I'll never give up on Crawford. His D corps has been crud in front of him lately, and granted he hasn't been sharp, i'll still take him over just about any other goalie outside of Miller or Brodeur.
- philco28

Crawford hasnt proved anything in his short NHL career. He had a solid season last year, and lost in the first round of playoffs. There might be a good reason why Crawford was in the AHL for so long. He is an average goalie at best and he will not be a starter with the hawks very long. Just look at his stats this season compared to the rest of the goalies in the league. He is 41 out of 44 in save % and 40 out of 46 in GAA. He should be a backup not a starter. So I have no idea what you are talking about when you say you would rather have him then any other goalie.

Hitch's D system: Ken Hitchcock reveals how his aggressive neutral-zone system traps the opposition. Just don’t call it a trap -- Hitch doesn't like that if you do.

Keep it above the red line
“Our system isn’t a trap -- it’s a really aggressive reload. But you end up trapping people because they’re overwhelmed and forcing pucks through traffic. When I coached Dallas, our five-man gap was on our side of the red line. In today’s game, it has to be on the offensive side of the red line.”


Take away ice
“The key to our backcheck is to have all our guys on the half of the ice the puck is on. Then our opponents can’t use 85 feet; they can use only 40. You take away any width to their attack. We don’t shift over into lanes. Our forwards have to work hard to cover over the puckcarrier.”


Positions don't matter
“Once we force the turnover, we cease to be position players. The guy closest to the puck is 1, the next is 2, then 3 and 4 -- whether they’re forwards or defensemen. It’s risky because the D can get caught up ice. But when it works, we can create odd-man rushes from turnovers.”


Make one quick pass
“With the puck, we spread it back out. We say things like ‘quick up’ and ‘five hard strides.’ We make a ‘quick up’ to a forward, be it an eight-foot pass or a 20-foot pass. One pass, and the rest of the guys take ‘five hard strides’ to catch up. No dumping the puck.”


Defensive speed wins
“The fastest teams now play fast defensively, not offensively. They overwhelm you with their work on D, and they hang on to the puck on offense. To win, you need defensive speed and offensive patience.”

-- as told to Lindsay Berra of ESPN the Magazine (No, I don't work for them and am not plugging them -- just ID'ing my source.)

Everybody, i just heard some more on this rumor and updated the blog:

UPDATE 2:26PM Central: heard some late-breaking scuttlebutt here, apparently from the original source, that this rumor, as related to me and Greg Stewart over at 300Level, was maybe somewhat overblown. Apparently a smaller handful of guys are having some issues with the defensive system, while the dressing room overall remains fairly tight and engaged with the coaches. As always, and as I originally said below, take these types of rumors (especially) with a grain of salt.

Just curious what your truthful hockey background is?
- nickmo2699

Not sure I understand your question...can you be more specific as to what you want to know?

Hitch's D system: Ken Hitchcock reveals how his aggressive neutral-zone system traps the opposition. Just don’t call it a trap -- Hitch doesn't like that if you do.

Keep it above the red line
“Our system isn’t a trap -- it’s a really aggressive reload. But you end up trapping people because they’re overwhelmed and forcing pucks through traffic. When I coached Dallas, our five-man gap was on our side of the red line. In today’s game, it has to be on the offensive side of the red line.”


Take away ice
“The key to our backcheck is to have all our guys on the half of the ice the puck is on. Then our opponents can’t use 85 feet; they can use only 40. You take away any width to their attack. We don’t shift over into lanes. Our forwards have to work hard to cover over the puckcarrier.”


Positions don't matter
“Once we force the turnover, we cease to be position players. The guy closest to the puck is 1, the next is 2, then 3 and 4 -- whether they’re forwards or defensemen. It’s risky because the D can get caught up ice. But when it works, we can create odd-man rushes from turnovers.”


Make one quick pass
“With the puck, we spread it back out. We say things like ‘quick up’ and ‘five hard strides.’ We make a ‘quick up’ to a forward, be it an eight-foot pass or a 20-foot pass. One pass, and the rest of the guys take ‘five hard strides’ to catch up. No dumping the puck.”


Defensive speed wins
“The fastest teams now play fast defensively, not offensively. They overwhelm you with their work on D, and they hang on to the puck on offense. To win, you need defensive speed and offensive patience.”

-- as told to Lindsay Berra of ESPN the Magazine (No, I don't work for them and am not plugging them -- just ID'ing my source.)
- SnapitUpstairs

For what it is worth and has been told to me by a coach....

To be labeled a defense oriented coach isn't a desirable tag these days...So Hitch does what he can to make sure it is known he doersn't stifle the offense.

JJ,

You need to have a chat with Forklift and CT. Would luv to hear a little hockey conversation between you 3.

