Specifically, which goal(s) do you think he should have stopped?
- mohel

the emptynetter....poor positioning...

as i responded 3 of the 4 were no chancers...hawks D gave up to many high quality chances...friken goalies can stop all of those...

Natural Stat Trick confirmed the eye test (all 60 minutes)

Hawks won the scoring chance 43-22
Hawks won the high danger scoring chance 19-11
Corsi was 63%-37% Blackhawks
Expected goals for was 3.55 - 2.97 in favor of the Blackhawks

Natural Stat Trick confirmed the eye test (all 60 minutes)

Hawks won the scoring chance 43-22
Hawks won the high danger scoring chance 19-11
Corsi was 63%-37% Blackhawks
Expected goals for was 3.55 - 2.97 in favor of the Blackhawks
- scottak

oh yeah...holtby was great...hawks mistakes went in...

That may have been their best game of the season, even better than the one against the Oilers. they went toe to toe against one of the league's best teams. And, according to the graphic on NBC Sports, they were leading the scoring chance battle 19-18 midway through the 3rd period. The Hawks controlled the first 15 minutes of the 2nd period.

Maybe, if the HC could get a handle on some line combinations, and stick with them for more than a period, and if Gus could learn to defend a 2 on 1, they should be fine.

Stan did his job. This team has enough talent to make the playoffs, especially seeing how a couple of Central foes have fallen off a cliff.

If they don't make the playoffs, the target should be squarely on the HC.
- scottak

Sorry, in the modern world, the GM's job includes making sure the young coach that he hired succeeds. You think JC's system wasn't signed off on by the FO? When their jobs are on the line, too? Think again. You think JC's lines occur without analytics support from the FO? Think again.

You're bending reality to fit your mantra that the coach stinks. The FO and this new, green coach are acting as a team, and will sink or swim together.

Natural Stat Trick confirmed the eye test (all 60 minutes)

Hawks won the scoring chance 43-22
Hawks won the high danger scoring chance 19-11
Corsi was 63%-37% Blackhawks
Expected goals for was 3.55 - 2.97 in favor of the Blackhawks
- scottak

Good stuff. How could such an awful system achieve such a result?

One of the goals of the offseason was to improve the PP. So far, absolutely zero improvement.

He's actually playing pretty well. Good positioning, looks faster, stronger on his skates, seems confident in his decisions pace about 40-45 points this season, which is fine for a No 2 guy they got for free. No complaints there.
- fattybeef

And, on the plus side. If he is NOT tearing it up.....maybe we get him inked for a lil less!!!

That....and, in an ideal world Nylander is NOT the kind of 3rd liner I really like. I like the guys that can hit, grind, score a few, make life hard on the other team.

Saad - Dach- Shaw screams at me as a potentallly fantastic 3rd line.

But, I think we see the "Q" - like blender for the next few weeks yet.
- hawk35

I don’t mind Nylander on the third line. I think each line needs an element of offensive skill and that could be Nylander for the third line. He seems to have clicked well with Caggiula, so I’d keep them together.

I’m not so worried about labelling lines first through fourth. I’m more concerned with having balance throughout the lineup and a more even distribution of playing time. In my suggestion Shaw is on the fourth line, but he could still play 13-15 minutes per game.

Didn't Lehner play every other game for the Isle last year?

Saad Toews Kubalik
Cat Strome Kane
Nylander Dach Shaw
Smith/Caggiula Carpenter Kampf
- SoftServe

THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

That may have been their best game of the season, even better than the one against the Oilers. they went toe to toe against one of the league's best teams. And, according to the graphic on NBC Sports, they were leading the scoring chance battle 19-18 midway through the 3rd period. The Hawks controlled the first 15 minutes of the 2nd period.

Maybe, if the HC could get a handle on some line combinations, and stick with them for more than a period, and if Gus could learn to defend a 2 on 1, they should be fine.

Stan did his job. This team has enough talent to make the playoffs, especially seeing how a couple of Central foes have fallen off a cliff.

If they don't make the playoffs, the target should be squarely on the HC.
- scottak

Which Central foes have fallen off of a cliff?

Not Nashville, St. Louis, Colorado, or Winnipeg. Only Dallas - of the pre-season top picks - has started very slowly.

Meanwhile - many of the bubble teams that the Hawks will be competing against for the final tournament spots are surprising: Edmonton, Anaheim, Arizona, Vancouver - have started out surprisingly well.

THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- jt19

or put Caggiula opposite of Nylander on the third line since they seem to have been clicking together and drop Shaw to the fourth line as he's been taking way too many penalties.

