And for those who cried when Hartman got booted to Nashville

24 games & 7 points & a "-6"

Hartman will NEVER be better than a 4th liner

Only good move Bowman made
- Goalie-33

Not good stats for someone playing on a pretty good team.

Adam Mascherin not signing with the Panthers was a story I read a while back. If this happens, the Cats have to trade his rights before the draft or lose him for nothing as he is a second round pick.
I like him and wonder what it would take to get him. Short but built like a fire hydrant, a sniper, good skater and competitor. Hope that Bowman is looking into this. Typically players in this situation can be had fairly cheaply.

This is very true and especially in terms of the offense. The Hawks in 2016/2017 relied heavily on a 72-15-88 line that was productive at scoring in the regular season but when the going got tough in the playoffs couldn't string much of anything together. It was said a lot that the Hawks were a one line team, and it sucks when that one line fades when the checking gets tight.

Too much offense from the perimeter. Too much trying to carry the puck into the attacking zone or trying to beat guys 1 on 1. For me, nothing worse than watching one of the "skilled" guys attempt to deke the dman, only to create a turnover that sends the other team on the counter-attack.

There is something to be said about the forwards knowing when to dump and apply the forecheck to create some havoc and turnovers rather than going for the pretty play. Kind of need the personal that can win those battles to make it work. The Hawks have been weak at this. I think some teams like Vegas/Winnipeg do this really well in and it drives their offense.

Nashville did it well to Chicago last spring in those 4 games. They didn't try to force pretty plays and if needed they just put it deep behind the Hawks D. The Nashville forwards applied pressure and the Hawks D just threw the puck away over and over.

I think the problem with the Hawks applying a more aggressive forecheck is that they know it gets them into trouble. They don't have the defensive depth to bail them out when they get caught being aggressive. They also don't have that many forwards who can win the physical confrontations.

Recent Blackhawks teams can be summed up like this.....The skilled guys play too soft and the hard nose guys are lacking in the speed/skill/Hockey IQ department.
- breadbag

It is not defensive depth that was the problem. It was the offensively over-aggressive “defensive” system that the Hawks played. There was no protections at all built in to stop the insane number of odd-man breaks the Hawks gave up. Dressing 6 Bobby Orrs in their prime wouldn’t have made a difference.

Adam Mascherin not signing with the Panthers was a story I read a while back. If this happens, the Cats have to trade his rights before the draft or lose him for nothing as he is a second round pick.
I like him and wonder what it would take to get him. Short but built like a fire hydrant, a sniper, good skater and competitor. Hope that Bowman is looking into this. Typically players in this situation can be had fairly cheaply.
- 67hawks

If he re-enters the draft I wonder when he’ll get picked up. He was already a second round pick in 2016.

Watched Panarin still nothing special in the playoffs, is kept to the perimeter a lot, goal was soft, has made some nice passes though on the power play, defense still suspect
- BetweenTheDots

This is such a nonsense statement.

The CBJ's have played 2 playoff games and scored a total of 9 goals. Panarin's 5 points means that he's been involved in more than 50% of their goals. And guess what? Last time I checked the object of the game is to score more goals then you give up and how they are scored doesn't alter their value.

The entire Hawk team was the scapegoat for the butt-kicking they took last year. They let up when the division was clinched and dropped their last 4 games of the RS. They thought that the Preds would just roll over and play dead and they didn't and were embarrassed because of it.

This is such a nonsense statement.

The CBJ's have played 2 playoff games and scored a total of 9 goals. Panarin's 5 points means that he's been involved in more than 50% of their goals. And guess what? Last time I checked the object of the game is to score more goals then you give up and how they are scored doesn't alter their value.

The entire Hawk team was the scapegoat for the butt-kicking they took last year. They let up when the division was clinched and dropped their last 4 games of the RS. They thought that the Preds would just roll over and play dead and they didn't and were embarrassed because of it.
- Rota's Rooter

I thought the goal was to have the most hits, or best CORSI or players with the best +/-?

Justin.

You have followed the Rockford Icehogs this season and i believe yoi jave mentioned that there is a connection or sour e you speak to a about the players

How do you say they fare against Vegas, farm club, the Wolves? The series starts Saturday at Wolves.

I do not expect to see Tuulola or Gilbert despite at least Tuulola is on the playoff roster. Or was he only on the rosrer for the last few regular season games. I noticed a coupke icehigs whom were scratch from lineup when Blackhawk reinforcements were reassigned. In particular i am crious if Edgsell is skatjng better. .more in olved in plays. He is a bug vuy who doesn't appead anxoius for physical.contact, though i do not thinj he is intimidated

It is not defensive depth that was the problem. It was the offensively over-aggressive “defensive” system that the Hawks played. There was no protections at all built in to stop the insane number of odd-man breaks the Hawks gave up. Dressing 6 Bobby Orrs in their prime wouldn’t have made a difference.
- Z3Hawk

Noooooo

Problem 1 is yielding the blue line uncontested and the gap between the forwards and the defenders. Part of the problem is with the forwards, part is with the defenders. The forwards for not back checking efficiently and the defenders for constantly backing up in stead of standing up.

