The HHoF Coach, Q, did not for his last 2-3 years adapt his system for the personnel he had, did he? Nor did he bench guys who might have deserved it, likely out of loyalty.
- pdx2ord

Q is apparantly not an experienced coach, eh?

Sometimes fitting facts into a narrative gets messy!

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

The back breaking goal by Wilson was a direct result of the man to man coverage, and our heralded captain losing his guy because he didn't know where to be. If you watch that replay there is NO WAY CC or any goalie makes that save, but if the center is where he should be on D - in the slot - Wilson can't have an open net, or maybe even the puck.

By the end of a game, guys who chase guys the whole game have less gas in the tank and are more likely to also make mental mistakes. Play a style of game that at minimum doesn't further expose your team's weaknesses. You think these glaciers are untradeable now, wait until a year and a half of playing even worse - by design.

Was at the game and PP unit looked completely lost. Keith, Seabrook & Gus are absolutely killing this team defensively. PP unit showing no urgency to create scoring opportunities. Bottom 6 definitely outplaying top 6. Suggesting forward lines of: Toews Kane Kubalik, Dach Strome Debrincat, Kampf Saad Caggiula, Carpenter Smith/Shaw/Nylander or moving Dach on 3rd line & moving Caggiula up to 2nd line. Dach should be used on a line with Kampf or Smith to learn from.

Hopefully Bowman is already looking at upgrading this team through trade. An upgrade at top 6 forward who could help on the PP unit is definitely needed. A couple come to mind that could be available: Mike Hoffman (FLA) and Jason Zucker (MIN).

Was at the game and PP unit looked completely lost. Keith, Seabrook & Gus are absolutely killing this team defensively. PP unit showing no urgency to create scoring opportunities. Bottom 6 definitely outplaying top 6. Suggesting forward lines of: Toews Kane Kubalik, Dach Strome Debrincat, Kampf Saad Caggiula, Carpenter Smith/Shaw/Nylander or moving Dach on 3rd line & moving Caggiula up to 2nd line. Dach should be used on a line with Kampf or Smith to learn from.

Hopefully Bowman is already looking at upgrading this team through trade. An upgrade at top 6 forward who could help on the PP unit is definitely needed. A couple come to mind that could be available: Mike Hoffman (FLA) and Jason Zucker (MIN).
- Bel4-30

Why?

NO ONE goes to the net and they are stuck with low percentage perimeter shots.

Was at the game and PP unit looked completely lost. Keith, Seabrook & Gus are absolutely killing this team defensively. PP unit showing no urgency to create scoring opportunities. Bottom 6 definitely outplaying top 6. Suggesting forward lines of: Toews Kane Kubalik, Dach Strome Debrincat, Kampf Saad Caggiula, Carpenter Smith/Shaw/Nylander or moving Dach on 3rd line & moving Caggiula up to 2nd line. Dach should be used on a line with Kampf or Smith to learn from.

Hopefully Bowman is already looking at upgrading this team through trade. An upgrade at top 6 forward who could help on the PP unit is definitely needed. A couple come to mind that could be available: Mike Hoffman (FLA) and Jason Zucker (MIN).
- Bel4-30

1. No cap room

2. No one wants our crap in return

You are sort of making my argument for me.

I gave the best example of fading talent in Toews. If all he is going to do is pass it to covered guys the millisecond someone may touch him on the boards, and otherwise float all night, that tells me he is done - in health, talent and/or heart. He wins ZERO board battles, and frankly looks disinterested.

Yes Saad, Shaw, etc all have grit, but they are all bunched together. The best bunch - Saad, Kubalik and Kampf, are doing most of the scoring. I would argue it is because of the style of game they play and bring.

Playing against Toews' line or Strome's line, you see they are devoid of board battle guys who can gain and maintain possession, and as such they are useless. This makes a guy like Kane far less of a weapon than he could be.

All proof that on paper is no guarantee to translate to the real world.
- Return of the Roar

I wasn't going for an argument, just wanted to better understand what you meant. I won't debate you on Toews. Thus far he has been quite underwhelming. To my eye, it looks like both he and Kane are either confused or not bought in to what the team is trying to do (pure speculation on my part).

As to the bolded, it sounds like you also believe we have the talent, but we are not setting the lines up for success? For instance, I am completely against an ADB, Strome, Kane line for exactly the reason you stated. That does not mean there isn't a ton of actual talent there though.

Maybe a different system, but the veteran players are having the same problems as the Hawks, and with a veteran coach.

https://frozenroyalty.net/2019/10/20/system-new/

Maybe a different system, but the veteran players are having the same problems as the Hawks, and with a veteran coach.

https://frozenroyalty.net/2019/10/20/system-new/
- LAHawk

Players take time to adjust. I think the hawks will be just fine give it 10 games to really judge how they adapt.

Anyone see that Zion Williamson is out 2 months with a meniscus tear operation today. Wow!!!!

https://twitter.com/BySco...tatus/1186090226009214977

Scott Powers posts some very informative tweets. This one has the caps going 180 feet in 8 secs with the first pass beating the 3 hawk forwards (kane stome and dach) and a 2nd pass splitting the hawk dmen (keith and gus) for grade A chance on crow.

WAY TO EASY

I have noticed numerous times that kane and strome are defensive liabilities when together; they are weak on the forecheck and dzone coverage...

if scott powers can spot this...ya think the hawks coaching staff can.

https://twitter.com/ByScottPowers/status/1186090226009214977

Scott Powers posts some very informative tweets. This one has the caps going 180 feet in 8 secs with the first pass beating the 3 hawk forwards (kane stome and dach) and a 2nd pass splitting the hawk dmen (keith and gus) for grade A chance on crow.

