Varsity against JV last night to put it kindly. The Hawks were never in that game whatsoever.

What was amazing is that JC actually sat Joki for Manning...in another WTF moment for the new Hawks. That defense was atrocious last night. Crawford had no chance at all. It was great to watch the Hawks defense chasing around like little kids. Just embarrassing.

I picked Tampa last season and am sticking with them again this year. This is a deep sound team.

Well its the Panthers tonight...embrace the tank.
Hope everyone had a good and safe holiday.

My opinion, damn good. I mentioned a couple games back that I can't remember a fire drill looking defensive zone in a little while and asked for a thought, none. .....

We watch an under talented, lazy, soft team and critique a system(s)/coaches that can't fix an unfixable roster and look for an answer that isn't there.

It's been yrs when the Hawks played I knew what I was doing that day, yrs. So I have to defer sometimes to those who suffer thru it as I watch the Jets v Preds, Wild v Sharks, Knights v Caps, Waterloo v U-18's, the WJC. But what I have seen under JC is a more structured group that seems to have a purpose.

Sure they give up 62 shots in a period to a TB group that only 1 maybe 2 Hawks could crack their lineup but to answer your question, in my eyes the system of go get the God Damn puck and have a teammate cover for you is a good one.

I don't post much anymore cuz I really have little to say and will defer to what I said after StanBowPops&McD gave up Denault and a 2nd for Weise and Fleishman and Q sat em, the Committee gets Daley and Kempny, Q runs em out and both players win a cup that SAME yr, only Rocky can fix this and it's his fault dating from the trade with MTL not Stan's, McD's or Q's. ......... The dysfunction is under Rocky's watch.
- Mr Ricochet

Well said...

“Abomination and “Hideous”? Also Lazy. Thank goodness you were not and are not a Scout. How possibly were the Hawks interested in such an awful player. Thank goodness nobody agrees with you.
- Z3Hawk

Everyone who folows closely after reading this blog today reaffirms that Boqvist is a work in progress. There appears keen interest to allow the kid to both be taught in each league and learn from playing in NHL exhibition what it takes at a minimum to gain an nhl roster spot. However fonot assume his us skill set is so great to overlook dramattic defensive shortcoming next fall. There is no need to rush him and if Gus is still here I annot fathom both in the lineup. This is what I believe we all believe. Despite what was said both Mr R and Z3 feel the kid is the real deal. It will just take time. There are many whom will break in to the blueline group but how soon with so many youngsters at the position .....it will be interesting to see unfold maybe long term not under Bowman's eyes.

I only used hideous and abomination cuz that's as far as my vocabulary will reach.

Z, few are in your league. I know that cuz you tell us often. You just have to suffer with the serfs but this you've known since you were developing your special hockey mind as a youth.......... The one that wanted Bovquist all along but never posted once until after the fact. Or that Brady Tkachuk is a bum cuz he only scored 8 in 40 at BU but now in 12 NHL games as a 19 yr old has 7 goals, 11 points, 15 PIM, 30 hits, 4 PP points, 32 shots and a fight. How'd that kind of game look in the Indianhead?

Not saying you're wrong, 10 yrs will tell, as I rarely make closed ended comments as you do and am old enough to know what I don't know. Hopefully time will allow you that same luxury, Z.
- Mr Ricochet

This well said. Get over any negative thoughts if they persist, Z3. You make plenty of good points which I often agree. It is fortunate both of you post. As for myself, I have been wrong in evaluation. Sometimes wiz helps me see things in perspective before I get around to posting

He still on the hawks’ roster?
- Spec41971

Yep. Played last night and had that breakaway where his stick exploded.

Bread, this is not rocket science. Watch the WJC coming up and you can see for yourself what Bovquist is or isn't. +++ release, incredible release, + skater but IMO not elite, head always up looking to spring a forward, + vision and reads, can and does skate it out. Tons of tools, tons but there is a reason he went from possibly going #1 overall to falling to 8th in one yr and IMO it was his WJC defensive play and being overwhelmed with pros in Sveden in 25 games.

