Last year he threatened defenses with his speed on rollouts, etc. He was far more effective last year. Why?
- mohel

Or maybe if a guy is struggling with accuracy you give him bigger targets instead of running plays in zone coverage where the #1 option is 5'4" dude.

Mitch definitely misses passes long and high but if he had a legit 6'3" NFL WR instead of gabriel or cohen running those routes we would see more completions.

I would think that if you want a qualified candidate to run the ship, that person would want at least a GM/VP of Hockey Operations title and not have to answer to Stan about hockey related decisions. Stan could be rewarded for his loyalty to the organization and his hand in winning the Cups by accepting a do nothing position. If eventually another team wants to hire him as GM or VP of Hockey Ops, more power to him.
- boilermaker100

Any qualified GM/VP would not want to answer to McDonough either. The only ones I know of are Blake answers to Robitaille, but both are in their positions because they are Kings legends, and the group that owns them (AEG), is more interested in the real estate development around the arena than the team, as the team is just a spec of AEG's assets.

Also Dubas and Shanahan, but their is no question about Shanahan's hockey chops.

Ek - "Robin Lehner could be the Big Fish at the Deadline"

Certainty - "Hawks sign Lehner to a long term extension"

Ek - "Robin Lehner could be the Big Fish at the Deadline"

Certainty - "Hawks sign Lehner to a long term extension"
- DarthKane

Should say Crawford is big fish at deadline. Stan should lock up Lehner for at least the next 3 years.

From the Sun Times so not exactly expert hockey guys but...

"Last season, the Hawks were at the forefront of a movement toward transition offense, leading the NHL in percentage of entry attempts that were carry-ins. But this season, with Jeremy Colliton’s emphasizing a conservative, defense-first system, the Hawks have shifted more toward dump-ins because they limit opponent counterattacks."

Seems to me the opposite is happening. The dump and chase hasn't improved the defense and it has killed the offense.

Any qualified GM/VP would not want to answer to McDonough either. The only ones I know of are Blake answers to Robitaille, but both are in their positions because they are Kings legends, and the group that owns them (AEG), is more interested in the real estate development around the arena than the team, as the team is just a spec of AEG's assets.

Also Dubas and Shanahan, but their is no question about Shanahan's hockey chops.
- LAHawk

Point taken LA. We'll see how things play out.

Should say Crawford is big fish at deadline. Stan should lock up Lehner for at least the next 3 years.
- SaskHawkFan

Find out in January when Stan is allowed to extend him. If he doesn't sign by the TDL, you have to move him. I think he will sign, I don't think he wants to go through what he did last year as a FA.

Last year he threatened defenses with his speed on rollouts, etc. He was far more effective last year. Why?
- mohel

Idk honestly. Nagy was new & innovative & unconventional when it came to plays. Teams didn't know what to do or defend. Losing players might have hurt. Mitchie being injured, twice, wasn't good. I like the defense, but losing Vic for Chuck, I hate that (different topic & doesn't answer your question.) Maybe it was just a fluke of success last year.

I wish I knew the cause, same with JC. I don't want to hate & rip the coaches for being young & new. But why they aren't getting everything from the players, or systems that don't fully compliment skills of the players. "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." I wish I knew, but watching it unfold has been a rollercoaster.

mush
- bogiedoc

Seabrook couldn't clear Marleau out of the crease on that one goal. Our biggest defenseman against their oldest player and the forward won the battle. If Seabs isn't our best guy in front of the net that's a problem.

Both are off. Neither has the energy or confidence coming into the season that they had last year. Nagy needs to dumb it down and keep it simple. Get some screens for Tarik going and get the ball out of Biscuit’s hands sooner while also taking chances downfield. Wayyyy too many pass plays for 6-10 yards and rarely go deep so defenses have played up all year. Establish the damn run while you’re at it and use Burton more and less ARob. Spread it around!
- Assman22

Problem is Mitch can't find the secondary option receiver
he might not know what progression means

Idk honestly. Nagy was new & innovative & unconventional when it came to plays. Teams didn't know what to do or defend. Losing players might have hurt. Mitchie being injured, twice, wasn't good. I like the defense, but losing Vic for Chuck, I hate that (different topic & doesn't answer your question.) Maybe it was just a fluke of success last year.

I wish I knew the cause, same with JC. I don't want to hate & rip the coaches for being young & new. But why they aren't getting everything from the players, or systems that don't fully compliment skills of the players. "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." I wish I knew, but watching it unfold has been a rollercoaster.
- I Am The Breadman

I don't know, either. But he was at least a decent QB last season - not the best player, but much better than this year. He seems to be a very hard worker and his teammates like him. So, why the fall off? Focus has to go toward the coach for an explanation. Maybe he's just taking as long as the Hawks core to adjust to a new system.

Nagy is absolutely killing Trubisky
- DougEFresh Wilson

Pace killed both

Problem is Mitch can't find the secondary option receiver
he might not know what progression means

- gazza53

Probably true, but wasn't that true last year, when they had an offense several steps about this year's abysmal?

