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

That's why Delia looked so bad, because of his bad rebound control. Makes him scramble and lose his net a lot as someone else pointed out.

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.
- LAHawk

Im done listening to Babcock - is that spot reserved for complete Jerks

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).
- Chunk

It was, about messing up the draft slot. And i agree with you the whole concept is overblown.

Make no mistake i want them to win, i want them to play well, compete. 1st 3 games sucked. Curious how the little guys will do vs Preds I'm sure they are going to be physical with us.

Nice move posting first and taking that away

Oh and great blog.

If only it was a league full of Red Wings............
- vabeachbear

Me posting first is my attempt at boxing out

Yes, thanks for that Theo.

Switzerland 4 Todd Bertuzzi 2

Hats off to the Wing fan who has been visiting here lately. He's right...they're bad.

Hard to gauge after those two games but the effort's been much better since they got out of Tampa.


- HawkintheDProlly go 50-0 the rest of the way.

Lanky's making a case to stay in, the rookies and young guys all played well vs D and apparently we need to start hating on Janmark a bit more if he responds with that type of game.

Great stuff as always Theo!

Thanks, D.

Janmark really surprised me in Sunday's game. Like Murphy ramping it up in the past two games, so has Janmark.

I thought Soderberg would out play Janmark but I barely noticed Soderberg besides when he was on the PK, especially the 5-on-3.

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
- Hawk4life

The bolded is a critical part of the new direction of the Blackhawks organization. Sustainable growth to avoid the deep valleys that has become a natural part of championship cycles.

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

I think part of the Hawks uptick in positioning has to do with getting a few games under their belt when there was no exhibition. New pairs, new roster and compressed camp means they need a little time to work out kinks. Not saying that fixed everything, but we will start to really see more of what the Hawks D are now that they have gotten their feet wet.

Thanks, D.

Janmark really surprised me in Sunday's game. Like Murphy ramping it up in the past two games, so has Janmark.

I thought Soderberg would out play Janmark but I barely noticed Soderberg besides when he was on the PK, especially the 5-on-3.
- Theo Fox

I felt the same way about Soderberg. I didn't really notice him much at all, but when I did at least he was playing decent defense.

It was, about messing up the draft slot. And i agree with you the whole concept is overblown.

Make no mistake i want them to win, i want them to play well, compete. 1st 3 games sucked. Curious how the little guys will do vs Preds I'm sure they are going to be physical with us.
- BetweenTheDots

These aren't your fathers Preds, they certainly aren't a physical team up front. Only forward i would say is physical is Colton Scissons.

These aren't your fathers Preds, they certainly aren't a physical team up front. Only forward i would say is physical is Colton Scissons.
- LAHawk

When I look at their roster, they look like more of a bottom half of the NHL team to me. They have some good fowards and some good D, but to me not enough to really make up for the lack of superstars. They look competitive but not solid or contender material IMO. Still a good measuring stick for the Hawks.

Edit: let me just add, I know they have a couple guys who can be considered superstars, but I don't think they have enough to be a real dangerous team.

One thing that stuck out to me rewatching the highlights of the game. The Hawks did a good job of getting chances from within a few feet of the net and that led to a lot of the success scoring. Again, I know it's Detroit, but it is something they need to do vs all teams. The more they can get to the tough areas, the playmaking guys on the team can send pucks into those areas to be converted.

The bolded is a critical part of the new direction of the Blackhawks organization. Sustainable growth to avoid the deep valleys that has become a natural part of championship cycles.
- Theo Fox

Agree. I think the plan is to build cap space, especially after the Kane, Toews, ADB, and Keith contracts expire in the summer of 2023. Then stay in a less than full cap mode, until you are a serious cup contender. When you are a serious cup contender you will have the resources to make in season moves that could put you over the top. Then and for a few years after you overpay.

These aren't your fathers Preds, they certainly aren't a physical team up front. Only forward i would say is physical is Colton Scissons.
- LAHawk

He always seemed like a thorn in the Hawks side, along with Craig Smith, Arvidsson, Watson and even Forsberg and Johansen whenever we played them...especially their SCF (for them) where they swept the Hawks in that series in '17.

Maybe they just have some extra motivation whenever they play the Hawks.

I know they picked up Cousins and a couple other guys that they identified as making them tougher to play against but not sure I see that.

