From last blog just for clarification:

Sorry I wasn't clear.

Keith has the skill and physical tools to be a top 4 defender in the NHL now and probably the next two or three seasons. He is not currently playing like one for the Hawks.

You would trade Keith because he isnt going to babysit Boqvist or Young Henri like he should be doing at this stage. Hes going to pout and hang them out to dry kind of like he has with Gus. Except Gus gives zero f's and just rolls.

If he's not going to cover and let the younger RHDs run the breakout and take risks then he doesn't have a lot of value at this point. Doesn't have the legs to do it himself anymore either but with the right group could have a lot of success and in the case of Toronto, with Babcock in his head, get another two or three shots at a Cup.

Also are people for real sad about Martinsen? He's a bad hockey player...

No idea why they signed Kunitz, for Q maybe, but to sign him I'm sure he wouldn't have accepted a contract without the NMC.
- paulr

Well, he played 23 games this year and not many of those have been since Colliton has taken over. I have this recurring theme in my head whenever Kunitz comes up. Before free agency opens up this past summer,

Bowman: "Q, what players do you want?"
Q: "Remember how Kunitz played for the Pens? Someone like that."
Bowman: "Done."

Also are people for real sad about Martinsen? He's a bad hockey player...
- fattybeef

I think it has more to do with the fact that the team is perceived as being quite soft, and he was one of the few that would actually be aggressive and play the body. Not completely unwarranted, but I agree we should concentrate on finding good hockey players.

He hasn't really been noticeable yet, and is only playing 4th line right now, unless he significantly improves, I don't see them resigning him. They have a bunch of young guys with good attributes.


- ToewsdNKanefusd

Awful hard to get noticed playing 5 minutes a night. Interestingly only one player had more shots on goal than Perlini in the Boston game while NINE forwards were rewarded with triple the ice time.

Outside of that, name the good young forwards with elite speed and size, a first round pedigree, still young that the Hawks have? The Hawks have very little, if any, top end forward talent on the way. Most guys look like tweeners, grinders. Perlini needs to be given a long, hard look to see what we got. His combo of size/speed is unmatched by any forward in our system. He's young, give him some legit chances to play solid minutes with capable linemates.

Well, he played 23 games this year and not many of those have been since Colliton has taken over. I have this recurring theme in my head whenever Kunitz comes up. Before free agency opens up this past summer,

Bowman: "Q, what players do you want?"
Q: "Remember how Kunitz played for the Pens? Someone like that."
Bowman: "Done."
- Chunk

UPDATED: Q: Hey Stan, dont forget to throw in a NMC and some coupons for Binnys

Awful hard to get noticed playing 5 minutes a night. Interestingly only one player had more shots on goal than Perlini in the Boston game while NINE forwards were rewarded with triple the ice time.

Outside of that, name the good young forwards with elite speed and size, a first round pedigree, still young that the Hawks have? The Hawks have very little, if any, top end forward talent on the way. Most guys look like tweeners, grinders. Perlini needs to be given a long, hard look to see what we got. His combo of size/speed is unmatched by any forward in our system. He's young, give him some legit chances to play solid minutes with capable linemates.
- kwolf68

Agreed, already stated I was wrong in saying to dump him. Although, if he doesn't show much more for the rest of this season, do you think they should still resign him?

Agreed, already stated I was wrong in saying to dump him. Although, if he doesn't show much more for the rest of this season, do you think they should still resign him?
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Fair question. Give him a legit 30+ games, legit minutes, with legit linemates and then we can assess.

Perhaps he isn't great, but he "shows flashes", I'd try to get him back for cheap.

His combination of size+speed is hard to pass up. I wonder though WHY he was a "throw in" with Strome. In my eyes, Schmaltz for Strome was a fair price, but the Yotes dumped Perlini on the Hawks.

I see a player who plays erratic at times, stick handling through 3 players, not always making a great decision, but also one who has elite skill and size. Is he just "trying too hard" or is he not a smart player? Just dunno. And I can't get enough of a read playing 4th line checking minutes.

I hope once reality sets in for Bowman and Colliton, they can shift him to a top 9 role and give him a legit chance to prove himself.

take a look at Strome, wasn't he dumped into fourth line minutes in Phoenix? The Hawks have given him Line 2 chances and he's showing quite a bit of potential.

