So all in the last couple weeks on the big league roster: Kaner out, JO out, trade Smith for Desjardin, add Timonen, add Vermette.

I'm going to wait until at least through the 23rd, almost two weeks from now and 6 more games before making a determination on what's going on. Still too early to tell.

IMO, Q has more than earned the time to figure things out given all the changes; especially when one of those is losing arguably a Hart finalist through the RS and well into the playoffs.

Seems like Q split that top line to spread out the talent and now no lines are working. I'd like to see:
Saad Toews Hossa
Sharp Richards TT
Versteeg Vermette Bickell
Nords Kruger Desjardins

Richards should have more offense with him and Vermette should be used more in a shut down role.

EDIT: I forgot about Shaw...play him over Desjardins either on the 4th line or swap him with Bickell.

Always on point, JJ and I think everyone here agrees. I think that one thing, if anything, that happens in the offseason turnover is bringing in role guys who play exactly the type of net front hockey that you're talking about here.

Great write up, JJ. Over-passing is the Hawks MO for the past couple seasons. Seems like every game there are more opportunities where shots could have been ripped, but a forced pass (that doesn't work) was chosen instead.

They're certainly a pass-first thinking team. Not always a bad thing, but I'd like to see some more "selfish" shooting with some traffic in front. Honestly, I'll take the redirects, screens and loose change goals over highlight reel stuff. I like the blue collar work ethic more.

I think things will turn around soon and the pucks will start hitting the back of the net.

So - you are saying that great teams should throw the idea of hockey out the window - and muck up games for 60 minutes - and hope to squeak out a 1-0 or 2-1 win??

Obstruction and holding are not a "style" of play. In no other sport in this country can you muck up a game and go beyond the rules to obstruct a better team - and win with it.

Think about baseball - the pitcher pitches - and just as the ball comes to the plate - the catcher ties up the arms of a hitter - and it's called good defense. Would you watch that for three hours??

In basketball - as a player goes to shoot - the defender hooks his arms so the shot can't be taken - and it's allowed as long as the player has the ball. Care to watch that for two hours??

In football - the ball is snapped - but just as the QB takes it - a defender knocks the ball away before he can even take a step back. Or - take away the five yard chuck rule and let the defenders constantly interfere with the receivers all the way down the field. No one would watch that either.

In the three sports I mentioned - all of them ENCOURAGE offensive play to keep their fans interested - most notably when the NBA instituted the three point shot. Teams could no longer just pack in their defense to the paint area - the entire court 25 feet in must now be defended. And their ratings and money inflow are higher than ever. The NHL wishes they had even ONE FOURTH of what the NBA makes!!!!

- dahawks8819

The point missed with the NBA is now the games are boring, as a team just has to get the ball over half-court and a shot is taken. There is no more need to run offense. The 3 point shot is as stupid as the shoot-out, it is just a gimmick to get cans in the seats.

We had another guy that did that in ben smith

didnt always find the back of the net, but nobody worked harder down low and took the puck to the net as much as Smith, except for Toes
- FourFeathers773

1 goal, 2 assists in his first 4 games as a Shark. Tenacious like Jocelyn Lemieux, I miss him in the indianhead.

Toews Saad Hossa
Vermette Versteeg Kane
TT McNeil Hartman
Kruger Danualt Nordstrom

Keith Seabrook
Hammer TVR
Cuminskey Raanta Trade

Crawford Darling

Gone:
Bickell,Sharp,Shaw.Richards,Oduya and maybe Kruger.
Raanta gets traded at the draft for an Oduya type but younger.
Think they resign Vermette
- Colbyboy

The all rookie line (TT may be the vet with his time this year in Chicago).

Would like to see if some bottom 6 role players could be brought in in the offseason. I really think Vermette will be resigned too.

