What teams still need goalies, 1-way forward that can’t win FO, and an old broken down d-man with 1.5 arms and legs? Don’t worry I’ll wait.........

What teams still need goalies, 1-way forward that can’t win FO, and an old broken down d-man with 1.5 arms and legs? Don’t worry I’ll wait.........
- Assman22

Calvin de Haan: the Mr. Potato Head of defensemen.

What teams still need goalies, 1-way forward that can’t win FO, and an old broken down d-man with 1.5 arms and legs? Don’t worry I’ll wait.........
- Assman22

Colorado. No way Darcy will win them a SC.

I AGREE WITH YOU ! If the Hawks continue to give up 40 shots against in games, it does not matter who is in net and this has to be a reflection on Colliton's system. Hockey is the fastest sport of all and it's all about read .. and ... react. Decisions are split second at times, so if whatever he is preaching takes to figure out the read, the react will be slower. Simplify the read and the reaction should be favorable. Also, I have seen teams slow other teams down in the neutral zone ... not a trap but scheme that does not allow teams to just go up and down the ice. When Trotz joined the Islanders, they pretty much went from worst defensively to top five. Hoping that the change in personal for the Hawks can do the same. Cautiously optimistic
- chuckdahammer

I am not sure it is "Colliton's" system. A very similar system is played by other NHL teams and they are very effective. If the Hawks are not successful implementing it is it the players or is it the coaching? I think "You can't fire the players", so...... I think Colliton will be on a short leash at the beginning of the season.

I am not in favor of this, but keep an eye on Mike Babcock. He has some connections to the Bowman's as he was hired in Detroit when Scotty was a special assistant. The current roster might be suited to his structure. He also coached Team Canada wins in the Olympics (twice) and the World Cup. I believe Toews was on those teams.

What teams still need goalies, 1-way forward that can’t win FO, and an old broken down d-man with 1.5 arms and legs? Don’t worry I’ll wait.........
- Assman22

I used to have a table hockey game with those type of players.

Colorado. No way Darcy will win them a SC.
- powerenforcer

Delia nor Malcolm of House Subban will get them there either.

@MarkLazerus

In an internal memo, Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz says the Blackhawks will "share results (of the Jenner & Block internal review) with you, our partners and our fans and will promptly implement changes to address the findings and shortcomings of our organization."

Danny Wirtz: "I can assure you that we are using this process to engage in the self-reflection necessary to better our organization and ensure that our workplace is safe and inclusive. And while we await the results, we will continue a process of self evaluation."


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Social media outrage machine just deflated a bit

Im not sure the power this guy has over seemingly everyone, but you are about to experience it as well...
Fleury is an extremely athletic goaltender and will make saves that remind you guys of Dominic Hasek. Unfortunately he also allows pathetically weak goals at times, saves that you would expect even an emergency backup goalie to make.

He is the ultimate teammate and no one dares to speak an ill word about him. If you do--even as a fan--you immediately get crucified. He seems to be a great all around person and certainly did not deserve to be treated like he was in Vegas the last 2 seasons.

You will enjoy his play most of the time, but just remember, he will in the post season allow the softest possible goal at the worst possible time. And that goal will turn the series against you. It is an annual rite of spring. He has 3 rings, but in only 1 of those Cup runs was he the primary goaltender. The Fleury lovers in Pittsburgh hate to admit that. He struggles against Canadian teams and in Game 7's at home (he actually does quite well in game 7's on the road).

Hopefully he gives you guys a nice playoff run

This is why I am CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC. If they are giving up just as many shots and high danger chances, Colliton must be addressed. I'm with you on that garbage Nashville trap ... NOT THAT scheme. Tampa has employed some kind of "gummy up the neutral zone" scheme the past few years, and you know they don't trap. Hawks can counter attack from the neutral zone and be good at it. Not worried about scoring goals on this team. Cut down the goals against and improve special team play, and we have ourselves a serious contender I believe.

I am not sure it is "Colliton's" system. A very similar system is played by other NHL teams and they are very effective. If the Hawks are not successful implementing it is it the players or is it the coaching? I think "You can't fire the players", so...... I think Colliton will be on a short leash at the beginning of the season.

I am not in favor of this, but keep an eye on Mike Babcock. He has some connections to the Bowman's as he was hired in Detroit when Scotty was a special assistant. The current roster might be suited to his structure. He also coached Team Canada wins in the Olympics (twice) and the World Cup. I believe Toews was on those teams.
- -Doh-

Babcock on Toews:

https://www.espn.com/blog...-earned-alternate-captain

@MarkLazerus

In an internal memo, Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz says the Blackhawks will "share results (of the Jenner & Block internal review) with you, our partners and our fans and will promptly implement changes to address the findings and shortcomings of our organization."

Danny Wirtz: "I can assure you that we are using this process to engage in the self-reflection necessary to better our organization and ensure that our workplace is safe and inclusive. And while we await the results, we will continue a process of self evaluation."


=====
Social media outrage machine just deflated a bit
- pdx2ord

From what I've seen that's rarely how it works.

This one I'm happy to take on. Stan essentially got a 2nd rounder for Lehner (a goalie he did not want or need). He followed that up with obtaining Fleury on a one year deal (a better goalie), for pocket lint (no offense to Hakkarainen). This allows the young goalies to learn more and not be completely counted on to carry the mail.
- Chunk

Vegas didn't even take the pocket lint I heard he's staying with our AHL team. Fluery better than Lehner at this point is a toss up but I'll take the Fluery intangibles and one year deal.

