Earlier in the game, Kane was not the Kane that we are use to. Simple reason for that ..... Schmaltz and Saad each had poor games. Once Q double shifted Kane with Krueger and Kampf ... nice pass out to Seabs to tie the game up. If the second line, played as well as the first line did, they would have won more easily. It's only one game. There are fixable issues, like the turnovers. New faces, some first game ever. Each game they should get more acclimated to each other and the system. Schmaltz and Saad look like they are thinking too much out there. JUST PLAY ... let your natural instincts and talents take over

Already back to head in the sand you go.

Its pretty well publicly documented how much Kane does in the offseason. Toews also is pretty actively documenting his summer travels with his girlfriend that clearly shows he isnt doing much hockey training in places like Maccu Pichu.

And I get it, players are allowed to have time off and go on vacations, but where does the onus and responsibility fall on the captain to do more when he is the highest paid player in the league coming off bad seasons?

And least Kane shows how hungry he is to get better instead of just sounding off about it. And Toews was the one skipping blackhawks conventions for unknown reasons in recent years, not Kane
- Stan_Bowman

You are extrapolating a lot from a vacation photo or two. No offense, but is there actual evidence to back up what you claim here? Do you actually believe Toews didn't train or didn't care? It would seem extremely out of character.

Also, do you have a documented history of Toews injuries and what the training staff asked him to do in the off season? Even last season, he ended the year injured and decided to skip playing for Canada so he could be ready for this season. That is much more in character with the optics of his career IMO.

I get the whole small sample size thing, but the things Toews was doing well were the things last year that everyone was complaining about (speed, strength on the boards and protecting the puck). So that is very promising, even if it is only one game. Speed and strength aren't just suddenly going to go away.

And I am giving Kane the benefit of the doubt with his poor play last night, as I said that it looked like he may be sick or something, as he just looked off, and not completely engaged. He still had a bad game last night regardless. No one is saying he is the worst player on the team and should be jettisoned. In fact, I think everyone would agree that he most likely comes back strong next game, especially if it is just a bug.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I think that is the value with Kane. We saw it last year at times too, when he would have a bad game, but still have that shift or two where he shows up and makes an impact. He can often make up for a bad couple periods really quickly. I don't think anyone should worry much about his performance overall and worry more about his linemates, who were the bigger issue IMO.

Toews looked good which was good and that dinglecat goal was dope.

20, 8 and 88 looked like they couldn't be bothered for most of the game. Then 88 decided he wanted two points and made the last 5 minutes count. First game - whatever.

Manning is an atrocious waste of cap space and playing time. Horrid player. Much worse than anything 8 or 20 showed.

Kooga got smoked in the dot and skated 8 minutes so that's neat. Good thing he has a roster spot. AA drew 50% which was neat.

Henri had a decent enough debut for a 19 year old.

Didn't read Tanner's blog, but the title said great road game ends in a loss.

Overall not a lot to get excited about a come from behind win against one of the worst teams in the league. Be thankful we were not playing Winnipeg.

-1st line looked good and JT looked the best he has in a long time which is encouraging - Dcat also looked good and is a promising young player.
-Kane looked nothing like Kane for most of the game but showed flashes when needed and saved our ass again. Hope hes feeling better next game.
-Saad and Schmaltz - not much to say - no jump, total meh - not encouraging
-PP, horrible as usual, no movement, no flow, no imagination - I dont get it
-Defense - will be our achilles heel this year / looked very bad at times and this was only Ottawa
-Ward - up and down but overall would say not bad all things considered

Didn't read Tanner's blog, but the title said great road game ends in a loss.
- I Am The Breadman

Tanner good read. Typical blog. Metrics said that Yotes dominated game and would have won except they gave up 3 goals in a 2 minute span. If the Yotes didnt lose so many games last year, they likely would have won the cup.

Given that Toews had been playing hurt for some time, it might have been the right thing for him to rest this past summer. Whatever he did, the difference last night was quite noticeable, as many on here have already pointed out.

The feed from Kane to Seabrook reminded me of Gretzky working from his office.

Given that it was Ottawa, I wasn't expecting Kane or anybody else to show up like it was a Game 7. Let's see what their compete level is like in this back to back coming up before we start really worrying.

