Totally agree. ...Anisimov a force ???
That's just plain ludicrous. He's good around the net.... and with Kane and Panarin, so would many others.
He's an aging, slow, big center that's now possibly immovable because of his contract.
- Hawkytalk

Meh, he's 29. While many people here wan't to make it an issue of one player or another, the problems are the combination of several players that don't seem to play well together.

Some have been individually bad but I think a lot of it has to do with square pegs in round holes and guys just not knowing where to be on the ice.

Kopitar had a very Toews like fall off last season. Getzlaf has gotten a lot more streaky, similar to Toews as well. Age catches everyone.
- JRoenick97

And been on fire this season. And at least he drove play when he wasn't scoring. Kopitar's fall off hasn't been that comparable to Toews's.

And been on fire this season. And at least he drove play when he wasn't scoring. Kopitar's fall off hasn't been that comparable to Toews's.
- fattybeef

Kopitar isn't driving possession this season like he has been the past few, and he's riding a 108 PDO. He'll come back to earth. That Kings team is on fire right now. He was also at 54.9% last year where Toews was at 52.4%. Toews was still driving play and improving his linemates while he was on the ice with a 3% CF relative. Kopitar actually had a slightly negative CF rel.

I agree that they need a coach who specializes in the pp/pk. It seems reasonable to me that someone on the team should be gathering and reviewing footage of all the power plays across the league and perform an analysis of 1) what is working and why and 2) what isn’t working and why.

It seems like the hawks are locked into one approach with a static lineup and don’t take into consideration what the other team’s pk is good or bad at. I believe pp lineup should be dictated by what matches the Hawks strongest unit to the opponent’s unit. And the Hawks strongest unit must be established dynamically through the combination of players that have the strengths and approach that has the best chance of success on any given night.

I agree that they need a coach who specializes in the pp/pk. It seems reasonable to me that someone on the team should be gathering and reviewing footage of all the power plays across the league and perform an analysis of 1) what is working and why and 2) what isn’t working and why.

It seems like the hawks are locked into one approach with a static lineup and don’t take into consideration what the other team’s pk is good or bad at. I believe pp lineup should be dictated by what matches the Hawks strongest unit to the opponent’s unit. And the Hawks strongest unit must be established dynamically through the combination of players that have the strengths and approach that has the best chance of success on any given night.
- Spec41971

Different AC with the same result. Its not an AC problem. Its a HC issue.

IIRC Schmaltz got leveled on his first shift of game two, and I think they pulled him down for the ice immediately the next time he tried taking a shift. My perspective was that they had a great second game of the year and with the exception of Schmaltz’s contribution on the first goal of the game, he was a non-factor — due to absence — for 58 minutes of the game. I feel the downturn after game two is more of a team problem than Schmaltz.

Different AC with the same result. Its not an AC problem. Its a HC issue.
- z1990z

Actually the new AC is PK and defense only, and the PK is actually very solid under Ulf. The PP is still Dineen and it still sucks.

If you could drop Anisimov, and add a player such as Victor Rask, who is 24, gives you similar point production with a high upside, is a 50% face-off guy AND has speed. You are a better team. AND at 4 MIL for the next 5 years. I don't know if they could get him or not, but that's the type of player they should be looking for at 3C.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

H

Like that's even possible
While we're at things that won't happen toews for mcdavid

Anyone have a link to the game tonight? I have NHL Center Ice on Direct TV, but all Nashville games (including road games) are blacked out because of where I live.

And been on fire this season. And at least he drove play when he wasn't scoring. Kopitar's fall off hasn't been that comparable to Toews's.
- fattybeef

Completely different situations. Kopitar struggled more individually as his team remained very strong at puck possession while his own numbers took a dive compared to his team. Kopitar struggled to score goals, 12 in 76 games.

Toews remained one of the better possession players for the Hawks, but the team in general has gotten weaker. Toews got his offense going, but I think missed Hossa's contribution on the defensive side of the puck.

