What's up, Gabe? Yeah, awesome results yesterday.

Aside from the coach and his system, a team that adds a lot of new players tends to need time for all the parts to work together. We'll see.
- mohel

I think JC needs another training camp to be able to implement his system. This year, he had to deal with new players. As we saw last 3/4 of a season, he couldn't put in his system "in season"...he needed a training camp.

Since Stanley decided to upgrade talent, it screwed up JC's ability to teach a system. So he'll need next seasons training camp to be able to show any semblance of discipline. That is, unless there are any new faces

I think JC needs another training camp to be able to implement his system. This year, he had to deal with new players. As we saw last 3/4 of a season, he couldn't put in his system "in season"...he needed a training camp.

Since Stanley decided to upgrade talent, it screwed up JC's ability to teach a system. So he'll need next seasons training camp to be able to show any semblance of discipline. That is, unless there are any new faces
- PatShart

Exactly. We need to think of JC and his system as a Tibetan monk laboring over a sand mandala. Each new player, or any other variable for that matter, is like a big sneeze forcing the process to begin again from the start.

Fair point and well received, here. My question to you is who is the minor leaguer at this point. Koekkoek or Gilbert? How would you proceed with them?
- gabriel

Safe to say neither is top 6 on a winner. Gilbert probably is more "unknown." Most of AHL will never play significant NHL games. Hawks could hide a guy when other 5 were lights out. Not there now. Not convinced Boquist is anywhere close on the Defensive side which is most important. Beaudin probably never plays NHL.

Gus is the top pairing D man because he is the perfect fit for JCs system

Float around like pond hockey players and try to score goals.

It's why Kane will have 100+ points, ADB will score 40g, Strome/Toews will produce point again. Keith will look lost trying to both figure out what Gus is doing while trying to cover for him at the same time. An example would be like when a Keith gets beat to the outside, he recovers to force the guy around the net/took away his angle to drive to the net. He looks to his D partner (Koekoek) to be "in a correct D position" at that far post...and KK was completely lost. Good coaching would have KK in the right position. If KK doesnt get it, why is he here still? That's why Q would sit guys that dont get it. They either can/do - or dont. Accountability. Discipline. Theres none of that

Gus on a top pairing is a problem, imo.
- mohel

Fair enough, but Gus is the only defenseman that drives offense consistently. Keith does too, but not quite as much.

If Seabrook and Maatta end up being the shutdown pair (don’t laugh) then how will JC use de Haan and Murphy? I’m a fan of both, but neither are particularly offensive.

I think the Hawks will need more offense from their defense this season. We might see Boqvist back in Chicago quicker than we think.

I’m all for keeping Gilbert in the show too. Give the kid a chance to gain experience at the NHL level.

Fair enough, but Gus is the only defenseman that drives offense consistently. Keith does too, but not quite as much.

If Seabrook and Maatta end up being the shutdown pair (don’t laugh) then how will JC use de Haan and Murphy? I’m a fan of both, but neither are particularly offensive.

I think the Hawks will need more offense from their defense this season. We might see Boqvist back in Chicago quicker than we think.

I’m all for keeping Gilbert in the show too. Give the kid a chance to gain experience at the NHL level.
- DarthKane

I’d be willing to diminish the offensive output from the blueline at 5v5 and focus on stopping the bleeding of GA - which the Hawks were nearly a league-worst last season. The Hawks will either make or miss the playoffs based upon how much they can improve defensively - not by increasing offensive output.

Fair enough, but Gus is the only defenseman that drives offense consistently. Keith does too, but not quite as much.

If Seabrook and Maatta end up being the shutdown pair (don’t laugh) then how will JC use de Haan and Murphy? I’m a fan of both, but neither are particularly offensive.

I think the Hawks will need more offense from their defense this season. We might see Boqvist back in Chicago quicker than we think.

I’m all for keeping Gilbert in the show too. Give the kid a chance to gain experience at the NHL level.
- DarthKane

Murphy with Keith, De Haan with Gus

Murphy with Keith, De Haan with Gus
- SaadBeast

It’s worth a shot. And just tell DeHaan to play like he’s on the PK when he’s out there with Gus.

It’s worth a shot. And just tell DeHaan to play like he’s on the PK when he’s out there with Gus.
- Chief4Feathers

Exactly

One day all 5 of our NHL dmen will play together in 1 game, hope it's soon

Not trying to argue here, but I think Maatta (at least in this game) was the best D on the Hawks. Played the most fundamental D and even generated a decent amount of offense.
- Chunk

Maatta has surprised me. I'm happy he's on the team.

Nothing inherently wrong with starting the season playing a semi-clunker. Hope it has little or nothing to do with the coaching staff. They played with zero intensity during the exhibition schedule, and it continued tonite.
- gabriel

I'm glad Shaw is on the team because they need more guys that generate energy in one way or another. Maybe Dach will eventually but maybe not this year.

I think JC needs another training camp to be able to implement his system. This year, he had to deal with new players. As we saw last 3/4 of a season, he couldn't put in his system "in season"...he needed a training camp.

Since Stanley decided to upgrade talent, it screwed up JC's ability to teach a system. So he'll need next seasons training camp to be able to show any semblance of discipline. That is, unless there are any new faces
- PatShart

Did you miss the first few words of my post you quoted, ol' wise one?

Fair enough, but Gus is the only defenseman that drives offense consistently. Keith does too, but not quite as much.

If Seabrook and Maatta end up being the shutdown pair (don’t laugh) then how will JC use de Haan and Murphy? I’m a fan of both, but neither are particularly offensive.

I think the Hawks will need more offense from their defense this season. We might see Boqvist back in Chicago quicker than we think.

I’m all for keeping Gilbert in the show too. Give the kid a chance to gain experience at the NHL level.
- DarthKane

For which team?

For which team?
- mohel

Did you miss the first few words of my post you quoted, ol' wise one?
- mohel

I really dont read your posts, ol' narccisitic one...

Maatta has surprised me. I'm happy he's on the team.
- matt_ahrens

Me too, but I wish Stan gave up Perlini instead of Kahun.

I’d be willing to diminish the offensive output from the blueline at 5v5 and focus on stopping the bleeding of GA - which the Hawks were nearly a league-worst last season. The Hawks will either make or miss the playoffs based upon how much they can improve defensively - not by increasing offensive output.
- Chief4Feathers

Not being sarcastic here (yes, that happens), I think Stan re-signs Gus before the season is over. I’m guessing the deal would be similar to Gardiner’s 3-4 years with a $4 million AAV.

For which team?
- mohel

Fair enough.

I really dont read your posts, ol' narccisitic one...
- PatShart

Yet you responded to one, eh?

Not being sarcastic here (yes, that happens), I think Stan re-signs Gus before the season is over. I’m guessing the deal would be similar to Gardiner’s 3-4 years with a $4 million AAV.
- DarthKane

Where the team sees Boqvist’s development and progression will factor in to what they do with Gustafsson. There’s no denying that Gus was a big factor in the resurgence of the Hawk’s power play last year. However, JC has to deploy him accordingly, and not try to prop him up as something he’s not.

Fair enough.
- DarthKane

Couldn't pass it up! Imo, top pairing guys need to be able handle both ends of the ice well.

Couldn't pass it up! Imo, top pairing guys need to be able handle both ends of the ice well.
- mohel

Pfffffff.... that really seems like you’re nitpicking.

Pfffffff.... that really seems like you’re nitpicking.
- Chief4Feathers

In addition to narcissistic, I'm a known nitpicker.

Me too, but I wish Stan gave up Perlini instead of Kahun.
- DarthKane

yeah, I like Kahun too.