Justin Lowe: Quick 10: Hawks Win, Hawks Win Here are my top 10 observations (in no particular order) from last night's 6-3 win vs. Rangers

First

Always been a big fan of JJ, but love the info u give out justin!! Keep up good work.

First
- Hawkster

Hi Hawkster!

Top Ten thoughts from last night... GO!

Always been a big fan of JJ, but love the info u give out justin!! Keep up good work.
- MIKEMANENG

Thanks Mike! Appreciate it.

>>>You're going to see more of Franson, Rutta and Forsling continuing to fire pucks mercifully towards the nets in hopes of screens and rebounds. I like it!<<<

agree franson has a great feel for the type of shot and when and how to use it: keith just can't figure that out...its blast away hit the other teams shin pads or miss the net...



>>Once touted for his defensive acumen, he's looking slow and weak all over the ice.
Some stats to ponder on over your morning coffee:

* Toews is drawing fewer penalties than ever (0.17 / 60 mins vs. 1.12 average over past 8 years)
* His individual high-danger scoring chances are fading at an alarming rate (2.67 / 60 mins this year vs. 4.05 / 60 mins last year).<<

everything about him looks weak and bad; he called for pens; he is thrown out of faceoffs way to much, yapping at the refs about his penalty calls, indecisive,

the speculations as to why have been rampant...who know...only he and Q can anser that...he is just another guy out there right now...

forget the emptynetter, he has 1 assist in the last 6 games

The Hawks scored more goals than the other guys!!!

The Hawks scored more goals than the other guys!!!


- DarthKane

I knew that title would bring us good luck!

Franson on the point is who I want to have the puck.

One of the few guys who has the shot-first mentality and that's something the Hawks need.

Sure, he had a bad turnover last night early (it happens), but overall, I think he plays a nice/simplified game and tries to get the puck to the net.

Hi Hawkster!

Top Ten thoughts from last night... GO!
- Justin Lowe

Hey Justin, nice write up and have been enjoying your work since coming on board.

10 thoughts is a lot...how about let's say I agree with most of yours but have a few questions.

Toews didn't look great last night but I think he's been off to a bit better start than the last few seasons. The numbers you posted, are the previous year's representative of a full season or just the first quarter which is about where we're at now?

Also, on center depth, is there a possible bottom 6 solution from within? Dolphin?

On AA...could be wrong but I think I saw the injury from last season was a high ankle sprain which can take pretty long to heal. Any chance that was still bothering him to start the season?

Hi Hawkster!

Top Ten thoughts from last night... GO!
- Justin Lowe

Hmmm, few thoughts from last night. I'm no blogger but here goes.

1. A win is a win but it was not pretty. Will be an up and down year for sure.
2. Defense is a work in progress, too often they got beaten on the outside by NY's speed.
3. Youth is progressing - takes time and they will make mistakes but keep seeing good things from the likes of ADB, Schmaltz and Hayden
4. CC was solid and gives them a chance to win more often than not.
5. Sharp is invisible and is this years Campbell. Should be gone next year.
6. Toews, my favorite whipping boy, actually love this guy but man whatever he had is gone - something has to give cause he's not helping this team right now and when your top salary guy is not producing and has not been for a long time the team has bigger issues and we can debate all we want but that and the lack of depth is what is making this team so so.....too much money on players simply not producing at the level they are being paid - how do you fix, not sure - tough one.
7. Seabrook - see #6 but worse - at least his minutes are down, same should happen soon to #19.
8.Would like to see Hinny up.
9. Some bad calls I thought from the refs.
10. Keep up the good write ups - always enjoy the read and the banter.

I think potentially Forsling is better than Hammer. He is already better in the offensive zone. Hammer was one dimensional. It was a good dimension, but he can't skate, pass or shoot the puck like Gus. Yes, in the D-zone, Hammer is much better, but Forsling is showing great strides there. Hammer never got the offensive side of the game down (though the Hawks honestly didn't need that from him).

Toews was awful last night. I love the guy and I know the apologists will be coming hard and fast with garbage stats like QOC bla bla. But the eye test is clear, he played a poor game last night. Certainly not like a first line center who EXPECTS to play high QOC. The fact is the guy has been very inconsistent at best for going on 3 years now. Concerns about him are LEGIT.

