Theo Fox: Fast & Furious A look at the critical factors of communication that would make the Blackhawks systems more finely tuned.

Plus, a look at how the Wild's thumping of the IceHogs reveals a lot of what ails the parent club.

GM Theo! Thanks for sharing and nice find.

So far, I'm liking the trade for Stillman, especially since it seemed like he was just a throw in at the time of the deal.

Opposing players aren't going to bail on a play against him like Teuvo and Aho did the other night with Z skating toward them; but I think he provides some nasty while being better defensively and with the puck on his stick, no question.

GM Theo! Thanks for sharing and nice find.

So far, I'm liking the trade for Stillman, especially since it seemed like he was just a throw in at the time of the deal.

Opposing players aren't going to bail on a play against him like Teuvo and Aho did the other night with Z skating toward them; but I think he provides some nasty while being better defensively and with the puck on his stick, no question.
- HawkintheD

The Carolina Complainer yesterday was just a sore sport when it came to Zadorov. He's far from being a goon, he's just built like one. Big, clean hits. Nice to see him play a good game. He's due 2-3 after a much longer stretch of not playing well.

The Carolina Complainer yesterday was just a sore sport when it came to Zadorov. He's far from being a goon, he's just built like one. Big, clean hits. Nice to see him play a good game. He's due 2-3 after a much longer stretch of not playing well.
- I Am The Breadman

Yeah he had a stretch where he played well for a bit and then to your point a long one where he didn't look good at all.

I don't recall what game the good streak ended and the bad one began. May have coincided with them playing the division's tougher teams beginning in March, but either way, agree with Trob, I believe from the last blog, that $3M+ is too much to pay a 3rd pairing guy.

Going forward there has to be concern over the health of the Blackhawks. I mean, with the likelybgraduation of more physical checking forwards from Rockford plus Hardman and, eventually Slaggert, the games should feature more checking and more concussions.

To be honest and face reality, we cannot win without being more successful in svrums and especially in board battles. You saw how badly Vegas beat us in cycling the puck. You saw that Carolima was the better team - quite clearly - and it is because they are bigger, faster, and challenge us, they check us too

Now if we can get bigger and faster and more grit/sandpaper on bottom lines plus minimum two dmen, then with experience we can step up to the Carolina Hurricanes level. Of course the biggest challenge is to add the players (suggest two) on top two lines with both top line ability and able/willing to battle in board scrums.

Best player available hinders addressing our long held need for this sort of top line player. Loosing Hossa, too, was a blow to an emerging young squad because Hossa led by example. His presence certainly would rub off on the kids as well as to some extent the veterans. Even Kane would sometimes commit more to backchecking.

Anyway, I favor having Zadorov available as a 6th or depth dman if he would compromise the salary he wants and what Bowman offers. You see it is not that Zadorov reduces the other team frequency of tough checking. It is that other teams will run rampant nailing our fragile skill dmen. You need a deterrent. Until more physical players filter in - including top two lines - keep Zadorov around. Eventually I would jettison Zadorov.

I see Stillman and Regula as willing & able to be physical. Even usual just pinning opponent to the boards by Regula, is a big plus. Once the young dmrn prospects mature and are more comfortable in this system, I expect they will pick spots to throw an occasional check.

More important, they will become better at preventive defense. Currently this has been painfully evident in maintaining inside positioning.

We really need Mitchell and Boqvist to develop. My hope is that Phillips and Vlasic come along and force Murphy to be dealt. That would be at minimum one year and quite possibly two or more years away. I envision either Beaudin or Kaiser eventually as the offensive man or puck mover on the third pair.

It would be great if Phillips develops. I prefer to keep waiting on all the dmen to develop and draft the forwards we need. Although if we draft a dman, the one Wiz projects on round one '21 sounds real good.

Colliton will loose his job, btw, if as talent improves we continue to have major system recognition and trouble conforming to a break out (of our end of ice) strategy.

Going forward there has to be concern over the health of the Blackhawks. I mean, with the likelybgraduation of more physical checking forwards from Rockford plus Hardman and, eventually Slaggert, the games should feature more checking and more concussions.

To be honest and face reality, we cannot win without being more successful in svrums and especially in board battles. You saw how badly Vegas beat us in cycling the puck. You saw that Carolima was the better team - quite clearly - and it is because they are bigger, faster, and challenge us, they check us too

Now if we can get bigger and faster and more grit/sandpaper on bottom lines plus minimum two dmen, then with experience we can step up to the Carolina Hurricanes level. Of course the biggest challenge is to add the players (suggest two) on top two lines with both top line ability and able/willing to battle in board scrums.

Best player available hinders addressing our long held need for this sort of top line player. Loosing Hossa, too, was a blow to an emerging young squad because Hossa led by example. His presence certainly would rub off on the kids as well as to some extent the veterans. Even Kane would sometimes commit more to backchecking.



Anyway, I favor having Zadorov available as a 6th or depth dman if he would compromise the salary he wants and what Bowman offers. You see it is not that Zadorov reduces the other team frequency of tough checking. It is that other teams will run rampant nailing our fragile skill dmen. You need a deterrent. Until more physical players filter in - including top two lines - keep Zadorov around. Eventually I would jettison Zadorov.

