Theo Fox: Season Review: Wingers
Season review of wingers. The wingers need to support the D, stay disciplined, contest every puck, space out, find soft spots, create in traffic, and move Edzo style.

FIRST! GREAT JOB TFOX!

to further the discussion on the previous blog

https://www.tsn.ca/serava...covid-19-crunch-1.1522380

I know this blog is about the forwards, but just came accross this articel about Trotz's theories on playing defense.

https://www.si.com/hockey...-play-barry-trotz-defense

Thanks Theo - Off the wall question, but how much do you think not having Hossa on the team has affected the forward's defensive play? I was going to say, the team should watch tape of Hossa and how he always was in position not just defensively but transitionally, but then thought maybe watching would not be enough. Players have a way of driving other players, and maybe Hossa was that 1 player that made everyone else around him that much better.

I know this blog is about the forwards, but just came accross this articel about Trotz's theories on playing defense.

https://www.si.com/hockey...-play-barry-trotz-defense
- LAHawk

The interesting thing about the article, is that very little has to do with the actual "system" being played. It is mostly about the mentality and the basic defensive concepts that the individual players should follow (i.e. positioning, gap, how to exit after retrieving a puck, etc.).

His comments about Boychuk are why I am more confident in Seabrook returning as long as his surgeries actually fixed his problems.

I agree with you and am rooting for Seabrook. Realistically, if he is healthy, he should be at least as effective as say Brent Sopel / Michael Rosival. Yes expensive as bottom pairing defensemen, but his leadership in the locker room cannot be discounted

I know this blog is about the forwards, but just came accross this articel about Trotz's theories on playing defense.

https://www.si.com/hockey...-play-barry-trotz-defense
- LAHawk

Thanks for sharing this article. It's a really good read.

I actually referenced and linked to it in the wingers article (in the "Spacing Out" chapter of the novel I just wrote).

If I am running the team:

Smith - Bought out
Kubalik - signed (ideally <$4M AAV)
Strome - dealt (or given a minimum qualifying offer at best)
Nylander - Given the shortest of leashes to prove himself (mostly due to his contract).
Caggiula - Trade/do not qualify - It's harsh, but we have enough semi broken players.

Theo, greaT points about the defensive lacking of the wingers partially being coaching fault and partially players. The Hawks at times, have taken small steps to improve their TEAM defense but then we see flashes of the poor play this year and last. I've heard this phrase in the past, but maybe just to simplify things. Game is fast and maybe the less players have to think about and just react, might prove more effective. Also as Eddie Olczyk says: players need to accept and excute their carved out roles. Maybe the Hawks need to have more players willing to do that

Thanks Theo - Off the wall question, but how much do you think not having Hossa on the team has affected the forward's defensive play? I was going to say, the team should watch tape of Hossa and how he always was in position not just defensively but transitionally, but then thought maybe watching would not be enough. Players have a way of driving other players, and maybe Hossa was that 1 player that made everyone else around him that much better.
- powerenforcer

I'm sure there is a degree of the team missing Hossa's presence. Like you said, there is a difference between seeing a role model player on tape versus having that player in the locker room, on the bench, and on the ice.

Others have suggested it before but it would be nice to have Hossa as an assistant coach, development coach like Brian Campbell and Yanic Perreault, or development advisor like Chris Kunitz.

I still don't buy into this system. Too much puck chasing in the d-zone.


You can have Toews and Saad clones all over the ice and I still don't think it will work.

The interesting thing about the article, is that very little has to do with the actual "system" being played. It is mostly about the mentality and the basic defensive concepts that the individual players should follow (i.e. positioning, gap, how to exit after retrieving a puck, etc.).

His comments about Boychuk are why I am more confident in Seabrook returning as long as his surgeries actually fixed his problems.
- Chunk

I had the same reaction when I saw Trotz's praise of Boychuk on being the best at staying square to the puck carrier despite not having the best set of wheels.

If Seabrook can play smart positionally and manage gaps while being fully healthy for the first time in years, he can be effective even if as a 4/5/6 defender.

The interesting thing about the article, is that very little has to do with the actual "system" being played. It is mostly about the mentality and the basic defensive concepts that the individual players should follow (i.e. positioning, gap, how to exit after retrieving a puck, etc.).

His comments about Boychuk are why I am more confident in Seabrook returning as long as his surgeries actually fixed his problems.

Agree, Also, the way Matta and Murphy played in the playoffs are examples of what Trotz looks for in a defenseman, without being plus skaters.

But as Theo's blog points out, our forwards are the real weak link in the defense. Look at how the forwards for the 4 teams that are left play defense, and move without the puck. Even the Isle's complete more stretch passes in a game than the Hawks do, because the forward make themselves available while moving, not sit at the opposing teams blueline stopped with the defenseman right beside them.

Theo, greaT points about the defensive lacking of the wingers partially being coaching fault and partially players. The Hawks at times, have taken small steps to improve their TEAM defense but then we see flashes of the poor play this year and last. I've heard this phrase in the past, but maybe just to simplify things. Game is fast and maybe the less players have to think about and just react, might prove more effective. Also as Eddie Olczyk says: players need to accept and excute their carved out roles. Maybe the Hawks need to have more players willing to do that
- chuckdahammer

I'm of the mind that simplifying things could be the best medicine. A criticism of Colliton's system is that it's complex in that it requires a lot of thinking rather than relying on gut instinct and hockey sense to execute fundamental hockey.