Trying to figure out why people here are female doging about the refs. Did the Hawks even get called for a penalty in the last two periods?

Question for the Toews apologists of the board. If Toews draws the highest QOC and toughest defensive assignments... but the rangers lack a truly elite #1 center (heck, they lack a real #1 center to begin with)... what does that say about Toews play last night?

I think potentially Forsling is better than Hammer. He is already better in the offensive zone. Hammer was one dimensional. It was a good dimension, but he can't skate, pass or shoot the puck like Gus. Yes, in the D-zone, Hammer is much better, but Forsling is showing great strides there. Hammer never got the offensive side of the game down (though the Hawks honestly didn't need that from him).

Toews was awful last night. I love the guy and I know the apologists will be coming hard and fast with garbage stats like QOC bla bla. But the eye test is clear, he played a poor game last night. Certainly not like a first line center who EXPECTS to play high QOC. The fact is the guy has been very inconsistent at best for going on 3 years now. Concerns about him are LEGIT.

Trying to figure out why people here are female doging about the refs. Did the Hawks even get called for a penalty in the last two periods?
- kwolf68

The "intangibles" excuse can no longer be used. If you're making 10.5 mil a year, the team needs you to be consistent and scoring.

I've been saying for three years that I wan to see him do well and get back to his old form, but maybe it's time to think about moving on if there is a deal that makes sense and someone is willing to take on that ridiculous contract.

I don't want to keep a guy around because he's good for PR/marketing.

Question for the Toews apologists of the board. If Toews draws the highest QOC and toughest defensive assignments... but the rangers lack a truly elite #1 center (heck, they lack a real #1 center to begin with)... what does that say about Toews play last night?
- Slofire94

I saw someone post this QOC crap last night but had to hit the sack. It's like a freaking excuse to suck. If you're the first line center making 10.5 million which is part of the reason several good players are now wearing other uniforms, you damn well better not get OWNED by Mats Zuccarello (who is a very good player that I like a lot and plays his ass off, so all respect to Mats) on 3 obvious occasions, you better take on AND beat QOC on a reasonably consistent basis, you better not be lazy on backchecks and better read the low zone coverage needs a center has to make quicker. Toews not only looks physically weaker, but mentally slower. It's bizarre because those are the two things you could always count on from him....

I remember in 2014, Suter would never change his D to go after Kane's line in that WCF. He said he was keeping his best on Toews' line. Ask Mike Babcock back a few years ago what was his best line and his reply was, "whichever line Toews is on"....

This player isn't just a decent player, he was a star. But here lately something has vanished in his game.

Crazy game last night. Though we were gonna tie it up on that wrap around! GG

Crazy game last night. Though we were gonna tie it up on that wrap around! GG
- disorca

It was wild.

The Hawks just can't hold a lead. The scary thing is that I think if the Rangers had more time, they may have tied and eventually won

Crazy game last night. Though we were gonna tie it up on that wrap around! GG
- disorca

Gustav Forsling saved the day. Rangers score that goal they likely win the game.

agree franson has a great feel for the type of shot and when and how to use it: keith just can't figure that out...its blast away hit the other teams shin pads or miss the net...
- bogiedoc

Bogie, I won't comment on Toews - I said what I had to say about him in Justin's last blog.

AFA Franson - slow, not the greatest skater -- but on the point, the guy is head/shoulders better than ANYONE else on the team.

Nik Lidstrom made a living of not only being able to get off shots from the point, but more importantly, getting them through traffic so guys in/around the goalie would have a chance to tip a puck or pop in a rebound.

Duncan Keith, for all his abilities, cannot. Adept at hitting opposing players and getting his shot blocked or firing wide. Yes, sometimes a shot wide of the net IS appropriate because you're playing the bank off the back board (missing near side) or far side (with a teammate camped out ready to tip/redirect puck into wide-open cage).

It is NOT about who has the hardest/fastest shot, although obviously it CAN be helpful as something an "incomplete" shot block shot hard enough can trickle through a defender for an easy tap in.

What I see Franson doing is something that should be worked on in practice. No wind-up but head up, finding the seam and firing a low, hard wrist shot or snap shot can be and usually is much more effective. Wrist shots are harder to time as well in terms of defenders trying to block (or goalie trying to track).

