Nylander is very good with the puck, the whole problem is WHAT HE DOES AWAY FROM THE PUCK ! He is like the reverse of what Hagel does away from the puck. He has been very average .... not hurt the team but not helped them. Out of all the guys trying to earn spots on the team, he has done less to be noticed. Even Carpenter is noticed in games this preaseason than Nylander

Nylander is very good with the puck, the whole problem is WHAT HE DOES AWAY FROM THE PUCK ! He is like the reverse of what Hagel does away from the puck. He has been very average .... not hurt the team but not helped them. Out of all the guys trying to earn spots on the team, he has done less to be noticed. Even Carpenter is noticed in games this preaseason than Nylander
- chuckdahammer

.

Carpenter’s primary job with the Hawks is to kill penalties. He provides nothing on offense. Yes he is noticed more than Nylander, but not in a good way.

If I had to select today, my forward lines would be:

DeBrincat - T Johnson - Kane
Kurashev - Toews - Kubalik
Hagel - Dach - Borgstrom
Khaira - Carpenter - Gaudette

Reichel, Entwistle, and Hardman should start in Rockford.

Try to move Connolly, Strome, and Nylander but imagine moving all of them will be tough so one remains as the 13th forward.
- Theo Fox

This is pretty much exactly how I see it shaping up as well.

I really like the idea of the Dach/Hagel 3rd line combo and getting them some favorable matchups. They should be able to form a very productive and dangerous 3rd line.

I also like TJ between Cat and Kane, I think he compliments them very well. He played a very similar role, though sometimes on the wing, of complimenting more skilled offensive players(like Kucherov and Stamkos) throughout TBs top 9 over the past several years. He can do the same with 12 and 88.

I would like to at some point this season see Reichel playing with Toews and Kubalik, but Kurashev for now is also a solid option there.

You could potentially flip flop Gaudette and Borgstrom on the 3rd and 4th lines, and then maybe move Borgstrom to 4C, but either way it should work out.

Definitely see zero place on the roster for Strome, Nylander, or Connolly at this point.

We are getting worked up about the PK. Too early to despair. Toews, ADB, Dach, Khaira, Carp, and one other. Pair them up and give them time to adjust. On D you could really put any of the 6 out there. Set the pairings and give them time to adjust. PK really takes teamwork. The four need to work as one. But it takes time.

One must for anyone on the PK….. everyone on the PK must be willing to get in shooting lanes and block shots. Not negotiable.

And the keeper must be the best player on the PK. (Quoting Coach Q)

.

Carpenter’s primary job with the Hawks is to kill penalties. He provides nothing on offense. Yes he is noticed more than Nylander, but not in a good way.
- LAHawk

It doesn't matter who is on the PK if they continue to use this set-up. They leave the whole top of the ice and wings open by stacking both forwards in the middle of the ice. Teams can just move in off the wings at will and put the Dmen in no man's land.

Or they can just blast the puck from the middle of the ice with even more players screening the goalie.

Its the dumbest PK scheme I ever witnessed. Forwards are in no position to retrieve the puck or puck pressure anywhere. Not sure what Dmen are suppose to do. If the pop out to take the player on the wing, its passing lanes for days. Or guys move with time and space to fire a laser on net. Somehow the 2nd Dman is suppose to
cover 2-3 men down low?

It has no chance of being remotely successful and whatever coach is responsible for suggesting it, should be beaten with a bat.

This is pretty much exactly how I see it shaping up as well.

I really like the idea of the Dach/Hagel 3rd line combo and getting them some favorable matchups. They should be able to form a very productive and dangerous 3rd line.

I also like TJ between Cat and Kane, I think he compliments them very well. He played a very similar role, though sometimes on the wing, of complimenting more skilled offensive players(like Kucherov and Stamkos) throughout TBs top 9 over the past several years. He can do the same with 12 and 88.

I would like to at some point this season see Reichel playing with Toews and Kubalik, but Kurashev for now is also a solid option there.

You could potentially flip flop Gaudette and Borgstrom on the 3rd and 4th lines, and then maybe move Borgstrom to 4C, but either way it should work out.