Pace killed both
- riozzo

No way. It was McD, who sources tell me advised Pace during all relevant times.

Seabrook couldn't clear Marleau out of the crease on that one goal. Our biggest defenseman against their oldest player and the forward won the battle. If Seabs isn't our best guy in front of the net that's a problem.
- rpeters01

Carpenter missed the outlet pass (that was on his stick) and failed to get the puck out. Marleau had inside position already on Seabrook. No forward even made an effort to go to the slot where the shot originated from that deflected off Marleau...who although old, still knows a thing or two about where to go/get in position to score. This was also pointed out by Anson Carter as well...as the forwards fumbling/not being in position for outlet passes which has been killing the Hawks D.

But Seabrook being on the ice...means it was his fault.

The problem with this is you have no idea how he would be performing on the Hawks right now. Considering the variety of talent we have on this roster right now and the results we are getting, it is likely he would be just as bad as everyone else. I can't prove it, but I believe it is highly likely.
- Chunk

Agree!

Tell me about the cups Hossa won with OTT? ATL? PITT? Or the one in DET?

Wait...he didnt? He had to go to CHI (who had to outbid everyone) to join homegrown and developed group of Crawford, Toews, Keith, Kane, Seabrook and Hjarllmarsson to win.
- PatShart

Tell me about all the Cups Crawford, Toews, Keith, Kane, Seabrook and Hammer have won since Hossa hung them up?

Wait.......they haven't won any?

I don't know, either. But he was at least a decent QB last season - not the best player, but much better than this year. He seems to be a very hard worker and his teammates like him. So, why the fall off? Focus has to go toward the coach for an explanation. Maybe he's just taking as long as the Hawks core to adjust to a new system.
- mohel

Sophomore slump? He might be a hard worker, but the practice style & plays he should run, he doesn't. Blame goes further than him, sure. I definitely agree. But I think it was Hampton & Ob who talked about comparing him to other qb's. They asked, "why do qb's around the league spend time running plays specifically to get into the end zone & Mitch & co. doesn't?" They talked about Brady & Gronk running numerous plays during practice specific for the end zone & they found a lot of success.

Tell me about all the Cups Crawford, Toews, Keith, Kane, Seabrook and Hammer have won since Hossa hung them up?

Wait.......they haven't won any?
- mohel

Correct. Yet they are still in the league and have an opportunity. Hossa had to come to that core which were all homegrown talent. He had to join Kane/Toews because he couldn't quite get it done on his own anywhere with some other talented homegrown groups...including his own in OTT

Get them a competent coach would be a start, because they have more talent this year then they have has the last 3.

I think there's some truth to this. We bark on here that JC is putting in a system that doesn't match the talent. That's what Nagy is doing - should be designing the system around Mitchell's talents.
- mohel

When he runs, his talent, he gets hurt. No running quarterback can avoid getting hurt. Last year he ran so much, 400 yds he masked the lousy running game. This year with a separated shoulder he can't do that.

Give me a quarterback who sees wide open receivers and doesn't miss them. "Damn I made that throw 100 times in practice." Sports is full of great practice players we need a guy for when the TV camera's are on.

This kills me:

“We could hang on to the puck and, if we are going to dump it in, make some better decisions on where we’re putting it,” Patrick Kane said. “Not just giving it to their goalie or giving it to them where they have easy chances to break out. There’s a lot of different things we can do.”

If there are a lot of different things that you can do to play better and you can recognize that during the game.... do it. I cannot believe that the players and coaches cannot see the issues during the game and adjust accordingly. After the first period, someone can just say, "hey, maybe we can do this differently since we are getting crushed".

Carpenter missed the outlet pass (that was on his stick) and failed to get the puck out. Marleau had inside position already on Seabrook. No forward even made an effort to go to the slot where the shot originated from that deflected off Marleau...who although old, still knows a thing or two about where to go/get in position to score. This was also pointed out by Anson Carter as well...as the forwards fumbling/not being in position for outlet passes which has been killing the Hawks D.

But Seabrook being on the ice...means it was his fault.
- PatShart

I agree except one thing, there's always a reason why the offensive team gets position in front of the net, bottom line, you have to clear that guy out of Lehner's crease. In the old days Keith would have gotten away slashing the hell out of him.

Probably true, but wasn't that true last year, when they had an offense several steps about this year's abysmal?
- mohel

Last year the D was prolific at scoring and giving the O
a short field upon which to score, this year that aint
happening.

I agree except one thing, there's always a reason why the offensive team gets position in front of the net, bottom line, you have to clear that guy out of Lehner's crease.
- rpeters01

At the end of a PK. When the D puts the puck on your stick along the boards, you have to get the puck out and give your team the opportunity to change. Not hang your D and goalie out to dry.

Tickets for tonights game as low as $8 for standing room or $20 for seats. Keep up the good work McD