Theo Fox: Game 6: Hawks 6, Wings 2
A recap of the Blackhawks 6-2 win versus the Red Wings powered by a Suter hat trick.

Also noteworthy: outstanding two-way play by both Kurashev and Murphy plus Lankinen's stellar netminding.
- Theo Fox

As I said previously, my thoughts in the previous blogs are coming to fruition. Too many armchair GM in here. This team is going to hover 500, and they are going to break out in another year or two and you are going to see this team really turn back into a powerhouse. All the kids are going to be firing on all cylinders. You already have gotten a taste of Kurashev and Suter and several others. And this is the team playing without the captain. It doesn't matter if it is Detroit, this team is going to gel and things are really going to turn around. I still believe Lankinen and Delia are your Goalies of the future and the hawks will let Subban go to expansion.

The hawks management knew what they were doing, and they are pushing to a return to a powerhouse. The defense is going to take time to gel but the offense is clicking. Those young kids wont turn stuff around for another year or 2 and then you will see the Keith and Seabs send off and turn into Beaudin and Boquist and so forth. The hawks are trying to keep salaries down and pull a continuous recycle of players so they can compete year after year. Mark this down because you are going to see that at the end of the season.

Ryno

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?
- SteveRain

Political decisions need to be made about who gets it when.

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

Encouraged by their efforts and improvements, also keep in mind Detroit had 5 regulars in Covid Protocol as well. Zadina and Fabbri make them more skilled than what we saw this past weekend. Merrill was not on their D either. Not a star, but a NHL defenseman nonetheless.

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

Not sure what is going on out there. I read today that CA issued the Stay At Home order on December 3rd. LA County hospitalizations were at 2,572. Today, when they lifted the order, LAC hospitalizations are 6,697. Don't know where I saw it so it could be baloney. If true, though, why are they opening up at all?

Encouraged by their efforts and improvements, also keep in mind Detroit had 5 regulars in Covid Protocol as well. Zadina and Fabbri make them more skilled than what we saw this past weekend. Merrill was not on their D either. Not a star, but a NHL defenseman nonetheless.
- ChicagoHope

So far it seems that Tampa is the best team ever and Detroit the worst. Good points about Detroit.

Political decisions need to be made about who gets it when.
- mohel

They've already made the decisions about who gets it - if not when (because they are still trying to figure out 'how'), then in what order.

They need to figure out the 'how' now - especially the part about the 'last mile' - actually getting it from vials into arms.

I'm supposed to be eligible today: I have no idea how to sign up for it, etc.

They've already made the decisions about who gets it - if not when (because they are still trying to figure out 'how'), then in what order.

They need to figure out the 'how' now - especially the part about the 'last mile' - actually getting it from vials into arms.

I'm supposed to be eligible today: I have no idea how to sign up for it, etc.
- StLBravesFan

I hope you're able get it soon. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to get it today since loads of the stuff has been produced.

Not sure what is going on out there. I read today that CA issued the Stay At Home order on December 3rd. LA County hospitalizations were at 2,572. Today, when they lifted the order, LAC hospitalizations are 6,697. Don't know where I saw it so it could be baloney. If true, though, why are they opening up at all?
- mohel

Because the number of signatures needed to recall the governor is getting real close.

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

Oh that's precious Lou. You think it will take a FULL game.

Edit - Figured someone likely beat me to it. Cap doffed to Mo...and LA and PE...

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

Who are you and how were you able to hack Steve's account???

Waivers today:

Tyler Ennis & Greg Pateryn.

If someone can knock off Brady and James, I’m thinking also Super Bowl and NBA championship.

What the (frank) is wrong with you people?
- StLBravesFan

For the record, the Bear's beat Brady this year.

Well, yeah. We just watched them. The Hawks are not some juggernaut team. When they play well (and especially show proper structure, instincts and techniques), it releases endorphins which bring on a temporary state of euphoria.
- Chunk

JC is doing his best coaching after doing his worst. It's the system that matters and how the coach installs it, not the players.

I know it was Detroit (but I saw a glimpse in the game against Florida too), but I still say a goalie that is quieter in net makes for a less scrambly defense. Really hard for a defenseman to recover from a mistake and a turnover, when you do not know where your goaltender might be.
- LAHawk

I am convinced Delia is not an NHL Goalie next man up... Heineken has proven it under pressure and Suban only got one game against the champs. Take Delia out of the rotation keep him on the Yellow Cab squad.

