Honestly, I was going to add a comment in this recent blog about Fleury but didn't as I didn't know how to quite articulate what I've observed so far without putting an unfair or unsubstantiated analysis on him.

Part of me thinks he's disinterested and having this team defense in front of him exacerbates that motivation. Yet, I don't see him as the type to just throw in the towel and will at least play his part to help the team compete. It's tough for me to prove either way.
- Theo Fox

at the tdl trade him to Pitt this team is not going anywhere unless the defense gets better. I m still hopeful hawks can turn it around.

Whatever term that was used - Lesbian, Dyke, Queer, LGBT….

Why - in an anti-Lightfoot post - did the poster have to refer to her sexuality at all?

He (I assume) could have just posted a negative post about the mayor without mentioning it at all - actually, certainly, SHOULD have done so. It does not bear on her ability / inability to do the job; or whether or not she have been a good mayor.

It only goes to show the homo-phobia of the poster (and it certainly does that). Kind of irony (lost on the poster,. I’m sure) when claiming Lightoot is racist.
- StLBravesFan

Good post, Sage.

at the tdl trade him to Pitt this team is not going anywhere unless the defense gets better. I m still hopeful hawks can turn it around.
- Scott1977

Best case scenario is the 2018-2019 Blues.

They started:
October: 3–4–3 (Home: 2–3–1 ; Road: 1–1–2)
November: 6–8–0 (Home: 4–4–0 ; Road: 2–4–0)
December: 6–6–1 (Home: 3–4–1 ; Road: 3–2–0)

They fired Yeo in November and Berube took the reigns.

Similarly, they added a lot of pieces in the offseason with O'Reilly, Bozak, Del Zotto, Brodziak, Perron, Marron and Boumeister.

It took them time to gel.

Edit-They already had Boumeister

Best case scenario is the 2018-2019 Blues.

They started:
October: 3–4–3 (Home: 2–3–1 ; Road: 1–1–2)
November: 6–8–0 (Home: 4–4–0 ; Road: 2–4–0)
December: 6–6–1 (Home: 3–4–1 ; Road: 3–2–0)

They fired Yeo in November and Berube took the reigns.

Similarly, they added a lot of pieces in the offseason with O'Reilly, Bozak, Del Zotto, Brodziak, Perron, Marron and Boumeister.

It took them time to gel.

Edit-They already had Boumeister
- Popsghostly

Time will tell if hawks can turn it around imo it's unbalanced lineup. But it's starts with the leadership on the team and coaching team to turn it around.

Time will tell if hawks can turn it around imo it's unbalanced lineup. But it's starts with the leadership on the team and coaching team to turn it around.
- Scott1977

Unbalanced lineup sounds about right. A lack of defined roles also sets us back. Slotting guys in the optimal positions for positive team results, was one of Q's strengths. Presently, they all look like they're playing hockey individually. It takes time, but Berube sorted things out in St. Louis. Thanks, Pops, for that great reminder.

A little levity / a little hockey sympatico between an Original 6 and New Kid on The Block

@PeteBlackburn
Kraken fans already getting the hang of this thing. Hitting the ground running. You love to see it!

@LabsKraken
If you had to blame this pathetic road trip on one person, look no further than Hakstol, who seems LOST behind the bench and unable to motivate his team.

We've been out-coached this ENTIRE road trip.
- pdx2ord

The dreaded hockey bug has successfully drawn blood in Seattle. Good to hear.

Wow, you took what I wrote and wrapped up in that never ending socialist playbook.

Go back and re-read what I wrote.
- Diamondhands

I laughed the first time. Is your comment like a line from a movie where somehow it's even funnier the second time?

Otherwise, yawn and what a waste of time.

Unbalanced lineup sounds about right. A lack of defined roles also sets us back. Slotting guys in the optimal positions for positive team results, was one of Q's strengths. Presently, they all look like they're playing hockey individually. It takes time, but Berube sorted things out in St. Louis. Thanks, Pops, for that great reminder.
- gabriel

Kurashev imo is not a top six forward and maybe sitting him or moving him to the 3rd line would be better and calling up strome for Hardman and showcasing him.
Dcat strome Kane
Hagel towes kubalik
Borgstrom dach Kurashev
Johnson entwistle karia

Not everyone who disagrees with you is a socialist.

Most of us just…uhhh…disagree with you.
- StLBravesFan

What’s hilarious is the people most afraid of socialism don’t even realize it’s all around them and they don’t realize they need it and take advantage of it daily.

I laughed the first time. Is your comment like a line from a movie where somehow it's even funnier the second time?

Otherwise, yawn and what a waste of time.
- HawkintheD

Yeah, I see what you’re doing. Just another ploy in your never-ending story.



Socialist Propaganda Movie

Karnisovas-Donovan vs. Bowman-Colliton.

Hmmm….

Kurashev imo is not a top six forward and maybe sitting him or moving him to the 3rd line would be better and calling up strome for Hardman and showcasing him.
Dcat strome Kane
Hagel towes kubalik
Borgstrom dach Kurashev
Johnson entwistle karia
- Scott1977

Kurashev also falls victim to a nightly mugging, and then gets neutralized along the boards. For years this board has clamored for bigger wingers to no avail. (Like anybody cares what we have to say). Ha! Brawny teams that play a heavy game, eventually wear us down.

Haven't been focusing on Kurashev's game specifically, but last night he more than had his fair share of troubles. It really stood out. Agreed.

Strome is the biggest enigma on the team. Has to be in somebody's doghouse big time. I get it that he plays a maddening brand of hockey. But, there was a time not very long ago, that he was a decent goal scorer. Not like some of these guys couldn't be temporarily replaced. Don't get it.

