Justin Lowe: What Did I Miss? Ok, I'm back from vacation, what'd I miss?

Are the Hawks good again?

Are the players really taking to Colliton's coaching?

Are Toews and Kane still awesome?

posted this on the old blog a minute ago..

The good lately, is the Hawks are not giving up goals... 2 goals against in the last 3 games. The bad part of that...it is pretty much just because of goaltending. There have been lots of good chances against and lots of shots, but the Hawks are getting the best sv% in the league at 98% over the last 3 games and they also have the best high danger sv% in their last 3 games.

In that span (and the score will be a factor here) but the Hawks bottom 5 in terms of shots for and shots against. Mostly it is that they aren't generating enough offensively at the moment, but their goalie is holding them in it. It is still early in terms of the new coach, but I hopefully they can start to build a little momentum here and play a better 60 minutes, because Crawford won't stop all these pucks forever.

JL, thanks for the blog as always.

I was going to add, I think Forsling has come in pretty well. I think the Hawks have done well bringing in guys who were injured so far and not rushing them back. Crawford came back ready to play. Forsling is back and looks to be in good form. So far, I like the 6 guys dressed on D last night in general. I.e. keeping Manning out of the game. Rutta has been up and down this year, but makes way fewer boneheaded plays than Manning IMO. Hawks really could use one legit shutdown Dman, because Seabrook, while better than last season, shouldn't be getting the lions share of Dzone draws.

Great blog JL! At this point we may be just evaluating this team on a bi-weekly basis. Personally, it's hard to gage any head coach without seeing adjustments and ability in playoff situations. I like what I see so far.

Quotes not working, but to BB's point....Hawks were signinficantly outshot and outplayed the final 40 minutes. Several Grade A saves by Crawford and a point blank shot from Staal off the crossbar or last night couldve ended differently. That being said, I love the look of 20-19-88. I thought Cat had a rough night last night, but the line of 8-15-12 has potential to provide more consistent scoring....after those two lines how many combined goals do the Hawks have???

Someone called David Kampf , This year’s version of Dennis Rasmussen, totally agree! Doesn’t use his size and is basically a non-factor.Can’t wait to see what Edjsel and Sikura can do up here, time to start the Rockford shuttle.

I would like Stan to be a bit more proactive with moving a defenseman. Manning, Rutta, and Davidson all seem to bring about the same (about 50/50 up/down play). Even if Forsling ends up being the same, I'd rather try to continue to develop him.

There have been a couple comments from the players already about more open communication, and knowing what is expected. I'd be interested to hear if they "agree" with the new style/direction. I'm guessing it would be somewhat split between the vets and the younger kids. There also seems to be more insightful comments after games instead of "we need to get to the front of the net, get more shot on net, play a full 60, etc". Not sure if that is an artifact of Q not being there, or just realizing that they all need to be more effective if they want to stick around.

Someone called David Kampf , This year’s version of Dennis Rasmussen, totally agree! Doesn’t use his size and is basically a non-factor.Can’t wait to see what Edjsel and Sikura can do up here, time to start the Rockford shuttle.
- wonthecup10

The problem is we don't really have any other options for center. I'm not as down on Kampf as some here, but in all honesty, who do you replace him with? Johnson has shown worse than Kampf IMO, and Schmaltz hasn't been able to convince anyone he is a C so that AA can move down.

From what I’ve read, the biggest difference since the coaching change is from Q’s zone D coverage to JC’s man to man. Keith and Seabrook may be having more trouble changing, as they were in Q’s system the last 9 seasons. The younger & newer guys seem to be picking it up faster.

Justin Lowe: What Did I Miss?
Ok, I'm back from vacation, what'd I miss?

Are the Hawks good again?

Are the players really taking to Colliton's coaching?

Are Toews and Kane still awesome?
- Justin Lowe

Great to have you back, JL. Good piece.

Secondary scoring is definitely the issue. They have good enough players to get points, but they just haven't been able to put everything together.

Which happens first, Sikura or another recall or a trade?

I have liked JC a lot, I don't see a championship team, but I see a team on a positive trend.

posted this on the old blog a minute ago..

The good lately, is the Hawks are not giving up goals... 2 goals against in the last 3 games. The bad part of that...it is pretty much just because of goaltending. There have been lots of good chances against and lots of shots, but the Hawks are getting the best sv% in the league at 98% over the last 3 games and they also have the best high danger sv% in their last 3 games.

