Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 
Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Time to Unify the Room
Author Message
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Apr 11 @ 10:20 AM ET
Justin Lowe: Time to Unify the Room It was "media day" on Monday of this week for the Chicago Blackhawks. This is better known as clean up your shh...tuff and get out of here.

Jonathan Toews made an interesting comment about how there needs to be a unified room between the young and old players. This line alone is exactly what I want to focus on for today's blog.
gazza53
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 09.15.2017

Apr 11 @ 10:34 AM ET
*First*
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Apr 11 @ 10:34 AM ET
I don't get the Hino love by management. He is an energy guy that gives effort every night. But I can never seeing him being a staple on the top two lines (or maybe even the top 3 lines), PP or PK. Players like him are a dime a dozen and the Hawks have a bunch of them that played in the NHL and Rockford this year. If we are going to carry such a borderline player on the big club let's carry one that weighs 200+ pounds and takes the body. A definite need on a marshmallow soft team. Hino is an RFA. If they resign him I hope it is at the $800,000 level at most.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Apr 11 @ 10:37 AM ET
Kane - Leave him with AA and Debrincat for a year. Their plus minus will not be too good, but teams will have to decide to put their shut down players on the Kaen line or the Toews Line.
chuckdahammer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 11.01.2016

Apr 11 @ 10:38 AM ET
Nice write up Justin. Well the down season of the Hawks has many faults ... and many ifs and buts. Individual players must certainly look in the mirror and find out what can they do better. Coaches included as I heard Q mention that he can do things better and will tighten up the system, as to not allow as many shots on goal and scoring chances. But I think it boils down to this: defense and special teams. Defense meaning all around team play from defensemen, goaltenders and forwards. Cut down on scoring chances and limit goals against and the scoring will go up and Hawks will be back in business. Sometimes over analyzing something is just that and no results improve. Improve these three areas and everything else will fall in place.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Apr 11 @ 10:40 AM ET
Toews - Get him a sniper scorer for his RW. JVR? Neal? E.Kane? Grabner? Peron. Then let them play with Saad all year. My guess is that Saad and Toews games improve dramatically.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Apr 11 @ 10:48 AM ET
Keith / Seabs - If Crow is healthy all year the over all D looks much much better. I also think there could be dramatic improvement next year with basically the same players. This year they had a new system, a new D coach, most were fairly new to the Hawks or North America, new to playing with each other. It would help a lot of they played with the same partner each night. So Q needs to slow down the blender. Settle on at elast the top two pairs and go with them for 20 games or so. Rotate the bottom 3.

Ideally we get a top paring shut down Dman to play with Keith. That would free up Keith to play his more offensive game.

I know people hate Seabs. But I think his contract is a big factor. If they chose to reunite him with Keith both Keith and Seabs would look better.

Side note - Convert Oesterle to a LW. Have him start in the Rock to learn the new position. Only let him play D in emergency situations.
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Apr 11 @ 10:50 AM ET
Lol - "Jonathan Toews needs to do literally all of the things better" is how I read that.

You gotta hope some of that competitiveness got pinched after this mediocre season and people calling Kane the franchise player now and the guy thats a leader to the younger players and stuff. He should be working out with that group this summer, especially on the ice and call that skills guy Kane and Crosby have been working with.

If Seabrook is fitter than he was to start the year he should be less than terrible.

While there are some gaps, with how close the NHL is due to the parity thing, they're really 3 deft moves out of contention (assuming healthy Crawford). 1 maybe 2 veteran NHL centers to solidify the 3rd and 4th lines and help some of the kiddos with the "be a pro" thing. And a defender. IF they win the lottery that kind of fixes itself. Bottom line is they have the assets and money to do the things they need to do to improve the roster.

