Tyler Cameron: Hawks give a point away but seem to have something going on The Chicago Blackhawks did not give up a single goal until 1:33 remaining in the 3rd period. After watching the defensive struggles last year, fans would look at that and say "Niiiice."

The problem, however, was that the Hawks only had 1 goal themselves.

Let's breakdown some positive trends in the last 4 games.

Despite the loss the team is laying a foundation they can build on. Partly I think they need to find the right line combination to have the players click. Nobody would have expected Saad-Kampf-Kubalik to be the most consistent line but here we are. I agree that DeBrincat and Strome should be reunited, I’m just not sure who their winger should be.

Don't tell the all-or-nothing, JC is not even a pee-wee coach crowd, but this team plays pretty hard for the guy.

Another quality effort. Just hang in there, the wins are on their way. Sucks to lose Murphy, because the D started looking good when he and CDH got back. Very pleased with Cal so far.

Some new guys like Carp, kubalik have been great.

Why won’t they use Cat, Strome and Kane together? That was an awesome line last year. Defensive questions is my only postulate.

And yes “flower” is still a great tender

Yes, and how good as Maata been? I liked Kahun but this trade is looking good. Maata is a little slow, but has decent agility, makes good reads and passes, and can defend.

Maata has been very solid.

Yes, and how good as Maata been? I liked Kahun but this trade is looking good. Maata is a little slow, but has decent agility, makes good reads and passes, and can defend.
- Bjm84

Agreed. He seems to know his limitations due to his lack of speed. Picks his spots to pinch.

Don't tell the all-or-nothing, JC is not even a pee-wee coach crowd, but this team plays pretty hard for the guy.
- mohel

OK Smart guy then why was "Head coach in waiting" Marc Crawford hired? I bet the players are playing hard for him and not JC.

Absolutely right, that was one of Saad's best games as a Blackhawk. Ever. Until he got to puck watching on his last shift in regulation, and forgot to cover the guy that ended up scoring. That was his man and he was no where near him.

Maata has been very solid.
- kwolf68

Yes, surprisingly so. Clearly worked on his skating in the summer.

Only concern w/Maata and DeHaan is durability. Both guys have been injured multiple times -- hoping with the Hawks training staff they will stay healthy (although that has not seemingly helped Murphy stay out of sick-bay).

And what about the $10.5M man J Toews. IMO, he single-handedly cost us points against the Caps by not getting the puck out on the PK when it should have been an easy clear. And last night. WTF. Seriously.

Complains about the 4 min double minor when his stick is up at his chest and VGK player skates into it. Then proceeds to shank what should have been an easy clear off the glass, almost puts it out of play for DOG penalty but the clear is so weak it stays in the zone. And we are tied. Gets another penalty in OT.

This guy is in a fog. I laugh to myself when I see all the suggested line mates to "get Toews going." Really, for $10.5M shouldn't he be the guy stirring others' drinks?

Yes, surprisingly so. Clearly worked on his skating in the summer.

Only concern w/Maata and DeHaan is durability. Both guys have been injured multiple times -- hoping with the Hawks training staff they will stay healthy (although that has not seemingly helped Murphy stay out of sick-bay).

And what about the $10.5M man J Toews. IMO, he single-handedly cost us points against the Caps by not getting the puck out on the PK when it should have been an easy clear. And last night. WTF. Seriously.

Complains about the 4 min double minor when his stick is up at his chest and VGK player skates into it. Then proceeds to shank what should have been an easy clear off the glass, almost puts it out of play for DOG penalty but the clear is so weak it stays in the zone. And we are tied. Gets another penalty in OT.

This guy is in a fog. I laugh to myself when I see all the suggested line mates to "get Toews going." Really, for $10.5M shouldn't he be the guy stirring others' drinks?
- savvyone-1

The team depends on Toews, Kane, Keith, the goalies and ADB. So far the goalies have looked good but the others haven't looked as good as we expect. ADB is obviously trying to add a physical and defensive element to his game and as a result isn't in the areas to score. Keith has been OK and I'm hoping he can bring more. I know todays online world encourages we review shift by shift but before I jump on Toews, ADB or anyone else I'll see how they play after 10-20 and 30 games.

Well, after Game 2 if #77 plays like that, he stays!! I have been so up and down on this topic that I just need to wait until his tryout is over and see what the Hawks decide to do with him. The kid is going to be a great player though IMO. He already plays a solid all-around game, he has great size, he can skate, and he really seems to be a student of the game. For today, the kid plays in Chicago for the season, ask me tomorrow, who knows? LOL!!

Yeah, time for the stars to get going:

Toews - 1 OT goal off of his body parts, one assist on an ENG - nothing 5x5
AdB - two PP goals off passes from Kane - 2 assists 5x5
Strome - one EV goal
Shaw - two goals in game two, no points after that
Saad - as well as he’s been playing (and that’s plenty “well”) - one ENG, one SH, none 5x5
Seabrook - the only goal by a blue-liner (PP) - Gus with 4 assists (2 PP, one 5x5, one OT )
Kane - 3 goals 5x5, 5 assists - acceptable

I will give Saad a pass on that, he was covering the front of the net. Holden's shot was not from a dangerous area, it went under Lehner. He should of had it, but Lehner played a great game.

