[A] How simplicity could help the Chicago Blackhawks

[fanof19]

I think we are almost to the point where you have to start working Stan in there. There are enough players not Tallons now that they win and lose on those compliments, which are surrounding the core. If this makes sense.

I would agree. Scooter dumped enough players, that it is now pretty much his team. The core is still Tallon's but the players surrounding the core are all Scooty's.

 

[Tater]

I think a lot of the over reaction pertaining to every little thing on this team is the fact that we all deep down know how honestly good this team is. And we also know from being there that their are so many uncontrollable little things that need to fall into line correctly in order to win the cup. So we latch on to all those little things and try to erase them to ease our worries. At the end of the day I think the team as is has just as good a shot as any other team out there as is, at winning the cup. But there are a lot of things that could be tweaked to help the chances. I feel like everyone thinks we are just a tweak or two away, but all those tweaks keep getting compiled and added upon to make it look like a collective "OH SHIT WE HAVE TO FIX THIS" when in all honesty the fixes are all minor.

Very well said.





Ooops.....ummm......uhhh...... I mean I have you on ignore.

 

[MassHavoc]

Very well said.





Ooops.....ummm......uhhh...... I mean I have you on ignore.

What? I couldn't understand you because I have you on ignore, and I'm not actually responding to you because I didn't see your post that I just quoted.

 

[PuckPowWow]

No offense guys, but if it is pointless to talk about the team's play, then why are we here doing just that?

Sorry, but I am not just a mindless observer (not that I am calling anyone here that). I like to watch these games and look at the specifics of every play, what effect it has on the game and then the team. Believe me, I am a happy Hawks fan, and I remember the way it used to be only a few years back, but that doesn't mean I sit back without bringing any thought or that I don't analyze the game.



Actually reading through a bunch of the comments here, I saw a few people mention playing like a team makes for a better Hawks. Pretty sure that was the gist of what I said in the post.



Also, incase no one has noticed, the Hawks are sinking in the standings while starring down the barrel of a 9-game road trip, when their road record isn't exactly awesome. Now, I am not panicking either, just starting conversation. If they play to their patterns this year on the road, and the other teams in the Central continue their current pattern, things could be a lot worse in a few weeks.



Also, no team has allowed more goals against per game (at least no one who is currently in a playoff spot). If defensive players are not the main culprit (as I also believe), how is everything just so peachy?

 

[R K]

I agree Mass and that's the main reason for trying to finish first in the division. The Hawks have been very good on the road for the most part so hopefully they pick it up as those are where the points will need to come from.



4 Central teams should and will most likely make the playoffs unless something drastically happens in the 2nd half, IE injury. By far the best division in hockey and all within 3pts of each other.

 

[R K]

sinking in the standings? 3pts from being the best point team in the league. Yea......



Relax and enjoy the hockey. What were you watching before 2009?



And if you use the last game "playing like a team" missing two Centers and five rookies in the line up, I don't think that's what anyone meant.



I believe the comment was "team defense". Not blaming the D a majority of the time but forwards not back checking as a whole. As for the road, other than the two games in Alberta, and last game in Nashville they've been good on the road. All close, competative games.

 

[MassHavoc]

I wouldn't say sinking in the standings but definately hit a rough patch and having some adjustment problems to injuries like any team would. They have lost 7 of their last 12 and it's a good point that it comes right before a 9 game road trip that I have been dreading all year. Every point counts and while i have looked at it closely and counted it all out, I think that their are too many games left of Central vs. Central to not think that as close as it is 3 points is a very big deal with the 9 on the road coming. 2 weeks from now we could easily be scratching to get back in. I think the all-star break came at a great time and hopefully provides them the opportunity to get out of the gate fast on this road trip. I think it's as likely as anything that the central beats up on itself so bad that only 3 teams make it in. Luckily there are some bad bad teams which should keep that 9th spot bar pretty low. We've seen the trade deadline do some strange things to teams before though, and the right move or two could have anyone make a push.

 

[R K]

5-5-2

 

[MassHavoc]

5-5-2

12 of 24 points.



