...and his cursed system
- wiz1901

I find no comfort when our best dman is skating away from his goalie, and the puck ends up back down low by the goalie

So why did they get so much better after he came on board? Did the players stop being stupid? it was virtually the same roster.

Why was JC considered a bad coach, but King is OK?

Back to back 3+ goal leads given up.
Four straight games giving up at least four goals and two of them to teams that are theoretically worse than the Hawks.
Same mistakes over and over again.

I guess I'll end with this. What on the ice is the coach responsible for?
- Chunk

He did simplify it for the forwards in practice to skate to their defensive positions and start from there

Flip the Hawks defenseman and the Islanders, and lets see how Trotz or any other coach does.

Reminds me of when Yzerman took over the Red Wings, and everyone said Blashill was a goner. Well he is still the coach.
- LAHawk

I agree with your take on the players; they are collective mouth-breathers. However, we do have to account for Trotz's impact on the Islanders; they gave up the most goals in the league the year before he got there, and the fewest in his first year.

Ever hear the phrase “re-arranging deck chairs of the Titanic”?

All that I hope for is the players to play hard and on some nights they aren’t even doing that. Shuffling lines won’t do anything until the team has better talent and better coaching and the first thing they need to do is find ways to acquire young prospects and lots of draft picks.
- paulr

I agree, It's just rearranging the deck chairs. But just maybe, it will be more entertaining than what we are watching now. Everything else happens once the draft and free agency takes place. In our minds, we know who shouldn't be back but there are still games to play and as someone who has been watching this team since the mid-sixties; I want to be entertained now.

I agree with your take on the players; they are collective mouth-breathers. However, we do have to account for Trotz's impact on the Islanders; they gave up the most goals in the league the year before he got there, and the fewest in his first year.
- mohel

The Islanders had some speed, and some hockey sense and bought into what Trots was selling. Torts also got the Caps to buy into playing solid defense. Unfortunately the Hawks have little talent, little speed, little hockey sense and seemingly no interest in playing defensive hockey.

I agree, It's just rearranging the deck chairs. But just maybe, it will be more entertaining than what we are watching now. Everything else happens once the draft and free agency takes place. In our minds, we know who shouldn't be back but there are still games to play and as someone who has been watching this team since the mid-sixties; I want to be entertained now.
- bjphawkfan

In that case I’d recommend you choose another team the next few seasons or watch re-runs of actors female dog slapping each other.

So why did they get so much better after he came on board? Did the players stop being stupid? it was virtually the same roster.

Why was JC considered a bad coach, but King is OK?

Back to back 3+ goal leads given up.
Four straight games giving up at least four goals and two of them to teams that are theoretically worse than the Hawks.
Same mistakes over and over again.

I guess I'll end with this. What on the ice is the coach responsible for?
- Chunk

Coach is responsible for all of it. Difference having MAF and not having him. Plain as that. A good team can win with mediocre goaltending at times, a bad team no chance.

The Islanders had some speed, and some hockey sense and bought into what Trots was selling. Torts also got the Caps to buy into playing solid defense. Unfortunately the Hawks have little talent, little speed, little hockey sense and seemingly no interest in playing defensive hockey.
- paulr

How many years did it take Trotz to get the Caps to decide they need to play 200 feet? Certainly didn’t happen right away, probably 2-3 years.

How many years did it take Trotz to get the Caps to decide they need to play 200 feet? Certainly didn’t happen right away, probably 2-3 years.
- LAHawk

I think Trotz’s biggest issue was convincing Ovi to play some semblance of defense. The first two years Ovi was the same Ovi, in it for himself playing the full two minutes standing on the powerplay waiting for a one timer. No interest in contributing in any part of the game that didn’t involve scoring. Could be wrong, but once Trotz got him to buy into a team game I think other players followed suite?

Coach is responsible for all of it. Difference having MAF and not having him. Plain as that. A good team can win with mediocre goaltending at times, a bad team no chance.
- LAHawk

Ok, good. So we agree that the Hawks need upgrades on the ice and behind the bench.

