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

Still early in the blog. Just wait until we move onto Toews. Nylander, Seabrook and Perlini.

BTW the Hawks PP QB had 5:27 of PP time last night. Zero shots on.

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.
- scottak

He can do that all by himself? That is a lot of responsibility.

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.
- paulr

He can do that all by himself? That is a lot of responsibility.
- TrueGrit

Your reading comprehension is not so good. I believe I used the word ‘helping’. Use of ‘helping’ implies others were involved.

Your reading comprehension is not so good. I believe I used the word ‘helping’. Use of ‘helping’ implies others were involved.
- scottak

Thanks for highlighting another of my character flaws...

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.
- paulr

The guy has several years of bad habits ingrained in his style. In fact he probably never had to focus on actually playing defense. It might take him a little longer to figure things out. Or he could just throw up his hands and this is as good as he is going to get. It should be interesting to see what happens in the next 20 games or so.

Thanks for highlighting another of my character flaws...
- TrueGrit

Reading comprehension isn’t a character trait, it’s a learned skill. Your arrogant personality is a character flaw.

The guy has several years of bad habits ingrained in his style. In fact he probably never had to focus on actually playing defense. It might take him a little longer to figure things out. Or he could just throw up his hands and this is as good as he is going to get. It should be interesting to see what happens in the next 20 games or so.
- -Doh-

This is his 4th season with the Hawks, including 2 + seasons while Q was the coach. Do you think the Hawks brass (and Q) has told him for all that time to not actually focus on defense? I think what you said and I bolded is closest to the truth.

This is his 4th season with the Hawks, including 2 + seasons while Q was the coach. Do you think the Hawks brass (and Q) has told him for all that time to not actually focus on defense? I think what you said and I bolded is closest to the truth.
- LAHawk

I am just a little more optimistic. He play 41 games in 15/16, 35 games in 16/17, so last year was his only full year (79 games). He played for Dent, Q, Colliton. I think he can improve. Will he ever be Dennis Potvin? NO! Could he be a serviceable 3rd pairing dman that brings some good to the PP? I think so. Could he have trade value at or before the TDL? Maybe, but not a 1st round pick. Could he be a place holder until one of the younger guys is ready later this year or next year. I think so.

I am just a little more optimistic. He play 41 games in 15/16, 35 games in 16/17,
- -Doh-

And made the turn over in G7 against the Blues that led to the winning goal.

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-

Boqvist is the only RH shot in Rockford and I believe only 1 of 3 in the system along with Mitchell and Moberg.

As far as D-men who can play RD as LH shots, Carlsson is the best at it but Krys and Beaudin are getting experience playing both sides (not equally). Gilbert has played both sides. Holm, too.

Not saying they're all good at it but at least they're getting reps on both sides.

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

Carlsson can play both sides and is the most reliable at doing so. He plays an aggressive style, sometimes too aggressive as it leads to penalties. Regardless, his physicality is a good complement to all the puck movers.

He skates generally well and is able to join the rush but is more defensively minded. He and Beaudin are great at protecting the crease and sticking with their man on 1-on-1 battles.

Schmaltz is killing it in Arizona well Strome staggers through games without DBC Why . I think the Strome honeymoon is over .. The lines to me are a complete mess accept the 3rd ,were I think Dach belongs if we are going to carry him . Let him play center ...

Carlsson can play both sides and is the most reliable at doing so. He plays an aggressive style, sometimes too aggressive as it leads to penalties. Regardless, his physicality is a good complement to all the puck movers.

He skates generally well and is able to join the rush but is more defensively minded. He and Beaudin are great at protecting the crease and sticking with their man on 1-on-1 battles.
- AEL_Fox

Thanks. Your insight is always appreciated. Put on you GM hat. Who would you call up? Who would be your 3rd pair Gus, K4, someone from the Rock. What side would they play?

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

Honestly, Boqvist needs more time in the oven. He's not bad but not a difference maker either. Seems to be playing a tentative style but that could be by design, i.e. coaches wanting him to focus on his defense as they already know what he can do offensively.

No need to rush him with Gustafsson on the Hawks blueline. Let him fully marinate in the minors and bring him up at the appropriate moment.

The immediate need on the Hawks is a defensive defenseman with Murphy injured again. Boqvist doesn't fit that bill. Gilbert and Carlsson do. Perhaps Holm but he's more of a two-way rearguard than a Murphy prototype.

Don't tell the all-or-nothing, JC is not even a pee-wee coach crowd, but this team plays pretty hard for the guy.
- mohel

True, but moral victories will only take you so far.

Time to start finding the back of the net occasionally.

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



Saad has been flying around so put him back in the top 6. The Toews-Cat-Shaw line has simply not been very good and Shaw has also taken a bunch of bad penalties in the O-zone. Reward Nylander with a promotion to line 3, I think that would be a threatening 3rd line offensively with Nylander-Kubalik winger duo. Plus, that 4th line would make Mr. Rogers want to punch someone with how tough and pesky they would be to play against.

Reading comprehension isn’t a character trait, it’s a learned skill. Your arrogant personality is a character flaw.
- scottak

That is something totally different.

Boy that really hits home.

Schmaltz is killing it in Arizona well Strome staggers through games without DBC Why . I think the Strome honeymoon is over .. The lines to me are a complete mess accept the 3rd ,were I think Dach belongs if we are going to carry him . Let him play center ...
- oldduffman

Biggest Kool aid drinker in HB history is randomly one of few posters looking for negatives despite our recent trend in the right direction....lol....

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

Very nice, yea Gus is driving that offense

That is something totally different.

Boy that really hits home.
- TrueGrit

What no dissertation on how you are so right and throw some moronic statements in there that make only sense to you?

Schmaltz is killing it in Arizona well Strome staggers through games without DBC Why . I think the Strome honeymoon is over .. The lines to me are a complete mess accept the 3rd ,were I think Dach belongs if we are going to carry him . Let him play center ...
- oldduffman

Lets not start this again....

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



Saad has been flying around so put him back in the top 6. The Toews-Cat-Shaw line has simply not been very good and Shaw has also taken a bunch of bad penalties in the O-zone. Reward Nylander with a promotion to line 3, I think that would be a threatening 3rd line offensively with Nylander-Kubalik winger duo. Plus, that 4th line would make Mr. Rogers want to punch someone with how tough and pesky they would be to play against.
- EnzoD

Reward Nylander but punish Caggiula? For what reason?

Schmaltz is killing it in Arizona well Strome staggers through games without DBC Why . I think the Strome honeymoon is over .. The lines to me are a complete mess accept the 3rd ,were I think Dach belongs if we are going to carry him . Let him play center ...
- oldduffman

Did you lose your pom poms? They are playing ther best hockey they've played for 3 years and you think not having Schmaltz in the line up is the problem? Okay

Reward Nylander but punish Caggiula? For what reason?
- Ogilthorpe2

Caggiulla has been effectively playing his 4th line role with Carpenter for the last few games, so how is staying on his current line a punishment?

Looks like Strome has found himself in Colliton's Dog House, and rightfully so. Only 9 minutes for Strome last night. So maybe this is an option for JC as well...


Caggiulla-Toews-Kane (was VERY effective last year)
Cat-Dach-Saad
Strome/Nylander-Kampf-Kubalik
Strome/Nylander-Carpenter-Shaw