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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Areas of Improvement
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StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Jan 10 @ 9:46 AM ET
What did OTT get from SJ for Erik Karlsson?
- powerenforcer

Apart from his history (and current play) not being up to Karlsson's point per game standard, Ottawa seems to have gotten not much.

If your point is that Ottawa was under the gun like Bowman has been - and in a bad bargaining position - maybe - I just think that a quality GM - moving quality players with a market value (which means more than one team in the competition) - should be able to GET market value. I don't think anyone has accused Dorion of being a "great" GM.
LAHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.02.2017

Jan 10 @ 9:49 AM ET
You are correct about Jokiharju although 24 minutes might be a bit too much as 26 is too much for Keith. Only 2 d-men eclipsing 20 minutes is t the way to go. I’d like to see a more even spread of ice time. Murphy and Dahlstrom should play 20 minutes each for sure.
- DarthKane


I was pleased with Davidson's 15 minutes, did a good job on the PK, and no major errors 5 x 5. Maybe put Seabrook on IR for awhile due to his illness, and let Davidson be the 6th defenseman. I thought Keith had a good game, he has to baby sit Gus, like Seabrook did last year, would be tough on any defensive partner to look stellar. On another note, Saad totally disappeared last night, I would sniff around and see what he can bring back. He made some bad turnovers decisions in his 15 minutes of ices time with the puck that you wouldn't expect from someone with his experience.
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Jan 10 @ 9:57 AM ET
Lets not be so quick to label a player or assume they can't change. Kempny was run out of town because of his supposed defensive liabilities. While admittedly not great in his own end and getting protected minutes, Kempny is one of the league leaders in +/- as a +25.
- TheTrob

In 81 games with Chicago over 1 1/2 seasons, he was +15. Either he was a good defenseman before the trade, or he was well-sheltered here playing third-pairing minutes.

I think he was pretty good (if not spectacular) here - as he is in Shut Down City.
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Jan 10 @ 10:03 AM ET
Apart from his history (and current play) not being up to Karlsson's point per game standard, Ottawa seems to have gotten not much.

If your point is that Ottawa was under the gun like Bowman has been - and in a bad bargaining position - maybe - I just think that a quality GM - moving quality players with a market value (which means more than one team in the competition) - should be able to GET market value.

- StLBravesFan


If a GM has a player who everyone and their brother knows his team can't or won't re-sign where do you think that GM can get the leverage to get market value? If there is more than one team interested in that player and all of the team's are making lowball offers, you make the trade to the highest bidder. That bid may or may not be market value. Explain how a good GM can change that to ensure he receives market value?
boilermaker100
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2015

Jan 10 @ 10:04 AM ET
Along with that - a comment or two about the 3x3 OT play in general.

Teams seem to have figured out the best way to win the third point of the evening - and that is to completely control the puck, don't turn it over.

Which means the team that has the puck just circles around the perimeter in the zone, takes it back out of the zone at the least sign of defensive pressure, and takes almost no chances on going to the net. They wait for the defense to make a mistake (which it usually does).

Defensively, the team without the puck also doesn't take any chances - very little pressure on the puck, making sure they don't get caught in half-court odd-man plays at the net.

When the 3x3 first started, they were terrifically exciting - up and back, odd man rush after odd man rush. Now they have become very boring, I think - they do eliminate the need for very many shootouts (a good thing in itself) - but the puck control game has taken over at the expense of what Doc call "firewagon hockey".

- StLBravesFan


How about a proposed OT rules change. Institute a shot clock. Once you enter the offensive zone, you have 10 seconds to shoot the puck.
LAHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.02.2017

Jan 10 @ 10:05 AM ET
Lets not be so quick to label a player or assume they can't change. Kempny was run out of town because of his supposed defensive liabilities. While admittedly not great in his own end and getting protected minutes, Kempny is one of the league leaders in +/- as a +25.
- TheTrob


On Leddy, don't forget Boston that year was in cap hell also and the Islanders ended up with Boychuck and the B's received 2nd round draft picks for him. Boychuck was a top 4 defenseman (for a Stanley cup finalist) at the time, which Leddy was not. That deal was made 4 days before the season started. Of course the caveat to all this was Chiarelli was the Bruins GM at the time.

Also, Leddy signed for $5.5 million for 7 years, who else would the Hawks have had to shed to fit that salary in?

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

Jan 10 @ 10:08 AM ET
If a GM has a player who everyone and their brother knows his team can't or won't re-sign where do you think that GM can get the leverage to get market value? If there is more than one team interested in that player and all of the team's are making lowball offers, you make the trade to the highest bidder. That bid may or may not be market value. Explain how a good GM can change that to ensure he receives market value?
- paulr

By making sure he plays of one bidder against the other.

