Still fun to watch Toews and Kane. They (and Keith) represent the Golden Age of Blackhawks hockey. We are lucky people.
- mohel

Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita are the golden age, they have the statues. Toews and Kane are the resurrection.

Or maybe they'd have 27 shots that period if BOS won 67% of the faceoffs

Faceoffs, points and hits do not matter. We understand.

So why was Asimov's poor faceoff numbers always brought up when people ripped him?
- PatShart

Every time I hear people say faceoffs don't matter I see Drew Doughty in 2014 using Crawford for target practice as the Hawks lost draw after draw in their own end.

While I won't dispute that doing a hip check isn't easy, but murphy isn't a 19 year old kid still developing. He has been around and my point is many defenseman have tried , practiced that technique, murphy if he plans to use that technique in a game he should have it perfected or be more aware of the cost if not executed properly.

He tried and failed miserably last night allowing the skater to blow right past him creating a scoring chance.
I'm all for playing tough , but I want the defenseman to play within their means , 17 shots in the 2nd period from their rookies against our starters is a bit alarming.


Lehner IMO was the reason Chicago was always in the game standing solid in net when the team was outshot / played .

I know it's preseason and the games don't count , but the season starts in 2 weeks and Chicago has just a few more games to build upon and start clicking on all cylinders
- Taylorst1

The preseason is the time for the 'Hawks to put their team together and make their best assessments as to where improved chemistry will come from.
On the plus plus plus side, we have what appears to be 2 goalies who would be #1 goalies for most NHL teams.
The next thing we as fans need to see is the forward group as a whole completely committed to the back check.* We get that and this team is a contender.

*completely committed to the back check will look quite different from player to player. Ex. Nobody should expect Kaner to drive any opposing player through the boards. But I would wager a not small sum of money he could stick lift and pick like a champ.

Every time I hear people say faceoffs don't matter I see Drew Doughty in 2014 using Crawford for target practice as the Hawks lost draw after draw in their own end.
- rpeters01

Faceoffs are overrated.

Every time I hear people say faceoffs don't matter I see Drew Doughty in 2014 using Crawford for target practice as the Hawks lost draw after draw in their own end.
- rpeters01

No one would ever logically suggest that faceoffs don’t matter at all, it’s just that they are overvalued by many, and the result only directly impacts the first few seconds of gameplay immediately following the puck drop. The vast majority of centermen are separated by 5-6 percentage points at most. 5 more wins out of a 100 attempts is what separates average from elite. It’s crazy to think such a small difference would have a significant impact on the overall success of a team. It’s a tight league, and every little bit helps I guess, but there are many more important things to worry about than a couple of F/O percentage points.

- mohel

Good morning, Mo! Might hinge on whether or not the kid himself, feels he's truly ready to give it a shot. How old was Keith again when he stepped in? We aren't going to win the SC this year in any event. If we do, I'll gladly have myself committed. Leaves the team with a ton of flexibility to iron out the wrinkles and experiment with the future in mind.

Faceoffs are overrated.
- mohel

My lamb shank however....

Last season the Islanders gave up the fewest goals in the NHL. They were 29th in FO%. Last in the league were the defending champion Caps. Who was best, you ask? The Flyers. Vital, these faceoffs.

Waivers?
- mohel

Everyone wants depth on defense. The playoffs is a grind and there are many battles to get through the war aka playoffs. Besides you can always trade a dman for a draft pick

I don't think Colliton's system has been fully implemented yet, after only a handful of practices with 30-40 players in camp. It's probably going to take some time after the roster finally cut down to 22/23 players and those players spend time learning and practicing the system. It is probably something that will provide better results as the players go from thinking about how to play to instinctual playing. As fans, we must stay patient and realize giving up 39 shots against an AHL squad is not indicative of the final product - it is indicative the final product is still a work in progress and will be for some time. The objective is to get better over time - not look for an immediate fix as if flipping a switch is all that's needed.

The Hawks looked very sloppy last night in their own end - a lot of chasing the puck. It's not a big deal and it won't be a big deal unless it continues to happen well into the season.
- EbonyRaptor

Having a hard time with this post...way too much logic and reason.

