Not like Rutherford hasnt made his own mess at times

I bet this is the yeah Malkin gets traded to CHI

And fulfills the Ek prophecy

I'm sure there is lots of talk about Crawford. He is definitely not the problem or the reason they dropped that game last night, but people love to make a storyline and come up with theories.

Bottom line was, after out top line of Kubalik - Toews - Saad, the rest of the forward lines didn't look ready to play big boy hockey. Vegas isn't going to make many dumb mistakes and give up ice easily. More guys have to show up and play like they actually want to win.

Our 4th line is a problem defensively, but even Highmore (with 2 goals) has more goals than Kane, Dach, DeBrincat, Nylander, Caggiulla combined.

Strome just can't seem to keep up or do much lately. I would bench him for game 2 and slot in a kid with some jump in his place.

I'm sure there is lots of talk about Crawford. He is definitely not the problem or the reason they dropped that game last night, but people love to make a storyline and come up with theories.

Bottom line was, after out top line of Kubalik - Toews - Saad, the rest of the forward lines didn't look ready to play big boy hockey. Vegas isn't going to make many dumb mistakes and give up ice easily. More guys have to show up and play like they actually want to win.

Our 4th line is a problem defensively, but even Highmore (with 2 goals) has more goals than Kane, Dach, DeBrincat, Nylander, Caggiulla combined.

Strome just can't seem to keep up or do much lately. I would bench him for game 2 and slot in a kid with some jump in his place.
- breadbag

Crawford needed to make those saves.

If the forwards needed to play "big boy hockey" - so does 50 and make those stops. Especially when the team is out classes. Hes one of the few with experience and I'm sure he knows he needed to be much better

Crow shouldn't have to win every single game for them. 20 SOG is abhorrent and the defenders chasing guys from behind the net to above the circles like my ex girlfriends 6 year old is pretty disgusting to watch.

The better team won, with out really trying really hard and by a margin.
- fattybeef

Bang on. Crawford missed one with his glove that he normally stops, but every goalie gets beat on the glove once in a while. The other fluky one off of him over and in was dumb luck. The bottom line is there was no way to win that game with the effort in front of him.

No disrespect but it would help if the guy who is paid 10.5 mil per year strictly for his offense would play like he gave more of a damn. Remember when he used to put d-men on his heels when he had the puck on his stick.

Crawford needed to make those saves.

If the forwards needed to play "big boy hockey" - so does 50 and make those stops. Especially when the team is out classes. Hes one of the few with experience and I'm sure he knows he needed to be much better
- PatShart

Every goalie gives up some of those goals, but you can't expect him to be perfect and win the game 1-0. The team in front has to show up to play.

Bang on. Crawford missed one with his glove that he normally stops, but every goalie gets beat on the glove once in a while. The other fluky one off of him over and in was dumb luck. The bottom line is there was no way to win that game with the effort in front of him.

No disrespect but it would help if the guy who is paid 10.5 mil per year strictly for his offense would play like he gave more of a damn. Remember when he used to put d-men on his heels when he had the puck on his stick.
- breadbag

I dont understand why Crawford is given a pass on goals that are allegedly "fluky"

And Kane has all 5 defenders on the ice taking away his time and space with and without the puck. Is he supposed to beat 3 guys by himself and "pass" ADB open? Or is he supposed to shoot the puck for Dach when Dach has clear lanes and refuses to shoot?

And it wasn't just the Blackhawks that have fallen victim to the 3rd period Vegas onslaught.

The Golden Knights outscored the Stars, Blues and Avalanche a combined 8-1 in the 3rd periods of their round robin games. Those are 3 pretty solid teams.

Some times your opponent is just better than you are.

Put Subban in goal. Heck we have nothing to lose he may be able to at least stop the shots that any goalie should make. I love Crow but he's not playing well poop he can't even catch the puck with his glove. I'm having visions of 2012 Crow....

Every goalie gives up some of those goals, but you can't expect him to be perfect and win the game 1-0. The team in front has to show up to play.
- breadbag

Every goalie gives up fluky goals.

Does every forward have the other team focusing their game plan on shutting then down - as Kane does?

An awful lot of teeth gnashing going on today. Why though? You have the 12 seed going up against the 1 seed and the favorite won. The Hawks were the 12 seed for a reason. They have 1/2 of a forward group and 2-3 legit NHL defensemen (at this point in time).

Last year's playoffs were an anomaly. You are not going to regularly get all of the 8 seeds beating the 1 seeds and seeing a Cinderella run like STL.

You can almost see our young guys trying to process the play as they are playing. There are a lot of "hope" passes and panicked clears. This is not to say they have no chance, or won't win a game or two. They simply don't have the same amount of developed talent that the Knights do.

Anyone expecting Boqvist to be like Karlsson, or Strome to be like Richards right now is fooling themselves. Guys like this are just barely into or past their first full year in the league. Dach had a tough game. He will have more tough games, but as soon as he gets the confidence in his game to stop deferring he will be a monster.

Players can have bad games, not to mention bad years (were we all recently lamenting the downfall of Toews?). Let's keep perspective about what this team ACTUALLY is, and not project on them what we expect them to be because of impatience.
- Chunk