Everybody, i just heard some more on this rumor and updated the blog:

UPDATE 2:26PM Central: heard some late-breaking scuttlebutt here, apparently from the original source, that this rumor, as related to me and Greg Stewart over at 300Level, was maybe somewhat overblown. Apparently a smaller handful of guys are having some issues with the defensive system, while the dressing room overall remains fairly tight and engaged with the coaches. As always, and as I originally said below, take these types of rumors (especially) with a grain of salt.
- John Jaeckel

Just my opinion but if this is all true, I would guess it's the new guys who have a problem..

you are sounding more and more like a pr guy for the hawks
2 or 3 guys could make a significant difference
- molly2522

PR guy? far from it

....sure...just not 2 or 3 guys from a the current list of expiring contracts..

and if you think StanBow is going acquire 2-3 more guys using the current roster, propsects or draft choices; you just keep on dream'n

Just my opinion but if this is all true, I would guess it's the new guys who have a problem..
- pri$ey

Or it's as bad or worse than first reported and this "latest" is just spin/damage control.

JJ,

You need to have a chat with Forklift and CT. Would luv to hear a little hockey conversation between you 3.
- ArlingtonRob

Actually was supposed to be on Frankie Forklift's PuckCast on Sunday but got derailed. Am doing it soon.

Everybody, i just heard some more on this rumor and updated the blog:

UPDATE 2:26PM Central: heard some late-breaking scuttlebutt here, apparently from the original source, that this rumor, as related to me and Greg Stewart over at 300Level, was maybe somewhat overblown. Apparently a smaller handful of guys are having some issues with the defensive system, while the dressing room overall remains fairly tight and engaged with the coaches. As always, and as I originally said below, take these types of rumors (especially) with a grain of salt.
- John Jaeckel

I would hope they hate, because they sure aren't executing it.

A little more context is required on Hitch's quote...

Players here screw up because they do what they want when they have the puck....

Not considering defensive schemes etc...The Hawks have lost games recently because of careless play which leads to odd man breaks and prime scoring chances which the goal keepers haven't been able to stop...And they won't stop all of those chances.

At least two goals the other night were caused by blueline turnovers and the fourth goal by forwards not covering for dmen that were pinching in late in the game.

Forwards here, young and not so young put scoring as a primary concern above smart play too often.

Hitchcock has an MO of being a defensive minded coach, which suggests he stiffles offensive creativity. He disagress with that association....

Thus the quote mentioning you can do what you want with the puck meaning he is allowing offensive creativity.

But before that can happen you have to get the puck and be able to hold onto it.....That my friends hasn't happened enough here.
- Al

This is so true -- turnovers at either blueline usually create prime scoring chances for the other team. The Hawks have been braindead on many occasions with the puck and also not keeping the big picture in mind, like protecting a one goal lead, etc. One of my biggest beefs with the Hawks for the past two years is that nearly EVERY player stares down his passing target virtually every pass -- a key reason the Power Play stinks so bad.

I know people in hockey who will tell you Ray Emery is a good guy. Further, and this is just my opinion, I believe hockey has a bit of a racism problem. Look no further than the 2010 Conn Smythe Trophy and many other events, all well-chronicled.

Now, did Ray do some things in Ottawa to burn some bridges? Absolutely.

Did he in Philly. I never heard that. Did he in Anaheim? Never heard it. The hip, i think, got him moved out of those places.

And I believe he knows he screwed the pooch in OTT.

Can a guy be immature then grow up? Absolutely. Ray can. Crawford can. Owen Nolan can. Steve Yzerman can. Kane can. A lot of guys can.

This isn't about Ray as a goalie. This is about him as a person. Again, a lot of people in hockey are fans of Ray Emery's character, in spite of all the articles you cite.

And if I understand your post correctly, it seems you are implying he could be at the root of the Hawks dressing room issues. I have not heard that. In fact, what I have heard and casually observed is that he is very popular in the room and seen as a selfless leader.

I know this, the dude stood up the other night and took responsibility for goals 3 and 4, deserved or not. Those are the guys when I played sports I wanted to go to war with and for.
- John Jaeckel

I wont say that there isn't racism
In the nhl,because these players are human..but you are telling me Buff deserved the Smythe ahead of Toews,and didn't win it because he is african american?i don't buy it..Toews was great in the 2010 playoffs,Buff had a hot streak..Toews earned that trophy,one of the few times I don't agree with you JJ

Crawford hasnt proved anything in his short NHL career. He had a solid season last year, and lost in the first round of playoffs. There might be a good reason why Crawford was in the AHL for so long. He is an average goalie at best and he will not be a starter with the hawks very long. Just look at his stats this season compared to the rest of the goalies in the league. He is 41 out of 44 in save % and 40 out of 46 in GAA. He should be a backup not a starter. So I have no idea what you are talking about when you say you would rather have him then any other goalie.
- bhawks86

Crawford is 51-31 (not counting shootouts) as an NHL goalie....he's 20 games ABOVE .500. THAT'S what i'm talking about. Crow is clearly having a confidence crisis and who wouldn't with the way our disgraceful d has played this year, but i still think he's a good fit at least for the next few years of his contract.

Not sure I understand your question...can you be more specific as to what you want to know?
- andru2797

What was the highest level of hockey you have played?