Are we just going ignoring Keith being taken to school by McDavid?

I'm sure Foley had a tear slowly going down his cheek after that one.........
- SteveRain

That was just an excellent spin and pass from an outstanding player - perhaps (probably) Kane could have done that - not sure anyone else in the league could have (except maybe Nick Leddy).

Perhaps Keith could have done more - but in real time, skating backwards, perfect moves by McDavid - I'm thinking probably not.

It was the only goal given up in regulation - that play did not cost them the game - the inability to score did.

Seems to be a defensive skill other teams have used for years.
- powerenforcer

True.

That's not Keith though, always been smart with the stick. And if that failed, then he got mean with the stick. Now he can't do that anymore, and he's not as quick as he was.

Who takes Keith spot in the coming years? Huge shoes to fill. Is that Forsling? Hard to predict whether D prospects will flourish or flop.

When the ice is bad, it's bad for both teams. I don't see it as an excuse for losing, but it makes for less entertaining hockey as plays are broken up by an erratic rolling, bouncing puck, ruining the flow. It can definitely make players look like crap.

Whether its the new pucks or sticks like you say, I'm not sure. It does seem to be worse (to my eye) at the UC. Puck is more flat and predictable when I watch games at the Bell center or in Ottawa. Maybe I'm just nuts. Shrug.
- kinigitt

You're not nuts. The two buildings up north don't have the constant conversions that challenge the staff in a building as busy as the UC. Also the farther south you go the more challenging it is to keep the ice in top shape. But I'm familiar with the science that's involved. When they drop the puck at the UC that ice is pristine. Bigger, faster, and more powerful skating players than ever before take a toll in less time than ever during a period of play. That's what led to the skaters with the shovels during the timeouts. And not every player has the hands to handle the newer whippy sticks under pressure from the opposition in a game that's faster than ever. Really, generally speakiing, the most consistent element of the game as it's played today is the ice. But the other factors contributing make it an easiest target.

You're not nuts. The two buildings up north don't have the constant conversions that challenge the staff in a building as busy as the UC. Also the farther south you go the more challenging it is to keep the ice in top shape. But I'm familiar with the science that's involved. When they drop the puck at the UC that ice is pristine. Bigger, faster, and more powerful skating players than ever before take a toll in less time than ever during a period of play. That's what led to the skaters with the shovels during the timeouts. And not every player has the hands to handle the newer whippy sticks under pressure from the opposition in a game that's faster than ever. Really, generally speakiing, the most consistent element of the game as it's played today is the ice. But the other factors contributing make it an easiest target.
- 6628

I see. Makes perfect sense, thanks

Some players look like beagles chasing rabbits by the end of a period

Especially after the 2 boarding penalties (how those were not majors is beyond me). That is on Q. I hate the stick-checking he forces the guys to do. McDavid would not have seen OT if the response was correct.
- powerenforcer

Lol.

Not being flippant, but isn't it only reasonable that McDavid would school Keith at this point? I don't even think Keith did all that bad on the play. How do you contain a force of nature like 97 once he's driving the net? Tackle him?
- kinigitt

This

Keith played it reasonably well. McDavid does that to elite dmen on the reg when he’s skating like that. Literally nothing one can do but hope to get a stick on the puck. (But of course don’t overplay the puck or you’re super hooped)

Side note- talbot made a bunch of 5 bell saves and Toews could’ve had 5 goals.

Pretty even for much of the game, but U dominated for the opening 12/13 mins and it coulda easily been over.

Think a desperate oilers teams got a little lucky

Not being flippant, but isn't it only reasonable that McDavid would school Keith at this point? I don't even think Keith did all that bad on the play. How do you contain a force of nature like 97 once he's driving the net? Tackle him?
- kinigitt

Sometimes great plays are made by uber talented players and you tip your hat to the play. Mario Lemieux had so many of them it would be a one hour film. But when its made against a Chicago Dman, that low talent, underachieving bum got schooled to the embarrassment of the player and the fans.

He should have had 6 goals last night.
- SimpleJack

You are absolutely right on Toews missed shots. On his breakaway shot he did not even try to deek the goalie...that would not be the case 3 years ago. DCat also made a beautiful pass to Toews i20 feet in front of an open net and he whiffed it twice. I think he must have serious back issues.

