I don't see a lot to be happy about . PP is crap goalie saved our butt last night ,till that soft one at the end . Lines look lost for the most part . Going to be a long season of disappointment's if this play continues .
- oldduffman

You can say goalie saved the Knights butts also.

Keith, Murphy & Koekkoek are the only D with a CF% over 50%.

Murphy has been outstanding, with a CF of 55.25 and an OffZoneStart% of 37.04. He's been their best defenseman, by far. He'll be missed the next 2 weeks.

Well, after Game 2 if #77 plays like that, he stays!! I have been so up and down on this topic that I just need to wait until his tryout is over and see what the Hawks decide to do with him. The kid is going to be a great player though IMO. He already plays a solid all-around game, he has great size, he can skate, and he really seems to be a student of the game. For today, the kid plays in Chicago for the season, ask me tomorrow, who knows? LOL!!
- ChicagoHope

Yep - this.

He played OK his first game and played better this game. He got his first goal because (1) he goes to the net and (2) he knocked the defender out of the way (now maybe he should have been tagged with a penalty - see Gallant's tirade - but that call is rarely called - see Tom Wilson's GWG a couple nights ago). The point is he knows how to play smart/winning hockey and he has the ability and courage to do it.

He easily could have had a couple assists last night if not for Fleury making incredible saves. He has excellent vision, patience and poise.

He hasn't been a defensive liability with the possible exception of drifting off Ovechkin giving him too much room to blast his one-timer goal.

Yes we needs to show he is ready but two games in he's been impresive.

Nice synopsis of last night’s game and your general thoughts Tyler.

The difference between Crawford and Lehner right now is rebound control. Lehner is just soaking up almost every shot - which cuts down on follow-up shots from high-danger areas.

The Murphy injury is a real concern given how fragile the Hawks defensive competency is coming together - and nagging groin injuries take a long time to heal properly. This will likely be an ongoing concern with Murphy for the rest of the season. I think the right call is to move deHaan up with Keith, but look out for that bottom pairing of KK and Gus - it’s going to be a circus.

And as others have been calling for - it’s time to rearrange the top two lines - reunite Toews/Kane and Strome/Dcat. And Saad deserves a spot on either of those pairings. Bottom-six depth is great - but not at the expense of your top two lines. We win that game last night if our top six had more mojo working (or the PP tallied).

I really, really like Dach, from the time he was picked. But JC is protecting him the 1st 2 games, 100% offensive zone starts.

I really, really like Dach, from the time he was picked. But JC is protecting him the 1st 2 games, 100% offensive zone starts.
- scottak

I don't think that is a bad thing.

I don't think that is a bad thing.
- LAHawk

Yeah, it’s smart to shelter Dach’s usage initially. Kid is 18, put him in the best position to have success, build some confidence and then you can start to dial up the difficulty in his assignments.

ADB - He hung out with Kane this summer and worked on his puck handling skills. He still needs some work. His goal scoring last year was due to his finding open spaces and releasing a quick accurate shot. This year it seems like he is trying to be more of a playmaker. Maybe he needs to simplify his game and go back to what has made him successful.

Part of that playmaking he is trying to do is to carry the puck out of our zone. Too often he tries a slick move (often backhanded) just inside our blue line and turns it over. (Ala Kris Versteeg). That needs to stop and soon. Coaching staff should be all over him on that.

I really, really like Dach, from the time he was picked. But JC is protecting him the 1st 2 games, 100% offensive zone starts.
- scottak

Done a lot. Now, 100% is extreme...but his first two games.

Look at Mitch marner's protection. Lifetime 62% Offensive zone vs just 38% def zone.

Even last year....60% off zone vs 40% def zone.

Dach will ease his way into regular play. Right now, coach doing right thing by allowing Dach to experience as much personal success as possible.

With Murphy hurt they need to make Dehaan Keith's partner. Then play the top 4 big minutes, while strategically spotting the bottom pair.

If Boqvist is not excelling at the Rock, I would not bring him up. Besides Boqvist, all the dmen at the Rock are left handed. Who is playing RD at the Rock beside Boqvist.

I liked Holm in the preseason. I thought his style is very similar to Maatta (of course it was a tiny sample size). I might give him a shot.

Then decide whether Gus will play the LD or RD depending on who you bring up.

Let's not get too far out over our skis on Olli Maatta.