They have 64/100 so far this year, and I would bet they would need to keep up at least that 64% pace to make the playoffs.

 

[MassHavoc]

OOOOooOooOo I just had a flashback to a hat bet... hahaah where the hell is Jack.

 

[R K]

OOOOooOooOo I just had a flashback to a hat bet... hahaah where the hell is Jack.

Probably still in his back seat. Had you shown up you'd have had your hat. Wait till you see who autographed it. HAHAHAHAHAHA!



Right now the hawks would face the Canucks in the first round. Holy awesome. They are 10pts ahead of 8th. I don't think 6 and or above is even a thought at this point. They'd really need to melt down a LOT to allow the Avs, Wild et al to catch up.

 

[MassHavoc]

You make me not want it anymore.



But yeah I agree. I have to facilitate here though you know make people talk.

 

[R K]

I'm guessing will be an autograph you'd NEVER think of. And yes you want it. Jack still has it.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Your signature is really annoying ******.

 

[PuckPowWow]

Okay RK, I am obviously not talking about the last 2 games only. In fact, I used the wins before that as part of my reasoning for the whole "simple play" thing.



I also said, "no, I am not panicking either,"so I obviously see your side of the coin. Yes, the Hawks are doing pretty darn good this year. I just think they can do better okay. And like it or not, the whole season in perspective gives ample evidence to that deduction.



And YES, I agree on the "team defense" thing. Did you not even see the point about having the WORST goals against. I am not putting it on only the D, but the whole team. If that is true, than you can not be too happy about the WHOLE team performance with a stat like that.



I also said, to your point, "that the simple approach and TEAM play caused a better back-check and support in the defensive zone." I don't really think you are even reading what I am actually saying here.



But like I said, I am not panicking just yet, or ever really. This is a game, a game I love to watch and play and have done for the greater portion of my life. What was I watching before 2009? I was too busy playing hockey (and I know what it is like to get payed for playing the game), just kidding, I also watched a crap ton of hockey. I get it, we are way better off than back then, and I have acknowledged it.



This is a game, the greatest ever, but a game nonetheless. What is the harm in critiquing the Hawks game? They are Pros, they can take it.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

I think one of the teams issues is they are poor wth puck possession. As soon as our defense feel a slight bit of pressure in their own zone, they fire it high off the class, or try to do a hard wrap to the center ice boards. The reason teams like Detriot win games is because they have the puck on their sticks 80% of the time. The hawks on the other hand can't complete 3 passes without turning it over. If we want to have any chance in the playoffs, our time with the puck needs to greatly improve. The Hawks can't rely on Kane, Toews and Hossa to get the puck in the other teams zone by themselves.

 

[Maiden]

500 road trip is all I'm looking for. Then feast on home games the remainder of the year.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

500 road trip is all I'm looking for. Then feast on home games the remainder of the year.

I miss Barker...................

 

[PatrickShart]

Worse GAA? False. Their team GAA - 2.77...13 teams are worse than the Hawks are - including BUFF, PHI



How about some other facts -

5th best in SOG per game

3rd in Goals For



Some teams that allow more shots on goal than CHI? PITT, SJ, DET, LA, OTT



Their "clown shoes" power play is 8th in the league...that some Kitchen guy is ruining.



The sinking ship is 3pts out of the top spot in the conference. The only thing they need work on, is the PK. So feel free to now dissect that and why that will be their downfall, because everything else isn't as bad as some think.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Worse GAA? False. Their team GAA - 2.77...13 teams are worse than the Hawks are - including BUFF, PHI



How about some other facts -

5th best in SOG per game

3rd in Goals For



Some teams that allow more shots on goal than CHI? PITT, SJ, DET, LA, OTT



Their "clown shoes" power play is 8th in the league...that some Kitchen guy is ruining.



The sinking ship is 3pts out of the top spot in the conference. The only thing they need work on, is the PK. So feel free to now dissect that and why that will be their downfall, because everything else isn't as bad as some think.

hahaha