#50 ummm no: see Price, see lundquist, see rinne, see quick...

he has been their best player for several years next to kane...he and his contract are great value.....without him playing at a high level just a about every game; all things being equal this team is on the outside looking in....sorry that's the way it is
- bogiedoc

Absolutely correct. Crawford is the strength of this team and has been for years now with little to no recognition from the "experts". My problems lie with Quennevile and his line adjustments.... ADB was terrific all preseason with Kane and Schmaltz, yet Hartman is supposed to be the grit needed for L2. I'd rather see ADB back on L2 and move Hartman to L3 with AA and Sharp. The creativity ADB brings with Kane and Schmaltz was apparent and needs to be at least tried again.

IMO.....anybody with AA is an issue. I'll be on his arse until he shows some offensive creativity with his linemates or starts scoring from in the paint like he did last year with Kane and Panarin. As for his defensive "strengths" and faceoff abilities ?? Uh NO !! He's not showing anything of substance yet to keep Dauphin, Hinestroza, and Kampf in Rockford. There's the log jam.... I'm hoping they're considering trying to move AA for a draft pick to promote one of the above. That would create additional cap space to make some moves for the help needed top 6 forwards, or a defenseman.

Back to Q's lines....... especially in OT. Kane and Schmaltz need to be paired. Toews and Saad together. Panik and a NEW 3C maybe ? Or just back to Kane and Schmaltz again. As for the d pairings in OT....DK, Forsling, and Kempney/ Oesterle.. Dman that have speed to get back to cover for the offensive attempts. Sorry, we all love Seabrook, but using him 3 on 3 is now senseless unless he never gets involved in the O zone, and that's not possible when puck control is the goal in the Ozone to try and get the extra point.

Question is........ what will be the order if/when we get to a shootout ? Toews and the 5 hole, Kane and the forehand backhand roofer, and who ??? Panarin is gone, Hossa is gone, Saad is a wrister only shooter, Sharp a possibility, and ADB.
I'm betting on Saad or Sharp because Q loves his vets.

Anyone else discouraged that the loss to St. Louis has us gauging team effort level on a game by game basis? LOL
- nickmo2699

Yes its long season and a lot of new \ young and players

You are absolutely right on Toews missed shots. On his breakaway shot he did not even try to deek the goalie...that would not be the case 3 years ago. DCat also made a beautiful pass to Toews i20 feet in front of an open net and he whiffed it twice. I think he must have serious back issues.
- spanky

Actually Toews has generally always used quick little fakes and shot five-hole on breakaways and shootouts. He scores on that move a lot. He hit the post last night on two occasions (one was a puck that trickled through and hit the post, the other he rang one off after easily beating Talbot). Toews is doing just fine, and team chemistry and confidence will build over the course of the season. Chances like that are going to go in.

Are we just going ignoring Keith being taken to school by McDavid?

I'm sure Foley had a tear slowly going down his cheek after that one.........
- SteveRain

I'm going to ignore McDavid blowing past anyone since he's arguably the best player in the league and quite possibly the best skater as well. Unless you can clutch and grab him, you kind of hope he does something too fancy and F's himself.

Don't have a lot of complaints about Keith's game overall this year.

True.

That's not Keith though, always been smart with the stick. And if that failed, then he got mean with the stick. Now he can't do that anymore, and he's not as quick as he was.

Who takes Keith spot in the coming years? Huge shoes to fill. Is that Forsling? Hard to predict whether D prospects will flourish or flop.
- kinigitt

There is one thing I noticed with Keith the last year and so far this year and that is when an opponent is just about ready to go around him from the outside Keith use to cut to the inside and still be able to take away the puck ...now he get's beat on both sides and it becomes a breakaway. He is still a great player in my book but he has no business being on the Power Play.

Toews looks to be trying too hard. Whiffed on a chance, missed a breakaway, and failed on numerous other chances.

For those who sent John the Seabrook pylon gif, did they put Keith in there after he was unaddressed, spun around like a top by McDavid on Edmonton's 1st goal?