From Natural Stat Trick, 5v5:

CF% 44.09
SCF% 43.68
HDCF% 47.22
Offensive Zone Start% 61.29


His numbers aren't that different than Gustafsson's:

CF% 44.08
SCF% 44.34
HDCF% 40.00
Offensive Zone Start% 69.57
- scottak

Another reason to balance the use of stats with the use of our eyes. Taken individually either one can be misleading.

For those who can watch the Hogs, how is Lucas Carlsson playing? Isn't he supposed to be able to play both sides?

On a positive note, over the last three games the Blackhawks have killed 9 out of 10 PKs.

For those who can watch the Hogs, how is Lucas Carlsson playing? Isn't he supposed to be able to play both sides?
- LAHawk

And is Boqvist holding his own....would they even consider bringing him up for a couple of weeks??

And is Boqvist holding his own....would they even consider bringing him up for a couple of weeks??
- hawk35

I would do that only if you have Gus watching the games in streetclothes.

Caggiula/Dach Toews Dach/Caggiula
ADB Strome Kane (Kane will get ADB going, but no D played by this line)
Saad Kampf Kubalik (Don't mess with a good thing)
Nylander Carpenter Shaw (very good 4th line)

Perlini/Smith

Ideally in the long term Dach drops into the 3C slot, Nylander and Shaw join Toews on the his line, and the 4th line is Kampf, Carpenter and Caggiula. But Dach needs more big league experience.

With Murphy hurt they need to make Dehaan Keith's partner. Then play the top 4 big minutes, while strategically spotting the bottom pair.

If Boqvist is not excelling at the Rock, I would not bring him up. Besides Boqvist, all the dmen at the Rock are left handed. Who is playing RD at the Rock beside Boqvist.

I liked Holm in the preseason. I thought his style is very similar to Maatta (of course it was a tiny sample size). I might give him a shot.

Then decide whether Gus will play the LD or RD depending on who you bring up.
- -Doh-

After watching him last night I'd prefer he play both sides of the buffet table in the press box.

I don't see a lot to be happy about . PP is crap goalie saved our butt last night ,till that soft one at the end . Lines look lost for the most part . Going to be a long season of disappointment's if this play continues .
- oldduffman

What have you done with positive Duffy? You still type with the period away from the sentence like normal. Has the bod gotten to you?

Sun came up....blame Gus for worlds woes.

Anyone know where I can get a Gus Halloween costume?

They would be Gold around Chicago area...would really freak out the "Soccer Mom" Hawk Fan base contingency.

Done a lot. Now, 100% is extreme...but his first two games.

Look at Mitch marner's protection. Lifetime 62% Offensive zone vs just 38% def zone.

Even last year....60% off zone vs 40% def zone.

Dach will ease his way into regular play. Right now, coach doing right thing by allowing Dach to experience as much personal success as possible.
- hawk35

Absolutely concur.

Sun came up....blame Gus for worlds woes.

Anyone know where I can get a Gus Halloween costume?

They would be Gold around Chicago area...would really freak out the "Soccer Mom" Hawk Fan base contingency.




- TrueGrit

You can buy a jersey or go as a pizza delivery guy.

You can buy a jersey or go as a pizza delivery guy.
- I Am The Breadman

Good suggestion...

After watching him last night I'd prefer he play both sides of the buffet table in the press box.
- Rota's Rooter

Gus has been pretty terrible. I think he is better than he has shown so far this year. My guess is that they stressed him playing some d and that has caused him to hesitate and think, instead of read and react. He also is playing with a new partner. He lacks confidence. Even his body language sucks. I think you keep throwing him out there, but protecting him and play him limited minutes. Then hope he makes a few plays and his confidence builds.

Sun came up....blame Gus for worlds woes.

Anyone know where I can get a Gus Halloween costume?

They would be Gold around Chicago area...would really freak out the "Soccer Mom" Hawk Fan base contingency.




- TrueGrit

Sure that 40% HDCF along with the 70% OffZoneStarts is brilliant.

He’s very effective in helping the opponent move the puck from their defensive zone to the Blackhawk’s zone, then allowing good scoring opportunities.

After watching him last night I'd prefer he play both sides of the buffet table in the press box.
- Rota's Rooter

Like the rest of the team Gus is also trying to learn the JC's defensive system just not sure if it will do any good. Watching him try to stop a short handed two on one against the Capitals was sad. A ten year old Rep hockey player knows that on a two on one you stay on your feet and your responsibility as a defenseman is to ensure a cross ice pass isn't completed. I have no idea what Gus was trying to do, the crazy part is I don't think he has a clue either. Without an offensive contribution there is no reason for Gus to be on the roster. Hopefully he can begin to contribute offensively very soon.