Oduya never roamed like Daley and - as Jammer's research showed - Q was trusting him almost immediately with 20 plus mins a game. The guy most like Daley was Leddy that year and it was his mins that dropped after Oduya came in.

What bothers me the most is how often he gets caught in the OZ losing a board battle. Someone must have gone over tape with him though because it looked like he was definitely avoiding that constant backing in we've seen the last few games. He was making attempts to engage between the blue lines instead of watching and backing in. Not sure any amount of coaching will help that. Not a bad option at 5-6 though.
- tredbrta

Daley has actually been a lot better the last couple of games. And watching him closely the last couple of games, I just don't see this "he's always so out of position" narrative.

As far getting (caught or not) down below the goal line offensively, please consider the following: Brian Campbell and . . . Johnny Oduya. BOTH did that a lot in their tenure in Chicago.

For that and other reasons, I find it near impossible to believe that Daley would be pinching that deep, that often, WITHOUT some blessing of the coaching staff.

He appears to be improving and part of that may be gaining some comfort/familiarity with Gustafsson. part of it may just be what the coaching staff is telling him is sinking in.

On the other side of the coin apparently Q sees something you don't. Right out of the box, Svedburg is being asked to give the Hawks 20+ minutes a game without any prior learning curve - no NHL experience, no history of playing against any of the Western Conference teams, never having played a road game in any of away rinks.

The kid has done a pretty decent job under the circumstances without Keith in the lineup. The Hawks probably expected Daley would have done as good a job stepping up but he hasn't/didn't.
- RickJ

And Daley would probably be playing with #7 if it didn't mean the third pair would be take your pick of Swedes: Svedberg, Rundblad, Gustafsson.

Again, I don't think we can really evaluate or condemn anyone/anything on this defense until Keith gets back and Q really can slot guys where he wants them.

On the other side of the coin apparently Q sees something you don't. Right out of the box, Svedburg is being asked to give the Hawks 20+ minutes a game without any prior learning curve - no NHL experience, no history of playing against any of the Western Conference teams, never having played a road game in any of away rinks.

The kid has done a pretty decent job under the circumstances without Keith in the lineup. The Hawks probably expected Daley would have done as good a job stepping up but he hasn't/didn't.
- RickJ

Thank you Rick
I think has has played well considering coming into the season with no expectations of making the team. I trust Q knows what he is doing and is a GOOD evaluator of talent

What if the Hawks traded Bickell to AZ for Doan. Have Doan play in the lotto spot until Dano is ready to fill that roll. Remember Saad's first season was during the lockout so he had the benefit of 3 months in the AHL, giving Dano about that much time to adjust to the left side would be reasonable.

Plus this helps manage the cap next year, Doan is a FA at the end of the season. This also brings in that older veteran looking for his first cup, to help focus the guys during the run, much like KT last year, Handzus in '13 and to a less extent Hossa in '10.
- Rtoppel

The only way Doan is leaving the desert is if he absolutely wants to. The last time he went into a contract year, he was on a really bad 'Yotes team and the center of trade rumors. He didn't want to leave then as he likes his life out in the desert. I can't see him leaving now for the same reason.

Then again, stranger things have happened - especially when a player knows that this may be his last season...

Beyond that, does Doan have enough left in the tank to actually help out a team?

And Daley would probably be playing with #7 if it didn't mean the third pair would be take your pick of Swedes: Svedberg, Rundblad, Gustafsson.

Again, I don't think we can really evaluate or condemn anyone/anything on this defense until Keith gets back and Q really can slot guys where he wants them.
- John Jaeckel

Agree on that.

But I think you would agree that at the start of the season nobody on that coaching staff saw or expected Svedburg to get more than 12 maybe 14 minutes per game max. I'm not knocking Daley but something got inverted in quite a few games when it came to his and Sveburg's ice time so far. And it wasn't because #43 has been really great.

