Justin Lowe: Defending the Defence The Hawks are still losing, is the defence the problem? Let's investigate.

Also, Carolina Preview:

Season Matchup: 1st game of the season

6-5-3 = 15 pts
8th (last) in Metropolitan
Last game: WON vs. Blue Jackets (3-1) last night
GF: 38 / GA: 39
PP% = 13% (28th in NHL)
PK% = 78.6% (22nd in NHL)
Sniper: Jeff Skinner – 7 goals
Producer: Just Williams – 12 points
Tough Guys: Justin Faulk – 10 PIMs / Jordan Staal – 33 hits
Ex-Hawks to Watch: Scott Darling, Teravainen, Kruger, Nordstrom, Dalhbeck

Remember when teams came well prepared because they were playing "The Hawks"?
They were motivated to show their best and use us as a measuring stick.
Since things have changed can we now catch them off-guard?

Remember when teams came well prepared because they were playing "The Hawks"?
They were motivated to show their best and use us as a measuring stick.
Since things have changed can we now catch them off-guard?
- 67hawks

That is a great thought... I like were your heads at.

Franson first line D- enough said.

Now the other teams look forward to playing the Hawks,,, Not as a measuring stick...But as an easy two points.
Maybe that changes soon enough.
Good call on selling high on Hjarlmasson(hated to see him go) Just wish Bowman had also sold high on Seabrook(that would have been at least two years ago though) But this is also what you get when you are all in to try and win another cup(didn't happen, But worth a try) I do not see how anyone can (logically) look at this team (and the way they have played) And expect another long playoff run.

Remember when teams came well prepared because they were playing "The Hawks"?
They were motivated to show their best and use us as a measuring stick.
Since things have changed can we now catch them off-guard?
- 67hawks

Yeah those were the best of times.....Now we use every team we play as a Measuring stick and how to build off that game......

To me a coach with great insight would come to the realization Franson is a liability and offers no future success for this team.

I don't know if Q is in denial or what, but he is only hurting this team with his no vision of the future.

Organization talks of one goal, i can't imagine they are on board with Q's decisions or in fact the players are as well. Has he become an egomaniac?

Akiem Hicks of the Bears, after a demoralizing loss to the Packers, was so frustrated he said, we need to play the best players that give us a chance to win, i believe he was calling out the coaching staff about not playing Trubisky. I'm wondering if this is what's going on in the Hawks locker room.

It's one thing to have a lack of talent, but its another thing when you see a team that has no fire. It's the only thing a player can control, effort.

I'm kinda half happy the game is on WGN so it's not available on our cable. But I still hold out hope the boys end up being a better than .500 team like they look like they barely are right now.
Hopefully, the PP does not continue to look/perform so abysmally.

3RD line for tonight should inspire fear in he Canes

Bouma-Kero-Cat

3RD line for tonight should inspire fear in he Canes

Bouma-Kero-Cat
- gazza53

What an absolute joke. Q should be ashamed of this decision. It really makes one wonder if he is doing this BS to show Stan up for some of the trades. Both Stan and Q need to kick stones down the road. You can't run a team when the coach and GM don't agree with one another.

unless some miraculous turn around #7's deal may go down as the worst and dumbest extension over the last 30 years or more...

the guy will be 33 in april and we have 6 plus years @ 7 mildo per...

honestly..short of retirement in a few years they are stuck or the new CBA gives them a buy out chance

3RD line for tonight should inspire fear in he Canes

Bouma-Kero-Cat
- gazza53

cat may never see the buck...with those 2 if he does get it..he should just shoot it

To me a coach with great insight would come to the realization Franson is a liability and offers no future success for this team.

I don't know if Q is in denial or what, but he is only hurting this team with his no vision of the future.

Organization talks of one goal, i can't imagine they are on board with Q's decisions or in fact the players are as well. Has he become an egomaniac?

