You could use all those things for sure but surprised a top 4 Dman is not on your list.

Is it weird I'm rooting for the Predators? I'm rooting for the Predators haha. Cannot stomach the Ducks or Penguins winning this year. Ottawa vs Nashville would be a fun series
- BURDA13

Same here. I'm rooting for them to lose the cup final to the Senators.

Kesler, Perry, Bieksa. Nope. No cup for them.

You could use all those things for sure but surprised a top 4 Dman is not on your list.
- VopatsRash

Kempny.

More on-the-job training and a coach that works with him rather than against him, will turn out to be a fine #4.

Anyone here be opposed to trading Panarin and maybe another piece for something like Galchenyuk and Beaulieu?

Those 2 are both RFA's and shouldn't cost the $6M in salary of Panarin.
- Dannyboy

This is all IMO, but I wouldn't be so sure on saving money here. Both those guys are due a raise. Galchenyuk put up 30 goals in 2015-16 and looks to be a solid 0.70 - 0.75 PPG player. His 2.8 million probably going to be at least 4 - 5 mil if not more.

Beaulieu had a pretty decent year himself and I doubt he is gonna sign near the 1 million he is making. He put up just as many points as Jake Muzzin, Jason Demers, Jeff Petry, Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Not saying he will get the money those guys do, but I bet he could be holding out for 2-2.5 million.

Same here. I'm rooting for them to lose the cup final to the Senators.

Kesler, Perry, Bieksa. Nope. No cup for them.
- kinigitt

Go Ottawa...that just sounds weird...

Carryover from the previous blog:

"From the outside, I personally question whether the Hawks are pushing the tempo enough in practice for playoff-style hockey. That extra gear wasn't there, IMO, because they hadn't been practicing it."

Yeah, maybe some complacency from the coaching staff, but there's a bigger issue here IMO.

From Stan's Q&A:

But when he was asked whether some of the veteran players are getting complacent and have lost their hunger after winning multiple Stanley Cups, Bowman bristled.

‘‘I don’t know if I buy that,’’ he said. ‘‘And if that’s the case, then we’re going to get rid of those people. Because the only reason we come here is to win the Cup.’’

Hopefully Stan was giving the answer he felt he had to give and doesn't really believe what he said. For me it was painfully obvious that for what ever reason the hunger and willingness to put out the required playoff effort just wasn't there and it trickled down the roster.


"No way the Preds were THAT much faster than the Hawks--but they darned sure played faster within their second ystem/structure. Made the Hawks look downright lethargic with no answers."

This was truly the most frustrating aspect for me and perhaps was part of the answer to why veteran players were unwilling to put out the required effort.

Kane joked about it, Coach Q even named the Nashville Trap “Red Rover,” but never adjusted or developed a plan to break it. Just kept on trying to pound the square peg into the round hole.

"I know Q likes to rest players, but it seems that the fulcrum may have went a little too far toward rest and left the players less prepared for real hockey. If I'm right, upping the tempo again should help the younger players contribute a bit more as well. Recall hearing comments/complaints about not having enough practices (vets & newbs) to get up to speed"

Don't remember hearing player complaints, but focus areas of practices is probably an area that needs to be addressed.

"Stan has to do more to fix some of his own mess, Q has to tweak his plan toward what he has and where the game is going (styles & officiating) and the leaders have to move out of their comfort zones and do far more. The Hawks have their work cut out for them, but turning it around is well within reach without blowing it all up"

Hope springs eternal!

Packaging Kruger and Anisimov to Vegas would be interesting...pure Cap Dump and helps them compete immediately with 3 solid Centers in Shipyachov-Anisimov-Kruger. Then Stan can sign a couple cheap Centers with size and better on Draws than 15. As I've continued to state, Kane and Panarin just need a big body that can do the dirty work and be 50% on draws and they will be just fine and around 1.0 PPG each without Anisimov. Kero I think can be a competent 3C with Hossa and Harman on his wings if no other option is acquired.

As speculated elsewhere, can confirm Blackhawks among teams trying to sign Czech D Jan Rutta

You could use all those things for sure but surprised a top 4 Dman is not on your list.
- VopatsRash

Meh, not really a pressing need. Won't argue that Campbell's top 4 days are behind him, but Kempny has the physical ability (at least) to play there, and Campbell is serviceable.

Ottawa is simply riding a good streak.
This team could easily be out of the playoffs next year.
Karlsson is so good though

Q had a big hand in the WC finals against the Ducks. Other than that it's the core being the core. Maybe Toew's droppoff isn't just on the ice, which theoretically could explain the sag in play lately. Q has said it himself, it's easy to coach when you've got guys like Toews and Seabrook on your roster.

edit. forgot hossa
- kinigitt

Couldn't let this one slide by, not sure where you're going with this. Are you talking about a drop off in desire to win, overall competitiveness and leadership?

So Karlsson is willing his team through the playoffs with a broken foot. Its pretty incredible. Not dissimilar to how Keith willed the Hawks to their last Cup.

