This is especially frustrating when the d-men linger too long in our zone in the waning minutes of the game when we're down 1-2 goals. Wastes time. Don't force yourself into a turnover situation but they're all skilled enough to just rush the puck themselves and start an offensive push. Can't create offense if you're pinned in your zone even if the pining is of your own choice.

And I know we say this ad nauseum. but Keith needs to stop with the freaking drop passes!
- AEL_Fox

I agree and I feel it applies to the PP as well. It seems that 15-20 seconds of every PP is spent circling in the defensive end, getting organized, making drop passes, and showing no particular urgency to get into the offensive zone. Meanwhile the defense is using this time to get themselves organized. I would like to see the Hawks move into the offensive zone as quickly as possible, start applying pressure and make use of as much of the 2 minute advantage as they can.

https://theathletic.com//28223/2016/12/05/khls-maxim-shalunov-could-still-be-part-of-blackhawks-future/?redirected=1

Maxim shalunov, really good article on him if you belong to the website. Also has articles on Luc Snuggy and Lar's. Maxim is still hawks property and is out of KHL contract after next year.
- kmw4631

Can you give me a quick summary of what the article says about Maxim. I have following Shalunov this year in the KHL and hE HAS done very well . Leads Sabir team in points and goals. Best part OF HIS GAME: shows good speed plays Left Wing and has a laser wrist shot. He is also 6' 3" tall. The question with Maxim is can he play a physical game and play descent defense. He is familiar with the NHL RINK SIZE , played in Rockford 3 years ago and went to the Hawk rookie camp for three years since he was 18/19. Maxim was also well liked by Stan. I wonder if we still truly have the NHL RIGHTS TO HIM.

Can you give me a quick summary of what the article says about Maxim. I have following Shalunov this year in the KHL and hE HAS done very well . Leads Sabir team in points and goals. Best part OF HIS GAME: shows good speed plays Left Wing and has a laser wrist shot. He is also 6' 3" tall. The question with Maxim is can he play a physical game and play descent defense. He is familiar with the NHL RINK SIZE , played in Rockford 3 years ago and went to the Hawk rookie camp for three years since he was 18/19. Maxim was also well liked by Stan. I wonder if we still truly have the NHL RIGHTS TO HIM.
- spanky

One more thing about Shalunov... His contract is up after this season. Maxim' s team right now is a bubble team to make the playoffs. If Sabir does not get into the plyayoffs or is ousted in the first round...Stan has the ability to sign Maxim the last week in February if he can work out the details with Sabir because his contract technically is until April 30, 2017.

For those interested here is the preliminary USA WJC roster. Will enjoy seeing Debrincat against top competition. http://teamusa.usahockey....show/2886684?referrer_id=

Can you give me a quick summary of what the article says about Maxim. I have following Shalunov this year in the KHL and hE HAS done very well . Leads Sabir team in points and goals. Best part OF HIS GAME: shows good speed plays Left Wing and has a laser wrist shot. He is also 6' 3" tall. The question with Maxim is can he play a physical game and play descent defense. He is familiar with the NHL RINK SIZE , played in Rockford 3 years ago and went to the Hawk rookie camp for three years since he was 18/19. Maxim was also well liked by Stan. I wonder if we still truly have the NHL RIGHTS TO HIM.
- spanky

Not well enough.

In the year that he spent in NA, he looked disinterested while playing in Rockford. He lit it up in Toledo, but didn't do much in Rockford.

Granted, a few years have passed and perhaps it's a different story today. However, I believe that Shalunov is better geared for the larger ice surfaces of Europe. The smaller surfaces and the physical play that goes along with the NA game wasn't something that Shalunov handled in Rockford well.

Not well enough.

In the year that he spent in NA, he looked disinterested while playing in Rockford. He lit it up in Toledo, but didn't do much in Rockford.

Granted, a few years have passed and perhaps it's a different story today. However, I believe that Shalunov is better geared for the larger ice surfaces of Europe. The smaller surfaces and the physical play that goes along with the NA game wasn't something that Shalunov handled in Rockford well.
- EKB13

I agree with you assessment about Maxim's year with the IceHogs. He looked timid and shaky on defense. However, he is having a great year in the KHL so far. The KHL IS A STRONGER LEAGUE than the AHL so who knows maybe he got his act together finally. He is only 23. HE MIGHT BE A BIG TT with a has a laser shot and doesn't hesitate to shoot unlike TT. IT IS ALL SPECULATION right now but one thing he is good at is getting goals.