Seems like Q split that top line to spread out the talent and now no lines are working. I'd like to see:
Saad Toews Hossa
Sharp Richards TT
Versteeg Vermette Bickell
Nords Kruger Desjardins

Richards should have more offense with him and Vermette should be used more in a shut down role.
- Kentxo

I like those lines . Think Richards need offensive players around him and Sharp needs players to get him the puck in the open . TT has really looked good of late. Would want a solid pair of D man out there with them . Versteeg has been great with Kane but has seemed lost since would not care between him or Shaw either way .4 line looks good to solid centers playing . And breaking up that 1st line is not the solution . Would not be surprised this is were they settle out . But you know Q will try everything he can think of , and that not a bad thing

Criticizing the defence corps is a bit difficult to justify when the team has given up the fewest goals in the league, started 3 different goaltenders and actually gave playing time (albeit small) to Cumisky, and Erixon, Dahlbeck and Clendening before shipping them elsewhere.

This isn't Keith's best season but I wonder whether he just gets frustrated and PO'd getting stuck with Rundblad too much and then Rosy. If Timonen gets into some kind of playing condition and stays healthy that will help Keith's game a bit.

Where the real problem lies is up front. Unfortunately like last year, the team is short at least one centerman that can make plays and that's giving Vermette the benefit of the doubt until he gets acclimatized. The $2M dog they signed in the offseason needs a seat in the press box for a few games.
- RickJ

Disagree

The Hawks D has been atrocious at holding the blue line and exiting the zone. The system the Hawks play is based on moving the puck quickly and efficiently from the back end to the forwards and creating neutral zone turnovers. Hasn't happened with any consistency all season. If they continue to yield the neutral zone and give the puck away they're gonna have a bad time.

Keith is the only reason Rundblad was holding water and now he has to prop up Rozy. Here's a brain buster: did Leddy look out of place because he was covering for Rozy or did Rozy look decent because Leddy was covering his ass? Hmmmmmmmm.

They have gotten absolutely SHELLED this year. The shots against per 60 at evens is disgusting and the worst this team has been since Kane and Toews became NHL players. Crawford has had a stellar season and the only reason the GAA is respectable at this point.

This team has 4 natural centers (5 if you count Sharp! 6 if you count T2!). I don't think that position is a problem right now. Maybe there are some system or line up changes that can be made to utilize those players more efficiently but otherwise they are who they are. Hopefully Oduya can contribute when he comes back, KT finds his legs and Crawford continues to play at a very high level.

Criticizing the defence corps is a bit difficult to justify when the team has given up the fewest goals in the league, started 3 different goaltenders and actually gave playing time (albeit small) to Cumisky, and Erixon, Dahlbeck and Clendening before shipping them elsewhere.

This isn't Keith's best season but I wonder whether he just gets frustrated and PO'd getting stuck with Rundblad too much and then Rosy. If Timonen gets into some kind of playing condition and stays healthy that will help Keith's game a bit.

Where the real problem lies is up front. Unfortunately like last year, the team is short at least one centerman that can make plays and that's giving Vermette the benefit of the doubt until he gets acclimatized. The $2M dog they signed in the offseason needs a seat in the press box for a few games.
- RickJ

Neither side of the puck is shining brightly in the 29 games since January 1 (if I've calculated the numbers correctly):

Goals scored - 69 = 2.38 per game
Goals allowed - 74 = 2.55 per game

Not so good play in the defensive zone - by ALL skaters - has led to too many goals against and, without good transition, to too few goals scored.

That's the way they've been playing for 2 1/2 months - a long enough time period to stand on its own. That's who they are today.

Hawks have 16 games to get this right, and it starts with Q adjusting his lines.

I posted this yesterday but until Kane comes back...I go with:

10-19-81: This line dominated for long periods last year. Get Sharp going now. you aren't going to advance if Sharp is a NON factor.

20-80-86: As long as Teuvo plays more like Sunday and not like he did against Tampa, this line can survive. Saad should get ample back side looks from Teuvo.

29-91-23: Richards and Versteeg have chemistry already. Wild card is Bickell. When this team makes deep playoff runs, the 3rd line always plays a large role.

65-16-42/11/13: Let Shaw run wild and some dirty goals. Carcillo should NEVER see the ice unless an injury occurs and the hawks need to go big.

This team needs to find balance. They also need to adjust their PP set up. It's pathetic. This has to get corrected and quickly.

