We'll see, but if they keep giving up uncontested shots down Broadway, i don't think JC or Stan will be here after this year, maybe that's what Danny wants.
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah, the President of the club wants the GM and coach to fail to justify firing them. If the team President thought the GM and coach were incompetent they’d be gone today.

Looks like Nathan tested positive

And I am sure you will be the first to point out each and every one.
- LAHawk

Considering i could see them still chasing the puck and you couldn't in the preseason game?

Yeah, the President of the club wants the GM and coach to fail to justify firing them. If the team President thought the GM and coach were incompetent they’d be gone today.
- paulr

Nah he's just give them plenty of rope to....

Looks like Nathan tested positive
- BetweenTheDots

Out for tomorrow’s game, hopefully he comes back soon, but I’m not going to complain that he will not play against Hawks.

Nah he's just give them plenty of rope to....
- BetweenTheDots

Dots, are you an adult or a teenager? I’m asking in all seriousness.

Considering i could see them still chasing the puck and you couldn't in the preseason game?
- BetweenTheDots

And if a defenseman is not chasing the puck, what is he supposed to do? When I played, defense, I chased the puck/puck carrier/offensive player most of the time. If I didn't. I wouldn't of played, I would of been considered a Nylavender.

Were you not able to see any pre season games? Borgstrom looks good, that line even looked ok with Strome on it last game.
- GPHawksfan

Nope. I saw about 20 seconds of highlights. I'm trying to change careers so most of my time was spent taking classes. I come on here sometimes between Teams calls at work to get my fix.

Out for tomorrow’s game, hopefully he comes back soon, but I’m not going to complain that he will not play against Hawks.
- Angotti

Rantanen, Landeskog, and Burakovsky are all dangerous players as well. MacKinnon being out definitely hurts them, but they have plenty of firepower behind him.

I'm actually of the opposite mind. I prefer to go up against the best in the league. For one, it gives you a better idea of where you stand as a team, but I also just really like to watch elite talent play. I want to see the McDavids, Draisaitls, MacKinnons, Crosbys etc. It's impressive to see all that talent on display.

Rantanen, Landeskog, and Burakovsky are all dangerous players as well. MacKinnon being out definitely hurts them, but they have plenty of firepower behind him.

I'm actually of the opposite mind. I prefer to go up against the best in the league. For one, it gives you a better idea of where you stand as a team, but I also just really like to watch elite talent play. I want to see the McDavids, Draisaitls, MacKinnons, Crosbys etc. It's impressive to see all that talent on display.
- Chunk

Still a great team no doubt!! Their backend is very mobile and jump into the play a lot!! #1 key stay out of the damn box, their Power Play is deadly!!

And if a defenseman is not chasing the puck, what is he supposed to do? When I played, defense, I chased the puck/puck carrier/offensive player most of the time. If I didn't. I wouldn't of played, I would of been considered a Nylavender.
- LAHawk

Protect the house, i want my defenseman to take shooting lanes away, deal with net front presence and be the last line of defense. This way the dmen use less energy, have the forwards hound the puck, since it's easier for them to do line changes and be effective on the breakaway if there is a gaff in our own end that we can capitalize on

Protect the house, i want my defenseman to take shooting lanes away, deal with net front presence and be the last line of defense. This way the dmen use less energy, have the forwards hound the puck, since it's easier for them to do line changes and be effective on the breakaway if there is a gaff in our own end that we can capitalize on
- BetweenTheDots

Can I play your team?

Protect the house, i want my defenseman to take shooting lanes away, deal with net front presence and be the last line of defense. This way the dmen use less energy, have the forwards hound the puck, since it's easier for them to do line changes and be effective on the breakaway if there is a gaff in our own end that we can capitalize on
- BetweenTheDots

So if the puck is in the right corner in your end, who goes into the corner to retrieve or battle for the puck?

Can I play your team?
- LAHawk

Well it got the Habs to the Stanley Cup last year.

