It was John Dietz.

Troy Murray "If you're going to grade the performance of any of the blackhawks you're going to be giving them a F. You can't accept this in any way shape or form.....you come in here and waste an effort. It wasn't good enough. The lack of effort from veteran players has got to be disturbing to the coaching staff."

I agree with your earlier post. Saad is no doubt carrying toews right now. That's why they made that trade and 19 better ramp his overall game up.......
- SteveRain

Found it, pretty much spot on assessment:


https://www.dailyherald.c...0171018/sports/171018648/

Forsling and Wingels probably, though I'd prefer Bouma out.
- JRoenick97

Agree. Wingels deserves to be on the ice. Wish they'd put Kero in between Hayden and Wingels. Forsling needs a rest (or a bus ticket to Rock).

Exactly correct, my friend. Toews used to be an explosive player with "jump" in his stride AND that grit. Now, Toews is all grit, and no high end skill/speed. He is NOT worth $10.5mil based on his play the last 2+ seasons. We all watch the games every night. I've played, coached, officiated and watched hockey on TV for the last 20+ years and I know when a guy has the "IT" factor. Toews used to be a guy that could control the puck for extended periods of time in the O-zone. Now, he loses possession of the puck very easily, and does not have the speed that made him a threat off the rush. Telling everyone here who sees the same thing that "you remember a few highlights" is an insult to our intelligence and our ability to assess hockey players and the game itself. Toews, Keith, and Seabrook have all regressed significantly in their overall playing ability since 2015.
- EnzoD

Is it just me or does it seem like johnny gets knocked down a lot more now than he ever did. He doesn't seem as "powerful" on his skates as he once was.

Don't know what happened to the Hawks last night. Skill wise we can go with anyone. Last know was a want/compete problem. As was mentioned, we had several days off to rest and be ready. We weren't and that game was awful. Zero desire to fight through what the Blues were doing.

Just don't get it. Hoping for a better response tonight.

Found it, pretty much spot on assessment:


https://www.dailyherald.c...0171018/sports/171018648/
- walleyeb1

Agreed and I agree with SIU that "something isn't right in the room"

More complacency from veterans..........

Is it just me or does it seem like johnny gets knocked down a lot more now than he ever did. He doesn't seem as "powerful" on his skates as he once was.
- tompo1015

There is a reason that the entire hockey community had a serious debate on who would you take to start your team: Toews or Crosby back in 2013 and in 2017 Toews was ranked as the 12th best CENTER (not forward, Centers only). Toews was a force on the ice and he dictated the play with his strength, skill and will. He just seems like a totally different player since 2015, and it's a major bummer.

There is a reason that the entire hockey community had a serious debate on who would you take to start your team: Toews or Crosby back in 2013. Toews was a force on the ice, he dictated the play with his strength, skill and will. He just seems like a totally different player since 2015, and it's a major bummer.
- EnzoD

Remember when 19 would track an opposing player and steal the puck with ease?

Remember when 19 was great on the cycle, strong on his skates?

Remember when 19 scored all those big, important goals?

Remember when......

Remember when 19 would track an opposing player and steal the puck with ease?

Remember when 19 was great on the cycle, strong on his skates?

Remember when 19 scored all those big, important goals?

Remember when......
- glennjpawlak22

For my fellow South Park fans...

Toews was a force on the ice and he dictated the play with his strength, skill and will. He just seems like a totally different player since 2015, and it's a major bummer.
- EnzoD

I agree with this sentiment completely, and it's been noticeable for me near two years now.

The million dollar question is: why? Has he had a nagging injury all along? Is he phoning it in after pretty much accomplishing and acquiring every single bit of glory and hardware one can receive as a hockey player? He's not old. I just don't get it.

For my fellow South Park fans...



- EnzoD

I agree with this sentiment completely, and it's been noticeable for me near two years now.

The million dollar question is: why? Has he had a nagging injury all along? Is he phoning it in after pretty much accomplishing and acquiring every single bit of glory and hardware one can receive as a hockey player? He's not old. I just don't get it.
- Fat_Tony_Amonte

His rookie year was 2006. Up to and since then, the guy has played a TON of hockey and has 3 Cups plus a whole closet full of other hardware to go along with it. Could be that his body simply cant do what it did a few years ago. We all can attest to that. Don't think we will see the dominant 19 anymore. Is he still a very good player? Yes. Dominant?

Life happens.

One personnel move I would make is get Matthew Highmore up from Rockford, give him a few games. Kid is talented, works hard and plays much bigger than his size. Puck seems to follow him.

I think the other thing is happening tonight, Oesterle in for (perhaps) Forsling.

Dunno how Forsberg will hold up against what may end up being another 40 SA tonight, but I feel pretty confident the kid will battle.

Maybe tonight is a bit of a turnaround against the Oil who i hear have not been great so far.
- John Jaeckel

Interesting JJ. He seems to be paying well down on the Rock. I haven't personally seen him.

I still think they have a weapon in Hinostroza with his speed who's toiling in the minors.

He looked extremely determined in the pre-season and if he could unleash that speed for offence AND defence, he could be super valuable.

In a league where speed seems to be ruling all... Hino could go head-to-head with almost any Blackhawk right now and win.

Sooo..... he's my vote.

Interesting JJ. He seems to be paying well down on the Rock. I haven't personally seen him.

I still think they have a weapon in Hinostroza with his speed who's toiling in the minors.

He looked extremely determined in the pre-season and if he could unleash that speed for offence AND defence, he could be super valuable.

In a league where speed seems to be ruling all... Hino could go head-to-head with almost any Blackhawk right now and win.

