And the fancies show Gus is on the ice for more high danger chances against than for. So there's that and speaks to your question/point. The last 3 yrs he's a +50 Corsi and his replacement is worse than when he's on the ice. This yr he's a 48% Corsi. When he's on the ice the Hawks take more shots than the opponent but the opponent gets more high danger shots........

No doubt he's flawed but with his offensive abilities if he was average in his end he'd be making 7-8-9 mil per.

One thing is sure with legit NHL Dmen De haan and Maatta replacing Dahlstrom, Forsling, Davidson, Manning types the Hawks can better deal with a guy like Gus', or even Bovquist's, trade off of offense for defense.
- Mr Ricochet

agree but to date his offensive explosion last year is the abberation in his career...now certainly he is capable of huge goal/point surge at anytime over 10-15 games...and if he does start to explode offensively i move him at the TDL as oppossed to paying him for the next 3-4 years...

Yeah, not in their league if it happens again. Where's Bollig or Eager to take a few runs at Pecker Rinner after his comments last game...
- rpeters01

But WE KNOW they aren't in their (VGK, Preds) league. No one expected them to be this year.

But THEY ARE (or, with this flawed roster, should be) in the league of those teams vying for the 2 wild-card spots in the conference.

Dach is still getting his feet wet in a league where many players are as (or more) big and strong as he is. When I concentrate on watching him, he doesn't look lost, but he is definitely not as defensively aware in his zone. He is getting pushed around a bit and is still learning what he can and cannot get away with. They will (and should) continue to monitor his TOI so that he both progresses and is not a liability.
- Chunk

The move Dach put on Reilly at the Hawk blueline to exit, skate it up, create an odd man that Calligula got a shot off in the slot and drew a penalty shows the kids IQ, feet and hands. Same for his goal. His IQ allowed him to anticipate a rebound on the weak side so he was expecting the possibility so he was quicker to the loose puck than the opponent.

This kid has every tool in the box with +++ size. Fun player to watch.

how was that feed? i was watching Pat/Edzo clown show
- glennjpawlak22

It was good, not homerism but obviously wanted Toronto to do well. But complemented the Blackhawks when warranted. Were very fair about penalty calls, and what they thought was a cheap call and what the refs missed. It was Rodgers, so the intermission was Hometown Hockey with a little of NHL Network analysis.

agree but to date his offensive explosion last year is the abberation in his career...now certainly he is capable of huge goal/point surge at anytime over 10-15 games...and if he does start to explode offensively i move him at the TDL as oppossed to paying him for the next 3-4 years...
- bogiedoc

IMO they won't pay Gus. If they didn't have Seabs' contract maybe but IMO Bovquist has shown he can duplicate Gus' role. Absolutely maximize his value whenever that time comes with the caveat being if they are a legit threat to go into the playoffs and he's running the PP, cuz Keith is not that guy in March, keep him, make a run and lose him for nothing.

you are absolutely right !!! Some people do not get it at all. Defense is a team thing for sure. I've seen fools complaining that the defensemen don't block enough shots ... and that is the reason for all the shot on goal against. RIDICULOUS !
turnovers in their own zone and failure to clear the zone are the primary reason leading to such a high number of shots on goal. Hawks taking small steps in the right direction but need more ! With this quality of goaltending, if they give up 25 shots on goal a game ... or there abouts .... Hawks could put together very good run

It was good, not homerism but obviously wanted Toronto to do well. But complemented the Blackhawks when warranted. Were very fair about penalty calls, and what they thought was a cheap call and what the refs missed. It was Rodgers, so the intermission was Hometown Hockey with a little of NHL Network analysis.
- LAHawk

Love those two guys and the intermission of any Canadian feed. Indeed these guys call the game as they see it and don't root for any team. Simply said these people are professionals who's audience demands that .......... IMO Edzo and Foley are much better than they were last yr and the yr before. Wonder if they were spoken to about Diana's cookie banter and such. I still listen to the other feed 9 times out of 10 except for DET, FLA, PITT and BOS. Horrid homerism and short on analysis.

