No need for excuses, they just aren't as good as FL, imo. Or Tampa. Or Carolina.
- mohel

Or most other teams. Lousy defense , they spend money it better be on defense and toughness, and a better coach who has a pulse !

Special teams was bad. 5 on 5 was fine. Rookies & journeymen & a depleted roster. They are what they are. I look for the great opportunities we have down the road with these guys.
- I Am The Breadman

I hear you bread but what's disappointing to me is Keith taking a really really really dumb penalty, and on that PP, Kane not helping his teammates out and standing off to the side watching, 2 veterans

Or most other teams. Lousy defense , they spend money it better be on defense and toughness, and a better coach who has a pulse !
- GlennL

I'll keep saying it, the defensive play will be this teams downfall and you are seeing happen these last games ! They have some good young players but to many nights it's the boys against the men.

On that 2nd PP they talk about what a great job Yandle did keeping the puck in but Ekblad scores because of Hornqvists subtle but brilliant stick lift of Murphy

Just like the Blackhawks, the Panthers snuck into the 19-20 playoffs, and made a quick exit.

After a fast start, JC has put his mark on the team. Giving up bunches of goals, the PP can’t score, the PK can’t stop anyone. He benches his best young defenseman, then relegates him to 3rd pair.

JC’s claim to fame is 1 1st place finish in his entire coaching career. The ‘Wizard of Mora’ continues to guide a struggling Blackhawk team. And they’re getting worse as the season goes on, not better.

At he same time, the future HOF coach, and probable NHL ‘Coach of the Year’ this season, has Florida hitting on all cylinders. Q is so good he’s got Gustav Forsling playing adequate minutes on the backend. It’s a shame he’s not developing tha Blackhawk’s young defensemen.

JC will just be a bad memory when the Blackhawks are a contender again. He’s sucked his entire coaching career.

I'll keep saying it, the defensive play will be this teams downfall and you are seeing happen these last games ! They have some good young players but to many nights it's the boys against the men.
- GlennL

Talking to yourself again?

Talking to yourself again?
- mohel

Better get moving, the ledge is filling up fast!

Tough loss Terrible call on DBC when the HAWKS were up 3 to 1 real game changer . Fun game to watch team working hard give Florida credit they are a good team . We will get them when they come here for the next 4 GO HAWKS !!!!!

Just like the Blackhawks, the Panthers snuck into the 19-20 playoffs, and made a quick exit.

After a fast start, JC has put his mark on the team. Giving up bunches of goals, the PP can’t score, the PK can’t stop anyone. He benches his best young defenseman, then relegates him to 3rd pair.

JC’s claim to fame is 1 1st place finish in his entire coaching career. The ‘Wizard of Mora’ continues to guide a struggling Blackhawk team. And they’re getting worse as the season goes on, not better.

At he same time, the future HOF coach, and probable NHL ‘Coach of the Year’ this season, has Florida hitting on all cylinders. Q is so good he’s got Gustav Forsling playing adequate minutes on the backend. It’s a shame he’s not developing tha Blackhawk’s young defensemen.

JC will just be a bad memory when the Blackhawks are a contender again. He’s sucked his entire coaching career.
- scottak

Welcome back.

No need for excuses, they just aren't as good as FL, imo. Or Tampa. Or Carolina.
- mohel

This. They just can't compete with these top teams through three periods. I remember the Hawks in their glory days toying with lesser teams for half the game then put them away in the 3rd. Now the shoe is on the other foot.

Next 4 against TB and FLA. Hawks may not be in 4th place in the division much longer.

Next game can we please go with 7 defenseman. Anyone double shifting will be more productive than Highmore.
- LAHawk

Agree here. He did draw two penalties in two straight games but he falls over so much, loses board battles and can't clear the puck. I can't wait until Strome and/or Dach is back so we don't have to see Highmore. I think Johnson brings more to the table.

This. They just can't compete with these top teams through three periods. I remember the Hawks in their glory days toying with lesser teams for half the game then put them away in the 3rd. Now the shoe is on the other foot.

Next 4 against TB and FLA. Hawks may not be in 4th place in the division much longer.
- boilermaker100

Yeah that first half of the season seemed pretty Detroit and Columbus heavy.

Our talent level just isn't there. Mayers made that point, the fact that Soderberg and Carpenter are on the first PP unit.

Another thing too is the spacing just seems off. Too many stretch and longer passes. Too many rushes where three forwards are too close to each other. I think the forwards need to be closer to the D when we break out.

That said, as disappointing as it was, we still had a 3-1 lead and were in it until the end. We were expected to be one of the worst teams this year. With all these holes in the line-up, it gives Suter, Kurashev, Hagel and even veterans like Janmark, Carpenter, Soderberg a chance to play roles they haven't, good experience for development when they are slotted to where they eventually belong.

Hagel has particularly impressed me. He's like a combination of Shaw and Bolland.

Just like the Blackhawks, the Panthers snuck into the 19-20 playoffs, and made a quick exit.

After a fast start, JC has put his mark on the team. Giving up bunches of goals, the PP can’t score, the PK can’t stop anyone. He benches his best young defenseman, then relegates him to 3rd pair.

JC’s claim to fame is 1 1st place finish in his entire coaching career. The ‘Wizard of Mora’ continues to guide a struggling Blackhawk team. And they’re getting worse as the season goes on, not better.

At he same time, the future HOF coach, and probable NHL ‘Coach of the Year’ this season, has Florida hitting on all cylinders. Q is so good he’s got Gustav Forsling playing adequate minutes on the backend. It’s a shame he’s not developing tha Blackhawk’s young defensemen.

