Yup, it's system, not talent, that separates Pittsburgh from Chicago right now. Penguins are constantly cycling players to the slot, and they always try to get them the puck.

Hawks camp out on the boards and try shots from there or cross-ice passes with no traffic.
- RollingPuck

meh...they won 3 cups and went to the WC finals 5 of 7 years and won 50 plus games this year with their system...

and when the sens barf up the puck the entire first 2 periods a "system" looks pretty good with 5 goals

meh...they won 3 cups and went to the WC finals 5 of 7 years and won 50 plus games this year with their system...

and when the sens barf up the puck the entire first 2 periods a "system" looks pretty good with 5 goals
- bogiedoc

The Hawks system isn't what it was a few years ago. They're a perimeter team that doesn't possess the puck nearly as much.

same for his team mates esp in their own zone...every goal was off a turnover and a couple of brutal ones...

still like the pens in this series...

pens vs preds....cya preds...pens will repeat...
- bogiedoc

Keep underestimating the Preds ,they seem to thrive on being the underdog . And Daley scores ,another reason I just don't get Q personnel decisions

Does anyone have an update on the d man rutta and when he will make his decision or what team he is leaning towards.

The Hawks system isn't what it was a few years ago. They're a perimeter team that doesn't possess the puck nearly as much.
- RollingPuck

good point...i neglected to consider their decline in possession; and yes they have become to dependent on the stretch pass and cross ice diagonal to generate zone entry

Keep underestimating the Preds ,they seem to thrive on being the underdog . And Daley scores ,another reason I just don't get Q personnel decisions
- oldduffman

don't underestimate them...they have been great and really good in 3rd periods...

i just can't stand them and want them to lose...and the pens despite all their injury woes are the type of team that can beat them and their "get a lead 1-3-1 trap"

Does anyone have an update on the d man rutta and when he will make his decision or what team he is leaning towards.
- Scott1977

Good question. Not that I'm not guilty of talking about other topics, but I find it amusing that your post was the first one about Rutta since maybe the 2nd page of comments for a blog about him. Thanks for making him relevant again!

I asked about rutta because 6 2 200 + 25 years old could be a good add to the hawks d younger like Kempney then hawks might have options maybe try and trade tvr and 4ht for jon moore under the radar move, I think JJ mention last year, better skater than TVR and more physical. Would just like see a where the rutta or any other players the hawks are looking at to possibly sign to add depth.

Sweden beats Canada to claim Gold in the World Championship by virtue of a ... shootout!

Besides Rutta, what other Europeans are on the Hawks radar? They already signed Kampf, and others are either signed by other NHL teams or by their current European teams (i.e. Shipachyov, Shalunov, Tkachyov, Rosen). Dadonov is rumored to go to Vegas now that Shipachyov is there, and maybe Kovalchuk goes there as well.

I asked about rutta because 6 2 200 + 25 years old could be a good add to the hawks d younger like Kempney then hawks might have options maybe try and trade tvr and 4ht for jon moore under the radar move, I think JJ mention last year, better skater than TVR and more physical. Would just like see a where the rutta or any other players the hawks are looking at to possibly sign to add depth.
- Scott1977

From I've read about Rutta and seen of him on limited videos, he does look like an upgrade over van Riemsdyk as you and JJ stated. If Rutta is signed and plays as advertised (and Q actually plays him), all you would need then is a physical, stay-at-home defenseman to round out the top 6 with Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, and Kempny.

Sweden beats Canada to claim Gold in the World Championship by virtue of a ... shootout!
- EbonyRaptor

That should inflate the egos of the Hawks brass who are in love with Swedes.

Watching the game last night and then the game this afternoon, I thought I was watching 2 different sports with the way the games were being called. It really is unbelievable.

That should inflate the egos of the Hawks brass who are in love with Swedes.
- AEL_Fox

Maybe Kruger will stick around long term now.

Sweden beats Canada to claim Gold in the World Championship by virtue of a ... shootout!
- EbonyRaptor

Kruger scored the regulation goal on a tip in.

http://www.tsn.ca/hockey-...r-to-open-scoring~1129721

So, did I miss you guys being pissed off about the slur?