Some discussion in past few days on whether or not the AHL is a good developmental league and how the Hawks compare to other teams in developing players at that level. While I'm sure there is some loose interpretation of what "AHL Alum" means on these various teams, the AHL published this timely graphic today:

So if the puck is in the right corner in your end, who goes into the corner to retrieve or battle for the puck?
- paulr

That's why by best defensive forward would form a triangle slightly above the dmen so he would switch with whichever defender went to retrieve the puck. And if he doesn't i want my defender to do a straight line back to his position

Rantanen, Landeskog, and Burakovsky are all dangerous players as well. MacKinnon being out definitely hurts them, but they have plenty of firepower behind him.

I'm actually of the opposite mind. I prefer to go up against the best in the league. For one, it gives you a better idea of where you stand as a team, but I also just really like to watch elite talent play. I want to see the McDavids, Draisaitls, MacKinnons, Crosbys etc. It's impressive to see all that talent on display.
- Chunk

No doubt that they have firepower, actually elite talent. I also want to see the best the league has to offer, but I’d rather the elite player misses a game against the Hawks vs say the Blues. The Hawks have a tough schedule to start the season, I’ll take any break they can get. By the way, I love to watch Makar in the offensive zone, talk about talent.

That's why by best defensive forward would form a triangle slightly above the dmen so he would switch with whichever defender went to retrieve the puck. And if he doesn't i want my defender to do a straight line back to his position
- BetweenTheDots

Ok, so the defenseman goes into the corner but loses the race or battle for the puck and now retreats to his position. Who’s job is it to cover the opposition winger who now has the puck and also time and space afforded by the defenseman retreating?

Well it got the Habs to the Stanley Cup last year.
- BetweenTheDots

No it didn't, they didn't play an aggressive forecheck by the forwards, they were a strict trap team. The way you want to play, you have no support for your aggressive forwards, my team would own center ice all day. Teams that win center ice usually win games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZKWqsDePoE

That's why by best defensive forward would form a triangle slightly above the dmen so he would switch with whichever defender went to retrieve the puck. And if he doesn't i want my defender to do a straight line back to his position
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah, the Hawks tried this BS when Colliton first started and they dumped it after about 15 games because they were getting hemmed in every single game. Big hubub about Colliton speaking with all the coaches and "advisers" to get the team somewhat competitive. They changed it so they could actually get out of the zone.

There are several systems that can work in the NHL. You have to somewhat match the structure to the roster, but you also just need general NHL competence... which the Hawks haven't had in a few years.

Some discussion in past few days on whether or not the AHL is a good developmental league and how the Hawks compare to other teams in developing players at that level. While I'm sure there is some loose interpretation of what "AHL Alum" means on these various teams, the AHL published this timely graphic today:


- pdx2ord

Cool graphic. Thanks PDX!

No it didn't, they didn't play an aggressive forecheck by the forwards, they were a strict trap team. The way you want to play, you have no support for your aggressive forwards, my team would own center ice all day. Teams that win center ice usually win games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZKWqsDePoE
- LAHawk

Great link, thanks for posting it.

They had another one showing how Tampa Bay was breaking down Montreal's defense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTgR4jQv8FI
Goal Number 1 looks very familiar to the problems the Hawks are having.

No it didn't, they didn't play an aggressive forecheck by the forwards, they were a strict trap team. The way you want to play, you have no support for your aggressive forwards, my team would own center ice all day. Teams that win center ice usually win games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZKWqsDePoE
- LAHawk

Well when they set up in the defensive end they form this triangle in front of their goalie, so that's just a coincidence, i guess

Thanks for the video but i don't see where the dmen for the Habs go out to the blue line, Petry in my opinion isn't very good defensively and it shows in this analysis, if he stays closer to the goalie the outcome might have been different but instead he's watching by the boards.

I do hope to see a lot of Hawks on the right side of the puck this season, for sure.

How does a team own center ice when you have 3 players defending the house?

Well when they set up in the defensive end they form this triangle in front of their goalie, so that's just a coincidence, i guess
- BetweenTheDots

All teams do that. Center down low in the middle defense on either side and wingers cover the points and side boards. That’s the “base” position. But it’s still dynamic. Players moved and cover positions based on puck movement and team defensive strategies

They gone.