This is why I am CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC. If they are giving up just as many shots and high danger chances, Colliton must be addressed. I'm with you on that garbage Nashville trap ... NOT THAT scheme. Tampa has employed some kind of "gummy up the neutral zone" scheme the past few years, and you know they don't trap. Hawks can counter attack from the neutral zone and be good at it. Not worried about scoring goals on this team. Cut down the goals against and improve special team play, and we have ourselves a serious contender I believe.
- chuckdahammer

The problem also is Carolina, Tampa, NYI etc. that play a similar man on man system had defenseman who "stood up at the blueline" that forced the opposition to dump the puck in, or try and chip and chase. Keith used to be the best at it, he can't do it nearly as effectively anymore. the rest of the defense just gave up the blueline, either because of no back pressure from the forwards, or were scared by the forwards speed coming back. That IMO needs to be fixed, and the reason Stan decided he needed S. Jones, Mc Cabe etc.

Im not sure the power this guy has over seemingly everyone, but you are about to experience it as well...
Fleury is an extremely athletic goaltender and will make saves that remind you guys of Dominic Hasek. Unfortunately he also allows pathetically weak goals at times, saves that you would expect even an emergency backup goalie to make.

He is the ultimate teammate and no one dares to speak an ill word about him. If you do--even as a fan--you immediately get crucified. He seems to be a great all around person and certainly did not deserve to be treated like he was in Vegas the last 2 seasons.

You will enjoy his play most of the time, but just remember, he will in the post season allow the softest possible goal at the worst possible time. And that goal will turn the series against you. It is an annual rite of spring. He has 3 rings, but in only 1 of those Cup runs was he the primary goaltender. The Fleury lovers in Pittsburgh hate to admit that. He struggles against Canadian teams and in Game 7's at home (he actually does quite well in game 7's on the road).

Hopefully he gives you guys a nice playoff run
- Amanion

Thanks for the insight. I think almost all goalies let in goals that are head scratchers. The first two years of playoff Crawford were very concerning (Not to mention that series against NSH in 2015). The fact of the matter is that he automatically the best goalie on the team (and I really like Lankinen). It's a one year deal, so it's not like the Hawks are married to him.

By the way... what makes you think the Hawks can make it to a game 7? That's awfully lofty around these parts.

Delia nor Malcolm of House Subban will get them there either.
- Assman22

They still need Connolly or Strome even both for a 3rd!

Vegas didn't even take the pocket lint I heard he's staying with our AHL team. Fluery better than Lehner at this point is a toss up but I'll take the Fluery intangibles and one year deal.
- rpeters01

Judging by their usage and numbers last year behind the same team, Fleury was better. I'm not saying he's a panacea. I'm just saying he is definitely an upgrade.

The problem also is Carolina, Tampa, NYI etc. that play a similar man on man system had defenseman who "stood up at the blueline" that forced the opposition to dump the puck in, or try and chip and chase. Keith used to be the best at it, he can't do it nearly as effectively anymore. the rest of the defense just gave up the blueline, either because of no back pressure from the forwards, or were scared by the forwards speed coming back. That IMO needs to be fixed, and the reason Stan decided he needed S. Jones, Mc Cabe etc.
- LAHawk

Yielding the blue line is a big part of it. Even with Q the difference in SA\G increased quite a bit when they started backing off neutral zone disruption and allowing teams to enter the zone uncontested.

Wonder how long the leash is on everyone. Based on the scoring increase alone they should be a 7 or 8 team even if they can't defend. (Net increase from adding a full season of Dach and Toews as well as the Johnson and Jones acquisitions will have them as a top 10 and maybe 5 team in overall goals for I'd imagine).

The goaltending should be better with MAF though they'll have to keep him fresh for the playoffs.

Anyway you cut it it'll be an entertaining season with plenty to talk about for sure.

That can’t be, Stan doesn’t win any trades.
- Angotti

I thought he only makes trades he knows he’s going to win?

This exactly. If you have a goalie with a 92% save pct, they are still going to give up goals. But if you give up 25 shots, that's 2 goals. 40 shots is 4+ goals. Heck, you figure in the blocks and missed shots (posts), and the Hawks were regularly giving up 50+ shot attempts. You have to have a great offense to win. That was the problem with the Caps for years. They could do that in the regular season, but when they faced better defense in the playoffs, their offense couldn't keep up.

I don't want to go into some garbage trap game like Nashville plays, but I would love to see multiple shifts a period where the other team can't even get set up in the offensive zone.
- biskit67

The Hawks averaged 33.7 shots against last season with a .903 save % on 1888 shots against. If they had a 92% save percentage on 1888 shots instead of allowing 184 goals it would have been 151 goals. Over 56 games that would would have been a little more that a 1/2 goal per game or to make it simple figure 1 goal every other game. How many more games would the Hawks have won if they gave up one less goal every other game last season?

The 11 best teams allowed about 27.7 shots against. So the Hawks need to find a way to suppress 6 more shots per game. That is a lot.

Of course to drill down deeper you would have to look at what % of shots against were high danger chances. The Hawks high danger chances against were high.

flower mentored subban previously so there is some familiarity there

How about Dylan Strome for Logan Brown?
- MjulQvist

Why?

If Stan promised not to trade Fleury in exchange for him showing up, essentially making his NTC bulletproof, that’s poor asset management IMO. If he sign him to an extension he should be fired immediately.

I’d have much rather traded him, or recouped his cap hit and just rolled with Lainkenen again.

It’s 7 million in cap space wasted on an aging goalie with a history of wilting when it matters most.

Why?
- Elbows15

Just for the fun of it. We could also get that Cap Space guy. No?

flower mentored subban previously so there is some familiarity there
- i'mjustafan

How did that work out for Subban?

Just for the fun of it. We could also get that Cap Space guy. No?
- MjulQvist

We do but don't the Hawks have enough reclamation projects? Take a pick and move on.


I am all for moving Strome. Just think the Hawks already have enough garbage at the moment.