Well said! Even with the current personnel this team should be able to play a much defense. If they had a legitimate defensive scheme (that they are currently lacking), someone who can coach it and require it (Collition?), players that buy into it and are committed to it (??) or be traded or sent to the Rock (Stan).

Of course adding a good defensive dman and shut down forwards would speed up the process.
- -Doh-

Agree with this. Remember seeing someone post about the Isles going from worse on defense to the best on defense in one season with the same personnel because Trotz took them over.

Duchene may regret his decision to not re-up with Ottawa when he had the chance. I think his value on the open market is taking a beating right now.
And if the Hawks have any thoughts about pursuing Dzingel, they should looking at how he adjusts away from the comfortable environment he had with his previous team. He could be a big gamble on a large deal.
- 67hawks

My feeling is that Duchene did not leave Ottawa because of money. He left because of the screwball owner and the fact that he had no confidence the owner was committed to winning.

He will get big bucks and a long term contract as an UFA and he will get to pick the situation/team that he thinks is best for him. He will have plenty of suitors.

Lets give Colliton at least a training camp to see if he irons out his defensive system. Jake Muzzin is having a difficult time acclimating to Toronto's system because of how totally different it is than what the Kings play. That is one guy, imagine 7 guys trying to get it at once.

Lets give Colliton at least a training camp to see if he irons out his defensive system. Jake Muzzin is having a difficult time acclimating to Toronto's system because of how totally different it is than what the Kings play. That is one guy, imagine 7 guys trying to get it at once.
- LAHawk

does anyone know if JC has coached a team that has been a top 5 or 10 D Squad?

Lets give Colliton at least a training camp to see if he irons out his defensive system. Jake Muzzin is having a difficult time acclimating to Toronto's system because of how totally different it is than what the Kings play. That is one guy, imagine 7 guys trying to get it at once.
- LAHawk

I read this morning that they start next season in Prague. Do they need this when a strong training camp without distractions is essential?

I read this morning that they start next season in Prague. Do they need this when a strong training camp without distractions is essential?
- 67hawks

Rockford gave up the most goals of any AHL team making the playoffs last year.

I’m joking obviously, but seriously that has to be this team’s mentality on most nights.

You're joking when you say the team's strategy might be to score more goals than the other team? I think that's how you win hockey games. You might be overthinking this.

You're joking when you say the team's strategy might be to score more goals than the other team? I think that's how you win hockey games. You might be overthinking this.
- BestRapperAlive

Hoping to score 5 goals a game is get a win? Maybe he isn't overthinking it.

That is an interesting question because it could be argued, and I would even argue, for and against at the NHL level. Other than learning specific systems is the NHL where you want players to be taught ? Or is that what the minors are for? On the other hand when a team is rebuilding can it be done at the NHL level?
- paulr

TG alt confirmed

does anyone know if JC has coached a team that has been a top 5 or 10 D Squad?
- glennjpawlak22

I haven’t looked up the Mora defense numbers, just the records. But I did check and Rockford was 22nd out of 30th in GAA in the regular season last year.

Agreed...Gus made some HORRIFIC passes in his own zone last night. And while they weren't all turnovers, they weren't all able to be handled either. Q loved area passes, Gus can't even find the area. They were either behind, ahead or just a straight up giveaway.

The other thing is, it seems a lot of the time, all 3 forwards end up really deep and the puck is turned over causing 3-2 and 2-1 breaks. Where's the layering? That happened a lot in the 3rd period yesterday, especially on Buffalo's goal.
- CanOCorn

I feel like many of the odd man break issues have at least improved since Q was let go. Early in the year it felt like odd man rushes against multiple times every period of hockey we watched.

Looked like Kampf was matched against Eichel most of the night and did a good job.
- LAHawk

Some Sabre fans were blaming Eichel for being somewhat invisible last night. Kampf did a very good job.

Hawks have the 13th hardest schedule the rest of the season.

Of the teams with a harder schedule, only 2 are in the West, MIN 4th hardest, WPG 10th.

#KaapoKakko

Lets give Colliton at least a training camp to see if he irons out his defensive system. Jake Muzzin is having a difficult time acclimating to Toronto's system because of how totally different it is than what the Kings play. That is one guy, imagine 7 guys trying to get it at once.
- LAHawk

Good wise words. It is going to be a process for the coach and the players. JC isn't exactly a guy who has been there done that and I think the systems impact everyone from the goalie out, in terms of communication and positioning. If we are having this same conversation midway next season, it is way more concerning IMO.

Looked like Kampf was matched against Eichel most of the night and did a good job.
- LAHawk

#NewMarcusKruger

Good wise words. It is going to be a process for the coach and the players. JC isn't exactly a guy who has been there done that and I think the systems impact everyone from the goalie out, in terms of communication and positioning. If we are having this same conversation midway next season, it is way more concerning IMO.
- breadbag

100% agree, next year, no excuses!!

Some Sabre fans were blaming Eichel for being somewhat invisible last night. Kampf did a very good job.
- sabreadvocate1

Eichel got some shots in, but was glad he didn't get much going. It didn't stop Eddie O from pumping his tires every chance he got.

And as far as what system Colliton played in Rockford, I assume it was Q's system, because isn't the idea of being the farm team is to get them prepared to know the system that the Hawks are playing in case of a call up?

#NewMarcusKruger
- Justin Lowe

Really hope he can get to that level of shutdown and zone progression that Kruger had in his prime. There was that span of a few years where Kruger was on another level compared to most guys around the league.

Hahahaha! No problem, just glad you're giving it a run for its money. It will cost you a third round pick btw.
- I Am The Breadman

I only have like 12 of those left now!!

Really hope he can get to that level of shutdown and zone progression that Kruger had in his prime. There was that span of a few years where Kruger was on another level compared to most guys around the league.
- breadbag

I give Kruger a hard time now, but he was a fantastic role player. Was in the perfect circumstances during the glory days. Winning teams need players like that.

Getting his just rewards for his contribution meant a contract outside of his over all value and thus a nomadic 3 years.

He should find a way to hang around for another few years somewhere adding depth. The fact that he has lost a step and somehow never gained that 20 lbs will make his value uncertain.

https://www.the-rink.com/...nforcements-on-their-way/

Decent article by the Rink about possible prospects in college and juniors who could join the Hogs in the next year or two to add depth on the farm team. Most won’t make it but a few hopefuls for the big club.

I give Kruger a hard time now, but he was a fantastic role player. Was in the perfect circumstances during the glory days. Winning teams need players like that.

Getting his just rewards for his contribution meant a contract outside of his over all value and thus a nomadic 3 years.

He should find a way to hang around for another few years somewhere adding depth. The fact that he has lost a step and somehow never gained that 20 lbs will make his value uncertain.
- TrueGrit

I was hoping that this season he would have a bit more in the tank after healing up from injuries that seemed to be plaguing him. Hard to say too with the team overall just playing worse and being weaker.

Duchene will be fine. Many GMs lose their intellegence at the TDL and on July 1. Bank on a GM overpaying for Duchene both in terms of cobtract and term.
- paulr

Great point....... I have to agree with you. I just hope it's not with the Hawks. I don't think he's been on a winning team yet has he ?? A ton of talent but somehow it's not transferring to a TEAM game.

Question for all you sports gamblers out there. I heard on WGN Radio this morning that the Hawks have covered the over in 23 of their last 24 games.
That begs 2 questions.

Is it true?
Who's gotten rich?
- scottak

here is an article about NHL game spreads and betting...


http://www.espn.com/chalk...pitfalls-best-bets-season