Tyler Cameron: Blackhawks have forgettable weekend Welp. That didn't go well.

The Blackhawks were truly outmatched this weekend by the Colorado Avalanche.

They were outscored 12-5 and fall to dead last in the Central Division with 25 points (10-11-5). They are only 1 point out of last in all of the Western Conference.

Before I touch on the Blackhawks, their upcoming schedule and the future of this season, I want to say a couple of things about the Avalanche.

Yeh but you know what, I mean if you market and trumpet monthly save percentage as a thing - it sort of becomes a bit of karma.

As in play 'the hot hand' because that guy got me a shut out ... only to give up 5 goals on 15 shots .... mind you I guess that is 10 better that I would have done.

Hey wait... that's only 10 better than I would have done?!

Then actually decide to replace the other goalie based upon his performance the next game which is about silly considering it had to have been only at least as bad as the prior game.

To suggest that any of that made sense -not my post - but rather the events, and the events were that all over the place - I contend that this was a metaphor for this past weekend.

I didn't watch either game -or I mean get a chance to -- and I don't think I am going to go back and watch the replay.

At this point --- we had the first 3 weeks of November ... ahhh man, but they were pretty good weeks.

Great writeup as always, Tyler

I think it was gifman who mentioned that DBC changed his blade to one with a curve (maybe trying to emulate Kane?) this year. If so, he needs to switch back immediately. Agree with you that, if not the stick change, he needs to figure out what and why things have gone so horribly wrong.

If he's trying to improve on all other aspects of his game, like defense and playmaking (and, apparently, fighting), that's admirable and there is time for that. But if doing so is also reducing the value he brings to the team, he should revert to doing what he did bast for us the last couple of years.

The Hawks take on the reigning Stanley Cup chances tonight. Then after the Blues, the Hawks will take on Boston (Thursday), New Jersey (Friday) and Arizona (Sunday)...

TC

L, L, OT L, L

Keith and Crawford to the Avs at the trade deadline for Bowen Byram

Is it to early?

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl


When we find out that Lehner doesn't want to resign with the Hawks, where do we move him?

The oilers could use some elite goaltending.

Someone mentioned the Avs? Send Lehner + Maata (cup winner / depth defensemen) for Bo Bry?

Tyler Cameron: Blackhawks have forgettable weekend
Welp. That didn't go well.

The Blackhawks were truly outmatched this weekend by the Colorado Avalanche.

They were outscored 12-5 and fall to dead last in the Central Division with 25 points (10-11-5). They are only 1 point out of last in all of the Western Conference.

Before I touch on the Blackhawks, their upcoming schedule and the future of this season, I want to say a couple of things about the Avalanche.
- Tyler Cameron

Great piece, TC, even though you're talking about results I'd rather not go through again.

Before the season started, Colorado was my pick to win it all. I knew they were more than one line to score & 2 players on that line have been injured & Makar is just awesome to watch ... (frank)ing Avs. They looked good during the playoffs last season, until they weren't.

I don't care for Nylander & I place blame on Debrincat as well, even though he is trying to be a more complete player & it shows. Debrincat is showing some signs of Saad puck luck ... which isn't good. I'd like to get Strome, Caggiula, & Keith back asap. They are missed. There is a lot of blame to pass around though, more than 12 & 92, tbh.

Tinker with the lines & pairs, JC. I hope for the best.

Are we already on tanking talk? Please dear God, stop! We got Kirby Dach from tanking, oh wait, no we didn't. So, it's not okay that we are a sucky garbage team when we try, but it is okay to purposefully lose, accept & embrace a losing culture, & have the young players not grow & develop just for the POSSIBILITY of a better draft spot & an even SMALLER POSSIBILITY at a good "crapshoot" of a player? Makes sense ...

Great write up Tyler. I was very optimistic about Chicago looking at the moves they made because on paper this team should be much better.

Everything hinged upon the players who stepped up last year having career years doing the same this year.

Saad and Nylander playing away from toews produced results now their non existent.