Ulf Samuelsson apparently top candidate as new assistant coach.

http://www.chicagotribune...idate-20170521-story.html

Just read Getzlaf fined for inappropriate slur at ref (homophobic). Hmmmmm Shaw suspended and fined for similar conduct in the playoffs. WTF Just be consistent. Why wasn't Getzlaf suspended?
- Topshelf2010[/quote

First off, golf clap! Are you ready for the reason? There isn't enough protesting in the NHL. There aren't enough of us to make a general statement and there isn't enough people supporting us.

[quote=Topshelf2010]Just read Getzlaf fined for inappropriate slur at ref (homophobic). Hmmmmm Shaw suspended and fined for similar conduct in the playoffs. WTF Just be consistent. Why wasn't Getzlaf suspended?
- Crawford[/quote

First off, golf clap! Are you ready for the reason? There isn't enough protesting in the NHL. There aren't enough of us to make a general statement and there isn't enough people supporting us.

i shall offer a guess..shaw's was caught in living color from the penalty box for all to lip read...not sure this was the case with getzlaf...

ya see the NHL had to make a statement with that so called "high profile" slur and also shaw is bottom sixer and the great getzlaf is 9 mildo "superstar" captain...

but we all know the NHL is so principled and even handed in its ahem "discipline"

Yup, it's system, not talent, that separates Pittsburgh from Chicago right now. Penguins are constantly cycling players to the slot, and they always try to get them the puck.

Hawks camp out on the boards and try shots from there or cross-ice passes with no traffic.
- RollingPuck

Have to disagree the pens kids had more time to marinate in the minors and Rutherford made some nice moves...Hagelin and Bonino jump to mind not to mention Kessel.

Meanwhile the wizard of the NMC has a top heavy aging core locked in that he can't move. Unless someone is actually willing to waive...and that's not likely (see Crawford, Corey). I think the Hawks are stuck for a while here while Stan tries to scour the Euro leagues for more cheap talent.

As far as Daley who knows if he would have helped, but Sharp like Leddy before him should have been moved for picks (and valuable cap space) that could have allowed us to hang onto Saad. Stan finally learned his lesson with dealing Shaw at the draft and that only took him three offseasons to figure out. Meanwhile he continues to give out bloated contracts with no movers based on past performance...Seabrook's deal is a killer.

I will completely agree on Q's stick check ballet as it was so nicely put. This team is charmin soft and a kid like Manson would be a nice start here. And as we saw when the games counted this spring the Hawks were easily forced to the outside perimeter and not getting to the net.

I see you were duped like certain other bloggers on this most RS points BS. You must be a Caps fan in disguise. The 'Hawks were absolutely dismantled in a four-game PO sweep. POs is the season that counts. Next time you're at UC, look up in the rafters and admire that 1991 President's Trophy Champions banner. Then ask yourself how the POs went.
- blackhawk24

The expectations were low heading into this season. I mean, for fans who didn't start watching in 2009, for whom only cup seasons are a success, every other season an abject failure that requires a total rebuild.

Maybe Kruger will stick around long term now.
- DarthKane

Interesting post.

is Kruger THE problem? Is anyone?

The issue seems to be lots of big contracts and NMCs that hamstrings the team and forces the coach to (in turn) force fit players into roles they aren't ready for or ideally suited to.

Yeah, you could argue Kruger is overpaid. I think you can make the same argument, based on production over the las couple of regular seasons—and especially playoffs—about a LOT of guys on this roster.

Why, did they all mysteriously start sucking jun July 2015—or is it because the roster as a whole, 3 of the 4 lines, power play and penalty kill lack the necessary pieces, and so not just the team (come playoff time) but individual players suffer as well?

I'm the first to point out that Kruger—in his present role with this team—must be over 50% on face-offs, which he hasn't been. But there are also reasons why he centers the 2nd line on team Sweden in international play, and is always a key player on all the very good Swedish international entries–where "favortism by Q" does not factor in.

I will not be the least bit surprised if Kruger and his salary don't get jettisoned here in short order. All that said, if he ends up remaining in Chicago and even if the Hawks expanded his role and played him with scorers and gave him more offensive zone starts—I, for one, would not be completely surprised or discouraged. He HAS a lot more setup skill and ability to play an effective cycle game than many realize.

I still think it all comes down to moving a BIG contract (or two), dealing from areas of strength and depth to shore up some areas of weakness could quickly remedy the Hawks.

"Losing Kruger" to me is just a small scale salary dump and it's not like you don't lose some depth (at least) with the move.

