Poor Vinny.. can't get out of Q's chateau bow wow
- golfbard

He hasn't done much but have speed. I liked him on the 4th, but you can't say he's playing better than Rasmussen. Tootoo brings checks and speed, and Hino only brings speed.

In my opinion, Hinostroza is likely to be part of a packaged trade somewhere. He's too one dimensional and not talented enough to stay on the team for too long. Kinda like Pirri, Hayes, Morin, etc.

the HNIC announcers said the other night that if the hawks kill the next 35 pp without giving up a goal, they would only get to 80% PK.


I would take that if it led to more wins. I could care less at what the rankings say as clearly they'll be skewed thanks to this awful start.
- golfbard

To be honest, the Hawks are lucky to be 3-3 with the way the PK has failed so badly. They need to lock it down soon.

The advanced stats on a team by team basis are showing the luck right now. Hawk are near the bottom on the NHL(29th) is shot differential 5v5, middle of the road on Corsi (50.7%) and have a very very high PDO (thanks to the very high shooting percentage)

The Hawks are shooting over 12% 5v5 which is not sustainable. (every team was under 9% last year and the average is around 7.5%) The Hawks were nearly the worst in 5v5 shooting % last year under 7%. It is unlikely they will continue to score 5v5 like they are unless they start getting more volume of shots.

Right now, the Hawks are looking both lucky and unlucky (5v5 scoring and PK) and it will be interesting to see which luck runs out sooner. Considering the new players and lack of chemistry, the Hawks not in a terrible spot being middle of the pack 0.500 team but the room for improvement is crystal clear. The fans know it, the coaches know it, the players know it. I hope they can string some wins together and keep their lines consistent and build that chemistry and improve the on ice play.

Another public plea from our Captain for some consistency on his line in order to build chemistry.

http://chicago.suntimes.c...-ever-changing-linemates/

“It’s huge,” Toews said. “You only get better and better when you start really understanding and really knowing everything [about your linemates]. It just becomes feel. … Sometimes you just have to go out there and let things happen, and use your instincts. That really kicks in with guys that you play with for a long time.”

He hasn't done much but have speed. I liked him on the 4th, but you can't say he's playing better than Rasmussen. Tootoo brings checks and speed, and Hino only brings speed.
- JRoenick97

I completely agree.

I'd give him a bit more time to show his consistency issues have been resolved, then I would for sure. At that price you'd think he'd be protected in the expansion draft too.
- DarthKane

There is also almost no way he does not get at least top 9 minutes Correct even if he has a few bad games. He is still way better then Hartman,Schmaltz, mosse, Hino, tootoo, Motte at this point. if you wait what happens if he scores 30 and he wants 4 mil per year. Which is fair for 30 goals. 1.5 is for a 15-goal scorer and he is got 6 with 76 games to go. even if only scores 1 goal every 8 games that is 15.5 goals. my guess is does way more then that and we cannot have both him and Pan get huge raises. Ie you want him to show consistency and if he does you are going to paying way more then 1.5 per year. even if he is not a top line player if he plays on a top line he is going to get goals and he is going to be playing on the top line because you have no other options. that is why you try and extend him now.

There is also almost no way he does not get at least top 9 minutes Correct even if he has a few bad games. He is still way better then Hartman,Schmaltz, mosse, Hino, tootoo, Motte at this point. if you wait what happens if he scores 30 and he wants 4 mil per year. Which is fair for 30 goals. 1.5 is for a 15-goal scorer and he is got 6 with 76 games to go. even if only scores 1 goal every 8 games that is 15.5 goals. my guess is does way more then that and we cannot have both him and Pan get huge raises. Ie you want him to show consistency and if he does you are going to paying way more then 1.5 per year. even if he is not a top line player if he plays on a top line he is going to get goals and he is going to be playing on the top line because you have no other options. that is why you try and extend him now.
- kmw4631

He is shooting 66%. Things will even out. He might hit 20g. Brandon Pirri scored 22g is 49 games. No one handed him a hefty contract.

There is also almost no way he does not get at least top 9 minutes Correct even if he has a few bad games. He is still way better then Hartman,Schmaltz, mosse, Hino, tootoo, Motte at this point. if you wait what happens if he scores 30 and he wants 4 mil per year. Which is fair for 30 goals. 1.5 is for a 15-goal scorer and he is got 6 with 76 games to go. even if only scores 1 goal every 8 games that is 15.5 goals. my guess is does way more then that and we cannot have both him and Pan get huge raises. Ie you want him to show consistency and if he does you are going to paying way more then 1.5 per year. even if he is not a top line player if he plays on a top line he is going to get goals and he is going to be playing on the top line because you have no other options. that is why you try and extend him now.
- kmw4631

These are also the moves I wish Stan would make. Offer him a 3-year 3.5-4.5 mil deal during last off season. Low risk/high reward and you have him for cheap if he builds off his playoff performance.