The WJC is the best tournament in the world for many, watch and see. Beaudin may skate for Canada. I'm really really high on this Dman. https://www.eliteprospect...er/284924/nicolas-beaudin

When reading Beaudin's stats understand the USHL has had more kids drafted the last 3-4 yrs than the Q and the Q is defense optional. Wide open trade chances hockey.
- Mr Ricochet

I know it's not rocket science. I actually didn't know how to take that comment. I don't have the hockey sports package to watch extra games, but if the tournament is on a station I have, I will try to catch some games. I was trying to say I appreciate the honesty of your assessment. I like knowing what he does well mixed with areas he needs to improve on. He's far from complete, I get that. I am also excited for Beaudin.

Just to show what if......a comparison in terms of where their development is at coming fresh from junior ......wiz could expound on this....Ryan Ellis, Nashville.....attempted to shelter him but he had to go to Milwaukee ahl. After one season he fast tracked to NHL. Remarkable. He had problem knowing how able to turn when the puck or opponent was bearing down. Basic defense should have learned but apparently got by like Boqvust does now. Wonder what Mark Hunter will do for him? Rick (wiz friend in Canada) you see & hear the Canadian press. As an astute commentator on this site, perhaps you could expound on the issue of defensive resonsibility and how you guess Boqvist develops.

I mean it is a positive what he is able to do now BUT he has a long ways to go .
- jhawk59

Interestingly the Hockey News listed Ellis as Boqvist’s comparable after the draft. I like that comparison as long as he doesn’t play a clutch n grab n punch style like Ellis. Talented on both ends of the rink but Ellis can play a bush league style of defense like his teammates, especially Subban and Ekholm.

I tried to watch him closely last night and noticed that he rarely made contact but he would bump into players in the corners to cut them off from coming out of the corners with the puck.Boqvist was confident with the puck in the D zone while under pressure and made tight short passes when he was unable to carry the puck out.I
- eagle50

Agree with you and Z3. Don’t need to be hitting and checking to be physical. Just use your body to knock the carrier off the puck, i.e. a simple hip check to squeeze off the carrier’s skating lane is enough to cause separation. Or as you said, just bump in to the player.

In: Jokiharju, Hayden, Martinsen
Out: Rutta, Johnson, Kunitz

Cam Ward will start tonight

Hard to picture both Gus and Boqvist in line up.....the way they play defense now. My guess is that it is only a matter of how long before Gus goes. Wiz thinks the roster gets stripped but how long would that process entail

Think and hope second round choices. Think and hope some players are packaged at trade deadline. Wishful thinking is Crawford and Gus even our 2019 second just to extract a first round. But wiz has said the difference makers are the top six picks.
- jhawk59

Once Boqvist makes the team, either next year or the year after, agree that Gustafsson is likely gone especially if Forsling cements his spot over this season.

Then once Beaudin, Mitchell, and even Krys arrive, Forsling may have his days numbered eventually unless he can prove to be a reliable shutdown defender. Doubt the latter happens.

That’s where the Hawks will need to rely on at least two of Carlsson, Hillman, and maybe Gilbert and Dahlstrom to step up to fill that role.

Tuulola is a long shot. Raddysh most likely not. I see T.J. Brennan 2.0: great offensively but misses his D assignments quite a bit.

The WJC is the best tournament in the world for many, watch and see. Beaudin may skate for Canada. I'm really really high on this Dman. https://www.eliteprospect...er/284924/nicolas-beaudin

When reading Beaudin's stats understand the USHL has had more kids drafted the last 3-4 yrs than the Q and the Q is defense optional. Wide open trade chances hockey.
- Mr Ricochet

When it’s all said and done, I think Jokiharju and Beaudin will both be the Hawks most reliable blueliners at both ends of the rink. I too am very high on Beaudin. He and Jokiharju could very well be the top pair in the future.

In: Jokiharju, Hayden, Martinsen
Out: Rutta, Johnson, Kunitz

Cam Ward will start tonight
- walleyeb1

Kunitz should never play again and Jokiharju should never be scratched in favor of Manning, Rutta or Gustafson.

I know it's not rocket science. I actually didn't know how to take that comment. I don't have the hockey sports package to watch extra games, but if the tournament is on a station I have, I will try to catch some games. I was trying to say I appreciate the honesty of your assessment. I like knowing what he does well mixed with areas he needs to improve on. He's far from complete, I get that. I am also excited for Beaudin.
- I Am The Breadman

The comment was meant that IMO you underestimate your hockey acumen. IMO after you watch the kid closely, or any other, your evaluation is as good as most anybody elses.

