Justin Lowe: Hawks v. St. Louis – Can Colliton Get His First Win?
A very quick poolside blog leading up to tonight’s game.

The Hawks play has seemed to improve game-by-game under Colliton, but they really just need to get that first win out of the way, which would end this 8 game losing streak.

Here are a few things I will be looking for tonight.

First!

WTF, not that it’s earth shattering but is Bowman still asleep at the wheel, Tanner Pearson probably would fit the bill and probably not cost us that much. But he’s on his way to Pittsburgh I guess for a hockey stick and a bag of pucks.

WTF, not that it’s earth shattering but is Bowman still asleep at the wheel, Tanner Pearson probably would fit the bill and probably not cost us that much. But he’s on his way to Pittsburgh I guess for a hockey stick and a bag of pucks.
- wonthecup10

What similar salary expiring contract was he supposed to send to LA?

What similar salary expiring contract was he supposed to send to LA?
- GPHawksfan

AA, with 2 years retained.....

"poolside"

HAD to rub it in!

I saw this on the Blackhawks Talk Twitter feed, and the numbers are from the last 5 years, courtesy of Mark Lazarus & Natural Stat Trick.

Kane & Toews together, last 5 years.

1,113 minutes of 5 v 5 together
Hawks were out scored 60-56 in those minutes

Toews without Kane, his line out scored opponents 211-150

Kane without Toews, his line out scored opponents 246-193.

Kane and Toews are not the ‘nuclear option’. They actually make each other less effective

What similar salary expiring contract was he supposed to send to LA?
- GPHawksfan

Wasn’t Pearson part of their top line with Toffoli and Carter, wasn’t it called “that’s 70s line “?, correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think he’s all that old. And since we have no wingers like that in our system I don’t see anything wrong with getting A guy with some size that will go in the corners and dig pucks out And play the body. Just a thought that is all.

I saw in an article today that the Hawks PDO is way down for the year, which suggests that a regression to the mean would include better saves and a higher shooting percentage. Good signs among the depressing madness.

Justin Lowe: Hawks v. St. Louis – Can Colliton Get His First Win?

A very quick poolside blog leading up to tonight’s game.

The Hawks play has seemed to improve game-by-game under Colliton, but they really just need to get that first win out of the way, which would end this 8 game losing streak.

Here are a few things I will be looking for tonight.
- Justin Lowe

Really jealous at the moment JL, haha. Enjoy the rest of it.

Don't like the first line. I really wanted Fortin in. I like when Hayden and Martinsen play together. They are effective when they hit. I'm excited for Fosling's return. I like that he is eased back into the game in sheltered minutes. I don't like who he is paired off with. I'm open to surprises, but Manning needs to carry his weight.

The Hawks played a relatively simple game against Carolina and need to continue that trend.

No more cute passes, fancy plays and BS'ing around. They don't have that ability anymore.

Time to put on the work boots and win board battles, make smart passes, get pucks to the net and repeat.

Get ugly!

With the Kings on the schedule for Friday...

I was in LA last week and caught a couple games. Honestly, I think they're a dangerous team that hasn't took off for one reason or another. They have a lot of guys that can do damage (both physically and on the scoreboard) that just aren't clicking right now.

I know they're old and heavy, but I think they're a team that can spark out of nowhere and go on a tear.

There's a lot of talent on that roster and picking up the speedy Hagelin was a cool move.

With the Kings on the schedule for Friday...

I was in LA last week and caught a couple games. Honestly, I think they're a dangerous team that hasn't took off for one reason or another. They have a lot of guys that can do damage (both physically and on the scoreboard) that just aren't clicking right now.

I know they're old and heavy, but I think they're a team that can spark out of nowhere and go on a tear.

There's a lot of talent on that roster and picking up the speedy Hagelin was a cool move.
- Hank3Henshaw

Does Quick being injured have anything to do with it?

