A very basic coaching solution can give the Hawks some consistency and roles which players need to be successful

Line 1 -
Saad-Toews-Kubilak

Nylander has played well here, but I think Kubilak with those 2 can produce more while playing better defensively. But heres the key - matchups. Play this line against every teams top line. Toews is at his best playing against the other teams top centers. So even if/when he doesn't score, he makes their game difficult. Saad/Kubilak have shown chemistry and this line can be very productive 2 way line

Line 2 -
Debrincat-Strome-Kane

Play this line against the other teams 3rd and 4th line. Hammer this line against those 2 lines and they will produce.

Line 3/4 - dont care how to label them, but it's about matchups -

Caggulia-Kampf-Carpenter
JCs hard on for 64/22 can be used here on playing them against the other teams 2nd scoring line. If hes confident they should be playing against other teams number 1 line...just put them out there vs their number 2 line

Shaw-Dach-Nylander
Play this line against the other teams line 4. Probably shelter their zone starts and all 3 can be used on the PP

Kane can/should be double shifted and to be used as needed on the Kampf or Dach line if/when offense is needed

Last game, Getzlafs line was having their scoring chances/success vs the Strome line...yet never once did the Hawks make changes on the fly - and they had chances. Ita baffling that of the 12 coaches behind the bench, they were even having Boqvist out there with this group vs that line. Why not have DeHaan/Seabrook/Maata against them? But put an 18yr old in his second game against them? Or even Gus?

It's the coaching staffs responsibility to put players in positions to succeed and with the number of coaches they have on the bench, you would think someone can recognize this. The players do....but if they say anything...they're complainers or "stuck in the old way" of doing things. When in fact, they have experienced the highest level of hockey (more than the staff) and can see these basic head scratchers
- PatShart

Excellent post. Q would have never allowed those mismatches that's for sure.

Yep. You can make the case that Saad and Kubalik have been the Hawks best forwards this season.
- -Doh-

That's not a good thing.

I'm a big fan of both Sikura and Highmore but 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

Arguing for Cagguilia is like arguing for Adam Burish in 2010. It's just noise when we suck.

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 expendable.

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

I suspect Regula signing Is 50/50. Detroit knew they couldn't sign him and Stan's choice for Perlini was a real prospect he might sign or somebody else's garbage.

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

Because in his words he's super loyal, until he isn't...

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

Why would he retire for us but not Montreal?

Why would he retire for us but not Montreal?
- rpeters01

The current Hawks could make anyone retire.

So San Jose has $26.5 mil. tied up in 3 defenseman and another $5.75 mil. in a goalie, none are younger than 29, and they are last in the league in goals against.

Excellent post. Q would have never allowed those mismatches that's for sure.
- Hawkytalk

I wonder if JC has a penchant for throwing untested guys into the fire to see how they respond, with the idea being that this year is a time to take inventory and see what this team has, and further develop the potential of the greener players, as opposed to knowing how the car operates and racing to win it all.

So San Jose has $26.5 mil. tied up in 3 defenseman and another $5.75 mil. in a goalie, none are younger than 29, and they are last in the league in goals against.
- LAHawk

That's a no gouda. Those will make the Seabs deal seem like a frugal contract. The EK deal was so obviously stupid.

"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.
- SC116

Thanks for the correction. He's tied for 3rd.

I was writing this last night before, during and after the game.

I'll update.

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

I read this post and try to see where any evidence exists that this team is improving at all.

The data prove otherwise. Even in the gimmick win last night they still surrendered 38 freaking shots on goal.

The eye test supports:

Man to man coverage is too difficult for the players to learn, and player feedback supports it.

The team can not get pucks out of their zone, or clear the crease of opposing forwards.

Dump and chase requires the chase part to work, and while a few players do it well - Kubalik, Saad, Shaw, Carpenter, Nylander, Caggiula - you never see Kane, Toews, ADB or Strome do it. Top six guys still don’t play below the dots - too much perimeter play.

That is why the SOG are still out of control, they aren’t scoring, and have what - two wins in regulation out of twelve games.

Unless and until the whole team buys into a more aggressive style of play things won’t change. Especially when the management has NO leverage on the NMC crew. Fine - bench them, move them down the lineup. They get paid no matter what, and except for Kane NO ONE wants any of them especially if they make them sit.

The current Hawks could make anyone retire.
- mohel

Seabs?

I read this post and try to see where any evidence exists that this team is improving at all.

The data prove otherwise. Even in the gimmick win last night they still surrendered 38 freaking shots on goal.

The eye test supports:

Man to man coverage is too difficult for the players to learn, and player feedback supports it.