Kubalick is mia

Toews is washed up here are his numbers and for what Chicago is paying him , clearly he isn't remotely living up to his contract.

26 GP
4 goals
9 assists
13 points
-1

That's pathetic and the excuses and lack of emotion shown by toews are no longer can be excepted.

JC while he might be a very knowledgeable guy with all his analytics
His ability to coach and get these guys motivated and playing better is non exsistent.

It's time for Rocky to Fire Stan and rebuild this team.
Even if Chicago made a wildcard spot they haven't shown they can play consistent and keep up with contender teams

I think el gato is dealing with the holy crap I'm rich syndrome and trying to do too much.

Pretty sure Toews has a back injury and there will be a surgery announcement at some point. Maybe after Christmas if they are out of it and moving assets.

Anyway, too slow on the blue line and only Kane can score. Goaltending is great but the D is still abhorrent.

They shouldn't be this bad even with some of the talent gaps.

Moving the assets to get space for Mitchell and Boqvist should probably be the plan. And if they get hot and sneak in cool.

I think Bowman has no idea how to build a team and JC will not be turning water into wine anytime soon. Tell the veterans you're cleaning house and start over with the front office.

That would really dent their aspirations of landing Hall if they Col trade Bo Bryam for Keith and Crawford.

Hall ain't worth Bryam.

Hall ain't worth Bryam.
- RedRevenge

But two declining players who are ancient are? haha

I know very little about the USHL and the Chicago Steel, but there's a report out that their coach Greg Moore, was hired by the Leafs organization to coach their top farm club the Toronto Marlies.

Anyone know anything about Mr. Moore? I assume he's a capable coach if hired by Toronto. Right out from under the Hawks' nose too.

Horrible weekend results Tyler. But, I have to disagree a little on the play of the team.
I know, and agree results matter...and the Hawks need to win a streak of games. I also agree that the offense outside of kane is dismal. We need more from D-Cat, Toews, and pretty well the whole team. Kane seems to be our only constant.

But, that said. I think goaltending was our downfall these past 2 games.

Our strength, just had 2 bummer games. The TEAM did well in limiting the powerful Avs to 30 shots one game and 25 the other (or there-abouts)

To let in 7 of 30 shots....and 5 or 25 shots....will NOT get the job done. The Hawks team play is miles ahead of last year. But, those 2 games are the worse two goaltending games we have had all year. I hope it is just a "Blip" because even in our earlier loses our goaltending was stellar.

Time is ticking, as far as Hawks grabbing points and becoming part of the racr. But, I still think this team is heading in the right direction "Play-wise" and need to get to burying some chances to get back on the winning side of things.

Still, a damn sight better team to watch than last years disaster. Just frustrating to see them not bury more.,

Ohh no we suck again

What makes you think Toews has a back injury?

Something has to give. This team is floundering from bad to ok to sometimes good. The reality is the current line up will not win any cups let alone make the playoffs, so what to do?

Who needs to get moved to really change this team around?

Sorry but four more years of Seabs and Toews and others at those salaries means this team is not going forward. Money needs to be better invested. Either that is the form of picks or younger personel. Culture change required.

If that means either that Kane and Saad or others get moved then so be it.

Like I said Something has to give. Staying the same and expecting different results is an exercise in futility.

The record now and in the past few years speaks for itself.

Tyler Cameron: Blackhawks have forgettable weekend
Welp. That didn't go well.

The Blackhawks were truly outmatched this weekend by the Colorado Avalanche.

They were outscored 12-5 and fall to dead last in the Central Division with 25 points (10-11-5). They are only 1 point out of last in all of the Western Conference.

Before I touch on the Blackhawks, their upcoming schedule and the future of this season, I want to say a couple of things about the Avalanche.
- Tyler Cameron

I'd also include that Toews and Saad haven't produced together...can't really place much blame on Nylander. The two veterans have been hot garbage for the most part.

As Tyler stated:

Back to the Hawks; what to do about this team?

Stan Bowman must be saying the same thing.

At the end of last season we all saw the same things Stan did last season regarding the shortcomings of the roster.

