Im fascinated to watch how Bowman navigates a flat cap system.

IMO....you have guys like 2/19/50/88 who got their whistles wet playing playoff hockey and I can't see any of them OK with a poop start again next year. They want to see improvement, and have to think so will ownership. SO next year may be a lot different regardless of roster turnover.

Which leads me to....do we trust JC is teh guy to maximize what he has? That he can teach on the fly etc? We saw Q take a raw bunch in NOvember of 2008 and send messages to guys like Kane/Sharp that ME plays won't be tolerated. That same mindset has to happen here.

Crawford...Have to think maybe 2 years at reduced AAV......

I thought Maata played a lot better but was he motivated reading the tea leaves and showing he can still play at a high level for a prospective cup contender? WHo knows.

DeHaan.....biggest disappointment to me. He just looked lost way too much. Not enough of a calming veteran, been there done that, factor during those Vegas cycles. Id dangle him before Maata

Strome....he has 2 decent games, and now the hype parade begins again. I don't see how he plays center in the top 6, and again entering the zone he is just way too slow. He knows where to go in short distances but getting there and keeping up puts a TON of pressure on his linemates. Polarizing player

Cagguila......here is your next Bolland/Shaw love child. Disruptive, talented enough to play on any line......have to keep him. Need more of these guys who play BIG regardless of size then gentle giants

IMO....this team doesn't have enough depth. Hopefully guys like Nylander pan out but with a flat cap, adn this team has some HORRIFIC deals already on the books in regards to paying vs injury/production decline.....I don't see how Bowman goes shopping to fix what ails them. Meaning they either need to make true hockey "change of scenery/change up make up of team" trades or improve from within.


If they are looking at trades, who can they really afford to move WHO is attractive to a Pittsburgh or even Nashville (2 gms very vocal of changes needed...Im sure there will be more as teams get bounced)

I don't envy Bowman's spot but this hole they continually face with cap issues is on him and he has to figure out a quick strategy because Keith looked worn down vs Vegas and 19 as well. Those guys can't just be penciled in for the huge minutes, production like before and assume it won't zap them a helluva lot earlier in big boy hockey......

Ummm isn't the mark of a good coach getting the most of what you got?
- fattybeef

That is what I meant. Poorly worded. You can't just excuse JC by saying oh he didn't have the right pieces or his players are bad.

His job is 100% to maximize the talent he has on the roster. The system he tried to run did not maximize anyone's talent.

This is the same thing Q did when he ran Kempny and Daley out of town. Their style of defensive play didn't fit Q's system. Kempny is pretty damn solid for the Capitals.

That is what I meant. Poorly worded. You can't just excuse JC by saying oh he didn't have the right pieces or his players are bad.

His job is 100% to maximize the talent he has on the roster. The system he tried to run did not maximize anyone's talent.

This is the same thing Q did when he ran Kempny and Daley out of town. Their style of defensive play didn't fit Q's system. Kempny is pretty damn solid for the Capitals.
- bhawks2241

I'll be floored if they fire JC this offseason.

I see this more of a babysitter role much like Savard did until it was seen he wasn't ready to take them further.

I don't disagree about JC, and questioning is beyond fair based on some of his in game management with lines, scratches, etc......and that's before we even debate whatever hell system they attempt to play in their own zone.

That is what I meant. Poorly worded. You can't just excuse JC by saying oh he didn't have the right pieces or his players are bad.

His job is 100% to maximize the talent he has on the roster. The system he tried to run did not maximize anyone's talent.

This is the same thing Q did when he ran Kempny and Daley out of town. Their style of defensive play didn't fit Q's system. Kempny is pretty damn solid for the Capitals.
- bhawks2241

There has to be some give and take here (or at least some agreement between coach and GM). You can't just go and change the whole system because of one or two players. Especially if that system had been in place for years (and had been successful).

Colliton has several flaws, and I don't think he is a long term solution for coach of the Hawks. At some point, everyone on the team needs to come together, get on the same page and play as a unit.

I'll be floored if they fire JC this offseason.

