Not sure it was mentioned here, but De Haan played a good game last night, I thought he was our steadiest defenseman. Mitchell also had a decent game, but Keith did not, too many tricky passes that were not going to get them out of trouble in their own zone.
- Angotti

I'm not sure if he knows he can pass to other players not named Kane. It's so annoying and very predictable to the other team too.

Not sure it was mentioned here, but De Haan played a good game last night, I thought he was our steadiest defenseman. Mitchell also had a decent game, but Keith did not, too many tricky passes that were not going to get them out of trouble in their own zone.
- Angotti

It’s funny but if any other defenseman played like Keith did last night we’d say he had a good night. Keith has set such a high benchmark for himself that if he has a so so night as he did last night we are critical of him. So far this season Keith has, by far, been the Hawk’s best defenseman and he’s doing it at a much lower level as the Keith in his prime. Sadly we have to get used to seeing his game decline even more. Hopefully one day Mitchell and Beaudin can play at a similar level?

That said, I too thought De Haan had a really good game and he’s played quite well so far this season. Mitchell is so poised out there. He’s surprised me with his defensive play, I thought he would struggle and for the most part he hasn’t. He moves the puck very well and he’s not afraid to jump into the offense. And despite his mistakes Beaudin is looking pretty good. He has to learn from his mistakes and has to understand when he can carry the puck out of the zone. What I look at is his confidence allowing him to try things. True that confidence is part of what makes him make mistakes but it’s easier for a coach to reign Beaudin in then it is to try to instill confidence in him.

Not defending his overall compete level but it did come out he was injured in the Vegas series.
- rpeters01

I'm sure he was. I just don't know how to view him right now. Therefore, I'm subconsciously pretending he is not on the team.

*Fingers in ears, la la la la la*

I'm not sure if he knows he can pass to other players not named Kane. It's so annoying and very predictable to the other team too.
- GPHawksfan

Talking about Keith? I didn't notice this from anyone, but wasn't really watching for it.

It’s funny but if any other defenseman played like Keith did last night we’d say he had a good night. Keith has set such a high benchmark for himself that if he has a so so night as he did last night we are critical of him. So far this season Keith has, by far, been the Hawk’s best defenseman and he’s doing it at a much lower level as the Keith in his prime. Sadly we have to get used to seeing his game decline even more. Hopefully one day Mitchell and Beaudin can play at a similar level?

That said, I too thought De Haan had a really good game and he’s played quite well so far this season. Mitchell is so poised out there. He’s surprised me with his defensive play, I thought he would struggle and for the most part he hasn’t. He moves the puck very well and he’s not afraid to jump into the offense. And despite his mistakes Beaudin is looking pretty good. He has to learn from his mistakes and has to understand when he can carry the puck out of the zone. What I look at is his confidence allowing him to try things. True that confidence is part of what makes him make mistakes but it’s easier for a coach to reign Beaudin in then it is to try to instill confidence in him.
- paulr

Zadorov has really covered for Beaudin's lack of defensive awareness when the other team has the puck and cycling. You can see Beauding getting pulled out of position as the puck is a magnet to him. He is good defending off the rush, needs to get the Gus out of his game.

According to SJ he's "top 6" and they make $6-8M per year. I don't think he's top 6 on a good team.
- rpeters01

Dude we get it, you're a glass half empty type of guy. Its okay that not everyone shares your same negative way of thinking. You do realize that, right?

Mitchell is so poised out there. He’s surprised me with his defensive play, I thought he would struggle and for the most part he hasn’t. He moves the puck very well and he’s not afraid to jump into the offense. And despite his mistakes Beaudin is looking pretty good. He has to learn from his mistakes and has to understand when he can carry the puck out of the zone. What I look at is his confidence allowing him to try things. True that confidence is part of what makes him make mistakes but it’s easier for a coach to reign Beaudin in then it is to try to instill confidence in him.
- paulr

What you described about the confidence that Mitchell and Beaudin have to carry the mail despite the mistakes is exactly what I would like to see out of Boqvist and why I'm not too worried either about Carlsson doing the same thing.

As long as the coaches and veterans help them learn after mistakes, it is actually in the best interest longer term for the young D to gain the confidence to skate with the puck.

What helps is the youngsters also showing more than glimmers of defensive awareness and ability. It's a matter of going through the growing pains as they eventually put it all together.

