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.
- Chunk

Yeah I would agree with that. That's why in my mock I went off the board a bit with Dach and Shaw as his linemates so that you have some skill and grit with him for something new. Put Toews with Saad and Kubalik who seem to have great chemistry together. Then put Cat and Strome togethet and you can slot in Nylander or Caggiula with them. I think that would spread things out fairly well

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.
- BetweenTheDots

Amen to all of this!!! I do not understand hesitance to play the pairs/trips who have proven scoring chemistry.

Amen to all of this!!! I do not understand hesitance to play the pairs/trips who have proven scoring chemistry.
- pdx2ord

Although what does that say about Caggiula going to the 4th line and being more productive than anyone on the 1st line? Or the 2nd line? That just tells me the top 2 lines aren't working hard enough, all the forwards

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
- Savetheembers33

Overall I agree. I just find it funny that we have a guy who gives his all and is actually producing right now, but somehow is the guy getting demoted in most mock lineups.

It’s befuddling to me, and for the record, I think Caggiula has proven to be worthy of being in that top 9.

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’m with you love Caggiula and his work ethic.

It has been no surprise to me that the 3rd/4th lines have been outplaying their top two. Their 3rd and 4th lines have been putting an immense amount of pressure on opponents blue liners and have been driving right to the front of the net. Hawks top two lines want to play the perimeter and pass back and forth before they finally decide to shoot- far too predictable at times. At the games Friday and last night, the Hawks dump and chase style with their 3rd and 4th lines was outstanding. Dmen from Columbus and Washington looked like they could feel that pressure and as a result, turned the puck over quite a bit.

I was happy to see Gus not on the ice when OT started Friday night. Putting DK with Kane/Toews was a nice coaching change IMO.

Also, it is not a surprise that their PP is struggling. It is loaded with guys from their top 2 lines who all want to play perimeter hockey and pass. I would like to see Saad or Kubalik or maybe Shaw on the first unit. Guys who will get the puck deep and get in front of the net.

Yeah I would agree with that. That's why in my mock I went off the board a bit with Dach and Shaw as his linemates so that you have some skill and grit with him for something new. Put Toews with Saad and Kubalik who seem to have great chemistry together. Then put Cat and Strome togethet and you can slot in Nylander or Caggiula with them. I think that would spread things out fairly well
- Savetheembers33

These two are OUTSTANDING together. I love watching Kubalik play.

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

Love the idea of Saad and Kubalik dominating the boards and front of the net with Toews.

The puck control with kane and Nylander with Shaw in front of the net....hard to put cat and strome on the 3rd line but i would try it out

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
- Savetheembers33

My take on Dach is give him the full nine days to assess him and determine what the best path is for his long term development. I don’t think burning the first year of his contract should be a factor in the decision process. Just do what you think is right for his development minus financial considerations.

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

Love the idea of Saad and Kubalik dominating the boards and front of the net with Toews.

The puck control with kane and Nylander with Shaw in front of the net....hard to put cat and strome on the 3rd line but i would try it out
- rwilliams88

I just look at this as the Hawks have another good, spread out line. If the Hawks can roll with three good scoring lines and a 4th line that has played the way they have been all year, they are going to be a MF'er to play against as the year progresses.

It seems the Hawks still have some confusion with coverage in their own zone, but it looks like they are getting better. One thing I was impressed with last night at the game was Kirby Dach's awareness inside their own end. I thought he did a nice job recognizing when the Hawks needed to have somebody helping/covering the front of their goalie. Two or three times I watched him drop down to that slot/area when Hawks defensemen were batting behind the net or in corners. He also made sure to look around so that he knew where guys were around him. Little thing I was impressed with.

Dallas I noted.

Minnesota was never on the cliff.
- StLBravesFan

They were in the ravine.

Overall I agree. I just find it funny that we have a guy who gives his all and is actually producing right now, but somehow is the guy getting demoted in most mock lineups.