Very aggravating game to watch. When your best players aren’t your best players the team’s going to struggle.

Dach was not very noticeable to me, but in a good way. He didn’t do anything to shine, but he didn’t look out of place either.

The two forwards that continue to impress me early on are Kubalik and Caggiula. Ultimately I agree with most that Drake’s probably not an ideal/prototypical 1st line player, but he works his ass off every shift, and just seems to keep finding ways to have a positive impact on games.

Also agree with 17/12 needing to be together.

Caggiula Toews Kane
Dcat Strome Kubalik
Saad Shaw Nylander
Carpenter Kampf Smith
- Ogilthorpe2

Aggravating but I think encouraging for me anyway. I think your line suggestions could work but I’d like to see Sikura up in place of Smith...eventually.

In addition to the two you mention, I’ve been mostly impressed with Nylander given the Perlini comps that followed him.

Also, I still find it hard to believe we got the Drake for Brandon Manning. Didn’t Chiarelli land somewhere? Maybe not in a GM role but wherever he’s at Stan needs to open up Gus trade talks with that team.

or put Caggiula opposite of Nylander on the third line since they seem to have been clicking together and drop Shaw to the fourth line as he's been taking way too many penalties.
- SoftServe

I know someone who would sign off on that. I wouldn’t hate it either. To Darth’s point if you have balance throughout the lineup, you could have a 4th line getting 10+ mins vs last year where some of those guys were maybe seeing 6 or 7.

Natural Stat Trick confirmed the eye test (all 60 minutes)

Hawks won the scoring chance 43-22
Hawks won the high danger scoring chance 19-11
Corsi was 63%-37% Blackhawks
Expected goals for was 3.55 - 2.97 in favor of the Blackhawks
- scottak

But not many second-chances on Holtby, not many deflections or odd-mans.

The Corsi percentages are a bit misleading - Hawks put up a lot of CF SATs - 84 - but 31 were blocked by the Caps, and 9 missed the net. Also - a lot of those SAWs were on the 5 PPs that resulted in no goals for.

Still - yes - 5x5 they got much the better of the possession stats and the chances stats - they played mostly a good game, just couldn't get to Holtby enough, while "letting" the Caps put too many high-quality shots on Crawford.

And - 5x5, at least - the good CF numbers were primarily due to the 3rd line. Dach-Strome-Kane were below 50%, Toews-Shaw-deBrincat were barely above, and both top lines were at or below 50% in SF%, SC%, HDSC%, and GF%.

Aggravating but I think encouraging for me anyway. I think your line suggestions could work but I’d like to see Sikura up in place of Smith...eventually.

In addition to the two you mention, I’ve been mostly impressed with Nylander given the Perlini comps that followed him.

Also, I still find it hard to believe we got the Drake for Brandon Manning. Didn’t Chiarelli land somewhere? Maybe not in a GM role but wherever he’s at Stan needs to open up Gus trade talks with that team.
- HawkintheD

I even remember some preseason talk of the team having so much depth that The Drake might not have a spot! I'm glad he is here.

Very aggravating game to watch. When your best players aren’t your best players the team’s going to struggle.

Dach was not very noticeable to me, but in a good way. He didn’t do anything to shine, but he didn’t look out of place either.

The two forwards that continue to impress me early on are Kubalik and Caggiula. Ultimately I agree with most that Drake’s probably not an ideal/prototypical 1st line player, but he works his ass off every shift, and just seems to keep finding ways to have a positive impact on games.

Also agree with 17/12 needing to be together.

Caggiula Toews Kane
Dcat Strome Kubalik
Saad Shaw Nylander
Carpenter Kampf Smith
- Ogilthorpe2

My suggested lines as well. Don't think either has been tried for more than 1-2 shifts this year, but at least the 1st line worked really well last year for all concerned. And, Strome looks like a lost puppy without his Kitty.

Aggravating but I think encouraging for me anyway. I think your line suggestions could work but I’d like to see Sikura up in place of Smith...eventually.

In addition to the two you mention, I’ve been mostly impressed with Nylander given the Perlini comps that followed him.

Also, I still find it hard to believe we got the Drake for Brandon Manning. Didn’t Chiarelli land somewhere? Maybe not in a GM role but wherever he’s at Stan needs to open up Gus trade talks with that team.
- HawkintheD

Yep. At least we’re not watching a game where the Hawks are pinned in their own zone chasing the puck around for extended shifts at a time - so that’s an improvement. Also, early returns are showing production from the bottom six - while goaltending has been solid too. All-in-all it hasn’t been a total clown show.

