Strome and Cat are killing the Hawks with their play. Whatever Nylander seems to have lost here lately, needs to be retrieved at Rockford. Brandon Saad couldn't finish in a house of ill repute. Try some other G.D. players or trade a few. This act is getting stale.
- gabriel

definately with stick on puck in hand...

5 stars...

How long is the brake between 3rd period and OT, bring him in then, he can go into the locker room and stretch, btw how many goalies get hurt when the starting goalie gets pulled? Not many
- BetweenTheDots

you have a point...

but coming in due to injury or for the ole momemtum shift ploy...a bit different than coming cold to face 1 on 1's...

i do think this has been done on recent years...not sure the team involved

definately with stick on puck in hand...

5 stars...
- bogiedoc

Thanks. Was so honked off, I may have been channeling demons.

Another game of bumbling and stumbling puck play by Cat and Saad. It's (frank)ing brutal to watch, as bad as Gusto playing in his own end
- BetweenTheDots

Agreed. Saad would be better if someone coached him or he himself cared to expand his game. If he used his backhand he could be great. I love hockey and I enjoy the hawks but the nhl is watered down. If the boys aren't possessing the puck then a lot of the action is nonsense. No wonder so many people like watching a pseudo sport that is the NBA. NHL is a bunch of guys flying around not doing many entertaining plays. Call it 1 pass league

Never have stated this before. But, we need another head coach. Have lost confidence in this guy. Whomever replaces him, needs letting it known that HE, and not the players, are in charge. Hopefully someone who is a little unpleasant and unpredictable as a person. It would appear that cashing checks is a high priority in Chicago. Someone needs to sort through this mushy mediocrity. If for no other reason, than to sift the wheat from the chaff. The Hawks have had it too good, for too long. Their comfort zone needs challenging. Until that transpires, we'll be watching crap in and crap out on a nightly basis.

Cat and Strome = complete garbage

This season they look like 3rd liners. Zero high end skill. Slow, can’t shoot, and can’t pass.

Cat and Strome = complete garbage

This season they look like 3rd liners. Zero high end skill. Slow, can’t shoot, and can’t pass.
- SimpleJack

A month ago people on here were trying to figure out how to keep Strome when he was going to "earn" $6M+ on a new contract. He is playing himself into a short term deal of about $3M and the way its going that will be playing left wing.

I would rather they didn't do it, but its probably time to put Dach in the 2C slot to see if they can generate some offence. 1 or 2 goals a game will be losses on most nights. This team as constituted is a long way from being a playoff team.

Reality is after this many games, this is exactly what the team is. Keep in mind they have been one of the healthiest teams in the league so far. Throw in a few injuries to top minute players and it likely goes downhill very fast.

'm a little unhappy at the game tonight. Funky Winkerbean as head coach, gushing over compete level.

Nothing wrong with the compete level- the team is small - the team as constructed has fallen behind the league in speed, power and scoring skill.

JC & Bowman will be part of a clean sweep come April.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST

Alex DeBrincat's scoring hasn't been there so far this season. He's on pace for just 18 goals, vs. 41 last year.

But in the meantime, he's focusing on his playmaking, and he's genuinely improving it.

====

He is?

Strome and Cat are killing the Hawks with their play. Whatever Nylander seems to have lost here lately, needs to be retrieved at Rockford. Brandon Saad couldn't finish in a house of ill repute. Try some other G.D. players or trade a few. This act is getting stale.
- gabriel

Kidding asside, Nylander is a player that can do something when given time and space, he can't create it, and loses the puck when pressured. He also won't dump the puck in when his mates are changing. Makes me mad. Saad has always been the hot start and cool off player. He was the best forward for the first eight or so games, dominated everything, now we see back to reality Saad. I think confidence is huge for him, like it should be for all players, but he can't receive a pass cleanly or flubs it at the end. Cat and Strome, I have no problem if they collect assists, that line is still rolling. Kane keeps it rolling. It's not like they weren't the hottest line on that four win streak. Defense is another story for that line.

