A third scenario for the team besides the total flame out and the team catching fire is that they play a bit better than .500 hockey and remain in the hunt for a playoff spot

If that's the case, would Stan make a splash at the TDL to help ensure a playoff spot and possibly his job? Or would we see a repeat of last year when he stood pat at the TDL and just let the dice roll?
- boilermaker100

They will have to play better than .500 to make the playoffs. I doubt they make a major move to add at the TDL unless involves moving someone they wanted to get rid of anyway. I think Stan's job is safe for at least another year. Colliton's job may be in jeopardy.

Toew's best days are behind him. He's a shell of himself as he's poured his heart and soul into the team for a decade. The absurd notion he needs to look in the mirror or doesn't care is beyond ludicrous. Some players can play at a higher level than others, Bergeron for instance, other's can't. Crosby had 4 or 5 down years with concussion issues and has rebounded for a longer career. Toews played 10 hard years, through concussions and was one of the important players in the best years in the franchise’s history. Yes he has to justify his salary but physically he’s no longer able to.

Keith, Crawford and Toews all don’t have much left in the tank. Kane does but he also played a much different game and never took the physical beating the others did. Seabrook’s gage is on empty and the reserve is perilously close to running out. The best thing that could have happened was for Bowman to have started moving the core in 2016 to allow the team to rebuild more quickly, to get the cap back to neutral for the rebuild and so the fans understood the rebuild was on and were under no false illusions the team, as constructed, had another chance.

Buckle up boys, getting back into contention with 6 players all on the downsides of their careers and who take up a good part of the cap, with a moderate amount of blue chip prospects is going to take awhile.
- paulr

Crosby was "down" 3 years. And still averaged over1.5 pts a point a game.

2009-2010 - 81 GP - 109 Points
2010-2011 (Concussion year) - 41 GP - 66 Points
2011-2012 - 22 Games Played - 37 Points
2012-2013 - 36 GP - 56 Points
2013-2014 - 80 GP 104 pts

I feel like his defensive play started to slip 2-3 years ago.

The team as a whole gives up so many scoring chances and shots, it's hard to pick him out of a crowd as not being his former-Selke self night-in-and-night-out.

I would say he's still above average. Some games are better than others.
- Tyler Cameron

An overlooked issue with this team is the drop off in defensive play on the top two forward lines compared to the fun years.

To those that have played (or currently play) hockey. I always find it funny where during interviews immediately after a game, players say "we didn't play our game", "we didn't get guys in front of the net", "we are not playing as a unit", etc.

You would think that these revelations were apparent after the first and/or second periods. Why then is it so hard for them to make that adjustment in-game? Why would it take finishing out that game poorly, then having to spend a practice concentrating on it, in order to change those bad habits (assuming nothing was fundamentally changed before the game)?

Me either. My point is that he's been tasked as The Maintainer since getting his job. Not fair to say he hasn't been The Builder, when his job has been to be The Maintainer.

One more point....I think they've been retooling/rebuilding since Q left. But I also think they don't feel they can admit that without a big revenue drop. This makes Stan's job Rebuilder in Secret.
- mohel

You may be right - I'm more pessimistic than you are about his "Builder" capabilities.

"Rebuilder in Secret" - to the public, maybe, but I would guess everyone in the league (well, not everyone, but most people he has to deal with on other teams) knows what the real situation is.

Line combinations are like lipstick on a pig - shuffle away - results aren’t going to change.

Tyler said: Toews is having some bad puck luck according to this number. For the season, he is shooting at a 5.7% success rate. Last year was 14.9%. He is at 13.9% for his career so one has to think this number will creep up and more goals will come for the captain.

I think I'm a bit tired with hearing about "bad puck luck".

To me, that's code for "can't hit the corners I'm aiming for any more so I'll just put it into the goalie's crest". Or "Yeah, I used to be able to get the 5-hole, but they've caught on and keep their legs together". Or "I'm taking too many shots from bad scoring areas with no one at, or going to, the net".

The Hawks have to be the worst shooting team in the league - and have been for a couple of years now. You see opponents open in the slotting hitting glove-high or blocker-high spots that are difficult for the goalie to get - which the Hawks, even in prime scoring areas, shoot it right into the middle of the goalie.

