That was then, this is now. Some players stepped up.
2010 Big Buff among others. 2013 Bickel and the :17 seconds. 2016 trade deadline help and it will be noted historically as the last Hurrah! How was the PP in each playoff. We fondly recall critics were silenced over the tough enough issue. So really it is remarkable how resilient the teams were because forwards did not support break out, for example when down 3-1 to Wings.

Coach Q had issues but it was the right core augmented by the GM. Sometimes I think we got favorable match ups along the way. But now Q is on call and he needs to change some strategy and or make it work with a much less capable crew.

Give him credit. But if he doesn't get this team in a better compete mode and we are hoovering near .500, I believe McDonough is going to call Stan for a chat and Stan better have some good answers. Just my 2 cents
- jhawk59

I wasn't blaming Bowman with my post earlier. Bowman has the toughest job in town, being between McD and the fans expectations and the reality of an aged core and young talent. I couldn't care less if the coach wants to hang at the tavern or the track, but the assistant coaches have to be able to have their input acknowledged and implemented. The asst coaches are the most critical part of the equation this year. Let them do their thing. SB has to pay attention, but Q just has to let it happen. No matter what there is going to be rough patches, but there is no excuse for a no show game. And ffs get Keith off the point on the PP. If I was defending that PP I'd get the best shinguards I could buy.

I wasn't blaming Bowman with my post earlier. Bowman has the toughest job in town, being between McD and the fans expectations and the reality of an aged core and young talent. I couldn't care less if the coach wants to hang at the tavern or the track, but the assistant coaches have to be able to have their input acknowledged and implemented. The asst coaches are the most critical part of the equation this year. Let them do their thing. SB has to pay attention, but Q just has to let it happen. No matter what there is going to be rough patches, but there is no excuse for a no show game. And ffs get Keith off the point on the PP. If I was defending that PP I'd get the best shinguards I could buy.
- 6628

Even with AC changes, its still the same issues over and over. See Q
PP has been a joke forever and the PK still has no attack mindset to it. We allow the point men to make lasagna with the puck. No pressure. Zilch.

Even with AC changes, its still the same issues over and over. See Q
PP has been a joke forever and the PK still has no attack mindset to it. We allow the point men to make lasagna with the puck. No pressure. Zilch.
- z1990z

I think the PK is more aggressive this year. Saad is not afraid to steal and hit the afterburners

Great points........but.........do you or anybody on this board think that Toews could ever be moved ??? I think the whole McDonough marketing scheme would collapse if it could ever happen. Toews and Kane are here for life I fear, and they'll continue to try and fit the pieces that make them competitive. As for Bowman's presser last May after the 1st round debacle when he said that this is "unacceptable" ??? I'm sure he feels he's made progress in the changes he's made with the additions of Saad, Murphy, Wingels, Bouma, etc....... but once again it all comes back to the next steps down from the ladder.......... Coach and Captain....... and how are they leading this team to avoid the same old 1st round exit or worse yet, miss the playoffs entirely. Their non-compete level has returned after 2 games of aggressive play to start the season. There's simply no reason for this team to continue to play with no enthusiasm and no intensity until the final minutes of last night's game...... and others so far this season. Oh wait.. maybe it was just a one game hangover from their "bonding" 2 days in Vegas. Yeah right !!
- Hawkytalk

This is the problem right here.

Fear of moving a player(s) because of upsetting the fanbase or marketing department. C'mon. The business of sports is to try and build the best team you can. If that means having to move a guy to get pieces back that will help you do that, than so be it. You can always build "marketing" around new or different guys.

I'm not piling on Toews. Hope he finds his form again.

But, if Wayne Gretzky can be traded, anyone can be traded.

I think the PK is more aggressive this year. Saad is not afraid to steal and hit the afterburners
- kinigitt

Watch how the Blues and Preds play the PK. Its relentless puck pursuit. We need more of that.

Watch how the Blues and Preds play the PK. Its relentless puck pursuit. We need more of that.
- z1990z

Yeah. Have to aknowledge that is is much better than last year's though. Baby steps.

To my eye, Toews looks good this year.

With every passing year, his and Kane's contracts are less of a challenge for the team because they are less of a percentage of the cap. Why trade either one of them now? But the problem their contracts create with the roster is still there, it is in the middle. Not quite enough cap money to pay for better middle six forwards and middle pair defensemen. The tight budget leaves little room for error. So a guy like AA making a decent amount of money needs to produce or it has a big impact. Seabrook & Murphy, same thing. I don't worry about Franson because his salary can be buried by sending him down to Rockford. The younger and/or less experienced guys like Schmaltz, Hartman, Forsling, Kempny, Rutta, Murphy, DeBrincat, etc. just might not be ready to contribute at the level they are being asked to contribute yet. Maybe they need another year or two. But how many more years do Keith & Seebrook have?