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 5s5 seconds ago
Leafs have claimed Ben Smith from Colorado.

Also on waivers today: Steve Bernier (NYI) and Jamie McBain (Arizona).

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 13s13 seconds ago
Michal Rozsival indeed expecting to play tonight. Will be his first game. #Blackhawks

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 13s13 seconds ago
Michal Rozsival indeed expecting to play tonight. Will be his first game. #Blackhawks
- DarthKane

Kempny sitting.

Kempny sitting.
- JRoenick97

Hope his two remaining wheels are oiled up.

The Hawks need to continue to improve on faceoffs, attack on the PK, and cycle in the opponent's zone.

Toews gets a couple of points tonight and Hossa nets one.

He hasn't done much but have speed. I liked him on the 4th, but you can't say he's playing better than Rasmussen. Tootoo brings checks and speed, and Hino only brings speed.
- JRoenick97

Compared to Hinostroza, Rasmussen also has better hands around the net. Rasmussen is quite good at deflecting pucks on net.

Morin for a bag of pucks would be a big win...
- busmaster

Now be fair, bus. It would take a bag of pucks AND some used goalie equipment for it to be a win ....

My take on the PK woes is that the PK units are not allowing their goalie to do a primary part of ther job: track pucks. If the PK unit is more worried about clogging up passing lanes at the expense of having an opponent allowed to park in front of the goalie and completely block view a majority of the time, then that seems like misprioritization of what matters. Your goalie has to see the puck, bottom line.

But it doesn't have to be either/or, rather it should be both/and. The Hawks need to make it a both/and situation or else the other team's point men will continue to thread the needle to blast pucks into the net.

Another perspective is similar to what others are saying: the PK unit needs to pressure the other team. Force them into making ill-advised passes and making bad decisions that can lead to turnovers to clear the puck or skate the other way.

My take on the PK woes is that the PK units are not allowing their goalie to do a primary part of ther job: track pucks. If the PK unit is more worried about clogging up passing lanes at the expense of having an opponent allowed to park in front of the goalie and completely block view a majority of the time, then that seems like misprioritization of what matters. Your goalie has to see the puck, bottom line.

But it doesn't have to be either/or, rather it should be both/and. The Hawks need to make it a both/and situation or else the other team's point men will continue to thread the needle to blast pucks into the net.

Another perspective is similar to what others are saying: the PK unit needs to pressure the other team. Force them into making ill-advised passes and making bad decisions that can lead to turnovers to clear the puck or skate the other way.
- AEL_Fox

Doubt any of the beat guys would ever venture to challenge Q on the PK strategy for fear of incurring Q's icy stare and having Hawks brass shut him down.

This is the kind of stuff when people talk about "the future HOF'er Q" that makes me wonder.

You'd think Q (I'm not going to indite Kitchen and Dineen since it is pretty damn clear this is Q's club and it's his PP and his PK -- those guys are just henchmen acting out the orders of the high commander) would get a clue by watching how ineffective the Hawks PP is when other clubs pressure all over the ice. It's really BEFORE entry because if you pressure up-ice and you pressure in the neutral zone, clubs are going to have a much harder time with zone entry unless they decide to dump/chase.

So all Q would have to do is watch his club get dismantled time-after-time-after-time (hey new Cyndi Lauper tune there!) on the PP by a PK strategy where the club pressures very hard up-ice and in the neutral zone. You'd think after being so pathetically ineffective over the 1st 6 games, the strategy (and maybe the personnel) would need to change to be more effective.

It is going to be a long year. And they will be lucky to draw into the playoffs. Because they are going to be lucky to be .500 by the time of the Circus trip.

Over/under on how many times Johnny Hockey speeds past Rozy tonight ... I'm going with 4. And, or course, Rozy will try to impede his progress so I'm thinking at least 1 if not 2 interference penalties on Rozy. It should be fun watching the worst PP against the worst PK.

Doubt any of the beat guys would ever venture to challenge Q on the PK strategy for fear of incurring Q's icy stare and having Hawks brass shut him down.

This is the kind of stuff when people talk about "the future HOF'er Q" that makes me wonder.

You'd think Q (I'm not going to indite Kitchen and Dineen since it is pretty damn clear this is Q's club and it's his PP and his PK -- those guys are just henchmen acting out the orders of the high commander) would get a clue by watching how ineffective the Hawks PP is when other clubs pressure all over the ice. It's really BEFORE entry because if you pressure up-ice and you pressure in the neutral zone, clubs are going to have a much harder time with zone entry unless they decide to dump/chase.

So all Q would have to do is watch his club get dismantled time-after-time-after-time (hey new Cyndi Lauper tune there!) on the PP by a PK strategy where the club pressures very hard up-ice and in the neutral zone. You'd think after being so pathetically ineffective over the 1st 6 games, the strategy (and maybe the personnel) would need to change to be more effective.