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

Hey. Lank The Tank has no regulation losses in his NHL career. 2-0-1.

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.
- LAHawk

I'm no Delia fan but Tony0 made a HOF career out of bad goalie fundamentals. Keeping it out of the net is what counts and Delia is not very good at it standing on his head.

Not sure what is going on out there. I read today that CA issued the Stay At Home order on December 3rd. LA County hospitalizations were at 2,572. Today, when they lifted the order, LAC hospitalizations are 6,697. Don't know where I saw it so it could be baloney. If true, though, why are they opening up at all?
- mohel

All that has nothing to do with 25 people getting together at Christmas and blowing the disease up.

Er, not sure I follow you here. What plans would be messed up by a young net minder being good? Isn't that what we are all hoping for, young guys to prove their worth?
- Chunk

They don't resign CC, they give JC an extension as in relax don't worry about it we know we're going to be bad. We're in rebuild mode. I'm hoping they win every game.

Im sure they had a belief we will be drafted in the top 5. If Lanky can stimulate this success against better teams, the team in front of him will probably relax and play better defense. Probably be a more competitive team.

Speaking of defense, it only took 4 games but it seems like the defenseman aren't abandoning the front of the net so quickly anymore.

JC is doing his best coaching after doing his worst. It's the system that matters and how the coach installs it, not the players.
- rpeters01

Or was he coaching the same the whole time and it is just coming together now.

I agree with your concept to a degree...

It all matters. System, coaching, players, goalies, buy-in/attitude. I don't care what the system is, if you have a team full of John Haydens (limited offiense) on the ice, you aren't going to get good results. Same if you have a team full of Patrick Kanes (limited defense).

They don't resign CC, they give JC an extension as in relax don't worry about it we know we're going to be bad. We're in rebuild mode. I'm hoping they win every game.

Im sure they had a belief we will be drafted in the top 5. If Lanky can stimulate this success against better teams, the team in front of him will probably relax and play better defense. Probably be a more competitive team.

Speaking of defense, it only took 4 games but it seems like the defenseman aren't abandoning the front of the net so quickly anymore.
- BetweenTheDots

That is becuase they are playing in front of a goalie that doesn't abandon his net.

Or was he coaching the same the whole time and it is just coming together now.

I agree with your concept to a degree...

It all matters. System, coaching, players, goalies, buy-in/attitude. I don't care what the system is, if you have a team full of John Haydens (limited offiense) on the ice, you aren't going to get good results. Same if you have a team full of Patrick Kanes (limited defense).
- Chunk

Interesting Babcock on the national broadcast was complimenting Kane on his defense. Also interesting his observation of the hawks spreading out when Kane has the puck like Datsyuk, giving more space for Kane to work and more outlets to pass to.

They don't resign CC, they give JC an extension as in relax don't worry about it we know we're going to be bad. We're in rebuild mode. I'm hoping they win every game.

Im sure they had a belief we will be drafted in the top 5. If Lanky can stimulate this success against better teams, the team in front of him will probably relax and play better defense. Probably be a more competitive team.

Speaking of defense, it only took 4 games but it seems like the defenseman aren't abandoning the front of the net so quickly anymore.
- BetweenTheDots

So was the comment based on "messing up" the draft slot? If so, I get what you are saying, but I think that whole concept is way overblown. With the lottery system, you are not guaranteed much regarding slotting. Not to mention draft prospects are exactly that... prospects. I'd be more than happy if they team can just continue to improve their play, build/gain confidence, and continue to add players the way they have in the last 2-3 years (draft, EU FA's).

Or was he coaching the same the whole time and it is just coming together now.

I agree with your concept to a degree...

It all matters. System, coaching, players, goalies, buy-in/attitude. I don't care what the system is, if you have a team full of John Haydens (limited offiense) on the ice, you aren't going to get good results. Same if you have a team full of Patrick Kanes (limited defense).
- Chunk

It was a red font post. I'm a firm believer in if you're not winning look at the players.

It was a red font post. I'm a firm believer in if you're not winning look at the players.
- rpeters01

Sorry. My redding comprenshun is pour.

That is becuase they are playing in front of a goalie that doesn't abandon his net.
- LAHawk

And so far has had decent rebound control, that always makes the defense look better.