Yes you do, but there is a difference between puck watching and being aware of where the puck is or is going. That's why "puck watching" is a term.

This is where I believe advanced stats are a very good bolster to an argument - they enhance what the eye test says. Detroit was not just taking a bunch of shots from the outside, they were getting prime chances all night. Combine that with the fact that they completely dominated all the possession and shot metrics, and yes, they should have lost that game if not for very good goaltending.

I agree completely with every word of the bolded. That can all be true at the same time as them having a horrible game. Players can lay it all on the line every shift and still be terrible. I'll reiterate what I said before - throw that game away and on to the next.
- Chunk

You guys are so literal.

You say you're happy they won, you sure don't sound happy about it.

Zadorov has really covered for Beaudin's lack of defensive awareness when the other team has the puck and cycling. You can see Beauding getting pulled out of position as the puck is a magnet to him. He is good defending off the rush, needs to get the Gus out of his game.
- LAHawk

The last five games Zadorov has played better, mainly because he’s stopped being out of position chasing the big hit. And while he’s occasionally covered a Beaudin mistake Beaudin has also covered for Zadorov giveaways. When I analyze the two I see one who’s played close to 400 games and hasn’t, to this point, established himself as anything more than a third pairing guy on a good team and a guy who hasn’t played a dozen games who I think has a much higher ceiling.

Just wondering why Kubalik is not on the first pp unit? He seems to get the last 40 seconds or so of each pp. He is imo the teams most legit sniper besides the obvious Kane. He racks up decent points and plays only 13 mins a game. Just my opinion. I think he needs to play with a strong playmaker because he can finish better than anyone on the team.
- joegreif17

Kubalik on the RW on the 2nd unit PP is a perfect compliment to the 1st unit since teams really focus on trying to stop Kane's passes.

The 2nd unit is a big reason why we are ranked i believe 2nd in the league

I'm not sure if he knows he can pass to other players not named Kane. It's so annoying and very predictable to the other team too.
- GPHawksfan

I felt they were all doing it. Cat had just talked about knowing when or when not to to pass to Kane?

You guys are so literal.

You say you're happy they won, you sure don't sound happy about it.
- BetweenTheDots

Don't project on me lunchbox.

My feelings on the result of the game have very little to do with the manner in which it was done. If you have your best round of golf ever after making three 30 footers and holing out from the fairway on the 18th, it is exciting, but not something you can expect to recreate consistently.

I'm always happy when they win. That doesn't mean that I can't find areas where they can/should/need to be better. The coach and all the players unanimously said the same. They are happy for the points, but they have a lot to clean up.

Case in point: Colliton to the Blackhawks at the end of practice: "We have to get better. Let's bounce back, have a better performance tomorrow."

Great quote from Keith after practice:

Duncan Keith getting tired of these endless questions about mentoring young defensemen:

"These young guys, they're young, but it’s not like they’re kittens."

Don't project on me lunchbox.

My feelings on the result of the game have very little to do with the manner in which it was done. If you have your best round of golf ever after making three 30 footers and holing out from the fairway on the 18th, it is exciting, but not something you can expect to recreate consistently.

I'm always happy when they win. That doesn't mean that I can't find areas where they can/should/need to be better. The coach and all the players unanimously said the same. They are happy for the points, but they have a lot to clean up.

Case in point: Colliton to the Blackhawks at the end of practice: "We have to get better. Let's bounce back, have a better performance tomorrow."
- Chunk

On the bright side, it is not like they blew a 5-1 lead at home to the Senators.

Don't project on me lunchbox.

My feelings on the result of the game have very little to do with the manner in which it was done. If you have your best round of golf ever after making three 30 footers and holing out from the fairway on the 18th, it is exciting, but not something you can expect to recreate consistently.

I'm always happy when they win. That doesn't mean that I can't find areas where they can/should/need to be better. The coach and all the players unanimously said the same. They are happy for the points, but they have a lot to clean up.

Case in point: Colliton to the Blackhawks at the end of practice: "We have to get better. Let's bounce back, have a better performance tomorrow."
- Chunk

Fair enough, I'm critical of the players themselves, i think it's great they won a game that people think they shouldn't of. How many times did people say that when we were a really good team? So many, so to me a step in the right direction

Just wondering why Kubalik is not on the first pp unit? He seems to get the last 40 seconds or so of each pp. He is imo the teams most legit sniper besides the obvious Kane. He racks up decent points and plays only 13 mins a game. Just my opinion. I think he needs to play with a strong playmaker because he can finish better than anyone on the team.
- joegreif17

Trying to get two good units instead of stacking the first unit. So far both units are effective.

