I am not saying I like the system or agree with the system. I was just trying to describe it.

In Colliton's system you stay with the puck carrier until there is a convenient time to switch with another player. For example, an opposing forward has a puck in the corner and a Hawk defender is on him. If the forward starts carrying the puck out towards the point the Hawk defender stays with him unless their is a Hawk forward to hand him off to and then the defender would scramble back to a normal defensive position.
- -Doh-

No worries, I got what you were saying originally and agree with you.

The handing off to a teammate to continue defending against the same player seems like a zone would be more effective and avoid break downs in communication and coverage.

I'd be hesitant to trade Beaduin for Poehling. Regula isn't even signed yet and he's more of a work in progress compared to Beaudin so I hope that Regula didn't make Beaudin expandable.

Agree, Mitchell and Beaudin along with Boqvist are your future top 3 if development continues in the positive trajectory so far for each of them. Supplement with other D prospects like Vlasic, Krys, Galvas, and Regula (if the latter two are signed).

If Poehling can be had for a different price, then I'm all ears.
- AEL_Fox

As a Public Service Announcement- Mitchell is not signed yet, either. Not saying he won't be, but....

I would have to agree. In a few years Dach and Strome are the likely 1C and 2C. Toews as 3C as he goes into the back 9 of his career.

Lots of potential for 4C options: Kampf currently but Johnson is making a name for himself in Rockford, then there's also Highmore, Entwistle, and Hakkarainen.

Wise is starting off strong at BU as a sophomore. Strong faceoff numbers. He and Kurashev could be potential options to replace Toews eventually as 3C.
- AEL_Fox

People are calling for Bowman to be fired. I don't see it. The goalie and dman quality and depth is as good as I have ever remembered. You can question the star quality of our forward prospects (maybe thin on top 6), but there seem to be plenty of top 9. I could see Kubalik, Dach, Strome, ADB, being top 6 quality. Then you just have to get lucky with a Kurashev, Wise, Hagel, Sikura, or a trade to fill it out.

The Hawks. Quickly.
- mohel

Idk...make the trade, and then convince Weber to retire. Nashville gets hit with a huge recapture penalty, and we get glorious cap space!

Idk...make the trade, and then convince Weber to retire. Nashville gets hit with a huge recapture penalty, and we get glorious cap space!
- tvetter

You should have the unicorn!

They are playing more of a dump and chase style. Kane talked about it last week. It is not just a dump it in when we can't skate it in.

I am simply pointing out that this isn't working this year. It is not the same offensive system as last year. The hawks have a more talented roster but are scoring less. Of course the Hawks should dump it in when the other team is clogging the blue line.
- bhawks2241

Being so early in the season I wouldn't jump to any conclusions yet. Let's look at a few facts.

1. The Hawks have a LOT of new faces. These guys need to learn how to play with each other, learn other's tendencies, and to do this in a new system for virtually everyone. This takes time, and will take many games yet. But, the improvements should be gradual and more consistent over time.

2. EVERY team that is focusing on teaching it's players to play DEFENSE first will see scoring take a dip. This is true from pee-wee right up to pro. Hawks defense was horrid last year, but score as much as you want, a defense that bad was going nowhere. Our defense is MILES ahead of last year, even with our 2-3 disaster games. It is not ALL goaltending. Yes, our goaltending is much better but if you watch the games we are much more watchable for stretches than we were last year. It was sickening to watch the total poop-show we had in our own end last year.

3. We are integrating several very young and inexperienced guys into our team and new system. New players are often more inconsistent. Yes, some of our vets have had rough games too. But, the vets for the most part know what got them there and can work things out. Young players are more fragile mentally as a whole, and JC is being careful how he uses them and trying to put them in successful positions...like O-zone starts and things like that. This can hamper the offense as well.

This team will score. I am much more concerned with them continuing to tighten the defense and keeping the goals against down. Not sure exactly where we are this year, but certainly closer to the middle of the pack in GAA than the 2nd or 3rd last in the league we were last year.

The results are not there yet. But, I like the progress I am seeing in the way the team is playing in its own end. I think the wins, and points, will begin to become more frequent.....at least .....I HOPE so.

No worries, I got what you were saying originally and agree with you.

The handing off to a teammate to continue defending against the same player seems like a zone would be more effective and avoid break downs in communication and coverage.
- AEL_Fox

True. Do you think Colliton's system has been tweaked since the middle of last year, the players have learned it better, the presence of veteran NHL quality defenders like Maatta and DeHaan have made it look better, forwards playing more of a 200' game, better goaltending?