Akiem Hicks of the Bears, after a demoralizing loss to the Packers, was so frustrated he said, we need to play the best players that give us a chance to win, i believe he was calling out the coaching staff about not playing Trubisky. I'm wondering if this is what's going on in the Hawks locker room.

It's one thing to have a lack of talent, but its another thing when you see a team that has no fire. It's the only thing a player can control, effort.
- BetweenTheDots

Right now, the hawks are not rebuilding. Franson is one of the few d-men we have right now that actually contributes to offense. If you are saying Franson should sit, you should be yelling even louder about Seabrook.

unless some miraculous turn around #7's deal may go down as the worst and dumbest extension over the last 30 years or more...

the guy will be 33 in april and we have 6 plus years @ 7 mildo per...

honestly..short of retirement in a few years they are stuck or the new CBA gives them a buy out chance
- bogiedoc

Yep!
Huge overpayment, For what one could rationalize would be a past his prime "D" man.
If you wanted to say this was a signing out of loyalty...Then maybe I could see it, Don't have to like it! ....But I could see it that way. But then they send a warrior like Hjarlmasson down the road? I guess the make-over was a season(or two) to late.

Here is a question for anyone: Who is more to blame over the last 2 in 1/4 years for the Hawks downfall Bowman or Coach Q? Now going forward how do hawks get fixed and back to contending for the cup again. Who or the better question who can the hawks trade that could start to start to fix this mess. Do we start to entertain trading Kane (no in my opinion unless the rebuild is on) to get multiple assets back seabrook is not getting traded not with that contract probabley bought out after the lockout in '19. So what is the answer? Thoughts anyone?

Here is a question for anyone: Who is more to blame over the last 2 in 1/4 years for the Hawks downfall Bowman or Coach Q? Now going forward how do hawks get fixed and back to contending for the cup again. Who or the better question who can the hawks trade that could start to start to fix this mess. Do we start to entertain trading Kane (no in my opinion unless the rebuild is on) to get multiple assets back seabrook is not getting traded not with that contract probabley bought out after the lockout in '19. So what is the answer? Thoughts anyone?
- Scott1977

Trade Toews, Seabs, AA and use that money to build around Saad, Kane and CC.
Keep Keith as the contract is minimal and he still can deliver if motivated.
Bye bye Q and bring some fresh ideas.
Even if Toews and Seabs only get you picks it's worth it to dump....with AA also gone 20 millions gets you a lot of options....these are the keys to us ever having another chance with Kane still wearing an Indian head.
And Blowman can also take a walk BTW

A happy belated birthday to all my brother/sister Marines and a happy Veterans day to all. Defending the defense? Old/tired group that seems just as discombulated as the forwards. Maybe this group could use Mike Keenan? I keep waiting for this group to get angry and come out with some fury.

Unless the players, collectively, bring better effort for most of the game each time, what choice does McDonough have but to create a stir. Ticket sales are st stake. Whatever spin control he comes up with, the idea that is going to be sold is hockey is a fun game

Just who is fun to come see. Toews who turns away from being checked. A falling apart Seabrook, a lesser Keith.

The man with the marketing plans should do this: tell Stan to trade whatever he has to so that we have a new star power to play with Kane.

After all, Kane is special but he is not able or willing to lead. The team has to find a coach to motivate. Probably an outside the organization coach who will scrub the way things are done. The Pp? Forwards know how to play defense and help the defence. Young players who need to play here and grow here.

A coach does not have to erupt like Mt Tessier. The Leafs Babcock demands respect. Young players under Babcock play if they deserve it. They play the right way.

Do you really think a trade and a tongue lashing works wonders. No. Playing time TOI is the answer. Bring up Icehogs. Take Keith and Toews off their perch, or see them lead you to defeat. Harder to say this or to watch loosing?

Unless the players, collectively, bring better effort for most of the game each time, what choice does McDonough have but to create a stir. Ticket sales are st stake. Whatever spin control he comes up with, the idea that is going to be sold is hockey is a fun game

Just who is fun to come see. Toews who turns away from being checked. A falling apart Seabrook, a lesser Keith.