Problem 2 is the forwards not coming back and helping in an organized manner. The cross ice pass was always open and against teams with a defender who has a half way decent shot they were constantly victimized by open point shots.

Problem 3 is the defenders were either not good enough to make a 40ft pass, the forwards were not making themselves available for an easy outlet pass and Q does not allow his defenders to skate the puck forward. Because the Hawks couldn't effectively exit the zone this created turnovers because there was no outlet and you've got Keith doing poop that probably makes him crazy like making a square pass to Osterle OR puck turned over in the neutral zone on an errant pass creating a 3 v 2.

Problem 4 when zone time was actually attained you rarely saw a defender keep a puck in. They were typically retreating straight away which made it difficult to maintain meaningful zone time.

It amounts to the players on the ice not playing any semblance of a system and being victimized because of their disorganization. The bad part about that is they never seemed to put it together at all as the season went on. That in itself is a pretty strong argument against Q at this point.

NHL Player Safety tells LA Kings to go piss up a rope. Haula not punished for the hit to Kopitar the Kings coach poop an egg roll over. The "alleged" spear hit Kopitar on the right cheek, but he's on the bench holding his left cheek. Kings are Queens, Drama Queens and their coach is a whiner. A boring, slow, old team and hopefully finished off quite soon.

If the Hawks had done ANYTHING to prevent Handzus from centering L2 in 2014 (before game 5), Kings don't win that series. And not to go powerenforcer here, but the refs in that series were also bad, it was the only series I can remember the Hawks losing that had a little something to do with the refs....Losses to Detroit, the Coyotes, Vancouver, St.Louis and Nashville were legit losses. that Kings loss still irritates me, because I think the Hawks were a better team, with one exception...we lacked center depth.

Kings and Ducks looking like cannon fodder so far (each scoring only 3 goals in 3 games) and pushed to that brink. A lot like the Hawks last season, neither team looks like they will escape round 1.

Question - What is worse? Making the dance and getting bounced in round 1 without much going for you or missing the playoffs?

I'll just add that yes, it is possible the Ducks/Kings could come back in their series, but they are in a tough spot and the better team is winning both series so far IMO.

Kings and Ducks looking like cannon fodder so far (each scoring only 3 goals in 3 games) and pushed to that brink. A lot like the Hawks last season, neither team looks like they will escape round 1.

Question - What is worse? Making the dance and getting bounced in round 1 without much going for you or missing the playoffs?

I'll just add that yes, it is possible the Ducks/Kings could come back in their series, but they are in a tough spot and the better team is winning both series so far IMO.
- breadbag

I think you want to make the playoffs, because anything can happen. It's a fine line also between winning and losing in the playoffs and honestly the losses the Hawks have had to end their season over the years (Canucks, Wings, Yotes, Dings, blows and Predators) I was only truly disgusted with the team one time---last year because there was ZERO compete.

Kings and Ducks looking like cannon fodder so far (each scoring only 3 goals in 3 games) and pushed to that brink. A lot like the Hawks last season, neither team looks like they will escape round 1.

Question - What is worse? Making the dance and getting bounced in round 1 without much going for you or missing the playoffs?

I'll just add that yes, it is possible the Ducks/Kings could come back in their series, but they are in a tough spot and the better team is winning both series so far IMO.
- breadbag

But I thought "No Human can withstand that many hits?"

Kings and Ducks looking like cannon fodder so far (each scoring only 3 goals in 3 games) and pushed to that brink. A lot like the Hawks last season, neither team looks like they will escape round 1.

Question - What is worse? Making the dance and getting bounced in round 1 without much going for you or missing the playoffs?

I'll just add that yes, it is possible the Ducks/Kings could come back in their series, but they are in a tough spot and the better team is winning both series so far IMO.
- breadbag

I would rather be in our position (Hawks) than theirs right now. It hurts to be bounced early and then be rewarded a lower order in the draft to boot.

Agreed. Here's a question.....

Brandon Saad scores the majority of his goals from close in. Why was he never even tried to be the man in front of the net on the PP ? Toews will continue to get beat up there if that's the strategy once again next year. Anisimov and Saad should be the 2 guys to park in front on PP 1 and 2......and if AA gets dealt, Hayden should be given a chance as well.

