Thought you were the blogger to be named later....
- StLBravesFan

Either that or tech support.

Sorry, a "competent person" AKA a name like Gallant or Laviolette does not get this group into the playoffs. Why were they fired? Because they had a more talented group than the Hawks that were out of the playoffs when they were fired.
- LAHawk

In other words you are saying a different coach could not squeeze 4 more wins out this team. I would beg to differ.

Riddle me this: you are Joe Sakic looking for a goalie at the deadline. Would you trade for Corey Crawford, Robin Lehner, or Henrik Lundquist? Go....

Riddle me this: you are Joe Sakic looking for a goalie at the deadline. Would you trade for Corey Crawford, Robin Lehner, or Henrik Lundquist? Go....
- hpk90

Crawford because of playoff experience and 2 cups. If sakic wants a goalie long term then lehner should be the choice. Hawks should be asking for prospect bowers/ naut and a pick.

In other words you are saying a different coach could not squeeze 4 more wins out this team. I would beg to differ.
- -Doh-

You could be right, or another coach could have four less wins. The Hawks hired Colliton with a certain path going forward. Not to mention Bowman isn’t going to make a change after firing Quenneville, JC is his man.

Also I’d argue that the team’s goal isn’t to mak3 the playoffs in 2020 but to be @ better team after 2020.

Riddle me this: you are Joe Sakic looking for a goalie at the deadline. Would you trade for Corey Crawford, Robin Lehner, or Henrik Lundquist? Go....
- hpk90

Crawford because he’s been there and won. Lehner hasn’t and the king has an extra year

Riddle me this: you are Joe Sakic looking for a goalie at the deadline. Would you trade for Corey Crawford, Robin Lehner, or Henrik Lundquist? Go....
- hpk90

First off, Silent Sakic is one of the shrewdest GMs in the NHL and he doesn't ever tip his pitches to the media. And of greater benefit to his decision making, he is a hockey player that knows what he sees on a hockey rink.

I doubt he has much interest in Henrik just because of the contract. He probably would prefer Crawford but who really knows? In the end he may decide Craig Anderson is the best fit for his team.

Riddle me this: you are Joe Sakic looking for a goalie at the deadline. Would you trade for Corey Crawford, Robin Lehner, or Henrik Lundquist? Go....
- hpk90

If I were Sakic I would ask permission to talk to Lehner about a new contract before the trade. If the dollars or term he is asking are too much, I rule him out.

Crow is a rental. If he likes his goaltending depth in the organization than Crow may be the answer as a fill in for the injured Grubauer for the rest of this year.

Lundqvist is signed for another year at $8.5 mil. Maybe the Rangers would eat part of that. Either way Lundqvist/Grubauer could be what Lehner/Crow are this year for the Hawks. Both would be UFA's after next year, when the Av's may need some cap space.

Crawford because of playoff experience and 2 cups. If sakic wants a goalie long term then lehner should be the choice. Hawks should be asking for prospect bowers/ naut and a pick.
- Scott1977

hate to be that guy but it's Kaut. Not naut. Took me forever to figure out who your were talking about the other day.

Riddle me this: you are Joe Sakic looking for a goalie at the deadline. Would you trade for Corey Crawford, Robin Lehner, or Henrik Lundquist? Go....
- hpk90

Personally Crawford. But I strongly doubt he gets moved. He's made it clear he has no desire to go to a team where he's the backup. I gotta believe Stan would honor that after what Crows done here.

But at the same time why would Crawford want to stay here the remainder of the year just to get shelled? So I guess who knows.

Duuuuuuuuuude
- NamedSources

Relax, Ocho

Trade chatter
Crawford to Colorado for 3rd round pick (from Toronto), or Colorado's 4th, in 2020 draft. I think Corey has seen enough of Colliton.
- MadHatter

Better be a prospect added or no deal
- Scott1977

Why? Do it and get something instead of losing him for nothing

Crawford because of playoff experience and 2 cups. If sakic wants a goalie long term then lehner should be the choice. Hawks should be asking for prospect bowers/ naut and a pick.
- Scott1977

Definitely Crow. Won't cost as much and isn't signed long term AND has Playoff success and Cups to boot.

As much as many of us see Lehner as the better Goalie he hasn't proven anything in the Playoffs.

No team on the NHL has their defenders chasing guys above the circles or abandoning the front of the goal to go after a player with their back to the ice on the half boards.

There Hawks have just as much talent as the Islanders, Jackets, Jets, Coyotes, Wild if not more in some cases.

Their problems are the guy behind the bench is giving bad instructions, making poor roster decisions, has no clue how to make adjustments and behaves like a smug wiener. Which could be cool if he ever won anything of note.

Even with the flawed roster the biggest problem is behind the bench.
- fattybeef

Yes beef, I have been saying this all along. I watch a LOT of games and have seen each team multiple times and have been watching games for 60 years, and I have never seen anything like the Hawks defensive coverage with Colliton behind the bench. It is mind boggling to me. Who is supposed to be guarding who ? Is that the system name ? Aren't the defensemen supposed to play defense by or near the net mostly? As soon as a pass is made, there is confusion and defensemen scrambling to get back near the net and it's a mess. Who is giving up the most high quality shots in the league ?? Do I have to think ?

You could be right, or another coach could have four less wins. The Hawks hired Colliton with a certain path going forward. Not to mention Bowman isn’t going to make a change after firing Quenneville, JC is his man.