I see this more of a babysitter role much like Savard did until it was seen he wasn't ready to take them further.

I don't disagree about JC, and questioning is beyond fair based on some of his in game management with lines, scratches, etc......and that's before we even debate whatever hell system they attempt to play in their own zone.
- SteveRain

Not really disagreeing, but I don't think it's a slam dunk that Colliton is back next year. I get they are rebuilding and a coach like him is good to get the really young guys developed. They will ultimately have a new president, and who knows what direction they want to go. There are a couple of name coaches out there, and they do have a good stable of young talent (which can also be used as trade assets).

I'll be floored if they fire JC this offseason.

I see this more of a babysitter role much like Savard did until it was seen he wasn't ready to take them further.

I don't disagree about JC, and questioning is beyond fair based on some of his in game management with lines, scratches, etc......and that's before we even debate whatever hell system they attempt to play in their own zone.
- SteveRain

Don't you want him running a system that benefits the players development the most then? Is it possible this is the system management wants in place?

I just don't see what player benefits from this system.

I doubt they fire JC this offseason but either put a system in place that helps you win as much as possible now or put a system in place that helps the young players develop.

We know structured hockey wins. This unstructured chase the puck carrier hockey doesn't work.

I remember during the season JC tweaked the system to cut down on the cross ice passes and open forwards at the net by having the Hawks weakside forward drop down further to provide more coverage. All that did was leave the point wide open.

Result is either you scramble to cover the point leaving another area open or you let the D on the point just blast shots on net. I said it in the last blog but the Hawks PK structure often looks better then their 5 on 5 coverage. Hawks aren't even an elite PK team. You see more open cross ice passes in the dzone and open point shots during 5 on 5 play then you do during the PK.

My biggest issue is there is no release valve in the D scheme, except for trying to lob the puck out, which just results in a turnover and then getting pinned back in their zone again.

Saliva testing is what we are working on. We are looking at doing it in 15 minutes though, as opposed to 2-6 hours.
- LAHawk

Nice, how reliable if you had to guess

What pick do Hawks get? 16 or 17?

Nice, how reliable if you had to guess
- BetweenTheDots

Don’t know the data they submitted to the FDA. We are going for 95%, why taking so long.

Don’t know the data they submitted to the FDA. We are going for 95%, why taking so long.
- LAHawk

That would be impressive hope it is just that.

Not one to rag on a coach, however......

Putting 47 on the top line replacing 20.......

Then watching 20 pull the puck off the boards to 8.....

19 with the rebound first goal IN THE 1st period.....

Should have been reunited instantly........

Exhale.....

Hey Mo,
Hope you and yours are all well.
Maata is a good example of a guy with "just-OK" speed but VG hockey smarts. We saw evidence of that and it's why 6 has his name on a few CUPS. Liked the heart we saw from Murph too and I know most don't like him but thought KKKK was pretty solid for a guy that only this year has seen regular action. I happen to think he's a guy worth keeping -- definitely has some talent.
- savvyone-1

Agreed on those three players and your rationale...Brouwer was a guy that didn't have the best foot speed but had a knack for being in the right place. And we've had plenty of examples of the opposite--speed lacking purpose.

I'm convinced that having a good structure that the players understand, can allow them to play faster. The Hawks are playing harder (or were) than I'd seen in the last few years. Not sure the system or structure is where it needs to be yet.

What pick do Hawks get? 16 or 17?
- Bhawks2585

I think that’s still TBD, but most likely #17. If Montreal goes on a deep run the Hawks could draft #16.

Has anyone got clarification on the Hawks 2nd round pick?

I need to find out where Vigneault gets his suits

So, in addition to the Hawks losing in 5 game so have CBJ, Carolina and Arizona (and possibly Montreal still). The Hawks still need to make some changes, but the loss may not be as bad as it feels.

you would get nothing for nylander right now. he put up 10 goals in 65 games. he just turned 22. what I would do is keep him in chicago and work with him for the next 3 months. worse case you expose him in the expansion draft. he has only played 84 games in the NHL. The hawks should have one of the best off season training programs around. they have great facilites and $$$. need a speed skater to train Strome murph and maata.
- kmw4631

I would like to see Dach take boxing 🥊 lessons.