It’s funny but if any other defenseman played like Keith did last night we’d say he had a good night. Keith has set such a high benchmark for himself that if he has a so so night as he did last night we are critical of him. So far this season Keith has, by far, been the Hawk’s best defenseman and he’s doing it at a much lower level as the Keith in his prime. Sadly we have to get used to seeing his game decline even more. Hopefully one day Mitchell and Beaudin can play at a similar level?

That said, I too thought De Haan had a really good game and he’s played quite well so far this season. Mitchell is so poised out there. He’s surprised me with his defensive play, I thought he would struggle and for the most part he hasn’t. He moves the puck very well and he’s not afraid to jump into the offense. And despite his mistakes Beaudin is looking pretty good. He has to learn from his mistakes and has to understand when he can carry the puck out of the zone. What I look at is his confidence allowing him to try things. True that confidence is part of what makes him make mistakes but it’s easier for a coach to reign Beaudin in then it is to try to instill confidence in him.
- paulr

While I agree that deHaan was Ok last night, I think overall he has been below average most of the season so far. Way too many unforced errors, bad passes, poor decisions and bad reads for a veteran D-man.

It is really weird. I'm completely apathetic about Nylander right now. I don't care at all if they resign him, trade him or let him walk for nothing (and I hate losing assets!).

He just is kind of there right now. I was in hopeful anticipation of what he could bring this year considering he got benched in the Vegas series and I thought he would come back with a chip on his shoulder. Now we just have so many guys that bring it almost every shift that it doesn't really matter... even though it really does.
- Chunk

If Nylander comes back it will be sink or swim. Plenty of other players to choose from that can take his ice time. A lot of competition. I can see Hagel, Johnson, Zadorov or Bowey running him a few times in practices. That should get his attention.

I think he and Strome both need to show some urgency every time they are on the ice. They have the skills. But where is the compete level. If they don't "See ya"!

Wonder if they are teaching a spin move, Janmark did it along the boards which led to a great chance. Suter would of had another goal last night if it wasn't for the Hroneks skate, the more i think about it they could of scored 3 or 4 goals in that 2nd period

Fair enough, I'm critical of the players themselves, i think it's great they won a game that people think they shouldn't of. How many times did people say that when we were a really good team? So many, so to me a step in the right direction
- BetweenTheDots

You're critical of the players and happy with the outcome. And you're complaining about someone critical of the players and happy with the outcome.

Trying to get two good units instead of one stacking the first unit. So far both units are effective.
- -Doh-

Isn't unit 1 the fancy play unit, the second unit (with Kubalik ) the bombs away unit?

Isn't unit 1 the fancy play unit, the second unit (with Kubalik ) the bombs away unit?
- LAHawk

Some of the passing and scoring plays from the 2nd PP unit have been exquisite. But they also let it fly more often than the 1st unit that often over passes. Given equal time I am not sure their numbers would be that different.

I am not saying that they are the same or anything like that. Hagel a wing. Bolland a center. But does Hagel bring to the team similar qualities that Bolland did. Maybe less mouthy and less of antagonist. But Hagel plays close enough to be inside the other guys jersey most of the time.

If this is true, he would just be taking Soderberg's "spot" on the PP. He'd be positioned higher and be more a shooter than planting in front of the goalie.

Sounds like this is a real thing with Boqvist.

Colliton just now: "It’s an option for us. He’s a right-hand shot so we don’t have many of them... When he gets back in the lineup, he’s a power-play guy and that could be a way to get him in there."

I am not saying that they are the same or anything like that. Hagel a wing. Bolland a center. But does Hagel bring to the team similar qualities that Bolland did. Maybe less mouthy and less of antagonist. But Hagel plays close enough to be inside the other guys jersey most of the time.
- -Doh-

Bolland had very good offensive numbers in junior playing on one of the top junior teams from one of the best junior hockey coaching staffs. He came to the NHL and was able to change his game as a primarily offensive player to a shutdown guy with very strong offensive potential.

Hagel had good offensive numbers in junior playing on one of the top junior teams from one of the best junior hockey coaching staffs. Is he willing to change his game to be a shutdown guy with offensive upside, or does he have enough potential to be a top six forward?