However, just when I reconciled myself to Gus being a PP specialist, and thus, justifying his playing time, he fumbles a 2-1 break for a SHG. Gus is always going to be a roll of the dice - he’s Russian roulette with more than one bullet.

Hopefully some line combination changes get all four lines going and the special teams shows improvement - a big ask - but at least it’s not calling for wholesale roster changes.

Edit: last I heard on Chiarelli was that he was going to be working in the Canucks front office with Jim Benning? Benning already has a penchant for questionable deals - so Chiarelli whispering in his ear can only add to the crazy.

I don't know why Keith still gets penalty kill minutes, you have better options with DaHaan and Maata on the left side. Keith is not quick enough anymore to offset his size disadvantage on the PK. As far as last nights dogging of Seabrook going down after being hit by Hagelin, it was a reverse hit (and interference), Seabrook was not expecting or braced for the hit.

Toews a -3, and looked it. Looks like he rather be in Florida with his buddy Q. Maybe strip him of his C, give it to Kaner, and pout his way out of town. A team can retain up to 1/2 its annual AAV, I would rather have dead money on the books than a $10.5 dead player.

On another note, Nylander the lazy that shy's away from hits deserves more ice time. Shaw needs to sit until he stops being Matt Cooke.

I don't know why Keith still gets penalty kill minutes, you have better options with DaHaan and Maata on the left side. Keith is not quick enough anymore to offset his size disadvantage on the PK. As far as last nights dogging of Seabrook going down after being hit by Hagelin, it was a reverse hit (and interference), Seabrook was not expecting or braced for the hit.

Toews a -3, and looked it. Looks like he rather be in Florida with his buddy Q. Maybe strip him of his C, give it to Kaner, and pout his way out of town. A team can retain up to 1/2 its annual AAV, I would rather have dead money on the books than a $10.5 dead player.

On another note, Nylander the lazy that shy's away from hits deserves more ice time. Shaw needs to sit until he stops being Matt Cooke.
- LAHawk

Saad Toews Kubalik
Nylander Dach Kane
Cat Strome Shaw
Smith/Caggiula Carpenter Kampf

I flipped Kane and Shaw around...now your top 9 looks very very good. Nylander played like a man with a lot to prove last night. Keep giving him minutes and let him play with Kane.

Which Central foes have fallen off of a cliff?

Not Nashville, St. Louis, Colorado, or Winnipeg. Only Dallas - of the pre-season top picks - has started very slowly.

Meanwhile - many of the bubble teams that the Hawks will be competing against for the final tournament spots are surprising: Edmonton, Anaheim, Arizona, Vancouver - have started out surprisingly well.
- StLBravesFan

Dallas & Minnesota

Dallas & Minnesota
- scottak

Dallas I noted.

Minnesota was never on the cliff.

Saad Toews Kubalik
Nylander Dach Kane
Cat Strome Shaw
Smith/Caggiula Carpenter Kampf

I flipped Kane and Shaw around...now your top 9 looks very very good. Nylander played like a man with a lot to prove last night. Keep giving him minutes and let him play with Kane.
- frafra

Nylander Toews Kubalik
Saad Dach Kane
Cat Strome Shaw
Smith/Caggiula Carpenter Kampf

I flipped Nylander and Saad, this way each of the top 2 lines has a power forward to drive to the net and fish pucks out from the boards (I think important with Kane, that was AA's job)

Saad Toews Kubalik
Nylander Dach Kane
Cat Strome Shaw
Smith/Caggiula Carpenter Kampf

I flipped Kane and Shaw around...now your top 9 looks very very good. Nylander played like a man with a lot to prove last night. Keep giving him minutes and let him play with Kane.
- frafra

Flip Nylander and Saad.....now it looks even better

With Dach already able to shield pucks and win battles in the corner, the kid is only 18, this might be a steal of a pick for Bowman just watching how Jack Hughes has struggled with the physicality of the NHL level. His skating is already at an NHL pace. Give this kid another handful of games and he can be a difference-maker, but it's always hard to start your career next to Patrick Kane, just ask Nick Schmaltz. Strome looks like he has cement blocks tied to his ankles to start the season, tough time to have a down year in a contract season. Shaw is not a top 6 forward and it makes no sense to anyone why he is being played like one. I understand he wants to spread depth, but Toews is struggling to find offense and Saad hasn't seen a top-line shift to date, what is he waiting for?? Even with all the questionable decisions in line-making, any defense still anchored by Keith/Seabrook and no-one to pick up the slack is going to struggle. Lehner makes more BIGTIME saves than Crow it seems. Give him the next couple starts till he loses it.