So, Detroit has better goaltending than Chicago, yet the Blackhawks looked like the much better team this weekend. Is goaltending really that important? This weekend just confused me as a Blackhawks fan. Should I get excited about this team, or put it all in perspective (playing Detroit)?
- powerenforcer

It was Detroit. Hold all excitement. Hawks are still a Bottom 5 team.

Focus on the youth development. Suter, Mitchell, Boqvist and company. It is a growing year, nothing more....

How many games before the ledge gets full again?
- Angotti

Periods, my friend, not games.

How many games before the ledge gets full again?
- Angotti

The next one.

Charting Hockey has the Blackhawks ranked 3rd in the Central for Expected Goal Differential 5v5 (yes, we know it’s early and they haven’t even played everyone yet).

1. CAR
2. TB
3. CHI
4. CBJ
5. NSH
6. FLA
7. DAL

Plus, They have Rinne & Delia as the 2 worst performing goalies.

Still up to the local officials as to whether to open up. Hockey has been played in Los Angeles and Anaheim, interesting to see if Santa Clara finally lets the Sharks play.
- LAHawk

There's now the English and South African Flu (I assume that the use of the country's name is okay in this case because the Washington Post used them). I suspect that will cause further delay on fans in the stands while they study things further.

Periods, my friend, not games.
- mohel

I was going to say shifts.....

So, Detroit has better goaltending than Chicago, yet the Blackhawks looked like the much better team this weekend. Is goaltending really that important? This weekend just confused me as a Blackhawks fan. Should I get excited about this team, or put it all in perspective (playing Detroit)?
- powerenforcer

Detroit’s 2 goalies are NHL vets, both probably past their prime.

The Hawk’s 3, are still a TBA.

Lakinen’s 3 starts were at league average for expected goals against vs actual.
Delia’s 3 starts we’re the worst in the NHL so far, by a lot.

Detroit’s 2 goalies are NHL vets, both probably past their prime.

The Hawk’s 3, are still a TBA.

Lakinen’s 3 starts were at league average for expected goals against vs actual.
Delia’s 3 starts we’re the worst in the NHL so far, by a lot.
- scottak

Not a fair comparison when you disregard the opponents each goalie faced. I am still giving Delia a chance to prove himself as I have not written him off yet.

I was going to say shifts.....
- powerenforcer

You'd have been more accurate than me!

Not a fair comparison when you disregard the opponents each goalie faced. I am still giving Delia a chance to prove himself as I have not written him off yet.
- 67hawks

If he was 21/22, I would agree with you, but at 26, and with this being his 4th pro season, if he still hasn't leaned the basic fundamentals of goaltending, I think you need to look elsewhere.

Not a fair comparison when you disregard the opponents each goalie faced. I am still giving Delia a chance to prove himself as I have not written him off yet.
- 67hawks

Lanky and Delia will probably both get a lot of games this year to show what's in their toolbox.

Lanky and Delia will probably both get a lot of games this year to show what's in their toolbox.
- mohel

Rather be Landy and Subban. I have seen enough of Delia, as far as I am concerned you can bring Darling up as the third goalie/taxi squad member and bury Delia in Rockford until his contract is up next season. No way do I see Seattle picking Delia as the Chicago pick.

Lankinen looks the part .... more poise and confidence than Subban or Delia. Both Subban and Delia are hot and cold during games, they make spectacular saves but can let softies in more often. Lankinen, as the saying goes: Makes TIMELY saves. Where the other two goalies do not. Pious Suter showing parts of his game from Europe in the NHL. This is what I was hoping for. Colliton was absolutely right, when he said: We're not satisfied, but we are happy. They have to keep building from each game

Scott Darling signs PTO with Rockford.

I really don't think it would take much for the Hawks to be hovering around the bottom of the playoff picture (but it will be argued to death over if that's what this team needs long term).

1. Insert additional veteran leadership in Toews and Seabrook (when and if recovered)
2. Insert higher end-ish young talent back in Dach and Nylander (when recovered)
3. Bring in a cheap veteran goalie (many to be had)

Yes I know "if if's and butt's were candy and nuts..."

- Just sayin'

How many games before the ledge gets full again?
- Angotti

Halfway through the next period is my guess.

Halfway through the next period is my guess.
- paulr

all about tempered expectations.

Hawks win, great.

hawks lose, not the end of the world.

Hawks younger kids continue to take steps forward and vets play well enough to raise their returns at deadline......everybody wins.

There's now the English and South African Flu (I assume that the use of the country's name is okay in this case because the Washington Post used them). I suspect that will cause further delay on fans in the stands while they study things further.
- mohel

Now that's funny right thar

Lanky and Delia will probably both get a lot of games this year to show what's in their toolbox.
- mohel

Wonder if watching Lanky not flipping and flopping all over the place with cause Delia to learn anything?

As I said the other day, I don't get the Delia thing.

all about tempered expectations.

Hawks win, great.

hawks lose, not the end of the world.

Hawks younger kids continue to take steps forward and vets play well enough to raise their returns at deadline......everybody wins.
- SteveRain

On this board?

Good one. How long have you been coming here?

On this board?

Good one. How long have you been coming here?
- Ogilthorpe2

ha....true.

There's now the English and South African Flu (I assume that the use of the country's name is okay in this case because the Washington Post used them). I suspect that will cause further delay on fans in the stands while they study things further.
- mohel

So far, with some reservations, "they" are saying that the vaccines are effective against the new strains - and Moderna is developing an "improvement" that makes their vaccine more effective - so the real issue in terms of "fans in the stands" is how soon we can get people vaccinated.

Lankinen looks the part .... more poise and confidence than Subban or Delia. Both Subban and Delia are hot and cold during games, they make spectacular saves but can let softies in more often. Lankinen, as the saying goes: Makes TIMELY saves. Where the other two goalies do not. Pious Suter showing parts of his game from Europe in the NHL. This is what I was hoping for. Colliton was absolutely right, when he said: We're not satisfied, but we are happy. They have to keep building from each game
- chuckdahammer

I remember that Delia looked the part in his first couple of games when he came up - what was it, 2 or 3 years ago now? Time has little meaning when we're pretty much stuck in our apartment waiting for the vaccine - positionally sound, quick up and down, little wasted motion - don't know what happened to that guy, but he just seemed to lose it.

So far, with some reservations, "they" are saying that the vaccines are effective against the new strains - and Moderna is developing an "improvement" that makes their vaccine more effective - so the real issue in terms of "fans in the stands" is how soon we can get people vaccinated.
- StLBravesFan

agreed......just need the distribution of these vaccines to go a lot quicker as what good is a cure if you can't distribute it through the supply chain?

Lankinen looks the part .... more poise and confidence than Subban or Delia. Both Subban and Delia are hot and cold during games, they make spectacular saves but can let softies in more often. Lankinen, as the saying goes: Makes TIMELY saves. Where the other two goalies do not. Pious Suter showing parts of his game from Europe in the NHL. This is what I was hoping for. Colliton was absolutely right, when he said: We're not satisfied, but we are happy. They have to keep building from each game
- chuckdahammer

Lanky did look the part - against Detroit. I think it is early for permanent decisions on any of them.