John Jaeckel: Positional Reviews: Defensemen

First

They look good. Would not change anything.

Keith always has a great year whenever the olympics are in the same season.
So expect a huge bounce back from him.

JJ, are there any rumblings about Kempny's thoughts on his situation. I thought he had the option of going back (but that may have been only if they tried to send him down).

I would go all in with Kempny and Forsling, and maybe try to bring back Oduya. I don't see the utility of keeping Campbell around anymore.

I could be wrong but I think it might be helpful to play defensemen on the side they are accustomed to playing their best hockey on. Duh.

57 is NOT and WILL NOT EVER be a top four guy. Why he was alongside Keith in game four down 3-0 against NSH was just incomprehensible.

Re-sign and coach up Kempny.

Keith - get your knee fixed.

Q - can we please allow the use of the body check on the walls, as well as to clear the crease? Teams have absoultely nothing to deter them from crashing the slot and the net.

D zone exits - can we also please do away with the no-look backhand passes to nowhere/the other team's players in high risk areas?

Stop collapsing. Cover and pursue the point men. Focusing 100% on lane blocking lets the point guys have the time and space to locate shots that bounce around in the form of intentional or unintentional redirects that are far harder to stop than shots the goalie can track.

They look good. Would not change anything.
- VopatsRash

Go away Troll... Your sister is calling ya.

I could be wrong but I think it might be helpful to play defensemen on the side they are accustomed to playing their best hockey on. Duh.

57 is NOT and WILL NOT EVER be a top four guy. Why he was alongside Keith in game four down 3-0 against NSH was just incomprehensible.

Re-sign and coach up Kempny.

Keith - get your knee fixed.

Q - can we please allow the use of the body check on the walls, as well as to clear the crease? Teams have absoultely nothing to deter them from crashing the slot and the net.

D zone exits - can we also please do away with the no-look backhand passes to nowhere/the other team's players in high risk areas?
- Return of the Roar

... and that freakin drop pass, delayed entry nonsense. That is pure aggravation on my TV. (or at least don't telegraph it to Kane all the time)

... and that freakin drop pass, delayed entry nonsense. That is pure aggravation on my TV. (or at least don't telegraph it to Kane all the time)
- Chunk

If a drop pass isnt done at top speed. It shouldn't have been considered. Boring and stupid way to play

... and that freakin drop pass, delayed entry nonsense. That is pure aggravation on my TV. (or at least don't telegraph it to Kane all the time)
- Chunk

Yeah, but every team does it. Not sure whether out was the players or the coaches, but the Hawks always seemed to bollocks it up.

I could be wrong but I think it might be helpful to play defensemen on the side they are accustomed to playing their best hockey on. Duh.

57 is NOT and WILL NOT EVER be a top four guy. Why he was alongside Keith in game four down 3-0 against NSH was just incomprehensible.

Re-sign and coach up Kempny.

Keith - get your knee fixed.

Q - can we please allow the use of the body check on the walls, as well as to clear the crease? Teams have absoultely nothing to deter them from crashing the slot and the net.

D zone exits - can we also please do away with the no-look backhand passes to nowhere/the other team's players in high risk areas?

Stop collapsing. Cover and pursue the point men. Focusing 100% on lane blocking lets the point guys have the time and space to locate shots that bounce around in the form of intentional or unintentional redirects that are far harder to stop than shots the goalie can track.
- Return of the Roar

If only dreams can come true!!!!!

Trashville trolls never let up...

It's gonna be a shame if the preds don't win the cup

Trashville trolls never let up...

It's gonna be a shame if the preds don't win the cup
- RedRevenge

It would be poetic justice.....I just reported him/her.

It would be poetic justice.....I just reported him/her.
- 17SEC

Thanks

https://www.prohockeyrumo...hyov-clauses-dadonov.html

Yeah, but every team does it. Not sure whether out was the players or the coaches, but the Hawks always seemed to bollocks it up.
- John Jaeckel

Oh absolutely every team does it. And, I'm not completely against using it occasionally, but they used it on a majority of the entries with Kane on the ice during PP's and a lot during 5V5 as well.

Other than Seabrook none of the defenseman are physical (or perhaps they are instructed not to be?)

JJ great assessment. Our D pairings are the difference between good and great. They are good, however to be playoff great injurys need to heal, guys that are 3rd pair should skate 3rd pair, and oh if only one of a few could get in the hot tub time machine and get their wheels back..

JJ great assessment. Our D pairings are the difference between good and great. They are good, however to be playoff great injurys need to heal, guys that are 3rd pair should skate 3rd pair, and oh if only one of a few could get in the hot tub time machine and get their wheels back..
- riozzo

Thanks Rio.

Wait til tomorrow. The D is not the problem. What they had this year was fine, good enough for a deep run. Problems are upfront.

Bowman doesn't go around broadcasting what they are lacking. He plays it the other way: "everything's great, we love what we have."

Frankly, that's the smart way to play it—to a point. He knows, Q knows, most people around the league know what the Hawks have been lacking and where they've taken the biggest hit in the cap purges.

Where you can blame Bowman is, conceivably, did he overpay on some of these deals and hamstring his ability to fill out the forward corps especially.

And where does he go from here?

Thanks Rio.

Wait til tomorrow. The D is not the problem. What they had this year was fine, good enough for a deep run. Problems are upfront.

Bowman doesn't go around broadcasting what they are lacking. He plays it the other way: "everything's great, we love what we have."

Frankly, that's the smart way to play it—to a point. He knows, Q knows, most people around the league know what the Hawks have been lacking and where they've taken the biggest hit in the cap purges.

Where you can blame Bowman is, conceivably, did he overpay on some of these deals and hamstring his ability to fill out the forward corps especially.

And where does he go from here?
- John Jaeckel

He may not have a play or may need to channel his innermost PT Barnum.

I wonder if decisions on D are are in a holding pattern until a new assistant coach is hired.

I wonder if decisions on D are are in a holding pattern until a new assistant coach is hired.
- walleyeb1

My guess is that the expansion draft and entry trade could be holding up any player decisions.

My guess is that the expansion draft and entry trade could be holding up any player decisions.
- DarthKane

Did you just break your sarcasm rule?

Did you just break your sarcasm rule?
- riozzo

U.O.I.

Unless otherwise indicated.

It was a lack luster year for the defensive core offensively.

A few guys chipped in a bit more that typical but Keith paced the group with 6 goals and Seabrook was 5th on the D with 3 goals. Given the amount of PP time those two get, they (even with the Hawks somewhat weak net front presence) should have had a bit more impact offensively.

The Preds showed us all that the Hawks need to get younger on D. You can upgrade the forwards all you want, but the D didn't keep up well and couldn't move the puck.

This season the Hawks GAA was 3rd worst of these seasons since they been back in the playoffs in 2009. That is with CC and Darling playing some great hockey the majority of the time and often making some big time saves. Yes, defending is a team responsibility but it starts at the blue line. Keith struggled with his knee early on. Seabrook (especially in late 2016) was getting beat with speed. Campbell looked dis-interested and struggled down low. Kempny made mistakes that drove Q nuts. Hammer was pretty solid, but the guy will never have the offensive game to make him a top D. TVR isn't a top guy, but for the price he is okay in that 3rd pair. Forsling is still a bit green and I think some confidence would help him. Rosy should retire. Oduya isn't a top 4 anymore (nor was he in Dallas).