I asked about rutta because 6 2 200 + 25 years old could be a good add to the hawks d younger like Kempney then hawks might have options maybe try and trade tvr and 4ht for jon moore under the radar move, I think JJ mention last year, better skater than TVR and more physical. Would just like see a where the rutta or any other players the hawks are looking at to possibly sign to add depth.
- Scott1977

I don't know that he is a better skater than TVR. May well be. I haven't seen him enough against NHL players on North American ice to say that though.

Interesting post.

is Kruger THE problem? Is anyone?

The issue seems to be lots of big contracts and NMCs that hamstrings the team and forces the coach to (in turn) force fit players into roles they aren't ready for or ideally suited to.

Yeah, you could argue Kruger is overpaid. I think you can make the same argument, based on production over the las couple of regular seasons—and especially playoffs—about a LOT of guys on this roster.

Why, did they all mysteriously start sucking jun July 2015—or is it because the roster as a whole, 3 of the 4 lines, power play and penalty kill lack the necessary pieces, and so not just the team (come playoff time) but individual players suffer as well?

I'm the first to point out that Kruger—in his present role with this team—must be over 50% on face-offs, which he hasn't been. But there are also reasons why he centers the 2nd line on team Sweden in international play, and is always a key player on all the very good Swedish international entries–where "favortism by Q" does not factor in.

I will not be the least bit surprised if Kruger and his salary don't get jettisoned here in short order. All that said, if he ends up remaining in Chicago and even if the Hawks expanded his role and played him with scorers and gave him more offensive zone starts—I, for one, would not be completely surprised or discouraged. He HAS a lot more setup skill and ability to play an effective cycle game than many realize.

I still think it all comes down to moving a BIG contract (or two), dealing from areas of strength and depth to shore up some areas of weakness could quickly remedy the Hawks.

"Losing Kruger" to me is just a small scale salary dump and it's not like you don't lose some depth (at least) with the move.
- John Jaeckel

No matter who the Hawks lose this summer it will hurt their depth. If Kruger can regain some of his offensive form and face off success from around 2014 he'd be worth keeping. The big question is why has his offensive output disappeared? Injury? Diminishing skills? I'm not saying it's the way to go, but I wonder if the Hawks would keep Kruger over Anisimov?

Interesting post.

is Kruger THE problem? Is anyone?

The issue seems to be lots of big contracts and NMCs that hamstrings the team and forces the coach to (in turn) force fit players into roles they aren't ready for or ideally suited to.

Yeah, you could argue Kruger is overpaid. I think you can make the same argument, based on production over the las couple of regular seasons—and especially playoffs—about a LOT of guys on this roster.

Why, did they all mysteriously start sucking jun July 2015—or is it because the roster as a whole, 3 of the 4 lines, power play and penalty kill lack the necessary pieces, and so not just the team (come playoff time) but individual players suffer as well?

I'm the first to point out that Kruger—in his present role with this team—must be over 50% on face-offs, which he hasn't been. But there are also reasons why he centers the 2nd line on team Sweden in international play, and is always a key player on all the very good Swedish international entries–where "favortism by Q" does not factor in.

I will not be the least bit surprised if Kruger and his salary don't get jettisoned here in short order. All that said, if he ends up remaining in Chicago and even if the Hawks expanded his role and played him with scorers and gave him more offensive zone starts—I, for one, would not be completely surprised or discouraged. He HAS a lot more setup skill and ability to play an effective cycle game than many realize.

I still think it all comes down to moving a BIG contract (or two), dealing from areas of strength and depth to shore up some areas of weakness could quickly remedy the Hawks.

"Losing Kruger" to me is just a small scale salary dump and it's not like you don't lose some depth (at least) with the move.
- John Jaeckel

Toews - Kane - Seabrook - Keith - Hossa - Crawford - those are the highest-cap-hitters - very difficult to trade any of those, for various reasons, including potential recapture penalties on 88 and 2.

Panarin could be moved - I don't think he has a NMC on his two year deal, and there is a market value there for sure, IMO. Maybe they'd move him, but they just resigned him.

That leaves Anisimov, Hjalmarsson, and Kruger - only Hjalmarsson has a current NTC (he has to give a list of 10 teams he'd agree to).

I'd like to see it somehow, but I'm pessimistic about moving a big contract or two - more like one or two other of Anisimov, Hjalmarsson, Kruger - which will get them cap compliant, but won't improve the team (will actually weaken it) and will force them to rely on a Toews regeneration and dramatic improvement from last year's rookies.

Just my opinion, of course.