Gotta think there is a Strome trade brewing, but whoever it is needs to find the cap space or be willing to trade what the Hawks want or need - maybe a veteran defenceman.

And as much as I dislike his turtle pace style of play, I agree give him a start and sit Gaudette.
- RickJ

I was hopeful that after Gaudette remedied his food allergy issue that he’d maybe show what made him a decent younger player. So far he’s useless.

Regarding Strome, I would assume that there is an element of protection as to why he is not playing.

Additionally, the Hawks are apparently (I only watched the first two periods of the first game) a sieve defensively, and are giving up too many quality looks. How in the heck is Strome going to improve that aspect of the game? It's not like he's known for his defensive prowess, positioning, strength, or ability to win pucks.

Say what you will about Colliton's coaching, but he is not wrong here:
"I think we’re just trying to find the right combination, recipe here," Colliton said. "I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring as I’m worried about what we’ve given up and the quality going the other way, and the mentality that we’re playing with. To me, that’s what Hardman brings. He’s physical, hard to play against. He just plays an honest, simple game. I think that will help push our team in the proper direction."

Almost every player to a T is saying the same thing - we need to simplify and be tougher to play against. Hearing that, my first thought is not "yeah, let's get Strome in there.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reporting that the Senators did in fact have interest in Strome but seem to be moving on. It's unknown whether the Sens felt Strome didn't fit what they ultimately need or the Hawks asking price was too steep.

THe other gms see what’s going on with the rest of the league, seeing the hawks start this season and that another forward has been called up before Strome has gotten a chance to play is showing what the hawks think he is worth. Add to that he is being paid 3m who would take him??? Not to mention that jc might being coaching to stay with he hawks so he probably will not see the ice anytime soon

JC is incapable, unwilling or disinterested in matching lines.

Make 4 balanced lines of the best talent and roll them/equal ice (special team aside).

12-77-88
23-19-8
36-58-11
16-17-90

For PP, to keep it simple for him, he would just move 90 to line 1 for four Forwards , and 17 to line 2 for 4 Forwards there

And in the PK, he would remove 88, 8, 11 and 17 from each line and there is his PK pairs.

Each line has 2 Fowards that can take faceoffs.

On my blog about the crazy idea of pairing up Jones and Gustafsson, I'm not in love with that idea and admit it's out there. Personally, never liked the Gustafsson addition period and thought Galvas would be better in the short term at least.

A possible scenario of D pairs could be:

Stillman - Jones
McCabe - Murphy
Gustafsson - de Haan

Limit that 3rd pair to as little ES minutes as possible but have Gustafsson quarterback PP2.

McCabe and Stillman could be swapped but I like the idea of growing McCabe and Murphy as the shutdown unit.

On my blog about the crazy idea of pairing up Jones and Gustafsson, I'm not in love with that idea and admit it's out there. Personally, never liked the Gustafsson addition period and thought Galvas would be better in the short term at least.

A possible scenario of D pairs could be:

Stillman - Jones
McCabe - Murphy
Gustafsson - de Haan

Limit that 3rd pair to as little ES minutes as possible but have Gustafsson quarterback PP2.

McCabe and Stillman could be swapped but I like the idea of growing McCabe and Murphy as the shutdown unit.
- Theo Fox

Stillman is fitting into a good 5/6 role, IMO

He and/or Gus will be over their heads. It's another reason why an inexperienced D coach back there is moronic. Someone smart can "hide" players. The players are hard to judge/assess at this point/under this regime

JC is incapable, unwilling or disinterested in matching lines.

Make 4 balanced lines of the best talent and roll them/equal ice (special team aside).

12-77-88
23-19-8
36-58-11
16-17-90

For PP, to keep it simple for him, he would just move 90 to line 1 for four Forwards , and 17 to line 2 for 4 Forwards there

And in the PK, he would remove 88, 8, 11 and 17 from each line and there is his PK pairs.

Each line has 2 Fowards that can take faceoffs.
- PatShart

If they don't change the way they are playing as a team, none of this matters. There is something fundamental that is missing. I have no idea if it is some sort of subconscious thing where the team agrees with what the coaches are saying, but don't feel they have any responsibility to enact it on the ice, or just that the staff can't get anyone to actually understand what they want (or a myriad of other reasons). Either way that needs to be fixed before anyone cares about line combos.

Regarding Strome, I would assume that there is an element of protection as to why he is not playing.

Additionally, the Hawks are apparently (I only watched the first two periods of the first game) a sieve defensively, and are giving up too many quality looks. How in the heck is Strome going to improve that aspect of the game? It's not like he's known for his defensive prowess, positioning, strength, or ability to win pucks.

Say what you will about Colliton's coaching, but he is not wrong here:
"I think we’re just trying to find the right combination, recipe here," Colliton said. "I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring as I’m worried about what we’ve given up and the quality going the other way, and the mentality that we’re playing with. To me, that’s what Hardman brings. He’s physical, hard to play against. He just plays an honest, simple game. I think that will help push our team in the proper direction."