Yeah, time for the stars to get going:

Toews - 1 OT goal off of his body parts, one assist on an ENG - nothing 5x5
AdB - two PP goals off passes from Kane - 2 assists 5x5
Strome - one EV goal
Shaw - two goals in game two, no points after that
Saad - as well as he’s been playing (and that’s plenty “well”) - one ENG, one SH, none 5x5
Seabrook - the only goal by a blue-liner (PP) - Gus with 4 assists (2 PP, one 5x5, one OT )
Kane - 3 goals 5x5, 5 assists - acceptable
- StLBravesFan

While the Hawks need these guys scoring I'm not surprised they have all started slowly. The number one issue in the summer for most Hawk fans was that JC had no idea how to inplement a defensive system. Well it appears that they do and it seems to be a work in progress as each player understands what is expected of them. Like all systems in all sports the offense will come (hopefully) once the defensive system is in place. I'll wait until December before I get too concerned. Once the team fully understands their defensive responsibilities I expect the scoring will pick up.

Yes, surprisingly so. Clearly worked on his skating in the summer.

Only concern w/Maata and DeHaan is durability. Both guys have been injured multiple times -- hoping with the Hawks training staff they will stay healthy (although that has not seemingly helped Murphy stay out of sick-bay).

- savvyone-1

To be fair, Maata was a member of the Penguins, and being married to a pens fan I can tell you at least 50% of that team is injured at any given moment [Hyperbole aside, they usually are up there in man-games lost due to injury to the point I suspect some sort of issue with the training staff]. Also, part of Maata's injury history also includes cancer.

So hopefully now that he's off the penguins, the penguins' injury curse is also gone.

Maybe it is time for Toews to get his defensive responsibilites (and ice time reduced). You have 2 good defensive centerman (Kampf and Carptenter). Maybe they should be out there more on the PK and at the end of the games protecting the lead Kampf was over 70% on face-offs Carpenter was 55%, and Toews was 46%, so it's not like you are putting AA out there who although was fine defensively, couldn't win a draw.

Let's not get too far out over our skis on Olli Maatta.

From Natural Stat Trick, 5v5:

CF% 44.09
SCF% 43.68
HDCF% 47.22
Offensive Zone Start% 61.29


His numbers aren't that different than Gustafsson's:

CF% 44.08
SCF% 44.34
HDCF% 40.00
Offensive Zone Start% 69.57

I will give Saad a pass on that, he was covering the front of the net. Holden's shot was not from a dangerous area, it went under Lehner. He should of had it, but Lehner played a great game.
- LAHawk

Not in Colliton's system. Saad drifted too low on the play, making it seem like that was his guy. As the backside winger with the puck in the opposite corner, his ice area would have been the middle slot.

OK Smart guy then why was "Head coach in waiting" Marc Crawford hired? I bet the players are playing hard for him and not JC.
- paulr

He was hired to teach the lavender sniffers how to drag their knuckles.

Yeah, time for the stars to get going:

Toews - 1 OT goal off of his body parts, one assist on an ENG - nothing 5x5
AdB - two PP goals off passes from Kane - 2 assists 5x5
Strome - one EV goal
Shaw - two goals in game two, no points after that
Saad - as well as he’s been playing (and that’s plenty “well”) - one ENG, one SH, none 5x5
Seabrook - the only goal by a blue-liner (PP) - Gus with 4 assists (2 PP, one 5x5, one OT )
Kane - 3 goals 5x5, 5 assists - acceptable
- StLBravesFan

Dcat needs someone to feed him pucks. Too often he is the one with the puck on his stick trying to create is the ozone. That is not his strong suit. Toews for whatever reason doesn't seem to be able to create space for Dcat or feed him pucks.

I'd try Nylander Toews Kane, Dcat Strome Shaw, Saad Dach Kubalik, Carpenter Kampf Cagguila for a few games a see how it goes.

I'd consider flipping Nylander and Kubalik but I don't like two rookies on the same line.

Two tough results but a lot of positives to draw from:

- Saad and Kubalik are turning out to be a nice pairing that can cement as your wings on Line 3.

-Nylander needs to be in the top 6, his skill is too high and playing in the checking line role just isn't working. Cagguila can play in the bottom 6 and be that floater that can fill in throughout the line-up.

-Toews has never had great starts to the year. Last year was a bit of an outlier. This team can not have a 50 point Toews and be a playoff team.

-Looks like teams are beginning to game plan for Debrincat. Cut his space and you can limit him.

-77 has played two games and is an 18 year old, however, he reminds me of Strome in his skill set and even looks like him in games. Dach will be a great player, but his foot speed should be the first thing he works on.

Not in Colliton's system. Saad drifted too low on the play, making it seem like that was his guy. As the backside winger with the puck in the opposite corner, his ice area would have been the middle slot.
- Instamatic

Isn't that where he was? If he was higher in the slot, he would of been more out of the play. Looks like he just missed tipping the pass, if he did that we would be saying he was in the correct position.

https://www.nhl.com/video...me/t-277350912/c-69798903

I will give Saad a pass on that, he was covering the front of the net. Holden's shot was not from a dangerous area, it went under Lehner. He should of had it, but Lehner played a great game.
- LAHawk

Plus Vegas had an extra attacker on.

I don't see a lot to be happy about . PP is crap goalie saved our butt last night ,till that soft one at the end . Lines look lost for the most part . Going to be a long season of disappointment's if this play continues .