In that span (and the score will be a factor here) but the Hawks bottom 5 in terms of shots for and shots against. Mostly it is that they aren't generating enough offensively at the moment, but their goalie is holding them in it. It is still early in terms of the new coach, but I hopefully they can start to build a little momentum here and play a better 60 minutes, because Crawford won't stop all these pucks forever.
- breadbag

with out craw standing on head they have no chance...the team defense has improved but still getting out chanced and making to many unforced errors...forsling has helped...less minutes for manning and davidson on IR soon to be gone when murphy comes back...

no secondary scoring or threat at all...

Quotes not working, but to BB's point....Hawks were signinficantly outshot and outplayed the final 40 minutes. Several Grade A saves by Crawford and a point blank shot from Staal off the crossbar or last night couldve ended differently. That being said, I love the look of 20-19-88. I thought Cat had a rough night last night, but the line of 8-15-12 has potential to provide more consistent scoring....after those two lines how many combined goals do the Hawks have???
- EnzoD

I'd just add, I don't think anyone expected the bottom 6 to score a lot, but I think it is safe to say it has been even worse than expected.

After our top forwards (Kane,Toews,Saad,DeBrincat) here are the goals

Schmaltz - 2
Kruger - 2
Kampf - 2
AA - 2
Kahun - 2
Fortin - 2
Hayden - 1
Kunitz - 0
Martinsen - 0
Johnson - 0

I know with bottom 6 guys, it can be a bit more up and down, but it is pretty much "Down" for all of them. Schmaltz has had chances and breakaways with little success. AA is what he is, he doesn't score without someone like Kane or Panarin with him. Some other guys like Hayden just not showing any improvement year over year. Kunitz should still be good for the odd goal (he had 13 last season) but so far, not one.

Justin Lowe: What Did I Miss?
Ok, I'm back from vacation, what'd I miss?

Are the Hawks good again?

Are the players really taking to Colliton's coaching?

Are Toews and Kane still awesome?
- Justin Lowe

Did you see Coach Q doing shots tailgating before the Bears game? That was pretty cool.

So, if I were Stan, I would be looking to add another speedy, productive centre to the mix and maybe even another winger with some offensive flair (which is maybe just Dylan Sikura at this point).
- Justin Lowe

Thinking the same thing, too, about looking to acquire a middle 6 center to help solidify the 3rd line. Ideally I would like to see Anisimov centering a 3rd line with Sikura and Kahun, maybe Fortin but I feel 84 needs more seasoning in Rockford.

Then keep Schmaltz with DeBrincat and a new center. Wennberg is an offensive pivot who could use a change of scenery away from Columbus after a sub-par season last year and so far this year.

Let's say Schmaltz reclaims 2C status instead: pursue someone like Toffoli as a few posters have suggested.

Did you see Coach Q doing shots tailgating before the Bears game? That was pretty cool.
- matt_ahrens

Courtesy of Wirtz Beverage Corp or Binny's ?

DeBrincat and Schmaltz scoring again would be a big step forward. I am very confident DCat will come out of the slump - not so much with Schmaltz.

I wasn't a Q hater but I like what I see from JC so far.

JL, thanks for the blog as always.

I was going to add, I think Forsling has come in pretty well. I think the Hawks have done well bringing in guys who were injured so far and not rushing them back. Crawford came back ready to play. Forsling is back and looks to be in good form. So far, I like the 6 guys dressed on D last night in general. I.e. keeping Manning out of the game. Rutta has been up and down this year, but makes way fewer boneheaded plays than Manning IMO. Hawks really could use one legit shutdown Dman, because Seabrook, while better than last season, shouldn't be getting the lions share of Dzone draws.
- breadbag

Agree. I believe Stan and/or Q believed Manning to be that guy. Could Colliton help Manning play more consistently or is Manning who he is already?

If Manning isn't able to improve his consistency on defense, then keep him as 7th man and see if Murphy can fill that role of shutdown defender.

Keith - Seabrook
Gustafsson - Jokiharju
Forsling - Murphy
Manning

Maybe consider flip-flopping Gustafsson and Forsling once Murphy is back.

If Murphy shows the same inconsistency as Manning, then pursue a new shutdown defender. For that to happen, as others have stated, Manning and/or Rutta need to be shipped out. At least Davidson can be buried in Rockford.

If I am Stan I realize the hawks are not a Cup contender, and maybe not even a playoff team. Nor do I have the cap space or assets to be one. I have a few players that I could move for late round draft picks (Rutta/Manning). After I see if Murphy is healthy I would definitely do that. I have a few players I could move for mid-round draft picks (AA, Schmaltz, Murphy). But I think I keep AA and Schmaltz because the return is not great, you want to put a competitive product on the ice, and you do not want to rush kids to the NHL that need more time in the AHL. Murphy I want to see for a few months under Colliton. Plus I gave up a lot for him and want to see if playing for Colliton is a positive or negative.