Last year it looked like a Chinese fire drill. (Can I say that or is it politically incorrect and racially insensitive?) This year it looks more structured, organized, controlled. (But still has a long way to go to be looking good.)

GAA 30th in the league last year. 16th so far this year.

I'm a big fan of both Sikura and Highmore but by no way should they be replacing Kampf or Kubalik. Ideally Kubalik and Sikura in the top 9 and Kampf and Highmore on the 4th line.

A lineup with all 4 would be nice but there's presently no room at the inn, even if Smith is eventually traded as previously rumored. I like what Carpenter and Caggiula bring to the team, too. Neither should be sitting.
- AEL_Fox

Carpenter is not going anywhere, $1 mil. for 3 years, a bargain for what he brings.

They are playing more of a dump and chase style. Kane talked about it last week. It is not just a dump it in when we can't skate it in.

I am simply pointing out that this isn't working this year. It is not the same offensive system as last year. The hawks have a more talented roster but are scoring less. Of course the Hawks should dump it in when the other team is clogging the blue line.
- bhawks2241

I get what you are saying. It most certainly is not the same offensive system as last year (and I'm glad it is not as it caused a high number of dangerous counters). I recognize that they are dumping more often, but I don't see them doing it when they have to opening or option to carry it in.

It is one of the reasons that I don't like the ADB-Strome-Kane line. Teams know that if they can clog the blueline, and make them dump it in, there is not much of a threat to them getting the puck. Now, you do have three very high end talents on that line, but solid defensive teams will be able to handle that pretty well.

Please don’t confuse me anymore than I already am, I’ve only been posting for a couple of weeks here and I don’t know if we keep Toews, trade Toews, change lines, do not change lines, does JC go? Does he stay, does Bowman go? You are all a confusing bunch.
- Angotti

Yes to all of the above.

Being so early in the season I wouldn't jump to any conclusions yet. Let's look at a few facts.

1. The Hawks have a LOT of new faces. These guys need to learn how to play with each other, learn other's tendencies, and to do this in a new system for virtually everyone. This takes time, and will take many games yet. But, the improvements should be gradual and more consistent over time.

2. EVERY team that is focusing on teaching it's players to play DEFENSE first will see scoring take a dip. This is true from pee-wee right up to pro. Hawks defense was horrid last year, but score as much as you want, a defense that bad was going nowhere. Our defense is MILES ahead of last year, even with our 2-3 disaster games. It is not ALL goaltending. Yes, our goaltending is much better but if you watch the games we are much more watchable for stretches than we were last year. It was sickening to watch the total poop-show we had in our own end last year.

3. We are integrating several very young and inexperienced guys into our team and new system. New players are often more inconsistent. Yes, some of our vets have had rough games too. But, the vets for the most part know what got them there and can work things out. Young players are more fragile mentally as a whole, and JC is being careful how he uses them and trying to put them in successful positions...like O-zone starts and things like that. This can hamper the offense as well.

This team will score. I am much more concerned with them continuing to tighten the defense and keeping the goals against down. Not sure exactly where we are this year, but certainly closer to the middle of the pack in GAA than the 2nd or 3rd last in the league we were last year.

The results are not there yet. But, I like the progress I am seeing in the way the team is playing in its own end. I think the wins, and points, will begin to become more frequent.....at least .....I HOPE so.
- hawk35

Good to see a voice of reason. I agree on all points. It may turn out to be a steaming pile, but it would be management malpractice to act before being reasonably sure it isn't the things you posted.

Of course, hot takes are fun, but they're not real management.

As a Public Service Announcement- Mitchell is not signed yet, either. Not saying he won't be, but....
- mohel

Thanks for the reminder on who is signed to ELCs. I stand corrected that Mitchell and Vlasic are not signed additionally to Galvas and Regula. Only Beaudin, Krys, and Carlsson are signed as far as Rockford hopefuls.

People are calling for Bowman to be fired. I don't see it. The goalie and dman quality and depth is as good as I have ever remembered. You can question the star quality of our forward prospects (maybe thin on top 6), but there seem to be plenty of top 9. I could see Kubalik, Dach, Strome, ADB, being top 6 quality. Then you just have to get lucky with a Kurashev, Wise, Hagel, Sikura, or a trade to fill it out.
- -Doh-

I'm thinking that as well, i.e. if anyone is on the hot seat, it would be Colliton rather than Bowman. The pieces he has traded for, signed in free agency, and drafted have improved over time. He seems to learn from past missteps.

