At the TDL Stan needs to look for some defensive depth.
- DarthKane

c,mon DK...d depth is the least of their problems...they have 6 icehogs rotating at forward and a 10.5 mildo 3rd line center as a result...who is having a miserable year...

gonna be a veeeerrrry long final 2.5 months to this season...looks like a repeat of last year...

6-11-5 vs playoff teams; cannot beat good teams

this was a important game to play well and win; they played ok but expect the blues to catch'em now...

5-6-1 over there last 11 and really don't look good at all
- bogiedoc

I know there is a tendency to eternalize everything - think that how things are now is how they will always be - but it is hard to imagine how this team gets its fire lit again. Maybe if the Captain finds his game again, maybe adding some players via trade, Kruger coming back will help too, but right now, this isn't looking good.

the hawks have fallen in luv with that cross ice transition pass...guess what other teams scout that...play smart and defend against it..

well..pretty psssed about this weekend...

toews a big fat zero again...hoss whiffs on a breakaway...72 did nada,

kane gotta couple of knucklers to go in...and there ya have it...

that 1st pk required a kill and tehy didn't get it...ya kinda felt that the game turned at that point...which wierd to say that
- bogiedoc

Lousy special teams have haunted the Hawks all year.

they are definately better ...they have matured...but they also still have beaudreu and a long history of fading...they will have their losing streaks...

hawks?? who knows?? look like a team waiting to lose..and getting lucky every other game or so
- bogiedoc

Hawks since they went on the circus trip have become sloppy defensively, at no time was a Hawk left uncovered anywhere near Dubnyk, that 3rd goal was on coach Q constantly screwing around with the defensive pairings, slow and slower were on the ice and don't understand why both defensemen were covering the same spot, what a terrible missed assignment.

I know there is a tendency to eternalize everything - think that how things are now is how they will always be - but it is hard to imagine how this team gets its fire lit again. Maybe if the Captain finds his game again, maybe adding some players via trade, Kruger coming back will help too, but right now, this isn't looking good.
- matt_ahrens

2 options...

1) playing hurt, or
2) peaked at 26

Neither are good for this years club, and one hobbles the club for the future.

well i am done for the night...

lets see road trip to aves land and bean town...

they never win in bean town and aves give them fits..who knows might be the beginning of along season ending slide to another long summer

Considering Campbell keeps turning the puck over now, just f'n stick with, Keith, Nik, Seabs, Kempny, Tvr and either Campbell or Forsling, just make a decision and stick with it, very frustrating to lose a game on a mental miscue, grrrrrrrrrrrr

Much better tonight. Tough luck on the loss, especially that 3rd Wild goal. I'm actually mad the Wild didn't get an empty net goal because my prediction was a 4-2 Wild win.

Considering Campbell keeps turning the puck over now, just f'n stick with, Keith, Nik, Seabs, Kempny, Tvr and either Campbell or Forsling, just make a decision and stick with it, very frustrating to lose a game on a mental miscue, grrrrrrrrrrrr
- BetweenTheDots

Of course, more scoring would be nice...

...but only one line is functioning at the moment, so mistakes aren't overcome.

Awful 3rd period for what looked like a big home game. Squandered.

NBC hammering again on the energy level and stamina. Saying Q needs to consider practicing them more. Is it possible conditioning is an issue? Don't think we can still blame "too much hockey." Wonder how much emphasis is put on conditioning once the season starts.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Hawks get a high draft pick this summer. It will be good to see who Stan has to sacrifice to unload Seabrook's horrid contract in a couple years.
- DarthKane

You're on a roll Darth. Lots of red font

c,mon DK...d depth is the least of their problems...they have 6 icehogs rotating at forward and a 10.5 mildo 3rd line center as a result...who is having a miserable year...
- bogiedoc

No GM is stupid enough to take on Toews' anchor of a contract, at least not at this TDL.

In addition to the career AHLers on the current roster there are 2 d-men who are over the hill and completely done. Plus TvR just isnt that good.

NBC hammering again on the energy level and stamina. Saying Q needs to consider practicing them more. Is it possible conditioning is an issue? Don't think we can still blame "too much hockey." Wonder how much emphasis is put on conditioning once the season starts.
- pdx2ord

"Energy" can be interpreted in many ways. Alot of Icehogs out there, yet Hossa always looks like the freshest and smartest guy on the ice, and Toews looks like the 38 year old.

You're on a roll Darth. Lots of red font
- 93Joe

Sarcasm makes me feel better.

I don't think this team is as bad as some have felt throughout the season but they certainly need to be better. I think something needs to change and it will if they have another early playoff exit.

No GM is stupid enough to take on Toews' anchor of a contract, at least not at this TDL.

