- Theo Fox

Did you learn that from watching the Hawks start games?

On Hardman's recall, good choice as he was one of the most effective forwards with his heavy forecheck, physicality, and defensive responsibility.

Ideally think about having Entwistle center Hardman and Khaira on the 4th line. Big, strong, hard to play against. Yes, they will make youthful mistakes but it's not like the entire team is playing mistake-free hockey right now.

On Mitchell, getting sent down is best for his long-term development but the timing is odd. Have to think another move is coming as others have said because there's now only 6 healthy D-men on the roster.
- Theo Fox

In the preseason I noticed Hardman and Entwistle, while playing a strong forechecking game and being physical they had a problem common on this team. In their zone they became in many cases, spectators, watching the puck but not supporting the defensemen. My biggest issue with the coaching staff is their seeming inability to identify these breakdowns but worse to correct them. Hopefully this issue was corrected in the minors. As for Mitchell I agree the best place for him to develop is in Rockford.

In the preseason I noticed Hardman and Entwistle, while playing a strong forechecking game and being physical they had a problem common on this team. In their zone they became in many cases, spectators, watching the puck but not supporting the defensemen. My biggest issue with the coaching staff is their seeming inability to identify these breakdowns but worse to correct them. Hopefully this issue was corrected in the minors. As for Mitchell I agree the best place for him to develop is in Rockford.
- paulr

Maybe they should just promote Derek King as an interim.. Long NHL career, and a long resume as a coach in, juniors and in the AHL.

Lulz
- Assman22

Delicious. Perfect for brunch.

- Theo Fox

Well deserved.

Maybe they should just promote Derek King as an interim.. Long NHL career, and a long resume as a coach in, juniors and in the AHL.
- LAHawk

It’s funny how we’re talking like JC is already gone. If the team wins seven out of the next ten the heat will die down.

What is your biggest issue with Colliton’s coaching, assuming you have one? Mine is that the same mistake occurs and seemingly nothing is done to correct it or the player in question isn’t disciplined with less ice or sitting a game(s).

Lazerus, in The Athletic, on how the team, at least, is buying into Colliton (excerpts from today's article):

Toews’ skepticism of Colliton passed pretty quickly, actually, during that first season. The two got along well and had plenty of mutual respect to go around. That trust only grew deeper when Colliton fell on his sword in the Edmonton bubble in the summer of 2020, taking all the heat for Toews’ conspicuous absence during the final minutes of a one-goal loss to Vegas when, in fact, Toews had pulled himself from the game because his body was betraying him and he was barely able to move.

So believe it when Toews — back after his season-long absence — says he’s fully bought-in on Colliton and his systems. It’s not just a captain saying the right thing. Colliton doesn’t only communicate with the young guys, he’s in constant communication with the two remaining stars from the Stanley Cup era. And Toews is on board. Has been for a long time now.

But Colliton won’t be pushed out from the inside. He won’t be undermined. The Blackhawks themselves are still behind him. Last season, Patrick Kane repeatedly praised the “culture” of hard work that Colliton had instilled. Alex DeBrincat, one of the young leaders on the team, must have used some variation of the term “buy-in” a dozen times throughout the season. And on Saturday night, Kane, unprompted — perhaps sensing that Colliton was suddenly coaching for his job — gave his coach and his staff a vote of confidence multiple times.

Those aren’t hollow words. The Blackhawks like Colliton. They believe in Colliton. They want Colliton. All that talk about communication and open-door policies and a culture of “relentlessness” — it’s real, it’s sincere. Colliton might have lost the fan base — it’s debatable whether he ever had the fan base, given the omnipresent shadow of Quenneville — but he still has the room. That matters.

Lazerus, in The Athletic, on how the team, at least, is buying into Colliton (excerpts from today's article):

Toews’ skepticism of Colliton passed pretty quickly, actually, during that first season. The two got along well and had plenty of mutual respect to go around. That trust only grew deeper when Colliton fell on his sword in the Edmonton bubble in the summer of 2020, taking all the heat for Toews’ conspicuous absence during the final minutes of a one-goal loss to Vegas when, in fact, Toews had pulled himself from the game because his body was betraying him and he was barely able to move.

So believe it when Toews — back after his season-long absence — says he’s fully bought-in on Colliton and his systems. It’s not just a captain saying the right thing. Colliton doesn’t only communicate with the young guys, he’s in constant communication with the two remaining stars from the Stanley Cup era. And Toews is on board. Has been for a long time now.

But Colliton won’t be pushed out from the inside. He won’t be undermined. The Blackhawks themselves are still behind him. Last season, Patrick Kane repeatedly praised the “culture” of hard work that Colliton had instilled. Alex DeBrincat, one of the young leaders on the team, must have used some variation of the term “buy-in” a dozen times throughout the season. And on Saturday night, Kane, unprompted — perhaps sensing that Colliton was suddenly coaching for his job — gave his coach and his staff a vote of confidence multiple times.

