Like most everything, there's more than meets the eye. Downie will be unrestricted, Talbot 2 more years at 1.75M cap hit, but salary is only 1.25M and 1.0M. Right up a low budget team like Colorado's alley.
- MartiniMan

Also a nice trade chip now for Philly at the deadline if they keep playing the way they are.

Like most everything, there's more than meets the eye. Downie will be unrestricted, Talbot 2 more years at 1.75M cap hit, but salary is only 1.25M and 1.0M. Right up a low budget team like Colorado's alley.
- MartiniMan

Talbot is less of a wildcard than Downie as well, and I think Talbot checks more boxes in terms of being a center, Pker, and still can do some agitating as well without the parade to box Downie has made a habit of embarking on in his career.

Edit: Talbot is also a SC winner, certainly beneficial to a young team.

Downie is a Berube-type of player. Perhaps a bit more snarl is desired to get the flyers to actually play like an NHL team.

pump the breaks crowd???...this from the king of irony and the prince of talking out of both sides of your arse......the universe of realty.
- UnnamedSource

Thank you, now we have all figured it out, disagreeing with you = alternate universe.

Got it now. Thank you for making my point.

BTW, my arse only goes one way...I am old school...

Talbot is less of a wildcard than Downie as well, and I think Talbot checks more boxes in terms of being a center, Pker, and still can do some agitating as well without the parade to box Downie has made a habit of embarking on in his career.

Edit: Talbot is also a SC winner, certainly beneficial to a young team.

Downie is a Berube-type of player. Perhaps a bit more snarl is desired to get the flyers to actually play like an NHL team.
- prd797

Maybe a deal for Statsny in the works.....?

Maybe a deal for Statsny in the works.....?
- Return of the Roar

With the way Colorado is going, maybe they hold onto him?

We're a long way off from having THAT conversation about Simpson.
- EKolb13

Of course Simpson is a long ways from 1800 Madison. My thoughts are based on the fact that while I am ok with Crawford, we could aspire to have someone better ....someone who lets in fewer soft goals and may (emphasis added "may") one day an improvement over Crawford. I feel Crawford was given too much money and years, although with the Cup heroics and the market out there his payday is understood.

Remember FWIW neither Eddie O or Tallon liked Crawford as an NHL #1 from the get go.

I realize as well that championship teams rarely have a stud at each position and anywhere near a full roster of such. So we hope we can win with Crawford. I just wonder what those kids will turn out to be. Perhaps as good or better than Crawford. Possible but impractical to see happen at least for a couple of years.

No personal offense meant -- I'm literally one of the older guys here and have played competitive hockey (and still do) for some 40+ years, having played through junior A. Age and experience does matter, whether you believe it or not -- just as everyone talks about Q's NHL wins total and now his 2 CUPS. It matters. It doesn't mean other coaches (or you) know nothing about hockey, just that those years of experience give you a bigger backdrop of play to draw upon.

A scheme of collapsing on your goalie during a PK I have never seen successful. Only for a team with very slow skaters and mediocre players might they be more successful in clogging up the middle of the ice -- simply because they likely couldn't/wouldn't be able to pressure the puck and therefore a 5 on 4 could turn into a 5 on 3 or 5 on 2 very quickly. Ask me. I've seen it and lived it. Now that isn't likely to happen quite like that in the NHL but these things do matter.

More shot points ARE happening with no opposing Hawk close enough to do anything about it -- and without rushing the shot. C2 hasn't seen a lot of that rubber until it's either right on him or in the net.
- savvyone-1

So far the difference in shot attempts on the PK that have been blocked is 5 percent. Opponents have had 61 shot attempts against the Blackhawks so far on the PK (this is all 5v4, we can all agree 5v3 is a crapshoot), so the difference between this year and last year, in terms of getting in the way of shots, is about one every four games, hardly substantial enough to effect Crows SV% so drastically. I personally don't think the kill the last 11 games is any different than the one they ran last year. The first 2 games it was really passive, since then I don't think it has been at all.

Also, regarding shots allowed on the PK, the number of shots will go down if you allow a goal on the first shot often, which I feel has been the case early this year.
- Walky

Not if the shot count you're (in this case me) is a rate stat. I've said it in every post shots against /60

With the way Colorado is going, maybe they hold onto him?
- EKolb13

You would think right? But you would think losing a banger like Downie up front could have an impact too.