The man with the marketing plans should do this: tell Stan to trade whatever he has to so that we have a new star power to play with Kane.

After all, Kane is special but he is not able or willing to lead. The team has to find a coach to motivate. Probably an outside the organization coach who will scrub the way things are done. The Pp? Forwards know how to play defense and help the defence. Young players who need to play here and grow here.

A coach does not have to erupt like Mt Tessier. The Leafs Babcock demands respect. Young players under Babcock play if they deserve it. They play the right way.

Do you really think a trade and a tongue lashing works wonders. No. Playing time TOI is the answer. Bring up Icehogs. Take Keith and Toews off their perch, or see them lead you to defeat. Harder to say this or to watch loosing?
- jhawk59

I think its a Q vs Stan kinda thing. Who blinks?

Here is a question for anyone: Who is more to blame over the last 2 in 1/4 years for the Hawks downfall Bowman or Coach Q? Now going forward how do hawks get fixed and back to contending for the cup again. Who or the better question who can the hawks trade that could start to start to fix this mess. Do we start to entertain trading Kane (no in my opinion unless the rebuild is on) to get multiple assets back seabrook is not getting traded not with that contract probabley bought out after the lockout in '19. So what is the answer? Thoughts anyone?
- Scott1977

Not sure there's a person to blame... maybe a collective group that voted for a salary cap.

Personally, I think Bowman did a great job rebuilding Championship teams.

Did he inherit an elite team... for the most part, yes. But he's made some key signings and trades.

Together the entire Hawks organization created a winning culture that saw free agents sign here for less at a chance to win a cup.

Q was able to get a lot out his guys with a system that was successful. I'm thinking of Oduya and Richards as two examples.

Bowman didnt have the luxury of high draft picks in recent years so restocking the pipeline has been real difficult. I give his scouting team credit for searching outside of the draft (ie the Panarins, Darlings and even Rutta this year).

The luster is fading because the overall talent has dropped.

IMO to get it back... they need to adapt their style and play a hard nosed game (look at Vegas' tenacity in this early season). Overall, be harder to play against and goals will come.

This may be hard for some players to stomach but winning cures all.

Happy Veteran's day! Thanks for your sacrifice and service to any vets on here

I think its a Q vs Stan kinda thing. Who blinks?
- z1990z

I think tonight and tomorrow's game will determine what this team is about. If they come out flat and lose both games the chips will fall this week.

I think tonight and tomorrow's game will determine what this team is about. If they come out flat and lose both games the chips will fall this week.
- scott.jackson

Yep, they're coming out flat quota for the year has already been reached.

Happy Veteran's day! Thanks for your sacrifice and service to any vets on here
- ikeane

You beat me to it.

I also want to say thanks to all our veterans here. Have a great day!

Not sure there's a person to blame... maybe a collective group that voted for a salary cap.

Personally, I think Bowman did a great job rebuilding Championship teams.

Did he inherit an elite team... for the most part, yes. But he's made some key signings and trades.

Together the entire Hawks organization created a winning culture that saw free agents sign here for less at a chance to win a cup.

Q was able to get a lot out his guys with a system that was successful. I'm thinking of Oduya and Richards as two examples.

Bowman didnt have the luxury of high draft picks in recent years so restocking the pipeline has been real difficult. I give his scouting team credit for searching outside of the draft (ie the Panarins, Darlings and even Rutta this year).

The luster is fading because the overall talent has dropped.

IMO to get it back... they need to adapt their style and play a hard nosed game (look at Vegas' tenacity in this early season). Overall, be harder to play against and goals will come.

This may be hard for some players to stomach but winning cures all.
- Justin Lowe

Agree on this

But Which veterans are willing to play this way right now? Not Toews! 10 million should buy you some tenacity. But apparently not.
I think another poster hit the nail on the head when they said the "core" seems disinterested. Probably from having so much success at a young age, What do they really have to play for now? They probably know that (as assembled) this team isn't a true contender, And their play seems to point that way as well.