The team was outplayed out hustled and out coach. Again the biggest problem is defensive zone play that falls on the veteran d and coaching. Subban was left out to dry imo except for one goal the rest he had no chance. Hawks be lucky to win 15 games this year. But were stuck with bowman and JC for 2 more years yea.
- Scott1977

Were they outhustled, or just lost to a better team? i didn't really see anyone not fighting for a loose puck, or avoid a hit to try and make a play. Now whether they can execute is another thing.

Were they outhustled, or just lost to a better team? i didn't really see anyone not fighting for a loose puck, or avoid a hit to try and make a play. Now whether they can execute is another thing.
- LAHawk

I agree with this they played hard just not a lot of space on the ice for us, credit to Bolts for playing defense as 1 unit

Were they outhustled, or just lost to a better team? i didn't really see anyone not fighting for a loose puck, or avoid a hit to try and make a play. Now whether they can execute is another thing.
- LAHawk

Agree with LA here. It seemed that TB was a step faster as a team with more speed and crisper with passes. They are just on a different level than our personnel. That could account for seeming outhustled. The Hawks seemed to be out of position too, spacing was off which is the reason passes weren't great and in ability to forecheck.

Let's see if they can clean some of this up Friday night.

Pretty much expected that outcome against TB, whom they basically have been playing together at a high level for years now....

Hawks missing arguably at the least their 2nd line (19,77,92) to injuries.....

IF they played, three forwards last night don't even suit up (22 & 73 for sure)….

It is what it is....

A transition / rebuild year...

Roll four lines consistently.... See who makes progress as the season goes on....

That group of forwards is going to struggle mightily to score goals.....

Hopefully the young guys (51, 16, 27, 74, 46, 38, 48, 23) show progress and get better by the end of the season...

That's why I will be watching....

Expecting anything else is pointless.....

Exhale.......

It's going to be a year to see if JC can really shape the team to what he want's it to be.
Sitting Pirri/Boquist for a game or two needs to be done to at least show some accountability if nothing else.

Have they rushed Boquist or have they a bust in him. I'm hoping it's the former.

I wonder what Joki would look like if he were still here.

Anyway here we go

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl

1
Chicago
0-1-0 0 0.000 0 Lost 1 0-1-0 49.3% 18.5%

Pretty much expected that outcome against TB, whom they basically have been playing together at a high level for years now....

Hawks missing arguably at the least their 2nd line (19,77,92) to injuries.....

IF they played, three forwards last night don't even suit up (22 & 73 for sure)….

It is what it is....

A transition / rebuild year...

Roll four lines consistently.... See who makes progress as the season goes on....

That group of forwards is going to struggle mightily to score goals.....

Hopefully the young guys (51, 16, 27, 74, 46, 38, 48, 23) show progress and get better by the end of the season...

That's why I will be watching....

Expecting anything else is pointless.....

Exhale.......
- mike7076

Probably be the first line, slotting every other forward down one level, and better suited to the other forwards abilities.

So it appears hockey has started back. That's a good thing.

This season is all about two things: Patient and Perspective. If you can't exercise at least one of those traits then it may be time to enjoy your time doing something else.

Did not even see the game last night, between son's hockey practices and drinking copious amounts of wine with the wife I missed it. Reading the forum it sounds like we're in the early stages of a rough year that is part of what hopefully will be a successful rebuild.

I still think the Hawks can get back to the top before 19 and 88 retire/move on, but I am thinking Duncs may not see our next Cup run. Hope I am wrong.

Toews and Dach placed on LTIR, Seabrook remains in the IR.

So it appears hockey has started back. That's a good thing.

This season is all about two things: Patient and Perspective. If you can't exercise at least one of those traits then it may be time to enjoy your time doing something else.

Did not even see the game last night, between son's hockey practices and drinking copious amounts of wine with the wife I missed it. Reading the forum it sounds like we're in the early stages of a rough year that is part of what hopefully will be a successful rebuild.

I still think the Hawks can get back to the top before 19 and 88 retire/move on, but I am thinking Duncs may not see our next Cup run. Hope I am wrong.
- kwolf68

1) Not an option.

2) Well played.

1) Not an option.

