So Keith was a stud up until about 2017 or so, but to be honest he’s been trending down since and this past season he was just plain bad. What should be the path forward with him? I would not mind if he waived to be a #5 or so on a good team. To me the only current veteran on the team worth keeping on the back end is Murphy.

With three #1 quality defensemen. Which means they are not a good example of a team who won without a #1 defenseman.
- mohel

Your are missing my point. Yes they won with a great top 4 ... but that is rare
special kudos to Keith-Seabs-Hammer and honorable mention to Oduya. That won't happen again in long time. Most teams today are deeper, but not so star studded as the Hawks were

the 3 heaviest teams in the NHL are all in the finals. MTL is the 7th. guess who was last and we all want to trade ZAD. I know everybody talks about size not being important but clearly in playoff hockey it is.
- kmw4631

No big Z will be gone to a Cup contender and we will continue to build with the tiny tots .Hit in the chin with the puck knocked one out for a week ,that's not playoff ready .

If he was statistically the best 5 x 5 defenseman the Hawks had, then maybe Stan should trade/release all of them and start over? Would you rather have the smallish Sam Girard back there against Vegas? Do you want Girard's contract at $5 mil. for the next 6 seasons?
- LAHawk

I've seen the statistical data but I trust my eyes which tell me he's bad with the puck and not actually very good at defending which I thought was supposed to be his forte.

I know Stillman's not as big but plays a similar style and has a lot less games under his belt than Z. I think with Stillman there is potential to develop and may be wrong on Big Z but at this point I think he is what he is.

Like someone said before, if we already had lots of great dmen and he was relegated to 3rd pairing making less...fine.

If they are able to get him at similar money on a short deal...maybe, but I'd prefer they use the money elsewhere or not at all right now.

I've seen the statistical data but I trust my eyes which tell me he's bad with the puck and not actually very good at defending which I thought was supposed to be his forte.

I know Stillman's not as big but plays a similar style and has a lot less games under his belt than Z. I think with Stillman there is potential to develop and may be wrong on Big Z but at this point I think he is what he is.

Like someone said before, if we already had lots of great dmen and he was relegated to 3rd pairing making less...fine.

If they are able to get him at similar money on a short deal...maybe, but I'd prefer they use the money elsewhere or not at all right now.
- HawkintheD

If you are a playoff team, I think Z is a "really nice to have" guy. As long as you can shelter his mins a bit and not rely on him, he can handle the forecheck and he gets in the way of enough rushes and chances that he is quite beneficial. He's kind of a waste on the current Hawks team.

So Keith was a stud up until about 2017 or so, but to be honest he’s been trending down since and this past season he was just plain bad. What should be the path forward with him? I would not mind if he waived to be a #5 or so on a good team. To me the only current veteran on the team worth keeping on the back end is Murphy.
- Angotti

In my opinion... for everyone to stop insisting that he is the best defenseman on this team. I've rewatched about 15 games (because I'm a masochist), most of them wins, to see which defenders I thought actually were playing well to my eye. I was looking at positioning, being able to make an accurate first pass out of the zone, playing their own position, turnovers (and where they occur), etc. Keith was not good this past year. He made way too many horribly dangerous passes. Got caught on the wrong side of the puck way too many times, and was very often guilty of chasing/covering a guy that was already accounted for by another player.

This sin't to rag on Keith. None of the D-men were particularly good last year. Murphy, Z, and Boqvist were the "least bad" by the numbers. I thought Kalynuk passed the eye test the best, but Mitchell looked really good his first 15 games or so. Limit Keith's minutes. Let the other players grow with more responsibility and start leaning on them to see what they can take. It's a long process with D-men.

Lukas Reichel's first Blackhawks (zoom) press conference is happening now.

"I'm really proud to be part of the organization... I'm so excited and I'm really looking forward to the future."

Reichel says he has meetings with Hawks coaches next week and they'll figure out a plan for when this summer he'll come to the US. "I can't wait to come over."