The most baffling thing to me continues to be the lack of a PP this team has. With al the skill, they continue to be a perimeter based and very timid in their approach. In todays' NHL you can't have a horrific predictable PP which the Hawks seemingly have and why they don't hire a PP specialist to run this and maximize the talent on the roster is just stupid.
- SteveRain

Keith did just fine on that play. Seabrook let his man tap in a gimme unchecked.

Another great observation, Rick. We micro-analyze which way Seabrook or Keith turn on plays and we forget that crisp, smart execution is built through continuity and knowing where your teammates, linemates and partners are going to be.

I would just like to see them settle on some pairings at minimum, if not the top 3 lines and stick with it for the sake of continuity.

I did not think Kero was very good last night or the las time he played.
- John Jaeckel

EXACTLY !!!!
Always been my biggest complaint about Coach Q!
Kero looks like he's over thinking , afraid to make a mistake ,something ?
Thank you

JJ does the paid subscription come with a mute button??????
It would be worth the price to not have to read the same whiners spewing the same crap over and over again

Before the season most said the hawks wouldn't be lucky to be 500
Guess they have to make a new thing to cry about
- Abadseed

second.


I really like the way Forsling is playing...and the Czechs.

If you want to LEARN about the new NHL instead of wasting your keystrokes on "how bad" Seabrook is, despite the quickness of recognition and execution that is THERE, watch how fast Forsling does things.
They have guys with little hesitation.

Sure, I marvel at McDavid's speed and smarts and ability, but I was impressed at how well the team especially the defenders both attack with speed but attacl enemy puck carriers with speed.

There were so many good "stick plays" by hawks.

Not trying to be a negative guy along with the optimism, but when ever the hawks are playing aback up goalie and overtime starts, I start going bad with thoughts of how "we got this FAR, and now we lose it in the shoot out?

Kaner took a penatly - get over that and look at the result...another point, eight games in they are in the top eight teams, tied with two others.
10 points out of 16
I said from the start those firt ten games were big ones.
Am I disappointed they didn't win each one, with domination?

...those days are gone.

It is not about the summer moves or even any moves right now.

It is about every fan taking the time to invest in your viewing and letting everything percolate before deciding...

which new defenders suck,
who you think who so great elsewhere and want in a trade,
why you hate Bouma,
or
why you are putting the nails in Toews' coffin,

have some fun,
watch some good hockey and accept that the league and the hawks have leveled to where etching out victories is about all the players being good enough in the games they play in.

I love my hawks, but you guys start to tire me out.

It is not like they don't have future prospects and some nice ones.

it is not like they were wrong when the plucked Alex DeBrincat in the second round, because it is clear he can/is and NHL caliber player already.

Isn't this a team YOU LIKE?

I miss Hammer too, and the Russian, but please, move on from CC gone Seabrook gone and what the future may or may not be...

Now.

Watch now, enjoy now, and allow your opinion to alter....

Actually Toews has generally always used quick little fakes and shot five-hole on breakaways and shootouts. He scores on that move a lot. He hit the post last night on two occasions (one was a puck that trickled through and hit the post, the other he rang one off after easily beating Talbot). Toews is doing just fine, and team chemistry and confidence will build over the course of the season. Chances like that are going to go in.
- Hawks_49

Yes, Toews had some bad luck on two shots, however, when you miss 4 other quality shots and a lot of your passes are not in the wheel house,,,plus you loose about 50% of the board battles....Their is a reason why some of the fans and I am starting to wonder if Toews is still a marquee player with one of the highest paid salary in the NHL?

I was not drinking last night, so I'm pretty sure I saw Schmaltz win a pretty good, lengthy board battle with McJesus. Good stuff.


Also, right on Wiz!

It's been rather obvious on our power play, sticks in passing lanes and block shots. I don't understand why the Hawks keep trying to go around the defenseman, i would design plays where Seabrook blasts the puck but instead of putting it on net, right at the defenseman and have the forwards anticipate this and be ready for the rebound off the defenseman. Its about layers and we can't get past pks first layer of defense

Toews looks to be trying too hard. Whiffed on a chance, missed a breakaway, and failed on numerous other chances.

For those who sent John the Seabrook pylon gif, did they put Keith in there after he was unaddressed, spun around like a top by McDavid on Edmonton's 1st goal?

