Hagel on Covid protocol, cue Highmore and his stupid penalties.

May have been but he didn't back pedal and lose gap control creating the storm to begin with...especially under a minute to go, in a tie game, in your own zone.

Entire sequence by DeHaan was disgusting to watch. A rookie or younger D man? Ok....but a seasoned veteran? Not ever.
- SteveRain

Not may have, it was. And he was back peddling the same as deHaan and covering...no one. Stood there staring at the big fat rebound Lank left sitting there and didn't move.

Why was Kane so late on the back check? Where was the center since the guy came right down the middle?

Lotsa blame to be passed around on the play.

Centers
Dach
Reichel (maybe wishful thinking, but reports so far are good)
Toews 3C (red font)
Kampf

Top 6 wingers
Kane, Kubalik, ADB, and maybe one of Suter/Hagel/Nylander/Strome???
- -Doh-

I was going to respond to the same post you did, and make the case for Hagel as that last member of the top 6.
Take out his first 10 games this year, and he has 13 points in 25 games. More than half a point per game as a rookie, playing with a 4C center for most of the year. I'd love to see Toews come back and be between Hagel and Kubalik!

Not may have, it was. And he was back peddling the same as deHaan and covering...no one. Stood there staring at the big fat rebound Lank left sitting there and didn't move.

Why was Kane so late on the back check? Where was the center since the guy came right down the middle?

Lotsa blame to be passed around on the play.
- Rota's Rooter

You can always find fault, but primary blame is on DeHaan. Stop the puck, stop the puck carrier, he did neither.

Hagel on Covid protocol, cue Highmore and his stupid penalties.
- Angotti

Going into Nashville without Hagen really hurts. Couldn't have come at a worse time. Who now is going to provide some hustle and guts?

Not may have, it was. And he was back peddling the same as deHaan and covering...no one. Stood there staring at the big fat rebound Lank left sitting there and didn't move.

Why was Kane so late on the back check? Where was the center since the guy came right down the middle?

Lotsa blame to be passed around on the play.
- Rota's Rooter

I'm pretty sure others mentioned that Suter overskated his coverage of Fast.

Going into Nashville without Hagen really hurts. Couldn't have come at a worse time. Who now is going to provide some hustle and guts?
- gabriel

Hagel too

Hagel too

- TheTrob

Especially Hagel!!!

When a wing has the puck and is bringing it up the ice along the boards the wing on the other side has to get inside position on the defender or cut to the middle. Then the puck carrier only needs to beat one defender. If the wing on the off side stays along the boards then the two defenders have inside position and the weak side defender reads the play and breaks up the play relatively easily. This is especially true with ADB and Kane.

On our breakouts the wings sit along the boards and wait for the pass. They need to start out closer to the blue line and come back for the pass. Otherwise the defender makes a stronger move to the puck then they do. It is like in football when the receiver waits for the pass and the cornerback jumps the route. They need to come to the puck.

Blackhawk Charities should have an account where they collect fines from the players. Every time someone makes a weak back hand pass in their own zone that is picked off it is $50. If it ends up in the back of the net it is $500. They would have enough for a college scholarship pretty quickly.
- -Doh-

Very well put. You described well what the receivers need to do to making passing stronger for the team. Coming up to the pass would reduce the stretch passes.

As for collecting fines, I'm sure this board can think of a litany or reasons to add money to the jar. Even if it was pennies and nickels at a time, there would still be enough to fund some great charities.

Boqvist is playing so much better. i thought he was a waste based on games last year and a few games early this year. But a happy surprise, he proved me wrong. the kid is getting more confident and playing smarter while getting use to the nhl pace and big boy hockey. He really did seem timid previously, maybe due to taking a few hits to the head
- Topshelf2010

As some of you are starting to pick up from me, I'm very high on Boqvist. His development since coming off of COVID protocol has been astronomical. Confidence is a major factor.

Hot take: Boqvist will not only be the best of Chicago's young defensemen but will be a better overall blueliner than Q Hughes. He may not produce as many points as Hughes but will be much better defensively. Hughes could be a PPG player but Boqvist is realistically at least 0.50 PPG with 0.75 PPG as the ceiling.

I'll put the glue bottle down now...