The Hawks of 2010 - 2015 were too skinny to be good.
- mohel

Not enough pickle juice

the 3 heaviest teams in the NHL are all in the finals. MTL is the 7th. guess who was last and we all want to trade ZAD. I know everybody talks about size not being important but clearly in playoff hockey it is.
- kmw4631

Instead of getting or keeping heavy guys who are bad at hockey, maybe we should try weighting the equipment of lighter guys that are good at hockey. Red font. lol

In my opinion... for everyone to stop insisting that he is the best defenseman on this team. I've rewatched about 15 games (because I'm a masochist), most of them wins, to see which defenders I thought actually were playing well to my eye. I was looking at positioning, being able to make an accurate first pass out of the zone, playing their own position, turnovers (and where they occur), etc. Keith was not good this past year. He made way too many horribly dangerous passes. Got caught on the wrong side of the puck way too many times, and was very often guilty of chasing/covering a guy that was already accounted for by another player.

This sin't to rag on Keith. None of the D-men were particularly good last year. Murphy, Z, and Boqvist were the "least bad" by the numbers. I thought Kalynuk passed the eye test the best, but Mitchell looked really good his first 15 games or so. Limit Keith's minutes. Let the other players grow with more responsibility and start leaning on them to see what they can take. It's a long process with D-men.
- Chunk

You obviously need reminding about the "one shift" rule on this board.

So Keith was a stud up until about 2017 or so, but to be honest he’s been trending down since and this past season he was just plain bad. What should be the path forward with him? I would not mind if he waived to be a #5 or so on a good team. To me the only current veteran on the team worth keeping on the back end is Murphy.
- Angotti

Agreed

But my concern is over a lack of knowledge what have been reason(s) for the decline. We can agree he is less capable, less the skater although still a good skater. Correct?!? His gambling challenging style is at risk. Even the routes he takes, his angles- everything to do with skating- is recalculated based on how much effort and ability to perform adequately.

Now about his attitude and possible erosion of other skills....no comment on my behalf because I cannot say I know if this is somewhat truthful. Those who saw in person would know best. But none of us saw but on a television or other screen

It USED TO BE that his experience meant so much. Move him out and everyone is worse off as they have to step up one spot on depth chart.

Before making a decision I would like to see his game for the first part of the next season. I know playing with a lot of youth enters into the entire team and Keith's own "defense"

Sorry you're right Peleck-Pullock I tend to confuse the two They sound like a law firm
- chuckdahammer

Adam Peleck was a 2012 3rd round by NYI. He took a while to stick in the NHL, 44 gp 2016 then full time 77 gp next season

Pulock was a first round choice one year after Pelech and Pulock became full time one.year later than Peleech arrived on the scene (2017). Pulock has not become an all star but one of these years I expect a lot of goals. That both have Trotz means they are more team orientated than getting glory for individual exploits.

Sounds like a law firm, the two nyi blueline crew.....I concur

So Keith was a stud up until about 2017 or so, but to be honest he’s been trending down since and this past season he was just plain bad. What should be the path forward with him? I would not mind if he waived to be a #5 or so on a good team. To me the only current veteran on the team worth keeping on the back end is Murphy.
- Angotti

Keith can stick around as long as he’d like. He should be a 3rd pairing d-man, JC plays him too much. I’d like to see Keith max out at 16-17 mins per night.

I've seen the statistical data but I trust my eyes which tell me he's bad with the puck and not actually very good at defending which I thought was supposed to be his forte.

I know Stillman's not as big but plays a similar style and has a lot less games under his belt than Z. I think with Stillman there is potential to develop and may be wrong on Big Z but at this point I think he is what he is.

Like someone said before, if we already had lots of great dmen and he was relegated to 3rd pairing making less...fine.

If they are able to get him at similar money on a short deal...maybe, but I'd prefer they use the money elsewhere or not at all right now.
- HawkintheD

I’d protect Stillman over Z in the expansion draft, he’s cheaper and more effective.

No big Z will be gone to a Cup contender and we will continue to build with the tiny tots .Hit in the chin with the puck knocked one out for a week ,that's not playoff ready .
- oldduffman

Come down to the rink.. ill plant a puck to your face and then tell me sbout it.

Come down to the rink.. ill plant a puck to your face and then tell me sbout it.
- LFS

LFS the cybernetic hero. 🌈

LFS the cybernetic hero. 🌈
- paulr

Wow.. that hurt

You obviously need reminding about the "one shift" rule on this board.
- rpeters01

I hear the Hawks are looking for a new slogan. That's as good as any.

It always kills me when everyone to a T on here says they expect the Hawks to be crap, then some get all pissed and frustrated when they are exactly that (or even if they are slightly better - like last year). Youngest team in the league, with 1.5 guys who can actually play center, a complete crapshoot in goal, and four guys with under a season's worth of games playing significant time on the back end.