It’s befuddling to me, and for the record, I think Caggiula has proven to be worthy of being in that top 9.
- Ogilthorpe2

I would agree he's played great ever since coming over (one of Stan's best trades not only getting rid of Manning but also adding Drake). Where he plays doesn't matter to me as long as he's getting the minutes to be effective in the game. I feel the Hawks have almost all the right pieces to have four effective lines but they just need to find the right combination on all four lines to be able to take their game to the next level and play more consistently

These two are OUTSTANDING together. I love watching Kubalik play.
- frafra

It's awesome to see how well those two have played together. Goes to show when you have the right guys together it can unlock their potential to play to their fullest. Shame that Kubalik is only signed for this year before hitting RFA. Another year or two of him playing this well on the cheap would have really helped this team out.

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.
- Chief4Feathers

My take on Dach is give him the full nine days to assess him and determine what the best path is for his long term development. I don’t think burning the first year of his contract should be a factor in the decision process. Just do what you think is right for his development minus financial considerations.
- walleyeb1

Ohh I agree 110%. Give him the full nine games to show how he can acclimate to playing in the NHL, develop chemistry, all that good stuff before making a decision. They waited this long to debut him they might as well give him as much of a shot as they can before making the call.

I would like to see after another game or two if he can shake the jitters of debuting in the league and show the skill that made him the #3 pick in the draft if they wanna keep him up here. If he's just doing solid and isn't flashing anything I'd seriously consider giving him more time before pulling the trigger on calling him up full time.

Great blog as usual Tyler. I do have one caveat “the PK and defensive play will continue to be an issue unless they can clean up some of those mistakes we saw Friday and Sunday.”

I actually thought the PK looked good Friday very aggressive and killed all four PKs. Sunday’s PK was over before it started, so I’m not sure what it would have looked like if Toews and Keith didn’t melt down after the draw.

Great blog as usual Tyler. I do have one caveat “the PK and defensive play will continue to be an issue unless they can clean up some of those mistakes we saw Friday and Sunday.”

I actually thought the PK looked good Friday very aggressive and killed all four PKs. Sunday’s PK was over before it started, so I’m not sure what it would have looked like if Toews and Keith didn’t melt down after the draw.
- walleyeb1

Yes the PK is a killer, Toews shouldn't be on it, too often even if we win a faceoff we can't seem to get it out. I wish if the draw was to the left dot you had 2 left handed dman to shoot the puck out, and the right dot 2 right handed dmen to shoot it out to often the opponent pressures the puck ends up being a turnover, if Keith was right handed he could of shot that puck out instead we was caught in between and gave up an uncontested turnover, brutal

They are spreading talent out across lines because they don't have enough of it, and some of the talent they thought they had is fading.

Toews has pretty much been worthless. That hurts the team a lot as he should be a top six center, making those around him better. Instead, he is the anchor holding back anyone he is on a line with. Tired. Of. The. Excuses.

ADB and Strome need to play together - with a guy like Kubalik - non-stop motor and physical on the boards who also goes to the net.

They got rag dolled again last night. Not enough grit on this team.

Please end the man to man D zone experiment. The vets are too slow to keep up, and they still get lost and lose their coverage (see (more importantly, not see): Toews on Wilson's goal). Go back to a zone.

One step forward one step back means no progress.

Great blog as usual Tyler. I do have one caveat “the PK and defensive play will continue to be an issue unless they can clean up some of those mistakes we saw Friday and Sunday.”

I actually thought the PK looked good Friday very aggressive and killed all four PKs. Sunday’s PK was over before it started, so I’m not sure what it would have looked like if Toews and Keith didn’t melt down after the draw.
- walleyeb1

I'm beginning to wonder if the PK needs less of guys like Toews, Keith, and Seabrook. As good as those guys can be defensively (don't even make the jokes about Seabrook we know what he is but he's been better this year and I'm mostly referring to his past performance which is why he's on the PK now) it might be better for the team overall to have some of our role players get more time on the PK and let those guys rest to be more effective the rest of the game

They are spreading talent out across lines because they don't have enough of it, and some of the talent they thought they had is fading.

Toews has pretty much been worthless. That hurts the team a lot as he should be a top six center, making those around him better. Instead, he is the anchor holding back anyone he is on a line with. Tired. Of. The. Excuses.

ADB and Strome need to play together - with a guy like Kubalik - non-stop motor and physical on the boards who also goes to the net.

