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Forums :: Blog World :: Tyler Cameron: "What If" the Blackhawks catch fire?
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Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Dec 9 @ 6:18 AM ET
Tyler Cameron: "What If" the Blackhawks catch fire?
This headline would have worked out better for me had the Hawks finished off the Coyotes on Sunday night.

However, they did not. They started off hot and then the 'Yotes took over the majority of the play.

Part one of the "What If" series is the hypothetical situation of what will happen if the Blackhawks continue to win… a lot from now until the trade deadline.
vabeachbear
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Ft Courage - out in the middle of Indian Country, NC
Joined: 10.17.2011

Dec 9 @ 6:28 AM ET
First.

Questions;

1. Can you take out a goalie for shoot out?

2. If the answer is yes, and I have to believe it is, then why don't the Hawks?

Don't give me any of that Crow isn't warmed up stuff either. Lehner looks like I would out there. Its amazing to me. Did you see that comment he made about it?

Sign a Walrus
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Dec 9 @ 6:49 AM ET

The Hawks are 22nd in total goals with 82 - and 24th with 54 goals 5x5.

In their last 10 games (3-5-2=8 - only 1 win in regulation) they’ve scored 21 goals - only 12 were 5x5.

Those will have to improve if the Hawks are to make more than an NHL-.500 run the last 52 games.
hawk35
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NF
Joined: 08.26.2009

Dec 9 @ 7:20 AM ET
Yup.

5 or 6 points the last 3 games is nice....and the team is much better to watch than last year.

Still, more improvement need if gonna seriously challenge for a Wild card. But, baby steps...just keep plugging along and grab some point along the way!!
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Dec 9 @ 8:03 AM ET
The Hawks are 22nd in total goals with 82 - and 24th with 54 goals 5x5.

In their last 10 games (3-5-2=8 - only 1 win in regulation) they’ve scored 21 goals - only 12 were 5x5.

Those will have to improve if the Hawks are to make more than an NHL-.500 run the last 52 games.

- StLBravesFan


100%.

They proved they could score last year, so there is a chance that they could turn it around.

It's nice to see DeBrincat and Toews starting to produce.
powerenforcer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheeling, IL
Joined: 09.24.2009

Dec 9 @ 8:09 AM ET
Tyler - thanks for the writeup. Why are you referencing a hockey website that projects total points with a decimal? Have there ever been games that were worth 1/2 points? I would question if they even know the game of hockey. The thing about "taking penalties" is just frustrating to me. That is all based on ref judgement. Last night's game, Demers took a penalty when he hit Dcat from behind into the boards. Toews, on his tripping penalty, actually hit the puck before the skate, so that should have nullified the call.
gabriel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Joined: 02.02.2013

Dec 9 @ 8:11 AM ET
Honest answer? They have a gaping talent deficiency in a host of areas. They are a mediocre squad. Also, enjoy taking nights off at their leisure. They are vastly improved over last year, but that's not saying much. Can be fun to watch at intervals, but are badly overmatched. If it weren't for our goalies, they would be in the cellar. Playoff material? Nah. Never have given it a passing thought.
RaleighHawk
Joined: 03.29.2016

Dec 9 @ 8:26 AM ET
Tyler- I think a huge "what if" could play out in January- what if the Hawks cannot (or do) sign Lehner to long term. Either way should lead to some possible big moves.
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Dec 9 @ 8:29 AM ET
Tyler - thanks for the writeup. Why are you referencing a hockey website that projects total points with a decimal? Have there ever been games that were worth 1/2 points? I would question if they even know the game of hockey. The thing about "taking penalties" is just frustrating to me. That is all based on ref judgement. Last night's game, Demers took a penalty when he hit Dcat from behind into the boards. Toews, on his tripping penalty, actually hit the puck before the skate, so that should have nullified the call.
- powerenforcer

In the course of the year the number of missed calls against Chicago vs the number of missed calls that Chicago got away with will even out. Refs can't catch everything. Remember you saw Toews' trip on replay in slow motion from multiple angles, the ref saw the Toew's trip from one angle in real time with other action around him. Yes Demers should have had a penalty on ADB but prior ro that I saw DeHaan trip Hinostroza with no call.
Rota's Rooter
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2017

Dec 9 @ 8:46 AM ET
Dennis Gilbert has been fun to watch. Not great by any means but, he at least considers and uses "separate the man from the puck" as part of his defense. It's been nice to see.
bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

Dec 9 @ 8:48 AM ET
toews and adb are streaky scorers...ya gotta deal with the droughts and then the deluge..

despite being banged up they have taken 3 str to OT and gotten 5 of 6 pts;

but have also blown 3 goal and 2 goal leads and continuing to cough up a boat load of shots and high danger chances..

