Justin, thanks for another well written blog.

The Hawks made changes to be harder to play against, but that part just didn't seem to translate. They give up shots and chances to easily.

Last year at 5v5
CA/60 - 58.95
SA/60 - 33.43
GA/60 - 2.54
SCA/60 - 29.36
HDCA/60 - 12.29

This year at 5v5
CA/60 - 55.08
SA/60 - 30.37
GA/60 - 2.05
SCA/60 - 27.15
HDCA/60 - 10.88

Pretty much 10-20% across the board worse in terms of attempts against, chances against, shots against, goals against. This team needs to clean up defensively. In the stat categories above, the Hawks are bottom 5-10 in the NHL. The high danger chances against is the one that is alarming to me.

I know stats don't tell everything, but this does paint a bit of a picture. I know it is in fashion to blame Toews because of his contract, but his line has at least matched up against top players and done well defensively. Just wish they could make the extra effort to score. They get chances but can't convert.

Line 2 generates offense, but man they also get hemmed into their own end way way too much. I personally want to see Schmaltz go back to wing. Can Kane play with anyone? He seems to be good when playing with Schmaltz but not so great playing without.

5v5 Kane on ice with Schmaltz
GF 24
GA 16

5v5 Kane on ice without Schmaltz
GF 11
GA 16

They should put AA back at 2C with Kane/Schmaltz on the wings. The Hawks have been finding out what they have in the bottom 6 and on D and they need to move forward with the ones that can play consistently. This season might be lost with the Hawks on the wrong side of the pack, but the difference between being on one side of the pack or the other is small. A handful of games and situations that cost them. I think they still need to sort out the D in terms of playing the tough minutes. No easy task.
- breadbag

these metrics support the eye/smell test...this team no way harder to play against..they are soft and lazy in 80% of their games..

at the beginning of the year...i fully expected craw would have to do headstands and need extra kevlar to fight off all the rubber he was going to see...

he did and now he is gone and the hawks soft play is overwhelming the in the less talented and in experienced goal tending.

Justin, thanks for another well written blog.

The Hawks made changes to be harder to play against, but that part just didn't seem to translate. They give up shots and chances to easily.

Last year at 5v5
CA/60 - 58.95
SA/60 - 33.43
GA/60 - 2.54
SCA/60 - 29.36
HDCA/60 - 12.29

This year at 5v5
CA/60 - 55.08
SA/60 - 30.37
GA/60 - 2.05
SCA/60 - 27.15
HDCA/60 - 10.88

Pretty much 10-20% across the board worse in terms of attempts against, chances against, shots against, goals against. This team needs to clean up defensively. In the stat categories above, the Hawks are bottom 5-10 in the NHL. The high danger chances against is the one that is alarming to me.

I know stats don't tell everything, but this does paint a bit of a picture. I know it is in fashion to blame Toews because of his contract, but his line has at least matched up against top players and done well defensively. Just wish they could make the extra effort to score. They get chances but can't convert.

Line 2 generates offense, but man they also get hemmed into their own end way way too much. I personally want to see Schmaltz go back to wing. Can Kane play with anyone? He seems to be good when playing with Schmaltz but not so great playing without.

5v5 Kane on ice with Schmaltz
GF 24
GA 16

5v5 Kane on ice without Schmaltz
GF 11
GA 16

They should put AA back at 2C with Kane/Schmaltz on the wings. The Hawks have been finding out what they have in the bottom 6 and on D and they need to move forward with the ones that can play consistently. This season might be lost with the Hawks on the wrong side of the pack, but the difference between being on one side of the pack or the other is small. A handful of games and situations that cost them. I think they still need to sort out the D in terms of playing the tough minutes. No easy task.
- breadbag

Nice breakdown Breadbag.

You may be right with them being more successful with Schmaltz on the wing, but I think you see him at C for the majority of the regular season. They really need to see if he's a bonafide centre moving forward. It could change a lot of things for them if he is.

That's quite possible. I think Murphy playing regularly now with Forsling's demotion will be a great side effect.
- DarthKane

That should happen and will be the best for this team if Murphy can prove that he's a top-4 or borderline top-4 dman.

Hedman 44 6G 27A +24
Palat 46 8G 22A +17
Gourde 46 14G 16A +16

All the above are out for tonight. that is 3 of there top 5 +/-, and 6,7,8 in points.

Peca and bournival are in who have no NHL games this season. 29 total 3 Goals 2 Assists last year. Not sure which guy normally does not play on D but the 6 guys playing have 20G and48A. 2 of the D that are playing are 2 of worst +/- on the team -5 and -3.

That's the real "pisser" though -- for anyone who's played the game, it (all of this) comes down to effort more than anything else.

