Are those charts fancy?
- Ogilthorpe2

I prefer the term purty.

The entire theory of playing in the offensive zone is based on the premise you can keep them out of your own zone, so you have to have a really good defensive team.
- BetweenTheDots

The best offense is a good defense.
The best defense is a good offense.

All we need is 6 really good, defensive minded, offensively gifted D-men.

Easy peasy.

Get it done Stanley!

The best offense is a good defense.
The best defense is a good offense.

We need 6 really good, defensive minded, offensively gifted D-men.

Easy easy.

Get it done Stanley!
- Ogilthorpe2

Easy peasy, hahaha

Don't know what's taking him so long

That does you no good if they can't get the puck out of our own zone or stop them from entering. What happens when you don't win a face off?
- BetweenTheDots

Then even the best D-men are going to break done. Especially if the forward are no help.

The guys on the other team are getting paid too.

Yeah & earned an "A" imo.
- I Am The Breadman

Toews - C
Murphy - A
Kane - A
DeBrincat - A

Then even the best D-men are going to break done. Especially if the forward are no help.

The guys on the other team are getting paid too.
- Elbows15

Completely agree, that's why the Bolts won 2 years in a row, the system and personnel they had was suffocating as a team, hard just to get into the zone, when you did it was difficult to pass, and when they got a shot off it was difficult to get through, there was layers upon layers you had to get through just to score.

Completely agree, that's why the Bolts won 2 years in a row, the system and personnel they had was suffocating as a team, hard just to get into the zone, when you did it was difficult to pass, and when they got a shot off it was difficult to get through, there was layers upon layers you had to get through just to score.
- BetweenTheDots

Which is pretty much what I meant by playing in the other zone. Of course they have to be solid in their own end but I want to go back to watching a team that spends more time on offense than defending their own zone.


There is no denying the Hawks d-men weren't great the last few season but its hard to be great when every time the other team is coming up ice they have speed and numbers.

Defense has to start in the O-zone once possession changes hands. TB swarms teams with a 5 man forecheck to try to keep the puck in the O-zone.

ohhhh. You are older than me. My first memory is the Habs Lemaire long shot goal on Espo. Our 2-0 lead snapped, and the rest of the game was a dark memory that stuck with me for close to 40 years until the Hawks won their 2010 Cup. I was 7.
- hawk35

This haunted me for years.

Tony lives down here at St. beach and I told him how it botered me and how angry I was at him.

The new age team and three Cups sure helps it fade.

And I am excited with all the upcoming future Cap space on what the team's future will bring.

I also love how so many take a stand on JC's defenseive system, because I know I still don't see the intricacies that make it stand outside what everyone does...

Toews - C
Murphy - A
Kane - A
DeBrincat - A
- DarthKane

What I expected too. Unless Jones usurps Toews.

Which is pretty much what I meant by playing in the other zone. Of course they have to be solid in their own end but I want to go back to watching a team that spends more time on offense than defending their own zone.


There is no denying the Hawks d-men weren't great the last few season but its hard to be great when every time the other team is coming up ice they have speed and numbers.

Defense has to start in the O-zone once possession changes hands. TB swarms teams with a 5 man forecheck to try to keep the puck in the O-zone.
- Elbows15

That's why getting back to Murphy i hope whoever is paired with him makes up for his occasional mental lapses during the season

What I expected too. Unless Jones usurps Toews.
- I Am The Breadman

Take it back.

That's why getting back to Murphy i hope whoever is paired with him makes up for his occasional mental lapses during the season
- BetweenTheDots

Because only Murphy has occasional mental lapses?

Played for the Bee’s and the Astro’s at the boys club in the 70’s. Also played hockey at Rainbo.
- Sn1362

I use to on a school holiday walk to Rainbow Ice Arena with a couple of friends in the late fifties and wait for the Blackhawk practice to end and get most players autographs. Bobby Hull and a few others would give us there broken sticks . We glue them back on and wrap them non gloss electric tape and we had the best sticks in town. Bobby was always the kindest with the kids.

Take it back.
- Ogilthorpe2

He's elite though

What I expected too. Unless Jones usurps Toews.
- I Am The Breadman

Makes sense… Toews should give up #19 to McCabe as well.