i don't see this team getting on a roll...they will continue to be have good streaks followed by losing streaks...

the stronger quicker teams continue to get them penned in their own zone; many times for the entire shift and when the hawks do get the puck it is taken away or given way...puck management has been avg to poor all sesason
bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

Dec 9 @ 8:50 AM ET
Tyler - thanks for the writeup. Why are you referencing a hockey website that projects total points with a decimal? Have there ever been games that were worth 1/2 points? I would question if they even know the game of hockey. The thing about "taking penalties" is just frustrating to me. That is all based on ref judgement. Last night's game, Demers took a penalty when he hit Dcat from behind into the boards. Toews, on his tripping penalty, actually hit the puck before the skate, so that should have nullified the call.
- powerenforcer


PE...that rule is gone...puck played or not a trip can be called...believe that was changed 3-4 years ago...
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Dec 9 @ 8:52 AM ET
Tyler- I think a huge "what if" could play out in January- what if the Hawks cannot (or do) sign Lehner to long term. Either way should lead to some possible big moves.
- RaleighHawk


Yep! Should have included this in the blog.

I would say sign him to a 5-6 year deal on Jan 1st!
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Dec 9 @ 8:56 AM ET
Dennis Gilbert has been fun to watch. Not great by any means but, he at least considers and uses "separate the man from the puck" as part of his defense. It's been nice to see.
- Rota's Rooter

I like the way he plays, as you say he's physical and he is gets involved in and wins puck battles. Yesterdays fight that turned the momentum in Arizona's favour was a mistake that I hope the coaching staff point out and correct. There was lots of time left in the game and season to exact revenge. But it can be looked at as a learning moment for him. Hopefully he picks his spots better next time.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Dec 9 @ 8:59 AM ET
Agree.

Leave top two lines alone.
ADB Strome Kane
Saad Toews Kubalik

Mix and match the 3rd and 4th lines. When Caggiula and Shaw come back they can put together pretty decent 3rd and 4th lines. Carp, Smith, Kampf, Shaw, Nylander, Sikura, Dach.

Defense and PK are ok, and could get better. I would be ok with Gilbert staying when Keith is ready to go. If he does that would mean moving K4 or Gus.

When fully healthy we will probably have an extra forward and defender. They need to be shuttled down to the Rock or a trade needs to be made.

I see this team staying pretty much as it is personnel wise, and playing a little better and more consistently. Still a marginal playoff team at best if they stay healthy.
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Dec 9 @ 9:04 AM ET
They're too slow on the blue line. Phoenix generated penalties once they started getting or carrying pucks deep and using their speed to get behind the hawks. They then drew defenders out and away from the high danger areas because this system is stupid and had grown men playing tag and then cycled the puck back down low. lehner and crow are for sure mvps at this point.

But with good goaltending, Kane on pace for +100 and the diluted talent pool in the NHL they're going to win some games.

At least they're entertaining but not a lot of their results point to a team that should win consistently. Especially a 7 game series against a team with speed. They could back into the 8 spot but that almost encourages poor roster decisions and bad coaching.
MichaeLionheart
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: England
Joined: 02.27.2015

Dec 9 @ 9:16 AM ET
"what if" Robin Lehner can make a save in the shootout lol. Nah in all fairness when you're on the PP in OT that SHOULD be a given goal imo.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Dec 9 @ 9:18 AM ET
I think Smith is playing ok. Any chance that they play him enough to move him at the TDL? (My feeling is no, but we moved Manning, so anything is possible.)
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Dec 9 @ 9:26 AM ET
Honest answer? They have a gaping talent deficiency in a host of areas. They are a mediocre squad. Also, enjoy taking nights off at their leisure. They are vastly improved over last year, but that's not saying much. Can be fun to watch at intervals, but are badly overmatched. If it weren't for our goalies, they would be in the cellar. Playoff material? Nah. Never have given it a passing thought.
- gabriel


It is true that our goalies are masking what is essentially not a playoff team. Sadly they are also keeping us away from a solid draft position in June when one of the 2 will no longer be in the picture for this team.
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Dec 9 @ 9:29 AM ET
I think Smith is playing ok. Any chance that they play him enough to move him at the TDL? (My feeling is no, but we moved Manning, so anything is possible.)
- -Doh-


If Smith did not have that extra year in his contract, I think there would be teams interested in him at the TDL. His style is probably much more effective in playoff hockey than in the regular season.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Dec 9 @ 9:38 AM ET
If Smith did not have that extra year in his contract, I think there would be teams interested in him at the TDL. His style is probably much more effective in playoff hockey than in the regular season.
- 67hawks