I see Stillman and Regula as willing & able to be physical. Even usual just pinning opponent to the boards by Regula, is a big plus. Once the young dmrn prospects mature and are more comfortable in this system, I expect they will pick spots to throw an occasional check.

More important, they will become better at preventive defense. Currently this has been painfully evident in maintaining inside positioning.

We really need Mitchell and Boqvist to develop. My hope is that Phillips and Vlasic come along and force Murphy to be dealt. That would be at minimum one year and quite possibly two or more years away. I envision either Beaudin or Kaiser eventually as the offensive man or puck mover on the third pair.

It would be great if Phillips develops. I prefer to keep waiting on all the dmen to develop and draft the forwards we need. Although if we draft a dman, the one Wiz projects on round one '21 sounds real good.

Colliton will loose his job, btw, if as talent improves we continue to have major system recognition and trouble conforming to a break out (of our end of ice) strategy.
- jhawk59

There's a lot to unpack here, but I think I agree with some and disagree with some.

There's a lot to unpack here, but I think I agree with some and disagree with some.

- mohel

Waiting for the Cliff's Notes version myself.

Although I am not the biggest JC fan, I was curious about how crucial communication is between players in this man to man scheme versus some other schemes (thank Theo for posting audio of the players talking). Obviously, this is something JC has zero control over except for emphasizing it in practice (which there wasn't much of this year).

It seems that communication is even more critical in the man to man scheme since there is so much movement by all 5 players. I wonder if a lot of the breakdowns we see are simply communication failures between players or a lack of communication in general by the players.

Thoughts?

Although I am not the biggest JC fan, I was curious about how crucial communication is between players in this man to man scheme versus some other schemes (thank Theo for posting audio of the players talking). Obviously, this is something JC has zero control over except for emphasizing it in practice (which there wasn't much of this year).

It seems that communication is even more critical in the man to man scheme since there is so much movement by all 5 players. I wonder if a lot of the breakdowns we see are simply communication failures between players or a lack of communication in general by the players.

Thoughts?
- bhawks2241

Communication is key but all teams do it regardless of schemes or systems. The kickers IMO are play recognition and reaction time which are a factor of fundamentals and hockey IQ.

I recall in the most recent Carolina series when Mitchell was barking out coverage orders to Strome but in the span of time that was happening, a Canes player snuck down the middle lane to receive a pass from behind the net and score.

That type of situation has happened other times throughout the season, too, so it wasn't an isolated incident.

Then there's elementary stuff like multiple Hawks players going to the corners or behind the net and leaving the slot vacated even though there's less opponents in that area of the ice that they're flocking to.

Simple math: if your team is outnumbering the opponent defensively in one area, somebody is open.

Perhap I'm too simplistic but basic defense is to keep the net front covered at all times at the expense of being outnumbered in the corners or behind the net where the other team technically shouldn't be able to score from.

If they do, then there are even bigger issues including the goalie being at fault.

This is funny. Seems the enforcers of old aren’t impressed with Tom Wilson’s cowardly shenanigans. George’s Laraques and others have offered to suit up one game with the Rangers to deal with Wilson.

https://russianmachinenev...e-me-a-one-game-contract/

Communication is key but all teams do it regardless of schemes or systems. The kickers IMO are play recognition and reaction time which are a factor of fundamentals and hockey IQ.

I recall in the most recent Carolina series when Mitchell was barking out coverage orders to Strome but in the span of time that was happening, a Canes player snuck down the middle lane to receive a pass from behind the net and score.

That type of situation has happened other times throughout the season, too, so it wasn't an isolated incident.

Then there's elementary stuff like multiple Hawks players going to the corners or behind the net and leaving the slot vacated even though there's less opponents in that area of the ice that they're flocking to.

Simple math: if your team is outnumbering the opponent defensively in one area, somebody is open.

Perhap I'm too simplistic but basic defense is to keep the net front covered at all times at the expense of being outnumbered in the corners or behind the net where the other team technically shouldn't be able to score from.

If they do, then there are even bigger issues including the goalie being at fault.
- Theo Fox

I feel like with both defenders dropping down below the net to cover or going to the same corner is mostly a communication issue.... if their fundamentals are that bad then yikes! It seems more like the D partners just don't know what the other is going to do or aren't properly communicating.

It just seems to me like communication in a man to man system is even more important than a simpler zone system that emphasizes clearing the net and protecting the middle of the ice. I understand communication is happening all the time no matter the system.

This is funny. Seems the enforcers of old aren’t impressed with Tom Wilson’s cowardly shenanigans. George’s Laraques and others have offered to suit up one game with the Rangers to deal with Wilson.

https://russianmachinenev...e-me-a-one-game-contract/
- paulr

I saw Laraques' post too the NYR the other day and laughed. As this pertains to the CHI team, I'd much rather find a few more Ladd, or Brouwer types to fill in around the rest of the lineup. Guys that play hard, but know D and can provide enough offense to not be a total liability.

