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.
- BrentSopel

Lehner is huge and makes positional saves. I don't think he's athletic as Crow, though. Anyway, they're both doing fine, imo. Biggest issue, imo, is penalty killing.

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

The HC found and stuck with the 1st and 2nd line combos for three games, when they were clearly not working. I'd rather he try something new, but maybe start the game with the revamped lines.

While I don't think the Hawks are there yet, there are some early positive signs about some of the youth on the team.

While DeBrincat and Strome may not have started the season the way we hoped for, they have shown the talent is there and they will likely come around.

Kubalik is a real find a great acquisition by Stan. He could be a real solid contributor for the next few years.

Nylander is coming around and has played very well in his last couple of outings. I think he still has some work to do, but he's progressing nicely and if he keeps that up the Hawks will have a nice addition to their top 6 in the long term.

Dach will likely return to the W. But the fact that he didn't look out of place in his first NHL game is a positive sign.

Hopefully some of the young defensemen in the organization will have the opportunity to show something later this season.

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

No problem at all with him sitting in the press box for one night. Not as a punitive measure by any means, but allowing him to see what this team looks like from on top. He appears to be lost at intervals.

The lack of respect for what Caggiula has been doing is mind boggling.

This is exactly the kind of guy I would expect this fandom to embrace. High energy, does the dirty work in the corners and front of the net without taking lots of stupid penalties, can hold his own offensively with the big guns, and has decent enough hands to score some goals....What am I missing? Why is everyone in such a hurry to dump him down to the 4th line?

The lack of respect for what Caggiula has been doing is mind boggling.

This is exactly the kind of guy I would expect this fandom to embrace. High energy, does the dirty work in the corners and front of the net without taking lots of stupid penalties, can hold his own offensively with the big guns, and has decent enough hands to score some goals....What am I missing? Why is everyone in such a hurry to dump him down to the 4th line?
- Ogilthorpe2

Well, I for one would like to see him take unnecessary penalties in the offensive zone. Then we could all embrace him for being a gritty, old-school hockey player.

The lack of respect for what Caggiula has been doing is mind boggling.

This is exactly the kind of guy I would expect this fandom to embrace. High energy, does the dirty work in the corners and front of the net without taking lots of stupid penalties, can hold his own offensively with the big guns, and has decent enough hands to score some goals....What am I missing? Why is everyone in such a hurry to dump him down to the 4th line?
- Ogilthorpe2

Hawks would be title contenders if The Drake were the 10-12 best forward on the team.

While i didn't like the end result, i must say this team is much more enjoyable to watch than last years. With the exception of a few mistakes last night they could have won the game. A few more weeks should really tell us what we have for a team this year.

The lack of respect for what Caggiula has been doing is mind boggling.

This is exactly the kind of guy I would expect this fandom to embrace. High energy, does the dirty work in the corners and front of the net without taking lots of stupid penalties, can hold his own offensively with the big guns, and has decent enough hands to score some goals....What am I missing? Why is everyone in such a hurry to dump him down to the 4th line?
- Ogilthorpe2

see BOLD above - getting tired of 65 in the box

The lack of respect for what Caggiula has been doing is mind boggling.

This is exactly the kind of guy I would expect this fandom to embrace. High energy, does the dirty work in the corners and front of the net without taking lots of stupid penalties, can hold his own offensively with the big guns, and has decent enough hands to score some goals....What am I missing? Why is everyone in such a hurry to dump him down to the 4th line?
- Ogilthorpe2

I love Caggiula and have been impressed with him this season. I think a 4th line of him, Kampf and Shaw would be interesting.

I also have enjoyed Zach Smith and Ryan Carpenter.

The lack of respect for what Caggiula has been doing is mind boggling.

This is exactly the kind of guy I would expect this fandom to embrace. High energy, does the dirty work in the corners and front of the net without taking lots of stupid penalties, can hold his own offensively with the big guns, and has decent enough hands to score some goals....What am I missing? Why is everyone in such a hurry to dump him down to the 4th line?
- Ogilthorpe2

I have him on the third line with Nylander.

I think the team needs to have a balanced lineup, that could be Shaw or The Drake on the 4th line (I know which one you will pick).

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

I said all summer it didn't matter between Sikura and Perlini if Toews sucked...

Good morning Tyler and fellow hawks fans. Wow Sunday was just a disaster for both our sports teams bears and hawks.

Special teams , goaltending and the top 6 all need to turn around.

Crawford's play IMO has been up and down 1 game he looks great the following game he doesn't show consistency. Crawford has had 3 games where he gave up a boat load of goals?

I get the whole loyalty idea , but a good coach IMO will go with the hot hand or the goaltender who's numbers are better. Lehner deserves the chance to start more frequently until otherwise .

The top 6 isn't playing with any energy or consistency. Going into yesterday's game I mentioned Chicago numbers

Goals for 15, goals against 15 those numbers won't win you many games .


I thought Gus was this power play specialist ?
- Taylorst1

Unfortunately a Bear is just an older version of a Cub.

That man to man system is not suitable for a professional sport. With those big lumbering guys they have on the blue line, maybe collapsing to the middle and letting the goalies they have only deal with perimeter shots all day that would be nice.

Putting Debrincat with some kind of play maker is probably a good idea. He is passing way too much. The dude is a stand in circles and rip shots, like a wee and a bit slower Patrick Sharp but with a better release. They're asking him to dig in the corners and chase around and be all passy. Kinda dumb. That "first" line is a disaster.

Pulling a Claude Giroux and having Toews play on the wing with Dach centering and whatever bozo on the other side would be an interesting bum slaying line. El Gato, Dach, Toews could be fun.