I expect Daley's play to improve and see more ice as the season goes on. For the Hawks' sake he better or we will be watching Kumiskey and Rosy more than we want.

Besides losing his man in the crease a few times Svedberg has done nothing but DENY anyone that tries to go 1v1 with him on a even man rush. His reach is absurd and he has nice hands for a monster. His net front coverage and physicality is my only gripe but I think Q has him with Seabrook at over 20 minutes a night is bc he is already so much better at defending than Daley. I don't get the Svedberg hate. If he adds some strength and continues to work on foot speed, this guy is a physical specimen with good puck skills and Hockey IQ. We all see things differently but I like him so far and I especially like his upside.

Besides losing his man in the crease a few times Svedberg has done nothing but DENY anyone that tries to go 1v1 with him on a even man rush. His reach is absurd and he has nice hands for a monster. His net front coverage and physicality is my only gripe but I think Q has him with Seabrook at over 20 minutes a night is bc he is already so much better at defending than Daley. I don't get the Svedberg hate. If he adds some strength and continues to work on foot speed, this guy is a physical specimen with good puck skills and Hockey IQ. We all see things differently but I like him so far and I especially like his upside.
- EnzoD

\

He hasn't been beaten much, all he has to do is use his stick and sort of be in the right place. But he is an adventure with the puck on his blade, with more miscues the last couple of games.

\

He hasn't been beaten much, all he has to do is use his stick and sort of be in the right place. But he is an adventure with the puck on his blade, with more miscues the last couple of games.
- John Jaeckel

Hightower has a lot of upside. He's smarter than I thought he'd be and has incredible reach to take away space as you mentioned. I think the guy can do just fine as a #6 and PKiller.

\

He hasn't been beaten much, all he has to do is use his stick and sort of be in the right place. But he is an adventure with the puck on his blade, with more miscues the last couple of games.
- John Jaeckel

So who's out of the lineup when 2 is back? Is the consensus on Svedberg or Gustaffson?

So who's out of the lineup when 2 is back? Is the consensus on Svedberg or Gustaffson?
- EnzoD

Runblad goes to rockford unless someone picks him up. let Svedberg and gustaffson rotate

\

He hasn't been beaten much, all he has to do is use his stick and sort of be in the right place. But he is an adventure with the puck on his blade, with more miscues the last couple of games.
- John Jaeckel

Slow passes, soft passes.

Needs to be quicker and crisper with his stick.

Hightower has a lot of upside. He's smarter than I thought he'd be and has incredible reach to take away space as you mentioned. I think the guy can do just fine as a #6 and PKiller.
- Bjm84

slightly more interesting than the debate about Svedberg's play and future, is the quest to find him the right nickname. "Hightower" is my current favorite by a wide margin.

Daley has actually been a lot better the last couple of games. And watching him closely the last couple of games, I just don't see this "he's always so out of position" narrative.

As far getting (caught or not) down below the goal line offensively, please consider the following: Brian Campbell and . . . Johnny Oduya. BOTH did that a lot in their tenure in Chicago.

For that and other reasons, I find it near impossible to believe that Daley would be pinching that deep, that often, WITHOUT some blessing of the coaching staff.

He appears to be improving and part of that may be gaining some comfort/familiarity with Gustafsson. part of it may just be what the coaching staff is telling him is sinking in.
- John Jaeckel

To me, he looks like a nice 5 that can slot up to 4 when they need offense. He does get caught more on those pinches than Campbell and Leddy. Other players need to adjust to what he does as well. So much turnover and youth guys are simply reverting to covering for him pinching rather than trying to win that board battle it may create. What I saw last night was definitely an effort by him to stop rushes in the neutral zone more. Where Oduya was more D first I think Daley will always be more O first but they should be able to coach him up to an acceptable level and his speed is still obviously there. Seems like a character guy too - he will do his best at what is asked of him. Saw it in Dallas.

Runblad goes to rockford unless someone picks him up. let Svedberg and gustaffson rotate
- molly2522

I think Rundblad is the odd man out. Either traded for a late draft pick or lost on waivers.

