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

They also send their 4th out against our soft...any line, and make them look like all stars.

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.
- Return of the Roar

100% agree with you...just making the point that Delia is giving Hawks a better chance to win now, but in the long run, when you give up 45+ shots per game, the odds are much less that is sustainable for success

100% agree with you...just making the point that Delia is giving Hawks a better chance to win now, but in the long run, when you give up 45+ shots per game, the odds are much less that is sustainable for success
- glennjpawlak22

Or that your stud goalie of the moment's groin or head can hold up for very long.

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
- LAHawk

Were either lines running people or unloading big hits? Nope. Both were playing good solid simple hockey and maintaining puck possession/creating scoring chances.

Martinsen isn't a good hockey player. I don't care if he plays a physical game. So do half the forwards in the AHL but they are not NHL quality players.

Martinsen isn't effective on the forecheck and he can't maintain possession. Sure he lays some hits when he catches up to people. He isn't the type of player this team needs.

The Brouwer, Buff, Bickell (good version), Laad, Hossa, Sharp (dude played a pretty physical game until he had a few years on him) are the type of physical and skilled forwards the Hawks need.

Saad should be one but he plays charmin soft 90% of the time now. Idk the last time he even hit someone.

Martinsen is a nobody that doesn't make the Hawks better and certainly doesn't make the Hawks worse by losing him.

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.
- Return of the Roar

I think both parts of your post are true. The traditional 4th line that just hits, has little skill, and plays single digit minutes is in the past. In order to be competitive, roll 3 lines that can score while playing respectable defense while the 4th line is a combination of skill, speed, sandpaper, and endurance.

That 4th line is able to go up against another team's top lines if it can wear them down with speed and sandpaper but also needs some skill or at least ability to play sound fundamental hockey or else the other team's top players will still find ways to expose them at the right times.

And if the 4th line is being used to shut down the other team, they need to be able to eat a lot of minutes (in the teens, not single digit) so endurance and durability are also key.

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.
- kwolf68

I don't see elite skill. Big & fast sure. But only in a straight line. He doesn't gain or maintain speed when he turns so he doesn't wheel around anybody. I also don't see elite hockey IQ either. I see Ben Eager with lesser hands. And that's ok if they use Perlini like Eager was used in 2010 as a nightmare first guy in forechecker. But so far that's not the case. Rene Bourque couldn't wheel anybody either, but at least he could score. Strome does show borderline elite hockey IQ so I agree he has potential.

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.
- Mr Ricochet

Agree with this post and think the Hawks should focus on the goalie situation as you described. I'm in the minority with this which is fine but I would re-sign Ward to another one year deal, hopefully without a NMC. I can't imagine it will be at the same price tag as this year so I would expect or at least hope the AAV will go down.

Assuming Crawford is out next year, Ward as a veteran can mentor Delia and they can either platoon as 1A/1B or give Delia the reigns completely as a starter while Ward plays backup.

Not sure how many goalies on the market will be willing to sign for just 1-2 years for $3MM or less AAV. Ward may end up being the only option again but I would be fine with that. Use the available cap space to strengthen elsewhere in the lineup.

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,,,,
- StLBravesFan

I would suggest they would come back with a more open mind and a fresher outlook. Losing is tough from a mental perspective.

Were either lines running people or unloading big hits? Nope. Both were playing good solid simple hockey and maintaining puck possession/creating scoring chances.

Martinsen isn't a good hockey player. I don't care if he plays a physical game. So do half the forwards in the AHL but they are not NHL quality players.

Martinsen isn't effective on the forecheck and he can't maintain possession. Sure he lays some hits when he catches up to people. He isn't the type of player this team needs.

The Brouwer, Buff, Bickell (good version), Laad, Hossa, Sharp (dude played a pretty physical game until he had a few years on him) are the type of physical and skilled forwards the Hawks need.

Saad should be one but he plays charmin soft 90% of the time now. Idk the last time he even hit someone.

Martinsen is a nobody that doesn't make the Hawks better and certainly doesn't make the Hawks worse by losing him.
- bhawks2241

Well, when you compare Martinsen to the group of guys you mentioned, it's easy to just say he sucks. But again, NONE of those guys you mentioned were fourth liners either.

The 2010 Cup team had Madden, Burish and Eager for the most part. THAT my frent, was a tremendous fourth line.

Just saying that Martinsen, Kruger, Hayden was a nice combo given the talent pool they are working with.

Send Delia back to Rock-City, he’s hurting the Tank!

Send Delia back to Rock-City, he’s hurting the Tank!
- EnzoD

We need a like button.

According to a news article yesterday, AA (who just provided a list of 10 teams) and Saad are most likely to be moved.
- Hank3Henshaw

I just cant figure Sadd out such a disapointment. Can show flashes of his old self , but mostly nothing stands out in each game with him. I do miss Panarin,he was great with Kane, but I guess money was an issue.