2) Well played.
- Chunk

Toews and Dach placed on LTIR, Seabrook remains in the IR.
- DarthKane

Just to refresh everyone's memory, LTIR means at least 10 games or 24 days. You know with the wrist that Dach was gonna be out for probably the bulk if not the whole season, same with Nylander. With Toews, do the math, even if he started skating already (which he hasn't) he would miss 25% or so of the season. Not hearing anything at all in regards to Toews is disconcerting, while there is no use speculating whether it was Covid, or something else, the signs up to now do not look good for him this season.

Were they outhustled, or just lost to a better team? i didn't really see anyone not fighting for a loose puck, or avoid a hit to try and make a play. Now whether they can execute is another thing.
- LAHawk

Exposed again by a elite team just shows how far hawks have to go before becoming a cup contender again.

Toews and Dach placed on LTIR, Seabrook remains in the IR.
- DarthKane

From what I understand, the Toews and Dach designations were for cap reasons (instead of putting them there sooner).

I'm still pulling for Seabrook, but he now has to battle back from a back injury, get in game shape and prove that he is deserving of ice time over one of the others in the lineup. Tough hill to climb.

I do fully expect to see an almost constant shuffle of guys in and out of the lineup (now that they have the cap space).

- kwolf68

Hello, Wolfie, hope you and the family are well. Many here seem to think there is no cyclical nature to pro sports these days. With salary caps in all the sports (MLB tax system is effectively a cap), it hasn't been possible to keep a great team together long.

The Hawks are at the low of the cycle, especially with Toews and Dach out for most or all of the year. Right now there is only Kane left from the Cup era team, yet many are angry about them struggling. I don't get that, but to each his/her own. I just a high pick and a chance to evaluate a bunch of kids, and go from there. The road is long.

The Hawks need to decide if they are full rebuild or not. They're half in rebuild, half in we can play. Even with the announcement earlier this year that they were in rebuild, they really havent executed. Colliton for 2 more years furthers the rebuild push, but if you're going to do that, go all in. This is at least 3 years until we see a team that can go .500, imo. Wasting Kane's last years. Going to be a long couple of seasons... I'd rather them absolutely break my heart by trading Kane / Keith if it means full on rebuild and another run at putting together a Stanley Cup team.

Exposed again by a elite team just shows how far hawks have to go before becoming a cup contender again.
- Scott1977

Is that a surprise?

The Hawks suited six new skaters last night, counting retread Pirri, after a short camp. They lost 5-1 against the best team in the league. Trial by fire. If they can lose by only 3-2 tomorrow, that will be a small victory. I will be excited if they can split against the Panthers.

Boqvist was paired with a new guy, Zadorov. I'm seeing a lot of people suggesting Boqvist was rushed up too soon. Not taking a position on that, but I wonder how much acclimation there will be with this new pairing for him. Plus, it's Tampa. That said, I do remember that he did struggle a lot against Vegas in the playoffs. If he's his listed weight of 179 lbs, he didn't stand a chance against the VGK forecheck. And he is 20 years old. How many D's establish themselves at such a young age?

Kubalik was a ghost last night. What was going on there? Injury? In the doghouse with JC? Bad line for him? This is his sophomore season. I hope he is able to adjust as the league adjusts to him.

The Debrincat-Strome-Kane line spent a lot of time on the ice last night. They each had over 21 minutes of ice time, including 2:31 of PK time, with a +/- of zero. Who had that on their bingo cards?

Just to refresh everyone's memory, LTIR means at least 10 games or 24 days. You know with the wrist that Dach was gonna be out for probably the bulk if not the whole season, same with Nylander. With Toews, do the math, even if he started skating already (which he hasn't) he would miss 25% or so of the season. Not hearing anything at all in regards to Toews is disconcerting, while there is no use speculating whether it was Covid, or something else, the signs up to now do not look good for him this season.
- TheTrob

Not COVID. NHL is disclosing if any absence is due to COVID, once the season started. Almost have to do it for contact tracing, etc.

The Hawks need to decide if they are full rebuild or not. They're half in rebuild, half in we can play. Even with the announcement earlier this year that they were in rebuild, they really havent executed. Colliton for 2 more years furthers the rebuild push, but if you're going to do that, go all in. This is at least 3 years until we see a team that can go .500, imo. Wasting Kane's last years. Going to be a long couple of seasons... I'd rather them absolutely break my heart by trading Kane / Keith if it means full on rebuild and another run at putting together a Stanley Cup team.
- HawksHype

Looks like a full rebuild to me. There are 4 players left from the Cup team. Seabs is untradeable, and it would hinder the rebuild to trade him because it would require huge sweeteners to do so. Better to ride it out with him. Keith could be traded for a decent asset, but he has a low cap hit and seems to be a good mentor. Toews is sick and his future is in doubt. Trading him is not possible now. Kane could bring a decent return, but not many teams are taking on contracts that big these days.