It is going to be a long year. And they will be lucky to draw into the playoffs. Because they are going to be lucky to be .500 by the time of the Circus trip.
- savvyone-1

That is just straight up nonsense. The strategy has changed as assistants have changed. Q is not some hockey Hitler destined to rule the team.

In my opinion, Hinostroza is likely to be part of a packaged trade somewhere. He's too one dimensional and not talented enough to stay on the team for too long. Kinda like Pirri, Hayes, Morin, etc.
- Hawks_49

Except he has less trade value than any of those guys. He'd be a throw-in, nothing more.

Another public plea from our Captain for some consistency on his line in order to build chemistry.

http://chicago.suntimes.c...-ever-changing-linemates/
- pdx2ord

This x 100

Another public plea from our Captain for some consistency on his line in order to build chemistry.

http://chicago.suntimes.c...-ever-changing-linemates/
- pdx2ord

Kind of just a re-hash of that interview from a couple day sago, so not really another one, but he needs consistency for sure.

Was gonna post this on the previous thread where the discussion turned to the relative importance of FO%.....but JJ was so quick with a fresh blog I'll post it here....

I think one thing that's too often forgotten in looking at statistical metrics is context....so in regards to FO% let's consider the context....in a pivotal postseason situation, how many times over the years have we seen Q throw the Kruger line out there to win the draw, gain possession, and then get off for an immediate change...bringing the Kane line onto the ice with the matchup advantage.

Furthermore, it seems the math has shown that the difference between a 50% FO team & 60% FO team equates to an added 4 Pts over the course of 82 game season...4 Pts is significant just look at the final standings in the western conference in recent years....Additionally FO is just one quantifiable measurement of a teams success....if you isolate & quantify each aspect of the game into Pts valuation I believe you'd see similar results - i.e. Strong vs weak on forecheck equates to 4 Pts swing over course of season....net front presence/clearing the crease another 4 Pts difference, etc etc......add it all up & I think that's the difference between playoff teams & non-playoff teams in today's NHL.....so being strong or weak in a couple facets of the game is the difference between a 90 pt team & a 100 Pt playoff team....sometimes it's too easy to evaluate things in a vacuum & forget the bigger picture and there's other factors at play....anyways it's interesting data to consider but I don't see how it proves in any way at all that FO% is not directly correlated to success.

To the stat heads out there, is it too early to gauge what effect the change in goalie pad size has had on goal scoring? Through the first two weeks the eye test suggests those oversized pads may have been keeping scoring down more than you might think, but I dunno that's just what I've seen in the handful of games thus far, probably need to give it til mid season to be able to quantify to any degree

Doubt any of the beat guys would ever venture to challenge Q on the PK strategy for fear of incurring Q's icy stare and having Hawks brass shut him down.

This is the kind of stuff when people talk about "the future HOF'er Q" that makes me wonder.

You'd think Q (I'm not going to indite Kitchen and Dineen since it is pretty damn clear this is Q's club and it's his PP and his PK -- those guys are just henchmen acting out the orders of the high commander) would get a clue by watching how ineffective the Hawks PP is when other clubs pressure all over the ice. It's really BEFORE entry because if you pressure up-ice and you pressure in the neutral zone, clubs are going to have a much harder time with zone entry unless they decide to dump/chase.

So all Q would have to do is watch his club get dismantled time-after-time-after-time (hey new Cyndi Lauper tune there!) on the PP by a PK strategy where the club pressures very hard up-ice and in the neutral zone. You'd think after being so pathetically ineffective over the 1st 6 games, the strategy (and maybe the personnel) would need to change to be more effective.

It is going to be a long year. And they will be lucky to draw into the playoffs. Because they are going to be lucky to be .500 by the time of the Circus trip.
- savvyone-1

I agree with your perspective for the most part.

I imagine the Hawks have addressed the PK in practices and meetings (i.e. subtle changes or just encouragement to try harder), but not much has changed in terms of poor results to shutdown other teams' power plays.

The poor PK and perceived lack of changes reminds me of Lovie Smith when he was Bears head coach. The Bears would have glaring weaknesses to work on but they never seemed to be addressed as the issues persisted each week and Lovie would be so emotionless and have no sense of urgency when interviewed as if the issues weren't that bad. Simply aggravating to experience as a fan.

This x 100
- John Jaeckel

So as an owner/GM etc.. when one of your star players keeps coming out to the media with this info and you add to that what has been a rough start, what do you do?
The talk of Q losing his locker room with his odd ball/line blender madness has been tossed around for years. Does Stan go to Q and say let the dust settle bro. Find the lines and let them gel?

One could argue that was a huge issue last year come playoff time when the lines were scatter shot the entire series. Dunno but as an owner, if my stud guy (the captain of 3 cup winners) becomes unplugged from the HC?!?

Line blender
Brutal PK
Very rough start
Captain of your team not happy



I still think the PAK needs to be spread out to balance scoring between the top two lines. Q is lucky in that Panik is playing lights out. Without Panik's play where would this team be.