Pretty sure Gus was drunk last night. He was lost all game. Even in the O-zone. Special K just roams all over the ice.

Watching Smith skate is painful. Carpenter seems to be around the puck but its a hand grenade to him.

Give this 30 games and if it doesn't improve, launch whatever vets you can and get some of Piggies up here.
- Elbows15

It's only fair; I got drunk watching last night....

I'm in the 20-30 game club, too.

I would advocate moving Shaw to 3C with Saad and put Nylander/Perlini(ugh) on the other wing. Shaw is probably the 2nd best defensive center on the team. Shaw is better on the wing for sure but he isn't bad at center.

Put Kubalik with Dinky and Strome, as others have mentioned. Kubalik needs a playmaker and that line needs some heft.

See if Caligula, Toews and Kane can find their mojo from last season cause Caligula with Smith and Carpenter makes him useless.

Put Kampf at 4C and punt Carpenter/Smith into the sun. Get Highmore/Wedin/Nilsson or any other two Hogs up here that puck hunt to play with Kampf.
- Elbows15

I did not like that 3rd line during preseason with Kampf and I dislike it more after game 1. Kampf at center does not work with Saad. Shaw at center is a better go

It just never stops.

Gilbert give away.... puck in net.

Koekeok accidentally kicks one in.

Koekkoek and more like Crow bad on wrap around

Keith dragged and twisted.

All equals Gus was bad.

For Gods Sake turn the page.

For the second year in a row I have to point out Gus is NOT near the biggest issue with this team.

Without him last year, you would have been in the Hughes sweepstakes.

Somebody come up with something else original please....Yawn emoji
- TrueGrit

Gus being a top-pair defenseman with Keith, and playing the associated minutes, was the issue being discussed. That’s a genuine problem, but hopefully addressed once Murphy and DeHaan are available.

However, if you want to dismiss the entire conversation with your over-generalized hyperbole, then let your freaky flag fly.

I did not like that 3rd line during preseason with Kampf and I dislike it more after game 1. Kampf at center does not work with Saad. Shaw at center is a better go
- bogiedoc

It is somewhat a matter of contracts and starting the season with a veteran lineup but there is no f'n way this team can win with Kampf, Smith and Carpenter all dressed and playing every night. 2 of the 3 have to go, hopefully one of them is that stiff Kampf.

Don't give up yet, there's plenty of season left. Nothing wrong with optimism.
- mohel

You sure about that, I have received some heat for optimism at times . Most very good natured .

You sure about that, I have received some heat for optimism at times . Most very good natured .
- oldduffman

Nope. You’re good!

Yeah, if coughing up the puck was a ticket out of town, we'd have no team left
- pdx2ord

Gus being a top-pair defenseman with Keith, and playing the associated minutes, was the issue being discussed. That’s a genuine problem, but hopefully addressed once Murphy and DeHaan are available.

However, if you want to dismiss the entire conversation with your over-generalized hyperbole, then let your freaky flag fly.
- Chief4Feathers

Gus plays modern hockey according to TG. If you watched that game and did not see how totally inept Gus was, I am not sure hockey is their sport.

I don't think Gus is as bad defensively as some but holy hell, he was a mess yesterday.

Gus plays modern hockey according to TG. If you watched that game and did not see how totally inept Gus was, I am not sure hockey is their sport.

I don't think Gus is as bad defensively as some but holy hell, he was a mess yesterday.
- Elbows15

Let’s get deHaan and Murphy back so they can slot Gus appropriately (PP and protective time) and see how it goes.

I’m hopeful.

Gus plays modern hockey according to TG. If you watched that game and did not see how totally inept Gus was, I am not sure hockey is their sport.

I don't think Gus is as bad defensively as some but holy hell, he was a mess yesterday.
- Elbows15

I'm not ready to throw Keith under the bus , however he didn't have a great preseason either . Maybe it's his d pairing partner and maybe age to some degree is a factor.

However Keith might perform better if DE HAAN is his partner to allow Keith the comfort of a solid defensive minded partner.
Slide Gus down to 3rd pairing with murphy

Regarding kampf he should be removed from 3c immediately, if Dach is ready to go give him the 9 games if that doesn't work I agree move Shaw their instead.

Regarding drake with toews and Kane I disagree , leave Nylander their the kid is still young but he did score last night and that's what we expect from him
Kubalick should be with cat and strome
Maybe if Shaw moves Down you then put Perlini their .

Gus plays modern hockey according to TG. If you watched that game and did not see how totally inept Gus was, I am not sure hockey is their sport.

