It's not the system's fault when Keith consistently skates out from behind the net but forgets to take the puck with him.
- rpeters01

Which defensive pairs were on the ice for the goals against? Hard to blame Keith for last night.

6-39
39-56
6-39
5-56
6-39
2-27
EN

Because next year Joki would be #4 RHD, with Murphy, Bovquist, and Mitchell. Hawks have no top end forward talent depth. Yes Nylander has sat the past couple of games, but we now have Carpenter playing top 9 minutes because of the lack of depth. Joki is playing as a #5, 6 with Buffalo, Stan didn't trade the next (in his prime) Kimmo Timmonen IMO.
- LAHawk

Even if the Hawks felt they could deal Joki, the return should have been something other than a soft perimeter guy with engagement issues. When a player makes Kane and Debrincat look solid defensively, you know there is a problem. 100% on Stan and the evaluation team - that deal set back what was otherwise a pretty solid retooling effort.

Another Stan fail, Kovalchuk signs with Montreal for $700K

Speaking of underperforming forwards, what is going on with Debrincat? Does he have the sophomore slump during year 3? You would never guess this guy scored over 30 goals twice in his career.

He still makes mistakes, like any rookie does (at any position.) I don't always see the smart pass out of the zone. He treats the puck like a hand grenade a lot of the time. If he's under pressure, he doesn't use his legs, he passes the puck to another player not that far away & is also under pressure. He did last night, he was lucky that the player defending Adb was dumb & tripped him, otherwise, a could have been costly play. Boq will grow & learn to not feel pressured, use his legs, & make better decisions with the puck.
- I Am The Breadman

Of course he makes mistakes, he’s a young defenseman and has a long way to go yet, but he doesn’t make stupid passes or give the puck away like Gus, and he covers gaps way better than Gilbert. Another year in the AHL would have been good for Boqvist, but here he is. Murphy is a pro, Keith is still a top four D, after that we don’t have much at this time, and with this crew KK should be on top six.

That is the way I see it. We also played a hot team (now won 6 in a row). I don't see how a different defensive scheme would of made a difference. The goals were primarily deflections and turnovers. Turnovers aren't a defensive scheme issue, it is a personnel issue. On the deflections, the Vancouver players were not wide open. It was an even game in my estimation (and eye test, I will leave the advance stats people to tell me where I am stupid).
- LAHawk

I agree with your take LA, certainly it's not a stupid one.

Gilbert has taken over the "protect my teammates" role, but I think the dig on Joker is unwarranted. Colliton gave him none of the opportunity he has given Gilbert, and the Hawks are not a better team with Nylander. And with the Seabrook/deHaan injuries plus Gustafsson playing to his ability defensively (i.e. very little), Joker would not be unwelcome on this squad. The Rockford boys are contributing more than Nylander.
- jrsamu

Gilbert sucks and that is putting it mildly. Stats wise awful, eye test good grief.

Unless you're one of those "dat toughness and grits" guys its pretty obvious he's a bad hockey player and its about time for the next little piggy to come up for a look see.

Speaking of underperforming forwards, what is going on with Debrincat? Does he have the sophomore slump during year 3? You would never guess this guy scored over 30 goals twice in his career.
- catrisc

Shooting % down and he's was on that stupid line with Toews to start the year and on the 4th line at others. Should start to correct playing with the big guys.

The trade that befuddles me was Zach Smith for AA. We didn't get much cap relief, and boy would AA look good in that #3 center slot. Ryan Carpenter is a nice 4th line player/PK guy, but is overslotted in the top 9.

Although supposedly he is a favorite of Marc Crawford.

“Lard ass” to you, fella....
- StLBravesFan

I was close....

The trade that befuddles me was Zach Smith for AA. We didn't get much cap relief, and boy would AA look good in that #3 center slot. Ryan Carpenter is a nice 4th line player/PK guy, but is overslotted in the top 9.

Although supposedly he is a favorite of Marc Crawford.
- LAHawk

Theoretically Toews, Strome and Dach would be a really good 1,2,3 combo down the middle and Kamf can take the dungeon draws like Kruger did.

I think if they buy out Smith after this year its advantageous money wise vs having AA.

So you are into sarcasm because a 4th round choice is not much for an improved hungry team on the upswing. Addition of a quality forward if for no other reason than injuries occur so depth matters
- jhawk59

Would you pay a 4th round pick for Zack Smith? because that is pretty much what Frolik is these days. With a higher cap hit.

Gilbert sucks and that is putting it mildly. Stats wise awful, eye test good grief.

Unless you're one of those "dat toughness and grits" guys its pretty obvious he's a bad hockey player and its about time for the next little piggy to come up for a look see.
- fattybeef

Eh...I think you are being a bit harsh on a kid who is trying to get nhl level consistency. Who would you rather have play? Koekoek?

They aren't going anywhere....they will continue to tease just enough to stay within a remote chance of a playoff spot but they have done that for a weeks now....win games against tough teams, and then have the reality check defensive dumpster fire....and that is a collective TEAM dumpster fire.

For all the hoop la about how great some of these F are as 200 ft players, they sure give up a TON of scoring chances against...but the easy whipping boys are always the goaltender and the rookie D men.