The team can not get pucks out of their zone, or clear the crease of opposing forwards.

Dump and chase requires the chase part to work, and while a few players do it well - Kubalik, Saad, Shaw, Carpenter, Nylander, Caggiula - you never see Kane, Toews, ADB or Strome do it. Top six guys still don’t play below the dots - too much perimeter play.

That is why the SOG are still out of control, they aren’t scoring, and have what - two wins in regulation out of twelve games.

Unless and until the whole team buys into a more aggressive style of play things won’t change. Especially when the management has NO leverage on the NMC crew. Fine - bench them, move them down the lineup. They get paid no matter what, and except for Kane NO ONE wants any of them especially if they make them sit.
- Return of the Roar

Aside from Kane, and Keith (to an extent) they have. Seabrook was scratched. Toews has had his load reduced in a few games this year (EDM being the most notable) and he's been put with lesser players at times, Keith was taken off the power play for a few games. Corey has started one fewer than Lehner. It may not be to the extent that you want, but there have been some reductions.

They have about 10 guys who weren't on the team last year (not all of them playing) and they are giving major minutes to a lot of young guys. I'm not trying to make excuses here, but who's to say that some of the issues with the core guys is covering for some of the new guys. I'm sure there is still a lot of hesitation and indecision among all the players. I'm just hoping they start really gelling here soon. It would be great to see all of the talent on this team clicking at the same time.

I suspect Regula signing Is 50/50. Detroit knew they couldn't sign him and Stan's choice for Perlini was a real prospect he might sign or somebody else's garbage.
- rpeters01

I’d swear I read an interview after the trade where he said he planned to sign after his JR season was done in the spring. Maybe Powers?

Arguing for Cagguilia is like arguing for Adam Burish in 2010. It's just noise when we suck.
- rpeters01

You’re funny.

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

Agree. Especially with Dach staying in the NHL for the entire season and playing C (with time at wing as well), there is forward depth to play Kampf and Carpenter together as the cornerstone of a really solid 4th line.

Proper slotting of players would be a good step toward a competitive formula. Yes, hard work, consistency, and compete level are also ingredients but if you can slot everyone by strength and water level AND have these 3 ingredients in place, then the team should theoretically be strong and in the mix.

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.
- pdx2ord

Good point. It's a both/and situation, not either/or. There's only so much that hard work can be stressed over line assignments if the results still aren't showing on the ice. Sooner or later the situation becomes something similar to cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Maybe not the best analogy but that's all I can think of at the moment.

At least it seems like line assignments are starting to look more logical, at least from an armchair coach stand point.

I’d swear I read an interview after the trade where he said he planned to sign after his JR season was done in the spring. Maybe Powers?
- scottak

Was Regula planning to sign with the Wings after this current season at London or are you referring to after the trade and his intent to sign with the Hawks? There were a few reports out last week that he intends to sign this month.

Who has more goals this year David Pastrnak or the Chicago Blackhawks? It’s gotta be close...

Who has more goals this year David Pastrnak or the Chicago Blackhawks? It’s gotta be close...
- SimpleJack

Nope

I like the Saad-Toews-Nylander and Cat-Strome-Kane lines - hope JC sticks with them for at least a few games and hopefully longer.

For the 3rd line I would go with Sikura-Dach-Kubalik. All three guys are good puck hunters and good at disrupting plays/passes plus have enough offense to score some.

For the 4th line I would go with a combo of Shaw-Kampf-Carpenter-Caggiula.

I wonder if JC has a penchant for throwing untested guys into the fire to see how they respond, with the idea being that this year is a time to take inventory and see what this team has, and further develop the potential of the greener players, as opposed to knowing how the car operates and racing to win it all.
- 333inthe3rd

I don't think this is the time to be testing unproven/greener players. There is an intense "one goal" (sorry) from management
to make the playoffs this year. Missing again by JC making questionable player moves may be costly.

I like the Saad-Toews-Nylander and Cat-Strome-Kane lines - hope JC sticks with them for at least a few games and hopefully longer.

For the 3rd line I would go with Sikura-Dach-Kubalik. All three guys are good puck hunters and good at disrupting plays/passes plus have enough offense to score some.

For the 4th line I would go with a combo of Shaw-Kampf-Carpenter-Caggiula.
- EbonyRaptor

Why Sikura?

I don't think this is the time to be testing unproven/greener players. There is an intense "one goal" (sorry) from management
to make the playoffs this year. Missing again by JC making questionable player moves may be costly.
- Hawkytalk

Then why did they hire an unproven and green Coach?