If Keith is Keith next year than that solves or mitigates many of their problems. He didn't have much of a burst, let guys come at him rather than closing the gap, got beat into the corners and couldn't turn and move the puck up the ice like we've grown accustomed to. I wouldn't bet my season on him bouncing back but rather plan for the worst.

Karlsson also has free reign to carry the puck up the ice and make things happen. Keith plays mostly on the leash and Q doesn't like his defenders moving the puck with their feet which can kill some of the dynamic there. So I dunno, some of the problem may be with how they have chosen to play this past year.

Couldn't let this one slide by, not sure where you're going with this. Are you talking about a drop off in desire to win, overall competitiveness and leadership?
- walleyeb1

Just spit-balling. All of the above? If he's the guy that keeps the whole thing chugging forward, and he's having troubles or doubts, it means the coach has to step in and rectify the situation.

According to Sean Shapiro of NHL.com, Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill was speaking on NHL Network radio this morning about the possibility of moving the third-overall pick. Nill admitted to having discussions about it, mostly because of the wide variety of players who could be of interest to teams at #3. While Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier are widely expected to go 1-2 in some order, there are “about 10 players” who could be selected next.

Faceoff %
Pittsburgh ranked 28th
Hawks ranked 29th

Faceoffs are only one factor. There are plenty of them to consider. You can be awful in a couple of categories if you are strong enough in other categories to offset it.

Hawks were pretty bad at FO, PK, PP. It is not just personnel. Systems, strategy, etc... have to be reconsidered too.

Is it weird I'm rooting for the Predators? I'm rooting for the Predators haha. Cannot stomach the Ducks or Penguins winning this year. Ottawa vs Nashville would be a fun series
- BURDA13

Blackhawks fandom aside, I think the Preds are the most deserving of the remaining 4 teams.

Same here. I'm rooting for them to lose the cup final to the Senators.

Kesler, Perry, Bieksa. Nope. No cup for them.
- kinigitt

One can only dream, two trap Defense teams from the smallest markets in the SCF's - A ratings bonanza for Bentman!

Blackhawks fandom aside, I think the Preds are the most deserving of the remaining 4 teams.
- DarthKane

If for no other reason than getting in Kesslers ear and RYJO not backing down

Blackhawks fandom aside, I think the Preds are the most deserving of the remaining 4 teams.
- DarthKane

Agreed. And the most healthy as well.

As speculated elsewhere, can confirm Blackhawks among teams trying to sign Czech D Jan Rutta
- John Jaeckel

Could be an interesting signing.

Blackhawks fandom aside, I think the Preds are the most deserving of the remaining 4 teams.
- DarthKane

Deserving? Can you elaborate? Frank the Preds they are a division rival and their pathetic organization banned people with Illinois IDs from buying tickets bc the stadium was 50% Hawks fans. Would be great to see Senators beat Nashville in the Finaks. Karlsson is arguably the best Dman in the World and he's playing on a broken foot. I'm sure the Preds trolls would be happy with a runner-up finish, anyways.

Hjalmarsson, Panarin, Anisimov and Kruger to Colorado for Barrie, Duchene, Landeskog and a 3rd.

Does anyone's have any background on the type of system he prefers? Not much in the press release aside from his accomplishments. I'm sure the Hawks will direct some of this, but they signed him for a reason.
- Chunk

Why wouldn't the Hawks direct almost all of this - the players need to learn how to play the Hawks system.

Deserving? Can you elaborate? Frank the Preds they are a division rival and their pathetic organization banned people with Illinois IDs from buying tickets bc the stadium was 50% Hawks fans. Would be great to see Senators beat Nashville in the Finaks. Karlsson is arguably the best Dman in the World and he's playing on a broken foot. I'm sure the Preds trolls would be happy with a runner-up finish, anyways.
- EnzoD

Separate the stupid front office decision from the on-ice situation.

The Preds have build a solid team through the draft and key trades. I have to give them credit for what they've done. People rag on PK but I think he's great for the game, he's the new JR. The Preds have been playing some outstanding hockey and I think they at least deserve a shot at the Cup.

I would love to see the Sens beat the Preds in the Final. That would be the perfect ending to a crazy season for Anderson.

Faceoff %
Pittsburgh ranked 28th
Hawks ranked 29th

Faceoffs are only one factor. There are plenty of them to consider. You can be awful in a couple of categories if you are strong enough in other categories to offset it.

Hawks were pretty bad at FO, PK, PP. It is not just personnel. Systems, strategy, etc... have to be reconsidered too.
- -Doh-

Part of the reason they were bad at PK and PP was . . . FO. Look at FO% in 2015 playoffs when they had Toews, Kruger (healthy) and Vermette. And the dividends it paid especially late in SCF games when the Hawks had leads. TB could do nothing because they never had the puck.

I get that face-offs are partially a team effort. But the ability of the guys taking the draws MATTERS.

And of course there are other factors, and the Hawks have tried to "offset" it. And their PK has sucked, O-zoen possession has not been as good.

They don't need to pay a guy $5 million to win draws. At the same time, they need a secondary option (or two). I will also tell you, before Kruger improved back in 12-13, Toews was getting worn out with no secondary option. Fact.