Nick Schmaltz on IR yesterday - hadn't seen that.

He joins Raanta, Hossa, and Bolland as former Blackhawks currently on Arizona's IR.

Shaw on IR yesterday too.

Also are people for real sad about Martinsen? He's a bad hockey player...
- fattybeef

No, just another reminder that the scheme is totally speed/skill and seemingly a big, nasty, physical type has no place on a Hawk roster. Martinson was by far the most physical player and could skate a shift.

Tortorella likes players like Martinsen. He is probably fed up with Duclair by now. I could see Columbus putting in a claim.
- RickJ

Why I love watching Jacket games. Win, lose or draw you know this group will knock someone down!!......... It was hoped Duclair would be a Gagner type PP specialist guy in CLB. Started that way, he was effective, but got injured and his soft, high skill, low IQ game wore on Torts.

That is a question for sure. Delia himself could be the backup or 1A/B. There are many ways it could play out, but I guess my point was they don't have to break the bank for a backup goalie. There are options if they feel like they want save cash. I think the whole Ward for 3 million was because they knew they weren't going to max out their cap space this season. The signings in the summer were part of the retool/rebuild to me. Just trying to keep the team competitive while they restock with more useful players.
- breadbag

Indeed there are many ways the tender position could play out and Stan, or the next guy, needs to get it right the FIRST time. Crow's health makes it even harder to navigate but IMO Delia is the ace up the sleeve, the security blanket SHOULD he continue his solid play.....

Crow comes back he's the #1 Delia the #2. Crow doesn't come back Delia is the #1 and either Ward or someone outside the organIztion is the #2, a guy who has proven he can make quality starts like Ward has.

From last blog just for clarification:

Sorry I wasn't clear.

Keith has the skill and physical tools to be a top 4 defender in the NHL now and probably the next two or three seasons. He is not currently playing like one for the Hawks.

You would trade Keith because he isnt going to babysit Boqvist or Young Henri like he should be doing at this stage. Hes going to pout and hang them out to dry kind of like he has with Gus. Except Gus gives zero f's and just rolls.

If he's not going to cover and let the younger RHDs run the breakout and take risks then he doesn't have a lot of value at this point. Doesn't have the legs to do it himself anymore either but with the right group could have a lot of success and in the case of Toronto, with Babcock in his head, get another two or three shots at a Cup.
- fattybeef

I expect Hawk Management to look at Keith and determine what is best to do with him based on his value to the Hawks. Can they trade him and receive some solid prospects and or draft picks back? Is he more valuable as a playing coach? Personally if the Hawks can sell high and pick up some good prospcts I think moving him is the best thing for the hawks future.

JL said: Let the rest of them step away from hockey for a week.

I say: In addition to the All Star break, I think their bye week is at that time - no games between January 22 and February 1 - a 10 day break (if I'm adding correctly).

They should come back having forgotten everything they've learned in the past couple of weeks.

Oy vey,,,,

Getting rid of Martinsen....a head shaker. At least the guy had some stones and could actually be a good part of a fourth line properly constructed.

But, the system in place now, with the players they have now, seems to be totally working as evidenced by the FIFTY shots on goal they gave up last night.

That isn't your goalie's fault.
That isn't your defence's fault.

It is is the lack of sack up front. End of story. No forecheck equals playing in your own end all night. And that lack of sack up front also shows itself when they can't win neutral zone battles or D zone battles to regain possession.

They don't need goons - they need players with skill, speed AND size with a willingness to hit to get and keep the puck.

This "system", and its "architects" envision pretty play with a bunch of tinkerbells is the future. There is no evidence to suggest that this team, or any other teams in the league for that matter has successfully adopted this approach and accomplished dog crap with it.

Colin Delia sees an average of 41.5 SOG against per game he starts. All since JC took over.

The "system" isn't working, and is showing no signs of that changing.

Getting rid of Martinsen....a head shaker. At least the guy had some stones and could actually be a good part of a fourth line properly constructed.

But, the system in place now, with the players they have now, seems to be totally working as evidenced by the FIFTY shots on goal they gave up last night.

That isn't your goalie's fault.
That isn't your defence's fault.