Im trying to think back to a comparable on Gustafsson and I honestly can't think one of that has been this damn bad......and while I think he can fetch SOMETHING, I wonder what that SOMETHING is in Bowman's eyes...

Remember when Ulf Samuelsson was brought on as some defensemen whisper?

Fun times.....

Would you pay a 4th round pick for Zack Smith? because that is pretty much what Frolik is these days. With a higher cap hit.
- Elbows15

and his agent is a raging tool......Alan Walsh.

Never his client's faults....

And can we just say this about Frolik? For as cherished as he is by some here, how many teams has this guy been on for his career?

Which tells me lots of teams in the league saw/see the potential from a far but once under the roof they start to realize he'll never hit that ceiling and best to sell high.....

On a cup contender Frolik is a borderline 3rd line player, 4th line player who can add some scoring depth, kill a penalty but that is all.....and as you pointed out his cap hit is a joke.

Of course he makes mistakes, he’s a young defenseman and has a long way to go yet, but he doesn’t make stupid passes or give the puck away like Gus, and he covers gaps way better than Gilbert. Another year in the AHL would have been good for Boqvist, but here he is. Murphy is a pro, Keith is still a top four D, after that we don’t have much at this time, and with this crew KK should be on top six.
- Angotti

I'm not disagreeing. My point was there isn't one specific dman who is playing perfectly. Gilbert got dogpiled on because of one game. One puck bounced off of his foot. How many times has that happened to Maatta? Every dman has their flaws, & I just talked about Boq's. I never said he wouldn't grow out of them or that I didn't like him. I think the Ahl would have been better, but 2 big injuries on d played into that.

Since we're on defensemen, here is the 5v5 xGF% & OZstart% for the Hawks:

Murphy 51.36% - 39.52%
Koekkoek 50.47% - 53.49%
Boqvist 48.63% - 63.64%
Keith 46.72% - 55.71%
de Haan 46.72% - 51.16%
Gustafsson 43.56% - 61.31%
Maatta 43.45% - 49.34%
Seeabrook 41.22% - 41.54%
Gilbert 40.37% - 41.18%
- scottak

Man Gilbert is bad, after 13 games he should definitely know how to
play D as good as Keith.

Another Stan fail, Kovalchuk signs with Montreal for $700K
- LAHawk

Trying to plug holes to pick up for Gallagher's injury.

Bergevin is going all in to make the playoffs.....gotta think if they miss he will be canned.

I'm not disagreeing. My point was there isn't one specific dman who is playing perfectly. Gilbert got dogpiled on because of one game. One puck bounced off of his foot. How many times has that happened to Maatta? Every dman has their flaws, & I just talked about Boq's. I never said he wouldn't grow out of them or that I didn't like him. I think the Ahl would have been better, but 2 big injuries on d played into that.
- I Am The Breadman

Agreed...these kids will make mistakes until they dont' or the Hawks deem that window to be closed and move on.

Amazingly....Keith and Seabrook weren't all stars when they first came up. Would have known....

Shooting % down and he's was on that stupid line with Toews to start the year and on the 4th line at others. Should start to correct playing with the big guys.
- fattybeef

DCat & 19’s shooting percentage down, especially on the PP. PP not scoring because 88 is the only one that seems to be able to score on it.

DCat & 19’s shooting percentage down, especially on the PP. PP not scoring because 88 is the only on that seems to be able to score on it.
- scottak

Honestly.....88 is their most offensive consistent player year in and year out. This team goes as he goes, and even then.....its not enough.

its remarkable he can still produce at such a high level given the team's glaring lack of offensive depth, and him being the single focus by every team night in and night out.

he's on pace for 40+ goals and 100+ points.....and this team just is wasting that production and that has to be frustrating to him. Would be to me.

Man Gilbert is bad, after 13 games he should definitely know how to
play D as good as Keith.
- gazza53

So, are you saying Gilbert will win the Norris in 2023-24?

My bet is Gilbert isn’t in the NHL in 5 years. He’s a placeholder until some of the better D prospects are ready. Heck, based on what AEL has said, it might be time to give Lucas Carlsson a shot.

and his agent is a raging tool......Alan Walsh.

Never his client's faults....

And can we just say this about Frolik? For as cherished as he is by some here, how many teams has this guy been on for his career?

Which tells me lots of teams in the league saw/see the potential from a far but once under the roof they start to realize he'll never hit that ceiling and best to sell high.....

On a cup contender Frolik is a borderline 3rd line player, 4th line player who can add some scoring depth, kill a penalty but that is all.....and as you pointed out his cap hit is a joke.
- SteveRain

He had one season in Chicago where he was useful.

He had one season in Chicago where he was useful.
- Elbows15

Remember when Stan traded for him, they tried converting him to Center to play with Kane?

So, are you saying Gilbert will win the Norris in 2023-24?

My bet is Gilbert isn’t in the NHL in 5 years. He’s a placeholder until some of the better D prospects are ready. Heck, based on what AEL has said, it might be time to give Lucas Carlsson a shot.
- scottak

At the rate Stan/JC are going thru D prospects one has
to wonder what a D prospect is in the eyes of the dynamic
duo

The Blackhawks are one of only 5 teams not to earn more than 50% of their possible points in their home games.

DET .309
NJD .450
MTL .475
ARI .500
CHI .500