Should Colliton be fired? I have hope he can learn and adapt but I do believe in the adage that you can't fire all of your players so firing the coach is the resulting option if a firing has to be done.

Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, Kirby Dach, Adam Boqvist, and Alex Nylander are all 22 years old or younger. Kubalik, Kampf are 24, Saad 27. Probably not make the playoffs, but I think this team will improve throughout the year.

Hopefully Mitchell signs and then I think you have a pretty good young core going forward. So when does Stan (or his replacement) say we are going to do a full rebuild, and to the old core, thanks for the memories?

I'm thinking that as well, i.e. if anyone is on the hot seat, it would be Colliton rather than Bowman. The pieces he has traded for, signed in free agency, and drafted have improved over time. He seems to learn from past missteps.

Should Colliton be fired? I have hope he can learn and adapt but I do believe in the adage that you can't fire all of your players so firing the coach is the resulting option if a firing has to be done.
- AEL_Fox

Agree. I think the Bowman's are trusted by Rocky and Stan's position is safe.

I am willing to give Colliton more time. Lots of new players on the roster. But he will have to settle on line combinations, defensive pairings, and a goaltending rotation pretty soon. I can see rotating the 13th forward and 7th defender into the the lineup. But some nights it seems like he is using 15 different line combinations. Constant chaos is not a good thing.

Thanks for the reminder on who is signed to ELCs. I stand corrected that Mitchell and Vlasic are not signed additionally to Galvas and Regula. Only Beaudin, Krys, and Carlsson are signed as far as Rockford hopefuls.
- AEL_Fox

Seems to me he's gonna sign, but how much can the Hawks rely on that until it happens? Can they trade another defenseman (like Beaudin) without having ink on paper?

You're saying Kubalik belongs in the minors? Put down the cough syrup, eh?
- mohel

I meant smith sorry but i don'tthink it would hurt to send him down for a month just to get confidence and evolved his game more.

"However, don't look now, Nylander is 2nd in the Blackhawks in scoring with 7 points in 13 games. " ?!

How is that even possible? Strome and DeBrincat had 7 points going to California - and Debrincat scored in Anaheim - all while Kane leads the team in scoring.

True. Do you think Colliton's system has been tweaked since the middle of last year, the players have learned it better, the presence of veteran NHL quality defenders like Maatta and DeHaan have made it look better, forwards playing more of a 200' game, better goaltending?

Last year it looked like a Chinese fire drill. (Can I say that or is it politically incorrect and racially insensitive?) This year it looks more structured, organized, controlled. (But still has a long way to go to be looking good.)

GAA 30th in the league last year. 16th so far this year.
- -Doh-

I need to put more thought into how to exactly answer your question. In my head I have hunch on how Colliton's system has evolved but it's difficult to explain. Let me get back to you on this...

Carpenter is not going anywhere, $1 mil. for 3 years, a bargain for what he brings.
- LAHawk

Yes, Carpenter is a fixture. Unsung hero so far in the forward ranks. Just the type of 4th liner the Hawks needed.

Last year it looked like a fire drill. (Can I say that or is it politically incorrect and ...insensitive?)

GAA 30th in the league last year. 16th so far this year.

If you had to ask - I'm pretty sure that you knew the answer --- actually looks like a bunch of 5 years olds playing everyone chase the puck.

GAA this season? That's the Lehner impact -I guarantee you it would not be that way with Crawford pulling down major minutes.

Yes, Carpenter is a fixture. Unsung hero so far in the forward ranks. Just the type of 4th liner the Hawks needed.
- AEL_Fox

If JC would start playing Carpenter-Kampf as the 4th liners they are with the occasional line jump for a faceoff, it would be great but he seems opposed to this for some reason.

Scott Darling signs a contract with HC Innsbruck of the Austrian league.

Scott Darling signs a contract with HC Innsbruck of the Austrian league.
- boilermaker100

Good for him - I hope he finds his game again

Seemed to have a very adventurous and fun summer

If JC would start playing Carpenter-Kampf as the 4th liners they are with the occasional line jump for a faceoff, it would be great but he seems opposed to this for some reason.
- L_B_R

This is when I start to worry that he's prioritizing effort given in line assignments (using them as his form of a gold star) over need to win.