Not one to rag on a coach, however......

Putting 47 on the top line replacing 20.......

Then watching 20 pull the puck off the boards to 8.....

19 with the rebound first goal IN THE 1st period.....

Should have been reunited instantly........

Exhale.....
- mike7076

So to be clear, you're saying we need more #20's, not less of them...

Quenneville sure but I don't see them giving up on Nylander so soon. I suppose they could trade him but I would like to see if he's able to figure it out next season. Like someone mentioned, his space on the team likely won't be guaranteed.
- HawkintheD

I’ve seen all I need to see.

So, in addition to the Hawks losing in 5 game so have CBJ, Carolina and Arizona (and possibly Montreal still). The Hawks still need to make some changes, but the loss may not be as bad as it feels.
- DarthKane

Wrong, donkey breath, this is catastrophic. They will never recover from this beating.

Sure can.
- fattybeef

I see Nylander as the kind of guy to want too much money if he has any kind of season at all. SB can't afford to ride a mistake too long. I can't imagine this guy making any kind of championship difference. Launch him.

And an owner who does give a poop about money.
- mohel

Oh ya he sure does.

I’ve seen all I need to see.
- Ogilthorpe2

I tend agree. I just don't see much of a compete level with him. Skill and other things can be developed, lack of will seldom is.

I tend agree. I just don't see much of a compete level with him. Skill and other things can be developed, lack of will seldom is.
- grinder10

The Hawks will keep Nylander, unless they can parlay him into an upgrade like Georgiev.

Im fascinated to watch how Bowman navigates a flat cap system.

IMO....you have guys like 2/19/50/88 who got their whistles wet playing playoff hockey and I can't see any of them OK with a poop start again next year. They want to see improvement, and have to think so will ownership. SO next year may be a lot different regardless of roster turnover.

Which leads me to....do we trust JC is teh guy to maximize what he has? That he can teach on the fly etc? We saw Q take a raw bunch in NOvember of 2008 and send messages to guys like Kane/Sharp that ME plays won't be tolerated. That same mindset has to happen here.

Crawford...Have to think maybe 2 years at reduced AAV......

I thought Maata played a lot better but was he motivated reading the tea leaves and showing he can still play at a high level for a prospective cup contender? WHo knows.

DeHaan.....biggest disappointment to me. He just looked lost way too much. Not enough of a calming veteran, been there done that, factor during those Vegas cycles. Id dangle him before Maata

Strome....he has 2 decent games, and now the hype parade begins again. I don't see how he plays center in the top 6, and again entering the zone he is just way too slow. He knows where to go in short distances but getting there and keeping up puts a TON of pressure on his linemates. Polarizing player

Cagguila......here is your next Bolland/Shaw love child. Disruptive, talented enough to play on any line......have to keep him. Need more of these guys who play BIG regardless of size then gentle giants

IMO....this team doesn't have enough depth. Hopefully guys like Nylander pan out but with a flat cap, adn this team has some HORRIFIC deals already on the books in regards to paying vs injury/production decline.....I don't see how Bowman goes shopping to fix what ails them. Meaning they either need to make true hockey "change of scenery/change up make up of team" trades or improve from within.


If they are looking at trades, who can they really afford to move WHO is attractive to a Pittsburgh or even Nashville (2 gms very vocal of changes needed...Im sure there will be more as teams get bounced)

I don't envy Bowman's spot but this hole they continually face with cap issues is on him and he has to figure out a quick strategy because Keith looked worn down vs Vegas and 19 as well. Those guys can't just be penciled in for the huge minutes, production like before and assume it won't zap them a helluva lot earlier in big boy hockey......
- SteveRain

Debrincat, upside is offensive ability. Downsize is his size and does not have flat out speed which showed in these playoffs.

Wow... Motte just scored a nice short handed goal for Vancouver. I’d like the Hawks to have Motte back on the 4th line.