I agreed with you. They did a significant amount of time at 6×5, when it could've been 6×4.
- mohel

Conversely what if the Leafs played the puck at a Hawk and no Hawk played the puck. They backed off and let it sit there. It would have taken some advanced thinking, but the possibility exists.

replaying the final two minutes...the hawks did a real good job of keeping them out of the zone and clearing pucks...but the last 20 seconds...

mathews hanging back on a set play as the leafs push the puck in and he rips a lazer but i think it hit the leaf player who was screening although lehner was in position...

on the 2nd attempt mathews just biffed it wide...he had alot of net far side to shoot at..

Played for the Steel for a yr. Fine skater, good size, skilled feet and hands, not soft, head up. Always was a fan. Played with Boqvist at London last yr. https://www.eliteprospect...player/283940/alec-regula.......

McCoshen who they just picked up from FLA is similar but a tad more skilled/offensive minded and also played USHL. McCoshen played for the US in the WJC as a 19 and 20 yr old which speaks to how he's seen by those who matter. https://www.eliteprospect...player/90302/ian-mccoshen

Very much like having these types in the pipeline if for nothing else depth. May not end up NHLers but not unreasonable to think they will.
- Mr Ricochet

Agree. You never know which will hit, so keep taking shots and hope a top pairing guy pops up.

Eb, just like guys like Letang, Karlsson, Ristolainen, Barrie maybe Shattenkirk, Gus is weak in his end and plays D best by having the puck in the Ozone creating chances. Last yr at 5 on 5 Gus was on the ice for 73 GF and 67 GA. This yr he’s on the ice for 15 GF and 9 GA. As ugly as it looks sometimes, same for a Karlsson or Letang, Gus gives the Hawks more goals than he allows. And like these types, at least last yr, Gus was the point man of an above average PP.

Now dig deeper into the fancies and you'll see chinks but the bottom line is Gus, and Letang types, is on the ice for more GF than GA .
- Mr Ricochet

Hmmmm. Hockey reference is showing Gus as a plus two (not plus 6). You would also have to look at his offensive or neutral zone starts versus defensive zone starts and the level of competition (is he playing more against 3rd and 4th lines). As other have said he makes a couple horrible plays per game. Mainly I think it is a lack of focus. He floats and wanders around aimlessly a lot. Maybe at those times he is thinking what will we do when we get the puck instead of thinking about playing defense.

The move Dach put on Reilly at the Hawk blueline to exit, skate it up, create an odd man that Calligula got a shot off in the slot and drew a penalty shows the kids IQ, feet and hands. Same for his goal. His IQ allowed him to anticipate a rebound on the weak side so he was expecting the possibility so he was quicker to the loose puck than the opponent.

This kid has every tool in the box with +++ size. Fun player to watch.
- Mr Ricochet

I'm not saying he isn't talented. I like what he brings, and does have a high hockey IQ. However, he does get lost in his own zone at times (like others on the team) and pushed off the puck. All I'm saying is that I agree with how he is being used as opposed to forcing him into higher minutes.

The move Dach put on Reilly at the Hawk blueline to exit, skate it up, create an odd man that Calligula got a shot off in the slot and drew a penalty shows the kids IQ, feet and hands. Same for his goal. His IQ allowed him to anticipate a rebound on the weak side so he was expecting the possibility so he was quicker to the loose puck than the opponent.

This kid has every tool in the box with +++ size. Fun player to watch.
- Mr Ricochet

Yep. I personally like the breaking him in slowly plan. It's a big jump the kid's making- I think he's ready for it, but not necessarily all the way in the deep end from day one.

I'm not saying he isn't talented. I like what he brings, and does have a high hockey IQ. However, he does get lost in his own zone at times (like others on the team) and pushed off the puck. All I'm saying is that I agree with how he is being used as opposed to forcing him into higher minutes.
- Chunk

Oh, the kid has a looooooooooooooong way to go. Long way and there is some analysis/research that shows it takes a player 210+ lbs longer to develop and they fall off at a younger age too. So it may take him longer.

I like banking players with IQ over pure skill (skill goes into slumps, IQ rarely does) and IMO Dach fits that mold. ......... Love the pick but we'll have to see how Byram ends up as an NHLer too.