I don't think Gus is as bad defensively as some but holy hell, he was a mess yesterday.
- Elbows15

I'm not ready to throw Keith under the bus , however he didn't have a great preseason either . Maybe it's his d pairing partner and maybe age to some degree is a factor.

However Keith might perform better if DE HAAN is his partner to allow Keith the comfort of a solid defensive minded partner.
Slide Gus down to 3rd pairing with murphy

Regarding kampf he should be removed from 3c immediately, if Dach is ready to go give him the 9 games if that doesn't work I agree move Shaw their instead.

Regarding drake with toews and Kane I disagree , leave Nylander their the kid is still young but he did score last night and that's what we expect from him
Kubalick should be with cat and strome
Maybe if Shaw moves Down you then put Perlini their .

Anyone who thinks having DeHaan and Murphy back makes this a measurably better team is wrong.

Issue here is personnel, system and coaching pure and simple.

People said “give Colliton a real camp to get his system in place.” Well the system sucks. Slow D guys can’t play chase the puck - they need to play a zone. Going behind the net opens up the slot.

The D still fails to play the body, so absent any contact or legit pursuit ability, even the heralded Robin Lehner will fail to give up less than three a night because no team fears a zone entry against the Hawks.

They don’t have a legit 1LW or 2RW. Maybe Dach becomes something this year, but not top six yet.

Same team. Same results. If you give JC more than twenty games to figure it out he will lose the room.

The team is still too cap constrained to add the talent they need to compete.

Marc Crawford should be coach by Christmas.

Let’s get deHaan and Murphy back so they can slot Gus appropriately (PP and protective time) and see how it goes.

I’m hopeful.
- StLBravesFan

I would look to trade Gus ASAP. He still has value.

Anyone who thinks having DeHaan and Murphy back makes this a measurably better team is wrong.

Issue here is personnel, system and coaching pure and simple.

People said “give Colliton a real camp to get his system in place.” Well the system sucks. Slow D guys can’t play chase the puck - they need to play a zone. Going behind the net opens up the slot.

The D still fails to play the body, so absent any contact or legit pursuit ability, even the heralded Robin Lehner will fail to give up less than three a night because no team fears a zone entry against the Hawks.

They don’t have a legit 1LW or 2RW. Maybe Dach becomes something this year, but not top six yet.

Same team. Same results. If you give JC more than twenty games to figure it out he will lose the room.

The team is still too cap constrained to add the talent they need to compete.

Marc Crawford should be coach by Christmas.
- Return of the Roar

Great job nailing down the honest reality of the team.
Your right in everything you mentioned. JC has had a full camp and their isn't any real progress .

I agree with Crawford taking over in that scenario, however I think Stan has to be fired for that to happen, stan won't fire JC only because that would be admitting failure on his part.

Your also right about being to top heavy in salary , the problem this year and next year is most teams don't have a ton of cap flexibility .

Great job with Your point

Anyone who thinks having DeHaan and Murphy back makes this a measurably better team is wrong.

Issue here is personnel, system and coaching pure and simple.

People said “give Colliton a real camp to get his system in place.” Well the system sucks. Slow D guys can’t play chase the puck - they need to play a zone. Going behind the net opens up the slot.

The D still fails to play the body, so absent any contact or legit pursuit ability, even the heralded Robin Lehner will fail to give up less than three a night because no team fears a zone entry against the Hawks.

They don’t have a legit 1LW or 2RW. Maybe Dach becomes something this year, but not top six yet.

Same team. Same results. If you give JC more than twenty games to figure it out he will lose the room.

The team is still too cap constrained to add the talent they need to compete.

Marc Crawford should be coach by Christmas.
- Return of the Roar

Great job nailing down the honest reality of the team.
Your right in everything you mentioned. JC has had a full camp and their isn't any real progress .

I agree with Crawford taking over in that scenario, however I think Stan has to be fired for that to happen, stan won't fire JC only because that would be admitting failure on his part.

Your also right about being to top heavy in salary , the problem this year and next year is most teams don't have a ton of cap flexibility .

Great job with Your point

I would advocate moving Shaw to 3C with Saad and put Nylander/Perlini(ugh) on the other wing. Shaw is probably the 2nd best defensive center on the team. Shaw is better on the wing for sure but he isn't bad at center.

Put Kubalik with Dinky and Strome, as others have mentioned. Kubalik needs a playmaker and that line needs some heft.

See if Caligula, Toews and Kane can find their mojo from last season cause Caligula with Smith and Carpenter makes him useless.

