Can someone explain the Hawks defensive pairings rotations? Seems each shift is a different pairing.
- LAHawk

2nd period, long change?

[quote=Mr Ricochet]2nd period, lon

I noticed it in the first too.

Nolan Allan with the full Linda Ronstadt on the Larkin goal. Blue Bayou! Looked like he was standing still.

Nolan Allan with the full Linda Ronstadt on the Larkin goal. Blue Bayou! Looked like he was standing still.
- scottak

I believe that was Phillips.

Keeping Kurashev with Bedard is a disaster defensively.

We just can't sustain any pressure infront of the goalie. Need to send 2 guys in front of Talbot

What a great game by Kaiser inspite of the loss.

If i don't see 41 play again it'd be fine by me. I just don't like any of these kids on their off side.

What a great game by Kaiser inspite of the loss.

If i don't see 41 play again it'd be fine by me. I just don't like any of these kids on their off side.
- BetweenTheDots

Think it exposes flaws. Offside you’re not as comfortable so everything take a half second longer. Can’t cover your mistakes with athleticism when you’re .5 sec behind.

Think it exposes flaws. Offside you’re not as comfortable so everything take a half second longer. Can’t cover your mistakes with athleticism when you’re .5 sec behind.
- bhawks2241

I agree with you, unfortunately Phillips plays like that on either side.

I have to admit Kaiser is growing on me he just keeps playing better and better.

I agree with you, unfortunately Phillips plays like that on either side.

I have to admit Kaiser is growing on me he just keeps playing better and better.
- BetweenTheDots

He’s got some sneaky quick moves. Like that when he makes a decision lately it’s 100%. Not seeing him hesitate.

Keeping Kurashev with Bedard is a disaster defensively.
- LAHawk

Totally, LA.

Kurashev has been bad this year. He just can't win pucks either.

Keeping Kurashev with Bedard is a disaster defensively.
- LAHawk

I know it's early but I think kurashev is traded sometime this season in a package deal imo. Rumors of Davidson looking for a young second line center kurashev could be part of a package to possibly acquire a player Hawks are looking for.
And for the love of God put TT back with Benard. And stop forcing reichel to be a center he is better suited on wing imo.

I know it's early but I think kurashev is traded sometime this season in a package deal imo. Rumors of Davidson looking for a young second line center kurashev could be part of a package to possibly acquire a player Hawks are looking for.
And for the love of God put TT back with Benard. And stop forcing reichel to be a center he is better suited on wing imo.
- Scott1977

Who would want Kurachev? Imagine you are an NHL GM; what would you offer or should I say gladly depart with for this underachieving second or third line somewhat timid forward? You are going to trade your garbage for a young second line Iine center, eh? So you think you are Sam Pollach, eh? Good luck.

No hockeybuzz
It is imminent
Imagine have to catch Troy Murray and J Wideman with Charlie R the studio.analyst and reporter
.imagine taping radio
So you can get good introspection..Or tape the games and watch later

Nolan Allan with the full Linda Ronstadt on the Larkin goal. Blue Bayou! Looked like he was standing still.
- scottak

Youre looking for phillips

I know it's early but I think kurashev is traded sometime this season in a package deal imo. Rumors of Davidson looking for a young second line center kurashev could be part of a package to possibly acquire a player Hawks are looking for.
And for the love of God put TT back with Benard. And stop forcing reichel to be a center he is better suited on wing imo.
- Scott1977

Or Bedard dammit. Kidding and agree.

They got purchased. They didn't really end. There are a few local Blackhawks sites that have a somewhat loyal following, but nothing quite as extensive as this. I'm sure it isn't all that difficult to set up a website anymore, but the actual operation and maintenance of it is likely not trivial.
- Chunk

most of it is automatic and reasonable if you go with a decent service.

its more the whole how do you generate enough revenue to make it worth it thing.

Keeping Kurashev with Bedard is a disaster defensively.
- LAHawk

Donato doesn't help since he's basically the same player only he's scoring goals at the moment.