What’s hilarious is the people most afraid of socialism don’t even realize it’s all around them and they don’t realize they need it and take advantage of it daily.
- paulr

Insert God for the word socialism, Paulie. Unless, of course, socialism is your God. In which case, carry on, friend of mine.

Why are ads showing up at the bottom of my screen here? Something new? Or did I just not notice them before.

They’re very annoying.

Kurashev also falls victim to a nightly mugging, and then gets neutralized along the boards. For years this board has clamored for bigger wingers to no avail. (Like anybody cares what we have to say). Ha! Brawny teams that play a heavy game, eventually wear us down.

Haven't been focusing on Kurashev's game specifically, but last night he more than had his fair share of troubles. It really stood out. Agreed.

Strome is the biggest enigma on the team. Has to be in somebody's doghouse big time. I get it that he plays a maddening brand of hockey. But, there was a time not very long ago, that he was a decent goal scorer. Not like some of these guys couldn't be temporarily replaced. Don't get it.
- gabriel

You make it sound like Strome might be some sort of solution. He's not, because the only area of the ice he is effective is below the dots in the O zone. He doesn't play physically and he skates like a Clydesdale entered in the Kentucky Derby. As a result, he is the 23rd man on a 23 man roster.

Really doesn't matter who owns the doghouse he lives in. My guess is it is Bowman's - remember this, he was unsigned in January 2020 just before the new season got underway and no negotiations were happening - until Toews announced he wouldn't be playing the season. And then Bowman coughed up the 2 year deal, because he had no choice.

You make it sound like Strome might be some sort of solution. He's not, because the only area of the ice he is effective is below the dots in the O zone. He doesn't play physically and he skates like a Clydesdale entered in the Kentucky Derby. As a result, he is the 23rd man on a 23 man roster.

Really doesn't matter who owns the doghouse he lives in. My guess is it is Bowman's - remember this, he was unsigned in January 2020 just before the new season got underway and no negotiations were happening - until Toews announced he wouldn't be playing the season. And then Bowman coughed up the 2 year deal, because he had no choice.
- RickJ

I don’t think a Clydesdale is the right analogy. Strome may skate like a Clydesdale but there’s no chance a Clydesdale gets knocked on his ass by a Shetland Pony.

I agree, just noting. League has a book on Lankinen, shoot high, lets see if he can adjust.
- LAHawk

Shoot high ? What's that ???

I don’t think a Clydesdale is the right analogy. Strome may skate like a Clydesdale but there’s no chance a Clydesdale gets knocked on his ass by a Shetland Pony.
- paulr

Best case IMO with MAF is around the TDL, some team needs the insurance/depth...he wants a last run on a team, and the Hawks can get a 3rd or 4th for nothing but his name being MAF
- PatShart

Except he said the only way he'd actually report to the Hawks of he was guaranteed he wouldn't be traded during the season for family reasons.

You make it sound like Strome might be some sort of solution. He's not, because the only area of the ice he is effective is below the dots in the O zone. He doesn't play physically and he skates like a Clydesdale entered in the Kentucky Derby. As a result, he is the 23rd man on a 23 man roster.

Really doesn't matter who owns the doghouse he lives in. My guess is it is Bowman's - remember this, he was unsigned in January 2020 just before the new season got underway and no negotiations were happening - until Toews announced he wouldn't be playing the season. And then Bowman coughed up the 2 year deal, because he had no choice.
- RickJ

I didn't mean to imply he was a panacea. Just pointing out that he has scored before in the NHL. With a dearth of scoring, might be nice to have a guy who could pot in a couple. No one seems to know how at this stage of the season. I was not thinking long term at all.

Don't get me started; he has skills that make him a American League keeper, but to play in the NHL you handle all phases, and he clearly hasn't.
The idea that Toews can bring out the best of Kubalik and Kureshev is a fine experiment if you are talking about a ready for prime time Toews, not one working towards his past high pace level of play.

I don't mean to put the bullseye on his back over others...clearly there are skilled players with one dimensional leanings whose commitment has been suspect now and maybe in the past.
It was foolish to think Tampa's 2nd and 4th liner was suddenly able to contribute at a go-to top line impact guy.
Or that suddenly the kids are gone fill the net and see the entire ice.

Whether we get that protected lottery pick or transcend to lower mediocrity, wasn't it something we expected was as possible as that chance they could be a playoff club?
- wiz1901

In other words - CURRENTLY until something changes, our Forward group can best be described as a "patchwork of wings and prayers." Our Defensemen consist of "one top pairing - Jones" one "middle pairing - Murphy" two "previously middle pairings - deHaan and McCabe" and two "previously AHL cast off by their recent teams - Gus and Stillman."

Regardless how the goaltending is working out this does not a playoff team make.

What’s hilarious is the people most afraid of socialism don’t even realize it’s all around them and they don’t realize they need it and take advantage of it daily.
- paulr

I try not to get involved in political talk but everyone knows most voters are stupid.

You lost me as soon as you started about the Toews and Kane contract. AT THE TIME OF THE SIGNING, a legitimate argument could be made that Toews was the best overall player in all of hockey. Obviously in hindsight, Kane lived up to the contract, and Toews didn't, but Toews was an absolute beast from 2013 to 2015. I read an article a while back (I searched but couldn't find it) where the writer was looking at WAR for those years and was shocked at how good Toews was compared to the other superstars in the league. The writer said he wasn't a big fan of Toews, and the numbers caught him off guard.
- tvetter

At the time of the signing, most in Chicago would have picked Toews were the choice to be we could only sign one.

That's cool.

Not sure any of them are long term solutions, IMO
- PatShart

Neither was Domnik Hasek for us.

I agree, just noting. League has a book on Lankinen, shoot high, lets see if he can adjust.
- LAHawk

Isn't that the book on all goalies?