The league average shot % this year is 9.5%; the Hawks are at 8.7%. The difference represents about 7 goals over the season - and perhaps a couple more standings points.
- StLBravesFan

Two years ago it was saad who's shot couldn't find the net, then rebounded. The last few years of Hossa his % went down..his shot was no longer as quick nor finding those gaps he was was so good at. Last year ADB was on the strong side of shot %; this year he is down.

Here is my eye test on toews: not getting much high quality attempts and his overall number of shots seems down. His scoring is dependent on quickness and placement generally low on the ice. He never was a sniper corner or backhand guy.

Crosby was "down" 3 years. And still averaged over1.5 pts a point a game.

2009-2010 - 81 GP - 109 Points
2010-2011 (Concussion year) - 41 GP - 66 Points
2011-2012 - 22 Games Played - 37 Points
2012-2013 - 36 GP - 56 Points
2013-2014 - 80 GP 104 pts
- Beatnic57

If you're butthurt apply some Prep H then reread what I wrote and you'll find my comment was complimentary towards Crosby and you'll find you never needed to be butthurt or apply the Prep H in the first place.

You may be right - I'm more pessimistic than you are about his "Builder" capabilities.

"Rebuilder in Secret" - to the public, maybe, but I would guess everyone in the league (well, not everyone, but most people he has to deal with on other teams) knows what the real situation is.
- StLBravesFan

I'm not sure he can rebuild either. We'll see how Boqvist and Dach work out. But odds are they aren't Toews and Keith; those are rare finds, with some luck involved.

To those that have played (or currently play) hockey. I always find it funny where during interviews immediately after a game, players say "we didn't play our game", "we didn't get guys in front of the net", "we are not playing as a unit", etc.

You would think that these revelations were apparent after the first and/or second periods. Why then is it so hard for them to make that adjustment in-game? Why would it take finishing out that game poorly, then having to spend a practice concentrating on it, in order to change those bad habits (assuming nothing was fundamentally changed before the game)?
- Chunk

at the nhl level on ice game play is as much emotional and psychological as well as physical; for what ever reason you can identify what the problem is but its very difficult to make adjustments as a team in real time; also the other team has something to say about all those things they recognize they are not doing.

the regular season is a first goal win 70-75% of time. I think the hawks are 1-10-1 when giving up 1st goal. this stat does not hold up in the playoffs...

If you're butthurt apply some Prep H then reread what I wrote and you'll find my comment was complimentary towards Crosby and you'll find you never needed to be butthurt or apply the Prep H in the first place.
- paulr

Sounds like you are the one butthurt. I was just reinforcing what you said... get a big towel to dry up all those tears...

Look, Pallie, we all deserve an ongoing dynasty with a team among the top one in the league every year. The great players will stay great until they're 50 if the keep with my training program. And Lucky Sperm Club Stan should have drafted top of the league players in the late 1st and 2nd rounds. I have more to spew in your direction, but right now I gotta go bench press some trees.
- mohel

^THIS^

That's just a false narrative. He was done for 2 years prior......until he wasn't last year. Agreed that Toews is not what he was from 2010-2015, but he is far from done.
- TheTrob

That is not what I meant probably could have clarified that. He has declined. Clearly he’s not done he can still contribute as a top 6 player. He just isn’t elite anymore.

If you're butthurt apply some Prep H then reread what I wrote and you'll find my comment was complimentary towards Crosby and you'll find you never needed to be butthurt or apply the Prep H in the first place.
- paulr

Maybe the Prep H feels good though?

Maybe the Prep H feels good though?
- bhawks2241

Preperation H does fell good on the Whole!

That is not what I meant probably could have clarified that. He has declined. Clearly he’s not done he can still contribute as a top 6 player. He just isn’t elite anymore.
- bhawks2241

Not really a shot at you, more towards all the others whop have him as a 3rd or 4th liner and place all the blame on his shoulders, or whose opinion is based solely on his contract.

I separate the play from the contract. They are what they are, and it isn't going to change. Case in point, my complaints with Seabrook have nothing to do with his salary, it has to do with his performance on the ice.

Preperation H does fell good on the Whole!
- SaskHawkFan

Well I'm glad we're spreckenzing the same lingity.

Line combinations are like lipstick on a pig - shuffle away - results aren’t going to change.
- Colbyboy

You may be right.