Sooo..... he's my vote.
- TyCamScore

Like to see Hino, Kampf and Dauphint all come up.

If Seabrook Kempny and Rutta or Franson or whoever the hell is out there were smart, they would sit at the red line and wait for the Oilers to come at them. Seabroook will be smoked a lot tonight.

Light a candle for Forsberg. If this team doesn't do a helluva job back checking, it will be a dumpster fire.
- SteveRain

I don't think anyone wants to be "sitting and waiting" for McDavid to come at them. ha.

>You are not going convince me Toews is the impact player he was, and that includes "all the little things" he did so well
>I'm not going to convince you Toews play is subpar for the roles he has on the team
>I'm hoping the Toews that passes the eye test returns
>Whether Toews is +5 or -5 tonight, I will wait another 20 games before any more comments on him (if I can)
>Off to a meeting, hoping for a Hawks W
- SnapitUpstairs

Agree. Wingels deserves to be on the ice. Wish they'd put Kero in between Hayden and Wingels. Forsling needs a rest (or a bus ticket to Rock).
- kwolf68

Yes... 57 just plays at 100% all the time out there. Ill say it again. Bouma does nothing and Hino, Dauphint or Kampf can offer more to the team. Yes, yes there are more issues, but the 4th line aint helping much right now.


Hino Wingles Hayden as the 4th line..

Remember when 19 would track an opposing player and steal the puck with ease?

Remember when 19 was great on the cycle, strong on his skates?

Remember when 19 scored all those big, important goals?

Remember when......
- glennjpawlak22

I remember back 100 lbs ago when I played Scrum half - now I'd be lucky to be a Prop

I remember watching the Golden Jet be all that he could be -

I remember 17 seconds, Kaners OT Goal, and the amazing final game against the bolts - The clinic put on in that game is what I hope to see again...

One personnel move I would make is get Matthew Highmore up from Rockford, give him a few games. Kid is talented, works hard and plays much bigger than his size. Puck seems to follow him.

I think the other thing is happening tonight, Oesterle in for (perhaps) Forsling.

Dunno how Forsberg will hold up against what may end up being another 40 SA tonight, but I feel pretty confident the kid will battle.

Maybe tonight is a bit of a turnaround against the Oil who i hear have not been great so far.
- John Jaeckel

So JJ, you’d go with Highmore over Dauphin? At least Dauphin has some AHL and NHL experience.

So they traded Panarin to make the Toews line go but the Kane line now is a work in progress.....

Glad it is early in the season, will give Stan Bowman plenty of time to see what he needs, I am still hoping they are talking to Colorado about Matt Duchenne and possibly Barrie,And for those I may have offended in my last post with my choice of words towards Nick schmaltz, I apologize, but after seeing a little more than a year of this kid I have had enough, this is professional hockey, I’m not telling you to be a caveman but this kid has no interest in engaging whatsoever, if Stan Bowman is smart he will sell high while he can and include him in any trade of significance, like Eddie O says! “Eeeeemediately!!””
- wonthecup10

Agreed. Get Duchene, and put Schmaltz on the wing.

There is a reason that the entire hockey community had a serious debate on who would you take to start your team: Toews or Crosby back in 2013 and in 2017 Toews was ranked as the 12th best CENTER (not forward, Centers only). Toews was a force on the ice and he dictated the play with his strength, skill and will. He just seems like a totally different player since 2015, and it's a major bummer.
- EnzoD

Actually Panik/Saad are the force on that line now.....Toews looks weak compared to either of them. He's lacking burst, torque, whatever you want to call it. Very unfortunate at $10 mil......

Like to see Hino, Kampf and Dauphint all come up.
- z1990z

100% agree....unfortunately somebody has to go down (or out) for that to happen. I'm all in for moving Anisimov to make room for youth and speed. I certainly don't see his value as our 3C as a defensive specialist, that's for sure. ...and he hasn't created much of anything offensively. And, Yes I am on his case again !! His game last night was terrible....but so was everbody else's for that matter. I still say move him while he still has some value......or does he ??

For my fellow South Park fans...



- EnzoD

Last nights version

I am finding hard to grasp that all of a sudden, the fan base here on HB is turning the majority that Toews is so quickly diminishing.

Toews on EVERY NHL team in the league would make them significantly better. It is so tough to compare Toews then to Toews now for the simple fact the roster that the Hawks had back when he was the Tazer we all know were so deep and VERY good. It is easy for Q to play quality matchups to help benefit him when you had a roster like that.

With that said, the amount of hockey Toews has played over the course of his young career is a lot! Personally, I think he is doing fine. It is crazy to point any finger at him as of right now especially with how early it is in the regular season. He is almost at a PPG and sitting at +4 and close to top 20 in FO%. No clue where Toews is not being Toews.

The guy to be pointing at is the guy JJ has spoken about a ton of times already through 7 games of the season: #7

Remember when 19 would track an opposing player and steal the puck with ease?

Remember when 19 was great on the cycle, strong on his skates?

Remember when 19 scored all those big, important goals?

Remember when......
- glennjpawlak22

I Remember one of the last regular season games in 2015, it was a meaningless game in Buffalo, Hawks had (I Think) pretty much secured themselves a 2nd or 3rd place divisional finish, but this was a roughly 20 win Buffalo team and they were winning 3-2 and making the Hawks look like an under .500 team. With 2minutes left 19 jumped up from he seat on the bench unloaded a few Strong words to his team skated out on the ice took command of the puck and flipped one to Shawzie to tie it.......40 seconds later 20-19-81 grabbed the puck again and took it down for the next goal...Game Over, No OT No loss to a Team we never should have been losing to in the first place.........Something's changed