IF they can.....get sharp going, get some production out of the PP, and have Keith regain his form they can survive without Kane. the margin for error on this team isn't big. You can't win a cup without Kane AND a crap PP unit. yeah, in 2013 they won with a bad pp, but they had Kane. Not the case now. Kane scores some BIG playoff goals and the Hawks need their top players to do that. including 19/81.

I don't think it matters if they face Nashville or STL, or win the division and face a Minnesota or Winnipeg. Each of those series will be extremely hard without Kane.

However, burying their head in the sand and just assuming they will get right with how they are competing now won't work.

Disagree

The Hawks D has been atrocious at holding the blue line and exiting the zone. The system the Hawks play is based on moving the puck quickly and efficiently from the back end to the forwards and creating neutral zone turnovers. Hasn't happened with any consistency all season. If they continue to yield the neutral zone and give the puck away they're gonna have a bad time.

Keith is the only reason Rundblad was holding water and now he has to prop up Rozy. Here's a brain buster: did Leddy look out of place because he was covering for Rozy or did Rozy look decent because Leddy was covering his ass? Hmmmmmmmm.

They have gotten absolutely SHELLED this year. The shots against per 60 at evens is disgusting and the worst this team has been since Kane and Toews became NHL players. Crawford has had a stellar season and the only reason the GAA is respectable at this point.

This team has 4 natural centers (5 if you count Sharp! 6 if you count T2!). I don't think that position is a problem right now. Maybe there are some system or line up changes that can be made to utilize those players more efficiently but otherwise they are who they are. Hopefully Oduya can contribute when he comes back, KT finds his legs and Crawford continues to play at a very high level.
- fattybeef

They have 2 defensemen playing well right now: Hammer and seabrook. Keith is being exposed with a more physical game and being paired with crap guys. I counted at least twice Sunday, him letting guys get position on him in front of the net and damn near scoring. Throw in the horrible turnover on Friday vs Edmonton that led to a goal, and Keith has been at least one notch below where his play normally is.

Problem is you can't go back to 2-7, 4-27 until you know 27 is as close as he can be to 2014 form, and 44 has his game legs and is peaking. You can't have 2, old men on your bottom pair in 44-32 if 44 hasn't found his game, and sure as hell can never have Rundblad play in the playoffs. Not unless there is an injury. They will need speed to exit the zone against what will be hellacious fore checks, and the way the NHL is officiating the regular season, we may need 2002 interference/grabbing being ignored and that doesn't bode well for smaller skilled defensemen.

Those games were highly entertaining - two skilled teams playing the game the right way.

I am referring to the lesser teams in this league - Los Angeles, Winnipeg, New Jersey..... those teams have very little skill, very little talent - but rely on mucking up games for 2 1/2 hours - severly limiting scoring chances - hoping to capitalize on a couple of mistakes by the other team - and winning a game not worth watching.

Unfortunately in the NHL - this garbage style of play gets rewarded with wins. In no other sport is the lesser of two teams rewarded by making the game something the fans would change the channel on.
- dahawks8819

Been reading a lot about this lately - refs going back to not calling the clutching/grabbing/interference plays - and my question is:

Chicago is one of the top markets in the league - certainly a top-3 US market - why aren't Rocky / McD screaming at Bettman every day about how this affects the Hawks, Rangers, and other top US-market teams - and if they are in his face continuously, why is Bettman ignoring it?

Does he really want to give NBC a Tampa Bay - Nashville match-up in the SCF?

Been reading a lot about this lately - refs going back to not calling the clutching/grabbing/interference plays - and my question is:

Chicago is one of the top markets in the league - certainly a top-3 US market - why aren't Rocky / McD screaming at Bettman every day about how this affects the Hawks, Rangers, and other top US-market teams - and if they are in his face continuously, why is Bettman ignoring it?

Does he really want to give NBC a Tampa Bay - Nashville match-up in the SCF?
- StLBravesFan

ugh....I'm not a believer in conspiracies. hawks need to play tougher and should be able to fight through that crap with their team speed.

Bettman doesn't hate Chicago. he's not trying to pencil in 2 smaller markets, do you really think he wants to have 0.5 share with Nashville vs Tampa?