Has it been different under King? the BOD still declares the Hawks don't have a system. Maybe the players are incapable of playing a system? Could someone tell me what defensive system McCabe was playing on Arizona's second goal? Gave away the blue line, backed all the way in on Lankinen, then pirouetted out of the way as Boyd took the puck right down Broadway. I had to check and make sure that was #6 not #56, but then again it really does not surprise me.
- LAHawk

I was sitting right there. AS Boyd came down the slot he had a guy to his right. McCabe bought the pass and Boyd seemed shocked to be so open and put the puck in.

In that case I’d recommend you choose another team the next few seasons or watch re-runs of actors female dog slapping each other.
- paulr

Well, see, I have been invested in this team for well over fifty years so choosing another is out of the question. But the people who have already paid for their tickets are also invested and I'm sure they would like to be entertained as well. I get it that you don't seem to care but I think quite a few others do. I am always hopeful but I am also practical.

I would think that.
- paulr

Me also

Me also
- Ogilthorpe2

The Hawks have won zero playoff series since Toews and Kane started making $10.5 each. I know everyone has heard this stat before but it’s still true today that you can’t use 20-25% of your cap on two players and expect to win much. You could argue that McDavid, Draisaitl, Matthews, or MacKinnon are worth that, but they are a full rung above Debrincat and two above Jones.

The Hawks are in the unenviable position of not having enough talent to even worry about ‘losing’ guys to the cap. However, the intent is very much to restock this team with talent that will eventually command competitive salaries. The difference between $3M extra for Debrincat and being able to sign player XYZ to a heftier bridge deal could be real sooner than we think. I think Debrincat is a tremendous player, but he’s also not at the same level as McDavid and the very top elite players. If we’re giving Kane $7 or so, and Strome $4.5-6 for good play when the season is already completely lost… suddenly that cap space is drying up again. Throw in some below pay grade money for McCabe, Murphy, Johnson, Connolly,

The Hawks can be wanton with cap space when the risk is zero, but handing out mega-deals that stretch into eternity are what hamstrung the team from 2015 on. Edmonton, Toronto, and us all know how flimsy a roster is when you have nearly half the team making league minimum. That’s how we ended up with Manning, the ghost of Chris Kunitz, and the 18th hole of Cam Ward as an ‘offseason haul’.

The Hawks have won zero playoff series since Toews and Kane started making $10.5 each. I know everyone has heard this stat before but it’s still true today that you can’t use 20-25% of your cap on two players and expect to win much. You could argue that McDavid, Draisaitl, Matthews, or MacKinnon are worth that, but they are a full rung above Debrincat and two above Jones.

The Hawks are in the unenviable position of not having enough talent to even worry about ‘losing’ guys to the cap. However, the intent is very much to restock this team with talent that will eventually command competitive salaries. The difference between $3M extra for Debrincat and being able to sign player XYZ to a heftier bridge deal could be real sooner than we think. I think Debrincat is a tremendous player, but he’s also not at the same level as McDavid and the very top elite players. If we’re giving Kane $7 or so, and Strome $4.5-6 for good play when the season is already completely lost… suddenly that cap space is drying up again. Throw in some below pay grade money for McCabe, Murphy, Johnson, Connolly,

The Hawks can be wanton with cap space when the risk is zero, but handing out mega-deals that stretch into eternity are what hamstrung the team from 2015 on. Edmonton, Toronto, and us all know how flimsy a roster is when you have nearly half the team making league minimum. That’s how we ended up with Manning, the ghost of Chris Kunitz, and the 18th hole of Cam Ward as an ‘offseason haul’.
- ObeseOprah

Davidson has had time to study past decisions and the outcome of those decisions (applying the Bowman tenure, for instance). He has said too that he wants other voices to impart their thoughts, even with realization some will not mirror his viewpoint.

A cautious approach may result in transactions which can be measured as safe, good, and not what are you thinking. Billy Joel or someone had a song about Keeping the Faith.