Communication is key but all teams do it regardless of schemes or systems. The kickers IMO are play recognition and reaction time which are a factor of fundamentals and hockey IQ.

I recall in the most recent Carolina series when Mitchell was barking out coverage orders to Strome but in the span of time that was happening, a Canes player snuck down the middle lane to receive a pass from behind the net and score.

That type of situation has happened other times throughout the season, too, so it wasn't an isolated incident.

Then there's elementary stuff like multiple Hawks players going to the corners or behind the net and leaving the slot vacated even though there's less opponents in that area of the ice that they're flocking to.

Simple math: if your team is outnumbering the opponent defensively in one area, somebody is open.

Perhap I'm too simplistic but basic defense is to keep the net front covered at all times at the expense of being outnumbered in the corners or behind the net where the other team technically shouldn't be able to score from.

If they do, then there are even bigger issues including the goalie being at fault.
- Theo Fox

Not a fan of the JC D scheme. Appears overly complex and to date, doesn’t work. Historically his teams have been bad defensively. That crap might work in the Swiss league, but not here. Giving that guy an extension was idiotic when you have experienced coaches out there who know to play D.

I saw Laraques' post too the NYR the other day and laughed. As this pertains to the CHI team, I'd much rather find a few more Ladd, or Brouwer types to fill in around the rest of the lineup. Guys that play hard, but know D and can provide enough offense to not be a total liability.
- Chunk

I’m with you, I prefer guys who can play hard and guys willing to play in tough areas even they may not be overly physical. And I really don’t care for goons or guys who try to injure opponents. But I found it funny that tough guy Tom Wilson has enraged tough players from the past because of his cowardice.

Not a fan of the JC D scheme. Appears overly complex and to date, doesn’t work. Historically his teams have been bad defensively. That crap might work in the Swiss league, but not here. Giving that guy an extension was idiotic when you have experienced coaches out there who know to play D.
- z1990z

Do you mean the Hawks' defensive scheme? Who do you think decides what "scheme" to run? Do you think Stan didn't find out what "scheme" his team would run under JC until after hiring him?

C'mon man.

I saw Laraques' post too the NYR the other day and laughed. As this pertains to the CHI team, I'd much rather find a few more Ladd, or Brouwer types to fill in around the rest of the lineup. Guys that play hard, but know D and can provide enough offense to not be a total liability.
- Chunk

I would have to agree. This is why Hagel is such a fan favorite.

If size does matter, then look no further than Hardman and Entwistle. Slavin has some size and plays hard.

Then there are Barratt and Altybarmakian who may be more in the Hagel mold as far as size but bust their tails at both ends.

Soderlund, too, but he really needs to focus on the team game and not be all razzle dazzle.

Then further down the line is a prospect like Slaggert who reminds me as a mix of Shaw and Hagel.

Not a fan of the JC D scheme. Appears overly complex and to date, doesn’t work. Historically his teams have been bad defensively. That crap might work in the Swiss league, but not here. Giving that guy an extension was idiotic when you have experienced coaches out there who know to play D.
- z1990z

Whether it's the systems or the players or both or some other factor, that ish needs to get cleaned up or else the team won't go very far unless they can score 5-6 goals a game.

Do you mean the Hawks' defensive scheme? Who do you think decides what "scheme" to run? Do you think Stan didn't find out what "scheme" his team would run under JC until after hiring him?

C'mon man.
- mohel

Anyone know what scheme Colliton was coaching in Rockford? Unless the Hawks were a dysfunctional organization a few years ago, if Q was running a zone when here, you would think they would have been playing a zone likewise in Rockford.

So Colliton gets promoted and he implements this man and half system. Maybe he wanted to coach that all along so he convinces Stan to play it. Or maybe it was a mutual decision based on the skill levels of players they have and plan to obtain? Who knows.

So Torts won’t return to Columbus next season....do it Stan! Replace JC with Torts!!

via GIPHY

How about Patrick Roy ?

McDavid at 99 points with 6 minutes left in the 2nd period after a goal and 2 assists.

ETA: didn't Jamie Benn win it a few years back with fewer than 100 points in a full season?

McDavid at 99 points with 6 minutes left in the 2nd period after a goal and 2 assists.

ETA: didn't Jamie Benn win it a few years back with fewer than 100 points in a full season?
- tvetter

McDavid did it tonight, 100 points with game(s) to spare.

Mathews wins most goals scored

Marner finishes ahead of Kane in points

Wait till next year.

Talent and tenacity increase. Toews returns?! Playoffs elusive. JC's system: where does it stand/where does JC stand after next season despite any term remaining. Did Murphy remain a Blackhawk past trade deadline. How's Keith getting along?

New blog! A preview to the Blackhawks final series of the season versus the Stars now with no playoff chances at stake for either team.

Plus, a look at whether the starting goalies in the last 2 games will forecast next year's tandem.

https://bit.ly/3hcAxCJ

Whether it's the systems or the players or both or some other factor, that ish needs to get cleaned up or else the team won't go very far unless they can score 5-6 goals a game.
- Theo Fox

Nothing will improve playing 3 150# D-men I don't care what the system is.