John Jaeckel: What Chicago can learn from Ottawa

First! Anisimov would be my #1 trade chip to fill one or more of those needs.

JJ, great observations and comparisons. The trick is not filling a hole and creating another.

First! Anisimov would be my #1 trade chip to fill one or more of those needs.
- EnzoD

Trade Anisimov and we are down to 2 center men Toews and kero not happening.

JJ, great observations and comparisons. The trick is not filling a hole and creating another.
- riozzo

Yup, that's why I think it's not just one move, but 2-3, though a couple of those could be "smaller"

Trade Anisimov and we are down to 2 center men Toews and kero not happening.
- dirt4949

Depends what you get back in that deal, and in other deals, you can't say "that guy can't be traded" (except for maybe Kane) out of context

Depends what you get back in that deal, and in other deals, you can't say "that guy can't be traded" (except for maybe Kane) out of context
- John Jaeckel

True but it opens up a HUUUGE hole down the middle which the hawks lack at with him in the lineup.

True but it opens up a HUUUGE hole down the middle which the hawks lack at with him in the lineup.
- dirt4949

Only when you take it out of context of all they might do.

Colliton sounds like a nice move for Rockford. Definitely fresh blood.

>Well said, JJ
>Current playoffs showing that: winning face-offs matters big-time, winning 10 foot races matters big-time, and moving the puck quickly out of your zone matters big-time
>Hawks stunk at all three vs Preds
>The change of thinking you mention needs to include new ways to get better at all three of the above, as well as winning the slot battles at each end

Some like to think Toews is done but to be honest, he will be done if they dont add someone to take away the front of the net responsibilities and allow him to be protected shift to shift! Wayne Simmonds please!

Colliton sounds like a nice move for Rockford. Definitely fresh blood.
- John Jaeckel

Don't know anything about him, but it sounds like he had some success over seas. I agree that fresh blood is needed.

Retooling this team starts with what the identity of the team and its desired style of play will be going forward.

Until that vision of the team is defined, you cannot select/target/move any players at all.

One thing is for sure - the model of the defensive QB waiting for all four of the other players to spot up and stretch passing to them has gone the way of the dodo bird. The league has figured out how to beat that style of play.

The current successful approach in the league is to area pass and beat the opposition to the puck, have the support and stones to establish and retain possession in the offensive zone, and take the play to the crease - adding active defensive play.

On the defensive side, teams that clutch and grab in the neutral zone, use their bodies on the boards and the crease to regain possession, and do not rely on the other team to vacate the zone before establishing an offensive rush are successful as well.

That all said, if the above is the new way to play, who on the roster now can play that game, who cannot play that game, and who do they need to get to play that game?

Maybe more importantly, are the FO and the coaching staff going to adapt to the change of style necessary to win?

I'd hesitate to move Anisimov. While acknowledging his shortcomings, it wasn't that long ago that we were searching for a #2 center.

It may be oversimplifying, but we essentially lost to the Kings in the '14 WCF because they were bigger, stronger and better down the middle.

This is a different team & situation, but as noted above, I think we're creating another hole in a recently filled space.

Depends what you get back in that deal, and in other deals, you can't say "that guy can't be traded" (except for maybe Kane) out of context
- John Jaeckel

I'm open to trading just about anyone if the return makes sense. Realistically can't see Toews, Kane or Keith being dealt. Hossa and Seabrook aren't likely going anywhere either but there's more of a chance they hey dealt than 19, 88 or 2. After that I think everyone is fair game.

Colliton sounds like a nice move for Rockford. Definitely fresh blood.
- John Jaeckel

Does anyone's have any background on the type of system he prefers? Not much in the press release aside from his accomplishments. I'm sure the Hawks will direct some of this, but they signed him for a reason.

New HC

Call me reactionary. But he's not squeezing much out of this highly talented group of players anymore.

It's time, or will be soon. Adapt or die.

New HC

Call me reactionary. But he's not squeezing much out of this highly talented group of players anymore.

It's time, or will be soon. Adapt or die.
- kinigitt

Blasphemer!

Changing one Assistant Coach does not change anything. Especially one like Mike Kitchen, who never had an independent thought, and was just an extension of Q's brain. A new Head Coach is needed. Firing Mike Kitchen is change like changing what bottled water the team drinks is change. If the Hawks really wanted change all 3 Coaches should have been fired or at least Q and Kitchen with Dineen moving to Head Coach. The Sens are special this year because Coach Guy Boucher makes any team he coaches over-achieve and the Sens are over-achieving. This is a very special attribute. Q has never made the Hawks over-achieve although he has certainly been responsible for the Hawks under-achieving

Couldn't agree more about Seabrook. He has been a protector while Keith has been protected by Hammer.

I have been a rare voice saying NMCs can be handled one way or the other. Sometimes old school business toughness is required which is better than just sacrificing huge Cap space and the team's future. The policy moving forward should be no NMCs.

Changing one Assistant Coach does not change anything. Especially one like Mike Kitchen, who never had an independent thought, and was just an extension of Q's brain. A new Head Coach is needed. Firing Mike Kitchen is change like changing what bottled water the team drinks is change. If the Hawks really wanted change all 3 Coaches should have been fired or at least Q and Kitchen with Dineen moving to Head Coach. The Sens are special this year because Coach Guy Boucher makes any team he coaches over-achieve and the Sens are over-achieving. This is a very special attribute. Q has never made the Hawks over-achieve although he has certainly been responsible for the Hawks under-achieving

Couldn't agree more about Seabrook. He has been a protector while Keith has been protected by Hammer.

I have been a rare voice saying NMCs can be handled one way or the other. Sometimes old school business toughness is required which is better than just sacrificing huge Cap space and the team's future. The policy moving forward should be no NMCs.
- Z3Hawk

Q had a big hand in the WC finals against the Ducks. Other than that it's the core being the core. Maybe Toew's droppoff isn't just on the ice, which theoretically could explain the sag in play lately. Q has said it himself, it's easy to coach when you've got guys like Toews and Seabrook on your roster.

edit. forgot hossa

First! Anisimov would be my #1 trade chip to fill one or more of those needs.
- EnzoD

I tend to agree. I think one thing is that his value may never be higher. There is no question that playing with Kane/Panarin has boosted his status in the NHL.

This fascination with AA is mindnumbing. Move him and his ridiculous contract in a heart-beat if some other team will give anything back. He is overpaid. He is slow. He is poor at face-offs while on a line that depends on puck possession. He is not aggressive. He does not cause turn-overs. He is injury prone making his contract even more ridiculous. When he gets hurt I actually couldn't care less as I view the Hawks as a better, quicker attacking team when he is out.

Anyone here be opposed to trading Panarin and maybe another piece for something like Galchenyuk and Beaulieu?

Those 2 are both RFA's and shouldn't cost the $6M in salary of Panarin.

Anyone here be opposed to trading Panarin and maybe another piece for something like Galchenyuk and Beaulieu?

Those 2 are both RFA's and shouldn't cost the $6M in salary of Panarin.
- Dannyboy

Beaulieu has talent. Inconsistent tho. Same with Galchenyuk.

I think Julien is a better coach than Q. If he's having trouble with them, I don't see them hitting the next level here. Beaulieu in particular would be benched HARD in a matter of days.

Is it weird I'm rooting for the Predators? I'm rooting for the Predators haha. Cannot stomach the Ducks or Penguins winning this year. Ottawa vs Nashville would be a fun series