Disagree

The Hawks D has been atrocious at holding the blue line and exiting the zone. The system the Hawks play is based on moving the puck quickly and efficiently from the back end to the forwards and creating neutral zone turnovers. Hasn't happened with any consistency all season. If they continue to yield the neutral zone and give the puck away they're gonna have a bad time.

Keith is the only reason Rundblad was holding water and now he has to prop up Rozy. Here's a brain buster: did Leddy look out of place because he was covering for Rozy or did Rozy look decent because Leddy was covering his ass? Hmmmmmmmm.

They have gotten absolutely SHELLED this year. The shots against per 60 at evens is disgusting and the worst this team has been since Kane and Toews became NHL players. Crawford has had a stellar season and the only reason the GAA is respectable at this point.

This team has 4 natural centers (5 if you count Sharp! 6 if you count T2!). I don't think that position is a problem right now. Maybe there are some system or line up changes that can be made to utilize those players more efficiently but otherwise they are who they are. Hopefully Oduya can contribute when he comes back, KT finds his legs and Crawford continues to play at a very high level.
- fattybeef

So you don't think the center position is a problem, yet the 2C hasn't scored a goal in 23 games and is in general a defensive liablility who won't matchup well against any centers on playoff teams and now doesn't have #88 on his flank? I think that is a huge problem which will force Q into bouncing Vermette and probably Kruger all over the place. Forget Sharp as a center, not happening.

And my point wasn't to excuse the D of less than stellar play at times, but the goals against are the ultimate barometer and they have given up the 2nd fewest in the league to date. Could they be better - definitely. But they also need help from the forwards, most of whom have been mediocre for a long stretch this season.

The Hawks need their road graders like Andrew Shaw, Bickell, and even Dan Carcillo opening some space so their smaller skill guys can carry the puck to the net.

It's like what Kassassin has done for the Sedins lately... opposition knows not to mess around in scrums, etc... when he's on the ice with them. they are playing bigger because of it.

y'all need to do the same thing or as JJ quoted people as saying... they'll push the hawks to the outside and keep the ice clear in middle... that's how you beat the hawks.

Can't see Versteeg back unless he's taking a paycut, at least down to what the Hawks are on the hook for right now.

Saad - Toews - Hossa
McNeil - TT - Kane
Hartman - Danualt - Shaw
Nordstrom - Kruger - Desjardins?/open
Ross
Think the cap probably works with that. Depth going to be a concern though.
- vabeachbear

Your point on Versteeg makes no sense. He is under contract through next season at $2.2 million.

Disagree

The Hawks D has been atrocious at holding the blue line and exiting the zone. The system the Hawks play is based on moving the puck quickly and efficiently from the back end to the forwards and creating neutral zone turnovers. Hasn't happened with any consistency all season. If they continue to yield the neutral zone and give the puck away they're gonna have a bad time.

Keith is the only reason Rundblad was holding water and now he has to prop up Rozy. Here's a brain buster: did Leddy look out of place because he was covering for Rozy or did Rozy look decent because Leddy was covering his ass? Hmmmmmmmm.

They have gotten absolutely SHELLED this year. The shots against per 60 at evens is disgusting and the worst this team has been since Kane and Toews became NHL players. Crawford has had a stellar season and the only reason the GAA is respectable at this point.

This team has 4 natural centers (5 if you count Sharp! 6 if you count T2!). I don't think that position is a problem right now. Maybe there are some system or line up changes that can be made to utilize those players more efficiently but otherwise they are who they are. Hopefully Oduya can contribute when he comes back, KT finds his legs and Crawford continues to play at a very high level.
- fattybeef

Completely agree. It starts with the D, and I will say this, any time Johnny Oduya wants to come back, and assuming he can get in some kind of groove (as he has at times the last few years) that will have a huge domino effect not just on the blue line but the entire team.

There is a problem upfront but with the addition of Vermette, C is not really it. The problem is they have two kinds of forwards: waif-like skill players, or Guys with some size who tend to be more skill players (Hossa, Saad). And they have a few "physical" players without skill or without motivation (Bickell).

They need more big guys who can and will play and do some things with the puck. Or they need Bickell and Shaw to really step up come playoff time.

