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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: What I Learned From Round #1
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RickJ
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Burlington, ON
Joined: 01.12.2010

Apr 27 @ 12:10 PM ET
I’m sorry but Matthews was simply awful both this year and last year. He is supposed to be one of the flood of recent “generational” talents. Well for two straight play-offs Matthews has not been “generational” he’s been invisible. Also, there are no excuses - the pressure ate him alive both years. Canadian TV coverage noted it too. He was bugging before the games started. Forget being a Leader he arguably should’ve been a healthy scratch. It is true that Matthews should not be compared to Toews, early in their careers, as Matthews would actually have had to accomplish something, anything to even trigger a comparison.

Now rumours are suggesting Matthews is blaming Babcock for not using him properly. This is actually true - if Babcock had actually used Matthews properly Matthews would have been a healthy scratch. Makes a fan appreciate how Toews and Kane not only welcomed the pressure but absolutely thrived in it. Can’t state this any more clearly - Matthews was simply awful.

- Z3Hawk


You are being a little extra harsh on Mathews I think but the point remains that when the time to deliver has presented itself he has fallen well short of what a superstar to be / #1 pick overall is expected to deliver. Among a variety of things, he couldn't deal with Herman Munster Chara in his face every shift and going heads up with Bergeron. And dealing with a 5 year younger Chara in 2013 was exactly what Toews did.

I laugh at this board continually hammering Toews and forgetting his and the team's accomplishments as if it were nothing special. Because these shiny new golden toys like Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel and a few other college boys are what the NHL is selling. Neither Mathews or Eichel have accomplished sweet FA to date. But their jerseys sure sell like crazy - Gary likes that.

StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Apr 27 @ 12:13 PM ET
It's not very often d-men at the NHL level switch to forward. I'd trade Oesterle for a mid to late round pick if possible. Rutta, Murphy and Gus have all been "good enough" at points during the season but that's not what the team needs if they want to contend. Hoping to see an improvement from one young d-man is fine, but putting your hopes on 3-4 d-men to significantly improve is risky and not a recipe for success.
- DarthKane


This - and it's exactly what we seem to be expecting.

Same with the forwards....
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 27 @ 12:17 PM ET
It's not very often d-men at the NHL level switch to forward. I'd trade Oesterle for a mid to late round pick if possible. Rutta, Murphy and Gus have all been "good enough" at points during the season but that's not what the team needs if they want to contend. Hoping to see an improvement from one young d-man is fine, but putting your hopes on 3-4 d-men to significantly improve is risky and not a recipe for success.
- DarthKane

Murphy stays at least next season because he has push back and will make a check. Rutta and Gus fight for playing time; one can be depth

Oesterle can go as you suggested.
glennjpawlak22
Joined: 11.26.2013

Apr 27 @ 12:49 PM ET
Is Murphy a guy you want to go to war with in a WCF or cup final? If not cut bait. I'm leaning no
Revco38
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wherever I leave my hat
Joined: 07.26.2006

Apr 27 @ 12:57 PM ET


Ouch! A Lot of pent-up frustration

https://www.facebook.com/...274084032/?type=3&theater
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Apr 27 @ 1:02 PM ET
This - and it's exactly what we seem to be expecting.

Same with the forwards....

- StLBravesFan


Just to add to what you and DK said, I think the big thing with those guys is consistency. Forsling, Rutta, Murphy, Gustafsson, Osterle all had some really good games and some really bad ones. The coaching staff have talked about it a lot, they need these guys to find that NHL level of consistency so that they can be trusted to play the minutes the Hawks need. Hillman wasn't flashy but he played a safe game, maybe he will get a long look next season.

Same can be said in net after Crawford, the guys were a little all over the map. Good one game and then mind numbingly awful the next. The forwards need a little work, but they weren't nearly as frustrating for me.

Just my assumptions, but I think Forsling sticks all year next season and becomes a regular on the PP.

Rutta will get more opportunity and probably be asked to be a PK staple. Gustafsson will probably get PP time and some sheltered offensive zone starts. Murphy, if I had to pick a guy to be involved in a trade, it might be him. I could see Oesterle not making the team out of camp and being sent down or moved . Seabrook will probably bounce back a bit (he did have a better second half after the benching) but I think he will still show his age and get beat with speed at times, he should be second pair.
Keith, I hope they just reduce his PP minutes and keep him focused on the PK and 5v5 defense and working with the younger guys to improve.