Even assuming everyone plays to the level they did this year, the right moves get them back in the mix but doing nothing or chasing the next Rundblad or Jurco would be a bad time.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Apr 11 @ 10:55 AM ET
Sikura, Ejdsell, Forsling, Forsberg, Kampf, Highmore, Samuelsson, Martinsen, Hino, Hayden, Duclair should have to earn spots in training camp. But decide if they are a C, LW, RW and play them there and not move them all over the place. If they make the club let them play consistently on one line with the same linemates.

Jurco.... see yeh.
MjulQvist
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 04.22.2012

Apr 11 @ 10:55 AM ET
I´m expecting big rebound from Saad.
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 11 @ 11:00 AM ET
the first thing Q needs to do is shake up the C & A,A. Time for some new blood with at least one of those 3. I suggest:
C - Toews
A - Kane
A - Anyone but 2 or 7. They will be informal leaders in the locker room, they don;t need a letter and would be better served focusing on their game.
pdx2ord
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Portland, OR
Joined: 09.02.2015

Apr 11 @ 11:00 AM ET
Just leaving this here (and note, I don't think he was going to be a great help for us on D depth, but we'll never know). Weird how Carlson says playing together consistently (Q's favorite word) has helped them get better and just play instinctually.

https://www.washingtonpos...e/?utm_term=.a3feadcb7c85

Kempny has played in 21 games for Washington, slotting into the top-four defense corps beside John Carlson and skating 16:46 per game.

“Schmidty might be the best skater in the league, but certainly [Kempny is] up there, and he can really wheel around the ice,” Carlson said. “That’s just another thing you kind of have to get a feel for, when his tendencies to [join the attack] are. We both want to get up the ice all of the time, but I think now, we don’t really have to say much to each other. We can just read off each other based off instincts and just seeing plays develop and knowing, ‘Okay, I’ve done this play 20 times now.’ The more you execute those plays, the easier it is to have a read on what each other is doing. I think that’s really developed from the beginning when he first got here.”

“I had a really good feeling about it because I talked with coaches and GM,” Kempny said. “We had a pretty good talk, and I felt pretty good about it. You know, I made a couple of mistakes and a couple of bad things in my play, but I was still in the lineup. That’s pretty good for me because in Chicago, when I make mistakes, I was out of the lineup. Now, in Washington, I still play. That’s the things which help me, and because of that, I feel pretty good.”


ETA This is reminiscent of the Daley to PIT move for me.

@EdFrankovic

Interesting stats from today's Caps game notes: The Capitals are 14-6-0 w/ Michal Kempny in the lineup & 8-2-0 w/ Jakub Jerabek in the lineup. Since Kempny made his Capitals debut on 2/22, Washington has allowed 2nd-fewest goals (52) in the Eastern Conference (Columbus: 51).

DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Apr 11 @ 11:04 AM ET
Sikura, Ejdsell, Forsling, Forsberg, Kampf, Highmore, Samuelsson, Martinsen, Hino, Hayden, Duclair should have to earn spots in training camp. But decide if they are a C, LW, RW and play them there and not move them all over the place. If they make the club let them play consistently on one line with the same linemates.

Jurco.... see yeh.

- -Doh-



Barring some major trades I think Hinosroza has earned a placed on the team. Martinsen may not even be with the organization, he's not signed. Samuelsson doesn't have a deal with the Hawks either, just Rockford.
PatShart
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Vegas, NV
Joined: 06.25.2015

Apr 11 @ 11:09 AM ET
My too early to tell top 6 going into 2018 would be -
Schmaltz-Toews-Kane...if 19 can't go get 70pts + with these 2, he's done

Saad - XXX - DeBrincat...not sure who fills this yet. But i dont think he's on the roster yet

I think they should move Anisimov. I like the dude, but think he is moved this off season.

And they should be open as well to moving a prospect (Sikura, Duclair, etc) with the Hossa contract.

Pending what money they take back, that could free up another 10mil.