I use to on a school holiday walk to Rainbow Ice Arena with a couple of friends in the late fifties and wait for the Blackhawk practice to end and get most players autographs. Bobby Hull and a few others would give us there broken sticks . We glue them back on and wrap them non gloss electric tape and we had the best sticks in town. Bobby was always the kindest with the kids.
- spanky

If only his wife had been so lucky…

Makes sense… Toews should give up #19 to McCabe as well.
- DarthKane

Captain Obvious!

Makes sense… Toews should give up #19 to McCabe as well.
- DarthKane

I guess that wasn't implied.

I know a lot of guys are big on him. I'm not. I watched him a lot in the few seasons he's been in the NHL. I didn't see a strong & competitive player. I saw him give the puck away quickly which kept them hemmed in their own end, he committed a lot of penalties, & a dirtbag on top of it all. If I'm in the minority, that's cool, but I don't want him near the hawks.
- I Am The Breadman

Being in Tampa’s TV market, I have seen him play quite a bit the last two seasons, Breadman, we will agree to disagree, Sergachev is a stud in my book. Also, you don’t have to worry, I doubt the Hawks will be able to acquire him. I also like Kalynuk, although much smaller than Sergachev, maybe he becomes Keith lite. Hope you are doing well.

A defenseman's primary and most important responsiblity is solid play in his own zone. Offensively, he should be able to head man the puck- clear the puck out of his own zone - heavy shot from the point, but most importantly, have the ability to get shots through to the net ......... something the Hawks have had trouble doing the past few years. Shot always seem to get blocked or miss the net. Also, the abllity to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Lots of young defensemen, have hard time grasping when is the right time to pinch in the offensive zone. Heck, many veterans have a hard time with that to. Keep it simple - but strong in your own zone

A defenseman's primary and most important responsiblity is solid play in his own zone. Offensively, he should be able to head man the puck- clear the puck out of his own zone - heavy shot from the point, but most importantly, have the ability to get shots through to the net ......... something the Hawks have had trouble doing the past few years. Shot always seem to get blocked or miss the net. Also, the abllity to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Lots of young defensemen, have hard time grasping when is the right time to pinch in the offensive zone. Heck, many veterans have a hard time with that to. Keep it simple - but strong in your own zone
- chuckdahammer

Completely agree, i believe opponents count on this, the year before Q got fired how many 2 on 1 or breakaways did we surrender, seemed like 4 to 5 a game.

Being in Tampa’s TV market, I have seen him play quite a bit the last two seasons, Breadman, we will agree to disagree, Sergachev is a stud in my book. Also, you don’t have to worry, I doubt the Hawks will be able to acquire him. I also like Kalynuk, although much smaller than Sergachev, maybe he becomes Keith lite. Hope you are doing well.
- Angotti

That's fine. Hawks couldn't afford him anyways. I like Kalynuk as well & expect him to continue to grow. I'm just fine, hope you are doing well too.

It is perfectly fine to take a swing at Reichel in mid-first round.

It doesn't necessarily mean he is capable of walking in and stealing a major league job.

Rockford sounds like a terrific learning ground to get acclimated.

You know they may be as much chance th at the Russian kid in rockford or one of the others makes challenge and be more suited/ready for prime time ... we just have to wait and see.

It seemed very clear the backline wasn't suited to balance with the forward lines with the kids in charge back there around vets.
We get a bit more time now and they get less pressure.

This haunted me for years.

Tony lives down here at St. beach and I told him how it botered me and how angry I was at him.

The new age team and three Cups sure helps it fade.

And I am excited with all the upcoming future Cap space on what the team's future will bring.

I also love how so many take a stand on JC's defenseive system, because I know I still don't see the intricacies that make it stand outside what everyone does...
- wiz1901

The guys playing it, weren't as good as the guys playing what everyone else does

Murphy is definitely competent and a reliable #4, actually McCabe and Murphy will/would make a nice 2nd pairing that you can win with, now if they can find a Sergachev comparable for the first pair the Hawks would be in business. Like Darth, I also would be okay if the Hawks signed Murphy for $4-$4.5M AAV.
- Angotti

Thinking he could go $4.5-$5.25.