5 of 6 points to start the season, I’ll take that. But there are areas that need some big improvements, namely Defense and Goaltending. Not all the goals were Ward’s fault, but the important ones were.

[quote=TheTrob]

I disagree with your entire opinion on Ward and his career. I do not feel like getting into the nitty gritty about it. Let's move on haha

Hawks scored 6 goals. That should be more than enough. Ward let in multiple bad goals.
- bhawks2241

hawks continue to cough up the puck and give up to many high quality chances with in 15 feet of the net...the difference = craw bailed there asses 2015, 2016 and part of 2017...ward can't do that anymore he is .890 to .900 goalie now.. you better score 3-5 goals to have a chance...

at some point this hawk team needs to find a defensive groove and some decent netminding...

Very entertaining game. One thing we can after the first three games is that the Hawks can come from behind and are not out of a game if they get down a goal or two. Now if they can just tighten things up on defense maybe things will be a little better than we expected.

Haha, everyone is thrilled about a 13 goal game with a goalie of the year!
- I Am The Breadman

I'm happy that I'm entertained so far with a club that likely will finish with 75 points.

My expectations for this roster? ....lottery pick.

5 of 6 points to start the season, I’ll take that. But there are areas that need some big improvements, namely Defense and Goaltending. Not all the goals were Ward’s fault, but the important ones were.
- DarthKane

Actually not sarcasm. We must have scored 6 goals. Or a full moon.

Hawks have sucked on the PP for years now...I'm done expecting better.

Being the least penalized team in the league is their only hope.

This Hawks club may give up more shorties than PP goals scored.
- ArlingtonRob

Yeah, there PP looks as inept as it has the past few years. They are supposedly trying to run a 1-3-1 but that is dependent on getting the puck into the zone and setting up - which they're struggling with. But even when they do get it in and set up - they have Schmaltz in the middle for one-timer and Keith on the point - both of which are not the best configuration. Other than Kane (who needs to be the trigger man on the wing) - who has the best one-timer on the team? The answer is DeBrincat ... but DeBrincat is playing the other wing and basically out of the picture in terms of getting a setup from Kane for a one-timer. Then, there's Keith with his popgun shot that couldn't break a wet paper tower so the defenders basically ignore his shot.

Jokiharju and Gustafsson should be the point men on the two PP units and switch DeBrincat and Schmaltz so DeBrincat can be the one-timer guy in the middle.

a break in the action of cam ward sucks posts: wonder how many packs of gum babcock consumes during a game...every shot of him on the bench has him placing gum in his mouth...

5 of 6 points to start the season, I’ll take that. But there are areas that need some big improvements, namely Defense and Goaltending. Not all the goals were Ward’s fault, but the important ones were.
- DarthKane

Understatement, but also expected. One game at a time. Looking for improvement.

Hopeful for entertainment.

I'm happy that I'm entertained so far with a club that likely will finish with 75 points.

My expectations for this roster? ....lottery pick.
- ArlingtonRob

do we have to start the year like this...ugh!

a break in the action of cam ward sucks posts: wonder how many packs of gum babcock consumes during a game...every shot of him on the bench has him placing gum in his mouth...
- bogiedoc

Big chew for the big chewer?

Understatement, but also expected. One game at a time. Looking for improvement.

Hopeful for entertainment.
- ArlingtonRob

2-0-1 is what it is. They found ways to get 5 points out of 6 despite some inefficiencies that are entirely fixable.

Yeah, there PP looks as inept as it has the past few years. They are supposedly trying to run a 1-3-1 but that is dependent on getting the puck into the zone and setting up - which they're struggling with. But even when they do get it in and set up - they have Schmaltz in the middle for one-timer and Keith on the point - both of which are not the best configuration. Other than Kane (who needs to be the trigger man on the wing) - who has the best one-timer on the team? The answer is DeBrincat ... but DeBrincat is playing the other wing and basically out of the picture in terms of getting a setup from Kane for a one-timer. Then, there's Keith with his popgun shot that couldn't break a wet paper tower so the defenders basically ignore his shot.