I have faith in Davidson until (unless) he makes poorous moves. I do not think he will be a bad judge of the players

Is Caleb Jones blind pass in the system? Is Kubalik flying out of the zone with no chance of having a pass completed in the system?
- LAHawk

I don't know - I don't entirely buy that 8 flew out of the zone- but rather I think he was probably expecting time to pivot and face the passer - the puck was already on its way before that could happen. I mean, really at this point it doesn't overly matter what is going to happen to 8 one way or another - he's a player, and they will need players. I guess what I am saying is - I don't think that many other wingers would have had much of a chance in that situation (and I am assuming this is still about the 1st goal against from the Phoenix game).

For Caleb - I guess it could have gotten a little worse - he could have tried forcing a cross ice pass through the slot... so I guess there's that.

When I was at the Phoenix game I saw Seth Jones follow a guy who was not the puck carrier from the hawks net to the blue line. He actually had one foot in the neutral zone. Seemed to me the guy baited and pulled Jones away from the action strategically. I don't care what "system" a team is playing, having you biggest D man out at the blue line makes ZERO sense. I saw it up close for myself, they are a poop show in their own zone. Seth Jones would be a real good #2 but he needs a big bad ass stay at home to play with. As it is now what a waste of money and leverage of cap space. The posters who are ripping on the hawks asset management are right on. KD is going to require a lot of patience.

Hossa going to sign a one day contract so he can retire as a Hawk. If he suited up, he would still be the second best forward on the team.

For all the Hoses fans on here (isn't that all of us?), he'll officially retire as a Blackhawk at Thursday's game:

https://twitter.com/NHLBl...&t=lBFh6SfHn48UxZo6USJshg

Hossa going to sign a one day contract so he can retire as a Hawk. If he suited up, he would still be the second best forward on the team.
- LAHawk

Behind “Hossa Lite”? 😁

When I was at the Phoenix game I saw Seth Jones follow a guy who was not the puck carrier from the hawks net to the blue line. He actually had one foot in the neutral zone. Seemed to me the guy baited and pulled Jones away from the action strategically. I don't care what "system" a team is playing, having you biggest D man out at the blue line makes ZERO sense. I saw it up close for myself, they are a poop show in their own zone. Seth Jones would be a real good #2 but he needs a big bad ass stay at home to play with. As it is now what a waste of money and leverage of cap space. The posters who are ripping on the hawks asset management are right on. KD is going to require a lot of patience.
- 6628

Yep makes no sense to me either. It's great that Bolts won on a system like this but in time teams know how to attack it. My favorite designed play by the opponent is when they establish ozone possession, puck is opposite side McCabe they take a forward and drift him across the middle and 6 follows him and leaves the weak side wide open. It's just not 6 but let's face it, Cat, Kubs, Borgstrom are a step to slow on defense

For all the Hoses fans on here (isn't that all of us?), he'll officially retire as a Blackhawk at Thursday's game:

https://twitter.com/NHLBl...&t=lBFh6SfHn48UxZo6USJshg
- pdx2ord

When Hossa came to the Blackhawks, he was the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle that became the Stanley Cup juggernaut.
But I had no idea my 49 years (at the time) of being a Blackhawk fan would be so richly rewarded.
That team was loaded for bear!!
Remember him coming out of the box after a five minute penalty in overtime against Nashville to score the game winner? And Patrick Kane scoring the shorty as time winded down in regulation to tie the game?
Suddenly being able to remember less bitterly Tony O miffing that long shot from the Canadiens, what a joy!!

When Hossa came to the Blackhawks, he was the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle that became the Stanley Cup juggernaut.
But I had no idea my 49 years (at the time) of being a Blackhawk fan would be so richly rewarded.
That team was loaded for bear!!
Remember him coming out of the box after a five minute penalty in overtime against Nashville to score the game winner? And Patrick Kane scoring the shorty as time winded down in regulation to tie the game?
Suddenly being able to remember less bitterly Tony O miffing that long shot from the Canadiens, what a joy!!
- 35Tony0

Yep that was incredible. Usually poop like that happened against us. Just blessed to be on the winning side of some incredible incredible playoff games in the SC years.