So Stan makes the necessary moves last summer by bringing in goalie depth in Lehner, some veteran defensemen (Maatta, de Haan) and a few 3rd and 4th line types (Shaw, Carpenter, Smith). He even was thinking long term to improve the top 6 by trading for Nylander.

The GA are down mainly due to outstanding play by the two goalies. But is the defense really that much better? Not by much IMO, even though the PK has improved and sits at around 19th in the league average instead of near the bottom.

So what's with the defense? The system? Wrong type of players playing the system? Players not buying into the system. Players not good enough? I don't have the answers. Could be one or more of the above. That's up to Stan and JC to figure out.

Regarding the lack of offensive output, I think Stan was banking on repeat career years by Debrincat, Strome, Toews, Kane and Gus. Kane is holding up his part of the bargain, but as we all know, the others are not. Maybe the numbers put up by Cat and Gus last year were outliers, and Cat is not a 40 goal scorer, but a 25, and Gus is a 35 point defenseman and not a 60.

As for Toews who knows. Best career point output was last year with 81, but the year before he had a career low of 52 points. (excluding 2012-13 when he only played 47 games.) This year's production indicates last year was the exception. Is he playing through an injury, or has his skill level or his compete level fallen off the cliff?

The result is a bubble team with a struggling offense and defense. They'll win a few games in a row, but then will follow that with some lackluster play. The goalies will win them some games, but then play the occasional stinker game.

So Stan what do you do about this team? I, for one, would like to hear from you regarding your plan to improve the team.

I'd also include that Toews and Saad haven't produced together...can't really place much blame on Nylander. The two veterans have been hot garbage for the most part.
- bhawks2241

Nor have Cat-Strome-Kane. Kane's points are coming during PP or while double shifting with other lines. I'd put Kane/Toews back together as they seem to score on when on the ice together, and both had career years last year playing together. There's a history and proven chemistry there. May be the spark that both Toews and Cat need.

From Dietz, about the Blackhawk ‘compete’ level.

The Blackhawks blocked 6 shots on Saturday. COL blocked 18, 6 by Ian Cole.

So COL had 1 guy block as many shots as the entire Blackhawk team. It doesn’t take much skill to block a shot, just the desire to do it.

From Lazerus:

Eight weeks ago: Decent summer. Cautious optimism!

Six weeks ago: Poor start. Too early to worry!

Four weeks ago: Total disaster. Will Jeremy Colliton and Stan Bowman be fired?

Three weeks ago: System tweak. Will the Blackhawks ever lose again?

Two weeks ago: Inevitable regression. Was the hot streak a mirage?

Six days ago: Big response. Statement efforts against red-hot Dallas.

Sunday: Thanksgiving debacles. Fold the franchise!

Monday: I’m friggin’ exhausted.

Great write up Tyler. I was very optimistic about Chicago looking at the moves they made because on paper this team should be much better.

Everything hinged upon the players who stepped up last year having career years doing the same this year.

Saad and Nylander playing away from toews produced results now their non existent.

Kubalick is mia

Toews is washed up here are his numbers and for what Chicago is paying him , clearly he isn't remotely living up to his contract.

26 GP
4 goals
9 assists
13 points
-1

That's pathetic and the excuses and lack of emotion shown by toews are no longer can be excepted.

JC while he might be a very knowledgeable guy with all his analytics
His ability to coach and get these guys motivated and playing better is non exsistent.

It's time for Rocky to Fire Stan and rebuild this team.
Even if Chicago made a wildcard spot they haven't shown they can play consistent and keep up with contender teams
- Taylorst1

How does this bumhole still have an account here after his blatantly racist and ignorant comments? This site is a joke.

Looking through some catalogs today and thought you'd all appreciate these hockey-theme gift ideas:

https://www.uncommongoods.com/search?q=hockey

Love the ice scraper (though isn't that Seabs' brand stick? would it hold up?)

How does this bumhole still have an account here after his blatantly racist and ignorant comments? This site is a joke.
- Blackhawks8712

Do what most of us do, just scroll past his posts unread