I think down the stretch the Hawks experimented a bit and that lead to some extra awful D and breakdowns, but the group could come out a lot more ready to go come fall. Will be interesting to see what we get next year.
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Apr 27 @ 1:20 PM ET
Just wanted to take a moment to say thanks for the continued blogs Justin. Also, you guys around here, sorry I argue too much. You are good people and the discussion is always bringing me back.
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Apr 27 @ 1:24 PM ET
This - and it's exactly what we seem to be expecting.

Same with the forwards....

- StLBravesFan


I'm more confident in our forward group. Expecting improvements from the likes of Toews, Kane, Anisimov and Saad is not unrealistic.

I think guys like Schmaltz, DeBrincat and Hinostroza have shown steady improvement since the begging of the season to the end so it's not naive to think they will improve too.

Guys like Duclair, Jurco, Hayden, Sikura, Ejdsell and all the Rockford prospects are a different story because they haven't consistently demonstrated much at the NHL level.
6628
Joined: 08.24.2009

Apr 27 @ 1:33 PM ET
Ya...I don't see that happening. Maybe he gets a PTO somewhere else but I'd guess he plays in Europe next year. Remember, he passed through waivers unclaimed so it's not like he's in high demand.

But to your point, I wonder what the Hawks will do with Clendening. He's still young enough (25) and he's been stellar since returning to Rockford. Clendenign is an RFA, I'd expect the Hawks to sign him but he'll likely play in Rockford again.

- DarthKane



Franson? He doesn't skate well enough for an NHL sized sheet, how's he going to do on an international sized one? I guess if Sopel can do it he can too. Doens't make sense to me.
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Apr 27 @ 1:53 PM ET
Franson? He doesn't skate well enough for an NHL sized sheet, how's he going to do on an international sized one? I guess if Sopel can do it he can too. Doens't make sense to me.
- 6628



A KHL team will take a chance on Franson.
vandymeer23
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IA
Joined: 10.11.2014

Apr 27 @ 2:16 PM ET
Is Murphy a guy you want to go to war with in a WCF or cup final? If not cut bait. I'm leaning no
- glennjpawlak22

Playoff hockey really isn't a war like it use to. The last three years pretty mild. I wouldn't want to go to war with a lot of the roster.
Duclair jurco schmaltz rutta a lot of supreme softness you could have a couple of guys that play strictly finesse but not as much as we have on the roster. Murphy is the only dean that can hit. Seabs use to and Keith can of he needs to.
vandymeer23
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IA
Joined: 10.11.2014

Apr 27 @ 2:19 PM ET
Just to add to what you and DK said, I think the big thing with those guys is consistency. Forsling, Rutta, Murphy, Gustafsson, Osterle all had some really good games and some really bad ones. The coaching staff have talked about it a lot, they need these guys to find that NHL level of consistency so that they can be trusted to play the minutes the Hawks need. Hillman wasn't flashy but he played a safe game, maybe he will get a long look next season.

Same can be said in net after Crawford, the guys were a little all over the map. Good one game and then mind numbingly awful the next. The forwards need a little work, but they weren't nearly as frustrating for me.

Just my assumptions, but I think Forsling sticks all year next season and becomes a regular on the PP.

Rutta will get more opportunity and probably be asked to be a PK staple. Gustafsson will probably get PP time and some sheltered offensive zone starts. Murphy, if I had to pick a guy to be involved in a trade, it might be him. I could see Oesterle not making the team out of camp and being sent down or moved . Seabrook will probably bounce back a bit (he did have a better second half after the benching) but I think he will still show his age and get beat with speed at times, he should be second pair.
Keith, I hope they just reduce his PP minutes and keep him focused on the PK and 5v5 defense and working with the younger guys to improve.

I think down the stretch the Hawks experimented a bit and that lead to some extra awful D and breakdowns, but the group could come out a lot more ready to go come fall. Will be interesting to see what we get next year.

- breadbag

I think we get a dman in a trade or fa signing. Oesterle had a 10 game stretch then was brutal. rutta isn't anything special but or inept gm signed him. Gus has some potential but forsling ia playing on the 3rd pair in rockford right now and I think he has regressed
glennjpawlak22
Joined: 11.26.2013

Apr 27 @ 2:20 PM ET
Playoff hockey really isn't a war like it use to. The last three years pretty mild. I wouldn't want to go to war with a lot of the roster.
Duclair jurco schmaltz rutta a lot of supreme softness you could have a couple of guys that play strictly finesse but not as much as we have on the roster. Murphy is the only dean that can hit. Seabs use to and Keith can of he needs to.

- vandymeer23


I agree: Duclair - bye bye, Jurco - bye bye Im ok with Schmaltz but AA send out
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Apr 27 @ 2:35 PM ET
Oesterle had Keith covering for him and playing two positions at the same time which he isnt as capable of at this stage in his career.