Also, Toews, Kane and Keith have NMC's in their contracts, and have earned the right to ride it out if they choose to do so.

Right now they have no players who will make them "fake good" and hurt their draft position. They are built to finish near the bottom of the league. If that's not a rebuild, what would one look like?

Not COVID. NHL is disclosing if any absence is due to COVID, once the season started. Almost have to do it for contact tracing, etc.
- LAHawk

Whatever Toews has, I suspect he would happily trade it for Covid. He might even throw in a #1 pick.

Whatever Toews has, I suspect he would happily trade it for Covid. He might even throw in a #1 pick.
- mohel

Not necessarily true. I have a family member who has been battling the symptoms of Covid such as fatigue, aches, etc. for 9 months now, unable to return to full time work. My wife was sidelined for almost 3 months with the same, fatigue, constant cough, etc. While for many people Covid is little more than a nuisance for others it has long term effects, including reduced lung functions and heart issues.

Looks like a full rebuild to me. There are 4 players left from the Cup team. Seabs is untradeable, and it would hinder the rebuild to trade him because it would require huge sweeteners to do so. Better to ride it out with him. Keith could be traded for a decent asset, but he has a low cap hit and seems to be a good mentor. Toews is sick and his future is in doubt. Trading him is not possible now. Kane could bring a decent return, but not many teams are taking on contracts that big these days.

Also, Toews, Kane and Keith have NMC's in their contracts, and have earned the right to ride it out if they choose to do so.

Right now they have no players who will make them "fake good" and hurt their draft position. They are built to finish near the bottom of the league. If that's not a rebuild, what would one look like?
- mohel

My point is Kane... teams aren't into taking big contracts? I'm sure you could 100% find someone to take Kane, where he would accept a trade, and would make the Hawks better. 100% convinced. He's your best, and really only trade chip. You could move players like Shaw for draft picks. To me, yes, they are rebuild mode. But they aren't full on.

My point is Kane... teams aren't into taking big contracts? I'm sure you could 100% find someone to take Kane, where he would accept a trade, and would make the Hawks better. 100% convinced. He's your best, and really only trade chip. You could move players like Shaw for draft picks. To me, yes, they are rebuild mode. But they aren't full on.
- HawksHype

The other teams in win now mode who would take Kane cannot afford a $10.5 mil. contract, unless they give us a bad contract(s) back, which does not help the rebuild at all.

Boqvist was paired with a new guy, Zadorov. I'm seeing a lot of people suggesting Boqvist was rushed up too soon. Not taking a position on that, but I wonder how much acclimation there will be with this new pairing for him. Plus, it's Tampa. That said, I do remember that he did struggle a lot against Vegas in the playoffs. If he's his listed weight of 179 lbs, he didn't stand a chance against the VGK forecheck. And he is 20 years old. How many D's establish themselves at such a young age?
- 333inthe3rd

Most younger defenseman that play get high praise beyond their performances even if they have done little on-ice to elevate them to high levels. Boqvist was rushed and the development into a stronger and more reactive player in his end is where he keeps putting the work in. The billings precede these guys and reality adjusts when they go into the first two salary negotiations when their teams decide what they are or what they REALLY are going to be in time.

Kubalik was a ghost last night. What was going on there? Injury? In the doghouse with JC? Bad line for him? This is his sophomore season. I hope he is able to adjust as the league adjusts to him.
- 333inthe3rd

Oh, a few blogs back there were discussions of who Kubalik reminded fans here of, and there were more than one comparisons to NHL high impact players.
To me, so far, 30 goals or not, he is basically a shot.

He reads opportunities at excellent level and he instinctively gets to where he is open, but it takes reading your linemates, and they also had to, when possessing the puck, have high end offensive instincts to find that open shot.

It is not like right now Kubalik can change the game by his lonesome.

So his line is not off the hook or him, but team game agent the champs.

(How many Kubalik's do the 'bolts have? 'cause they had guys through the lineup making things happen w/o forcing themselves outside their range / capabilities?

You can ask for more from him, or settle for the shot aspect.