And this being Chicago, you have to hire 5. 1 to move the mannequins, 4 to stand around and watch while the 1 guy does the work.
- scottak

At least two will tell him he's doing it wrong.

I'll take a stab.

Definitely agree with the strategy to restock the farm and grow a new nucleus starting with the blueline. Not sure if they are mimicking Nashville to a T but strategies are generally the same.

Jokiharju is proving to be a solid #1 draft pick who could very well end up being the Hawks top defender and even best players. He's already played top pair with relative success and will keep improving.

Boqvist does have the potential to be Karlsson-like. Not sure what his defensive acumen will be. Don't think he'll be devoid of defense like Gustafsson but he may not be stellar on D like Jokiharju. If Jokiharju anchors the 1st pair, Boqvist may end up anchoring the 2nd pair but would be on the 1st pair if not for 28 since both are RHD.

Beaudin may end up rivaling Jokiharju for best all around D-man who can carry the mail, create offense, and be tough to play against defensively. Neither he or Jokiharju are huge or will be menacing on the blueline but both are showing to be adept with a mix of stick checking, gap control, and timely use of the body to separate the puck from the opponent.

Mitchell could be close behind Beaudin and live up to the moniker of Keith Lite. Similar traits as Beaudin. Overall well rounded player who has top 4 potential but may end up anchoring the 3rd pair since he is also a RHD unless he can also play left side.

Krys is developing his defensive game at BU and could be a solid option on the 3rd pair. Or he could be a victim of the numbers game along with Forsling and be traded to fill other needs.

Carlsson, Hillman, and Gilbert are defensive defensemen. If there's a prospect who is reminiscent of Hjalmarsson, it's Carlsson. He doesn't give up on plays and is a solid skater.

Hillman isn't the best skater in the group but he can keep up. Plays physical when needed but can also start the transition with a good first pass out of the zone and stay back to guard the house.

Gilbert is visibly one of the biggest players on the Hogs and can display a mean streak with heavy hits and a few fights already. At best he's likely a 6 or 7. When I see him, I see Roman Polak without the constant Hulk Smash mentality.
- AEL_Fox

Thank you for the details.

the inevitable has happened...blows fire Yeo...

the inevitable has happened...blows fire Yeo...
- bogiedoc

Well good, maybe now they can start winning and let us tank over Tankathon.

Well good, maybe now they can start winning and let us tank over Tankathon.
- powerenforcer

like q and the hawks, yeo is not the problem with that team...

like q and the hawks, yeo is not the problem with that team...
- bogiedoc

Q was part of the problem. Yeo was set up to fail right from the start in StL.

Since there has been a lot of conversation on this topic recently, I figured I would try to get some clarity from everyone.

How do you determine that the problem with a team is the coach (as opposed to the make-up of the team, or the players not playing to their potential)?

What do you look for to determine that the coach is at fault? To me it is really hard to determine and could very well be a case by case basis.

Boudreau has won a ton of games, but never the Cup.
Trotz the same way until he won last year.
Bylsma won early with the Pens, but not much after.
Q - everyone knows.

Just curious what everyone else uses to determine that a coach is bad/the problem.

Another Random thought for the graduate level fans on the board.

Many do not like the talent cupboard and prospects, but I had this stray thought the other day.

I believe the HAWKS are following the Predators model. That is draft and develop defense men stock those shelves build depth and use those trade chips to obtain developed offensive talent. I can't rattle them off like some of you can, but there are a number of solid prospects, great skaters with mobility and offensive and defensive sense, which is needed. Gone are the days of the number 1 and 2. I believe it is about having 4 or 5 solid skating d man.

Talk among yourselves
- TrueGrit

This has been my though for awhile now with Bowman stocking the cupboard with D prospects and teams ALWAYS looking to upgrade there to get it.

I'll take a stab.

Definitely agree with the strategy to restock the farm and grow a new nucleus starting with the blueline. Not sure if they are mimicking Nashville to a T but strategies are generally the same.

Jokiharju is proving to be a solid #1 draft pick who could very well end up being the Hawks top defender and even best players. He's already played top pair with relative success and will keep improving.