Theo, surprised you did not mention anything about Collition coaching. Two obvious mistakes, Kane's line in the last minute of the tie game. Not sure why, did he really think they were going to score? They did have momentum, but Kane playing alot of time, it has to be taking it's toll. You can include ADB in that conversation. How about giving Kane and ADB a few extra minutes of rest so they can be ready for OT. That would have been a fun OT, the 3 on 3 hockey does provide some extra wide open fun hockey.

Also one other observation, Foley mentions Colliton with a late line change, thus getting the matchup that he wants. Kane comes on the ice, and then 10 seconds later, the puck is in the net. Hmmmmm?
- Topshelf2010

Colliton's decision making is questionable at times, that's for sure, especially at the end of games.

As you pointed out, player deployment is one concern. Also, his timing of when to call (not call) a timeout has been a concern, too.

I forgot Kalynuk was not a Hawks draft choice. Per cap friendly he was a Flyer 7th round pick, played 3 years at Wisconsin, never signed with Philly, and came to the Hawks as a free agent last summer. Wonder if Philly never offered him a contract, low balled him, or if he just wanted to shop around for a different team. Looks like a good pick up so far.
- boilermaker100

Another perspective on the Hawks picking up Kalynuk as an unsigned NCAA free agent is that the "tradeoff" was Ryan Shea who was in the same boat with Chicago.

Shea is now with the Stars playing with their AHL affiliate (4 points in 16 games). Letting Shea go might have been fueled by knowing they were getting Kalynuk.

I like that trade off. Kalynuk has top 4 potential. Shea is at most a 3rd pair but more likely a 6/7 defender or even NHL/AHL tweener.

You can always find fault, but primary blame is on DeHaan. Stop the puck, stop the puck carrier, he did neither.
- TheTrob

I guess so. since Seabrook is not playing to blame it on.

Depends on which Toews comes back, if he ever does. If its the one from the end of last year he is still a solid 2c. Toews is a bottom 6 just like Hossa couldn't shoot anymore, DeBrincat is a flash in the pan, Crawford has no glove hand, etc.
- TheTrob

Put your red font glasses on. Agree with what Steve said in terms of Toews slotting in behind Dach and then Suter and Kampf giving them decent center depth.

Hoping Reichel can possibly make the jump next year and give them skill on the wing.

Liked your earlier comment about Dach too in regard to Hughes and Kakko being drafted ahead of him.

His references to Red Deer always allude to how tough “Western Canadian kids” are. The idiot doesn’t realize there are tough Eastern Canadians, Americans, Czechs, Finns, Slovaks, Russians and Swedes too?
- paulr

Not just Red Deer but also the obligatory reference to Shattuck St. Mary's.

I have been watching Zadorov. The games where people are raving about his play, he has been.....OK. He looks great in those games because the norm is much worse than OK. He really doesn't use his size or reach very well. He isn't a great skater, as many big guys aren't, but he is so tentative going toward the boards it reminds me of a mite/squirt who is afraid to catch an edge an slam into the boards. Yet, even with all the deficiencies he possesses, if he had a big shot from the point you could excuse some of it. Imagine a Chara/Weber/Subban type shot from the point. Zadorov seems to be missing 40 caliber from that 50 caliber gun.
- TheTrob

I would agree with how you characterized Zadorov. His uptick in play is relative, i.e. better than the train wreck that it was prior.

Can he keep improving? He has the raw tools and big frame to be an impact D-man all game, every game. Fact of the matter is that consistency alludes him.

As some of you are starting to pick up from me, I'm very high on Boqvist. His development since coming off of COVID protocol has been astronomical. Confidence is a major factor.

Hot take: Boqvist will not only be the best of Chicago's young defensemen but will be a better overall blueliner than Q Hughes. He may not produce as many points as Hughes but will be much better defensively. Hughes could be a PPG player but Boqvist is realistically at least 0.50 PPG with 0.75 PPG as the ceiling.

I'll put the glue bottle down now...
- Theo Fox

I am to Theo, he's been a pleasant surprise this year especially how many felt that the Blackhawks broke him by bringing him up to early.

I wouldn't put a limit on how much he can produce, once the game slows down for him he really could be something special. I love me a young dman who understands he needs to learn how to play without the puck more so than with the puck.