So for this year, yeah, it'd be great to get a middle pair defenseman or two, and upgrade the second line with Evander Kane or Duchene, and do something about that third line. To do all of that some guys will need to go. I'm not sure how Stan can make that happen.

It does seem like this team needs something sooner rather than later, even if that is some Rockford guys rotating up. But a trade before Christmas seems necessary.

Watch how the Blues and Preds play the PK. Its relentless puck pursuit. We need more of that.
- z1990z

Add VGK last nite to your list.

Add VGK last nite to your list.
- StLBravesFan

No kidding. Out worked by a team put together over the summer.

Im pretty sure Toews has a NMC in his contract which complicates things.

Come last spring I was floating the idea of working out an agreement w the Knights that would send Toews to them for some of the Picks from the other teams. Was laughed at initially but think the premise was still sound. You get cap relieve then also some picks from exposed players to help refresh. Knights get a face of the franchise going into their first year.

Still early but looks more and more bowman screwed up he pays 1 mill to franson who isn't playing that 1 mill or could have been use to ger another center with good face off ability. Swicth panik and hayden for few games and see what happens if anything maybe it sends a message to panik to pick it up is play. Send debricant to the minors work on some stuff if he progresses then bring him up like smaltz last year. To me faceoffs d and pp are the glaring problems on this team. Change up the d pairings keith murphy seabrook forsiling rutta kempney. Pp until the hawks stop playing on the perminter than it will be the same old crap 2 people in front shoot the puck fight garbage goals or deflections. Face offs well thats been a hugh problem for awhile . possible trades 2018 or 2019 1st and say grahm knott to buffalo for kane AA and prospect or pick. For jt miller from rangers something to change things up or it will be a lot of the same if this continues Q might be on the chopping block but who replaces him dieen samulason what have they shown to take over.
- Scott1977

Who wants to guess when the first somewhat significant moves transpire. The X-Mas holidays? Sooner. Danger, danger Will Robinson! Don't get to close to the 8 pool ball.

I respect the committment to defending Toews, but the guy simply has not been a $10.5 million dollar player since the 2015 Cup Run. His skating ability has deteriorated and therefore he cannot create separation between himself and the defender. Yes he still wins puck battles, is a great defensive player, and wins a lot of faceoffs....but the Hawks need him to drive the offense at that Cap Hit. Making plays with the puck to create offense in the O-zone, and leading the rush in transition. There was another level of play that we saw from Toews from 2009-2015 that simply hasn't been there since he lifted the Cup in 2015.

When you combine the fact that his team shows up not ready almost every night, and it's really difficult to defend the guy who was my favorite player during the 3 Cup Run. Is it a back issue? Concussions? A lack of desire/drive that separated him from other players through the early part of his career? Whatever the reason, he NEEDS to be an impact player like Kane, Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, Matthews, Eichel, ect on a nightly basis. The talent on this team has been diluted because of his contract and Patrick Kane's contract. As poor as the team looked last night, Kane still had MULTIPLE great offensive plays and looks at the net (he was 1" from tying the game and got post). I've been trying to give Toews the benefit of the doubt, but the issues with this team start at the top....Toews, Seabrook and Keith are not what they were when this team was Elite.

I did not get the memo - be a fan of the expansion team. First off, this is not an expansion team, they were built to succeed right from the start. The officials let a lot go last night - TMM a few times, interference, holding. Think about it, would Bettman sell this new team to the owners if it would end up like the Yotes? Yea, I'm sure Rocky wants to support more than 2 teams.

Said this in an earlier post, but I wanted to write it again because the Hawks could learn a lot from the Vegas game:

This wasn't "losing to an expansion team, time to panic" territory last night. The Knights are a good team and have had an incredible start. What they do well, and something the Hawks should try to replicate, is they play a simple game. Non-household-name-guys are finding tremendous success in Gallant's system.

Why?

Because it focuses on doing the basics and nothing fancy. Vegas players put themselves in good positioning, but what they do even better is they don't over-complicate anything. They forecheck hard and make it difficult for opposing teams to break out of their own zone. They use some speed to get teams on their heels and when they're on the attack, they make good passes--nothing is cute or forced. They get traffic to the front of the net and put pucks on. They also play pretty solid defense--taking pressure off their goaltender. There were many times the Hawks couldn't even get setup in their zone to have sustained pressure and offensive opportunities.

Add VGK last nite to your list.
- StLBravesFan

Except for that first PK. Toews pressured in the O-zone, Hayden pinched on the boards and there you go...shorty.

