I've always wondered why he didn't get another shot.
- mohel

He's an assistant with the Kings this year I think. Maybe the Hawks will poach him in 10 years when they're ready to be good again

He's an assistant with the Kings this year I think. Maybe the Hawks will poach him in 10 years when they're ready to be good again
- GPHawksfan

A few smart moves, a couple of drafts and the hawks can become a winning team in two years and a contender in three or four.

A few smart moves, a couple of drafts and the hawks can become a winning team in two years and a contender in three or four.
- paulr

Maybe, maybe not, for now they need to concentrate on giving up only 4 goals or less tonight. Staying on sides. Actually trying to keep possession as long as they can, they haven't sustained poop in the ozone at all unless it's on a PP even then they give up quality chances.

As a defenceman can we please expect long stretch passes

I've always wondered why he didn't get another shot.
- mohel

He's been an assistant with a few clubs over the years. GP says he still is.

First. Great job again Theo!
- devilhawk

Thanks, devilhawk.

You're on a roll with being first to post on the boards. You either burn the midnight oil like me or live in another hemisphere.

G'mornin' Theo. Thanks for the game day write up!

Hawks flip the script and beat the Q Cats 5-2. Suter with the 1st. I'm basing this on nothing other than just cause.

Edit - Just cause it's Lanky Time!
- HawkintheD

You bet, D.

Flipping the script would be wonderful. Or allowing just 4 goals even if in a loss. Baby steps.

Yeah, Johns has had a hard time staying healthy. Kempny is probably gonna miss the year after an offseason training injury.
With Nylander out and no comparison for the swap, throwing up Joki's numbers don't really mean anything, heck you could pick select games or only look at numbers and Rundblad would seem like a serviceable player, while anyone who watched him more than casually would say thats not the case.
- TheTrob

4K will win the Norris...

Thanks for your daily breakdowns...my first readings of the day and follow the boards the rest of the day. Really looking forward to some progression with this group but not feeling it just yet.
- billparmer

You're welcome, bill.

Any progression with this team will be at a glacial pace. Growth will be over time so not as easy to track game to game but dividends hopefully will pay off during the latter part of the season and into next year.

It's just good to see rookies like Mitchell, Suter, and Kurashev swimming so far instead of sinking right away. Guessing Hagel, Beaudin, Carlsson, and Kalynuk would have a similar trajectory.

Still growth curves to get through but at least no monumental struggles for them.

Maybe, maybe not, for now they need to concentrate on giving up only 4 goals or less tonight. Staying on sides. Actually trying to keep possession as long as they can, they haven't sustained poop in the ozone at all unless it's on a PP even then they give up quality chances.
- BetweenTheDots

On the first PP chance on Sunday, they needed more than a minute to set up and spent a good portion in their own end fending off the tenacious PKers.

I know many teams use it but I really don't understand the purpose of the drop pass (push em back) entry on the PP. It shaves off precious seconds and can be a momentum killer.

Could just be me but I see rushing into the O zone with a full head of steam off the bat as more advantageous.

Yawney played for years in the luxury of the NHL. When he went to Norfolk to coach the hawks didn't hire an assistant coach for him. He did it all, on and off the ice. He did a fine job and paid his dues. The shortest bus ride was six hours. Try that after being in the show. He deserves all the respect he gets.
- 6628

I also remember the Yawney story on how he wanted to videotape practices but, cheap-a$$ Wirtz wouldn't pay for a camera or tapes. Yawney bought the gear with his own money and had his wife tape the practices.

Carolina-Nashville game tonite postponed - ‘Canes with a COVID issue. (leBrun tweet)

I also remember the Yawney story on how he wanted to videotape practices but, cheap-a$$ Wirtz wouldn't pay for a camera or tapes. Yawney bought the gear with his own money and had his wife tape the practices.
- Rota's Rooter

Whomever the GM was then was a big help...

Whomever the GM was then was a big help...
- rpeters01

I had to look it up. Yawney was HC of Norfolk from 2000-2005. That would span the Mike Smith/Bob Pulford era.

6 Bob Murray July 3, 1997 – December 2, 1999

– Bob Pulford (Interim) December 2, 1999 – September 22, 2000

7 Mike Smith September 22, 2000 – October 24, 2003

– Bob Pulford October 24, 2003 – June 21, 2005

8 Dale Tallon June 21, 2005 – July 14, 2009

I also remember the Yawney story on how he wanted to videotape practices but, cheap-a$$ Wirtz wouldn't pay for a camera or tapes. Yawney bought the gear with his own money and had his wife tape the practices.
- Rota's Rooter

Wow, that's penny pinching at its worst. It wasn't like Yawney was asking to hire assistant coaches which costs salaries + benefits.

Maybe, maybe not, for now they need to concentrate on giving up only 4 goals or less tonight. Staying on sides. Actually trying to keep possession as long as they can, they haven't sustained poop in the ozone at all unless it's on a PP even then they give up quality chances.
- BetweenTheDots

Two different discussions. You’re right, short term they need to improve in a number of areas. I don’t think the team has the talent to be a possession team at the moment. Keeping the goals down is an achievable goal. Staying onside shouldn’t even be in the discussion, this is learned in Pee wee. But yes, they need to stat onside .