It's obvious that a ton of PP playoff goals are being scored from close in. Maybe our coaching staff will change the perimeter approach and park 2 guys down low in certain situations ????
- Hawkytalk

Sounds like a coaching problem.

I think you want to make the playoffs, because anything can happen. It's a fine line also between winning and losing in the playoffs and honestly the losses the Hawks have had to end their season over the years (Canucks, Wings, Yotes, Dings, blows and Predators) I was only truly disgusted with the team one time---last year because there was ZERO compete.
- kwolf68

I agree with you about last year. It was the one time the Hawks just weren't in a the series at all. The previous times they lost, they at least had some fight and chance to win.

I agree with you about last year. It was the one time the Hawks just weren't in a the series at all. The previous times they lost, they at least had some fight and chance to win.
- breadbag

Yep, the previous times no complaint:

2009 Wings-they were just better, Hawks young, poopty goalie
2011 Nucks-rallied from down 3-0, nearly pulled it off
2012 Yotes-Hawks banged up, Robert Dinero in net for opponent, criminal on parade
2014 Kings-Fook this one, but the team did play their tails off. Crow was a stud
2016-Blow-went 7, Seabrook pipe shot away from winning this
2017-Preds-simply disgraceful hockey

Sounds like a coaching problem.
- z1990z

How could that be?
884 regular season wins (+ 118 more in the playoffs) > over 1,000 NHL victories
3 Stanley Cups
Blasphemer!

I have a question for all of you that are in the know on the draft prospects in upcoming draft.

I’ve found numerous sites ranking them, but does anyone know of a site that indicates which draft prospects have committed to NCAA colleges?

Never mind found this myself for those that may be interested:

http://collegehockeyinc.c...outing-final-rankings.php

I have a question for all of you that are in the know on the draft prospects in upcoming draft.

I’ve found numerous sites ranking them, but does anyone know of a site that indicates which draft prospects have committed to NCAA colleges?

Never mind found this myself for those that may be interested:

http://collegehockeyinc.c...outing-final-rankings.php
- walleyeb1

Thanks. That list makes me feel old. So many of those kids with a birth year in 2000.

It is not defensive depth that was the problem. It was the offensively over-aggressive “defensive” system that the Hawks played. There was no protections at all built in to stop the insane number of odd-man breaks the Hawks gave up. Dressing 6 Bobby Orrs in their prime wouldn’t have made a difference.
- Z3Hawk

Man, if they had six Bobby Orr’s in their prime, I wouldn’t even start the goalie. I’d put all six Orr’s out at one, grab a couple of cold ones and sit back and watch the show!

Kings and Ducks looking like cannon fodder so far (each scoring only 3 goals in 3 games) and pushed to that brink. A lot like the Hawks last season, neither team looks like they will escape round 1.

Question - What is worse? Making the dance and getting bounced in round 1 without much going for you or missing the playoffs?

I'll just add that yes, it is possible the Ducks/Kings could come back in their series, but they are in a tough spot and the better team is winning both series so far IMO.
- breadbag

As bad as last year was with the four-game rout, this year feels worse to me. All the excitement is missing at the start of the playoffs, where you know anything can happen. Even playing and ultimately losing a 7-game series means you’ve extended your season by 8.5%, but when you add in the excitement and intensity of the playoffs, it feels like each series as adding 25% to the season.

I totally agree with a bunch of other posters who have said nothing beats playoff hockey. But the hawks not getting in this year started it off very flat for me. I believe I will get more enthused once the second round starts.

I think you want to make the playoffs, because anything can happen. It's a fine line also between winning and losing in the playoffs and honestly the losses the Hawks have had to end their season over the years (Canucks, Wings, Yotes, Dings, blows and Predators) I was only truly disgusted with the team one time--- last year because there was ZERO compete.
- kwolf68

You are wrong! Last year there was double ZERO compete.

You are wrong! Last year there was double ZERO compete.
- Spec41971

Certainly a case can be made there.

This is such a nonsense statement.

The CBJ's have played 2 playoff games and scored a total of 9 goals. Panarin's 5 points means that he's been involved in more than 50% of their goals. And guess what? Last time I checked the object of the game is to score more goals then you give up and how they are scored doesn't alter their value.

The entire Hawk team was the scapegoat for the butt-kicking they took last year. They let up when the division was clinched and dropped their last 4 games of the RS. They thought that the Preds would just roll over and play dead and they didn't and were embarrassed because of it.
- Rota's Rooter

4 assists on the power play and a soft OT goal

He's the same player he was here soft in the corners and with his defense

4 assists on the power play and a soft OT goal

He's the same player he was here soft in the corners and with his defense
- BetweenTheDots

Cat is a tougher player than he is and more responsible defensively already