Theo Fox: Game 11: Hawks 3, Canes 4
A recap of the Blackhawks shootout loss to the #LetsGoCanes despite Lankinen registering another outstanding performance in net.

Also, Kurashev continues to shine, Kubalik plays with intensity, and Zadorov leverages his physicality.

Nice blog Theo.

I think it is about time we give Derek King and the Hawk’s development staff some kudo’s for developing these kids to be as ready to play in the big show as they have shown so far. Such a difference from the Dent era.

Oh, and FIRST

Blackhawks on the ice in the 3x3 - Kane, AdB, Janmark, Strome, Kubalik (briefly), Kampf, Keith, Beaudin. (I think that’s it).

Too much slow, too little dynamic play. I don’t think they had any 2 on 1 rushes in the 5 minutes. 3x3 is about speed, transition, breakouts. Hawks don’t have enough skaters who can do that now. I’d try putting Kane, Kubalik, Kurashev, Suter as two forward pairs, backed by Keith (he knows 3x3 defense) and Beaudin.

In the shootout - they are limited by the lack of one-on-one scorers - snipers like AdB and grinders like Strome are disadvantaged there. But - they don’t really have the creative puck handlers who can make moves on goalies. Hasn’t helped that Kane has missed a PS and two SO ops.

Strome comment on his SO attempt: “My mind changed like three or four times going down there. I thought I saw five-hole and I pulled it back." There is no time to change your mind - you have to just react.

Wow Hagel is the next stu grimson. If he wants to show his grit drop the gloves. Evil glares and love taps are nice but dont intimidate. I had to work so I only saw the 1st period.

LA, that is another reason for Boqvist to have spent all of last season in Rockford.

LA, that is another reason for Boqvist to have spent all of last season in Rockford.
- Angotti

Completely agree. With the way Mitchell, Beaudin and Carlsson are playing, there's no reason to keep Boqvist with the Hawks this year. Send him to Rockford for a couple months, and maybe call him up at the end of the year.

I agree, a "conditioning" stint of about 40 games after he gets out of COVID protocol is about right.

Zadorov got beat twice wide on the shift that lead to the 1st Hurricane goal. He has trouble defending speed.

I’d like to see one of the young guys draw in to replace him.

Zadorov got beat twice wide on the shift that lead to the 1st Hurricane goal. He has trouble defending speed.

I’d like to see one of the young guys draw in to replace him.
- scottak

And Zadrov had to cover for Beaudin's 3 give away's last night besides being his personal body guard. And do you think Zadorov is the only defenseman that Svetchnikov can beat wide?

Zadorov got beat twice wide on the shift that lead to the 1st Hurricane goal. He has trouble defending speed.

I’d like to see one of the young guys draw in to replace him.
- scottak

I wish he had a little more north and south to his game than east and west. Love the checks and clearing the crease, but he's not the only one to take that step towards the boards and they are immediately behind the play

That's why I'm impressed with Mitchell, took that step towards the boards vs Larkin and lost, the next time vs Larkin first step was south and even though Larkin was able to get around him he had minimal space between him and Lanky to get the shot over his right leg.

And Zadrov had to cover for Beaudin's 3 give away's last night besides being his personal body guard. And do you think Zadorov is the only defenseman that Svetchnikov can beat wide?
- LAHawk

No, but that doesn’t change the fact that his skating is atrocious. Lack of speed can be covered up by taking better angles. deHaan isn’t a plus skater, but he doesn’t get turnstiled nearly as frequently.

All 3 goals scored on open side of net, hope the defense cleans this up tomorrow.

If there was one thing to take away from the early season it’s that I think we look better than a lot of people thought we would. Not gonna be a playoff team but we’re still very competitive. For the most part lol.

No, but that doesn’t change the fact that his skating is atrocious. Lack of speed can be covered up by taking better angles. deHaan isn’t a plus skater, but he doesn’t get turnstiled nearly as frequently.
- scottak

I’m okay if they move Zadorov and I’m okay if they keep him as long as we see improvement. I’m sure he’s learning JC’s system on the go, as they didn’t have any preseason games. The bottom line is if he can improve his angles, he can be an asset to this team with his physicality.

The shootout should have Kubec? In there doing his best Hossa imitation by taking a slap shot

The big Russian defenseman needs to start learning to play faster I get the feeling he wants to always take the body weather he is defending or carrying the puck
It’s ok to avoid contact move the play forward

I really think his play is based on some concept he has of what an enforcer does

I’m okay if they move Zadorov and I’m okay if they keep him as long as we see improvement. I’m sure he’s learning JC’s system on the go, as they didn’t have any preseason games. The bottom line is if he can improve his angles, he can be an asset to this team with his physicality.
- Angotti

Chara didn't really put it all together until he was 27/28, Zadorov is 26 so there is that. He also only has a one year contract so it is not like the Hawks have a long term commitment to him.

