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Forums :: Blog World :: Theo Fox: Defense Mechanism
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Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Sep 13 @ 3:07 AM ET
Theo Fox: Defense Mechanism A look at the Achilles' heel of the Blackhawks that is still likely to make or break their 2021-22 season.
35Tony0
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Springfield, IL
Joined: 05.10.2015

Sep 13 @ 5:18 AM ET
Defense wins championships, plain and simple.
powerenforcer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheeling, IL
Joined: 09.24.2009

Sep 13 @ 5:53 AM ET
Defense wins championships, plain and simple.
- 35Tony0


Agreed 100%. I would also add that defense starts in the offensive zone.

I think in hockey it is easier to find guys who can score than guys who can defend. That is what made Hossa such a special player while he was with the Blackhawks. If Toews comes back anywhere near near 100% that will be a big boost for the defensive play for this team.
35Tony0
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Springfield, IL
Joined: 05.10.2015

Sep 13 @ 7:15 AM ET
Agreed 100%. I would also add that defense starts in the offensive zone.

I think in hockey it is easier to find guys who can score than guys who can defend. That is what made Hossa such a special player while he was with the Blackhawks. If Toews comes back anywhere near near 100% that will be a big boost for the defensive play for this team.

- powerenforcer

Toews definitely is a plus plus defender. He is a joy to isolate on when watching a game.
AdB really impressed me last year with his commitment to defending. He seemed at least a step faster also.
Kubalik also showed, to my eyes, improvement defensively.
Now, adding Fleury, Jones, McCabe really takes more steps toward being better defensively.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Sep 13 @ 8:00 AM ET
If the success is based solely on the players, then obviously we should be better defensively

What about the system? A group of more experienced dmen + commitment from forwards on the forecheck and backcheck is telltale. Well, the break out, too.

Will the team follow Collitin's directions? I cannot say how it plays out over the course of the season. Colliton appears to communicate well and is not much older than them..He is a bright guy. Yet we saw what happened two years ago when Toews complained and McDonough ordered change in the coaching strategy.

I would like to think the improvement in personnel would encourage the players to believe they can hang in and win. The defence and toughness is good enough. On.most nights this could be the case but development of young players and over reliance all season long is problematic. Telegraphic or the same old strategy by Kane has been problematic

A positive note is that an influx and role of at least three forwards from Rockford could push the needle of team -wide competitiveness upward.

Here's hoping that Mitchell is back and forcing the other Jones to the sideline. If Mitchell is stable to good and Kalynuk provides a good game, at least the players teamwide are better than our opponents think they are.

The fact is, even with system and improved players WE LACK ENOUGH TOP END SKILL AND BOARD PLAYERS ON OUR TOP TWO LINES.AND SOMEHoW WE NEED TO HAVE THAT. No first round choice next season . Hopefully Stan will both upgrade through a trade or sign, plus draft a top player. With Mitchell and Rockford/other kids matriculation we hope to get to the post season. I say Kane can keep up as a star through late 30's but he needs some help. Next season is a start.
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Sep 13 @ 8:34 AM ET
The Hawks Achilles heel:

- offense
- defense
- goaltending
- team speed
- team physicality
- mental toughness
- power play
- penalty kills
- face offs
- penalties
- depth
- coaching

Other than that, the Hawks are right there as top contenders.
Googlyeyes
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 03.15.2019

Sep 13 @ 8:43 AM ET
You are such a Debbie downer! Now, take off your birkenstocks, put on your sneakers, and pretend you are going to lose 10 lbs. this week! Happy Monday!
powerenforcer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheeling, IL
Joined: 09.24.2009

Sep 13 @ 8:45 AM ET
The Hawks Achilles heel:

- offense
- defense
- goaltending
- team speed
- team physicality
- mental toughness
- power play
- penalty kills
- face offs
- penalties
- depth
- coaching

Other than that, the Hawks are right there as top contenders.