They must add 2 NHL dmen. Keith, Seabrook and Murphy should be 3 (although I can see Murphy moved)...add 2 new guys and then let the rest fight for #6
PatShart
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Vegas, NV
Joined: 06.25.2015

Apr 11 @ 11:11 AM ET
the first thing Q needs to do is shake up the C & A,A. Time for some new blood with at least one of those 3. I suggest:
C - Toews
A - Kane
A - Anyone but 2 or 7. They will be informal leaders in the locker room, they don;t need a letter and would be better served focusing on their game.

- riozzo



If that's the case, no way 19 should have the C or any letter

But I'm not sure any of that would help anything, only hurt more
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Apr 11 @ 11:13 AM ET
Just leaving this here (and note, I don't think he was going to be a great help for us on D depth, but we'll never know). Weird how Carlson says playing together consistently (Q's favorite word) has helped them get better and just play instinctually.

https://www.washingtonpos...e/?utm_term=.a3feadcb7c85



ETA This is reminiscent of the Daley to PIT move for me.

@EdFrankovic

Interesting stats from today's Caps game notes: The Capitals are 14-6-0 w/ Michal Kempny in the lineup & 8-2-0 w/ Jakub Jerabek in the lineup. Since Kempny made his Capitals debut on 2/22, Washington has allowed 2nd-fewest goals (52) in the Eastern Conference (Columbus: 51).


- pdx2ord


It is this kind of S**T that makes me extremely disappointed that Q was not shown the door moreso than Bowman.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Apr 11 @ 11:14 AM ET
Offseason needs:

-Figure out Hossa, either he comes back or we get rid of the contract. Need the value of $5M to be there.

-Figure out Crawford situation and whether you need a backup goalie or platoon goalie

-Sign an NHL defenseman

-Evaluate the assistant coaches, who is running the atrocious PP? Is Ulf the right guy for our D? Should they bring in a PP specialist like Kirk Muller, Dan Byslma, Adam Oates?

-(This will likely be done at camp) Determine who is going to start the year with the Hawks and commit to using them for at least 9 games. There's too many guys worried about losing their tiny spot over an errant icing or penalty. Hayden, Duclair, Forsling, Hillman, Sikura, Martinsen, Edjsell, Kampf, Highmore. Let them play with some abandon and push their limits.

-Mail a large wooden crate containing Tomas Jurco to Carolina, they'll know what to do
pdx2ord
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Portland, OR
Joined: 09.02.2015

Apr 11 @ 11:23 AM ET
Kane - Leave him with AA and Debrincat for a year. Their plus minus will not be too good, but teams will have to decide to put their shut down players on the Kaen line or the Toews Line.
- -Doh-


I'd almost go with 12-19-88. Yes, that puts three big name players on one line, BUT you then have Saad and Schmaltz on the second line with a RW like Vinnie who can keep up with them in speed. I think both Saad and Schmaltz might find their lost offensive firepower and shoot more away from Kane and Toews. I don't think there is anything that would make DBC afraid to shoot.
pdx2ord
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Portland, OR
Joined: 09.02.2015

Apr 11 @ 11:32 AM ET
Lol - "Jonathan Toews needs to do literally all of the things better" is how I read that.

You gotta hope some of that competitiveness got pinched after this mediocre season and people calling Kane the franchise player now and the guy thats a leader to the younger players and stuff. He should be working out with that group this summer, especially on the ice and call that skills guy Kane and Crosby have been working with.

If Seabrook is fitter than he was to start the year he should be less than terrible.

While there are some gaps, with how close the NHL is due to the parity thing, they're really 3 deft moves out of contention (assuming healthy Crawford). 1 maybe 2 veteran NHL centers to solidify the 3rd and 4th lines and help some of the kiddos with the "be a pro" thing. And a defender. IF they win the lottery that kind of fixes itself. Bottom line is they have the assets and money to do the things they need to do to improve the roster.

Even assuming everyone plays to the level they did this year, the right moves get them back in the mix but doing nothing or chasing the next Rundblad or Jurco would be a bad time.