That team showed they could compete in a very tight game, which I had doubts about them doing. Khudobin, since last season has shown he is a great goalie. We lost because Lehner can't close his legs. He got us to a shootout, don't get me wrong, he was awesome, but shootouts aren't his thing. Why he can't just treat it like a game breakaway, idk. 2 points would have been great against a divisional rival, but I wasn't mad about effort, against a 10-1-1 in the last 12 games team. You could complain about the reffing. I sure did haha! I would be fine if recalls happened though. I've been beating Highmore's drum this whole time.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST

Alex DeBrincat's scoring hasn't been there so far this season. He's on pace for just 18 goals, vs. 41 last year.

But in the meantime, he's focusing on his playmaking, and he's genuinely improving it.

====

He is?
- pdx2ord

He is.

He’s a proven 40-goal scorer - there aren’t many of those in the league and you win games by scoring goals - you don’t want to give that up completely to become an all-around player.

But AdB has improved other areas of his game - this season (last season full season)

Assists - total - 13 (35) - primary 10 (17)
On ice goals - 29 (114 - on pass)
On ice GA - 13 (76 - better pace)
Shot % - 8.3% (18.6% - way down)

And the eye test (mine) show that he is getting involved in more puck battles, especially below the goal line, and carrying the puck in more, backchecking more.

My eyes tell me (and they may be wrong) that he isn’t getting to his scoring area as often as before - carryin or getting the puck in the mid-slot and getting off the quick hard accurate wrister - too much emphasis on the one-timer from the left dot after a cross-ice pass from Kane (which opponents seem to have figured out)

Is he a better player this season? More complete, I think - but 40 goals is a lot to sacrifice for that.

But - he’s been a streaky scorer - many multi-game droughts (like the current 8-gamer) followed by goal bonanzas. Let’s see how it plays out.

Cat and Strome = complete garbage

This season they look like 3rd liners. Zero high end skill. Slow, can’t shoot, and can’t pass.
- SimpleJack

Sadly, if they aren't producing on the score sheet, you're in trouble. They also happen to be 2 reasons why the team is continually trapped in their own end.

Cat and Strome = complete garbage

This season they look like 3rd liners. Zero high end skill. Slow, can’t shoot, and can’t pass.
- SimpleJack

Time to deal DeBrincat, while he still has some value. Package ADB with DeBrincat to unload Seabrook’s contract.

David Kampf, Dominik Kubalik, are not everyday NHL players on most good playoff teams,2 Of genius Bowmans moves.
Alex Nylanders compete level is like a Sunday morning pond hockey game on a frozen lake , does it look like he’s willing to pay the price to go after loose box which is probably frustrating his captain.
The rest of the league is catching up to Alex Debrincat and learning how to play him, choke him off , knock him off the puck, just give them a plain forearm shiver.
If Calgary or Ottawa wanted to trade me one of Tkachuk boys In a trade framed around DeBrincat going back the other way I make that trade.
If this team misses the playoffs there is no freaking way they can keep Bowman or Colliton past this season.
You’re starting to see three or 4000 empty seat every game, even though they are paid for this year, which they won’t be in the future. You don’t think Rocky and John McDonaugh aren’t thinking about that also.
You got rid of a Hall of Fame coach, sorry Scotty your kid has to go if there is no playoffs at the end of this year.
- wonthecup10

When your players are old and not getting you to the playoffs but are still the nucleus of your team, it takes a LOT LONGER than 3 years to get back to the playoffs.

The Hawks' passing was back to being good last night which resulted in a much better played game. The game was pretty even throughout and the difference came down to their goalie being better at the shootout than our's.

Time to deal DeBrincat, while he still has some value. Package ADB with DeBrincat to unload Seabrook’s contract.
- DarthKane

??? You including one of those salt shakers, or was it the pepper shaker?