Definitely see zero place on the roster for Strome, Nylander, or Connolly at this point.
- SimpleJack

That is line is too small. TJ isn't player he once was and is better suited for 3C duties these days.

I'm trying to find a way to keep Nylander. To me there are 13 I'd rather keep, even without Strome, Connolly and Carpenter. 14 if Reichel is deemed ready.
- mohel

You're right. It is hard to find room for Nylander. I agree. Keep him over Strome, Connolly, and Carpenter.

What purpose does Carpenter even serve now? We have better options and we added Khaira in the off-season. I assumed that meant Carpenter was all but gone.

I remembered an article from a few years ago describing the Boston Bruins Penalty Kill (1 - 1- 2 set up) and retreating box.

Very interesting and includes a lot of short videos to help explain what the author was attempting to explain.

Thought that might be of some interest on the PK debate.

https://www.stanleycupofc...ems-tactical-review-stats

This is pretty much exactly how I see it shaping up as well.

I really like the idea of the Dach/Hagel 3rd line combo and getting them some favorable matchups. They should be able to form a very productive and dangerous 3rd line.

I also like TJ between Cat and Kane, I think he compliments them very well. He played a very similar role, though sometimes on the wing, of complimenting more skilled offensive players(like Kucherov and Stamkos) throughout TBs top 9 over the past several years. He can do the same with 12 and 88.

I would like to at some point this season see Reichel playing with Toews and Kubalik, but Kurashev for now is also a solid option there.

You could potentially flip flop Gaudette and Borgstrom on the 3rd and 4th lines, and then maybe move Borgstrom to 4C, but either way it should work out.

Definitely see zero place on the roster for Strome, Nylander, or Connolly at this point.
- SimpleJack

Feel bad for Gaudette if he has to drag around Khaira and Carpenter on the 4th line. I think there is room to keep Nylander and rotate him in. I'm sure Borgstrom and Kurashev will struggle at times during the season. If Nylander sucks again this year dump his a**. I just hate to dump a young asset we traded for.... and get nothing in return.

It doesn't matter who is on the PK if they continue to use this set-up. They leave the whole top of the ice and wings open by stacking both forwards in the middle of the ice. Teams can just move in off the wings at will and put the Dmen in no man's land.

Or they can just blast the puck from the middle of the ice with even more players screening the goalie.

Its the dumbest PK scheme I ever witnessed. Forwards are in no position to retrieve the puck or puck pressure anywhere. Not sure what Dmen are suppose to do. If the pop out to take the player on the wing, its passing lanes for days. Or guys move with time and space to fire a laser on net. Somehow the 2nd Dman is suppose to
cover 2-3 men down low?

It has no chance of being remotely successful and whatever coach is responsible for suggesting it, should be beaten with a bat.
- Elbows15

So you don't love guys coming down from the point and just blasting shots on net? If that d-man comes out then it opens up so much room in front of the net. It is a cluster and constantly puts the Hawks on their heels and makes it really hard to take away ice up top.

So you don't love guys coming down from the point and just blasting shots on net? If that d-man comes out then it opens up so much room in front of the net. It is a cluster and constantly puts the Hawks on their heels and makes it really hard to take away ice up top.
- bhawks2241

Here the thing. They aren't even trying to take away any time and space up top. Teams are able to do whatever they want at the top of the umbrella. Passes don't even need to be crisp tape to tape. They have time to recover because no one is near them.

If the point is to stop royal road passes(thru the box), it is not effective because once a guy comes off the wing and the dman pops to challenge, multiple passing lanes open up. As we saw last night.

I remembered an article from a few years ago describing the Boston Bruins Penalty Kill (1 - 1- 2 set up) and retreating box.

Very interesting and includes a lot of short videos to help explain what the author was attempting to explain.

Thought that might be of some interest on the PK debate.

https://www.stanleycupofc...ems-tactical-review-stats
- SchwiftyHawk

Interesting but I was referring to their set-up inside the zone.

Here the thing. They aren't even trying to take away any time and space up top. Teams are able to do whatever they want at the top of the umbrella. Passes don't even need to be crisp tape to tape. They have time to recover because no one is near them.