- DarthKane


You missed Anthem Singer.
Ogilthorpe2
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 37,000 FT
Joined: 07.09.2009

Sep 13 @ 9:28 AM ET
Defense wins championships, plain and simple.
- 35Tony0

The best defense is a good offense.

Ogilthorpe2
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 37,000 FT
Joined: 07.09.2009

Sep 13 @ 9:30 AM ET
You missed Anthem Singer.
- powerenforcer

And broadcast team, training staff, ice girls, stadium parking lot attendants, etc
35Tony0
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Springfield, IL
Joined: 05.10.2015

Sep 13 @ 9:38 AM ET
The best defense is a good offense.


- Ogilthorpe2

A good offense is getting and keeping the puck out of the defensive zone.
chuckdahammer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 11.01.2016

Sep 13 @ 9:57 AM ET
Hockey is simply the fastest game in the world. When the puck is in the defensive zone, it's boils down to read and react. If you are playing a system that requires you to read longer than usual, your reaction will be slow too. Simplfy things to the read is quicker and the reaction will be too. Also, puck possession in the offensive zone and don't forget the important neutral zone ,,,,,,,,, cuts down on zone entries into your zone and turns play around quicker back into the offensive zone
BetweenTheDots
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 06.13.2015

Sep 13 @ 10:04 AM ET
Theo Fox: Defense Mechanism
A look at the Achilles' heel of the Blackhawks that is still likely to make or break their 2021-22 season.

- Theo Fox


It'll be interesting for sure, now that the Blackhawks have at least 3 top 4 dmen very curious to see how this system is suppose to work. Forwards have to do there part in order for it to have any success.
BetweenTheDots
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 06.13.2015

Sep 13 @ 10:08 AM ET
I believe JC is trying to implement a system like the Bolts, but it either gets lost in translation, lack of talent or doesn't fully understand how the system works.
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Sep 13 @ 10:17 AM ET
It'll be interesting for sure, now that the Blackhawks have at least 3 top 4 dmen very curious to see how this system is suppose to work. Forwards have to do there part in order for it to have any success.
- BetweenTheDots

That’s true with any system in any sport where defense and offense aren’t separated by possession.
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Sep 13 @ 10:18 AM ET
I believe JC is trying to implement a system like the Bolts, but it either gets lost in translation, lack of talent or doesn't fully understand how the system works.
- BetweenTheDots

Lack of talent would be the obvious answer.
mohel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 02.08.2013

Sep 13 @ 10:23 AM ET
I believe JC is trying to implement a system like the Bolts, but it either gets lost in translation, lack of talent or doesn't fully understand how the system works.
- BetweenTheDots


But, I read here that JC was the 1st to implement this type of system in the NHL. He was a beer league coach trying to force down the players' throats a system no sane coach would use.
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Sep 13 @ 10:28 AM ET
But, I read here that JC was the 1st to implement this type of system in the NHL. He was a beer league coach trying to force down the players' throats a system no sane coach would use.
- mohel

The narrative has changed. Get with the program.
rpeters01
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 07.09.2016

Sep 13 @ 10:28 AM ET
The Hawks Achilles heel:

- offense
- defense
- goaltending
- team speed
- team physicality
- mental toughness
- power play
- penalty kills
- face offs
- penalties
- depth
- coaching

Other than that, the Hawks are right there as top contenders.

- DarthKane

You left out"
- National Anthem Singer
- Zamboni Driver

rpeters01
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 07.09.2016

Sep 13 @ 10:33 AM ET
Lack of talent would be the obvious answer.
- paulr

I don't care what the system is when you are playing college and AHL defensemen. And make no mistake, just because he played two years doesn't mean Boqvist wasn't an AHL defenseman. Carlsson, Mitchell, Beaudin, Kalynuk, Stillman, sprinkled in with an aging Keith, not good Zad, and Murphy and deHaan.
If the other team can't score against that no matter the system their Forwards aren't trying.
mohel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 02.08.2013