The shootout should have Kubec? In there doing his best Hossa imitation by taking a slap shot

The big Russian defenseman needs to start learning to play faster I get the feeling he wants to always take the body weather he is defending or carrying the puck
It’s ok to avoid contact move the play forward

I really think his play is based on some concept he has of what an enforcer does
- molly2522

Even if he is an enforcer, who else is there to protect Mitchell/Beaudin/Bovquist? Also, it is nice to see a Hawk clearing some bodies out of the crease, or would you rather have what we have seen the past 3 years when any forward could play wack a mole with our goalie.

No, but that doesn’t change the fact that his skating is atrocious. Lack of speed can be covered up by taking better angles. deHaan isn’t a plus skater, but he doesn’t get turnstiled nearly as frequently.
- scottak

I'm not defending Zadorov here as I agree that he is slower and takes too much time to act. However, the last handful of games, de Haan has been tunrstyled several times. I like de Haan overall and I think he is a good asset, but he has had is issues as well.

Great write-up Theo. I was thinking the exact same about the overtime. It was like they just wanted to play keep away until the 5 mins was up. Kane and ADB had two decent shots (one from each circle), but that was about it. As strange as it is for me to say it, Janmark has been playing the whole ice surface quite well. He's got some speed, physicality and a decent shot.

I thought Highmore came back and had a better game. They need to find some sort of better combination for the third line.

Even if he is an enforcer, who else is there to protect Mitchell/Beaudin/Bovquist? Also, it is nice to see a Hawk clearing some bodies out of the crease, or would you rather have what we have seen the past 3 years when any forward could play wack a mole with our goalie.
- LAHawk

No one can “protect” another player. Sure an enforcer can beat the snot out of someone after the fact but there’s not a player ever born that can prevent anyone from taking a run at a teammate. It’s up to Mitchell, Beaudin or Boqvist to not put themselves in a position to get hurt and to not play to avoid injury.

Even if he is an enforcer, who else is there to protect Mitchell/Beaudin/Bovquist? Also, it is nice to see a Hawk clearing some bodies out of the crease, or would you rather have what we have seen the past 3 years when any forward could play wack a mole with our goalie.
- LAHawk

Agree. It's been painful to watch the last couple years of guys standing around as the other team swatted at and took runs at Crow.

In spite of what Vandy says, I liked that Hagel took on 3 Canes in the crease and made Foegele eat some leather. Dropping the gloves there in a close contest would have been stupid.

Wow Hagel is the next stu grimson. If he wants to show his grit drop the gloves. Evil glares and love taps are nice but dont intimidate. I had to work so I only saw the 1st period.
- vandymeer23

Hagel has been one of the most consistently effective Hawks on the ice, but he needs to "Punch More People!!!"?

He doesn't need to intimidate anyone. He needs to keep doing exactly what he is doing. Being an effective hockey player that hounds the puck and frustrates the other team.

Great write-up Theo. I was thinking the exact same about the overtime. It was like they just wanted to play keep away until the 5 mins was up. Kane and ADB had two decent shots (one from each circle), but that was about it. As strange as it is for me to say it, Janmark has been playing the whole ice surface quite well. He's got some speed, physicality and a decent shot.

I thought Highmore came back and had a better game. They need to find some sort of better combination for the third line.
- Chunk

They need to win a face-off. Did they win a face-off in the third period or overtime?. I would sit Kampf next game for Johnson, who is supposed to be very good at face-offs. Kampf started the year well, but has fallen off the last few games on face-off wins.

Agree. It's been painful to watch the last couple years of guys standing around as the other team swatted at and took runs at Crow.

In spite of what Vandy says, I liked that Hagel took on 3 Canes in the crease and made Foegele eat some leather. Dropping the gloves there in a close contest would have been stupid.
- HawkintheD

No. He should have disregarded the score and fought. It’s not about winning, it’s about the red ass baby!

No one can “protect” another player. Sure an enforcer can beat the snot out of someone after the fact but there’s not a player ever born that can prevent anyone from taking a run at a teammate. It’s up to Mitchell, Beaudin or Boqvist to not put themselves in a position to get hurt and to not play to avoid injury.
- paulr

There is something to be said when you have someone who can take the body. What purpose does Ryan Reeves play besides taking the body? Do you want to see a replay of last years playoffs when Reeves/Bellamare etc. just ran roughshod over the Hawks? You don't think that was on Stan's mind in acquiring Zadorov? He brings something that the Hawks do not have, a big nasty. Better than watching Shaw be the one sticking up for his team, or for that matter Toews like he had to do against Vegas last year.

Plus I was impressed when Niederrider was slashing at Zadorov and he did not retaliate then and get a stupid penalty. He took a number and paid it back later. I know that hitss aren't everything, but he did record 6, and a couple were those that makes the opposition take notice.