I've already folded the tent and am looking forward to next season's team.

Assigned to Rockford

Forwards: Dylan Sikura, Matthew Highmore, Brandon Hagel, Philipp Kurashev, Mikael Hakkarainen, Alexandre Fortin, Reese Johnson, MacKenzie Entwistle

Defensemen: Nicolas Beaudin, Joni Tuulola, Lucas Carlsson

Goaltender: Matt Tomkins*
- pdx2ord

Should be a much more competitive team in Rockford. Worth going to a few games.

Having a hard time with this post...way too much logic and reason.

I've already folded the tent and am looking forward to next season's team.
- HawkintheD

My tent never left the attic, let alone being set up!

Colliton's system looked really flawed last night because we got outworked and outhustled by the Bruins AHL club. I told my brother at the game if the Bruins regulars would have played the Hawks would have easily given up 50-55 shots. Any system looks like it lacks structure when players don't work hard or hustle, that is what I witnessed last night.

Good morning Hawks fans. Hawks win . Last night we saw a couple of young promising forwards step up and I believe solidify or make a argument to keep them on the team.

Nylander for all the negative comments when he was acquired, he has been showing a lot off skill , a work ethic . Nylander Toews Kane just need more time together but right now the formula is working. Nylander showed his skill last night with that slick move that created a scoring chance.

Kubalick looks like a great sneaky pickup and a lock to make the team.
Debrincat looks quiet out their from my observation ?

Wedin,,,I thought played well and didn't do anything negative and it was his play that created the opportunity which lead to a goal.

The defense I'm still curious why it's so hard for them to have a system in place and make clean passes and exit the zone.
17 shots given up is a recipe for disaster.

Lehner looked rock solid ..

Did anyone notice last night early in the 1st period the hip check murphy tried and failed ?
- Taylorst1

Yea. I guess you missed that Nylander was pulled off the that line in the 3rd and replaced by Drake Caggiula who was also out there for the 3 on 3.

For that matter, I'm not sure I saw Nylander take a shift in the 3rd. Injured? A message or JC trying some stuff?

Should be a much more competitive team in Rockford. Worth going to a few games.
- vabeachbear

Perhaps a bit of a lofty goal, but I want the Stanley and Calder this season. Never been done as far as I know. #twogoals

Everyone wants depth on defense. The playoffs is a grind and there are many battles to get through the war aka playoffs. Besides you can always trade a dman for a draft pick
- jhawk59

Not much of a grind in 2017 against the Preds.

Yea. I guess you missed that Nylander was pulled off the that line in the 3rd and replaced by Drake Caggiula who was also out there for the 3 on 3.

For that matter, I'm not sure I saw Nylander take a shift in the 3rd. Injured? A message or JC trying some stuff?
- Rota's Rooter

Definitely Nylander's worst performance of the preseason. He was floating a lot and not really moving his feet. He was not alone, a lot of the Hawks looked like they used the game last night to get into shape and did not want to be there.

[quote=mohel]

Would Bo be better served under the tutelage of Keith and Seab's while you still have them?

Colliton's system looked really flawed last night because we got outworked and outhustled by the Bruins AHL club. I told my brother at the game if the Bruins regulars would have played the Hawks would have easily given up 50-55 shots. Any system looks like it lacks structure when players don't work hard or hustle, that is what I witnessed last night.
- ChicagoHope

If the Bruins regulars were playing, I’d like to think that the boys would have played better than they did last night.

I know logic dictates that an NHL team should dominate an AHL team, but unfortunately it just doesn’t always work that way. Even if it’s on a subconscious level, it must be difficult for NHL veterans to get up for a pre-season game, and on the flip side a bunch of prospects looking to make a name for themselves getting to play against one of the most accomplished NHL rosters of the last decade...what I’m saying is, the Baby Bruins had a lot more to play for.

If the Bruins regulars were playing, I’d like to think that the boys would have played better than they did last night.