Also I’d argue that the team’s goal isn’t to mak3 the playoffs in 2020 but to be @ better team after 2020.
- paulr

^ I envy the optimism. IF nothing changes, SB or JC, or minimal in roster. Next season wont be any different than this season. How many more years of Toews and Kane's prime are going to be wasted until they become a contender with this "plan" ? do you see them competing for the cup on 21-22 ?

Fox 2 questions or observations rockford needs a new coach that can devlop players better than king, any ideas on who that should be? Next are the hogs playing the same system that the hawks are playing? Thanks for your input.
- Scott1977

Scott, to answer your questions:

(1) Derek King is okay because he teaches some decent lessons on how to play the pro game. However, King would be better as an assistant, IMO. No idea on who could be a coaching candidate instead.

(2) At least as far as defensive systems, it doesn't seem like the Hogs do the "man and a half" system that Colliton employs. The Hogs do a better job of protecting the net to make sure the high danger areas are covered.

This isn't to say, though, that they consistently prevent goals from the slot. When they do give up goals, it tends to be due to being out muscled or out smarted.

Yes beef, I have been saying this all along. I watch a LOT of games and have seen each team multiple times and have been watching games for 60 years, and I have never seen anything like the Hawks defensive coverage with Colliton behind the bench. It is mind boggling to me. Who is supposed to be guarding who ? Is that the system name ? Aren't the defensemen supposed to play defense by or near the net mostly? As soon as a pass is made, there is confusion and defensemen scrambling to get back near the net and it's a mess. Who is giving up the most high quality shots in the league ?? Do I have to think ?
- MadHatter

This is where the Hogs play a safer defensive scheme than the Hawks by having one defender patrolling the slot to help protect the net. Even when said defender gets drawn away, they have their head on a swivel to check their surroundings and make a conscientious effort to get back to the slot.

Beaudin and Krys have really improved over the course of the season in this regard. Carlsson and Tuulola are generally good at it.

The Hogs are rid of defenders who didn't do it well at all, i.e. Holm and Youds.

First off, Silent Sakic is one of the shrewdest GMs in the NHL and he doesn't ever tip his pitches to the media. And of greater benefit to his decision making, he is a hockey player that knows what he sees on a hockey rink.

I doubt he has much interest in Henrik just because of the contract. He probably would prefer Crawford but who really knows? In the end he may decide Craig Anderson is the best fit for his team.
- RickJ

The Avs just haven't played the Astros yet.

Scott, to answer your questions:

(1) Derek King is okay because he teaches some decent lessons on how to play the pro game. However, King would be better as an assistant, IMO. No idea on who could be a coaching candidate instead.

(2) At least as far as defensive systems, it doesn't seem like the Hogs do the "man and a half" system that Colliton employs. The Hogs do a better job of protecting the net to make sure the high danger areas are covered.

This isn't to say, though, that they consistently prevent goals from the slot. When they do give up goals, it tends to be due to being out muscled or out smarted.
- AEL_Fox

I'm confused - and a bit stunned (altho it seems we've heard this before).

If they aren't "teaching" and playing Colliton's Chicago system in Rockford, how can they expect call-ups to quickly adapt to the "man and a half" system here? Or - if the Hogs do a better job of protecting the house - why aren't they using the Rockford system in Chicago?

Shouldn't an organization like a sports operation be teaching the same system at all levels?

This seems very dysfunctional....

In other words you are saying a different coach could not squeeze 4 more wins out this team. I would beg to differ.
- -Doh-

After watching the last 10 games, he’ll no, I think we (including I) overvalue the talent in this team. Especially between the ears, which when push comes to shove is the most important. How many penalties did Toews take that were unnecessary? How many turnovers at our own blue line Ended up on the back of the net. Hossa’s loss gets amplified every year.

Scott, to answer your questions:

(1) Derek King is okay because he teaches some decent lessons on how to play the pro game. However, King would be better as an assistant, IMO. No idea on who could be a coaching candidate instead.

(2) At least as far as defensive systems, it doesn't seem like the Hogs do the "man and a half" system that Colliton employs. The Hogs do a better job of protecting the net to make sure the high danger areas are covered.

This isn't to say, though, that they consistently prevent goals from the slot. When they do give up goals, it tends to be due to being out muscled or out smarted.
- AEL_Fox

Most likely this ship has sailed, but I would bring back Trent Yawney. Ask Keith and Seabs how he is as a coach?

😂... Well they seem to think they do. Debrincat, Strome (I hope not), Dach, Boqvist, Mitchell once he gets here.

I personally think there are too many question marks
to call it the new core but it sure seems like Bowman and McD believe that.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

There's Dach and Bo and then....some of the rest you mentioned may not be around next week

To me a core is bit more than a couple of players.

Sorry, a "competent person" AKA a name like Gallant or Laviolette does not get this group into the playoffs. Why were they fired? Because they had a more talented group than the Hawks that were out of the playoffs when they were fired.
- LAHawk

Bingo! Players play, coaches coach. If you don't like the record look at the players. You can't rationalize a bad team into a good team.

Riddle me this: you are Joe Sakic looking for a goalie at the deadline. Would you trade for Corey Crawford, Robin Lehner, or Henrik Lundquist? Go....
- hpk90

Crawford, you don't want to give much up and he's the one with the playoff stripes. Best of both worlds.

I still say ... Trade Shalunov!