So far the difference in shot attempts on the PK that have been blocked is 5 percent. Opponents have had 61 shot attempts against the Blackhawks so far on the PK (this is all 5v4, we can all agree 5v3 is a crapshoot), so the difference between this year and last year, in terms of getting in the way of shots, is about one every four games, hardly substantial enough to effect Crows SV% so drastically. I personally don't think the kill the last 11 games is any different than the one they ran last year. The first 2 games it was really passive, since then I don't think it has been at all.
- rollpards19

>Keep the stats coming -- not just on the PK -- I, for one, love 'em
>NHL stats do need to keep evolving -- case in point -- Kane's late giveaway creating Senator goal #5 took away a GWG from Toews -- handing it Shaw
>Not sure why so many discussions on this board are always "I'm right. No, I'm right." The answer is usually a little of both

Talbot is less of a wildcard than Downie as well, and I think Talbot checks more boxes in terms of being a center, Pker, and still can do some agitating as well without the parade to box Downie has made a habit of embarking on in his career.

Edit: Talbot is also a SC winner, certainly beneficial to a young team.

Downie is a Berube-type of player. Perhaps a bit more snarl is desired to get the flyers to actually play like an NHL team.
- prd797

They could also want Talbot, who I think took Crosby under his wing, to help Duchene, Landeskog, and MacKinnon grow. That's a lot of change for the Colorado locker room in two days however

Thanks Unnamed and as I just replied to him, no personal offense meant. Hopefully in that post I explained my thoughts a bit more clearly. I certainly didn't mean because he was less than half my age he knew nothing about the game although it could have been taken or come across that way. Not intended though.
- savvyone-1

Appreciate that, we can just stick to arguing about hockey

You would think right? But you would think losing a banger like Downie up front could have an impact too.
- Return of the Roar

They've still got McGinn. Landeskog can throw his weight around too. But you may be right, the loss of Downie could play a negative role too.

I still can't believe that Colorado is where they are now. Their blue line looked really thin on paper. Maybe they come back to Earth over the next 20 games?

Appreciate that, we can just stick to arguing about hockey
- rollpards19

Yes! (to paraphrase an Unnamed reply )

Of course Simpson is a long ways from 1800 Madison. My thoughts are based on the fact that while I am ok with Crawford, we could aspire to have someone better ....someone who lets in fewer soft goals and may (emphasis added "may") one day an improvement over Crawford. I feel Crawford was given too much money and years, although with the Cup heroics and the market out there his payday is understood.

Remember FWIW neither Eddie O or Tallon liked Crawford as an NHL #1 from the get go.

I realize as well that championship teams rarely have a stud at each position and anywhere near a full roster of such. So we hope we can win with Crawford. I just wonder what those kids will turn out to be. Perhaps as good or better than Crawford. Possible but impractical to see happen at least for a couple of years.
- jhawk59

Hey Unnamed, it looks like some are saying we won in spite of CC? Wow....can I infer this?

I'd venture a guess you're very wrong here.

1. Scheme sucks -- and did before last yr when it was changed to be aggressive, challenging the shooters and getting into the lanes. This BS scheme they have reverted back to this yr blows and the SV% won't increase if God himself was in net for us.

2. Number of shots is down . . . because we lose the draw and can't clear and then proceed to retreat back into a tiny box. Essentially, all the defenders are in collapsed in on the goalie. So no reason to hurry taking a shot or to take many shots. Instead, since you are not being challenged, throw the puck around to get the shot with the best look and you are golden. THIS is what is and has been happening this yr.

3. Even with face-off losses, guys on the wing MUST understand what their job is once the puck is dropped. Don't know how many times I have seen the F not taking the draw seemingly not know what to do or where to go upon us losing possession.

A better PK begins with a better scheme. If the thinking is because you have lost your bulldog (Fro) and can no longer pressure, that's simply nuts. No reason Saad and a few others cannot be out on PK and pressure every bit as well. It's all about the WANT and DESIRE to go after the puck, challenge and force quicker passes or shots, force errors.

Collapsing on your goalie is a recipe (as proven thus far this yr) for disaster.
- savvyone-1

Spot On.

Add to this the seemingly easy time opponents have in entering the zone and it makes it even worse.

Not sure why the change. Other teams pressure them both on the entry and once they do gain entry and get set up, not sure why the Hawks have become so passive.

>Keep the stats coming -- not just on the PK -- I, for one, love 'em
>NHL stats do need to keep evolving -- case in point -- Kane's late giveaway creating Senator goal #5 took away a GWG from Toews -- handing it Shaw
>Not sure why so many discussions on this board are always "I'm right. No, I'm right." The answer is usually a little of both
- SnapitUpstairs

GWG should be like in baseball: the goal that gave your team the lead for the last time - not the one that provided the winning margin: no one knew, when Shaw scored, that his goal would be the winning margin.

Varlamov is (or will be shortly) out on bail and has received permission from the court to travel. I don't know Canada's position on allowing those charged with, but not yet found guilty of, a crime into the country. Order of protection granted. This won't be a further distraction for awhile, as it usually takes some considerable time for a trial to occur. Unless this is made up completely, or a very severe case, I'd guess there will be a plea down to a misdemeanor and no time. But it probably won't happen this season.