One can only hope some of the other defenders learn by watching and then working on that aspect of their game. If the Hawks are going to make it into the playoffs, this is going to be an essential element, especially w/certain guys not playing effectively.

This team's coverage will continue to be a work in progress....Like a few years/until guys play together (especially defencemen) for a long while. Lots if new (and very young) players these last few years. Those that wanted youth or said Q didn't like playing them....this is why.

Toews game has been in the decline to no surprise, since Hossa began aging. JT's Selke trophies had much more to do with Hossa being as good as he was defensively versus Toews being some sort of defensive God. JT can be a good player on good, over talented teams but he never has been a player to make those around him better - the way the superstar players do. The last few years people tried making excuses for him - he's lost his wingers, his back hurts, lots of miles, etc. The "lots of miles" thing doesn't happen at 27-30yrs old. Sorry. His success has been based on the teams/players around him versus him "leading" or carrying a team. He's a good player but nowhere near the superstar he was 1)hyped up to be and 2)paid to play like, unfortunately. While not his fault when people hype him....He's never going to be a superstar and his contract will haunt his play for the rest of his career. His talent is a #2 center at best now and won't be going upwards

>>>You're going to see more of Franson, Rutta and Forsling continuing to fire pucks mercifully towards the nets in hopes of screens and rebounds. I like it!<<<

agree franson has a great feel for the type of shot and when and how to use it: keith just can't figure that out...its blast away hit the other teams shin pads or miss the net...



>>Once touted for his defensive acumen, he's looking slow and weak all over the ice.
Some stats to ponder on over your morning coffee:

* Toews is drawing fewer penalties than ever (0.17 / 60 mins vs. 1.12 average over past 8 years)
* His individual high-danger scoring chances are fading at an alarming rate (2.67 / 60 mins this year vs. 4.05 / 60 mins last year).<<

everything about him looks weak and bad; he called for pens; he is thrown out of faceoffs way to much, yapping at the refs about his penalty calls, indecisive,

the speculations as to why have been rampant...who know...only he and Q can anser that...he is just another guy out there right now...

forget the emptynetter, he has 1 assist in the last 6 games
- bogiedoc

So now Toews is the most popular guy to rag doll and he has been far from great for sure but to say everything is weak and bad is ridiculous. Sit him out and put Hinostroza or Kero in his place and then you will see what your missing.

And how about that play last night when he and Saad were breaking over Ranger blue line 2 on 1 and #20 inexplicably dumped the puck to Toews as they crossed the line totally ruining the chance. What was he supposed to do with that, get himself an assist or score a goal?

No doubt he can play better but he's not the only one - you and I can name quite a few more who haven't been too terrific either.

Gustav Forsling saved the day. Rangers score that goal they likely win the game.
- kwolf68

Saved the day on a play where he had a bad turnover to allow the Rangers that chance in the first place.

Gustav Forsling saved the day. Rangers score that goal they likely win the game.
- kwolf68

Possibly...they didn't. Kane hit the pipe earlier in the game. That doesn't count either but still would have had the Hawks up by 1.

I also thought that third goal was a bit on the softish side given up by Crow.

Saved the day on a play where he had a bad turnover to allow the Rangers that chance in the first place.
- TheTrob

Still got back and made the play. His game was outstanding last night. He must have broken up half a dozen zone entries. His gap control is excellent and his instincts in reading the attack are impressive. He had a TO, who the hell doesn't? Instead of falling down, or not hustling back, he kept working. 21 year old D-men aren't infallible.

So now Toews is the most popular guy to rag doll and he has been far from great for sure but to say everything is weak and bad is ridiculous. Sit him out and put Hinostroza or Kero in his place and then you will see what your missing.

And how about that play last night when he and Saad were breaking over Ranger blue line 2 on 1 and #20 inexplicably dumped the puck to Toews as they crossed the line totally ruining the chance. What was he supposed to do with that, get himself an assist or score a goal?

No doubt he can play better but he's not the only one - you and I can name quite a few more who haven't been too terrific either.
- RickJ

Hawks are notorious for terrible passing decisions and trying to be cute and force it all the time.

However...

Eddie had an interesting point about plays like this when Franson had the turnover on the PP early in the game. He said that guys need to just trust themselves and make the play. Sometimes they see 19 or 88 and feel they HAVE to get the puck to them, rather than make the play/do the work on their own.

Thought that was an interesting angle.