BTW, came up with a theory why the Hawks are so bad at entries on the PP, its because they're so bad at it on the PK. And in practice everything they try works, so they expect the same in games, but it turns out the other teams are much better at defending entries than the Hawks. Thoughts?
- rollpards19

>Could be
>Changes that would help entry (starting from own zone): more players starting up the ice with the puck carrier -- other teams now pressuring Hawks big-time deep in their own zone and Hawks seem to leave puck carrier alone there with no good options
>Also, more players moving up the ice together creates more passing options and allows players to hit the attack blueline with speed -- Hawks often have too many guys standing still at attack blueline
>In offensive zone w/ puck: Hawks turn over the puck frequently by making the puck travel too far -- need shorter, quicker passes which can only happen when players MOVE around -- too many 50/50 pucks created by Hawks players by attempting long passes and/or ring arounds -- keep it short and crisp

BTW, came up with a theory why the Hawks are so bad at entries on the PP, its because they're so bad at it on the PK. And in practice everything they try works, so they expect the same in games, but it turns out the other teams are much better at defending entries than the Hawks. Thoughts?
- rollpards19

This theory is pretty funny actually. And probably some measure of truth too!


In reality, here's where I differ mightily with Q.
He's got this idiotic idea that Duncan Keith belongs on ANY powerplay unit.

Watch the guy closely with the puck. He's like a deer in the headlights with it. Nothing smooth about what he does coming up out of our zone on the PP. He has no idea of where to go with it, and hence, he waits to long to do whatever. As the PK unit pressures, we end up with Keith passing to a now-nearly-covered F like Kane who sometimes can avoid the defender but more often than not, has to now snake through 1, 2 and 3 defenders because Keith literally telegraphed the play.

Heck, Keith should just call out who the puck is going to because that would be just as effective.

And I'm going to contrast that with Leddy bringing up the puck. Smooth, fast and seriously one of the best passers out of our zone on PP. Seems PK units give him some time and space because of his speed and ability to stickhandle. So what we most often see is Leddy either gets entry to the zone on his own and sets up a play OR is able to make a pass quickly to an open, in-skating-stride forward for zone entry.

I tell ya, this is so clear as day to me . . . and to Al as well

Regardless of the outcome, that's a black eye no organization wants, particularly when it happens while they are on such a roll. Will be interesting to see if it derails him or them. And, more importantly, I hope victim (still alleged at this point) is okay.
- MartiniMan

Agreed on all counts. This team, and Varlemov himself, haven't always been know as strong mentally. If he did this, karma would require him to get in a physical situation in which he is totally powerless and afraid for his life. Alas, that's not how the system works...

Manny Malhotra signs with the Canes.

Interesting name that I forgot about. He would have been a nice addition here. Excellent on the PK, owns a lifetime 56.7% mark at the dot, and can contribute a little bit of offense as well.

I believe he was linked to the 'Hawks throughout the years as well.

Happy H-Day to one & all.

70% team SV%. That's on the goalie. They are allowing less shots on the PK than last year, the SV% is 25% lower. Its not likely to continue like that, but as of right now its the goalies fault. Every goalie in the league gets unstoppable shots, and as every pessimist on this board loves pointing out, its not like the Hawks have had murderers row to start the season. A goalie's job is to stop shots, and Crawford's been average at it so far, great 5v5, bad on the PK.
- rollpards19

First if all, don't lump vodka-breath's hideous % in with CC's. Secondly, what have you been watching? You don't see the blasts right off the lost FOs? Blaming Crow for 'bulin's stench is like blaming Toews for Krug's FO% because they're both centers. The PK is bad because of a bad scheme and/or failure to execute.

Irrational post.

