This is from the TV announcer of the Hamilton Bulldogs:
Comparable: If Mackenzie Entwistle can translate his offensive game to the professional level, his 200ft game combined with his size will remind many of Anze Kopitar. Able to play in all situations, understanding how to use the big frame to shield and protect as well as being a great skater for his size
- tvetter

I see him more of a Adam Creighton type of player 20 goals a year and good net front presents.

Wow, we can interpret that a few ways....what do we prefer....
- glennjpawlak22

Sorry about that. Keep it clean. This is a family show.

I think the experts call it cluster (frank) formation.
- tvetter

Appropriate name. Fits well.

Sorry about that. Keep it clean. This is a family show.
- AEL_Fox

haha!! absolutely, move on, nothing to see here.

I see him more of a Adam Creighton type of player 20 goals a year and good net front presents.
- Sn1362

As an almost throw in on a trade deal - Adam Creighton would be just fine.

The direction Bowman takes insofar as improving the team's defense is going to become rather clear cut choices. The slot of out first round choice sure appears to have a lot to do with those choices.

No one should doubt how badly Bowman covets a top choice and the really hoped for picks are the top five overall. I imagine even the top eight picks are desirable but after that, a disappointing after #8 pick has to be considered as tradeable.

The scenario i see then is to trade down in round one. Unless Bowman really believes he can outbid for a free agent dman - is there one we even want to overpay - somehow we must sacrifice an asset with the objective being to acquire a top four dman.

A legitimate one. And Bowman needs to be aggressive in pursuit, no waiting around for the best deal. By then the guy(s) you target will be re-signed or traded.

The candidates on our blueline next season hypothetically would slot nicely if there is someone new who is fairly reliable. This mysterious dman does not have to be anything more than just as solid as can be defensively - screw the offensive side - please just a mobile enough skater.

MOST EACH TEAM IS AT LEAST SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN ADDING A VETERAN TO THEIR BLUELINE CORPS. HOWEVER : Their choice may be to find help internal should they expect their own prospect gets a nod.

We can expect Jokiharju to stick. I am a fan of Koekkoeck and Carlsson. I can even picture us trading either Gus or Murphy at next trade deadline if two of our young guys and Koekkoeck play well enough.

Colliton is going to make scheme for responsible defensive effort or he will sit out players. He will not be afraid to get his message across. His job will lie on the team defense playing in an organized way even if it is man - to - man. I do not doubt Colliton would even go as far as to sit his star - Kane- for an entire period and others for a game or more

If you believed that the way the team plays defense this season sits ok with Colliton, then you will be surprised over his toughness for adherance to better effort defensively.

The question that is yet to be addressed is, just what asset will be enough to bring a top four dman. I'd love to see us draft a top pbysical forward but i am aware that the defense has to be a priority.

The outside possibility exists that Gus could be used in a trade but i do not really believe Stan would part with him if at all. Maybe after a couple yes a couole of prospects prove they can hold an NHL job.

Box formation seems like the best way to simplify. What would you prefer: tight box or spread out but collapse as the puck/action gets closer to the net?

I like scramble formation if we're talking eggs.
- AEL_Fox

I prefer anything that kills a penalty occasionally with this group.

With all the video usage these days, I really don't think you can rely on one type of system on the PK. Problem is the group doesn't seem capable of handling anything complex.

I am not so sure a lot of the problem isn't a lack of communication on the ice. Seabrook and Keith can get away with it because of their familiarity with each other. The rest? Not so much

Wait ... the Bears just signed a kicker with the last name of Blewitt.

C'mon, that can't be true.

As an almost throw in on a trade deal - Adam Creighton would be just fine.
- EbonyRaptor

Actually, I believe at the time the Hawks insisted on him being part of the deal.

Appropriate name. Fits well.
- mohel

The dig it out of the net formation is too wordy.

I prefer anything that kills a penalty occasionally with this group.

With all the video usage these days, I really don't think you can rely on one type of system on the PK. Problem is the group doesn't seem capable of handling anything complex.