In addition to the career AHLers on the current roster there are 2 d-men who are over the hill and completely done. Plus TvR just isnt that good.
- DarthKane

I would be stunned if Toews were moved...but I also can't imagine any club taking him at this time.

If his production doesn't improve...if he actually truly peaked at 26...the Hawks are fckd for years.

What we're watching is shocking...I expected JT to be a force well into his 30's. For that reason I'm more and more convinced he's damaged goods.

It sure would be nice to get something out of Toews once in a while.

If he's got a physical problem, he should be sitting. He's got no jump in his step, I don't think he even got one shot on goal, let alone a decent chance.
And, I'm titred of hearing about who the guys are on his wings.....there's been plenty of games this year where he had Kane/Panarin and or Hossa. It seems Kane can produce points no matter who he plays with.

Sarcasm makes me feel better.

I don't think this team is as bad as some have felt throughout the season but they certainly need to be better. I think something needs to change and it will if they have another early playoff exit.
- DarthKane

Another mid six center/winger would help I think. Just can't keep relying on AK72 or Crawford to win.

I've also seen enough of Campbell. Same with Rosival.

these are the dog days of the season. every year the hawks go through this. every fan knows their team will have a stretch of poor play- hawks fans included! it's better it happens now than later. hopefully their recent play will inspire some activity near the deadline. maybe even for more than a rental player this year!

the hawks just look very uninspired right now. with the amount of hockey they have played since 2009, and the yearly expectations of making a deep run, I can see why every year about this time we see this type of performance from them.

please no more roszival though.

It sure would be nice to get something out of Toews once in a while.

If he's got a physical problem, he should be sitting. He's got no jump in his step, I don't think he even got one shot on goal, let alone a decent chance.
And, I'm titred of hearing about who the guys are on his wings.....there's been plenty of games this year where he had Kane/Panarin and or Hossa. It seems Kane can produce points no matter who he plays with.
- tompo1015

From Blackhawks Breakdown - MIN was expected to outscore CHI when Hossa, Toews, Hinostroza, Keith, or Hjalmarsson were on the ice.

Four of what should be our top defensive players. Yikes.

the hawks have fallen in luv with that cross ice transition pass...guess what other teams scout that...play smart and defend against it..

well..pretty psssed about this weekend...

toews a big fat zero again...hoss whiffs on a breakaway...72 did nada,

kane gotta couple of knucklers to go in...and there ya have it...

that 1st pk required a kill and tehy didn't get it...ya kinda felt that the game turned at that point...which wierd to say that
- bogiedoc

I don't know what game you were watching, but a slash that forces the sticck out the players hand NEEDS to be called on a break-away. Again, Hossa gets no respect in this league.

I've also seen enough of Campbell. Same with Rosival.
- tompo1015

i like campbell. but maybe he would be better suited to have the roszival role now and have a night off every few games. with the amount of blue liners the hawks have, maybe start giving all of their players a night off as the season progresses. even duncan keith would probably benefit once in a while.

i like campbell. but maybe he would be better suited to have the roszival role now and have a night off every few games. with the amount of blue liners the hawks have, maybe start giving all of their players a night off as the season progresses. even duncan keith would probably benefit once in a while.
- frafra

Campbell has a tendency to turn the puck over waaayour too much for me. But, yeah, I agree, some of these guys need a night off and need to rotate our 7 Dmen

As Hawk Harrelson says "Its not who you play its when you play them." Both Washington and Minnesota are hitting on all cylinders at this point. We're not.

That said, our problems seem to be mainly on offense. With greater depth on D and in goal, it would seem that a move to bolster offense at the expense of goaltending or D would be in order.

It'll get better but Stan has to ruffle some feathers yet again.

Wow! The Wild looked fresher in the third( and played last night) than the Hawks. That is not a good sign for a Stanley Cup contender . It is getting very difficult to watch a Hawk game anymore...The team is stuck in a quagmire. The team has a one trick pony line only that can score. The team is in disarray...... I think Toews should step down as Captain and give it to Kane. Less responsibility for Toews might make things easier for him.... He looks so frustrated.

IMO. I would try to trade two of core players beforeTDL for a high end draft pick. This season is lost if we do not pick anothe quality LW who is strong in front of the net and can score. This team reminds me a lot of the 2011 team... Bad chemistry, not enough scorers, bad passers and a ton of fourth liners new to the team.

I would rather see Stan become a seller this year and clean house, pick up 2 or 3 first round picks and reload...only Kane, Anismov and Panarin should be untouchable.
What good does it do for the Hawks going out in the first round of playoffs and the core is getting another year older and slower. Watch out Stan! Another two years of mediocrity and boring hockey will empty a lot of expensive seats at the UC and all you be stuck with is an old bunch one time super hockey players that will continue the cap hell. Your chestnuts will be roasted, Stan