Hmmmm. Hockey reference is showing Gus as a plus two (not plus 6). You would also have to look at his offensive or neutral zone starts versus defensive zone starts and the level of competition (is he playing more against 3rd and 4th lines). As other have said he makes a couple horrible plays per game. Mainly I think it is a lack of focus. He floats and wanders around aimlessly a lot. Maybe at those times he is thinking what will we do when we get the puck instead of thinking about playing defense.
- -Doh-

https://www.naturalstattr...d=8476979&sit=5v5&stype=2

Yes the eye test can be painful watching Gus, zero doubt, but the stats are the stats. He's on the ice for more GF than GA, his corsi is above 50% for his career and his replacement's corsi is 3.2% worse and he's on the ice for more high danger chances against than for.

Toronto puts Michael Hutchison on waivers, St. Louis signs Troy Brower and Jamie McGinn to PTO's

Happy Armistice.

11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

And a big thanks to all the vets out there.

Yep. I personally like the breaking him in slowly plan. It's a big jump the kid's making- I think he's ready for it, but not necessarily all the way in the deep end from day one.
- mohel

Haven't read too much on what fans are saying about Colliton but generally I like his usage of Dach and Boqvist too. Neither has looked overwhelmed and both are sheltered. Dach 69% Ozone starts and Boqvist 71%........ Nice way to work teenagers in IMO.

Hmmmm. Hockey reference is showing Gus as a plus two (not plus 6). You would also have to look at his offensive or neutral zone starts versus defensive zone starts and the level of competition (is he playing more against 3rd and 4th lines). As other have said he makes a couple horrible plays per game. Mainly I think it is a lack of focus. He floats and wanders around aimlessly a lot. Maybe at those times he is thinking what will we do when we get the puck instead of thinking about playing defense.
- -Doh-

Agree and Gus has seen 59% career Ozone starts (a generalization as it doesn't take into account neutral zone starts). And yes the overall quality of competition needs looked at to paint a clearer picture.

Did anybody notice Boqvist in defensive zone last night? If no that’s a good thing. Did anybody notice Gus in defensive zone last night?
- Angotti

Thought the same thing about Boqvist. I didn't notice him too much and that's a really good thing.

I've been happy with his play.

Gustafsson last night... woof.

replaying the final two minutes...the hawks did a real good job of keeping them out of the zone and clearing pucks...but the last 20 seconds...

mathews hanging back on a set play as the leafs push the puck in and he rips a lazer but i think it hit the leaf player who was screening although lehner was in position...

on the 2nd attempt mathews just biffed it wide...he had alot of net far side to shoot at..
- bogiedoc

Don't place too much on the D this game. Tons of penalties (some questionable at best) and the Leafs are loaded up front even with Marner out. Still think Tavares will bite them in the behind big time. He looks slowwwww. That contract won't look good in 3-4 years.

Toews finally looking a bit like himself. More please. Hopefully Nylander's offense with Toews and Saad can gel with a bit more time. Some really good shifts from that line the last few games.

The Blackhawks have signed Regula to a 3 year ELC.
- DarthKane

Regula is having a nice season in London to date.

15 points (7 G, 8 A) in 14 games, +15.

He's another dman to add to the organization. I would expect him to play in Rockford next year.

The Hawks will have some decisions to make on the defensive prospects over the next year.

Toronto puts Michael Hutchison on waivers, St. Louis signs Troy Brower and Jamie McGinn to PTO's
- LAHawk

CHI broke him.

This move has been coming for a couple weeks now. The problem is... the Leafs don't have much in the AHL that can help. Sounds like they might be giving that Kaskisuo kid a shot... or maybe a trade is coming?

Oh, the kid has a looooooooooooooong way to go. Long way and there is some analysis/research that shows it takes a player 210+ lbs longer to develop and they fall off at a younger age too. So it may take him longer.

I like banking players with IQ over pure skill (skill goes into slumps, IQ rarely does) and IMO Dach fits that mold. ......... Love the pick but we'll have to see how Byram ends up as an NHLer too.
- Mr Ricochet

Why is this relevant? We didn't pick him. He plays a different position. Lets just see how Dach plays for us. If Byram turns into a great D-man for COL, what does that tell us? It tells us he is good on COL. There is no telling how he would do on the Hawks. He could have been better, or could be a disaster. Sorry, I just can't stand this concept of trying to compare players just because they were in the same draft year, but I get bitter about a lot of mundane things.

Happy Armistice.

11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

And a big thanks to all the vets out there.
- Ogilthorpe2

Indeed!