Yep, this makes sense. I thought he was just off. While he made some good saves last night, overall it was one of his weaker performances...he was guessing a lot, tells me he was physically compromised.

Anton Forsberg...you're next up!! First game? At Dallas. He did quite well at Nashville so maybe he can hold the fort down.
- kwolf68

Forsberg will have to put up his best Scott Darling impression as the Crow injury is so unknown, it may be a while that they have to ride him.

Yep, this makes sense. I thought he was just off. While he made some good saves last night, overall it was one of his weaker performances...he was guessing a lot, tells me he was physically compromised.

Anton Forsberg...you're next up!! First game? At Dallas. He did quite well at Nashville so maybe he can hold the fort down.
- kwolf68

I hope Forsberg is ready, because Berube is awful. I watched a lot of his Isles games, it wasn't the crap team in front of him, he was his own kind of terrible.

Forsberg will have to put up his best Scott Darling impression as the Crow injury is so unknown, it may be a while that they have to ride him.
- Justin Lowe

Hopefully Darling himself can find some sort of rhythm... He's been really good but has also had a couple of weird ones go in.

I hope Forsberg is ready, because Berube is awful. I watched a lot of his Isles games, it wasn't the crap team in front of him, he was his own kind of terrible.
- MTounian

Yeah, Berube doesn't seem to follow the play well at all. Think it's the speed at the NHL level that he has issues with.

I hope Forsberg is ready, because Berube is awful. I watched a lot of his Isles games, it wasn't the crap team in front of him, he was his own kind of terrible.
- MTounian

Beat me to the punch!
Agree with your observation -- Berube was horrific IIRC.
We complained after the softies Crawford let in, this board would melt down the servers if Berube ends up between the pipes.

An NHL-caliber goalie he is not.

Me too.

There would have to be a massive spin to this illustrious Chicago Blackhawks brand for Rocky, John & Co. to allow that to happen.

If they falter again this year, at least they can still paint the picture that "there's still hope to win" with these guys next year.

Which is why I think this core has another 1-2 years left to "figure it out". Not all on them obviously, but the optics of this team still being a contender (despite what some think) is still there.

After that though, if nothing changes, it'll be open season.
- Justin Lowe

Completely agree. That's why I think there is some pressure for the younger guys to quickly improve to a high level of play. DeBrincat has far exceeded my expectations. Forsling too. Rutta doing well. Schmaltz showing signs. Hartman? TBD. Hayden: the trend is good but not there yet. Murphy? same thing. It seems like one or two or three more guys are needed

Yeah, Berube doesn't seem to follow the play well at all. Think it's the speed at the NHL level that he has issues with.
- BINGO!

Absolutely agree with you, Berube seems caught in this weird nebulous space of being great at the AHL level and terrible at the NHL level. Which does happen, but the disparity between the two levels of play seems worse for him than any other netminder I can recall.

If Crawford is out for a while, this team could be in serious trouble.

Q has to get Kempny back in the fold and playing. Guy has great wheels, will hit and has a good shot.
- z1990z

I'm sure there are 30 other teams/coaches that would be interested in him.

If Crawford is out for a while, this team could be in serious trouble.
- z1990z

I'm looking forward to that lottery pick. #exciting

If Crawford is out for a while, this team could be in serious trouble.
- z1990z

Do we become a seller then, and if yes, who do we start with?

Do we become a seller then, and if yes, who do we start with?
- gazza53

- gazza53

Keep the Cat

Justin and to anybody to me this my opinion the team is just not good yea its getting better but there are some glaring holes on this team. Say that don't make the playoffs they can use crawfords injury as an excuse bowman just not done a very good job the last 2 seasons in constructing this team first the youth movement last year did not work this year made some changes but not the right ones . so what i m saying if the hawks do miss the playoffs or squeak in and are eliminated in the 1st round again thats 4 1st round exits in 10 years then changes need to happen starting with the gm and daddy who got his son the job.

Lol yeah, you sured seem calmed down while also calling for a rebuild and to be sellers while being a point out of a playoff position.

Y'all still wilding, I see.


- L_B_R

Im not a fan of just making the playoffs or close to it. Numbers can help, but I see with my little eye, Toews and Keith avoiding contact at all costs, Seabrook is toast. That's about $23 million in cap space, hard to build a SC team at the salary cap floor, just ask Arizona

Now with Corey out and this tough stretch, we'll lucky to be 500 but hey were 1 point in the playoffs

Absolutely agree with you, Berube seems caught in this weird nebulous space of being great at the AHL level and terrible at the NHL level. Which does happen, but the disparity between the two levels of play seems worse for him than any other netminder I can recall.
- MTounian

Forsberg was a guy that had great AHL numbers with terrible NHL performances as well prior to this season.