I am not so sure a lot of the problem isn't a lack of communication on the ice. Seabrook and Keith can get away with it because of their familiarity with each other. The rest? Not so much
- Elbows15

Makes sense. Adaptation game to game depending on opponent and even within a game if the other team changes up their PP strategy mid-stream is key just like communication as you pointed out.

I see him more of a Adam Creighton type of player 20 goals a year and good net front presents.
- Sn1362

Regarding a more realistic high end comparable for Entwistle, Couturier might be one. At least the version before his offensive explosion the past two seasons. Creighton sounds more reasonable, though.

Regarding a more realistic high end comparable for Entwistle, Couturier might be one. At least the version before his offensive explosion the past two seasons. Creighton sounds more reasonable, though.
- AEL_Fox

Even if he is Philip Danault I would take it.

Wait ... the Bears just signed a kicker with the last name of Blewitt.

C'mon, that can't be true.
- EbonyRaptor

I'm good as long as the last name isn't Parkey

Regarding a more realistic high end comparable for Entwistle, Couturier might be one. At least the version before his offensive explosion the past two seasons. Creighton sounds more reasonable, though.
- AEL_Fox

Think he is a better skater than Creighton. If the kid becomes a 4th line guy that can kill penalties, its a win.

Even if he is Philip Danault I would take it.
- LAHawk

DAMN YOU, LA. Now I am pissed all over again about that trade.

Makes sense. Adaptation game to game depending on opponent and even within a game if the other team changes up their PP strategy mid-stream is key just like communication as you pointed out.
- AEL_Fox

I really hate passive PK. You need guys that have quick stops and starts in their game so they can pressure the puck.

I really hate passive PK. You need guys that have quick stops and starts in their game so they can pressure the puck.
- Elbows15

You'll get nothing, and like it, Spaulding.

I really hate passive PK. You need guys that have quick stops and starts in their game so they can pressure the puck.
- Elbows15

Yeah, I hate passive anything whether PK or defense in general. Unless you're playing in an all star game, everyone needs to be active at puck pursuit (not everyone going for the puck at the same time, of course) and closing off as many passing and shooting lanes as possible.

In addition to quick starts and stops, good reads as plays develop and gap management. That and staying between the opponent and the net. Nothing worse when the other team can routinely get behind the Hawks and be in prime scoring areas unscathed.

You'll get nothing, and like it, Spaulding.
- mohel

I didn't ask for anything you old coot

Yeah, I hate passive anything whether PK or defense in general. Unless you're playing in an all star game, everyone needs to be active at puck pursuit (not everyone going for the puck at the same time, of course) and closing off as many passing and shooting lanes as possible.

In addition to quick starts and stops, good reads as plays develop and gap management. That and staying between the opponent and the net. Nothing worse when the other team can routinely get behind the Hawks and be in prime scoring areas unscathed.
- AEL_Fox

Baby steps Foxy. Someone covering the (frank)ing slot would thrill me at this point.

Meanwhile, the Dead Wings TANKING HARD today....shut down their best dman Mike Green for the season with a mystery "virus", and Dylan Larkin their best player on the shelf with a back injury.

Wait ... the Bears just signed a kicker with the last name of Blewitt.

C'mon, that can't be true.
- EbonyRaptor

Parkey with a false moustache?

I didn't ask for anything you old coot
- Elbows15

Oh, then never mind.

Btw, you gotta be old to use "old coot" in a sentence.

I really hate passive PK. You need guys that have quick stops and starts in their game so they can pressure the puck.
- Elbows15

Agreed. This is where young guys, hungry for minutes, any kind of minutes can make quite a nice NHL living. And put the boys back in contention. I'd go so far as to argue they are a playoff team this year if they had a Top 5 PK.
My pie-in-the-sky dream of all dreams is a 'Hawk PK so effective they no longer need to rely on Toews there, even for face offs. I salivate at Toews only needing to concentrate on 5v5 and PP minutes. (Makes his career last longer too).