>OK, I'll bite on the PK discussion
>Faceoffs: I think Toews is something like 1-10 on his last 10 PK draws (Kruger 0-100 -- just kidding on Krugs)
>Other forward off the draw HAS been way too passive -- last year THAT forward would explode toward the opponent who just got the puck -- making him move it and the draw-taker would already be exploding toward where that forced pass was going -- a Dman would join that drawman on a double-team along the boards creating a turnover and clear (not happening yet this year)
>Front of the net: our Dman have NOT been tieing up the sticks of screeners, at all (see Backes PP goals this year)
>Goalie: CC has been way too deep in his net on quite a few point shots
>Hockey Sabremetrics: A fascinating and evolving thing -- still light years behind other sports
>Conclusion: There's strong merit in both points of view -- the eyes and the numbers
- SnapitUpstairs

Toews before the last game I believe was 1-10 and the discussion about PK performance could stop there.

First if all, don't lump vodka-breath's hideous % in with CC's. Secondly, what have you been watching? You don't see the blasts right off the lost FOs? Blaming Crow for 'bulin's stench is like blaming Toews for Krug's FO% because they're both centers. The PK is bad because of a bad scheme and/or failure to execute.

Irrational post.
- Q...argh

And if the stat quoted for Toews on PK Face Offs is correct (1 for 10, wasn't it?), he has enough to answer for with his face-off results.

Just a general comment that will be dismissed by some or maybe not appreciated.

I have been coming on this board for many years, actually there wasn't a Hawks blogger on HB before me.

I still come on because there is some good hockey discussions and many of the people have been here for years. Also I like John and he keeps the discussions in line.

Lately I have been noticing there is a lot of personal crap, arguing etc, almost to the point where there is pages of arguments that go beyond hockey logic.

No one on here knows everything, that includes myself.

We have all come along way with the Hawks, before things centered around constantly complaining about a poor team....There was a time when there was nothing else to talk about.

Now it seems there is more time left to criticize each other....

It's not cool and the most effective discussions about hockey are those that never get personal.

At least that is the way it should be and for the most part was in the past.

Toews before the last game I believe was 1-10 and the discussion about PK performance could stop there.
- Al

>As bad as Toews has been on PK draws, he has been incredibly good on PP draws
>One trend I see though on some PP draws is Toews winning the draw (and getting credit for it) to Kane who then gets pushed, out-muscled, stripped of the puck leading to a quick zone clear
>Think it would be wise to have Sharp or Keith in Kane's place along the circle on PP O-zone draws -- and then Kane can quickly take his normal half-board place with a win
>Not bashing on Kane -- at all -- it's just sometimes he does get outmuscled right off a draw win
>Your thoughts?

Just a general comment that will be dismissed by some or maybe not appreciated.

I have been coming on this board for many years, actually there wasn't a Hawks blogger on HB before me.

I still come on because there is some good hockey discussions and many of the people have been here for years. Also I like John and he keeps the discussions in line.

Lately I have been noticing there is a lot of personal crap, arguing etc, almost to the point where there is pages of arguments that go beyond hockey logic.

No one on here knows everything, that includes myself.

We have all come along way with the Hawks, before things centered around constantly complaining about a poor team....There was a time when there was nothing else to talk about.

Now it seems there is more time left to criticize each other....

It's not cool and the most effective discussions about hockey are those that never get personal.

At least that is the way it should be and for the most part was in the past.
- Al

>This X infinity
>If we all LOVE hockey, let's start and try to keep it there
>Also, JJ has worked so very hard to build his hockey brand (Al, too) -- some of this stuff certainly doesn't help them

What's worse is you haven't seen the Bulin that goes off and on the IR for random old man injuries.
- Lahey

(frank), at this point we are hoping for it.

(frank), at this point we are hoping for it.
- Elbows15

I don't necessarily want him to be hurt as I don't personally have any ill will towards the guy, I just don't want him as our backup goaltender. Here's hoping we either recall Rannta or find another solution a.s.a.p.

Just a general comment that will be dismissed by some or maybe not appreciated.

I have been coming on this board for many years, actually there wasn't a Hawks blogger on HB before me.