I wonder what a Smith/Gus package would get you back? It allows you to keep Gilbert and Sikura/Nylander in the NHL for some good experience. Even if the return was a "B" level prospect and a late round draft pick would you do it for the cap space next year?
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Dec 9 @ 9:45 AM ET
I wonder what a Smith/Gus package would get you back? It allows you to keep Gilbert and Sikura/Nylander in the NHL for some good experience. Even if the return was a "B" level prospect and a late round draft pick would you do it for the cap space next year?
- -Doh-


Sounds better than some of the other proposals I have reading in regard to Gus. Hope Bowman views this.
savvyone-1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: I'm singing the Blues!, IL
Joined: 03.04.2011

Dec 9 @ 9:50 AM ET
I wonder what a Smith/Gus package would get you back? It allows you to keep Gilbert and Sikura/Nylander in the NHL for some good experience. Even if the return was a "B" level prospect and a late round draft pick would you do it for the cap space next year?
- -Doh-


Shartie will love this post.
Colliton's love child (David Kampf) and Sikura are both AHL'ers.
Plays go to die with Kampf out there, that guy has absolutely no offense skills at the NHL level. Maybe what he does works in the Swedish league (or AHL). But other than the "try hard" most of the time, it's painful to watch.

Same with Sikura (who has more speed than Kampf; however, he gets pushed around and outmuscled pretty easily so a wash there). Saw absolutely the same Sikura we saw last year. Lots of "try hard" and nothing. My thought, this might be an NHL-level showcase and would not be surprised to see Stan trade him (either solo or as a throw-in with another player).

One other thought about last night's game: why have they gone back to the do-nothing/no-pressure, let's all collapse into a tiny box PK??? Other than Saad, for the most part there was never any pressure on the puck forcing quick decisions against the PP team. It's no wonder that Zona scored twice.

It's unfortunate Lehner has psyched himself out with the shoot-outs because the guy continues to be pretty incredible. Snatched a point from a sure defeat if a guy like Ward was still here (or god forbid, if Stan's "pull-the-trigger-too-soon" guy Delia was up here).
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Dec 9 @ 9:57 AM ET
Shartie will love this post.
Colliton's love child (David Kampf) and Sikura are both AHL'ers.
Plays go to die with Kampf out there, that guy has absolutely no offense skills at the NHL level. Maybe what he does works in the Swedish league (or AHL). But other than the "try hard" most of the time, it's painful to watch.

Same with Sikura (who has more speed than Kampf; however, he gets pushed around and outmuscled pretty easily so a wash there). Saw absolutely the same Sikura we saw last year. Lots of "try hard" and nothing. My thought, this might be an NHL-level showcase and would not be surprised to see Stan trade him (either solo or as a throw-in with another player).

One other thought about last night's game: why have they gone back to the do-nothing/no-pressure, let's all collapse into a tiny box PK??? Other than Saad, for the most part there was never any pressure on the puck forcing quick decisions against the PP team. It's no wonder that Zona scored twice.

It's unfortunate Lehner has psyched himself out with the shoot-outs because the guy continues to be pretty incredible. Snatched a point from a sure defeat if a guy like Ward was still here (or god forbid, if Stan's "pull-the-trigger-too-soon" guy Delia was up here).

- savvyone-1


I am neutral on Gilbert, Sikura, Kampf, Nylander. We can probably all agree this team is a marginal playoff team at best. If you move Gus and Smith, then Gilbert, Sikura, Nylander, and Kampf get more ice time. With a better supporting cast (Carp/Shaw/deHaan/Maata) and great goaltending it might be easier to evaluate the marginal players. That should impact decisions this summer.
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Dec 9 @ 10:02 AM ET
Shartie will love this post.
Colliton's love child (David Kampf) and Sikura are both AHL'ers.
Plays go to die with Kampf out there, that guy has absolutely no offense skills at the NHL level. Maybe what he does works in the Swedish league (or AHL). But other than the "try hard" most of the time, it's painful to watch.

Same with Sikura (who has more speed than Kampf; however, he gets pushed around and outmuscled pretty easily so a wash there). Saw absolutely the same Sikura we saw last year. Lots of "try hard" and nothing. My thought, this might be an NHL-level showcase and would not be surprised to see Stan trade him (either solo or as a throw-in with another player).

One other thought about last night's game: why have they gone back to the do-nothing/no-pressure, let's all collapse into a tiny box PK??? Other than Saad, for the most part there was never any pressure on the puck forcing quick decisions against the PP team. It's no wonder that Zona scored twice.

It's unfortunate Lehner has psyched himself out with the shoot-outs because the guy continues to be pretty incredible. Snatched a point from a sure defeat if a guy like Ward was still here (or god forbid, if Stan's "pull-the-trigger-too-soon" guy Delia was up here).

- savvyone-1


Kampf, I could live with, but you do not go into the playoffs with a lineup featuring Sikuras and Nylanders.
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