Those aren’t hollow words. The Blackhawks like Colliton. They believe in Colliton. They want Colliton. All that talk about communication and open-door policies and a culture of “relentlessness” — it’s real, it’s sincere. Colliton might have lost the fan base — it’s debatable whether he ever had the fan base, given the omnipresent shadow of Quenneville — but he still has the room. That matters.
- StLBravesFan

Interesting comment.

Professional athletes saying the right things and being professional. That's about all there is to take away from that article.

Professional athletes saying the right things and being professional. That's about all there is to take away from that article.
- Fat_Tony_Amonte

Pretty much

And Lazarus hit his word total requirement for the article

Professional athletes saying the right things and being professional. That's about all there is to take away from that article.
- Fat_Tony_Amonte

Of course it is!

Pretty much

And Lazarus hit his word total requirement for the article
- PatShart

He has always struck me as a writer that will write anything for a read or just write the contrary to piss people off. Just a pot stirrer. He once asked Kruger if the team will intentionally play to lose.

It’s funny how we’re talking like JC is already gone. If the team wins seven out of the next ten the heat will die down.

What is your biggest issue with Colliton’s coaching, assuming you have one? Mine is that the same mistake occurs and seemingly nothing is done to correct it or the player in question isn’t disciplined with less ice or sitting a game(s).
- paulr

I just think he has lost the room, especially since the veterans that this is the third year trying to implement the system make the same mistakes, not just the defenseman, but the forwards also. I think they have tuned him out, especially the captain. Interesting that Kane comes to JC defense, haven't heard it from the captain.

He has always struck me as a writer that will write anything for a read or just write the contrary to piss people off. Just a pot stirrer. He once asked Kruger if the team will intentionally play to lose.
- I Am The Breadman

Maybe the team does support Colliton. I imagine the quotes are not made up. Doesn't mean he shouldn't or won't be fired.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
39m
Blackhawks' new forward lines at practice:

Hagel-Dach-Kane
Kubalik-Toews-Kurashev
DeBrincat-Borgstrom-Hardman
Entwistle-Johnson-Khaira
Strome-Gaudette-Carpenter

I just think he has lost the room, especially since the veterans that this is the third year trying to implement the system make the same mistakes, not just the defenseman, but the forwards also. I think they have tuned him out, especially the captain. Interesting that Kane comes to JC defense, haven't heard it from the captain.
- LAHawk

Sorry don't read the athletic, guess Toews defends him in the article. Something is missing.

Of course having 2 5x5 goals in 3 games, and still won't even think about playing Strome is a headscratcher. He must of spiked JC's drink or something.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
39m
Blackhawks' new forward lines at practice:

Hagel-Dach-Kane
Kubalik-Toews-Kurashev
DeBrincat-Borgstrom-Hardman
Entwistle-Johnson-Khaira
Strome-Gaudette-Carpenter
- LAHawk

Interesting. A puck hound on each line, a scorer and a passer on the top three lines. That fifth line.......

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
39m
Blackhawks' new forward lines at practice:

Hagel-Dach-Kane
Kubalik-Toews-Kurashev
DeBrincat-Borgstrom-Hardman
Entwistle-Johnson-Khaira
Strome-Gaudette-Carpenter
- LAHawk

So that is the new system! Dress 18 forwards, no d-men.

JC you magnificent, brilliant bastard!

Interesting. A puck hound on each line, a scorer and a passer on the top three lines. That fifth line.......
- mohel

Well I do like how Borgstrom has played, but if you are having problems scoring, wouldn't you think of reuniting ADB with Strome?

Maybe the team does support Colliton. I imagine the quotes are not made up. Doesn't mean he shouldn't or won't be fired.
- mohel

Maybe, I can't fully speak on that either way. I just don't like Laz. I don't know who would be a good option to replace him either. I don't like the revolving door of coaches who have been passed around a lot over the past four years. It doesn't give me confidence. Devil you know type situation.

I saw no quotes from the players, but I saw some paraphrases. There's always room for a writer's interpretation

Just hoping Danny doesn't allow any more trades until Barnum and Bailey are gone. Love these line combos going on,

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
39m
Blackhawks' new forward lines at practice:

Hagel-Dach-Kane
Kubalik-Toews-Kurashev
DeBrincat-Borgstrom-Hardman
Entwistle-Johnson-Khaira
Strome-Gaudette-Carpenter
- LAHawk

That 5th line asf tho

That 5th line asf tho
- Assman22

Yup speed is everything, just look how "fast" the Islanders are SMH.

Great to see the Hawks are going with a 6th defenseman that 3 other teams determined was not good enough to play in the NHL.

If Gus is saved for the PP, does Seth play 29 minutes?

Interesting. A puck hound on each line, a scorer and a passer on the top three lines. That fifth line.......
- mohel

I like the balance of the puck hound, passer and shooter on the top three lines, definitely make it harder on the other team to zero in one one line to shut them down.