A problem with Colliton's system is that it demands perfection. When the system breaks down, the players don't know what to do in the interim as they try to regain structure on the fly. Sloppiness and confusion ensue.

In that interim, they should do the opposite of complex: make simple, smart plays.

Lehner reportedly getting new contract with Vegas at $5M x 5 years.

I'm of the mind that simplifying things could be the best medicine. A criticism of Colliton's system is that it's complex in that it requires a lot of thinking rather than relying on gut instinct and hockey sense to execute fundamental hockey.

A problem with Colliton's system is that it demands perfection. When the system breaks down, the players don't know what to do in the interim as they try to regain structure on the fly. Sloppiness and confusion ensue.

In that interim, they should do the opposite of complex: make simple, smart plays.
- Theo Fox

I agree and most of us on here are just average fans who don't have a ton of hockey experience.

I would assume opposing coaches and players caught on to this fact and exploit it routinely. I think that is why we see so many teams activate their D against the Hawks.

It just creates even more chaos and running around in the dzone.

I'm of the mind that simplifying things could be the best medicine. A criticism of Colliton's system is that it's complex in that it requires a lot of thinking rather than relying on gut instinct and hockey sense to execute fundamental hockey.

A problem with Colliton's system is that it demands perfection. When the system breaks down, the players don't know what to do in the interim as they try to regain structure on the fly. Sloppiness and confusion ensue.

In that interim, they should do the opposite of complex: make simple, smart plays.
- Theo Fox

This is true of a lot of modern defensive schemes (Yeah, most of them are the same, I know) where if everyone is in the right spot, it's great, but there's no such thing as a small breakdown.

This is true of a lot of modern defensive schemes (Yeah, most of them are the same, I know) where if everyone is in the right spot, it's great, but there's no such thing as a small breakdown.
- BINGO!

Hey Bingo, do you think Carolina goes after Frederick Anderson? $5 mil. cap hit, but only $1 mil. in actual cash

i WANT EVERYONE TO LOOK AT THE 4 TEAMS LEFT IN THE PLAYOFFS , EVERYONE OF THEM KNOW HOW TO BATTLE FOR THE PUCK. AND PLAY A PHYSICAL GAME. THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH DEAD WEIGHT ON THIS BLACKHAWK TEAM. THEY NEED A THIRD LINE THAT IS GOING TO BATTLE AND WIN THE BOARDS. THEY NEED TO GET BIGGER ON THE WING. I WOULD SHIP DEBRINCAT , STROME AND NYLANDER OUT! I WOULD LOVE TO TRADE DEBRINCAR AND STROME TO DETROIT FOR BERTUZZI BUT I THINK STEVE Y IS TOO SMART FOR THAT

Lehner reportedly getting new contract with Vegas at $5M x 5 years.
- Theo Fox

If this is true I’m happy for Lehner. I know not everyone was/is a fan of the Panda, but I think he’s earned a decent contract like this. The term and amount is reasonable for a starting netminder.

Hey Bingo, do you think Carolina goes after Frederick Anderson? $5 mil. cap hit, but only $1 mil. in actual cash
- LAHawk

I just hope the Hawks stay away from Andersen, I want nothing to do with him.

Hey Bingo, do you think Carolina goes after Frederick Anderson? $5 mil. cap hit, but only $1 mil. in actual cash
- LAHawk

Yes and no. I think Kuemper or one of the UFA's would be more attractive though.

The $1 million thing is mostly meaningless. James Reimer is in a similar boat with only $850k in actual salary and almost $3 million in signing bonus the Canes have already paid.

Either way they've already spent a bunch of cash on a goalie.

i WANT EVERYONE TO LOOK AT THE 4 TEAMS LEFT IN THE PLAYOFFS , EVERYONE OF THEM KNOW HOW TO BATTLE FOR THE PUCK. AND PLAY A PHYSICAL GAME. THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH DEAD WEIGHT ON THIS BLACKHAWK TEAM. THEY NEED A THIRD LINE THAT IS GOING TO BATTLE AND WIN THE BOARDS. THEY NEED TO GET BIGGER ON THE WING. I WOULD SHIP DEBRINCAT , STROME AND NYLANDER OUT! I WOULD LOVE TO TRADE DEBRINCAR AND STROME TO DETROIT FOR BERTUZZI BUT I THINK STEVE Y IS TOO SMART FOR THAT
- Ging72

A word of advice - don't use all caps - it's hard to read and some people won't bother reading it because of that, including me.

i WANT EVERYONE TO LOOK AT THE 4 TEAMS LEFT IN THE PLAYOFFS , EVERYONE OF THEM KNOW HOW TO BATTLE FOR THE PUCK. AND PLAY A PHYSICAL GAME. THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH DEAD WEIGHT ON THIS BLACKHAWK TEAM. THEY NEED A THIRD LINE THAT IS GOING TO BATTLE AND WIN THE BOARDS. THEY NEED TO GET BIGGER ON THE WING. I WOULD SHIP DEBRINCAT , STROME AND NYLANDER OUT! I WOULD LOVE TO TRADE DEBRINCAR AND STROME TO DETROIT FOR BERTUZZI BUT I THINK STEVE Y IS TOO SMART FOR THAT
- Ging72

Nylander actually has good size he just hasn't gotten the memo it's not "flag hockey" it's tackle hockey. Who knows, Strome hits the gym and at 6'3" turns into a player. Dinky I'll trade for a 2nd like he was if somebody eats the whole contract not likely to happen have to take $6m in crap back.