No GM is going to do the Hawks any favors when dealing with the situations the Stan was in with Leddy, Sharp, others.

But - no GM is going to back out of the bidding against another GM if he really wants the player - they won't say "I'm not going to increase my bid over another team's and lose a player that would help my team only to screw the Blackhawks".

That's where this whole "over a barrel" argument loses me - if there is a market, then GMs will act in their best interests and bid up a player to market value. Only if there is no market - if there is only one bidder - and a team HAS to deal someone - then they can take advantage. Add another bidder to the mix and self-interest should drive the price up.
RaleighHawk
Joined: 03.29.2016

Jan 10 @ 10:15 AM ET
Just watched a replay of the game. Were my eyes playing tricks on me or was Davidson the Hawks best defenseman last night?
TheTrob
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Oak Park, IL
Joined: 04.14.2010

Jan 10 @ 10:19 AM ET
On Leddy, don't forget Boston that year was in cap hell also and the Islanders ended up with Boychuck and the B's received 2nd round draft picks for him. Boychuck was a top 4 defenseman (for a Stanley cup finalist) at the time, which Leddy was not. That deal was made 4 days before the season started. Of course the caveat to all this was Chiarelli was the Bruins GM at the time.

Also, Leddy signed for $5.5 million for 7 years, who else would the Hawks have had to shed to fit that salary in?

- LAHawk


Leddy is still not worth $5.5 mil
glennjpawlak22
Joined: 11.26.2013

Jan 10 @ 10:33 AM ET
Just watched a replay of the game. Were my eyes playing tricks on me or was Davidson the Hawks best defenseman last night?
- RaleighHawk


i thought he did look solid as well.
HawkintheD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Sick Bay, MI
Joined: 02.22.2012

Jan 10 @ 10:38 AM ET
Leddy is still not worth $5.5 mil
- TheTrob


Or a top 4 dman on a really good team. Anyone honestly think he’d be a top 4 for the Preds or Jets?
BGKarras
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Itasca, IL
Joined: 06.19.2012

Jan 10 @ 10:38 AM ET
Jackets suspending Bobrovsky for tonight's game against predators citing internal matter
I suspect a trade request will soon come right after.

Popsghostly
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheaton, IL
Joined: 08.11.2017

Jan 10 @ 10:40 AM ET
Jackets suspending Bobrovsky for tonight's game against predators citing internal matter
I suspect a trade request will soon come right after.

- BGKarras


Any team in immediate need of a good goaltender for a playoff run rather than waiting until this summer?
BGKarras
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Itasca, IL
Joined: 06.19.2012

Jan 10 @ 10:52 AM ET
Any team in immediate need of a good goaltender for a playoff run rather than waiting until this summer?
- Popsghostly

Good question don't really know for certain however I'm sure that they are several teams willing. It all depends on what happened in Columbus and how each team will view it moving forward. Columbus can either get a decent return or just get what they can based on what happened. Ugly situation regardless
ToewsdNKanefusd
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Hampshire, IL
Joined: 05.14.2015

Jan 10 @ 10:59 AM ET
Along with that - a comment or two about the 3x3 OT play in general.

Teams seem to have figured out the best way to win the third point of the evening - and that is to completely control the puck, don't turn it over.

Which means the team that has the puck just circles around the perimeter in the zone, takes it back out of the zone at the least sign of defensive pressure, and takes almost no chances on going to the net. They wait for the defense to make a mistake (which it usually does).

Defensively, the team without the puck also doesn't take any chances - very little pressure on the puck, making sure they don't get caught in half-court odd-man plays at the net.

When the 3x3 first started, they were terrifically exciting - up and back, odd man rush after odd man rush. Now they have become very boring, I think - they do eliminate the need for very many shootouts (a good thing in itself) - but the puck control game has taken over at the expense of what Doc call "firewagon hockey".

- StLBravesFan


I would agree with your assessment here. I would also like to see them get back to that exciting 3v3 play. It was definitely more fun to watch regardless of the outcome.
scottak
Location: I am serious. And don't call me Shirley!
Joined: 08.06.2010

Jan 10 @ 11:09 AM ET
Any team in immediate need of a good goaltender for a playoff run rather than waiting until this summer?
- Popsghostly

Calgary. Not sure they want to go with Rittich. Although I was 8mpressed, I believe he’s a rookie.
scottak
Location: I am serious. And don't call me Shirley!
Joined: 08.06.2010

Jan 10 @ 11:12 AM ET
Just watched a replay of the game. Were my eyes playing tricks on me or was Davidson the Hawks best defenseman last night?
- RaleighHawk

I believe you meant to say Jokiharju.
RickJ
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Burlington, ON
Joined: 01.12.2010

Jan 10 @ 11:12 AM ET
Any team in immediate need of a good goaltender for a playoff run rather than waiting until this summer?
- Popsghostly

This guy never has played well in the playoffs.