JC will just be a bad memory when the Blackhawks are a contender again. He’s sucked his entire coaching career.
- scottak

Maybe. Maybe you could help me out with how many rookies and second year guys Q is playing on any given night.

Wonder how the Cats would be doing with at least one of Barkov or Hubie being out with another of their top players.

Love how far some guys will go to further a narrative. I'm sure you had them exactly in the position they're in now.

Haven't been able to watch the last couple of games because of work just looking at the box scores and what I've seen all season long. Our forwards pass up way to many checks. The hawks have long lacked toughness if I was Kane I would demand some protection because him and debricant are carrying this team. If those two get hurt the hawks are battling Detroit in the standings. Even in todays nhl you need someone to stand up.
Zadarov I thought would do that more but hasn't. I do like him as a physical presence though he freelances to much havent seen him take a run or get anybody with a big open ice hit which is disappointing.
Reed Johnson needs to play over Highmore. Highmore should of never left Rockford. We need center help because Sodberg and Kampf are the only guys that can win faceoffs.
Trade deadline
Wallmark is a failure. Trade him for whatever he is just taking up a roster spot bring nothing to the table.
Janmark I like. I would trade if we get a good offer look to resign him in the offseason. If he takes a good deal offer him a 2 year extension.
Carpenter is a plug who occasionally will throw a hit and stand in front of the net trade what you can for him.
I'd keep Zadarov trade DeHaan if you can but probably can't move him keep Murphy unless you get a great offer. Set this team up for next year with a legit option in goal and some sandpaper

I'll keep saying it, the defensive play will be this teams downfall and you are seeing happen these last games ! They have some good young players but to many nights it's the boys against the men.
- GlennL

Yes... it is. We all know it. They have a disjointed group of players. On most nights they compete very hard, but they are not up to snuff right now. Expecting otherwise is silly.

It will take time to get all of these kids (especially the D-men) up to an acceptable level.

It is infuriating watching them blow leads, but expect it to continue this year. There simply aren't enough horses.

Yes... it is. We all know it. They have a disjointed group of players. On most nights they compete very hard, but they are not up to snuff right now. Expecting otherwise is silly.

It will take time to get all of these kids (especially the D-men) up to an acceptable level.

It is infuriating watching them blow leads, but expect it to continue this year. There simply aren't enough horses.
- Chunk

I will agree with you on that.

Haven't been able to watch the last couple of games because of work just looking at the box scores and what I've seen all season long. Our forwards pass up way to many checks. The hawks have long lacked toughness if I was Kane I would demand some protection because him and debricant are carrying this team. If those two get hurt the hawks are battling Detroit in the standings. Even in todays nhl you need someone to stand up.
Zadarov I thought would do that more but hasn't. I do like him as a physical presence though he freelances to much havent seen him take a run or get anybody with a big open ice hit which is disappointing.
Reed Johnson needs to play over Highmore. Highmore should of never left Rockford. We need center help because Sodberg and Kampf are the only guys that can win faceoffs.
Trade deadline
Wallmark is a failure. Trade him for whatever he is just taking up a roster spot bring nothing to the table.
Janmark I like. I would trade if we get a good offer look to resign him in the offseason. If he takes a good deal offer him a 2 year extension.
Carpenter is a plug who occasionally will throw a hit and stand in front of the net trade what you can for him.
I'd keep Zadarov trade DeHaan if you can but probably can't move him keep Murphy unless you get a great offer. Set this team up for next year with a legit option in goal and some sandpaper
- vandymeer23

No one is enamored with Highmore right now, but going into this year, the Hawks expected to have at least Dach, if not him and Toews available to start the year. This would likely push him out of the lineup.

They signed Soderberg last minute and got Strome under contract late partly because they were trying to figure out how much money was left available. They have three top 9 players out (say what you will about Nylander). Wallmark and Soderberg are both on dirt cheap contracts. There is a reason for that.

You should not be expecting this team to be competitive. It is really nice that they are most nights, and it is hard to watch the losses, but they simply do not have the horses, and better teams will have their way with them (especially when they play each other so often). I would concentrate on individual player improvement and take anything above that as gravy.

Maybe. Maybe you could help me out with how many rookies and second year guys Q is playing on any given night.

Wonder how the Cats would be doing with at least one of Barkov or Hubie being out with another of their top players.

Love how far some guys will go to further a narrative. I'm sure you had them exactly in the position they're in now.
- HawkintheD

Some posters primarily show up when the results fit their narrative. (That would be a perfect spot for an "eh?", but I don't want to offend a certain Canadian )

Tight road games against one of the best teams in the league? I thought much worse.
- mohel

So did I Mo, but they can implode quicker than any Cubs' bullpen with the game on the line.

So did I Mo, but they can implode quicker than any Cubs' bullpen with the game on the line.
- gabriel

Yep, they can. Especially against the best teams. Part of the growing pains; no skipping steps. Still tough to watch, I know.

Yep, they can. Especially against the best teams. Part of the growing pains; no skipping steps. Still tough to watch, I know.
- mohel

Don't enjoy admitting it, but you're right. Very tough part of schedule to boot.

Some posters primarily show up when the results fit their narrative. (That would be a perfect spot for an "eh?", but I don't want to offend a certain Canadian )
- mohel

I am offended, no doot aboot it!

Don't enjoy admitting it, but you're right. Very tough part of schedule to boot.
- gabriel

Being the dominant team toying with the little guy is more fun!

I am offended, no doot aboot it!
- paulr

(frank)ing hoser.

No need for excuses, they just aren't as good as FL, imo. Or Tampa. Or Carolina.
- mohel

Or Buffalo. Or Detroit. Or Ottawa.