Well just finished watching the game ,was a fun game to watch .Had to say with just a little luck should have taken that one by 2 goals . I thought the team put in a full sixty plus ,lose like that I will not complain . Dallas got some real breaks ,not saying I disagree with the disallowed goals they were very close .
HAWKS deserved better then a point tonight .Did not realize Lehner had struggle so in the SO ,hee got to get the paddle down sooner .Not in favor of switching goalie ,not great for Lehner physic ,or do I believe Crow would thrive . Be a hell of a move if they tried it . No more dressing 7 D please ..
- oldduffman

Been a week since I've read here and really surprised, shouldn't be though, at the negative reactions. Indeed, last night was a damn fun game and 2 points would have been great happy to get 1.

Dallas is now 9-0-1 last 10, are 8-3-1 at home and the Hawks came in and played this surging talented team damn near dead even. 50% at the dot, SOG 39-41, each club 20 blocks, each 0-4 on the PP, the hometown stats keeper was way off on the hits giving DAL a 23-14 edge in hits, DAL the edge in scoring chances 31-26 and high danger chances 15-11.

Best of all for me was the Hawks, both teams really, gave a hungry 60 minute effort. Great game and considering how well the Stars have been playing I'll take the point.

As far as the lines Kane-Strome-Dcat have scored TEN and allowed TWO as a line!! 83% GF!!! Yes they are way under water on the fancies together and their 17% shooting percentage is high but 10 for and 2 against that line stays together.

And Dcat is shooting 8.3% so far. His other 2 yrs in the NHL he shot 15.5% and 18.6%. That will even out over 82 games to a degree.

Saad. Hawks fans know what this guy is and we have 7-1/2 seasons of data and eye test to show us. A 50+ point two way player who is a + player. A responsible middle 6 guy, not a 60-70 point top 6 guy.

That said the Hawks unquestioned best line the first 8 or so games was Saad-Kampf-Kubalik. They took the opponents top line every game, had 37% Ozone starts yet were 56-33 SOG, 43-35 scoring chances and 21-12 high danger chances for!

In my limited mind I take those two lines that are successful together and build around them. Take what is good and leave it alone and build around what works not what you WANT to work.

Guess Duff and I are in the minority, I very much liked last night's game and their chances moving forward despite what are obvious weaknesses, which every team has in the hard cap world.

The Hawks' passing was back to being good last night which resulted in a much better played game. The game was pretty even throughout and the difference came down to their goalie being better at the shootout than our's.
- EbonyRaptor

Indeed. And now the Stars are 9-0-1 their last 10 and won their last 6. Hawks played em even, were hungry and gave a 60 minute effort. They need more games like this not less.

He is.

He’s a proven 40-goal scorer - there aren’t many of those in the league and you win games by scoring goals - you don’t want to give that up completely to become an all-around player.

But AdB has improved other areas of his game - this season (last season full season)

Assists - total - 13 (35) - primary 10 (17)
On ice goals - 29 (114 - on pass)
On ice GA - 13 (76 - better pace)
Shot % - 8.3% (18.6% - way down)

And the eye test (mine) show that he is getting involved in more puck battles, especially below the goal line, and carrying the puck in more, backchecking more.

My eyes tell me (and they may be wrong) that he isn’t getting to his scoring area as often as before - carryin or getting the puck in the mid-slot and getting off the quick hard accurate wrister - too much emphasis on the one-timer from the left dot after a cross-ice pass from Kane (which opponents seem to have figured out)

Is he a better player this season? More complete, I think - but 40 goals is a lot to sacrifice for that.

But - he’s been a streaky scorer - many multi-game droughts (like the current 8-gamer) followed by goal bonanzas. Let’s see how it plays out.
- StLBravesFan

Nice work. Dcat's fancies are solid to good, it's his shot% that's down. Happens to every player but it's rare to have bad puck luck thru a whole yr. His expected GF are 53%, scoring chances for are 32-28 (53%) and high danger chances are 14-10 (58%).

Just a matter of puck luck 1/4 of the way into the season.

Been a week since I've read here and really surprised, shouldn't be though, at the negative reactions. Indeed, last night was a damn fun game and 2 points would have been great happy to get 1.

Dallas is now 9-0-1 last 10, are 8-3-1 at home and the Hawks came in and played this surging talented team damn near dead even. 50% at the dot, SOG 39-41, each club 20 blocks, each 0-4 on the PP, the hometown stats keeper was way off on the hits giving DAL a 23-14 edge in hits, DAL the edge in scoring chances 31-26 and high danger chances 15-11.