Wish they could have kept that up.

This is the problem right here.

Fear of moving a player(s) because of upsetting the fanbase or marketing department. C'mon. The business of sports is to try and build the best team you can. If that means having to move a guy to get pieces back that will help you do that, than so be it. You can always build "marketing" around new or different guys.

I'm not piling on Toews. Hope he finds his form again.

But, if Wayne Gretzky can be traded, anyone can be traded.
- Hank3Henshaw

Can you see Toews moving
down the depth chart. Not yet. But let's see how his and the team's season goes.

Toews cap hit - Bergeron makes 6.8 so less than 10.5 and more than 6.8. Maybe 8.5. Someone was going to pay him that money and this is a tiresome argument.

Anyway, that was a painful game to watch. Just garbage hockey. The 4th line is an absolute dumpster fire. I can't believe anyone thinks they're playing well. They're skating around in circles real hard but getting smoked all over the ice.

The third line has two shooty stand in the circle guys and one get to the net guy. None of those players are creative and AA is the only one that can grind at all on the boards. Who is going to win the puck there? How are they supposed to set each other up? Are we surprised they're not creating? One of Sharp or Dinglecat needs to go 2nd line and Hartman needs to be back in the bottom 6 where he belongs.

Also, Seabrook was awful. Again. Forsling and Murphy were garbage too but Seabrook was special again. The only reason him and Keith were above water were because the top line. Woof.

Brandon Saad is a man though.

Guys are playing out of position and with players they should not be playing with. Debrincat on the right side, for a shooter, who has only played the left side, without someone to create, is asinine and is kind of a big coaching problem IMO. Moreover, some of the players just don't fit and that's on the GM.

Maybe they figure it out, but that game was so putrid. Friday is going to be an interesting game. And Varmalov Saturday. Fun weekend.

Best case scenario, with this group, they make it a round in the playoffs lose in the second and are in better shape for next year. I was super optimistic but after watching that last one, yikes.

I'd adjust and either send Debrincat down or put him on the left side of someone who can get him the puck in a position to have success, Or just get the puck (like with Toews and Panik maybe). Second, I'd tell Kempny, Keith and Forsling to advance the puck with their feet whenever they can to open up the outlet again. Can't get any worse.

The PP was bad even when savard was in charge. So much talent but they look like they are scared to death on the power play. So much of it starts on the back end and the inability to get pucks on net. You watch successful pp teams, even if it is a soft shot, its on net, and it gets cleaned up. I had high hopes those first couple of games but this team is in free fall. Toews is amazing but as many have said, not at the cash he's being paid. The telling thing to me is every time they have a couple of days to prepare for a game, where they should be rested, fired up and ready, they come out and get ran off the ice. I think that shows lack of desire, and as much as I love Toews and am very thankful for the 3 cups, a lack of leadership.

Toews cap hit - Bergeron makes 6.8 so less than 10.5 and more than 6.8. Maybe 8.5. Someone was going to pay him that money and this is a tiresome argument.

Anyway, that was a painful game to watch. Just garbage hockey. The 4th line is an absolute dumpster fire. I can't believe anyone thinks they're playing well. They're skating around in circles real hard but getting smoked all over the ice.

The third line has two shooty stand in the circle guys and one get to the net guy. None of those players are creative and AA is the only one that can grind at all on the boards. Who is going to win the puck there? How are they supposed to set each other up? Are we surprised they're not creating? One of Sharp or Dinglecat needs to go 2nd line and Hartman needs to be back in the bottom 6 where he belongs.

Also, Seabrook was awful. Again. Forsling and Murphy were garbage too but Seabrook was special again. The only reason him and Keith were above water were because the top line. Woof.

Brandon Saad is a man though.

Guys are playing out of position and with players they should not be playing with. Debrincat on the right side, for a shooter, who has only played the left side, without someone to create, is asinine and is kind of a big coaching problem IMO. Moreover, some of the players just don't fit and that's on the GM.

Maybe they figure it out, but that game was so putrid. Friday is going to be an interesting game. And Varmalov Saturday. Fun weekend.

Best case scenario, with this group, they make it a round in the playoffs lose in the second and are in better shape for next year. I was super optimistic but after watching that last one, yikes.

I'd adjust and either send Debrincat down or put him on the left side of someone who can get him the puck in a position to have success, Or just get the puck (like with Toews and Panik maybe). Second, I'd tell Kempny, Keith and Forsling to advance the puck with their feet whenever they can to open up the outlet again. Can't get any worse.
- fattybeef

20 19 40
12 8 88
10 15 14
Hino 57 38

20 19 40
12 8 88
10 15 14
Hino 57 38
- z1990z

like those lines a lot. Hayden deserves some sustained time in the O-zone. Panik needs to be reminded of why he was signed in the first place: hit, skate and pick up loose change.