I think that is the value with Kane. We saw it last year at times too, when he would have a bad game, but still have that shift or two where he shows up and makes an impact. He can often make up for a bad couple periods really quickly. I don't think anyone should worry much about his performance overall and worry more about his linemates, who were the bigger issue IMO.
- breadbag

And the more people talk about him being double shifted in the 3rd, makes me think that it probably wasn't a bug, or they probably wouldn't have been double shifting him, unless he didn't let anyone know he was feeling under the weather because he wanted to play...sounds kind of like his MO...he hates sitting out...

Kane struggled because every time he gave the puck to 8 or 20 - the plays died and/or he never saw the puck again.

It's why 15 should be his center. He has size, goes to the net and corners, and plays well defensively

Then either 20 or 8 should be at LW

If this is what Saad is now, time to move him before it's too late.

I wonder if Kane and Saad's disinterest stems from Schmaltz's unwillingness to engage. It's like they know their shift isn't going anywhere until their center sells out to make a play.

It was encouraging to see stronger games out of Toews and Seabrook than we witnessed most of last season, though. Overall, I'm assuming the general sloppiness goes away a little as this team gels, but given the state of the defense, the entire season rides on Crawford's health.
- Lash8

How dare you say that about their beloved little Nicky! Just kidding. I feel exactly the same. But there are those on this board that love that kid. I would trade his ass right now in a New York minute for a stud defenseman ,Eddie O even called him out last night a couple times on that very subject.

Kane struggled because every time he gave the puck to 8 or 20 - the plays died and/or he never saw the puck again.

It's why 15 should be his center. He has size, goes to the net and corners, and plays well defensively

Then either 20 or 8 should be at LW

If this is what Saad is now, time to move him before it's too late.
- PatShart

I'm sure it is a longshot, but if he can actually demonstrate that he has some offensive skills, I wouldn't be too upset with Saad -Kampf-Kane to test it out. Historically, he is pretty good at the dot and he's got some speed, strong on the puck as well.

How dare you say that about their beloved little Nicky! Just kidding. I feel exactly the same. But there are those on this board that love that kid. I would trade his ass right now in a New York minute for a stud defenseman ,Eddie O even called him out last night a couple times on that very subject.
- wonthecup10

I'm not crazy about Schmaltz at C, but if you get rid of him, you are dangerously thin at guys who can actually create offense. Toews, Kane, ADB (?), and who else? I am completely on board with the fact that he passes up way to many chances to shoot from a great position, but he is one of the few on the team who can put himself in that position without much additional help (speed, quickness).

He definitely has his warts, but you can't just have an entire team of guys who are "hard to play against".

Justin Lowe: It's Only One Game
The Hawks wake up this morning undefeated. A 1-0-0 record to start the year and they should not feel good about it.

The game last night had a lot of ups-and-downs.

Here are my observations
- Justin Lowe

Justin i know its only one game any trade talks regarding the hawks and also have the hawks reached out to nash about possibly signing a one year contract with the hawks. Only reason i am asking is that the bottom 6 need some scoring help and depth.

Justin i know its only one game any trade talks regarding the hawks and also have the hawks reached out to nash about possibly signing a one year contract with the hawks. Only reason i am asking is that the bottom 6 need some scoring help and depth.
- Scott1977

Nothing on that front. Way too early.

My guess is if the Hawks make a move it will be around Christmas time when they know more about what this team is... and what it isn't.

Anisimov is underappreciated on this site. I am not saying he is great. But he is not nearly as bad as some people make him out to be.

Schmaltz might be a great center someday. But for now he is horrible at faceoffs, goes out of his way to avoid contact, floats in both zones, has a pass first mentality to an extreme.

ADB, Toews, Kahun
Saad, AA, Kane
Kunitz, Kampf, Schmaltz,
Martinsen, Kruger, Hayden

There is no coordination in the defensive zone. If a defender gets out of position the centers and forward need to fill in the gap. If an opposing defender drives to our net our wingers are on the wrong side of them. The defense is sketchy, but I if they just start doing the simple things and get some help from the forwards they could be considered average. As it is now they are atrocious. They only gave up 25 shots but 8 of them were excellent chances.