Almost every player to a T is saying the same thing - we need to simplify and be tougher to play against. Hearing that, my first thought is not "yeah, let's get Strome in there.
- Chunk

If JC is so worried about defense, why is he playing Gus 17 minutes a night? There were 13 other forwards dressed in 3 games that have not exerted himself, if they don't p[lay the JC way as Toews puts it, why reward them with ice time. DeHaan is slower than I am when I was wearing my cast after ATR surgery, why was he promoted to pair 1 D. Why after keeping AB, Kane and Johnson together all preseason, were even an untrained eye could see they were getting buried in pre-season he thought they were developing some chemistry?

I was one of JC's biggest defenders on here. But I was wrong. And it is not about his defensive system, it is about his line make-up, and his player usage.

Another screwed up line he has is Hagel, Dach, and Kane. Kane has his most success with a left handed center (easier to get him the puck on his forehand, and a right handed sniper for the one timer (ADB, Sharp, even Versteeg). What does he have? A right handed center and a left handed left winger.

Then he puts Borgstrom (more of a shooter than passer), with Hardman and ADB. Is ADB supposed to turn into Kane now? Who is going to set up ADB for his one timer?

I think he is now just throwing stuff at the wall and see what sticks. Like when a baseball manager has a 10 game losing streak and puts the players in a hat to determine his line-up.

If JC is so worried about defense, why is he playing Gus 17 minutes a night? There were 13 other forwards dressed in 3 games that have not exerted himself, if they don't p
- LAHawk[lay the JC way as Toews puts it, why reward them with ice time. DeHaan is slower than I am when I was wearing my cast after ATR surgery, why was he promoted to pair 1 D. Why after keeping AB, Kane and Johnson together all preseason, were even an untrained eye could see they were getting buried in pre-season he thought they were developing some chemistry?

I was one of JC's biggest defenders on here. But I was wrong. And it is not about his defensive system, it is about his line make-up, and his player usage.

Another screwed up line he has is Hagel, Dach, and Kane. Kane has his most success with a left handed center (easier to get him the puck on his forehand, and a right handed sniper for the one timer (ADB, Sharp, even Versteeg). What does he have? A right handed center and a left handed left winger.

Then he puts Borgstrom (more of a shooter than passer), with Hardman and ADB. Is ADB supposed to turn into Kane now? Who is going to set up ADB for his one timer?

I think he is now just throwing stuff at the wall and see what sticks. Like when a baseball manager has a 10 game losing streak and puts the players in a hat to determine his line-up.

I'm not defending his system, or all of his lineup choices. My simple point was that the Hawks biggest problem is that they are poop defensively, and adding Strome into the mix is not going to improve that.

Also, I believe they are trying to protect him for a trade. Furthered by the fact that no one gives a real straight answer when asked "why can't Dylan get in a game?".

Gus sucks, but him playing 15 mins per night EV is not holding this team back.

Gotta think there is a Strome trade brewing, but whoever it is needs to find the cap space or be willing to trade what the Hawks want or need - maybe a veteran defenceman.

And as much as I dislike his turtle pace style of play, I agree give him a start and sit Gaudette.
- RickJ

Domi out a few weeks with an in injury. CBJ has plenty of cap space. Strome for Boqvist.

Domi out a few weeks with an in injury. CBJ has plenty of cap space. Strome for Boqvist.
- boilermaker100

Why? JC would still play Gus above Bovquist.

Domi out a few weeks with an in injury. CBJ has plenty of cap space. Strome for Boqvist.
- boilermaker100

Gotta a feeling Danny has put everything on hold since they spent over a $100 million dollars on defense and its only getting worse.

Same stuff, different year thus far. Three games not enough SS, but optimism is hard to come by as you see the aging vets move into the wilderness and capable replacements are not identified. Huge questions about the decision to bring in a coach who may lack the readiness of manning an NHL bench as boss on top of suspect talent drop off. All these draft picks they've gotten, even some high ones where is the top pairing D-man? So far, not good. But 3 games does not a season make and I am not ready to look ahead too far.

Same stuff, different year thus far. Three games not enough SS, but optimism is hard to come by as you see the aging vets move into the wilderness and capable replacements are not identified. Huge questions about the decision to bring in a coach who may lack the readiness of manning an NHL bench as boss on top of suspect talent drop off. All these draft picks they've gotten, even some high ones where is the top pairing D-man? So far, not good. But 3 games does not a season make and I am not ready to look ahead too far.
- kwolf68

Apparently he packed up and moved to Edmonton.

I was hopeful that after Gaudette remedied his food allergy issue that he’d maybe show what made him a decent younger player. So far he’s useless.
- paulr

So Gaudette's entire "hockey life" - he has been a scorer.

He needs to play top 9 min OR at least with more offensive players to be put in a position to use his skills

Putting a player like him on the 4th line, 9min a game is pointless. Play Carpenter (or Hardman) there instead.

But this is the poor slotting and difficult to assess the players based in how they are being slotted/used, IMO

Apparently he packed up and moved to Edmonton.
- RickJ

Hopefully he has been able to spend some more time with his son.

So Gaudette's entire "hockey life" - he has been a scorer.

He needs to play top 9 min OR at least with more offensive players to be put in a position to use his skills

Putting a player like him on the 4th line, 9min a game is pointless. Play Carpenter (or Hardman) there instead.