Best of all for me was the Hawks, both teams really, gave a hungry 60 minute effort. Great game and considering how well the Stars have been playing I'll take the point.

As far as the lines Kane-Strome-Dcat have scored TEN and allowed TWO as a line!! 83% GF!!! Yes they are way under water on the fancies together and their 17% shooting percentage is high but 10 for and 2 against that line stays together.

And Dcat is shooting 8.3% so far. His other 2 yrs in the NHL he shot 15.5% and 18.6%. That will even out over 82 games to a degree.

Saad. Hawks fans know what this guy is and we have 7-1/2 seasons of data and eye test to show us. A 50+ point two way player who is a + player. A responsible middle 6 guy, not a 60-70 point top 6 guy.

That said the Hawks unquestioned best line the first 8 or so games was Saad-Kampf-Kubalik. They took the opponents top line every game, had 37% Ozone starts yet were 56-33 SOG, 43-35 scoring chances and 21-12 high danger chances for!

In my limited mind I take those two lines that are successful together and build around them. Take what is good and leave it alone and build around what works not what you WANT to work.

Guess Duff and I are in the minority, I very much liked last night's game and their chances moving forward despite what are obvious weaknesses, which every team has in the hard cap world.
- Mr Ricochet

Great post and great perspective on the Hawks. I admit I have been negative this year. I think if the team dosnt make the playoffs this year it may be a few years away. Toews , Keith and Seabs won't be getting better next year. Even Kane has to slow down at some point. Despite the talk here Hawks prospects are not considered to be in top tier of the league. Cap situation still not that great.
Yes they are playing better but are getting further away from a playoff spot.
Agree with you stick with the lines that are playing well.

A month ago people on here were trying to figure out how to keep Strome when he was going to "earn" $6M+ on a new contract. He is playing himself into a short term deal of about $3M and the way its going that will be playing left wing.

I would rather they didn't do it, but its probably time to put Dach in the 2C slot to see if they can generate some offence. 1 or 2 goals a game will be losses on most nights. This team as constituted is a long way from being a playoff team.
- RickJ

Like anyone else I like to see skill create or score and the kid has shown that with limited TOI and linemates. But what got me excited was the sequence along the boards vs TB. Kid showed feet, hands, balance, strength and most importantly WILL to win the puck with two Bolts draped on him and still won the puck and got it off the boards. Reminded me of a young Toews in that he willed pucks to the net and has the skills, strength and hunger to do so out numbered.

I like the path. Having the 18 yr old with heavy guys like Smith and Carpenter is not best for his scoring and creative skills but it insulates him a bit from funk and the opponents top pairings and lines as he develops at a reasonable pace...... His confidence grows and in theory he's safer from getting creamed/targeted.

I think Dach should be getting PP minutes today but very much like the small progress he's showing on the 4th line. He'll show you when he's ready for a top 6 role and if I had to guess maybe around game 50 he will.

And yes despite the Dcat-Strome-Kane line having a 10-2 goals for advantage together Strome is the weak link but it's working right now. Having Dach center that line adds a lot of responsibility for the 18 yr old. Look at Wheeler's offensive numbers since WPG switched him from wing to center and Dach is a similar player but played 1,000 less NHL games. ....... Add Kaner and Dcat are not defensive stalwarts that's a big ask for Dach although I could envision that trio spending way more time in the Ozone than Dzone.

If I had to guess He'll play wing with Johnny when they the move him up.

Kidding asside, Nylander is a player that can do something when given time and space, he can't create it, and loses the puck when pressured. He also won't dump the puck in when his mates are changing. Makes me mad. Saad has always been the hot start and cool off player. He was the best forward for the first eight or so games, dominated everything, now we see back to reality Saad. I think confidence is huge for him, like it should be for all players, but he can't receive a pass cleanly or flubs it at the end. Cat and Strome, I have no problem if they collect assists, that line is still rolling. Kane keeps it rolling. It's not like they weren't the hottest line on that four win streak. Defense is another story for that line.