Sep 13 @ 10:44 AM ET
The narrative has changed. Get with the program.
- paulr


You're (your) probably right, as is typical. Given that, I have ordered my Narrarive Decoder Ring. Amazon says it is eligible for same day delivery.
mohel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 02.08.2013

Sep 13 @ 10:46 AM ET
I don't care what the system is when you are playing college and AHL defensemen. And make no mistake, just because he played two years doesn't mean Boqvist wasn't an AHL defenseman. Carlsson, Mitchell, Beaudin, Kalynuk, Stillman, sprinkled in with an aging Keith, not good Zad, and Murphy and deHaan.
If the other team can't score against that no matter the system their Forwards aren't trying.

- rpeters01



Well, when put it like that.........it sounds quite sensible.
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Sep 13 @ 10:51 AM ET
I believe JC is trying to implement a system like the Bolts, but it either gets lost in translation, lack of talent or doesn't fully understand how the system works.
- BetweenTheDots


They do stupid stuff in their own zone that teams like Tampa do not do. High pressure and man to man in all three zones is a stupid way to play a professional sport. In literally every professional sport, a man to man where you have guys chasing their marks all over the place does not work.

Connor Murphy chasing a player with his back to the goal from behind the net up to the blue line either means the player has no idea how to play the game or the coaching staff is telling them to do that. Since all of their defenders were doing similarly stupid things, I'd think that is more of a coaching issue than a player issue.

Tampa and Carolina and Colorado and Vegas for that matter play a high pressure system when the puck is in their offensive zone and then they have mobile talented defenders who can step up and disrupt plays in the neutral zone. Playing that way relies on a certain amount of talent. The 2010 Hawks played similarly. When they are in their own zone they pack the middle of the ice, block shots and protect the high danger areas.

The Trotz teams play a bit more conservatively and more of a traditional trap than anything else. Doing something like that allows a team to compensate for a lack of talent and mobility on the blue line.

At some point you have to understand the team you have and coach to their strengths putting players in the best position to have success rather than doing the same thing that gets poor results over and over again. This is made less tolerable when the bozo running the team is constantly smirking behind the bench and arrogantly dealing with the media.

"If you win 20 in the show, you can let the fungus grow back and the press'll think you're colorful. Until you win 20 in the show, however, it means you are a slob."
boilermaker100
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2015

Sep 13 @ 10:59 AM ET
I don't care what the system is when you are playing college and AHL defensemen. And make no mistake, just because he played two years doesn't mean Boqvist wasn't an AHL defenseman. Carlsson, Mitchell, Beaudin, Kalynuk, Stillman, sprinkled in with an aging Keith, not good Zad, and Murphy and deHaan.
If the other team can't score against that no matter the system their Forwards aren't trying.

- rpeters01


We all became enamored of the young D prospects, but it really goes back to the old theory that they won't be accomplished defenseman until they play 200 games. Mitchell, Beaudin, Kalynuk and Stillman still have a ways to go in that regard. When their times come, Vlasic and Kaiser will also be on a long learning curve, too.

Probably see another veteran on the team next year after deHaan is gone instead of going with 3 vets (Jones, Murphy, McCabe) and 3 kids. Let two of the best D prospects fight it out for the remaining 2 positions. Others probably eventually will be trade bait.

What's the spread for Saturday's Purdue-ND game?


rpeters01
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 07.09.2016

Sep 13 @ 11:03 AM ET
We all became enamored of the young D prospects, but it really goes back to the old theory that they won't be accomplished defenseman until they play 200 games. Mitchell, Beaudin, Kalynuk and Stillman still have a ways to go in that regard. When their times come, Vlasic and Kaiser will also be on a long learning curve, too.

Probably see another veteran on the team next year after deHaan is gone instead of going with 3 vets (Jones, Murphy, McCabe) and 3 kids. Let two of the best D prospects fight it out for the remaining 2 positions. Others probably eventually will be trade bait.

What's the spread for Saturday's Purdue-ND game?

- boilermaker100

Probably something like ND-9?
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