I would suggest they would come back with a more open mind and a fresher outlook. Losing is tough from a mental perspective.
- 6628

But they've been playing better and getting some reward:

Points in 8 of 11 - 6 wins, two others to OT, only 3 regulation losses....

Or that your stud goalie of the moment's groin or head can hold up for very long.
- Return of the Roar

did you notice that Delia looked GASSED at end of the game

Stupid move! He still had some value to the team and could be retained if we demoted Sikura who is contributing nothing. Martinsen will be claimed by someone.

EDIT: Unless Bowman is officially going into tank mode.
- 67hawks

I agree Martinsen is lighting it up.

They also send their 4th out against our soft...any line, and make them look like all stars.
- Return of the Roar

[Agreed. Ryan Reeves is more productive with his line and will defend their better players.

did you notice that Delia looked GASSED at end of the game
- glennjpawlak22

[Agreed. Ryan Reeves is more productive with his line and will defend their better players.
- GlennL

Because believe it or not, Reaves actually does know how to play hockey too.

I don't see elite skill. Big & fast sure. But only in a straight line. He doesn't gain or maintain speed when he turns so he doesn't wheel around anybody. I also don't see elite hockey IQ either. I see Ben Eager with lesser hands. And that's ok if they use Perlini like Eager was used in 2010 as a nightmare first guy in forechecker. But so far that's not the case. Rene Bourque couldn't wheel anybody either, but at least he could score. Strome does show borderline elite hockey IQ so I agree he has potential.
- 6628

I would consider Perlini, Kampf, and Ciaggula as a 4th line: speed, skill, grit, endurance. Kampf may not be fast like Perlini but he provides solid defense and can win draws.

As long as they live up to their potential and play consistently, all 3 have endless motors to pester in the D zone and move the puck deep and around in the O zone. And they could eat minutes as long as Colliton and co. allocates playing time adequately.

did you notice that Delia looked GASSED at end of the game
- glennjpawlak22

Yep, same thing happened to him last year which is why he cramped up that one game and we got the Scott Foster show for the 3rd period. He looks like a real promising prospect, but he needs some better conditioning to stick at this level as a future #1. I still see that as a possibility though.

But they've been playing better and getting some reward:

Points in 8 of 11 - 6 wins, two others to OT, only 3 regulation losses....
- StLBravesFan

I hear you and am not discounting what you say. But it's a long season and a nice break in the middle is just that - nice. At least it was decades ago.

I would consider Perlini, Kampf, and Ciaggula as a 4th line: speed, skill, grit, endurance. Kampf may not be fast like Perlini but he provides solid defense and can win draws.

As long as they live up to their potential and play consistently, all 3 have endless motors to pester in the D zone and move the puck deep and around in the O zone. And they could eat minutes as long as Colliton and co. allocates playing time adequately.
- AEL_Fox

This is my biggest gripe with Colliton thus far. He leans so heavy on the "stars", and does not spread out the time enough. Maybe that is why Kane basically just puts his stick in a lane in the defensive zone.

I'm really hoping that they find a way to move AA and put some better skill on that line. I actually like AA, but that line doesn't work as well as it should with him on it.

I would consider Perlini, Kampf, and Ciaggula as a 4th line: speed, skill, grit, endurance. Kampf may not be fast like Perlini but he provides solid defense and can win draws.

As long as they live up to their potential and play consistently, all 3 have endless motors to pester in the D zone and move the puck deep and around in the O zone. And they could eat minutes as long as Colliton and co. allocates playing time adequately.
- AEL_Fox

I have yet to see Ciaggula play, but I could see sending Perlini in 1st and have Kampf read the play as he follows. If Ciaggula has anything to offer it might make a decent 4th line.

I hear you and am not discounting what you say. But it's a long season and a nice break in the middle is just that - nice. At least it was decades ago.
- 6628

I agree - the bye week is a break for us fans, too.

But - 10 days (combining, by coincidence, the bye week with the All Star break) I think is a bit too long.

what was the link from the article? I just don't know if SAAD brings back more then what he is. a 2nd line wing that plays pretty good d probably a 25 goal and 20 assists. Look for Keith to not a cap team but a team that has a internal budget. even thou his cap hit is 5.5 he is owed less then 10 mil over the last 4 years of his deal. SAAD is actual owed 6.75 his last 2 seasons. AA might be someone to trade on july 1st after we pay the 2 mil bonus. he would only be owed 5 mil his last 2 years with a 4.55 AAV.
- kmw4631

If you're planning on trading Keith and that's what Keith wants then
how Saad for Muzzin or Saad for Neitorreiter or Saad for FaulkDarling
w/$2mil retained on Darling?