Anyone have a link to the game tonight? I have NHL Center Ice on Direct TV, but all Nashville games (including road games) are blacked out because of where I live.
- tvetter

google FirstRowSports

I have been a fan of Anisimov in his 2 previous seasons with the Hawks. However, one has to wonder what his real value/on-ice contribution is to the team if he becomes a complete enigma when he isn't playing with 2 of the top 20 offensive players in the entire world on his line. Anisimov has looked slow, weak on the puck, and simply not playing nearly well enough for this team to be successful. Over the last couple of games, Anisimov's line has been almost like the 4th line with their ice team mirorring the Wingels/Hayden/Bouma line. Hawks need more from Animisov, without a doubt.
- EnzoD

Totally agree....and I'm not concerned about him only "lighting the lamp". His play has been bad since last year's injury.
He is not contributing to warrant his 4.5 cap hit. He's 29 and slow, doesn't win faceoffs, isn't creating anything offensively as a center should, and there are better options with younger and faster talent if he continues to struggle.
This entire team has played poorly since game 2 and if things don't improve quickly, they'll find themselves in desparation mode in no time. AA was our 2nd line center, now 3rd or 4th depending on Q's matchups.
I hope he can get it going and produce some positive eye tests soon, but if not, then a move of some sort needs to be made.

Lol.....Lots of excuses there for a poor AA. If he's injured, sit him. Theres absolutely no reason to play an injured Anisimov. If it's his linemates, oh well. Let's keep blaming them for his recent lack of production.

I like the idea of moving him and Hartman together though, for a cost controlled younger center. Wonder if Montreal would take those 2 for Danault ?? That team is in desparation mode now and changes are going to happen up there soon.
- Hawkytalk

The best player in that exchange is Danault. Hartman might be the more valued player if he could harness the good things he is capable of doing while minimizing his bad traits. Any GM who takes on AA contract should seriously be considered to be fired. An aging, injury prone center whom would be worth more if he was a better skater. Teams need large size centers but not AA contract. A team needs to have cap room and be in desperate mode to take on AA salary and term

I absolutely love Danault and would not trade him. How has Danault done in face off last year? It is a joke to review the face offs this season. Hopefully the NHLrelaxes the ref tossing players out of the dot.

If AA plays and produces as he has done at times with Kane, I do not mind having him. There is some disconnect between AA and Q, although it may be only a nagging injury

This AA situation is a segwsy to mention how a coach needs to maximize the value of his star player. Ottawa and Karlsdon went to the finals!

Sh*t aint gonna be the same around here come Wednesday !
: (

Anyone have a link to the game tonight? I have NHL Center Ice on Direct TV, but all Nashville games (including road games) are blacked out because of where I live.
- tvetter

https://www.reddit.com/r/..._at_blackhawks_830_pm_et/

mix bag on quality but mostly ok...

If I recollect correctly, Josi and the wussycats barely made the playoffs last year.

Hocks will be fine if they show up to play.

GO HOCKS!!!

Lets be honest here....keith has always been a liability on the PP because nobody is afraid to step in front of his shot and his offensive ability to create isn't there. Keith is/was a top notch defensemen but his offensive skill set was/is his biggest weakness IMO
- SteveRain

Interesting ... you don't often hear that about Defensemen who score over 50 points per season regularly.

Put me down for unconditionally disagreeing.

Zone time!!!!!!

No slow start tonight. The team looks like they want to win tonight. (so far)

nice to be wrong about the slow start...but man a couple of those usually go in...

nice to be wrong about the slow start...but man a couple of those usually go in...
- bogiedoc

Rinne has seen them all from the stick - need more skaters at the net for blinding and deflections (Bouma was there nicely for one, but didn’t take away Rinne’s sight).

(frank)king pylon wearing a #7!

Seabrook = Pylon

vgk destroying the aves...7 -0

Sh*t aint gonna be the same around here come Wednesday !
: (
- mmurray892

Oh, it'll be the same group of ledge dwellers clinging to 2010 and nominating the latest group of players to hate on. The only difference will be that robin hood will be gone and his group of merry men will need New moons to rub.
Don't worry, it'll be the same as it ever was.