I still come on because there is some good hockey discussions and many of the people have been here for years. Also I like John and he keeps the discussions in line.

Lately I have been noticing there is a lot of personal crap, arguing etc, almost to the point where there is pages of arguments that go beyond hockey logic.

No one on here knows everything, that includes myself.

We have all come along way with the Hawks, before things centered around constantly complaining about a poor team....There was a time when there was nothing else to talk about.

Now it seems there is more time left to criticize each other....

It's not cool and the most effective discussions about hockey are those that never get personal.

At least that is the way it should be and for the most part was in the past.
- Al

Hammer meets nail! Thank You, Al!

I don't necessarily want him to be hurt as I don't personally have any ill will towards the guy, I just don't want him as our backup goaltender. Here's hoping we either recall Rannta or find another solution a.s.a.p.
- Murph76

What if that solution is Khabby putting it together and playing better?

Hammer meets nail! Thank You, Al!
- Studebakerhawk

Is the nail from Sweden, too?

Is the nail from Sweden, too?
- StLBravesFan

Well played.

This theory is pretty funny actually. And probably some measure of truth too!


In reality, here's where I differ mightily with Q.
He's got this idiotic idea that Duncan Keith belongs on ANY powerplay unit.

Watch the guy closely with the puck. He's like a deer in the headlights with it. Nothing smooth about what he does coming up out of our zone on the PP. He has no idea of where to go with it, and hence, he waits to long to do whatever. As the PK unit pressures, we end up with Keith passing to a now-nearly-covered F like Kane who sometimes can avoid the defender but more often than not, has to now snake through 1, 2 and 3 defenders because Keith literally telegraphed the play.

Heck, Keith should just call out who the puck is going to because that would be just as effective.

And I'm going to contrast that with Leddy bringing up the puck. Smooth, fast and seriously one of the best passers out of our zone on PP. Seems PK units give him some time and space because of his speed and ability to stickhandle. So what we most often see is Leddy either gets entry to the zone on his own and sets up a play OR is able to make a pass quickly to an open, in-skating-stride forward for zone entry.

I tell ya, this is so clear as day to me . . . and to Al as well
- savvyone-1

Agree totally with this about Keith. Will add though, that if anyone wants to add a drinking game, have a drink every time Keith has a shot blocked, hits a shin pad, shoots wide, deflected on the way, JUST misses the net...........have a shot!!!! Passed out before the end of the game!

Well played.
- EKolb13

Hpwdy ghost and goblins. Hope none of you smucks are handing out those god awful peanut butter things in the black and orange wrappers. I hope this day finds find all my fellow Hawk bickerers in fine form.

Tough break for Mills. That kid is growing on me.

Hmm. 4 days between games and then 3 games in 4 nights. Logical.

Agree totally with this about Keith. Will add though, that if anyone wants to add a drinking game, have a drink every time Keith has a shot blocked, hits a shin pad, shoots wide, deflected on the way, JUST misses the net...........have a shot!!!! Passed out before the end of the game!
- Studebakerhawk

Hey at least he misses short side.

What if that solution is Khabby putting it together and playing better?
- EKolb13

We can only hope, but I'm not betting on it. I think Bowman was counting on him having some juice left in the tank that just isn't there.

We can only hope, but I'm not betting on it. I think Bowman was counting on him having some juice left in the tank that just isn't there.
- Murph76

Like it or not, I have a feeling that Khabby is still going to be around for a little while yet.

What if that solution is Khabby putting it together and playing better?
- EKolb13

That would be the easiest solution but something tells me it's wishful thinking.

Hpwdy ghost and goblins. Hope none of you smucks are handing out those god awful peanut butter things in the black and orange wrappers. I hope this day finds find all my fellow Hawk bickerers in fine form.

Tough break for Mills. That kid is growing on me.

Hmm. 4 days between games and then 3 games in 4 nights. Logical.
- Elbows15

Schmucks.

SCHMUCKS!!!