Tyler Cameron: Wanted: Competent Power Play People
Hi, can you help me out? I'm the Chicago Blackhawks and I'm looking for competent power play skaters.

The Hawks have played better since December working themselves into a playoff spot thanks to more consistent defensive play, a stellar penalty kill, and chemistry that took some time to build.

I'm don't have an answer on how to fix the man advantage, but the Hawks only have 3 power play goals in their last 10 games and that's not going to cut it as they fight for their playoff lives.

First

Start with moving 12 off the 1st unit

Great write up TC!

I thought for sure the Hawks had given up the most shorties this year.

As has been said already, this road trip should give the team a more better picture of where they stand.

I’m hoping so in the sense they either win out or lose out and maybe give Stanbo a clearer path.

I know...I’m delusional, but would love for them to make the playoffs...but if not, another top 5-10 pick wouldn’t suck.

Gus and ADB have regressed exponentially. PP units require 2 or more scorers. Hawks only have Kane. Gus turned back into a pumpkin and Boq isn’t quite there yet. Hawks PP is predictable and lacks cycling. Cycle the puck til a lane opens, simple as that. They stand around the perimeter and pass with little movement. Attack the net and cycle.

Great write up TC!

I thought for sure the Hawks had given up the most shorties this year.

As has been said already, this road trip should give the team a more better picture of where they stand.

I’m hoping so in the sense they either win out or lose out and maybe give Stanbo a clearer path.

I know...I’m delusional, but would love for them to make the playoffs...but if not, another top 5-10 pick wouldn’t suck.
- HawkintheD

Nope. That award goes to DET with 11.

They are really bad at hockey.

Start with moving 12 off the 1st unit
- TJYTJY

You might be on to something.

DeBrincat has really been struggling. The Hawks really need him to start scoring... a lot if they hope to make the playoffs.

In my observation when the Hawks had success in the power play, they moved the puck got it to Kane and he made that cross ice pass to the Cat and he one timed it into the net. 2 things have changed, 1. the other teams are watching for that and this year Cat cant hit the broad side of a barn with his one timer.

DEBRINCAT: give someone else a chance on the PP. I'm not looking to pick on the guy, but he is not having a great year. Nor is he showing any signs of turning it around.

If you want a right handed shot to replace him, try Nylander. I know I know, I'm hesitant too but what do you have to lose?

Heck even try another lefty like Caggiula or Kubalik or Saad - what do you have to lose?

In my opinion, the PP looks bad on JC's resume. It needs to be addressed and he needs to take responsibility.

A strong Powerplay is a nice to have, a strong penalty kill and a solid defensive game are must haves. Right now the Hawks are trending the right way. Their penalty kill has improved dramatically and the defensive part of the Hawks’ game is getting better. As frustrating as it is to watch, the powerplay can be addressed once the more important aspects of the game are fixed. That said I find the powerplay is slow and methodical and I think that is how Kane plays. He tends to want to handle the puck allot and when he has it the other four players aren’t moving. I’d like to see a powerplay without him for a bit and I’d like to see more dynamic puck movement to see if that is indeed the problem.

Remember the Hawks won two cups with piss poor powerplays and strong penalty killing and exceptional defense.

The real standings

_____________ GP PTS PTS/G
Blues_________56 73 1.304 1st Cen
Av's__________54 70 1.296 2nd Cen
Stars_________ 55 67 1.218 3rd Cen
Oilers________ 54 64 1.164 1st Pac
Canucks______56 65 1.161 2nd Pac
Knights_______57 64 1.123 3rd PAC
Flames_______56 62 1.107 WC
Jets __________57 63 1.105 WC
Preds________ 54 59 1.093
Yotes________ 57 61 1.070
Hawks_______ 55 58 1.055
Wild _________55 58 1.055
Ducks________56 53 0.946
Sharks________55 52 0.945
Kings_________57 43 0.754

Based on these results you will need a minimum of 1.105 pts per game. So 82 games x 1.105 = 91 pts. Based on that the Hawks have 27 games left and have to get 33 points. So 15W- 9L – 3OTL. They have to win or tie in regulation 18 of the of their last 27 games. Not going to happen. So Stan.... ball is in your court between now and TDL to acquire some future assets.