I totally agree. Justin, JC seems to have a system in place. Players are buying in. It will make it interesting to see if the players respond to it. I was very impressed with Saad and Kanes views on the new looks. If players buy in, the comments on this board will start to tone down, although Standbo has sucked oxygen from the base.

Calling it 5 to 2 HAWKS .Hayden with the Gordie Howe Hat trick tonight .. GO HAWKS !!!!

Does Quick being injured have anything to do with it?
- I Am The Breadman

It probably hasn't helped.

They pounded the Ducks while I was there and that was before Campbell got hurt. But I hear he's out 4-6 weeks and apparently Quick is supposed to come back before then.

Really jealous at the moment JL, haha. Enjoy the rest of it.

Don't like the first line. I really wanted Fortin in. I like when Hayden and Martinsen play together. They are effective when they hit. I'm excited for Fosling's return. I like that he is eased back into the game in sheltered minutes. I don't like who he is paired off with. I'm open to surprises, but Manning needs to carry his weight.
- I Am The Breadman

I will not miss Fortin -all speed and little else. I like Hayden with Martinson. It allows Hayden to play his game without getting tag teamed after whistles.

Wasn’t Pearson part of their top line with Toffoli and Carter, wasn’t it called “that’s 70s line “?, correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think he’s all that old. And since we have no wingers like that in our system I don’t see anything wrong with getting A guy with some size that will go in the corners and dig pucks out And play the body. Just a thought that is all.
- wonthecup10

Pearson and Hagelin were both players that maybe could have fit in here.

I guess it all depends on what the return would have been. That's the problem... Stan doesn't have much to offer other teams.

"poolside"

HAD to rub it in!
- resqmed99

Ha. I had to. I never get away so thoroughly enjoying this vaca.

Wasn’t Pearson part of their top line with Toffoli and Carter, wasn’t it called “that’s 70s line “?, correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think he’s all that old. And since we have no wingers like that in our system I don’t see anything wrong with getting A guy with some size that will go in the corners and dig pucks out And play the body. Just a thought that is all.
- wonthecup10

Apparently Pearson had not been playing that way of late and has been in the rumour mill for a while.

I will not miss Fortin -all speed and little else. I like Hayden with Martinson. It allows Hayden to play his game without getting tag teamed after whistles.
- 67hawks

Big John and Martienson are players this team desperately needs - and has needed for a couple years.

Pearson and Hagelin were both players that maybe could have fit in here.

I guess it all depends on what the return would have been. That's the problem... Stan doesn't have much to offer other teams.
- Justin Lowe

Are you serious Justin?
Both guys make in the neighbourhood of $4M per year and slumping. Pearson has 1 point so far and Hagelin 3 points. Probably why they were traded for each other.

I will not miss Fortin -all speed and little else. I like Hayden with Martinson. It allows Hayden to play his game without getting tag teamed after whistles.
- 67hawks

Agree. Fortin needs to show a lot more and produce. He's a speed demon but as you said, that's about it. Be disruptive with that speed to create something for yourself or for your mates.

I also like Hayden and Martinsen together if they both keep their games simple: play physical, skate north-south, and chip in opportunistic SOGs. Make the other team hesitate as they hear their skates striding towards them.

In his first shift of the Flyers game, Hayden came off the bench and skated hard at Gostisbehere who had the puck along the wall. Gostisbehere coughed up the puck because of that beeline Hayden made. More of that, please, Hayden.

What I don't want from Hayden is his seeming desire to be a finesse player. He tries to stick handle and play fancy in the corners and boards which more often then not results in a turnover.

Big John and Martienson are players this team desperately needs - and has needed for a couple years.
- Hank3Henshaw

Not to be 'that guy', but Martinsen and Big John have combined for 2 points this season. Fortin isn't much better at 4. I do like what Martinsen and Hayden do when they inject life into a dead period, but other than that they'd be in the AHL on most teams.

Hawks overdue for a win. Regression to the mean comes into play right wing tonight.