Justin Lowe: That Was Odd The Hawks lose last night to the Anaheim Ducks 3-2. Once again, a game the Hawks were in and should have won, but found a way to lose.


The Hawks are 2nd worst in the league in odd man rushes allowed this year.

Why?

I'll be first and just say... let's have a good game (cut the BS name calling out on here, guys) and have some fun out there (by talking about how bad the Blackhawks goaltending situation is )

fffff...second!!!

I think Justin you are right about the odd man rushes. I think the Hawks are often chasing the score or pressing too much for a goal and they end up paying for it. They gotta lock that down.

That Hartman hit followed up by the 3 Stooges act of two Ducks slamming into eachother

That Hartman hit followed up by the 3 Stooges act of two Ducks slamming into eachother
- markmark

That was a great hit (and funny aftermath) but a terrible call by the ref.

Great write-up Justin.

I agree 100% about the centre situation. Toews and Schmaltz are fine as the top 2 centres, AA is serviceable as the 3C the Hawks could do better. In the off season I'd like to see the Hawks pick up a solid (young or veteran) defensive 4C that can take some pressure off Toews in that area. Kampf and Wingels have been serviceable, but I think the team can do better.

That was a great hit (and funny aftermath) but a terrible call by the ref.
- Justin Lowe

Yep. Not sure what Hartman possibly did to earn 2.

If the explanation is to give him 2min to cool off, then Manson should've been looking at 5.

Was at the game last night, didn't think the compete level was always there.. Can remember a few sequences when good opportunities near the dot were passed up to work the puck down low with Bouma.

I thought the team looked lost all night. Time to embrace the tank..

I can’t believe how lucky the Ducks were that Manson/ Cogs / Kes all didn’t get at least 2 each & Josh didn’t get 10 along with it ... and how did Hartman get 2 exactly for a perfect hit .... then Ritchie obliterated Brandon along the boards & Hawks go offside ?? 4 on 2 ...

Kase / Rico- what a trade by Murray / Gibson
Thank goodness for them...

Time to buy out Seabrook?!

Time to buy out Seabrook?!
- Flamin_Irishmin

Buying out Seabrook's contract is not a realistic option:

https://www.capfriendly.c...or/brent-seabrook#results

For now the best we can hope for is Q utilizing Seabrook in the best way possible. I think #7 can still bring some value to the team, he may not be worth his cap hit but he can still be a useful d-man.

Buying out Seabrook's contract is not a realistic option:

https://www.capfriendly.c...or/brent-seabrook#results

For now the best we can hope for is Q utilizing Seabrook in the best way possible. I think #7 can still bring some value to the team, he may not be worth his cap hit but he can still be a useful d-man.
- DarthKane

Yeah, that's not good.

Seems like they don't want to play for JQ anymore. Kinda like the Kings with Sutter. Maybe it's time to move on and try a new coach.

Don't get me wrong, Quenville is a great coach. A real great coach actually but maybe it's time for a change. Change can be good

I can’t believe how lucky the Ducks were that Manson/ Cogs / Kes all didn’t get at least 2 each & Josh didn’t get 10 along with it ... and how did Hartman get 2 exactly for a perfect hit .... then Ritchie obliterated Brandon along the boards & Hawks go offside ?? 4 on 2 ...

Kase / Rico- what a trade by Murray / Gibson
Thank goodness for them...
- dozerD10

That sequence after the Hartman hit was ridiculous. What is it -Hawks are not allowed to check?

The officials' response with the penalty and non-penalty calls encourages this type of crap!

That sequence after the Hartman hit was ridiculous. What is it -Hawks are not allowed to check?

The officials' response with the penalty and non-penalty calls encourages this type of crap!
- 67hawks

I get what you're saying, and you're right. But let's take a step back here...

Are we really complaining that the Hawks inept power play didn't get another opportunity to suck the momentum out of the game?

I'll be first and just say... let's have a good game (cut the BS name calling out on here, guys) and have some fun out there (by talking about how bad the Blackhawks goaltending situation is )
- Justin Lowe

As this crew accepts the fact that we are not participating in the playoffs this year and starts to embrace the tank watch you will see more positivity.

Call me crazy, but our most wanted asset at the TDL has to be Keith. Nobody is untouchable except for Kane IMO. Would he agree to go to a contender? Does he want another cup before he fades further? The haul back would be substantial. If you don't like Keith this year, wait until you see 37+ year old Keith.

2017 1 G 25 A -13
2016 6G 47A +22


He's not Lidstrom. If you want to get younger and faster, trade your oldest players.

Can anyone explain to me why the Hawks didn't just claim DiDomenico off of waivers when he was on a few days ago? They could've then used Pokka to bring in another player.

Call me crazy, but our most wanted asset at the TDL has to be Keith. Nobody is untouchable except for Kane IMO. Would he agree to go to a contender? Does he want another cup before he fades further? The haul back would be substantial. If you don't like Keith this year, wait until you see 37+ year old Keith.

2017 1 G 25 A -13
2016 6G 47A +22


He's not Lidstrom. If you want to get younger and faster, trade your oldest players.
- ItHossaGood

I would hate to see what the defense would look like without Keith. If the offer was insanely good I'd trade Keith, but in reality he should retire a Blackhawk.

Justin said: With all of this in mind, I'm hearing the Hawks are having a lot of closed-door meetings lately to figure out their next move. I'm sure there will be some screaming and some tense moments, but in the end, let's just hope that there are some smart decisions made to turn give this team the best chance to succeed moving forward.

I ask: Do you know who all is involved in those meetings?

Is it just Stan and his scouts and assistants?

Is / are Q and his staff involved with the GM group?

To ask the dangerous question, is McDonough involved?

I certainly hope it’s the middle grouping, not the first or the last.

I only watched the 1st period last night and 2 things I noted:

1 - No one on the Hawks wants to shoot in close. Always trying for one more pass. It was if the thought was "I'm not going to shoot. Here, you shoot". I know the TV game perspective is different then ice level and maybe there wasn't a shooting lane there but, boy it sure looked like it was.

2 - I'm no knuckle dragger but, there was a play where Forsberg froze the puck and he was given a shove by a Ducks player at the whistle. Neither of the 2 Hawk players in the area did a thing. No push. No shove. Nada. What happened to protect your goalie?
That Duck player should have been on his a$$.

Can anyone explain to me why the Hawks didn't just claim DiDomenico off of waivers when he was on a few days ago? They could've then used Pokka to bring in another player.
- blackhawks61895

Doesn’t it have to do with sending him down to Rockford - which (I’ve heard) they couldn’t do under your scenario.

Cost the Pokka - someone who has never played an NHL game - and probably never would wearing the Indianhead.

What can you guys tell me about Ville Pokka? Interesting the Sens got anything at all for DiDo since he was on waivers earlier this week.

Doesn’t it have to do with sending him down to Rockford - which (I’ve heard) they couldn’t do under your scenario.

Cost the Pokka - someone who has never played an NHL game - and probably never would wearing the Indianhead.
- StLBravesFan

Plus it would add a contract, the Hawks are at 47 and they would have been at 48. If the sign Sikura (fingers crossed) they'll be at 49. Maybe they wanted the flexibility for the trade deadline and/or signing other college/euro free agents.