The most obvious difference between the Hawks and Rangers to me was that the Hawks struggled big time to keep up with the Rangers. They can really skate and we don't look nearly as fast as we used to be. Cannot beat the top teams in this league being slow anymore.

Completely agree. It starts with the D, and I will say this, any time Johnny Oduya wants to come back, and assuming he can get in some kind of groove (as he has at times the last few years) that will have a huge domino effect not just on the blue line but the entire team.

There is a problem upfront but with the addition of Vermette, C is not really it. The problem is they have two kinds of forwards: waif-like skill players, or Guys with some size who tend to be more skill players (Hossa, Saad). And they have a few "physical" players without skill or without motivation (Bickell).

They need more big guys who can and will play and do some things with the puck. Or they need Bickell and Shaw to really step up come playoff time.
- John Jaeckel

I agree on Oduya, but the other domino is Timmonen. If he can regain his form and not be exposed that opens up Q to having 2-7/4-27/44/32-27/44 That is a very nice option.

I have given up on Bickell. Q has had to scratch him twice this year. Anything this team gets from him moving forward is a bonus, and come July he better be long gone.

I think you point as to how many physical guys they dress in round 1 will depend on the matchup.....They need to get 19/81/20/10 rolling for the playoffs.

Your point on Versteeg makes no sense. He is under contract through next season at $2.2 million.
- BreakoutHockey

Correct and he;s not going anywhere. For what he is being paid and what you get back is exactly why I just laughed at clowns like Zawaski last spring trying to jettison him off the island. Obvious the guy was hurt and now look.....he was a consistent contributor on the hawks most consistent line for much of the year with Richards and Kane.

Bickell on the other hand.....happy trails.

Correct and he;s not going anywhere. For what he is being paid and what you get back is exactly why I just laughed at clowns like Zawaski last spring trying to jettison him off the island. Obvious the guy was hurt and now look.....he was a consistent contributor on the hawks most consistent line for much of the year with Richards and Kane.

Bickell on the other hand.....happy trails.
- SteveRain

My only worry about this is - who would want Bickell? On paper he is a big forward that plays well in the playoffs. But the reality is that he's an inconsistent forward who isn't worth half of his $4 million cap hit. I would imagine Stan will have to entice another GM with a pick or prospect.

[quote=SteveRain]Correct and he;s not going anywhere. For what he is being paid and what you get back is exactly why I just laughed at clowns like Zawaski last spring trying to jettison him off the island. Obvious the guy was hurt and now look.....he was a consistent contributor on the hawks most consistent line for much of the year with Richards and Kane.

Bickell on the other hand.....happy trails.
- DarthKane[/quote]

My only worry about this is - who would want Bickell? On paper he is a big forward that plays well in the playoffs. But the reality is that he's an inconsistent forward who isn't worth half of his $4 million cap hit. I would imagine Stan will have to entice another GM with a pick or prospect.

Florida

Been reading a lot about this lately - refs going back to not calling the clutching/grabbing/interference plays - and my question is:

Chicago is one of the top markets in the league - certainly a top-3 US market - why aren't Rocky / McD screaming at Bettman every day about how this affects the Hawks, Rangers, and other top US-market teams - and if they are in his face continuously, why is Bettman ignoring it?

Does he really want to give NBC a Tampa Bay - Nashville match-up in the SCF?
- StLBravesFan

I love this kind of hockey. It reminds me of my favorite era to watch: The 90's.

[quote=SteveRain]Correct and he;s not going anywhere. For what he is being paid and what you get back is exactly why I just laughed at clowns like Zawaski last spring trying to jettison him off the island. Obvious the guy was hurt and now look.....he was a consistent contributor on the hawks most consistent line for much of the year with Richards and Kane.

Bickell on the other hand.....happy trails.
- DarthKane[/quote]

My only worry about this is - who would want Bickell? On paper he is a big forward that plays well in the playoffs. But the reality is that he's an inconsistent forward who isn't worth half of his $4 million cap hit. I would imagine Stan will have to entice another GM with a pick or prospect.

Agreed....but if Bowman can trade Campbell and that monster contract somebody will take Bickell.

Best thing for the Hawks Bickell has a nice playoff season. Will be a fresh reminder for teams as what he could be, and then you dump him. Sell high.