Probably should have flipped Gus at the draft. He has been very bad, especially defensively, the whole year. I'd rather watch Seabrook huff and puff.

Dach is a man on the ice and was able to hold off NHL players with his body. Probably should stay here.
- fattybeef

I dont watch all the hawks games but this was the worst game I've seen DeBrincat play. Couldnt take a pass, couldnt make a pass, and somehow managed to single-handedly lose the puck out of the offensive zone on the powerplay with no Caps around him.

You wanna spread the talent out and hope to try and jumpstart Toews...

Saad-Toews-Kubalik
Dach-Shaw-Kane
Cat-Strome-Nylander
Cagguila-Kampf-Carpenter

If Dach doesn't impress and show not only can be play in the NHL BUT also contribute coming up I would send him back to Juniors and then go with...

Saad-Toews-Kubalik
Nylander-Shaw-Kane
Cat-Strome-Cagguila
Smith-Kampf-Carpenter

The lack of respect for what Caggiula has been doing is mind boggling.

This is exactly the kind of guy I would expect this fandom to embrace. High energy, does the dirty work in the corners and front of the net without taking lots of stupid penalties, can hold his own offensively with the big guns, and has decent enough hands to score some goals....What am I missing? Why is everyone in such a hurry to dump him down to the 4th line?
- Ogilthorpe2

Honestly not me, he's the only forward who has any kind of chemistry with the struggling captain. Yet JC doesn't want to commit to that pairing or Strome and Cat pairing? Don't understand it myself, as if we are more worried about developing chemistry instead of playing the chemistry that already exists between players. Makes no sense to me.

Tyler glad to hear you feeling what I'm feeling regarding Saad - Toews - Kubalik. That was what I posted on the last night while watching the game. I feel like it would be a good idea right now, the way Toews is going up the ice with purpose (one of the few guys carrying the mail up the ice) and the speed and aggressiveness Saad and Kubalik are showing.

Right now, the top players for the Hawks are not looking like they are firing on all cylinders. Even Kane with 8 points hasn't really looks quite himself for stretches. Strome is one I hope they can get going a bit more here as he is been kinda "okay" so far.

The game to me last night was all about the Caps being faster to the puck. That PK goal against is an example, where Toews didn't really do anything wrong and Keith tried to make a play, but the Caps were really on top of them taking away time and space. Lots of other times in the game it just seems like they had more jump in the puck races. The real swing in the game was obviously that 4 minute PP, the broken stick, the hot pass from Gus and Kane giving up the puck.

While i didn't like the end result, i must say this team is much more enjoyable to watch than last years. With the exception of a few mistakes last night they could have won the game. A few more weeks should really tell us what we have for a team this year.
- SaskHawkFan

Agreed. They're faster and the bottom six is a handful down low in the offensive zone.

I really don't know why anyone thinks having the captain between Saad, Kubalik will make that line better, all 3 forwards use their size so well in front of the goalie, the captain finds his way behind the net more times than not this year.

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

Natural stat whatever doesn't account for shorthanded goals...

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

This is my lineup preference.

They won the game they should have lost and lost the game they should have won. That's the nature of the beast sometimes!! As for Dach, kept it extremely simple, hopefully we see him try more things offensively. If he continues to just keep it simple, then he heads back to Junior. Yes, I know it's his first game, but I also know that if he wants to stick in the NHL he needs to show some more these next 8 games. There is no point burning a year of his ELC if his game is kept as simple as possible. Veteran 3rd line and 4th line players can do that just as well.

The lack of respect for what Caggiula has been doing is mind boggling.

This is exactly the kind of guy I would expect this fandom to embrace. High energy, does the dirty work in the corners and front of the net without taking lots of stupid penalties, can hold his own offensively with the big guns, and has decent enough hands to score some goals....What am I missing? Why is everyone in such a hurry to dump him down to the 4th line?
- Ogilthorpe2

I don't think it's a lack of respect. I think it's more of an approach to spread the talent out throughout the lines. You need guys on each line to drive the play. We pretty much have most of the pieces needed for the Top 9 IMO it's just a matter of finding the right combination to have consistency on all three lines. Having Caggiula on the 4th line, potentially, gives them four lines that should in theory be able to drive play. Unless guys REALLY struggle having him in the bottom six is great for the team.

People b!tc#ed and complained about him being slotted in a top six role last year and in projections for this year, and now he gets slotted in the bottom six and he's being disrespected? I get confused on how to properly value each guy with how evaluations change with each moon

They won the game they should have lost and lost the game they should have won. That's the nature of the beast sometimes!! As for Dach, kept it extremely simple, hopefully we see him try more things offensively. If he continues to just keep it simple, then he heads back to Junior. Yes, I know it's his first game, but I also know that if he wants to stick in the NHL he needs to show some more these next 8 games. There is no point burning a year of his ELC if his game is kept as simple as possible. Veteran 3rd line and 4th line players can do that just as well.
- ChicagoHope

I agree 100%. No need to rush him if he can't show right now he has the ability to dominate a game or at least show flashes of doing so in a game.

In no way am I saying he is a problem, but does Kane seem to currently be one of the hardest guys to pin on a line? He seemingly struggles to play with Toews. ADB-Strome-Kane is a disaster defensively, and he wouldn't hold up grinding on 3 or 4.

I'm still of the mind that Saad Toews Kane would be a good line if they let it run for a while. I think Kubalik on line 2 would be a great addition (at least give them someone who will crash a bit and can play D). After that, 92-64-65? Maybe 92-64-91? I like 15 and 22 on 4th. Put either of 65 or 91 on that line and it would be fine IMO.