It is is the lack of sack up front. End of story. No forecheck equals playing in your own end all night. And that lack of sack up front also shows itself when they can't win neutral zone battles or D zone battles to regain possession.

They don't need goons - they need players with skill, speed AND size with a willingness to hit to get and keep the puck.

This "system", and its "architects thinks pretty play with a bunch of tinkerbells is the future. There is no evidence to suggest that this team, or any other teams in the league for that matter has successfully adopted this approach and accomplished dog crap with it.

Colin Delia sees an average of 41.5 SOG against per game he starts. All since JC took over.

The "system" isn't working, and is showing no signs of that changing.
- Return of the Roar

how many goals would Ward have given up last night? 5-8?

US vs Russia in the semis at 3:00 CDT today! https://teamusa.usahockey.com/worldjuniors2019

Getting rid of Martinsen....a head shaker. At least the guy had some stones and could actually be a good part of a fourth line properly constructed.

But, the system in place now, with the players they have now, seems to be totally working as evidenced by the FIFTY shots on goal they gave up last night.

That isn't your goalie's fault.
That isn't your defence's fault.

It is is the lack of sack up front. End of story. No forecheck equals playing in your own end all night. And that lack of sack up front also shows itself when they can't win neutral zone battles or D zone battles to regain possession.

They don't need goons - they need players with skill, speed AND size with a willingness to hit to get and keep the puck.

This "system", and its "architects" envision pretty play with a bunch of tinkerbells is the future. There is no evidence to suggest that this team, or any other teams in the league for that matter has successfully adopted this approach and accomplished dog crap with it.

Colin Delia sees an average of 41.5 SOG against per game he starts. All since JC took over.

The "system" isn't working, and is showing no signs of that changing.
- Return of the Roar

IMO they, any team, needs BALANCE. The Hawks always find a way not to use a big/heavy players skills or create a role/scheme for their skills. They just don't. They don't believe a heavy player helps them win games.

how many goals would Ward have given up last night? 5-8?
- glennjpawlak22

Not my point - issue is that level of SOG against is unsustainable, and there is no data emerging that the SOG against situation is improving over time, or since Q left and JC took over. Whether you lose 1-0 or 9-0 means very little. It's W or L at the end of each game.

Just like sales - its a numbers game. The more chances you get, the more sales you make.

Neither the system nor the roster are built to contend in this league.

No, just another reminder that the scheme is totally speed/skill and seemingly a big, nasty, physical type has no place on a Hawk roster. Martinson was by far the most physical player and could skate a shift.
- Mr Ricochet

Yes we might as well go totally soft. Replace Martinsen with a Sikura type who offers nothing. Helps with our tank plan.

IMO they, any team, needs BALANCE. The Hawks always find a way not to use a big/heavy players skills or create a role/scheme for their skills. They just don't. They don't believe a heavy player helps them win games.
- Mr Ricochet

Yes.

The FO appears to exclude the grit/size criteria, believing that higher levels of the speed and skill pieces can overcome the lack of sack.

They have failed to prove their theory is correct.

IMO they, any team, needs BALANCE. The Hawks always find a way not to use a big/heavy players skills or create a role/scheme for their skills. They just don't. They don't believe a heavy player helps them win games.
- Mr Ricochet

Notice how other teams' 4th lines give us trouble? That is the way their 4th lines are generally constructed. When we send out our soft 4th against them, they have a heyday.

Notice how other teams' 4th lines give us trouble? That is the way their 4th lines are generally constructed. When we send out our soft 4th against them, they have a heyday.
- 67hawks

I mentioned that in the last blog during the game, the last 2 games especially, we have made the Isle's and Bruins 4th lines look like a bunch of hall of famers are playing

Notice how other teams' 4th lines give us trouble? That is the way their 4th lines are generally constructed. When we send out our soft 4th against them, they have a heyday.
- 67hawks

But I thought the traditional fourth line role has disappeared from the game....

You are spot on. One added dimension to having a physical fourth line is that they can be deployed against an opponent's #1 line to grind them down and offer mismatch opportunities for your team to get their #1 line out against more favorable players.

Fair enough...I'll take back dumping perlini...not like it breaks the bank or completely invalidates my post about how they have a lot of options this summer.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I'm sorry, but this is the internet. You are not allowed to change your mind!