Is the coaching lacking? or is the lack of grey matter between the ears make it look like the Hawks "system" is nothing but a dumpster fire.

Is Caleb Jones blind pass in the system? Is Kubalik flying out of the zone with no chance of having a pass completed in the system? Was McCabe rolling out the red carpet so the Arizona forward could just walk in to 10 feet up the slot uncontested in the system? Is the fact Stillman can't execute a 6 foot pass onto the tape of a wide open teammate in the system? I can go on.

What coach is going to correct this? I said this in a previous blog. I have in my 60 years of watching hockey never seen a team with a complete lack of hockey sense. This must of been how watching the 62 Mets must of been like.

People talk about bringing in Trent Yawney now coaching as head coach. Guess what system the Kings run, the same EXACT system King/Crawford tries to run, the difference is, the Kings players (including the forwards) have brains between their ears.

But s the old saying goes, you can't fire all the players, so fire the coach.
- LAHawk

Eh. They skate two AHL calibre lines a night and have some not good people on their blue line.

I honestly don't know what a lot of you people expect with this group.

Talent, brains, however you want to describe it is lacking - they are a bad team.

However, they do look more organized and less of a complete poop show then they did to start the season or last year.

To be fair to King and Crawford - the talented players are doing relatively well.

Seth Jones - at least relatively has decent enough fancy stats and is having a career year in terms of helpers. I still don't care for his tendency to get beat at the blue line but what are you gonna do.

Kane is doing what he does, Debrincat took a step forward and King and Co have gotten Dylan Strome to play consistently good hockey the last few months.

Some of the other fellers are just not NHL players. Or in the case of Dach its too soon to tell and with McCabe I don't think its fair to judge a guy who just came off a major knee operation and is all of a sudden expected to be the second best defender on the team - especially since he's a career 4 guy. Anyone with a brain should know that it typically takes a full year for players to get their previous level of play and I think its better to reserve judgement there until 20 games in next season.

Yeah the team sucks but its not like they aren't meeting expectations. There isn't a coach who could make this look good. They just need to get through the season, see what they can do to acquire some more young talent (draft or trades) and go from there.

Probably need to get a look at Reichel and Mitchell. This obsession with the AHL playoffs for a league where everyone (pretty much) makes the playoffs is stupid.

The Hawks have won zero playoff series since Toews and Kane started making $10.5 each. I know everyone has heard this stat before but it’s still true today that you can’t use 20-25% of your cap on two players and expect to win much. You could argue that McDavid, Draisaitl, Matthews, or MacKinnon are worth that, but they are a full rung above Debrincat and two above Jones.

The Hawks are in the unenviable position of not having enough talent to even worry about ‘losing’ guys to the cap. However, the intent is very much to restock this team with talent that will eventually command competitive salaries. The difference between $3M extra for Debrincat and being able to sign player XYZ to a heftier bridge deal could be real sooner than we think. I think Debrincat is a tremendous player, but he’s also not at the same level as McDavid and the very top elite players. If we’re giving Kane $7 or so, and Strome $4.5-6 for good play when the season is already completely lost… suddenly that cap space is drying up again. Throw in some below pay grade money for McCabe, Murphy, Johnson, Connolly,

The Hawks can be wanton with cap space when the risk is zero, but handing out mega-deals that stretch into eternity are what hamstrung the team from 2015 on. Edmonton, Toronto, and us all know how flimsy a roster is when you have nearly half the team making league minimum. That’s how we ended up with Manning, the ghost of Chris Kunitz, and the 18th hole of Cam Ward as an ‘offseason haul’.
- ObeseOprah

Agreed 100%. Those contracts should be reserved for truly elite players. How have Tampa and Boston been competitive for long stretches in the past? Good contract management.