Boqvist does have the potential to be Karlsson-like. Not sure what his defensive acumen will be. Don't think he'll be devoid of defense like Gustafsson but he may not be stellar on D like Jokiharju. If Jokiharju anchors the 1st pair, Boqvist may end up anchoring the 2nd pair but would be on the 1st pair if not for 28 since both are RHD.

Beaudin may end up rivaling Jokiharju for best all around D-man who can carry the mail, create offense, and be tough to play against defensively. Neither he or Jokiharju are huge or will be menacing on the blueline but both are showing to be adept with a mix of stick checking, gap control, and timely use of the body to separate the puck from the opponent.

Mitchell could be close behind Beaudin and live up to the moniker of Keith Lite. Similar traits as Beaudin. Overall well rounded player who has top 4 potential but may end up anchoring the 3rd pair since he is also a RHD unless he can also play left side.

Krys is developing his defensive game at BU and could be a solid option on the 3rd pair. Or he could be a victim of the numbers game along with Forsling and be traded to fill other needs.

Carlsson, Hillman, and Gilbert are defensive defensemen. If there's a prospect who is reminiscent of Hjalmarsson, it's Carlsson. He doesn't give up on plays and is a solid skater.

Hillman isn't the best skater in the group but he can keep up. Plays physical when needed but can also start the transition with a good first pass out of the zone and stay back to guard the house.

Gilbert is visibly one of the biggest players on the Hogs and can display a mean streak with heavy hits and a few fights already. At best he's likely a 6 or 7. When I see him, I see Roman Polak without the constant Hulk Smash mentality.
- AEL_Fox

Spot on analysts of of our defense stands as of now. I'll be curious to see which ones the Hawks pin point and decide to keep and which ones they float out there for a potential or established Top 6 forward.

Idk why but I kinda get the feeling that Boqvist might be the one that they end up trading in the long run. His concussion history and the certain hype that would surround him when called up makes for a recipe of potential disaster IMO. Where as Joki, Beaudin, Mitchell, and Carlsson (the four I think are most likely to make up our Top 4) were all later picks that don't/won't have nearly as much hype surrounding them and thus can slide into the team much easier and grow into their own very well. Better make sure you know what you have in all those guys and especially Boqvist with his high ceiling before you trade him though. Last thing we need is like a reverse EDM-NJ trade where we trade the stud thinking we're getting an awesome forward back who's meh while Boqvist goes on to win a Norris lol

Take these for what they are, rumors. Rumours for you Canadians and Fleetwood Mac fans.

Duchene resign in Ott 8 years 8-9 mil.
Skinner resign in Car 8 years 9-9.5 mil.

Wow my bad. Buf, not Car. I'm an idiot.

+30 SOG is unacceptable and unjustifiable in any system. Crawford is playing out of his mind and every hockey player says "oh the team around me is doing great gee doncha know".

That STL game was utterly dreadful but to give up + 30 against the Kings and then get railed by Minnesota is no bueno.

The games this weekend are going to be rough.
- fattybeef

Shots per game this season are almost the same as last year, 31.5 vs. 31.8. 17-18 & 18-19 (so far) are the only seasons at 31.0 or higher since 1985-86.

That’s the average, it’s not unusual for teams to give up between 30-35 shots a game.

One other note, league save % is down to .909. The last season to finish with a SV% under 91 was 08-09.

I'd suggest that in addition to the number of shots being up league wide, the quality of shots is also increasing.

Or maybe it's the smaller goalie equipment.

Edmonton fired Todd McLellan. Hitchcock taking over for them.

Take these for what they are, rumors. Rumours for you Canadians and Fleetwood Mac fans.

Duchene resign in Ott 8 years 8-9 mil.
Skinner resign in Car 8 years 9-9.5 mil.
- I Am The Breadman

I've heard Duchene has been talking with them about extending his contract. Would not surprise me to see them resign there at about that amount with the cap space they have.

I heard that Skinner is looking to get about 9-9.5M in general whether thats Buffalo or elsewhere and likely could get it with the way he's playing.

God I hope the cap goes up. With all these guys starting to make 7-10M for being a Top 6 forward and middle six guys getting anywhere from 3-7M they cap is gonna dry up around the league REAL fast unless they keep raising the cap and/or allow for teams to buyout contracts without it counting against their total cap hit.