If the point is to stop royal road passes(thru the box), it is not effective because once a guy comes off the wing and the dman pops to challenge, multiple passing lanes open up. As we saw last night.
- Elbows15

If you saw some of the video this morning, 2 forwards practicing without dmen, makes no sense to me all they had to do was cover the horizontal passes? What about high and low, why do we have 3 out of 4 defenders in the corners trying to win the puck especially when the opponent has 3 players fighting for it, they leave 1 guy high and another on the other side of the ice. How do we assign people in spaces when all 4 players aren't on the ice practicing?

If you saw some of the video this morning, 2 forwards practicing without dmen, makes no sense to me all they had to do was cover the horizontal passes? What about high and low, why do we have 3 out of 4 defenders in the corners trying to win the puck especially when the opponent has 3 players fighting for it, they leave 1 guy high and another on the other side of the ice. How do we assign people in spaces when all 4 players aren't on the ice practicing?
- BetweenTheDots

I didn't see the video but it even sounds like a dumb idea. A passive PK has gone the way of the 2 line pass. Players are too good to just allow so much time and space. I hate a passive PK. And the Hawks are taking passive to a new level with this scheme.

Even though the team had invested all this money on defense, i won't be surprised if they give up around 3 goals per game again this year because of how they won't use the Dmen to be the last line of defense.

Even though the team had invested all this money on defense, i won't be surprised if they give up around 3 goals per game again this year because of how they won't use the Dmen to be the last line of defense.
- BetweenTheDots

Ottawa lost White so they are in need of a center. They also appear to want to unload Tkachuk.

Strome, Nylander and _______

For Tkachuk.


Fill in the blank

Ottawa lost White so they are in need of a center. They also appear to want to unload Tkachuk.

Strome, Nylander and _______

For Tkachuk.


Fill in the blank
- Diamondhands

Delia or Subban, and Chalupa

Delia or Subban, and Chalupa
- powerenforcer

And Dach and Hagel.

And Dach and Hagel.
- mohel

Reichel as a sweetener.

Reichel as a sweetener.
- paulr

17 3rd round picks.

Thanks for the praise, all. While I can't speak for Tyler, it is always appreciated and guessing he would say similar.

And I purged the animus. Glad it was covered by insurance. Pricy otherwise. Wait, what are we talking about?
- Theo Fox

Thanks all! It was a pleasure to interact with you all on a daily basis. It’s been great to see Theo pumping out such entertaining and engaging work. I look forward to reading his articles every week.

Ottawa lost White so they are in need of a center. They also appear to want to unload Tkachuk.

Strome, Nylander and _______

For Tkachuk.


Fill in the blank
- Diamondhands

Nylander and Strome to Ottawa for 2 3rd round picks (the Sens have 3).

It doesn't matter who is on the PK if they continue to use this set-up. They leave the whole top of the ice and wings open by stacking both forwards in the middle of the ice. Teams can just move in off the wings at will and put the Dmen in no man's land.

Or they can just blast the puck from the middle of the ice with even more players screening the goalie.

Its the dumbest PK scheme I ever witnessed. Forwards are in no position to retrieve the puck or puck pressure anywhere. Not sure what Dmen are suppose to do. If the pop out to take the player on the wing, its passing lanes for days. Or guys move with time and space to fire a laser on net. Somehow the 2nd Dman is suppose to
cover 2-3 men down low?

It has no chance of being remotely successful and whatever coach is responsible for suggesting it, should be beaten with a bat.
- Elbows15

Which leads me to wonder how long a leash Colliton will get this season. There has to be a greater sense of urgency, given that Kane and Toews have only two years remaining on their contracts, Fleury is only signed for this season, and all the moves they made in an effort to build something viable in the now.

We are getting worked up about the PK. Too early to despair. Toews, ADB, Dach, Khaira, Carp, and one other. Pair them up and give them time to adjust. On D you could really put any of the 6 out there. Set the pairings and give them time to adjust. PK really takes teamwork. The four need to work as one. But it takes time.

One must for anyone on the PK….. everyone on the PK must be willing to get in shooting lanes and block shots. Not negotiable.

And the keeper must be the best player on the PK. (Quoting Coach Q)
- Ztra

It’s never too early to despair.