Great success!

I hear the Hawks are looking for a new slogan. That's as good as any.

It always kills me when everyone to a T on here says they expect the Hawks to be crap, then some get all pissed and frustrated when they are exactly that (or even if they are slightly better - like last year). Youngest team in the league, with 1.5 guys who can actually play center, a complete crapshoot in goal, and four guys with under a season's worth of games playing significant time on the back end.

Great success!
- Chunk

My disappointment in the season comes not from the record - 1 game below B-.500 was about six to eight points better than I expected.

While YMMV, I expected more improvement in play, in certain aspects of the game, from the beginning of the season to the end - and I don’t think I saw it. Defensive coverage in the slot, breakouts, transition, puck management, too many cross-ice passes through sticks and too many stretch passes - much the same in April as in January.

They made their record in the first 25 games, 13-7-5, with excellent goal tending and and excellent power play getting 11 of those games to OT (not to mention a somewhat favorable schedule). When those two aspects of the game leveled off - when opposing teams figured them out, perhaps - the record in the last 31 games was 11-18-2. Disappointing not because of the record, but (again) the lack of improvement in too many areas.

They showed they weren’t at the bottom of the league - they had good records against Detroit, Columbus, even Dallas - even played well against Carolina. That’sl not “nothing”, more than “something”.

I hear the Hawks are looking for a new slogan. That's as good as any.

It always kills me when everyone to a T on here says they expect the Hawks to be crap, then some get all pissed and frustrated when they are exactly that (or even if they are slightly better - like last year). Youngest team in the league, with 1.5 guys who can actually play center, a complete crapshoot in goal, and four guys with under a season's worth of games playing significant time on the back end.

Great success!
- Chunk

Under these conditions its reasonable to expect another Stanley Cup while going 16-0 in the playoffs. Anything less should lead to Stan’s termination and trading everyone on the roster.

My disappointment in the season comes not from the record - 1 game below B-.500 was about six to eight points better than I expected.

While YMMV, I expected more improvement in play, in certain aspects of the game, from the beginning of the season to the end - and I don’t think I saw it. Defensive coverage in the slot, breakouts, transition, puck management, too many cross-ice passes through sticks and too many stretch passes - much the same in April as in January.

They made their record in the first 25 games, 13-7-5, with excellent goal tending and and excellent power play getting 11 of those games to OT (not to mention a somewhat favorable schedule). When those two aspects of the game leveled off - when opposing teams figured them out, perhaps - the record in the last 31 games was 11-18-2. Disappointing not because of the record, but (again) the lack of improvement in too many areas.

They showed they weren’t at the bottom of the league - they had good records against Detroit, Columbus, even Dallas - even played well against Carolina. That’sl not “nothing”, more than “something”.
- StLBravesFan

I am 100% included in the group that was frustrated with their play during games. As you mentioned, the D coverage, overpassing, etc was brutal to watch at times. I even lost my crap on this board during games at times (although in my defense, that was typically when brown liquor was involved). I guess I have a bit of a different perspective than you in that I believe that they actually did improve as the season went on. They were simply playing better competition and the talent difference won out. They also sent Janmark and Soderberg packing, who I believe were big parts of their early season success, and largely replaced them with rookies.

Under these conditions its reasonable to expect another Stanley Cup while going 16-0 in the playoffs. Anything less should lead to Stan’s termination and trading everyone on the roster.
- DarthKane

You never disappoint.

I hear the Hawks are looking for a new slogan. That's as good as any.

It always kills me when everyone to a T on here says they expect the Hawks to be crap, then some get all pissed and frustrated when they are exactly that (or even if they are slightly better - like last year). Youngest team in the league, with 1.5 guys who can actually play center, a complete crapshoot in goal, and four guys with under a season's worth of games playing significant time on the back end.

Great success!
- Chunk

Throw 4-5 college and AHL defense men out there against Tampa and it's the systems fault they can't stop the best NHL players in the league. Boggles my mind. Makes my head hurt.

Throw 4-5 college and AHL defense men out there against Tampa and it's the systems fault they can't stop the best NHL players in the league. Boggles my mind. Makes my head hurt.
- rpeters01

I listened to the “31 thoughts” podcast. Elliotte’s first two points:
1) a big blue line
2) coaching
a) knowing what talent you have and managing that talent.
b) some arrogance, experience and will.

Uh oh!

https://podcast.sportsnet...-thoughts/the-final-four/