McClellan fired and replaced with Hitchcock.

Oilers are a mess.

Edmonton fired Todd McLellan. Hitchcock taking over for them.



I've heard Duchene has been talking with them about extending his contract. Would not surprise me to see them resign there at about that amount with the cap space they have.

I heard that Skinner is looking to get about 9-9.5M in general whether thats Buffalo or elsewhere and likely could get it with the way he's playing.

God I hope the cap goes up. With all these guys starting to make 7-10M for being a Top 6 forward and middle six guys getting anywhere from 3-7M they cap is gonna dry up around the league REAL fast unless they keep raising the cap and/or allow for teams to buyout contracts without it counting against their total cap hit.
- Savetheembers33

Owners are (or seem to be) happy with the hard-cap 50% split.

Allowing buyouts that don't count to the cap only means that the escrow the players have to hold back (and probably GIVE back) would have to increase, because the owners would not let the split skew above 50% for the players.

McClellan fired and replaced with Hitchcock.

Oilers are a mess.
- Justin Lowe

That's four coaches in the first 25% of the season.

McClellan fired and replaced with Hitchcock.

Oilers are a mess.
- Justin Lowe

Looks that way now, but a five game winning streak could have them sitting atop the division with the way those teams are fluctuating up and down so far. Vancouver, SJ, Calgary and Edmonton have all led the division at one point.

McClellan fired and replaced with Hitchcock.

Oilers are a mess.
- Justin Lowe

#97 will love playing the trap for Hitch.

https://www.nhl.com/news/...m-stan-bowman/c-302125704

For all you Stan Bowman fans out there!!

That's four coaches in the first 25% of the season.
- StLBravesFan

There were zero coaches fired in-season last season. Big change.

McClellan fired and replaced with Hitchcock.

Oilers are a mess.
- Justin Lowe

That's an understatement

Owners are (or seem to be) happy with the hard-cap 50% split.

Allowing buyouts that don't count to the cap only means that the escrow the players have to hold back (and probably GIVE back) would have to increase, because the owners would not let the split skew above 50% for the players.
- StLBravesFan

Whatever works to make it happen so teams don't get screwed with bad contracts that will become more frequent with the way players are wanting more and more money. Look at Tom Wilson's contract for a PERFECT example of that and how that is gonna screw the caps over.

And while we're at it, can we remove the retired players salary counting again the cap as well. It's a joke that the Yotes are a dumping ground for non-retired "retired" players to hit the cap floor. Granted, it helped us out with the Hossa contract at the expense of Hino but it would have been much better to let him retire as a Hawk and walk away with some grace instead of being traded to another team and never playing for them.

There were zero coaches fired in-season last season. Big change.
- Justin Lowe

Hitch took the job only to catch Q in wins

McDavid is finally gonna learn how to play hockey

Edmonton fired Todd McLellan. Hitchcock taking over for them.



I've heard Duchene has been talking with them about extending his contract. Would not surprise me to see them resign there at about that amount with the cap space they have.

I heard that Skinner is looking to get about 9-9.5M in general whether thats Buffalo or elsewhere and likely could get it with the way he's playing.

God I hope the cap goes up. With all these guys starting to make 7-10M for being a Top 6 forward and middle six guys getting anywhere from 3-7M they cap is gonna dry up around the league REAL fast unless they keep raising the cap and/or allow for teams to buyout contracts without it counting against their total cap hit.
- Savetheembers33

Even if the cap does not go up our relative position with other teams capwise will improve with this trend (providing our GM does not hand out any more crazy contracts in the future).
We were lucky to have Kane and Toews on reasonable contracts during the Cup years. If Edmonton had that same privilege with their big 2, they would be serious contenders. Guys coming off entry level contracts are seeking big numbers immediately today it seems.

Even if the cap does not go up our relative position with other teams capwise will improve with this trend (providing our GM does not hand out any more crazy contracts in the future).
We were lucky to have Kane and Toews on reasonable contracts during the Cup years. If Edmonton had that same privilege with their big 2, they would be serious contenders. Guys coming off entry level contracts are seeking big numbers immediately today it seems.
- 67hawks

Check out capfriendly.com


LA, Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Detroit and Anaheim are ALL at the highest team salaries and at the bottom of the league