I agree with you assessment about Maxim's year with the IceHogs. He looked timid and shaky on defense. However, he is having a great year in the KHL so far. The KHL IS A STRONGER LEAGUE than the AHL so who knows maybe he got his act together finally. He is only 23. HE MIGHT BE A BIG TT with a has a laser shot and doesn't hesitate to shoot unlike TT. IT IS ALL SPECULATION right now but one thing he is good at is getting goals.
- spanky

He's no Teuvo. Shalunov doesn't have the skill that Teravainen has. Let's not make him out to something he is not ever going to be.

He's no Teuvo. Shalunov doesn't have the skill that Teravainen has. Let's not make him out to something he is not ever going to be.
- EKB13

IMO. Maxim is a lot better shooter, now , willing to play more of a physical game and is not easily pushed from the puck... Size matters. I have seen quite a few of his goals and assists. I do agree with you though TT at times was a magician with his stick...Some of his passes where of the sick variety. Maxime will never be a finess player just like you said but we are looking for a LW that is not a lightweight who can score . You never know, he might be a diamond in the rough ... Let's face it you have not seen Maxim play in 2 1\2 years ,, players do get better at times. I am hoping but not cock sure. Thanks for your input!

IMO. Maxim is a lot better shooter, now , willing to play more of a physical game and is not easily pushed from the puck... Size matters. I have seen quite a few of his goals and assists. I do agree with you though TT at times was a magician with his stick...Some of his passes where of the sick variety. Maxime will never be a finess player just like you said but we are looking for a LW that is not a lightweight who can score . You never know, he might be a diamond in the rough ... Let's face it you have not seen Maxim play in 2 1\2 years ,, players do get better at times. I am hoping but not cock sure. Thanks for your input!
- spanky

I believe you're chasing an empty rabbit hole. He might look pretty now - in the K. However, the numbers that Shalunov is putting up stinks of Petri Kontiola. Scores big in the K, but is an AHLer on his best days.

I believe you're chasing an empty rabbit hole. He might look pretty now - in the K. However, the numbers that Shalunov is putting up stinks of Petri Kontiola. Scores big in the K, but is an AHLer on his best days.
- EKB13

Yep fools gold. But the Panarin move has people there is gold in them thar' hills....there isn't.

I believe you're chasing an empty rabbit hole. He might look pretty now - in the K. However, the numbers that Shalunov is putting up stinks of Petri Kontiola. Scores big in the K, but is an AHLer on his best days.
- EKB13

Hey that rabbit hole could bring out a cobra! Wouldn't you be surprised.

Yep fools gold. But the Panarin move has people there is gold in them thar' hills....there isn't.
- kwolf68

That's funny ! However, I am only hoping for silver under the tree which would be better than the tin that we have on the left side right now. I am not asking much... Let's wait and see. Maybe Stan can tell us what is the verdict on Maxim.

That's funny ! However, I am only hoping for silver under the tree which would be better than the tin that we have on the left side right now. I am not asking much... Let's wait and see. Maybe Stan can tell us what is the verdict on Maxim.
- spanky

If you are going to get a Russian don't go after one who meets all the stereotypical characteristics of all previous Russian tomato cans that didn't pan out. Panarin goes against that grain and thankfully Russian players are much less of a bunch of mercenary pussies (example, Semin, Alex) now than back then, but you have to be cautious with them still.

If you are going to get a Russian don't go after one who meets all the stereotypical characteristics of all previous Russian tomato cans that didn't pan out. Panarin goes against that grain and thankfully Russian players are much less of a bunch of mercenary pussies (example, Semin, Alex) now than back then, but you have to be cautious with them still.
- kwolf68

I will take your humble thoughts on Russian players under consideration. ...but you never know "fools gold could turn into 18 K sniper. Thanks for the laughs .

John Dietz ‏@johndietzdh 9m9 minutes ago
Some interesting numbers:
Patrick Kane has 8 goals and 18 assists after 27 games.
Same time last year: 16 goals, 26 assists.

Panarin after 27 games this year: 10 goals, 13 assists.
After 27 last year: 9 goals, 18 assists.

Two more on Kane:
He has taken 83 shots on goal this season.
Last year at this time it was 97.

In last 6 games -- all without Toews -- Kane has averaged 2.33 shots/game.
In first 21 games, Kane averaged 3.3

So, is it increased/better defensive pressure specifically on him when he has to skipper the "1st" line? The predictability of their plays now? Does he slip more into playmaker mode now with Artemi as the scorer whereas w/Toews, he is more obviously the stronger scorer? or, all of the above?
- pdx2ord

They are doing the drop pass 5 on 5 too. Kane is getting absolutely smothered. 4 guys standing still while Kane tries to carry it into the zone. They are so predictable. It's killing his creativity and he has no space to get his shot off. They aren't giving him any room on the PP either and the middle is clogged. No one is scared of Keith being open on the point. And they know they have ample time to recover and close out on him. I'd like to see Hossa on the first unit. Maybe let Panarin be the guy on the 2nd. Can't make it any worse.

on a team that lacks size and guys that Shoot 1st. having a 6-3/4 215 lb a top 5 goal scorer in the KHL at 23 is very positive. It sure sounds like his game improved quite a bit last year and that growth continued this year. We have nothing in the Rock and can only afford $1mil or less players next years. I hope they sign him and give him the same option as they did with PAN that he can go back if does not make the team. We are going to lose hartman or Pokka or maybe TVR next year, Plus maybe Kruger.

