John Jaeckel: Minor Blip or Major Problem?

1st

don't worry...you have the Sens Tuesday night...that should be a 5-2 win easy

Smith has been quiet, Hayes a creampuff, but hoping Pirri and Morin can make some noise on the lower lines.

I think you're absolutely right that a lack of continuity is contributing to the play, so I'm happy to see them get this out of the way before things get serious.

Nevertheless, you look at the stat sheet every night, and come to the conclusion that they'll be just fine as long as Craw doesn't crap the bed again.

The minor blip or major problem question will be answered in coming weeks...

18 in a row on tap versus the West...The soft part of the schedule is behind the Hawks.


Everyone wants to beat the champs. Last night the Wild proved they could: My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/Hnj2vw

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

JJ, we have played games we should have won, I count those shoot out losses as A LOSS period! so what are we 6 & 5?, yeah we have 2 cups in 4 years which is great, but I just don't want to get on the 85 Bears type bandwagon where some are still reveling in that superbowl win. this is JMO, the Hawks will not repeat this year as some predict, if they stay with this current group as they go into every game as the measuring stick for others, this team will finish 6,7 in the conference, this team is not built solid enough for an 82 game grind with the lofty expectations bestowed upon them. you guys have alot more faith than I do in that current group of the so called Rockford shuttle . Just posted at the end of your last column , 1 thing they should have kept carcillo for that bottom 6 instead of???.
missing alot of games, how's Pirri looking? & I see Beach was brought back to Rockford??? so let's see , 2 weeks in sweden & your hockey career is resurrected. with his size, he's the guy I'd like to see get his head out of his ass & plant himself on that 3rd line with Shaw & either Bickell or Saad instead of some of those house leaguers they have been shuttling back & forth. don't mean to sound negative, but no pom poms here ,especially at Mr Cub's 2013-14 prices for "the Hawks experience" as they call it.

The minor blip or major problem question will be answered in coming weeks...

18 in a row on tap versus the West...The soft part of the schedule is behind the Hawks.


Everyone wants to beat the champs. Last night the Wild proved they could: My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/Hnj2vw

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

6-2-3 record is misleading - a few of those wins were in shoot outs or ot and they did play against an accommodating schedule. But points are points.

Also it is the total team chemistry, not just the lower lines that seems to be not connecting on all cylinders for 60mins

The minor blip or major problem question will be answered in coming weeks...

18 in a row on tap versus the West...The soft part of the schedule is behind the Hawks.


Everyone wants to beat the champs. Last night the Wild proved they could: My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/Hnj2vw

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

One thing we've seen over time with this group is that adversity seems to bring them together. It's frustrating to watch the team underperform, but there's enough skill and experience on the team that we should have confidence they'll turn things around.

I'm looking forward to Q finally settling on the line combos (as much as he can).

Heard that Eli did a bang up job with heading up Hawg game get together. Great job Eli!

One thing we've seen over time with this group is that adversity seems to bring them together. It's frustrating to watch the team underperform, but there's enough skill and experience on the team that we should have confidence they'll turn things around.

I'm looking forward to Q finally settling on the line combos (as much as he can).
- DarthKane

I think Q. would like to dress the same team for a few games in a row and we will see when that happens.

There is a fine line between winning and losing even for the Hawks and there have not been many impressive efforts yet.

That said it was a short summer and much more will be known after November.

Everyone wants to beat the champs. Last night the Wild proved they could: My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/Hnj2vw

JJ, we have played games we should have won, I count those shoot out losses as A LOSS period! so what are we 6 & 5?, yeah we have 2 cups in 4 years which is great, but I just don't want to get on the 85 Bears type bandwagon where some are still reveling in that superbowl win. this is JMO, the Hawks will not repeat this year as some predict, if they stay with this current group as they go into every game as the measuring stick for others, this team will finish 6,7 in the conference, this team is not built solid enough for an 82 game grind with the lofty expectations bestowed upon them. you guys have alot more faith than I do in that current group of the so called Rockford shuttle . Just posted at the end of your last column , 1 thing they should have kept carcillo for that bottom 6 instead of???.
missing alot of games, how's Pirri looking? & I see Beach was brought back to Rockford??? so let's see , 2 weeks in sweden & your hockey career is resurrected. with his size, he's the guy I'd like to see get his head out of his ass & plant himself on that 3rd line with Shaw & either Bickell or Saad instead of some of those house leaguers they have been shuttling back & forth. don't mean to sound negative, but no pom poms here ,especially at Mr Cub's 2013-14 prices for "the Hawks experience" as they call it.
- wonthecup10

First off, saved for when they win the division. Second, you're saying you haven't watched the games but you know they're not built for the whole season? That just makes no sense

I really think they need the upcoming road trip. Teams really seem to bond on the road. I think that played a big role last year: having 10 of the 1st 12 on the road.

