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

- bogiedoc

Bogie...I didn't put this roster together.

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

He looked much better than rutta or manning in preseason IMO

Stan. Why did you sign him?
- Hawks_49

Drinking.
Lots of drinking

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

I agree with you which is why my original quote mentioned "since the concussion". Either he's timid or just not thinking the game right anymore. He looked like a hidden gem until the concussion and now he looks lost and like he needs to go back to euro ice where he has all day and space to think the game and make decisions

Stan. Why did you sign him?
- Hawks_49

I think the thought on Rutta was that at 28 he would be a little more consistent than all the young D-men in the system. Hasn’t quite worked out that way.

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_Bowman

Nobody here is claiming he is perfect, or doesn't have deficiencies. But it might be best to wait more than three games to find a scapegoat for the season.

I know, I know, I'm not a real Hawks fan on Hockey buzz unless I find a scapegoat and relentlessly assault that player until I feel like a winner. But that's just not gonna be what I do.

2-0-1 start. I'm happy.

Elliotte Friedman
‏Verified account @FriedgeHNIC

Hockey is better when no one plays defence. Great weekend of games.
----

Elliotte forgot to mention suspect goaltending, but the point is made.

Nobody here is claiming he is perfect, or doesn't have deficiencies. But it might be best to wait more than three games to find a scapegoat for the season.

I know, I know, I'm not a real Hawks fan on Hockey buzz unless I find a scapegoat and relentlessly assault that player until I feel like a winner. But that's just not gonna be what I do.

2-0-1 start. I'm happy.
- Hawks_49

Agree completely...

2-0-1 start. I'm entertained and looking forward to Thursday.

Nobody here is claiming he is perfect, or doesn't have deficiencies. But it might be best to wait more than three games to find a scapegoat for the season.

I know, I know, I'm not a real Hawks fan on Hockey buzz unless I find a scapegoat and relentlessly assault that player until I feel like a winner. But that's just not gonna be what I do.

2-0-1 start. I'm happy.
- Hawks_49

He's been terrible since coming back from his concussion dating back to last year

Agree completely...

2-0-1 start. I'm entertained and looking forward to Thursday.
- ArlingtonRob

I don't see a high scoring game. Better d and Dubnyk.

Question. If Manning and Gus continue somewhat well. Who would you rather have sliding in for Rutta, Forsling or Murphy once they return from injury? Do you trade the other for a forward?

Elliotte Friedman
‏Verified account @FriedgeHNIC

Hockey is better when no one plays defence. Great weekend of games.
----

Elliotte forgot to mention suspect goaltending, but the point is made.
- ArlingtonRob

Interesting start of the season lots of high scoring games out there already. What’s the underlying reason? No significant rule changes or officiating changes to account for it. Poor D? Poor Goaltendimg? League adjustments to styles of play?

Brings back memories of the old days with all the scoring going on.

Question. If Manning and Gus continue somewhat well. Who would you rather have sliding in for Rutta, Forsling or Murphy once they return from injury? Do you trade the other for a forward?
- SoftServe

Fors or Murph, I'm not picky. They can handle Rutta's spot if he continues this downslide.

Fors or Murph, I'm not picky. They can handle Rutta's spot if he continues this downslide.
- I Am The Breadman

Murphy. Strictly because he's a RD and wouldn't disrupt the pairings that much.

Fors or Murph, I'm not picky. They can handle Rutta's spot if he continues this downslide.
- I Am The Breadman

Someone's gotta go is what I'm trying to say and Hawks need another forward that can score imo. That third line isn't going to cut it.

Cam Ward
I admit I was a fan of the signing- after 3 games I now think I was wrong

Team is a lot better than I envisioned

Lack of goal tending will sink the effort to improve

14 goals against- #30 in the NHL

Someone's gotta go is what I'm trying to say and Hawks need another forward that can score imo. That third line isn't going to cut it.
- SoftServe

Forsling would be the easiest trade candidate. More upside, cheaper deal.

Forsling would be the easiest trade candidate. More upside, cheaper deal.
- Hawks_49

If no moves are made I would like to see Kunitz Kruger Kampf as a fourth line, and Hayden AA Sikura as a third.

Question. If Manning and Gus continue somewhat well. Who would you rather have sliding in for Rutta, Forsling or Murphy once they return from injury? Do you trade the other for a forward?
- SoftServe

Not impressed with Manning, regardless of the nice shot tonight. Gus stays in he lineup and I think Murphy and Forsling replace Manning and Rutta.

Realistically speaking, you need to deal 1 or 2 of them to clear the logjam that is only going to get bigger next season.

Forsling will go back to the Rock for a bit when he is healthy, Murphy isn’t due for a while.

If no moves are made I would like to see Kunitz Kruger Kampf as a fourth line, and Hayden AA Sikura as a third.
- SoftServe

Wouldn't complain about either of those lines but Sikura has to show he can handle the NHL first

Wouldn't complain about either of those lines but Sikura has to show he can handle the NHL first
- Hawks_49

100 % agree. Hopefully it ends up being sooner rather than later because if we can roll 3 scoring lines with a healthy Crawford that could make things even more interesting in terms of how good this team can potentially be

100 % agree. Hopefully it ends up being sooner rather than later because if we can roll 3 scoring lines with a healthy Crawford that could make things even more interesting in terms of how good this team can potentially be
- SoftServe

Absolutely. Ward is a placeholder right now and will be best served as a backup. At full strength, if the Hawks have three lines scoring + Crow playing at a high level... Look out

Murphy. Strictly because he's a RD and wouldn't disrupt the pairings that much.
- Hawks_49

Got you.

100 % agree. Hopefully it ends up being sooner rather than later because if we can roll 3 scoring lines with a healthy Crawford that could make things even more interesting in terms of how good this team can potentially be
- SoftServe

Sign me up for K cubed. I was hoping for Sikura, but he didn't distinguish himself through camp.

100 % agree. Hopefully it ends up being sooner rather than later because if we can roll 3 scoring lines with a healthy Crawford that could make things even more interesting in terms of how good this team can potentially be
- SoftServe

Scoring right now is not the problem, with 15 goals, 5per game average. Goaltendimg and defense need to tighten up.

I would agree that once the top 2 lines maybe regress a little to the mean, then you will need the 3rd line to pick up some of the scoring slack.