All things being equal, if you ice guys that are NHL-caliber (meaning they can skate well and have a solid understanding of the game), it boils down the "want to" versus just lack of talent. Not saying they are equal to the top teams but there is a problem IMO on this club in giving a complete effort.

I heard on NBC's national game yesterday: "It's not what we say in the room that matters, it's what we do out on the ice."

I didn't catch who said it and if they were quoting a player.
This sort of quote is the kind we have heard before IOW from #19 and #2.
And to be honest, from #88.

And the only player living up to that at all is Kane.
From year-to-year he dedicates to improving some aspect of his game.
Comes to camp in-shape and we see him exhibit better skills every year.

Somehow I have to believe that stuff is noticed and taken seriously in the room. Toews and Keith can yack all they want to reporters and they can yack all they want to their teammates. However, actions speak louder than words. Don't think for a moment that guys in the room making 1/10 or 1/15 of what #19 makes can see he's not giving full effort -- whines to the refs endlessly and leads the team in penalties taken (at least last time I looked).

Yeah, I happen to believe a big part of the problem is in the room.
- savvyone-1

Effort and whining are issues, but IMO with 19 those are less of a problem than his inability to handle the puck. The puck looks like a hot potato or hand grenade on his tape more often than not. Combine his poor puck control with his diminished skating ability and strength, and you have a $10.5 million 3rd line center.

JR, not disagreeing with you.
Fact of the matter is, it simply takes effort (right?) and some level of skill (which presumably they all have, being NHL-level).

I see the reason for this not being so much skill/personnel-related as not giving the effort. Leaders yack with no accountability.
- savvyone-1

One likely predicates the other also. Getting torched in your own zone is a quick recipe to become down on your game and disinterested. They've got to respond well.

Yes, agree with this succinct analysis. Panarin is by far the superior offensive player, but Saad is by far the better player in all 3 zones.
- AEL_Fox

At the beginning of the year, I would agree with this, but I'm not sure you can say that this year. I've watched about 20 Columbus games and all but 6 of ours. Granted, i'm not looking at the advanced stats (largely because I haven't taken the time to understand them all), but to the eye, Saad isn't any great shakes better defensively or getting through the neutral zone. In fact, I would put Panarin higher than Saad THIS YEAR in getting through the neutral zone.

At the beginning of the year, I would agree with this, but I'm not sure you can say that this year. I've watched about 20 Columbus games and all but 6 of ours. Granted, i'm not looking at the advanced stats (largely because I haven't taken the time to understand them all), but to the eye, Saad isn't any great shakes better defensively or getting through the neutral zone. In fact, I would put Panarin higher than Saad THIS YEAR in getting through the neutral zone.
- Chunk

Saad is only getting 4% less offensive zone starts than Panarin this year. 65% to 61%. In the past, Panarin was getting highly sheltered. Looks like he's expanding his game a bit.

At the beginning of the year, I would agree with this, but I'm not sure you can say that this year. I've watched about 20 Columbus games and all but 6 of ours. Granted, i'm not looking at the advanced stats (largely because I haven't taken the time to understand them all), but to the eye, Saad isn't any great shakes better defensively or getting through the neutral zone. In fact, I would put Panarin higher than Saad THIS YEAR in getting through the neutral zone.
- Chunk

This year, I would have to agree. Across their careers, Saad has the edge but could be trending down while Panarin is trending up. Saad has it in him to be >> Panarin.

As much as Tortorella gets criticized for how he coaches, maybe there is method to his madness getting more out of Saad when he was a Jacket and now Panarin? Does that mean Q has the opposite effect?

Seabrook is a key part to the leadership in that room... been the de facto Captain of this team for a long time. Now, this doesn't outweigh his on-ice performance and contract at this point in his career however, Stan is not going to attach a Dylan Sikura or Debrincat to him for a 3rd round pick at this point.

The Hawks might just have to bite the bullet on Seabs for now as they need those younger players more than ever.
- Justin Lowe

Interesting story by Blackhawkup.com

https://blackhawkup.com/2...ylan-sikura-from-signing/

Is it time to fire Stan???

Interesting story by Blackhawkup.com

https://blackhawkup.com/2...ylan-sikura-from-signing/
- AEL_Fox

"Not to mention the Blackhawks’ logjam of highly paid players who aren’t pulling their weight but are locked into the top-six forward group."