- fattybeef


Yeah, really hoping he spends more time in Chicago this summer and takes the opportunity to work with Kane and the youngsters. All of the kids who were part of that took noticeable improvement steps this year (while, ironically, Kane regressed). Sounds like DBC and Saad are both spending most of the summer here. I'm sure if he asked, Toews would be admitted into the skills camp that Kane, Matthews, Parise, et al attend every year. Not sure I've every heard of Toews attending one of the formal camps with other NHL stars. Last summer all we heard was that he was training with fellow WPGer, Nolan Patrick.
TheTrob
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Oak Park, IL
Joined: 04.14.2010

Apr 11 @ 11:37 AM ET
the first thing Q needs to do is shake up the C & A,A. Time for some new blood with at least one of those 3. I suggest:
C - Toews
A - Kane
A - Anyone but 2 or 7. They will be informal leaders in the locker room, they don;t need a letter and would be better served focusing on their game.

- riozzo


Who is wearing the C or A is the least of your worries. You think wearing a letter is what detracted from Toews or Seabrooks game? I'm not buying it.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Apr 11 @ 11:38 AM ET
Barring some major trades I think Hinosroza has earned a placed on the team. Martinsen may not even be with the organization, he's not signed. Samuelsson doesn't have a deal with the Hawks either, just Rockford.
- DarthKane


If he signs at a reasonable price, I think he has earned an opportunity to compete for a spot on the team. Nothing more. Let's say Hino's upside is 15 goals and 30 assists. He is fast and good on the forecheck. If you can get the same from a player that is 200+ pounds and takes the body I would have to take the bigger player on this Hawks team that lacks size and physicality. I am not saying I do not like Hino. I am just saying he is one of about 15 players that could be considered for the team next year, but he should not be assured of a spot or a lock to make the team.
z1990z
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NW USA
Joined: 02.09.2012

Apr 11 @ 11:46 AM ET
Kempny...

Physical guy with good wheels and a decent shot. Yo-yo'd to kingdom come by the HC. A guy who should still be here. Even so, he would no re-sign based on the crap he went through with Q. Another guy who could really help this team and is gone due to the Q-n-ator.

Q should be gone. Plain and simple. If anyone thinks he going to change his style now?? Nope. And Bowman should follow him right out the door.
TheTrob
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Oak Park, IL
Joined: 04.14.2010

Apr 11 @ 11:47 AM ET
I don't get the Hino love by management. He is an energy guy that gives effort every night. But I can never seeing him being a staple on the top two lines (or maybe even the top 3 lines), PP or PK. Players like him are a dime a dozen and the Hawks have a bunch of them that played in the NHL and Rockford this year. If we are going to carry such a borderline player on the big club let's carry one that weighs 200+ pounds and takes the body. A definite need on a marshmallow soft team. Hino is an RFA. If they resign him I hope it is at the $800,000 level at most.
- -Doh-


Hinostroza has earned a spot on the team due to his hard work. Yes, he is a role player, yes, he is a dime a dozen player, yes, he is borderline for a team that has championship aspirations. All that being said, at the right price, you keep him as a 4th line/13th player and hope maybe he takes another step next year. Each year in the organization he has worked hard to improve his game.
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 11 @ 11:49 AM ET
It is this kind of S**T that makes me extremely disappointed that Q was not shown the door moreso than Bowman.
- 67hawks


So the train wreck of mistakes Kempny made here is of no concern? Was it Q or the player woke up when he was traded? I am not defending Q, however far too many times there is at least equal blame to go around.
tvetter
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Burkesville, KY
Joined: 12.16.2015

Apr 11 @ 11:52 AM ET
If CHI and NYI don't move up in the lottery, would picks 7+(29-31) be enough to get picks 10 and 12? Would CHI have to offer a sweetener? Would you do it?
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20  Next