The most baffling thing to me continues to be the lack of a PP this team has. With al the skill, they continue to be a perimeter based and very timid in their approach. In todays' NHL you can't have a horrific predictable PP which the Hawks seemingly have and why they don't hire a PP specialist to run this and maximize the talent on the roster is just stupid.
- SteveRain

I just remember last year, the assessment was he was done, couldn't skate anymore, kept falling down. Now is he getting branded with the Hossa thing: "can't finish anymore" ?

Personally, I am happy he is getting that many grade A chances.

His hands have not gone at 29. He'll finish his share. And still on pace for 31 goals this year.

Lol Seabrook again. Lol Lucic more.

Anyway, pretty bleh. 40 shots is a lot of shots to give up and that differential is ugly.

Otherwise, take the point and keep building. Its a process and such.
- fattybeef

Pretty much agreed with these broad strokes.

second.


I really like the way Forsling is playing...and the Czechs.

If you want to LEARN about the new NHL instead of wasting your keystrokes on "how bad" Seabrook is, despite the quickness of recognition and execution that is THERE, watch how fast Forsling does things.
They have guys with little hesitation.

Sure, I marvel at McDavid's speed and smarts and ability, but I was impressed at how well the team especially the defenders both attack with speed but attacl enemy puck carriers with speed.

There were so many good "stick plays" by hawks.

Not trying to be a negative guy along with the optimism, but when ever the hawks are playing aback up goalie and overtime starts, I start going bad with thoughts of how "we got this FAR, and now we lose it in the shoot out?

Kaner took a penatly - get over that and look at the result...another point, eight games in they are in the top eight teams, tied with two others.
10 points out of 16
I said from the start those firt ten games were big ones.
Am I disappointed they didn't win each one, with domination?

...those days are gone.

It os not about the summer moves or even any moves right now.

It is about every fan taking the time to invest in your viewing and letting everything percolate before deciding

which new defenders suck,
who you think is so greta elsewhere and want in a trade,
why you hate Bouma,
or
why you are putting the nails in Toews' coffin.

have some fun.
watch some good hockey and accept that the league and the hawks have leveled to where etching out victories is about all the players being good enough in the games they play in.

I love my hawks but you guys start to tire me out.

It is not like they don't have future prospects and some nice ones.

it is not like they were wrong when the plucked alex DeBrincat in the second round, because it is clear he can/is and NHL caliber player already.

Isn't this a team YOU LIKE?

I miss Hammer too, and the Russian, but please, move on from CC gone seabrook gone and what the future may or may not be...

Now.

watch now, enjoy now, and allow your opinion to alter....
- wiz1901

Wow, Wiz extending the olive branch instead of flogging someone with it.
Nice post Wiz

Sometimes great plays are made by uber talented players and you tip your hat to the play. Mario Lemieux had so many of them it would be a one hour film. But when its made against a Chicago Dman, that low talent, underachieving bum got schooled to the embarrassment of the player and the fans.
- RickJ

Liking this post too

I think Kero got his knee dinged up a bit in either the Toronto or Montreal game, so maybe he has an excuse.

However, at least this year there are some replacement bodies down on the farm who might just be better than Kero (and a few of the other forwards on the roster). You mentioned Highmore yesterday for one, Kampf is another, Dauphin. The problem is that the AHL season is just getting started - 3 games played to date.
- RickJ

Wondered as much last night watching him go after some pucks deep. But that said, why the (frank) is he out there then, unless Wingels is hurt too (which I doubt)?

Because you raise another point, none of these guys after the top 6 is that good that they're not potentially replaceable for a night or two by someone else among the forwards 7-14 or a farmer like Highmore, Dauphin or Kampf.

SPEAKING OF HIGHMORE

When I saw the Hawks in preseason in Columbus, I was looking at guys like Dauphin, Rutta, Kampf, Schmaltz, Forsberg—guys who I knew something about but wanted to see how they were doing or would do in a Hawk sweater.

But the guy who really caught my eye was this little forward I'd heard of once or twice but knew nothing about: Highmore.

ALWAYS around the puck, very willing, played a lot bigger than his size, very fast and a crafty little bugger.

Lets get Shaw back
- nickmo2699

NOOOO...Shaw is not what they need with his issue's and cap hit....