WAY TO EASY

I have noticed numerous times that kane and strome are defensive liabilities when together; they are weak on the forecheck and dzone coverage...

if scott powers can spot this...ya think the hawks coaching staff can.
- bogiedoc

Im sure JC saw this - he was wearing his glasses last night

https://twitter.com/BySco...tatus/1186066610966147073

another power's tweet where ovie is found alone in front of craw for a great chance.

4 hawks on the far boards, toews is chasing for no reason..dman makes a play to keep it and finds ovie...

to much of this blown coverage stuff in the first 6 games...

psss on crow all ya want...he and lehner are being asked to stop to many of these

https://twitter.com/ByScottPowers/status/1186090226009214977

Scott Powers posts some very informative tweets. This one has the caps going 180 feet in 8 secs with the first pass beating the 3 hawk forwards (kane stome and dach) and a 2nd pass splitting the hawk dmen (keith and gus) for grade A chance on crow.

WAY TO EASY

I have noticed numerous times that kane and strome are defensive liabilities when together; they are weak on the forecheck and dzone coverage...

if scott powers can spot this...ya think the hawks coaching staff can.
- bogiedoc

Gus played that worse than a turnstyle on the blue line. All he had to do was stand up at the blueline and he kills the play.

Toews indirectly contributed to Wash first goal. Keith DIRECTLY contributed to it.

1. No cap room

2. No one wants our crap in return
- Return of the Roar

This is Sobering and Depressing at the same time. 😳

It doesn’t matter with whom Toews plays, he‘s not playing like 1 or 2 NHL center, and needs to be tried at the wing or a lower line. I think reduced minutes and lesser competition can only help.

I think the "revitalized" season was due to having Kane on his wing most of the year. If putting Kubalik and Saad with Toews than do it. We need Toews to be playing at a high level. I'm sure going on a little point streak with two big wingers would help his confidence too.

Haven't see anyone mention the Ovi one timer last night. That was a thing of beauty. Welcome to the league Kirby Dach. Dach was in solid position if it was a player not named Ovechkin.

HOF release from the guy with arguably the best one timer ever.

Side note... Kubalik can absolutely drift it. Heavy and hard. He had a slapper in the 2nd or 3rd that I don't think Holtby even saw. It just happened to hit him. Have to get him more ice time and more scoring opportunities.
- bhawks2241

Kubalik for pp qb.

Agree with you on Nylander, but keep him on the 4th line for a few games to continue to learn to play the full game, and have him earn a promotion to the top line.
- boilermaker100

Yeah I agree he’s learning things and developing good habits there. I leave well enough alone for the time being.

Hawks continue to improve. Yea I know home losses suck, but I still am liking what I am seeing. Another game where the Hawks outshot their opponent by a wide margin. Team is slowly coming together. Again, I want to see where we are at the 20 game mark and not a minute sooner.

Hawks continue to improve. Yea I know home losses suck, but I still am liking what I am seeing. Another game where the Hawks outshot their opponent by a wide margin. Team is slowly coming together. Again, I want to see where we are at the 20 game mark and not a minute sooner.
- kwolf68

Been waiting to hear this, totally agree, Wolfie. Instead of dumping on Crow, special teams, who does & doesn't do what ... JC is mixing & matching & giving equal opportunities in this test run & trial period of the season. Even when we lose, we still look good & things are progressing. Not at the pace everyone wants, but Holtby played out of his mind. Caps are good & capitalize on minor mistakes.

Anyone see that Zion Williamson is out 2 months with a meniscus tear operation today. Wow!!!!
- glennjpawlak22

His playing style will end up leading to a very short career. He’s already injury prone and it’s only going to get worse.

And he can’t shoot beyond 10 feet. Average to below average jump shot.

And he won’t be able to bully the pros with overwhelming physical attributes like he did in college.

Overhyped and overrated.

This is Sobering and Depressing at the same time. 😳
- BGKarras

The first part is true. Not the second part. The second part is his opinion and it’s highly debatable.

Hawks continue to improve. Yea I know home losses suck, but I still am liking what I am seeing. Another game where the Hawks outshot their opponent by a wide margin. Team is slowly coming together. Again, I want to see where we are at the 20 game mark and not a minute sooner.
- kwolf68

This

Hawks continue to improve. Yea I know home losses suck, but I still am liking what I am seeing. Another game where the Hawks outshot their opponent by a wide margin. Team is slowly coming together. Again, I want to see where we are at the 20 game mark and not a minute sooner.
- kwolf68

I agree, remember people getting excited about the preseason games and how bad we were getting beaten. It is a process and right now they are in a bunch of 1 score games.

Tighten special teams and they can win quite a few more games than they lose.

I agree, remember people getting excited about the preseason games and how bad we were getting beaten. It is a process and right now they are in a bunch of 1 score games.

Tighten special teams and they can win quite a few more games than they lose.
- BetweenTheDots

Yep, I was one very down on pre-season and the first game, but it seems there is progress being made. So while the W/L results have not shown up yet I think things are coming together. Way too early, in a tough league with a lot of new faces to deliver final summation on the Hawks.

Yes, if we get to the quarter mile mark and things have not gotten better, then I think that's a time to analyze where changes may be needed. Right now I have a good "feeling" when I'm watching the games.

Third and fourth lines look awesome. Defense continues to improve, though with some hiccups...just need to get some jam from the top 6.