He always seemed like a thorn in the Hawks side, along with Craig Smith, Arvidsson, Watson and even Forsberg and Johansen whenever we played them...especially their SCF (for them) where they swept the Hawks in that series in '17.

Maybe they just have some extra motivation whenever they play the Hawks.

I know they picked up Cousins and a couple other guys that they identified as making them tougher to play against but not sure I see that.
- HawkintheD

Dallas pushed them around, there was no push back. I was watching one power play where Johannson looked like Nylander did, just looking around like a deer in the headlights.

I guess Nashville has the Duchene curse now. Has he ever played on a winning team?

And Saros and Rinne look as bad as we think the Hawks goaltending is.

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.
- LAHawk

He'll shoot the zone on occasion or stand at the blueline if they're getting spanked but for the most part he is a fairly competent defender compared to players who put up comparable point totals.

It’s a poopty day to be a packers fan...

How can I ever recover? Oh the misery...

It was, about messing up the draft slot. And i agree with you the whole concept is overblown.

Make no mistake i want them to win, i want them to play well, compete. 1st 3 games sucked. Curious how the little guys will do vs Preds I'm sure they are going to be physical with us.
- BetweenTheDots

I agree that it will be interesting to see if the Hawks can keep up with the Preds speed and physicality.

I have a couple thoughts about "little guys".
1) The Hawks have some bigs that are not afraid of playing physical. Zador"oaf", Murphy, Soderberg, Janmark, Carpenter and DeHaan.
2) You can have little guys (shorter/lighter) and you can have little guys that play small. ADB, Shaw, Hagel, Suter, Kurashev, Higmore, Mitchell, Keith are not big guys, but I do not think they shy away from contact or high traffic areas. Kane, Strome and Boqvist are the ones that shy away from contact.

(Side note - Boqvist had a few opportunities to absolutely rock some of the Red Wings. Instead he chose to skate next to them and use his stick. If he would just throw a hit a few times a game the opponents would be a little more hesitant retrieving puck in his corner or standing in the goal mouth.)

I think part of the Hawks uptick in positioning has to do with getting a few games under their belt when there was no exhibition. New pairs, new roster and compressed camp means they need a little time to work out kinks. Not saying that fixed everything, but we will start to really see more of what the Hawks D are now that they have gotten their feet wet.
- breadbag

Detroit very bad. Panthers are a middle of the pack team so it should be hit or miss there.

Their results are pretty reflective of their talent thus far.

It’s a poopty day to be a packers fan...

How can I ever recover? Oh the misery...
- SimpleJack

Has their coach been fired yet? Has Rogers asked for a trade?

Dallas pushed them around, there was no push back. I was watching one power play where Johannson looked like Nylander did, just looking around like a deer in the headlights.

I guess Nashville has the Duchene curse now. Has he ever played on a winning team?

And Saros and Rinne look as bad as we think the Hawks goaltending is.
- LAHawk

That works for me. Kind of despise them more than the Wings or Blues right now.

Have enjoyed their journey back to the middle since their one Cup appearance.

I think part of the Hawks uptick in positioning has to do with getting a few games under their belt when there was no exhibition. New pairs, new roster and compressed camp means they need a little time to work out kinks. Not saying that fixed everything, but we will start to really see more of what the Hawks D are now that they have gotten their feet wet.
- breadbag

I think LA is on to something about Lanky being in net. I also know a reporter asked Murphy after game 4 what's going on with the defense? Is it the system? He seemed to answer angrily and say no the system is fine its the players. Since, he's played better but damn does he want to chase that puck. It's a long season but really curious to see how Lanky keeps performing.

These aren't your fathers Preds, they certainly aren't a physical team up front. Only forward i would say is physical is Colton Scissons.
- LAHawk

I still think they'll come at them cause of so many young players, we'll see

It’s a poopty day to be a packers fan...

How can I ever recover? Oh the misery...
- SimpleJack

Eat a brick of cheese?

That works for me. Kind of despise them more than the Wings or Blues right now.

Have enjoyed their journey back to the middle since their one Cup appearance.
- HawkintheD

I’m right there with you, the Preds are my most hated team at the moment, kind of hard to hate on the Wings right now as they suck.

I’m right there with you, the Preds are my most hated team at the moment, kind of hard to hate on the Wings right now as they suck.
- Angotti

True, though I've found a way to refuel my hatred for them and it's the whole Stevie Y GM angle.

I hear what you're saying though and losses to these guys don't sting the way they used to...but beating them is still better than the alternative.