Gold Mine!! A shift by shift on Boqvist with the Knights vs a .500 Sarnia squad played a month ago. ...... I'm only 5 minutes in and couldn't wait to share this but look at the first few shifts. Is this kid a Dman or forward. Will jump in no matter if he has coverage. Watch him blow the zone when 2-3 opponents are STILL in it!!........... But man the kid is exciting and skilled. ...... For some reason the Knights are in purple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auumEXZVRUo

Once Boqvist makes the team, either next year or the year after, agree that Gustafsson is likely gone especially if Forsling cements his spot over this season.

Then once Beaudin, Mitchell, and even Krys arrive, Forsling may have his days numbered eventually unless he can prove to be a reliable shutdown defender. Doubt the latter happens.

That’s where the Hawks will need to rely on at least two of Carlsson, Hillman, and maybe Gilbert and Dahlstrom to step up to fill that role.

Tuulola is a long shot. Raddysh most likely not. I see T.J. Brennan 2.0: great offensively but misses his D assignments quite a bit.
- AEL_Fox

Krys reminds me of Brady Skjei. A compact, powerful stride who if they played football would wear #44.

Skjei is still the best skater I've ever seen come out of the USHL and I've seen Matthews, Johnny Hockey, Eichel, Slavin and all the NTDP teams the last 10 yrs.

Krys reminds me of Brady Skjei. A compact, powerful stride who if they played football would wear #44.

Skjei is still the best skater I've ever seen come out of the USHL and I've seen Matthews, Johnny Hockey, Eichel, Slavin and all the NTDP teams the last 10 yrs.
- Mr Ricochet

Thanks for the insight on Krys. A compact stride is a good description of him. I observe the same thing.

That’s really high praise for Skjei. That’s a D man I wish the Hawks would pursue.

Z-Hawk, my apologies. No need for me to get personal behind a keyboard like a coward. Just trying to hold your feet to the fire if you want to have such strong convictions which I think I've done graciously at this site until my last post that I quoted you.

My apologies and by all means keep firing, I'll hold your feet to the fire and hope you do the same to me.

No time to breathe for the Hawks as they take on Florida tonight.

Can Ward is expected to be in net and I wouldn't be surprised if Jokiharju, Hayden and Martinsen enter back in as well.

If it were me I would split Kane and Toews up and create more balance. Kabe also looked very disinterested last game, he needs to stay focused.

I like Keith and Seabrook separated as well. I would go back to Keith-Joki and then Forsling-Seabrook. Gustafsson's minutes and role needs to decrease IMO.

The Hawks organization as a whole is taking a beating right now as Rockford got thunped 7-2 last night. They try to do better hockey tonight vs. The Admirals.

Is Derek King the right man for the job down there? I've heard that the Hawks might be looking to bring someone else in. They are in evaluation phase there.
- Justin Lowe

Your analysis is spot on. I honestly think colliton should not be coaching this team. I've watched and hoped he would either demote some of these useless players and sit guys like Gustafson, schmaltz who are constantly making awful decisions , and this one trick pony show line of toews and Kane. Anisomov is to slow and not productive .

I think this team is getting worse. Time for a Front office shakeup.

The comment was meant that IMO you underestimate your hockey acumen. IMO after you watch the kid closely, or any other, your evaluation is as good as most anybody elses.

Gold Mine!! A shift by shift on Boqvist with the Knights vs a .500 Sarnia squad played a month ago. ...... I'm only 5 minutes in and couldn't wait to share this but look at the first few shifts. Is this kid a Dman or forward. Will jump in no matter if he has coverage. Watch him blow the zone when 2-3 opponents are STILL in it!!........... But man the kid is exciting and skilled. ...... For some reason the Knights are in purple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auumEXZVRUo
- Mr Ricochet

I understand, reading things in writing come off differently than what you intended, haha. Thanks for the link, I will get to that asap. Tonight is a game plus homework.

Blackhawks defenseman Brandon Davidson to have knee surgery.