I know logic dictates that an NHL team should dominate an AHL team, but unfortunately it just doesn’t always work that way. Even if it’s on a subconscious level, it must be difficult for NHL veterans to get up for a pre-season game, and on the flip side a bunch of prospects looking to make a name for themselves getting to play against one of the most accomplished NHL rosters of the last decade...what I’m saying is, the Baby Bruins had a lot more to play for.
- Ogilthorpe2

Kane said as much after the game.

ut it didn’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence that the defense will be any better. I asked Kane about that afterward.

“Like you said, it’s preseason,” he said. “You want to tell yourself to get up for these games and make sure you’re ready to play and treat it like a regular-season game, but that’s also tough. We’re all using these games to get better. Obviously, we don’t want to give up that many shots or that many grade-A chances, but I think that’s why management went out and got another goaltender, and you saw how good Robin (Lehner) was tonight. He’s just a big guy in the net. Takes up a lot of space. And I think he’s going to be really good for our team.”

If the Bruins regulars were playing, I’d like to think that the boys would have played better than they did last night.

I know logic dictates that an NHL team should dominate an AHL team, but unfortunately it just doesn’t always work that way. Even if it’s on a subconscious level, it must be difficult for NHL veterans to get up for a pre-season game, and on the flip side a bunch of prospects looking to make a name for themselves getting to play against one of the most accomplished NHL rosters of the last decade...what I’m saying is, the Baby Bruins had a lot more to play for.
- Ogilthorpe2

Fair enough. Good points.

Colliton's system looked really flawed last night because we got outworked and outhustled by the Bruins AHL club. I told my brother at the game if the Bruins regulars would have played the Hawks would have easily given up 50-55 shots. Any system looks like it lacks structure when players don't work hard or hustle, that is what I witnessed last night.
- ChicagoHope

I think this whole “Colliton’s system” thing is way overblown!

Yea. I guess you missed that Nylander was pulled off the that line in the 3rd and replaced by Drake Caggiula who was also out there for the 3 on 3.

For that matter, I'm not sure I saw Nylander take a shift in the 3rd. Injured? A message or JC trying some stuff?
- Rota's Rooter

To be honest I fell asleep right at the start of the 3rd period. Woke up and game just ended.

From some of the guys comments now it appears that quite a few guys tookmthe night off.

I'm not against Nylander because he has shown some great skills and played well.

Chemistry sometimes takes time , sometimes it happens right away.

Colliton's system looked really flawed last night because we got outworked and outhustled by the Bruins AHL club. I told my brother at the game if the Bruins regulars would have played the Hawks would have easily given up 50-55 shots. Any system looks like it lacks structure when players don't work hard or hustle, that is what I witnessed last night.
- ChicagoHope

Good morning ChicagoHope I enjoy your spot on analysis. Maybe it's a bit early and with a few new faces we might finally get to see colliton system, maybe my opinion means nothing but here goes

Most of these guys have already played long enough under his system, also hockey players have seen and played throughout their careers, and upbringing in the sport at various levels quite a few different systems.

Maybe the system is flawed or the players Chicago has don't fit into the system JC is trying to implement.

Imo after missing the playoffs and watching last season's train wreck for the first half of the season a sense of urgency on everyone's part is needed to fix those issues .

Colliton's system looked really flawed last night because we got outworked and outhustled by the Bruins AHL club. I told my brother at the game if the Bruins regulars would have played the Hawks would have easily given up 50-55 shots. Any system looks like it lacks structure when players don't work hard or hustle, that is what I witnessed last night.
- ChicagoHope

Good morning ChicagoHope I enjoy your spot on analysis. Maybe it's a bit early and with a few new faces we might finally get to see colliton system, maybe my opinion means nothing but here goes

Most of these guys have already played long enough under his system, also hockey players have seen and played throughout their careers, and upbringing in the sport at various levels quite a few different systems.

Maybe the system is flawed or the players Chicago has don't fit into the system JC is trying to implement.

Imo after missing the playoffs and watching last season's train wreck for the first half of the season a sense of urgency on everyone's part is needed to fix those issues .