I haven't seen a ton of Berube, but technically he's very sound and has been working hard to improve in Rockford. He know he has to prove his worth as an NHL goalie soon.

If it is a speed thing at the NHL level like you guys are pointing out, he's going to be roasted really quickly in front of this 2017-18 Blackhawks team. Backup goalies no longer can be hidden behind the amazing puck possession, team-defence Hawks of the past.

We'll find out on Sunday.

So now the Hawks MVP Crawford is out indefinitely
Can this season get any worse?

Toews isn't going anywhere and his numbers are much better than all the people on here complaining would lead you to believe (maybe L_B_R can back me up). Yeah, he isn't playing to his $10.5 contract, but he is far, far, far from as useless as people make him out to be, and is still the best Center on the roster.
- TheTrob

I WOULD HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR ASSESMENT THATOEWS IS THE BEST CENTER ON THE TEAM. IMO, AA IS THE BEST CENTER ON THIS TEAM.

After watching three home games this year Toews to me lis playing like a high end third line center. Which would equated to about a player value of 5.5 million. That does not cut it for me. His numbers are just average....DCat at 19 playing on the third makes Toews number look sick. I think Toews was our best center in the NHL for 7 years unfortunately, Toews numbers and his playmaking abilities have taken a big hit the last 2 1/2 years. If Stan would be able to trade Toews to Winnepeg for a first round pick even if the Hawks have to pay 3 million of his yearly contract...I would do it in a heartbeat. 3 yrs ago I would never even thought of trading Toews. It is sad but TOEWS value IMO will never get better ...most likely will diminish even more. It is got to be health issues that has made Toews half the player he was 3 years ago.

Forsberg was a guy that had great AHL numbers with terrible NHL performances as well prior to this season.

I haven't seen a ton of Berube, but technically he's very sound and has been working hard to improve in Rockford. He know he has to prove his worth as an NHL goalie soon.

If it is a speed thing at the NHL level like you guys are pointing out, he's going to be roasted really quickly in front of this 2017-18 Blackhawks team. Backup goalies no longer can be hidden behind the amazing puck possession, team-defence Hawks of the past.

We'll find out on Sunday.
- Justin Lowe

We'll find out something else and it is not good.

We'll find teams targeting Toews, Seabrook, add Keith if he is worried also about getting hit and concussed.

We'll find out we only improve a smaller amount when it is third line, third defense pairs. Blackhawk Nation reveres PAST heros Toews, Seabrook, and Keith. They are used in top line TOI. It won't take until end of season to figurr out they need to be replaced with younger playes whom show much promise.

This talk about winning with the core is bullcrap. The core is not going to rise up. Players like Kane, DeBrincat, Schmaultz, Hayden, Saad need to play with players they mesh with, not the fading past heros

You can argue Toewes and Keith are still good. Pretend you are the rival coach. How to stop Toews. Lean on him, play physical. And Keith....he is up and down with his play. A rival coach strategy could be, let him beat us.

We are finding out that the powerplay and Q' stubborn decisions backfire. He trots out Keith on the PP. He does not give Kempny any time. The powerplay remains a farce because net front presence is not always part of their attack. The players do not move around enough and do the same plays. A new coach with authority is needed. Q falls into the That was then, This is now category.

The team may not even finish .500. No one player or players comes in and rescues a shipping ship.

Buy if you were still cheering for Football Jay to rally their team, you mighy also have faith in some old Blackhawks to play the new hard to play against hockey. Right? Not!
.

- riozzo

Who said all? Seabrook and Toews trade would help us immensely! What do you say.

Starting to realize how lucky we were to have the 2010-2015 Run

Tell me if I'm wrong but isn't this the moment when one
has to question why there isn't a goalie in the pipeline?

Picking one in the 3rd-4th round to develop might make sense

So now the Hawks MVP Crawford is out indefinitely
Can this season get any worse?
- Colbyboy

I mean, is that a dare?

So now the Hawks MVP Crawford is out indefinitely
Can this season get any worse?
- Colbyboy

Over the past several years we've been players really step up when there's an injury, Andrew Shaw is a perfect example.

My guess....with a more steady schedule of work Forsberg will emerge as a potential starter. I'm not saying he'll steal Crawford's job, Forsberg will just elevate his profile.