Of course Simpson is a long ways from 1800 Madison. My thoughts are based on the fact that while I am ok with Crawford, we could aspire to have someone better ....someone who lets in fewer soft goals and may (emphasis added "may") one day an improvement over Crawford. I feel Crawford was given too much money and years, although with the Cup heroics and the market out there his payday is understood.

Remember FWIW neither Eddie O or Tallon liked Crawford as an NHL #1 from the get go.

I realize as well that championship teams rarely have a stud at each position and anywhere near a full roster of such. So we hope we can win with Crawford. I just wonder what those kids will turn out to be. Perhaps as good or better than Crawford. Possible but impractical to see happen at least for a couple of years.
- jhawk59

The fact is, the Hawks have won with Crawford.

Regardless of him being elite or not elite, or his contract (which sucks in my opinion) or what ever else, it appears he's here for the long haul.

As to the goalie conversation itself, I think the only thing that is relevant at this point is if Raanta is good enough to become the other half of the tandem in Chicago next season (or earlier?) and what to do about Khabibulin if he can't put it together.

Guys like Simpson and Carruth, or Whitney and Tompkins are so far out of the conversation at this point that it probably isn't even worth the time to make that conversation. It's going to be quite awhile before these kids even get a sniff.

Varlamov is (or will be shortly) out on bail and has received permission from the court to travel. I don't know Canada's position on allowing those charged with, but not yet found guilty of, a crime into the country. Order of protection granted. This won't be a further distraction for awhile, as it usually takes some considerable time for a trial to occur. Unless this is made up completely, or a very severe case, I'd guess there will be a plea down to a misdemeanor and no time. But it probably won't happen this season.
- mohel

So Colorado shouldn't have to worry about finding another goalie to replace Varlamov?

No personal offense meant -- I'm literally one of the older guys here and have played competitive hockey (and still do) for some 40+ years, having played through junior A. Age and experience does matter, whether you believe it or not -- just as everyone talks about Q's NHL wins total and now his 2 CUPS. It matters. It doesn't mean other coaches (or you) know nothing about hockey, just that those years of experience give you a bigger backdrop of play to draw upon.

A scheme of collapsing on your goalie during a PK I have never seen successful. Only for a team with very slow skaters and mediocre players might they be more successful in clogging up the middle of the ice -- simply because they likely couldn't/wouldn't be able to pressure the puck and therefore a 5 on 4 could turn into a 5 on 3 or 5 on 2 very quickly. Ask me. I've seen it and lived it. Now that isn't likely to happen quite like that in the NHL but these things do matter.

More shot points ARE happening with no opposing Hawk close enough to do anything about it -- and without rushing the shot. C2 hasn't seen a lot of that rubber until it's either right on him or in the net.
- savvyone-1

Yes, Yes, Yes.

With that many bodies packed in, the goalies sight lines are horrible. Guys blasting from distance, if it doesn't hit anybody or anything, goalie has a hard time seeing it until its too late. If it hits him, there is usually a juicy rebound. If it hits something/someone else there is a scramble for possession.

The teams successful on the PK are the ones who are aggressive pressuring the puck. Not sitting back and daring teams to shoot thru you.

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?

So Colorado shouldn't have to worry about finding another goalie to replace Varlamov?
- EKolb13

I don't think so; criminal cases often take a LONG time to get to trial. He will likely be able to put it off until after the season (absent a special program in CO regarding domestic violence cases). The big issue was bail and ability to travel. Canada is another story, perhaps, but my guess is he'll be okay there at least until his case has an outcome.

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

Nice theory, maybe some threads of truth, but no NHL team goes into games with the thought that what worked playing against themselves will work against everyone. They scout, review tape, etc. They know how others defend them, just as they have plans on how to defend against each opponent.

The PK and the PP both suffer from the same malaise, and that is the lack of aggressiveness. It has been discussed how passive the PK is, both in allowing opponents to enter the zone and not aggressively pressuring the puck once they are in. On the PP, they are successful when they hit the zone with speed, and either carry the puck in or make the entry pass to a player entering as both hit the blueline with speed. The current recycle in their zone or in the neutral zone, drop passes in the neutral zone, etc. and then trying to gain entry while all the forwards are basically stationary allows the defense to step up and pressure at the blueline and prevent clean entries. When they do enter the zone they have been better, currently 10th in the league, but there coule be improvement.

I don't think so; criminal cases often take a LONG time to get to trial. He will likely be able to put it off until after the season (absent a special program in CO regarding domestic violence cases). The big issue was bail and ability to travel. Canada is another story, perhaps, but my guess is he'll be okay there at least until his case has an outcome.
- mohel

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.