Long term, and that’s where my interest lies, I’d like to see Bowman get creative. Take on bad contracts for prospects and draft picks. Get involved in trades with two teams who have cap issues. Try to acquire as many prospects and draft picks as possible. Do not move younger players, prospects or draft picks. Make sure the right coaching is in place in the AHL to develop the young guys.

If they are going to go ahead and give up 5 goals every night anyway, let's get Beaudin and Kalynuk some shifts out there. Sooner or later that has to happen as we see Keith slip back to a more average defenseman. He has been making some mistakes, which look bad, but then I'm comparing him to 2015 Keith, and he obviously isn't the same player.

So, who goes to the taxi squad when Soderberg gets in the lineup?

If they are going to go ahead and give up 5 goals every night anyway, let's get Beaudin and Kalynuk some shifts out there. Sooner or later that has to happen as we see Keith slip back to a more average defenseman. He has been making some mistakes, which look bad, but then I'm comparing him to 2015 Keith, and he obviously isn't the same player.

So, who goes to the taxi squad when Soderberg gets in the lineup?
- biskit67

The forgotten one, Brandon Pirri.

Two different discussions. You’re right, short term they need to improve in a number of areas. I don’t think the team has the talent to be a possession team at the moment. Keeping the goals down is an achievable goal. Staying onside shouldn’t even be in the discussion, this is learned in Pee wee. But yes, they need to stat onside .

Long term, and that’s where my interest lies, I’d like to see Bowman get creative. Take on bad contracts for prospects and draft picks. Get involved in trades with two teams who have cap issues. Try to acquire as many prospects and draft picks as possible. Do not move younger players, prospects or draft picks. Make sure the right coaching is in place in the AHL to develop the young guys.
- paulr

I'm good with all this, i like your line of right coaching in the AHL that's important.

To me and I've never been one to bash JC, but i don't understand what they are trying to do on defense.

Two different discussions. You’re right, short term they need to improve in a number of areas. I don’t think the team has the talent to be a possession team at the moment. Keeping the goals down is an achievable goal. Staying onside shouldn’t even be in the discussion, this is learned in Pee wee. But yes, they need to stat onside .

Long term, and that’s where my interest lies, I’d like to see Bowman get creative. Take on bad contracts for prospects and draft picks. Get involved in trades with two teams who have cap issues. Try to acquire as many prospects and draft picks as possible. Do not move younger players, prospects or draft picks. Make sure the right coaching is in place in the AHL to develop the young guys.
- paulr

Fully agree on paragraph #2. Many posters are still focused on being better right now, as if the will end the rebuild sooner. They need to identify and develop the guys who will be important players when the rebuild does end. Just like a good minor league team has to sometimes sacrifice the now in order to develop the big time prospect, this team needs to put some young players in important situations and coach them from there. At the same time, they also need to showcase guys who can be traded at the deadline.

The goal this year is to have a good idea how many players they have for their next playoff team. How well the other guys play, and whether they are improving, doesn't matter. Some fans have a hard time with that concept.

I'm good with all this, i like your line of right coaching in the AHL that's important.

To me and I've never been one to bash JC, but i don't understand what they are trying to do on defense.
- BetweenTheDots

A scenario where you are adding a first round choice is very desirable. The first round selection need to become core or important long term contributors. Moving back into a contender status is should rely upon young prospects improving
.
But not only first round picks, but each younger player throughout the line up with compete and hungrieness to earn their contract, is highly valuable.

I realize that drafting the best player available is the way to go. But darn it we need more forwards who are willing and able to play a cycle game. I am big on skating, but even more pushing for players on top two lines whom will engage in board battles. More and more league wide teams have this advantage over us.

Two different discussions. You’re right, short term they need to improve in a number of areas. I don’t think the team has the talent to be a possession team at the moment. Keeping the goals down is an achievable goal. Staying onside shouldn’t even be in the discussion, this is learned in Pee wee. But yes, they need to stat onside .

Long term, and that’s where my interest lies, I’d like to see Bowman get creative. Take on bad contracts for prospects and draft picks. Get involved in trades with two teams who have cap issues. Try to acquire as many prospects and draft picks as possible. Do not move younger players, prospects or draft picks. Make sure the right coaching is in place in the AHL to develop the young guys.
- paulr

Taking on bad contracts: with dramatically reduced revenues this year (hopefully, not next year) - I would question Rocky’s approval for spending the real cash money required.

Taking on bad contracts: with dramatically reduced revenues this year (hopefully, not next year) - I would question Rocky’s approval for spending the real cash money required.
- StLBravesFan

I question it, too. Not necessarily that he won't, but it is a legitimate question given the financial circumstances of the day. I view it as a slight positive that they seem to be maximizing their LTIR space.

Good discussions today on the board. The front office needs to focus on long term success and the players need to focus on games on their schedule. I too would like to see the Hawks acquire a sweetener or two with a cap dump, unfortunately Sage is probably right, with low revenues I don’t see Rocky putting out that type of money. I’m going to say that the Hawks will be very competitive by the 2023-24 season, Stan needs to figure out which defensemen to keep and which ones to use to strengthen our forward group, and of course draft well.

Not reflected on Capfriendly yet, but there's this:

The Blackhawks appear to have moved Kevin Lankinen & Brandon Hagel from the taxi squad to the active roster and Lucas Carlsson & Wyatt Kalynuk from the active roster to the taxi squad. Not sure if Lankinen or Hagel will be in tonight. Colliton is talking later this afternoon.