They got rag dolled again last night. Not enough grit on this team.

Please end the man to man D zone experiment. The vets are too slow to keep up, and they still get lost and lose their coverage (see (more importantly, not see): Toews on Wilson's goal). Go back to a zone.

One step forward one step back means no progress.
- Return of the Roar

Two questions relating to your first statement. How do you define "talent", and who specifically is fading? I would argue that they have plenty of talent, but they have lines (outside of line 3 and maybe 4) that are not playing all that well right now.

For instance, I would like our lineup on paper against ANA, or CAR but they both are playing better overall right now.

We have Saad, Shaw, Caggiula, Kubalik, Smith, Carpenter (to a lesser degree), and Kampf among the forwards who can and will go into a corner and dig the puck out, as well as go to the front of the net, and most are more than happy to lay a timely hit (some untimely ones as well). How much more do we need, or am I not understanding what you mean when you say grit?

They are spreading talent out across lines because they don't have enough of it, and some of the talent they thought they had is fading.

Toews has pretty much been worthless. That hurts the team a lot as he should be a top six center, making those around him better. Instead, he is the anchor holding back anyone he is on a line with. Tired. Of. The. Excuses.

ADB and Strome need to play together - with a guy like Kubalik - non-stop motor and physical on the boards who also goes to the net.

They got rag dolled again last night. Not enough grit on this team.

Please end the man to man D zone experiment. The vets are too slow to keep up, and they still get lost and lose their coverage (see (more importantly, not see): Toews on Wilson's goal). Go back to a zone.

One step forward one step back means no progress.
- Return of the Roar

Washington goals, 1st goal - PK turnover, 2nd goal PP turnover, 3rd goal, Ovechkin has scored like 400 goals from that exact spot, 4th goal, breakdown in coverage, 5th goal, en. So you are going to tell me that a different defensive scheme would stop the Ovechkin goal (how many has he scored in his career?, and would never have a defensive breakdown?), I did not see many if any defensive zone coverage where I thought, geez our defense is way too slow.

So now where going to excuse Crawford's goals allowed? The Crawford who helped this team win 2 Stanley cups is Mia.
Crawford just like Lehner are going to have to play lights out and make miraculous saves .

In Crawford's 4 starts he has only had 1 game that he allowed 1 goal or less and played phenomenal. Lehner has out played Crawford and his goals against speak for themselves.

I think it's as simple as the star players, setting down their star and bringing a lunch pail and hard hat to work, it's evident that the 3rd and 4th line are working hard, when i listened to them on the radio Friday night all i kept hearing was their names, barely heard the top 2 lines.

The stars can say all the right things but unless they commit themselves to getting their hands dirty and playing every shift with energy and doing all the little things they are going to be a 500 team and i mean a 500 team that has a bunch of ties, so i guess it wouldn't be a 500 team to many of you but then it would be for some of you. You know what i mean

Washington goals, 1st goal - PK turnover, 2nd goal PP turnover, 3rd goal, Ovechkin has scored like 400 goals from that exact spot, 4th goal, breakdown in coverage, 5th goal, en. So you are going to tell me that a different defensive scheme would stop the Ovechkin goal (how many has he scored in his career?, and would never have a defensive breakdown?), I did not see many if any defensive zone coverage where I thought, geez our defense is way too slow.
- LAHawk

And that goal by Ovechkin - he was Dach’s man - but Dach was a little too deep next to the goal to come out and pick him up in time. No big deal, kid will learn from it - but that’s hardly a function of a “bad system” or a of a blue line group that’s too old and slow.

I for one think this blue line looks much better than last season. de Haan is almost able to backstop most of Gus’ freewheeling/freelance antics. I’d like to see what a KK/de Haan pairing would look like - and let Gus watch a few games.

I'm beginning to wonder if the PK needs less of guys like Toews, Keith, and Seabrook. As good as those guys can be defensively (don't even make the jokes about Seabrook we know what he is but he's been better this year and I'm mostly referring to his past performance which is why he's on the PK now) it might be better for the team overall to have some of our role players get more time on the PK and let those guys rest to be more effective the rest of the game
- Savetheembers33

I think it’s worth a look.