Jokiharju and Gustafsson should be the point men on the two PP units and switch DeBrincat and Schmaltz so DeBrincat can be the one-timer guy in the middle.
- EbonyRaptor[/quote]

Agree completely...hopefully Q does as well very soon. Get Keith off the PP ASAP!

2-0-1 is what it is. They found ways to get 5 points out of 6 despite some inefficiencies that are entirely fixable.
- Hawks_49

I agree...but "fixable" may take a year or two. Plus some roster moves...

Thought Rutta played fine tonight. Him and Gusto are forming some chemistry and I'd bet, given a few more games, they will turn into a very solid pairing.
- Hawks_49

What does he do well anymore since his concussion?

He kills plays because he fumbles passes.
He doesn't skate well, average at best.
He doesn't jump into the play or create offensive opportunities.
He isn't a stalwart in his own end.
His gap is poor and he backs off players with speed.
He doesnt read plays well until it's too late and the puck is behind him.
He isn't physical and doesn't clear the crease.
He doesn't shoot the puck or have a big shot.

What does he do well anymore since his concussion?

He kills plays because he fumbles passes.
He doesn't skate well, average at best.
He doesn't jump into the play or create offensive opportunities.
He isn't a stalwart I'm his own end.
His gap is poor and he backs off players with speed.
He doesnt read plays well until it's too late and the puck is behind him.
He isn't physical and doesn't clear the crease.
- Stan_Bowman

How does he not wear the C?

disagree with your entire opinion on Ward and his career. I do not feel like getting into the nitty gritty about it. Let's move on haha

- Hawks_49

Sorry, didn’t realize we had the president of the Cam Ward fan club in here. Whenever you feel like getting into the nitty gritty feel free, because the numbers just don’t support him.

What does he do well anymore since his concussion?

He kills plays because he fumbles passes.
He doesn't skate well, average at best.
He doesn't jump into the play or create offensive opportunities.
He isn't a stalwart I'm his own end.
His gap is poor and he backs off players with speed.
He doesnt read plays well until it's too late and the puck is behind him.
He isn't physical and doesn't clear the crease.
He doesn't shoot the puck or have a big shot.
- Stan_Bowman

You are so biased that it isn't worth engaging. That's all I will say

Sorry, didn’t realize we had the president of the Cam Ward fan club in here. Whenever you feel like getting into the nitty gritty feel free, because the numbers just don’t support him.
- TheTrob

Fair enough. Like I said. Not gonna engage in this one.

How does he not wear the C?
- I Am The Breadman

I would rather Q give a chance to someone who has real upside or simplifies the game. Rutta doesn't have either and you wouldn't even notice with him out of the lineup. Another player could step in and do no worse but at least create incremental opportunity that wouldn't have been created with rutta

I would rather Q give a chance to someone who has real upside or simplifies the game. Rutta doesn't have either and you wouldn't even notice with him out of the lineup. Another player could step in and do no worse but at least create incremental opportunity that wouldn't have been created with rutta
- Stan_Bowman

Stan. Why did you sign him?

I would rather Q give a chance to someone who has real upside or simplifies the game. Rutta doesn't have either and you wouldn't even notice with him out of the lineup. Another player could step in and do no worse but at least create incremental opportunity that wouldn't have been created with rutta
- Stan_Bowman

I wonder if he's injured or just not that good? He was good last year up until he wasn't.

You are so biased that it isn't worth engaging. That's all I will say
- Hawks_49

You're right I just made all that up without watching him.

Tavares' hat trick goal was a result of rutta caught puck watching and his cover vacated the shooting lane and rutta was left standing still, screening Ward who never saw the shot go in short side clean.

But I guess that's a biased assessment too

Stan. Why did you sign him?
- Hawks_49

I'm still waiting because I already asked that haha.

Didn't you just tell someone this isn't a AZ blog
Yet you talk about Duck and Leaf players.
- HamiltonHawk

Someone asked about acquiring Nylander not passing and moaning about something James (frank)ing Tanner said. So thanks for your brilliant observations