It might be a Russian thing - the paycheque stop at the end of the regular season and so does the good play from most of them.
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Jan 10 @ 11:37 AM ET
It has appeared to me that the better Gustafsson's offensive game gets, the less he has cared about the defensive side.

It's becoming a big problem and I hope Colliton and Brookbank bring this up or limit his ice time.

- Justin Lowe


Unless you try and flip him while his value is at his absolute highest. I'm not saying this is the move to do, but we still have a logjam of defenders and a glut of prospects on the horizon as well. If someone is willing to go all out to get Gus and give a 3rd or a good prospect something like that you have to consider it.

Otherwise, you need to put him on the 3rd pair with Seabrook (when healthy) and hold him accountable for his defensive play and let him QB the PP. OR, as others have suggested, just play him at forward. He clearly has the offensive skill maybe you can get something out of that.

Good battle by the Hawks tonight to stick around with a good Preds team.
- Justin Lowe


They've played very well the past three games against good teams. This is kinda what we want/need out of the Hawks right now. Play hard and competitive to be in almost all games, but come up just short to continue to build chemistry, develop the kids, and put us in position to get a Top 5 draft pick
Hawks_49
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Ottawa, ON
Joined: 04.28.2015

Jan 10 @ 11:38 AM ET
Calgary. Not sure they want to go with Rittich. Although I was 8mpressed, I believe he’s a rookie.
- scottak



This talk about Calgary needing a goalie reminds me of the 2010 Hawks and how nobody thought Niemi could handle it. The Hawks had a veteran goalie that wasn't playing well. Calgary has a veteran goalie that isn't playing well. The Hawks were among the deepest teams in the league. Calgary is among the deepest teams in the league. Chicago had Niemi playing well in his second season in the league. Calgary has Rittich playing well in his second season in the league.

I'm not saying Calgary won't try to get Bobrovsky, but I will be shocked if they get involved.
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Jan 10 @ 11:38 AM ET
I like those Winter Classic uni’s, pretty sweet.
- Garnie


They look even better in person. Snagged myself one for my sweater collection
I Am The Breadman
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Richton Park, IL
Joined: 09.16.2018

Jan 10 @ 11:40 AM ET
Just watched a replay of the game. Were my eyes playing tricks on me or was Davidson the Hawks best defenseman last night?
- RaleighHawk


I've liked Davidson in a limited role since coming here. Maybe not the best, but he was good last night.
I Am The Breadman
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Richton Park, IL
Joined: 09.16.2018

Jan 10 @ 11:43 AM ET
Jackets suspending Bobrovsky for tonight's game against predators citing internal matter
I suspect a trade request will soon come right after.

- BGKarras


He's over-rated in my opinion. Anyone who wants him can have him.
I Am The Breadman
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Richton Park, IL
Joined: 09.16.2018

Jan 10 @ 11:48 AM ET
They look even better in person. Snagged myself one for my sweater collection
- Savetheembers33


I didn't do a sweater, but I did a long sleeve shirt with Adb on it. The winter hats were nice too. I think one of the games recently, at the UC, they were handing out WC scarves.
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Jan 10 @ 11:54 AM ET
Can’t criticize Toews! Otherwise you’ve got to criticize Kane more for floating.

Even though Kane is a winger who is supposed to play up high and try to stretch the ice for offensive transition.

Toews is suppsed to be a 2 way elite center. Aka he isn’t supposed to play high in the zone all the time.

Bottom line Toews got beat. Yeah Forsberg is really good. But facts are facts. Toews got beat and it cost the Hawks a point. Not that the extra point really matters.

- bhawks2241


Please tell me we're not back on the Toews bashing bandwagon now. All year long he's a played very well. Is he the elite player he used to? Maybe not. Depends on who you ask based on the play of others in the league, but I don't think it's because his skill has really declined all that much. I don't think people take into consideration the level of talent coming into the league these days and coming in at such a young age playing faster and making quicker moves. Toews got beat by Forsberg who's probably one of the best 20 or so players in the league after playing for pretty much a minute straight. It happens. Guys get beat. Toews has slowed down some and injuries and wear and tear from the past decade have certainly slowed his game down some so seeing him against guys ten years younger than him his skills will of course looked diminished at times. Same goes for guys like Keith and Seabrook. Like bhawks said, if your gonna bash Toews for that play then you better bash Kaner for floating half of his shifts AND on top of that they played well got a point and are still towards the bottom of the league in points. What more can you ask for?
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