Nothing but pure speculation. There's always a top 6 spot for a young guy. Duclair is there right now. Hartman was there on line 2 and now Sharp is. He'll be fine. Plus the Hawks are retooling on the fly and Stan will sell being a part of the next wave of this team as a bonus for him

Oh poor, poor Q. Actually being asked to coach. That creep Bowman. Where are the 6 All-Star level D-Men? The 12 All-Star level forwards. Q has coached horribly this season and actually in many seasons. Yes there has been 3 Cups but let’s be honest the Hawks didn’t win those because of Q - any number of coaches could have won with those players. Arguably, there should’ve been many more Cups. Let’s not forget that there were loads of First Round losses too. In the 2015-16 season the Penguins looked old, uninterested and permanently finished. They changed coaches - won the Cup in 2016. Repeated in 2017. May win again in 2018. Q should have been fired ages ago. Removing Kitchen and adding Dirty Ulf was about as dysfunctional as it gets. Q clearly despises Dirty Ulf and Dirty Ulf has been horrible with the D-Men. Dineen I think is ready to jump out a window.

Is it time to fire Stan???
- BlackhawkMike

"Not to mention the Blackhawks’ logjam of highly paid players who aren’t pulling their weight but are locked into the top-six forward group."

Nothing but pure speculation. There's always a top 6 spot for a young guy. Duclair is there right now. Hartman was there on line 2 and now Sharp is. He'll be fine. Plus the Hawks are retooling on the fly and Stan will sell being a part of the next wave of this team as a bonus for him
- JRoenick97

Yeah, I didn't particularly agree with the article for similar reasons you stated. I am confident Sikura will sign with the team and think his older brother was the smart insurance policy who the Hawks invested in (even though he is currently on an AHL contract).

Oh poor, poor Q. Actually being asked to coach. That creep Bowman. Where are the 6 All-Star level D-Men? The 12 All-Star level forwards. Q has coached horribly this season and actually in many seasons. Yes there has been 3 Cups but let’s be honest the Hawks didn’t win those because of Q - any number of coaches could have won with those players. Arguably, there should’ve been many more Cups. Let’s not forget that there were loads of First Round losses too. In the 2015-16 season the Penguins looked old, uninterested and permanently finished. They changed coaches - won the Cup in 2016. Repeated in 2017. May win again in 2018. Q should have been fired ages ago. Removing Kitchen and adding Dirty Ulf was about as dysfunctional as it gets. Q clearly despises Dirty Ulf and Dirty Ulf has been horrible with the D-Men. Dineen I think is ready to jump out a window.
- Z3Hawk

Your hate for Ulf is borderline hilarious at this point. How does Dineen get a pass in this? He runs the PP and it's god awful.

Is it time to fire Stan???
- BlackhawkMike

Yes

- EnzoD

I've just started watching Archer...great show.

This year, I would have to agree. Across their careers, Saad has the edge but could be trending down while Panarin is trending up. Saad has it in him to be >> Panarin.

As much as Tortorella gets criticized for how he coaches, maybe there is method to his madness getting more out of Saad when he was a Jacket and now Panarin? Does that mean Q has the opposite effect?
- AEL_Fox

No I see Saad’s production as the Toews effect. As far as Panarin it was probably a good move for him to move on from Kane and become his own player.

No I see Saad’s production as the Toews effect. As far as Panarin it was probably a good move for him to move on from Kane and become his own player.
- walleyeb1

LOL not only does our $10.5mil center not make his linemates better, but actually has a negative impact on their play? That would really be something. Hard to quantify, but I'm sure the advanced stats guys/gals may have some input into this theory.

Your hate for Ulf is borderline hilarious at this point. How does Dineen get a pass in this? He runs the PP and it's god awful.
- JRoenick97

Because Z3 is as dumb as the car he wishes he could drive...

Because Z3 is as dumb as the car he wishes he could drive...
- MTounian

Who want's to drive a Z3?? M3 or X3 and we're talking. Z3 is a pretty lame little car, IMO. Glorified Miata

LOL not only does our $10.5mil center not make his linemates better, but actually has a negative impact on their play? That would really be something. Hard to quantify, but I'm sure the advanced stats guys/gals may have some input into this theory.
- EnzoD

Kind of like this?

Panarin is currently on pace for about 20 goals - 10 below his two year career NHL average. So how do you figure he has been so much better than Saad??

Do you really think Columbus wants to pay a 20 goal scorer - with a habit of disappearing once the playoffs stars 6 million a year?? Really??
- dahawks8819

Panarin has 12G and 26A for 38Pts, his goal production will probably be off but his overall pts will be about the same as last season with the Blackhawks.

One interesting thing about tonight is 11 or the 12 forwards are in signed or RFA's for next year assume sharp is not back and we do not trade any away. these 11 and I hope Sikura, Hayden, Kero will battle it out for 13 spots. I know things change but on paper that is how it looks.

You could put Sikura in for Sharp and then swap him for CAT or keep him on the 2nd line. then Jurco/Hayden-Kero/Kampf-Hino could possible be the 4th line.

Sikura with 14 Goals and 20A in 21 games up 1.62 points per game.