I respect the committment to defending Toews, but the guy simply has not been a $10.5 million dollar player since the 2015 Cup Run. His skating ability has deteriorated and therefore he cannot create separation between himself and the defender. Yes he still wins puck battles, is a great defensive player, and wins a lot of faceoffs....but the Hawks need him to drive the offense at that Cap Hit. Making plays with the puck to create offense in the O-zone, and leading the rush in transition. There was another level of play that we saw from Toews from 2009-2015 that simply hasn't been there since he lifted the Cup in 2015.

When you combine the fact that his team shows up not ready almost every night, and it's really difficult to defend the guy who was my favorite player during the 3 Cup Run. Is it a back issue? Concussions? A lack of desire/drive that separated him from other players through the early part of his career? Whatever the reason, he NEEDS to be an impact player like Kane, Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, Matthews, Eichel, ect on a nightly basis. The talent on this team has been diluted because of his contract and Patrick Kane's contract. As poor as the team looked last night, Kane still had MULTIPLE great offensive plays and looks at the net (he was 1" from tying the game and got post). I've been trying to give Toews the benefit of the doubt, but the issues with this team start at the top....Toews, Seabrook and Keith are not what they were when this team was Elite.
- EnzoD

We'll see how the stats play out, but to me it looks like he's playing better than he has for the past two season except for a streak of 6 weeks last season. I don't actually disagree that he is overpaid still. He certainly was overpaid the past two seasons. I also think the Blackhawks have proven that having two guys take up around 30% of a teams cap room is not a wise, Cup-winning strategy. For comparison sake, just look at Tampa Bay.

But back to Toews, if his play has improved as I think it has this season, and he can keep that going, he gives this team a better chance at winning a cup than what you could get for him. But what that means is the rest of the roster needs some quality players who produce at a level higher than their salary cap hit. That's difficult, but probably easier than constructing a Cup-contending roster without The Captain.

like those lines a lot. Hayden deserves some sustained time in the O-zone. Panik needs to be reminded of why he was signed in the first place: hit, skate and pick up loose change.
- kinigitt

Preds Friday and Avs on Saturday. 2 tough/physical games looming. Could be easy back/back uh oh losses up coming.

A lot of really good reaction on here. JJ great write up as always!

Honestly, watching this LV team, they look a lot like the Panthers that this same head coach took to the playoffs. They play 200 feet, they play hard and they have a desperation to their game. The Hawks of 10-15 would have stood pat and beat them in a close game. This team is simply not deep and/or bringing any sort of consistent compete level. Debrincat belongs no where near the point on the PP!

Richard Panik, WTF? He had to be hungover until the last shift of the third period. Toews, has no juice. I'm not going to render him useless or say that his 10.5 cap hit is an accurate depiction of what he gives us, but he is a guy with alot of serious miles on him. Remember, Sid while concussed, had almost a year and a half off. Johnny has played deep run after deep run and produced in those runs. His price tag wont change, but getting rid of him gives you a larger hole then you have on your entire roster right now. #1 Centers do not grow on trees.

Saad looked lost last night. Or was drinking from the same bottle as Panik.

The defense.....FART NOISE! They need a #3 Dman. Murphy is not it. The system may be to fast for him honestly. I look at the roster right now and see a lot of holes. How do you fill at this point without creating another hole?



Crow cant make 30 saves a night.

Preds Friday and Avs on Saturday. 2 tough/physical games looming. Could be easy back/back uh oh losses up coming.
- z1990z

I'd add that if DingleCat (good one to whoever came up with it ) can't put it together on Kane's left he should be sent down like JJ and others said. Haven't seen any of Highmore but if he can bring more consistency, all the better.

Hino can't hurt either, speedy and feisty. Don't know what happened to Kero, he was more effective last year. If they insist on keeping Kero up, reunite the hartman kero hino line.

like those lines a lot. Hayden deserves some sustained time in the O-zone. Panik needs to be reminded of why he was signed in the first place: hit, skate and pick up loose change.
- kinigitt

You just can't put 12 8 88 together. They will be run constantly and they will get pinned in their own zone a lot.

40 19 14
20 8 88
10 15 38
57 Hino 17

Send Cat down for a stretch. I think trying to fit him on this roster is a problem right now and if he is not giving you offense then not much there at all.

See how the above lines go for a bit. I know Saad was brought here to play with Toews but he has been very dominant with Kane at times. I like that top line Hayden will go get pucks and so will Panik. Hayden can go park infront of the net too. You can actually better utilize Saad's speed with Kane and Schmaltz.