Donato doesn't help since he's basically the same player only he's scoring goals at the moment.
- fattybeef

Bedard's line seems to really struggle at retrieving the puck and maintaining possession. They are very often one and done. I'm still kind of amazed that they immediately moved away from having Bertuzzi on his line as that seemed to be one of the main reasons for bringing him in.

Bedard's line seems to really struggle at retrieving the puck and maintaining possession. They are very often one and done. I'm still kind of amazed that they immediately moved away from having Bertuzzi on his line as that seemed to be one of the main reasons for bringing him in.
- Chunk

You'd think.

It is really weird watching the games and trying to mesh it with the metrics. Maroon/Smith/Reichel has been pretty productive (and I don't seem to remember them being hemmed in their own end all that often), but their xGF% are all in the 30s.

Not sure if it is the simple fact that they lack depth, or if there is something bigger going on, but the Hawks seem so disjointed on the ice (even when they win). For those who have played, how the heck can you not start the game with energy - especially after two days off?

It is really weird watching the games and trying to mesh it with the metrics. Maroon/Smith/Reichel has been pretty productive (and I don't seem to remember them being hemmed in their own end all that often), but their xGF% are all in the 30s.

Not sure if it is the simple fact that they lack depth, or if there is something bigger going on, but the Hawks seem so disjointed on the ice (even when they win). For those who have played, how the heck can you not start the game with energy - especially after two days off?
- Chunk

I thought they played well last night. The 1st goal was puck luck with 1.5 seconds left. You had an AHL defenseman trying to defend one of the better forwards with speed in the game. The 3rd goal was another lucky bounce off Allens skate and in. The passing has been so much better than the 1st 10 games. I guess LR just can't help himself, Reichel is playing well so let's start bouncing him around the line up. Even so he and Kaiser are playing really well right now.

The power play sucked last night. I believe on one of them the Wings had 2 SOG to the Blackhawks 0

I agree with moving TT back to Bedard’s line. Not only is he the second best scorer on the team behind Bedard, he’s also responsible defensively. I also agree that the other forward on that line needs to be able to retrieve pucks, where is Hossa when you need him. I too would try Bertuzzi, what do they have to lose. Their defense will improve once Martinez gets back, but don’t be surprised if Brodie replaces Phillips tonight.

I thought they played well last night. The 1st goal was puck luck with 1.5 seconds left. You had an AHL defenseman trying to defend one of the better forwards with speed in the game. The 3rd goal was another lucky bounce off Allens skate and in. The passing has been so much better than the 1st 10 games. I guess LR just can't help himself, Reichel is playing well so let's start bouncing him around the line up. Even so he and Kaiser are playing really well right now.

The power play sucked last night. I believe on one of them the Wings had 2 SOG to the Blackhawks 0
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah, I think the PP "success" is skewed by two really good games. They have serious issues entering the zone, don't really win faceoffs, and get really stagnant.

I don't really have much of an issue giving Reichel some run with better players at times during games. The problem is that LR put him with Shev and Bedard. Who the hell is going to go get the puck and keep it in?

The first goal last night was stupid. Several mistakes in one play. Reaching with sticks, Richardinson not covering ADB when Vlasic literally pointed for him to take the backdoor, hoping/expecting time to run out.

Interesting, no criticism of Vlasic about last night, but lets jump on the #7 defenseman for a mistake. BTW, if Phillips was playing the right side, and Vlasic the left, why on that play were they switched? Let alone the horrible neutral zone turnover by Bertuzzi that caused the counter attack. How many other defenseman would suffer the same fate with Larkin coming full speed ahead ?

Vlasic was very weak on his stick on Detroits first goal, after he deflected Larkin's pass, he had 2 attempts to clear it, and all he did was weakly knock it back to Larkins's shinpad, tiwce.

Criticise Phillips all you want for playing too high on defense. Fine, but silence when Vlasic did the same on the third goal ?

Bad night for Vlasic, game chart verifies it. That being said, he is still the Hawks best defensemen.