I think Rundblad is the odd man out. Either traded for a late draft pick or lost on waivers.
- DarthKane

he does look like he doesn't have a chair after the music stops...but his contract status might impact what they can do...i suspect he just stays a healthy scratch..

but you not only have keith coming back but rosi being activated...

so how does it work out: keith, seabs, hammy, daley, TVR are 1-5...

sved or gust go down to rockford...or maybe both with rosi/rundblad alt 6-7...

you want the 2 young dmen playing not dressed in a suit...

of course its still possible they trade for another vet dman...given that option i see no way rundblad stays

What an epic turnover by Getzlaf in OT to hand the win to the Yotes on a platter. Caviar no extra charge.

What an epic turnover by Getzlaf in OT to hand the win to the Yotes on a platter. Caviar no extra charge.
- MartiniMan

Ducks are only 4 points behind the Hawks...both with 15 games down...they're no longer a laughing stock, especially since they play in the Pacific.

Ducks are only 4 points behind the Hawks...both with 15 games down...they're no longer a laughing stock, especially since they play in the Pacific.
- ArlingtonRob

Exactly. Every point in the Western Conference is important, which is why a blunder by their captain is so glorious.

http://www.foxsports.com/...ker-breakaway-goal-110915

Speaking of Getzlaf, rather than accepting the blame for his devastating turnover, he turned the blame over to his line as a whole:

For whatever reason, we seemed a little out of sync tonight as a line, as a unit," Getzlaf said. "I thought (Perry) was coming inside. He went outside. That was the case all night. ... I don't know what happened tonight. As a line, we didn't carry our weight."

Sounds like a terrific captain to me!

article: Intriguing Trade Options for Stan Bowman and the Blackhawks


http://thehockeywriters.c...owman-and-the-blackhawks/

Happy Tuesday Hawks Fans!


Was just thinking about the magic between 72-15-88...is it Thursday yet?!

article: Intriguing Trade Options for Stan Bowman and the Blackhawks


http://thehockeywriters.c...owman-and-the-blackhawks/
- jv526

If any team would like Bickell it would be Calgary!

Hey, fellas. Just returned from a trip to Alaska. I saw the Blues game (came on at 4PM there, haha.) but missed the Devils and Oilers.

Really surprised the boys couldn't get a W over the Devils.

While in Alaska, we went the Aces and Grizzlies game. Nine rows off the glass for $25. Sweet deal. The ECHL puts out a good product on the ice. Fast-paced and some big boys out there. Utah had a Defenseman that is 6"6'. Crazy to see a guy that big in person on the ice. Can't imagine what Sved or Chara looks like up close. Even got a puck that shot over the glass in warm ups. There were no kids around to give it to, so I kept it.

JJ- when you get a chance, I dropped you a PM. Thanks.

Keith cleared for contact today. Optional practice and only he and Darling showed. Very excited. Have tickets for Calgary game on Sunday.

@BrianHedger: Q confirms Keith is cleared for contact, which will start tomorrow with a full practice etc. #Blackhawks

@BrianHedger: Asked if Keith vs #STLBlues is still a possibility, he said, "Maybe one of the games [this weekend]. We'll see." #Blackhawks

@TramyersCSN: I would think Keith more likely for game vs. CGY out of the two weekend contests. Just returning, avoid back to back. #Blackhawks

Keith cleared for contact today. Optional practice and only he and Darling showed. Very excited. Have tickets for Calgary game on Sunday.

@BrianHedger: Q confirms Keith is cleared for contact, which will start tomorrow with a full practice etc. #Blackhawks

@BrianHedger: Asked if Keith vs #STLBlues is still a possibility, he said, "Maybe one of the games
- Marlowe[this weekend]. We'll see." #Blackhawks

@TramyersCSN: I would think Keith more likely for game vs. CGY out of the two weekend contests. Just returning, avoid back to back. #Blackhawks