That team showed they could compete in a very tight game, which I had doubts about them doing. Khudobin, since last season has shown he is a great goalie. We lost because Lehner can't close his legs. He got us to a shootout, don't get me wrong, he was awesome, but shootouts aren't his thing. Why he can't just treat it like a game breakaway, idk. 2 points would have been great against a divisional rival, but I wasn't mad about effort, against a 10-1-1 in the last 12 games team. You could complain about the reffing. I sure did haha! I would be fine if recalls happened though. I've been beating Highmore's drum this whole time.
- I Am The Breadman

On any given night, we are able to trot out one of 2 of the best goalies in the league....and still lose games. So, yes, critiquing players as opposed to attacking them, seems to be a given on a message board designed for fan input.

I am FOR anyone who wears the Indian head. Fact is, a few of them playing are out of their depth, IMHO. How about allowing the same opportunity provided to Boqvist, to Alex Nylander? Obvious skills, but currently overmatched right now. Nothing personal, but we'll see you back in a couple of months.

Cat and Strome I am not mad at either. Rough patch for them. Stuff happens in life. In the interim, hone in on your defensive play. Perhaps if you do that, more chances in the enemy zone will occur and we might win some games? I realize it's a tough sell, but it needs doing.

As per Saad, he tries like the devil, but has a limited skill set in close when you desperately need him to convert. For my money, he is a redundancy that the team should replace. Saad being Saad just isn't good enough of a rationale, to retain him.

Been a week since I've read here and really surprised, shouldn't be though, at the negative reactions. Indeed, last night was a damn fun game and 2 points would have been great happy to get 1.

Dallas is now 9-0-1 last 10, are 8-3-1 at home and the Hawks came in and played this surging talented team damn near dead even. 50% at the dot, SOG 39-41, each club 20 blocks, each 0-4 on the PP, the hometown stats keeper was way off on the hits giving DAL a 23-14 edge in hits, DAL the edge in scoring chances 31-26 and high danger chances 15-11.

Best of all for me was the Hawks, both teams really, gave a hungry 60 minute effort. Great game and considering how well the Stars have been playing I'll take the point.

As far as the lines Kane-Strome-Dcat have scored TEN and allowed TWO as a line!! 83% GF!!! Yes they are way under water on the fancies together and their 17% shooting percentage is high but 10 for and 2 against that line stays together.

And Dcat is shooting 8.3% so far. His other 2 yrs in the NHL he shot 15.5% and 18.6%. That will even out over 82 games to a degree.

Saad. Hawks fans know what this guy is and we have 7-1/2 seasons of data and eye test to show us. A 50+ point two way player who is a + player. A responsible middle 6 guy, not a 60-70 point top 6 guy.

That said the Hawks unquestioned best line the first 8 or so games was Saad-Kampf-Kubalik. They took the opponents top line every game, had 37% Ozone starts yet were 56-33 SOG, 43-35 scoring chances and 21-12 high danger chances for!

In my limited mind I take those two lines that are successful together and build around them. Take what is good and leave it alone and build around what works not what you WANT to work.

Guess Duff and I are in the minority, I very much liked last night's game and their chances moving forward despite what are obvious weaknesses, which every team has in the hard cap world.
- Mr Ricochet

Sorry but this won't change this year. He is not the same soft handed quick, deadly, shot he has been the past 2 years. He looks like an NFL receiver who forgot to work on catching the football in the off season

Nice work. Dcat's fancies are solid to good, it's his shot% that's down. Happens to every player but it's rare to have bad puck luck thru a whole yr. His expected GF are 53%, scoring chances for are 32-28 (53%) and high danger chances are 14-10 (58%).

Just a matter of puck luck 1/4 of the way into the season.
- Mr Ricochet

I think (only think) that his shot % is down at least partly (if not mainly) because (a) he’s as much getting the puck in the mid-slot, where his shot is so effective, and (2) that cross-ice pass to him at the dot is not working as well and is not getting to him at the right point for an accurate one-timer.