I really think they need the upcoming road trip. Teams really seem to bond on the road. I think that played a big role last year: having 10 of the 1st 12 on the road.
- tomcat24

this

First off, saved for when they win the division. Second, you're saying you haven't watched the games but you know they're not built for the whole season? That just makes no sense
- rollpards19

okay have it your way. JMO on what I hear from those at work or see in the papers. I wish all I had to do was clean my bedroom & go to school, then I'd be an expert at this stuff.those were the days, (40 years +ago) , not good when they have to rely on a 30 year old journeyman call up this early in the season when they supposedly have a full stable of high ends in the system. their core is elite but the supporting cast so far???? I guess it's still early though. I'll be Like JJ & AL, I'll guage it on the west coast trip coming up. can't wait to see how they do against SJ, colorado, Anahiem ect, all teams off to a good start so far.

this
- UnnamedSource

I think I learned from you to have faith in this team. That plus winning 2 Cups in 4 years in the past I would have been upset but this team is really good and can turn it on when it matters most. I think they will come together after the trip and turn it on

I really think they need the upcoming road trip. Teams really seem to bond on the road. I think that played a big role last year: having 10 of the 1st 12 on the road.
- tomcat24

I pointed out before the season started this wasn't an ideal schedule...But it never is.

Probably fewer home games the 1st 6 weeks would have meant a bit more focus.

Everyone wants to beat the champs. Last night the Wild proved they could: My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/Hnj2vw

6-2-3 record is misleading - a few of those wins were in shoot outs or ot and they did play against an accommodating schedule. But points are points.

Also it is the total team chemistry, not just the lower lines that seems to be not connecting on all cylinders for 60mins
- Topshelf2010

If my tally is correct they are 1-3 in the shootout. So 5-2 would be a better measure of where they should be at.

Folks have to understand that its a marathon and this isn't a 12 HoF'er team thats going to bash everyone 7-0 every game. It goes without saying that when this team does roll come Springtime they can compete with anyone. I'm content with that, provided that as we struggle we find out more about whether we have any real contributors on the Rockford shuttle so we can best know what needs to be done at the trade deadline.

I pointed out before the season started this wasn't an ideal schedule...But it never is.

Probably fewer home games the 1st 6 weeks would have meant a bit more focus.

Everyone wants to beat the champs. Last night the Wild proved they could: My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/Hnj2vw
- Al

You were definitely right. I thought the schedule would be somewhat favorable because I figured they wouldn't be sharp early but they might have still beat these bad teams on talent alone and being a lot of home games. This team does seem to be good on the road. I am also curious to see how they do against San Jose and Colorado

Chemistry certainly plays a part, but I think the Hawks we're going to have some problems coming out of the gate. It's not the same team. You've lost a couple of key pieces in Razor, Bolly and Fro.

Razor - the backup goaltending is certainly not what it was.
Fro - really found his role as part of the #1 pk duo last season. Krugs at times looks lost without him.
Bolland - veteran presence and edge to his game - being that shutdown guy against the other teams. He'll be sorely missed in the playoffs.

You also have a couple of guys that are older - Zeus and Rosy who you're hoping will contribute come playoffs, but there's a lot of wear on the tires. Just when it seemed Kostka was starting to gel a bit he's hurt. So there's a lot of changing pieces and guys trying to find their roles. This will take some time.
Q has to play the kids and see what works. And then if nothing does present itself by the spring then Stan needs to make a couple of moves.

And of course the bullseye for winning the cup is on the Hawks. Every night that other team is bringing its A game and wants to beat you.

The saddest part is that elusive second line center the Hawks have looked for forever is playing really well in Toronto. Why did Bolland never show that offensive flair in Chicago? Was it coaching or chemistry with other players or something else?

We discussed after last season ended that the start to this season would be somewhere between disappointing and ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Not terribly surprising. Kind of irritated with time and roster management if anything.

They're walking a fine line between breaking in new players, dealing with growing pains, recovering from last year and trying to pick up points and not irritate the fickle Chicago fan base. Yikes.

On the plus side Hossa looks like Hossa again.

The saddest part is that elusive second line center the Hawks have looked for forever is playing really well in Toronto. Why did Bolland never show that offensive flair in Chicago? Was it coaching or chemistry with other players or something else?
- paulr

Health.

See Ladd/Bolland/Havlat for offensive flair.

The saddest part is that elusive second line center the Hawks have looked for forever is playing really well in Toronto. Why did Bolland never show that offensive flair in Chicago? Was it coaching or chemistry with other players or something else?
- paulr

Sometimes guys just play extremely well after being traded, especially to their home town. Let's see if Bolly can keep this pace up, for his sake I hope he can.

Sometimes guys just play extremely well after being traded, especially to their home town. Let's see if Bolly can keep this pace up, for his sake I hope he can.
- DarthKane

carlyle has him taking on a bigger role in TO is the biggest part of it.

3rd line C, 2nd line C, PP, PK

hes playing great!!

To Eli, who asked last nite why Travis Morin didn't play for Texas against the Hogs:

Travis Morin was called up to the Stars before the game.