Well they pulled it out in Ottawa last night...

who looked worse Ward or Schmaltz...and some are talking about giving the kid 5-6 mil per...yikes. horrible at the dot. And then there's Turco 2.0 who gave up 3 on the first 10 shots. Yikes.

This wasn't a first place or contending team they were playing it was the Sens. Long season ahead.

Nothing else to add to what others have shared so far for Game 1 analysis.

For those interested, the AHL is launching its streaming TV platform. For a trial period tonight through Monday, all games are free. Hogs have a game tonight and tomorrow.

A one-team package is $59.99. For all teams, the price is $79.99. There are other smaller packages as well.

https://www.watchtheahl.com

I'm not crazy about Schmaltz at C, but if you get rid of him, you are dangerously thin at guys who can actually create offense. Toews, Kane, ADB (?), and who else? I am completely on board with the fact that he passes up way to many chances to shoot from a great position, but he is one of the few on the team who can put himself in that position without much additional help (speed, quickness).

He definitely has his warts, but you can't just have an entire team of guys who are "hard to play against".
- Chunk

We don to need to get rid of Schmaltz. But he does not need to create offense from the Center, he can create offense from the Wing. Kane does. Hossa did. Sharp did. Panarin did.

My ranking of our centers.
Toews
AA
Kampf
Kruger
Schmaltz
Highmore
Martinse
Johnson

Well they pulled it out in Ottawa last night...

who looked worse Ward or Schmaltz...and some are talking about giving the kid 5-6 mil per...yikes. horrible at the dot. And then there's Turco 2.0 who gave up 3 on the first 10 shots. Yikes.

This wasn't a first place or contending team they were playing it was the Sens. Long season ahead.
- DK002

Ward gave up one soft goal and made a few nice saves in the 2nd and 3rd period.

It was Kahun's first NHL game. It looked like it was Schmaltz's first NHL game. Kahun played well and was engaged, even in the corners. Schmaltz made Teravainen look like a power forward.

There are a lot of Schmaltz fans on this board, and as such, get ready for “it was just one game”, the parade of fancy stats, and who his point production is comparable with to justify re-signing him.

At some point the eye test and in game context tell all the story one needs.

He and Saad are just a truckload of nothing right now, and if I were Kane, I would be disinterested at times too.

Change is coming - question is what it will be and if the FO has the character to know when it is time to cut bait on some of these guys rather than go all in on them.

Anyone criticizing Kane over last night needs a dose of reality.

Kane pretty much single handedly kept Chicago competitive in games the last two seasons among the skaters. Have Kane producing sub 60 points every year and Chicago is easily the worst team in the league. Kane stirs the drink and creates opportunities for others even when he isnt skating.
- Stan_Bowman

No one is above constructive criticism, no one. He struggled last night, no doubt about it, we don't know why maybe he has a cold, inner ear thing affecting balance and what not, who knows but im sure he owned up to his lack luster performance as well.

Kane struggled because every time he gave the puck to 8 or 20 - the plays died and/or he never saw the puck again.

It's why 15 should be his center. He has size, goes to the net and corners, and plays well defensively

Then either 20 or 8 should be at LW

If this is what Saad is now, time to move him before it's too late.
- PatShart

Not entirely true, had some horrible turnovers while handling the puck, and had a lot of trouble keeping the puck on his stick, I'm sure it's either a cold or allergies or maybe not enough fluids

There are a lot of Schmaltz fans on this board, and as such, get ready for “it was just one game”, the parade of fancy stats, and who his point production is comparable with to justify re-signing him.

At some point the eye test and in game context tell all the story one needs.

He and Saad are just a truckload of nothing right now, and if I were Kane, I would be disinterested at times too.

Change is coming - question is what it will be and if the FO has the character to know when it is time to cut bait on some of these guys rather than go all in on them.
- Return of the Roar

I thought he had a toe pick on his skates the way he stopped and spun to avoid the hit

I thought he had a toe pick on his skates the way he stopped and spun to avoid the hit
- BetweenTheDots

that was horrible!!!! Eddie just about lost it