But this is the poor slotting and difficult to assess the players based in how they are being slotted/used, IMO
- PatShart

I would agree. To maximize their skill set, Gaudette as well as Johnson and Strome need to play top 9.

Hardman is perfect for the 4th line so it doesn't make sense having him as 3RW and Johnson as 4RW.

While Johnson has struggled a bit to start the season, he hasn't fallen that far to be relegated to the 4th line.

For Gaudette, as mentioned in the blog, there's really no room for him in the top 9. Same with Strome. That is unless someone like Kurashev or Borgstrom sit a spell.

So Gaudette's entire "hockey life" - he has been a scorer.

He needs to play top 9 min OR at least with more offensive players to be put in a position to use his skills

Putting a player like him on the 4th line, 9min a game is pointless. Play Carpenter (or Hardman) there instead.

But this is the poor slotting and difficult to assess the players based in how they are being slotted/used, IMO
- PatShart

Agree on this. It is like putting Strome on the 4th line. Unless you make the 4th line a scoring line and abandon any kind of "energy line," it is counter-productive to play either Gaudette or Strome there.

They probably won't do it, but Johnson actually would fit in well with Entwhistle and Hardman as a line that creates energy and "hard to play against," but if they do that, it means either Borstrom is moved to center or Strome is dressing.

deHaan needs to be on the 3rd pairing, and so does Gustafsson. The two together is a disaster waiting to happen. I wonder if they thought Kalynuk or Caleb Jones were slam dunk top six? I guess we'll know when they come back and Gustafsson is still seeing 17 minutes a night.

Agree on this. It is like putting Strome on the 4th line. Unless you make the 4th line a scoring line and abandon any kind of "energy line," it is counter-productive to play either Gaudette or Strome there.

They probably won't do it, but Johnson actually would fit in well with Entwhistle and Hardman as a line that creates energy and "hard to play against," but if they do that, it means either Borstrom is moved to center or Strome is dressing.

deHaan needs to be on the 3rd pairing, and so does Gustafsson. The two together is a disaster waiting to happen. I wonder if they thought Kalynuk or Caleb Jones were slam dunk top six? I guess we'll know when they come back and Gustafsson is still seeing 17 minutes a night.
- jrsamu

Agree on your point about not playing Gaudette and Strome on the 4th line. They're both players without an open spot and the situation was exacerbated with the Hardman recall.

As for C Jones and Kalynuk, I would think that they were viewed as part of the 7 carried on the roster and they would rotate with Stillman for the starting roles.

Alas, both got injured and Gustafsson found his way back to Chicago, rightly or wrongly.

So Gaudette's entire "hockey life" - he has been a scorer.

He needs to play top 9 min OR at least with more offensive players to be put in a position to use his skills

Putting a player like him on the 4th line, 9min a game is pointless. Play Carpenter (or Hardman) there instead.

But this is the poor slotting and difficult to assess the players based in how they are being slotted/used, IMO
- PatShart

Because our other lines are so much better? Make the 4th line great who cares! It's your job to play well no matter where you are.

So far, there's Dach and Kubalik. Some here are saying Dinky has been lousy. Toews and Kane have been zeros. Nevermind Kane's two garbage points last game. Borgstrom's been good? 10 bodies of lousy so far upfront.

According to Allen this: The Blackhawks wanted to instantly transform themselves into a playoff team. That's why they acquired Seth Jones, Caleb Jones, Marc-Andre Fleury and Tyler Johnson. The problem is the Blackhawks' defense still isn't good enough. The Blackhawks have known that since they started rebuilding their roster. GM Stan Bowman has worked the phones trying to acquire a veteran defenseman. He's been even more aggressive in that regard since the season started.
Should the Blackhawks be panicking? Absolutely. If they don't fix that defense, they can't make the playoffs.

I've said all along our Forwards are in the bottom 1/3 and don't count on Toews for anything. The defense middle of the pack at best. If we don't get guys up front who can keep the puck in the other end it won't matter how good the defense is.

In the glory years Crawford saw less shots in a game than our goalies now see in a period.

But I digress it's really the "system's fault."

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reporting that the Senators did in fact have interest in Strome but seem to be moving on. It's unknown whether the Sens felt Strome didn't fit what they ultimately need or the Hawks asking price was too steep.
- Theo Fox

I believe the Blackhawks are trying to wrap Shaw's Cap with any deal...

They are reading your high-end instructional posts here.
- mohel

I gotta hand it to you, this retort was high-end.

Gus needs to have extremely sheltered minutes as anytime he touches the puck, there is always that chance he can make the typical GUS blind pass to the slot or open opposition team in his D Zone. Better yet, just bench him

You're right.


- Rota's RooterThey should call him up for his 1st game on Marion Hossa night just so there is no added pressure.

I also watched a bit of the NYR/TOR game last night. That made me realize the Hawks have a ways to go. Both teams were quick, hard on the puck and had constant movement in the O-zone. And both defenses did a good job of protecting the house.

You left off one sentence which you probably hit SEND too quick. BOTH teams have real NHL Coaches - Mic Drop