I do believe this lineup as a whole is better than the record indicates.

Every play needs to step it up... regardless of lines.

UPDATE: Lehner starts tonight. Strome back in. Maatta is a game-time decision (if he can't go, Gilbert will draw in).

UPDATE: Lehner starts tonight. Strome back in. Maatta is a game-time decision (if he can't go, Gilbert will draw in).
- Tyler Cameron

Ok.

So what is everyone's take on tonight's game? Do the Hawks show some pride and make it a game or do the Bruins show why they only have 3 losses on the season and end up padding individual stats?

Bruins currently sit at 45 pts. Hawks at 25 pts with a game in hand.

UPDATE: Lehner starts tonight. Strome back in. Maatta is a game-time decision (if he can't go, Gilbert will draw in).
- Tyler Cameron

It obviously won't happen until Keith is better, but when he is, I really hope that JC puts him and Murphy back together. They were easily the best pairing the Hawks have had this year. I don't know what it is about Gus, but JC needs to stop forcing him into situations he can't handle (like big minutes).

“I have a 2-part series beginning on Monday that analyzes two scenarios and how the remainder of this season could play out: 1) Blackhawks flame out completely and management deems this team a lost cause for 2019-20 and 2) Blackhawks catch fire and look like the 2018-19 St. Louis Blues.”

After attending the Philly debacle a few weeks ago, I tried to save my opinion until waiting for 25%-30% of the season had been played.

About that time period I was torn 50/50 for Bowman doing a big trade to try and make playoffs the next 3 years with the “core”. When the Hawks has their Cup run, Keith, Seabrook, and even Hammer & Soup we’re in their prime. Trying to trade for a 21-24 yr old #1 Dman early in the season is almost impossible. Most GMs don’t want to wave the white flag on the season 20 games in.

I thought the Hawks needed 1 and maybe 2 top pair Dmen to slide Keith and Murphy down as #2 pairing. So, for example would Columbus be even willing to trade Seth Jones or Werenski and what would the cost be? Would you accept an “overpay” of 2 1sts and also a mid level prospect (probably at a minimum). We can also debate what other 21-24 yr old Dmen might become top pairings....like Sanheim, Sergachev, Hamilton.

Now after 30% of the season played and watching most of the games, I am leaning on a house cleaning of sorts. This is partly because of the Hawks being 2nd worse in their whole conference and tied for 4th worst in the whole league. I’ll post my current view/opinion shortly.

If you're butthurt apply some Prep H then reread what I wrote and you'll find my comment was complimentary towards Crosby and you'll find you never needed to be butthurt or apply the Prep H in the first place.
- paulr

Shouldn't you be in a much better frame of mind these days Paul? The Leafs are losing most nights, they don't have a backup goaltender and the 4 forwards who take up 50% of their cap space can't find a way to put up more than 1 goal per game.

And best of all the Toronto media is just getting ready to put Auston Mathews and Kyle Dubas butts in the frying pan on 1500F Broil. Its going to make for a great Christmas.

BTW,whatever became of Carl Dahlstrom?

Shouldn't you be in a much better frame of mind these days Paul? The Leafs are losing most nights, they don't have a backup goaltender and the 4 forwards who take up 50% of their cap space can't find a way to put up more than 1 goal per game.

And best of all the Toronto media is just getting ready to put Auston Mathews and Kyle Dubas butts in the frying pan on 1500F Broil. Its going to make for a great Christmas.

BTW,whatever became of Carl Dahlstrom?
- RickJ

I love it! After the Leafs won the first 2 games under Keefe coworkers were certain the Leafs would be at the top of the league standings by Christmas. Trouble is they still can't play defense.

Matthews was absolutely brutal on 3 goals against the Flyers. He's always on the wrong side of the puck in the defensive zone or he tries to do fly bys to exit the zone with no regard to his defensive responsibilities. And without upgrading their defense this Leafs team will continue the 52 year slide for the foreseeable future.

UPDATE: Lehner starts tonight. Strome back in. Maatta is a game-time decision (if he can't go, Gilbert will draw in).
- Tyler Cameron

Tyler and chatter on two fronts if mcego and rocky are ready to make a change at gm or coach and any trade chatter including the hawks?