How ironic that Toews spoke up (remind to whom- is it plural) when his game suffered mightily in Colliton's system earlier this.season

Now for the umpteenth time just like most each season Toews had been playing with Kane, the Pp sucks. It is so obvious all the wrong things. Yet we are on the outside looking in.

Why doesn't Toews speak up to someone about the pp. It has the earmark of the same old same old dysfunctional.

Why doesn't Toews shout out to the same people as before? Etiquette. No playoffs is a bigger problem and the pp correction is part of a solution

You might be on to something.

DeBrincat has really been struggling. The Hawks really need him to start scoring... a lot if they hope to make the playoffs.
- Tyler Cameron

I would like to see Strome and Debrincat be separated long term. They need to grow as individuals and learn to play with others.

The only success both have had this year is with each year. That's concerning.

Is it ok now if the Hawks are sellers at the TDL? Or do they keep driving for the 2020 Cup?

Detroit really bad at hockey? They beat the league leading Bruins 3-1 yesterday.

Kane - right circle
Dach - left circle (right handed shot)
Toews/Strome - goal line (and not always on Kane's side)
Kubalik - in front of then net
Gus - blue line

Kane is the QB. He has the freedom to roam wherever he sees fit (and he should be mobile).

Toews, Kubalik and Dach are almost interchangeable and should move the puck and then move their feet, occasionally exchanging positions. They each have pretty good intuition and see the ice well.

As much as we all want to trade Gus, (and I do too) he has been better of late on the PP. He is moving and finding shooting lanes. Same as Kane. He should have the freedom to move, but then Dach, Kubalik or Toews need to get to the blueline when he moves down lower in the offensive zone.

On the push em back entry Kane got the puck to Toews 3 straight times. Toews tried to bank a back hand off the boards back to the point every time. The Jets were waiting for it. He needs to mix it up. Sometimes he needs to take it to the corner or behind the net. Other times he needs to take it strong to the net and hope another Hawk drives to the net also.

Detroit really bad at hockey? They beat the league leading Bruins 3-1 yesterday.
- StutzBlackhawk

Well then, let's start organizing a parade.

They are terrible. On pace for one of the worst season since the early 90s.

Where's Barry Smith at? Maybe Stan can send him down to the ice and tick Colliton off.

I have been thinking the same thing. Kane has spoiled the others as they wait for him to create. Pull him off for a while and let the rest figure it out.

The cat needs to take a seat or switch his stick back because it's painful to watch.

Absolutely not! Just keep trotting him out there game after game. Works wonders for his confidence. Does JC have any input as to who receives PP time? If he does, he needs a game in the press box. If he doesn't, maybe it's time to explore other career options.

Power Play? I've always thought movement and screening were the two must-haves for an effective power play.

Absolutely not! Just keep trotting him out there game after game. Works wonders for his confidence. Does JC have any input as to who receives PP time? If he does, he needs a game in the press box. If he doesn't, maybe it's time to explore other career options.
- gabriel

DOES JC HAVE ANY INPUT WHO RECEIVES PP TIME?! HE IS THE HEAD COACH.

Do the Hawks lead the league in weak backhanded passes? (rhetorical)

The shorty last night was ADB trying a back handed pass that he fanned on. I do not know how many times per game someone tries a weak backhanded pass in our zone that is intercepted for a turnover (that often ends up in the back of our net).

Power Play? I've always thought movement and screening were the two must-haves for an effective power play.
- 35Tony0

AGREED. Reference last year...Gus was frequently interchanging with Kane. Look at the very little success this year...Bouqvist was interchanging with Kane. Interchanging leads to movement and movement leads to lanes aka Kane to Debrincat one timer.

Hopefully stans phone is lighting up.

Everyone is available. Doesn’t mean he’ll get the prices he wants.

The continual tease just sends this board into a meltdown. They, Hawks, are simply not a good hockey team outside of their goalies. Who continue to mask the same issues since October.