Then in the offseason I have some cap room and picks (probably the 7th to 10th pick in the first round) to slightly reshape my team. I also have players in the KHL, EU AHL and juniors to asses. Maybe I can add a 2C scorer, 2C center, or 2nd pairing defender (depending on Murphy/Forsling and Gus play under Colliton).

I would like Stan to be a bit more proactive with moving a defenseman. Manning, Rutta, and Davidson all seem to bring about the same (about 50/50 up/down play). Even if Forsling ends up being the same, I'd rather try to continue to develop him.

There have been a couple comments from the players already about more open communication, and knowing what is expected. I'd be interested to hear if they "agree" with the new style/direction. I'm guessing it would be somewhat split between the vets and the younger kids. There also seems to be more insightful comments after games instead of "we need to get to the front of the net, get more shot on net, play a full 60, etc". Not sure if that is an artifact of Q not being there, or just realizing that they all need to be more effective if they want to stick around.
- Chunk

In a previous blog, someone posted a quote by Manning that showed his relief of playing under a coach who allows them to just go after a loose puck if they're closest to it and not have to worry about leaving your zone. I took that to say the move away from a zone defense was welcome by at least him and I can imagine others as well.

If the Red Wings can go 8-2-0, anyone can. Might as well be the Hawks.

In a previous blog, someone posted a quote by Manning that showed his relief of playing under a coach who allows them to just go after a loose puck if they're closest to it and not have to worry about leaving your zone. I took that to say the move away from a zone defense was welcome by at least him and I can imagine others as well.
- AEL_Fox

I think it was the pdx2ord girl or walleyeb1. I'm leaning towards the latter.

If the Red Wings can go 8-2-0, anyone can. Might as well be the Hawks.
- scottak

What would be the point? This team needs high draft picks!

Thinking the same thing, too, about looking to acquire a middle 6 center to help solidify the 3rd line. Ideally I would like to see Anisimov centering a 3rd line with Sikura and Kahun, maybe Fortin but I feel 84 needs more seasoning in Rockford.

Then keep Schmaltz with DeBrincat and a new center. Wennberg is an offensive pivot who could use a change of scenery away from Columbus after a sub-par season last year and so far this year.

Let's say Schmaltz reclaims 2C status instead: pursue someone like Toffoli as a few posters have suggested.
- AEL_Fox

Ha someone saw my suggestion

The problem is we don't really have any other options for center. I'm not as down on Kampf as some here, but in all honesty, who do you replace him with? Johnson has shown worse than Kampf IMO, and Schmaltz hasn't been able to convince anyone he is a C so that AA can move down.
- Chunk

I'm not down on Kampf as long as he's slotted properly which is no higher than 4C. Playing 2C is just odd. He was a 2nd liner in Rockford but nothing close to top 6 in the NHL. I would argue not even top 9.

Once the 2C and 3C positions can be solidified (i.e. Anisimov as one of them, Schmaltz maybe, but if not 8 or even 15 then who replaces them), then 4C has a wealth of options with Kruger, Kampf, and Johnson. Highmore as well but he's injured and has the most potential to play 3rd liner effectively.

And once the team has strong forward depth up and down the lineup, the only way I want to see all 3 of Kruger, Johnson, and Kampf in the lineup is if they're 4th liners together. Once any of them start playing above the 4th line, then the team is essentially rolling two 4th lines.

Agree. I believe Stan and/or Q believed Manning to be that guy. Could Colliton help Manning play more consistently or is Manning who he is already?

If Manning isn't able to improve his consistency on defense, then keep him as 7th man and see if Murphy can fill that role of shutdown defender.

Keith - Seabrook
Gustafsson - Jokiharju
Forsling - Murphy
Manning

Maybe consider flip-flopping Gustafsson and Forsling once Murphy is back.

If Murphy shows the same inconsistency as Manning, then pursue a new shutdown defender. For that to happen, as others have stated, Manning and/or Rutta need to be shipped out. At least Davidson can be buried in Rockford.
- AEL_Fox

Exactly my thoughts. Either way I don't wanna tie up our backend anymore than it will already be with Keith and Seabrook's contracts and Joki up with Bovqist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Carlsson, etc. all on their way up in the next year or two. Gotta hope at least two of those guys turn into studs and the rest fall into place if we want a better defense going forward