I'll even add once Bo realizes he can create like Kane, and not always defer, with his passes and shot on the PP he'll easily gain points just in that department

Kinda fun watching players roll their eyes at him during interviews. They fulfil their obligations, but they know he is a windbag.
- TheTrob

This is still a classic. Too bad Marty was pretty much washed up when the Hawks got him. He sounded like a character in interviews.

I guess so. since Seabrook is not playing to blame it on.
- Rota's Rooter

I'm just saying, given who was on the ice and what each person did or did not do as the play developed, the primary blame cannot be placed with Keith, Suter or Lankinen. Everyone on the ice can shoulder some of the blame, from losing the faceoff to not stopping the puck to not picking up the trailer, etc. But it all starts with gap control, being in the shooting lanes, using your stick, blocking shots. The randomness of where the rebound goes to also paints a different picture. If it bounces a few feet one way or another, then Suter or Keith maybe are in perfect position to clear the puck, etc.

I would agree with how you characterized Zadorov. His uptick in play is relative, i.e. better than the train wreck that it was prior.

Can he keep improving? He has the raw tools and big frame to be an impact D-man all game, every game. Fact of the matter is that consistency alludes him.
- Theo Fox

I didn't really have a problem moving Saad for him. Saad was notoriously streaky, and probably not really worth the $6mil cap hit. The hope was that Zadorov could find a little consistency and use the tools that he does have. After watching him for 30+ games now though, maybe some of those tools were over valuated on him. Skating is not great, shot is not great, hands are awful. All of those things he can work on. What disappoints me more is that he really doesn't seem to read the play well and that his Hockey IQ is low. Maybe the result of always being the biggest guy around. I have no problem with retaining him, but $3+ mil is a heck of a lot to pay for a project.

This is still a classic. Too bad Marty was pretty much washed up when the Hawks got him. He sounded like a character in interviews.


- HawkintheD

https://youtu.be/2-6y608d0hg

How about Pierre’s ridiculous interview.

I am to Theo, he's been a pleasant surprise this year especially how many felt that the Blackhawks broke him by bringing him up to early.

I wouldn't put a limit on how much he can produce, once the game slows down for him he really could be something special. I love me a young dman who understands he needs to learn how to play without the puck more so than with the puck.

I'll even add once Bo realizes he can create like Kane, and not always defer, with his passes and shot on the PP he'll easily gain points just in that department
- BetweenTheDots

Good points all around. Boqvist does have the potential to put up big numbers and like the factor of just trusting in himself rather than deferring to Kane (and others).

There aren't a lot of game breakers in the Hawks organization (on the roster today or in the system) but Boqvist is one of them. He should be able to dominate offensively while also helping the team in his own end.

Boqvist is no longer a liability defensively and will keep getting stronger.

I didn't really have a problem moving Saad for him. Saad was notoriously streaky, and probably not really worth the $6mil cap hit. The hope was that Zadorov could find a little consistency and use the tools that he does have. After watching him for 30+ games now though, maybe some of those tools were over valuated on him. Skating is not great, shot is not great, hands are awful. All of those things he can work on. What disappoints me more is that he really doesn't seem to read the play well and that his Hockey IQ is low. Maybe the result of always being the biggest guy around. I have no problem with retaining him, but $3+ mil is a heck of a lot to pay for a project.
- TheTrob

No argument here. Very valid arguments including Zadorov's contract value if re-signed.

Jets blueliner Nathan Beaulieu out with a season-ending injury and can save around $1.25M (give or take) from LTIR. Maybe a trade partner to unload de Haan to Winnipeg?

Good points all around. Boqvist does have the potential to put up big numbers and like the factor of just trusting in himself rather than deferring to Kane (and others).

There aren't a lot of game breakers in the Hawks organization (on the roster today or in the system) but Boqvist is one of them. He should be able to dominate offensively while also helping the team in his own end.

Boqvist is no longer a liability defensively and will keep getting stronger.
- Theo Fox

I hope you're right about the defensive liability part, since he is young in sure we'll see some ups like now and some downs later on especially if he's dinged a lot

What i like about Z he's not looking to smear everyone entering the zone, he does a better job of skating to/with the player but not consistently. Hopefully he gets more consistent with this