If Oesterle is on the roster next year then its going to be another rough one.

IF the Hawks win the lottery that kind of fixes itself. IF the Hawks get the two or three pick then they can unload one of their surplus wingers and some futures for some D help.

They have a lot of money to spend and a lot of solid pieces to move around. If they sit on their hands and do nothing then next season will probably not be a lot of fun.
walleyeb1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Petersburg, IL
Joined: 09.25.2014

Apr 27 @ 2:58 PM ET
Oesterle had Keith covering for him and playing two positions at the same time which he isnt as capable of at this stage in his career.

If Oesterle is on the roster next year then its going to be another rough one.

IF the Hawks win the lottery that kind of fixes itself. IF the Hawks get the two or three pick then they can unload one of their surplus wingers and some futures for some D help.

They have a lot of money to spend and a lot of solid pieces to move around. If they sit on their hands and do nothing then next season will probably not be a lot of fun.

- fattybeef


Some compare Dahlin to Nicklas Lidstrom. Lidstrom has a different assessment:

“I instantly thought of is Brian Leetch and his skating, especially during his years with the (New York) Rangers, he also had the courage to skate with the puck, use his skating and take advantage of the space when he had the chance…
I can see the similarities between how they play.”
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 27 @ 3:14 PM ET
Just Gross:

https://www.hockeyinsider...nd-brad-marchand-about-s/
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Apr 27 @ 3:22 PM ET
Oesterle had Keith covering for him and playing two positions at the same time which he isnt as capable of at this stage in his career.

If Oesterle is on the roster next year then its going to be another rough one.

IF the Hawks win the lottery that kind of fixes itself. IF the Hawks get the two or three pick then they can unload one of their surplus wingers and some futures for some D help.

They have a lot of money to spend and a lot of solid pieces to move around. If they sit on their hands and do nothing then next season will probably not be a lot of fun.

- fattybeef


Yes Keith babysat for first time this year. Seabrook has been doing for years. Not easy.
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Apr 27 @ 3:24 PM ET
Ouch! A Lot of pent-up frustration

https://www.facebook.com/...274084032/?type=3&theater

- Revco38


Harsh but True.
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 27 @ 3:29 PM ET
Harsh but True.
- Z3Hawk

We can't help Toronto, our Milk Cartons are already full.
powerenforcer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheeling, IL
Joined: 09.24.2009

Apr 27 @ 3:34 PM ET
Just Gross:

https://www.hockeyinsider...nd-brad-marchand-about-s/

- riozzo


Bettman likes it! Everyone can play, don't forget!
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Apr 27 @ 3:38 PM ET
Just wanted to take a moment to say thanks for the continued blogs Justin. Also, you guys around here, sorry I argue too much. You are good people and the discussion is always bringing me back.
- breadbag


You argue a lot? Hmmmm. Hadn’t noticed - Ha! Never Stop Never Stopping.
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Apr 27 @ 3:44 PM ET
Yes Keith babysat for first time this year. Seabrook has been doing for years. Not easy.
- Z3Hawk



I think Keith has done some babysitting in his day.

I recall youngsters like Leddy and Olsen getting paired with Keith.

He also got a fair amount of minutes with, Rundblad, TVR, Rozsival. I think it speaks a lot more to the lack of depth if Keith is getting stuck with a weak partner. His pair usually gets the majority of the tough assignments, where Seabrook has had much more sheltered minutes while babysitting IMO.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Apr 27 @ 3:47 PM ET
DarthKane I'd just like to congratulate you a day and a half early on calling that the Hawks will receive the first overall pick.

Every day, same message. Consistent, available, positive. It's what this country needs.

Start your Dahlin highlight clips now, meat's back on the menu boys.
glennjpawlak22
Joined: 11.26.2013

Apr 27 @ 3:48 PM ET
DarthKane I'd just like to congratulate you a day and a half early on calling that the Hawks will receive the first overall pick.

Every day, same message. Consistent, available, positive. It's what this country needs.

Start your Dahlin highlight clips now, meat's back on the menu boys.

- ObeseOprah


Darth: I'm sure you are wearing your "Make the Blackhawks Great Again" hat
35Tony0
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Springfield, IL
Joined: 05.10.2015

Apr 27 @ 4:00 PM ET
Just Gross:

https://www.hockeyinsider...nd-brad-marchand-about-s/

- riozzo

He still best take maintenance days on 'Hawk game days next year. Head on a swivel, Braddie, head on a swivel!!
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