I was just looking at nhl.com, and we are one of three teams that hasn't scored a short-handed goal (Buffalo, St Louis), and we've given up 5.

Anybody following Fortin? How's he doing this year?

I was just looking at nhl.com, and we are one of three teams that hasn't scored a short-handed goal (Buffalo, St Louis), and we've given up 5.
- tvetter

Pretty sad statistic...the reality is this team doesn't have enough scoring depth...and whether the kids can generate more as the get better at the pro level remains to be seen.

As mentioned earlier in the thread - Kane's scoring is down as more teams load up on him defensively.

PP is stale - no Shaw in front of the net...

Meanwhile you have two players with a combined cap hit of around 17mil out right now with injuries. Whether Darling can carry the load here as he's done in the past with Crawford remains to be seen. He has looked good. However with your best draw taking center out and already short offensively - teams are certainly keying on the PAK line...I'm sure Q will continue to rearrange the deck chairs to try to generate more offense but right now its not looking so good.

Yep fools gold. But the Panarin move has people there is gold in them thar' hills....there isn't.
- kwolf68

For sure. The Hawks never really had much luck with Russian players til AA and Little Artie.

Still, Shalunov's only 23 and apparently is doing ok away from NA. Here are some excerpts from that article.

When Shalunov last played in North America, he displayed raw offensive ability.

Shalunov wasn’t able to maintain that consistency at the AHL level that season. He had four points in 20 games. IceHogs coach Ted Dent could see the potential, though.

“He was a tall, big guy, happy-go-lucky kid, left shot,” Dent recalled recently. “He was rangy. He had a long reach. He had skill for sure. I don’t think he grasped the team game at that point. But he was 20 years old.”

Shalunov’s inconsistencies followed him to the KHL at first. He had four points in 33 games with Sibir Novosibirsk in the 2014-15 season. His numbers improved the following season, and he had 18 goals and 12 assists in 59 games.

Shalunov proved early this season that wasn’t a fluke. He began the season on a six-game point streak and scored a goal in five of those games.

Aivis Kalnins covers the KHL in Russia and has witnessed how much Shalunov has developed the last few years.

“Maxim Shalunov currently appears to be the most underrated right winger in KHL,” Kalnins recently wrote in an email. “He’s contributing to team’s offense. Last year he came out of nowhere and put up a career-high 30 points. Many were skeptical if he was going to repeat that this season, but surprisingly he has taken his game to yet another level, and there’s no doubt he can’t be stopped.

“The 23-year-old right winger has put on some weight and now looks like a very good power forward that can contribute and put up large points across the board. He’s a very good skater and loves physical game, isn’t afraid to glue opponents to the boards with his hits, and that’s a rare thing for a player in KHL due to rink size. Still, has plenty of upside in his game, and when I’m talking about upside he has to work on his defensive game. Often caught napping in the offensive and neutral zone and isn’t exactly a hustle-back guy. No doubt a completely different player from the time Max played North America.”

ESPN NHL draft and prospect analyst Corey Pronman has also seen that progression.

“Developing well, a lot better from his last North American experience with Chicago,” Pronman wrote in an email. “Plausible to see him as an NHL player now. Has always had the toolkit just never developed well the few years after Chicago drafted him. He was highly touted between his 16-18 year-old seasons.”

Pretty sad statistic...the reality is this team doesn't have enough scoring depth...and whether the kids can generate more as the get better at the pro level remains to be seen.

As mentioned earlier in the thread - Kane's scoring is down as more teams load up on him defensively.

PP is stale - no Shaw in front of the net...

Meanwhile you have two players with a combined cap hit of around 17mil out right now with injuries. Whether Darling can carry the load here as he's done in the past with Crawford remains to be seen. He has looked good. However with your best draw taking center out and already short offensively - teams are certainly keying on the PAK line...I'm sure Q will continue to rearrange the deck chairs to try to generate more offense but right now its not looking so good.
- DK002

The powerplay sucked when Shaw was here as well. It comes and goes, but for the most part its just bad. Q should just put bottom 6 players and bottom pairing guys out there during it. Give the top guys a rest.