My opinion, damn good. I mentioned a couple games back that I can't remember a fire drill looking defensive zone in a little while and asked for a thought, none. .....

We watch an under talented, lazy, soft team and critique a system(s)/coaches that can't fix an unfixable roster and look for an answer that isn't there.

It's been yrs when the Hawks played I knew what I was doing that day, yrs. So I have to defer sometimes to those who suffer thru it as I watch the Jets v Preds, Wild v Sharks, Knights v Caps, Waterloo v U-18's, the WJC. But what I have seen under JC is a more structured group that seems to have a purpose.

Sure they give up 62 shots in a period to a TB group that only 1 maybe 2 Hawks could crack their lineup but to answer your question, in my eyes the system of go get the God Damn puck and have a teammate cover for you is a good one.

I don't post much anymore cuz I really have little to say and will defer to what I said after StanBowPops&McD gave up Denault and a 2nd for Weise and Fleishman and Q sat em, the Committee gets Daley and Kempny, Q runs em out and both players win a cup that SAME yr, only Rocky can fix this and it's his fault dating from the trade with MTL not Stan's, McD's or Q's. ......... The dysfunction is under Rocky's watch.
- Mr Ricochet

MrR - Ulf’s System was so bad, with so many odd-man breaks it was incomprehensible - that anything else would be a step up. C’s System still requires the players to play smart and not risky. I think C’s System can work but requires smart play and proper risk analysis. Like you I have also pointed out that this System can be effective.

Thanks for the insight on Krys. A compact stride is a good description of him. I observe the same thing.

That’s really high praise for Skjei. That’s a D man I wish the Hawks would pursue.
- AEL_Fox

At the beautifully intimate Edge where the Steel used to play the 18's would come out to warm up and it is overwhelming. You're looking at kids that will go top 5 in a few months, 15ish of them will get drafted and every kid is so good it overwhelms they all blend together.

But in that group just in warmups Skjei's skating captivated, stood out. Way beyond my pay grade to accurately describe his skating but I still remember it yrs later just from the warmups. ........ Kids gap and stride was pristine. Close and turn in an instant in perfect balance. His head never bobbed.... Had a Carlton Fisk professionalism to his demeanor.

As an aside this yrs U-18 group is said to be the best ever and will be at Fox Valley to play the Steel Saturday Feb 16th. Go see Jack Hughes for 10 bucks.

MrR - Ulf’s System was so bad, with so many odd-man breaks it was incomprehensible - that anything else would be a step up. C’s System still requires the players to play smart and not risky. I think C’s System can work but requires smart play and proper risk analysis. Like you I have also pointed out that this System can be effective.
- Z3Hawk

On this we agree 100%. Not taking notes or analyzing what Hawk games I do SIT thru there are less odd mans against and as a result less running around.

Check out that link I posted of Bovquist shift by shift with London. Looks like a man to man system in their Dzone. One sequence showed a dman in the corner engaged, Bovquist leave the front of the net and goes into that same corner, the center cover for him, Bovquist swoops and is off with the puck.

while it may feel good to spout it off, but how on Gods earth is a "front office shake up" going to do anything at this point? Seriously?

The team is currently engaged in a process, which is much to slow for fans and which most could not begin to understand.

Q is gone, players under contract are going to be given a chance to to adapt. Not 3 games, but a month or so. At some point there will be some movement and decisions. I do not think we will see the fan favorite "Getzlaff" type trades, but the organization will add pieces that fit the modern NHL. And more importantly part ways with players that do not fit the system or the way the game is played today.

I wonder if Dayley and Kempny ever sent Q a thank you card for helping them win a cup? I really thought obtaining Rob Scuderi was a steal and would pay huge dividends come the playoffs, should Rosival not be able to play.

Lets count Keith and Gus turnovers tonight, my guess is, like most nights, Keith may win the competition. Gus was no

Yep. Played last night and had that breakaway where his stick exploded.
- AEL_Fox

I saw that. My comment was based on the lack of impact he has made to the club. It seems like he is just filling a spot but not contributing

I saw that. My comment was based on the lack of impact he has made to the club. It seems like he is just filling a spot but not contributing
- Spec41971

Sorry, missed the sarcasm! Agree with your commentary about him.