Put Kampf at 4C and punt Carpenter/Smith into the sun. Get Highmore/Wedin/Nilsson or any other two Hogs up here that puck hunt to play with Kampf.
- Elbows15

It pains me to say it, but I agree with you about Shaw at 3C.

Not aiming one ounce of vitriol towards you, Darth. But, if Stan does what you say? I would be stunned into silence. Would literally be crawling to my keyboard in disbelief. It would prove to me that Stanbo was living in a parallel universe.
- gabriel

It all depends on the term and cap hit. It also depends on what Stan thinks about the D prospects. I would guess he’s high on a couple of them since he traded Jokiharju, but who really knows.

Anyone who thinks having DeHaan and Murphy back makes this a measurably better team is wrong.

Issue here is personnel, system and coaching pure and simple.

People said “give Colliton a real camp to get his system in place.” Well the system sucks. Slow D guys can’t play chase the puck - they need to play a zone. Going behind the net opens up the slot.

The D still fails to play the body, so absent any contact or legit pursuit ability, even the heralded Robin Lehner will fail to give up less than three a night because no team fears a zone entry against the Hawks.

They don’t have a legit 1LW or 2RW. Maybe Dach becomes something this year, but not top six yet.

Same team. Same results. If you give JC more than twenty games to figure it out he will lose the room.

The team is still too cap constrained to add the talent they need to compete.

Marc Crawford should be coach by Christmas.
- Return of the Roar

Well, I guess I’m “wrong” - because I think it is significant for a team to get two of its best four defenseman back from injury and on the playing roster. So yep, I want to see this team with it’s full contingent on the blueline before I start to pronounce the time of death on the head coach, team, and season.

It all depends on the term and cap hit. It also depends on what Stan thinks about the D prospects. I would guess he’s high on a couple of them since he traded Jokiharju, but who really knows.
- DarthKane

If Stan thinks Boqvist is ready for the show next year (a reasonable assumption given what we’ve seen so far), then I’m not sure what would be gained by signing Gus to an extension - unless to make him a more attractive trade piece in the offseason?

Well, I guess I’m “wrong” - because I think it is significant for a team to get two of its best four defenseman back from injury and on the playing roster. So yep, I want to see this team with it’s full contingent on the blueline before I start to pronounce the time of death on the head coach, team, and season.
- Chief4Feathers

Anyone who thinks having DeHaan and Murphy back makes this a measurably better team is wrong.

Issue here is personnel, system and coaching pure and simple.

People said “give Colliton a real camp to get his system in place.” Well the system sucks. Slow D guys can’t play chase the puck - they need to play a zone. Going behind the net opens up the slot.

The D still fails to play the body, so absent any contact or legit pursuit ability, even the heralded Robin Lehner will fail to give up less than three a night because no team fears a zone entry against the Hawks.

They don’t have a legit 1LW or 2RW. Maybe Dach becomes something this year, but not top six yet.

Same team. Same results. If you give JC more than twenty games to figure it out he will lose the room.

The team is still too cap constrained to add the talent they need to compete.

Marc Crawford should be coach by Christmas.
- Return of the Roar

You are right Dehaan and Murphy aren't better hockey players than Koekkoek and Gilbert.

- Ogilthorpe2

Not sure you noticed, my friend, but the Hawks are already in last (frank)ing place! Only took one stinking game to hit the basement, Jack.

You are right Dehaan and Murphy aren't better hockey players than Koekkoek and Gilbert.
- BetweenTheDots

Gotta admit, it was hard to get passed that statement. I respect the passion, but.....

Edit - or "past", if English is important to you! Gotta call myself out.....

Anyone who thinks having DeHaan and Murphy back makes this a measurably better team is wrong.

Issue here is personnel, system and coaching pure and simple.

People said “give Colliton a real camp to get his system in place.” Well the system sucks. Slow D guys can’t play chase the puck - they need to play a zone. Going behind the net opens up the slot.

The D still fails to play the body, so absent any contact or legit pursuit ability, even the heralded Robin Lehner will fail to give up less than three a night because no team fears a zone entry against the Hawks.

They don’t have a legit 1LW or 2RW. Maybe Dach becomes something this year, but not top six yet.

Same team. Same results. If you give JC more than twenty games to figure it out he will lose the room.

The team is still too cap constrained to add the talent they need to compete.

Marc Crawford should be coach by Christmas.
- Return of the Roar

OMG the sky is falling .The HAWKS have played 1 game oversees (gimmick Game ) against a decent Flyers team and they lost by 1 goal ,Fire the coach . Oh I forgot they did not look good in the all important pre season ,fire the GM !! .
Am I not at all lol