PuckPowWow
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The Hawks lost 2 points last night against the Stars. I say lost, because there is no reason for the superior offense of the Hawks to fall in a game like that. It took only one game for the Hawks to start dropping points that could be crucial by the end of the season and only one game to revert back to the circus line-juggling made so popular last year by coach Q.
A significant factor in the juggling was the result of playing 7 defensemen, causing the double shifting of a forward. Why would anyone do this on opening night you might ask? Well, it might be in response to the not so great performance displayed by newly acquired Steve Montador during camp, but that is not what this post is about.
I want to talk center position for a moment, because it might be a factor in tonight's home opener which will revisit the Dallas Stars as an opponent. For more on last nights game, I wrote a detailed recap here: http://www.puckpowwow.com/
Much of the off-season decisions by the Hawks' administration was done with the belief that Dave Bolland would remain healthy. Surprise, it didn't even take a regular season game to destroy that hope. We now find the Hawks with a problem.
We have been sold the idea of Kaner as a center, and I might add that Kane looks pretty good so far. He was a huge offensive threat last night and won some timely face-offs. It's a shame Q couldn't stick with some of his line combos, because I liked what I saw of Kane as a center.
Brandon Pirri was called up from Rockford to fill in at the vacant 3rd line center spot. A call that I felt Pirri answered quite well. He almost became the Hawks' first goal scorer of the year on a few occasions and generated some great all around play. The response from Q and company must have gone something like this, "Great job kid, now go back to Rockford."
Instead of rewarding Pirri with another shot, the Hawks have called Marcus Kruger up instead. Thats right folks, still no Bolland to look forward to.
So, in case you were worried about some coaching choices last night, fear not, because the Hawks have made a move that completely ignores how Pirri showed well last night and significantly outplayed Kruger in every way possible during training camp.
Let us move on, because I still anticipate a Hawks win, given that their talented offense should be too much for Dallas when playing at home.
But, this debacle brings much concern to the surface. I am concerned that Bolland will play the bulk of the season, and how the Hawks will respond if he can't. Why should Pirri not be the answer? And if he isn't, who will be? The lack of effort in obtaining a reliable center in the off-season is beginning to look like a real mistake. Along with the loss of Campoli, the only missed opportunity, or should I say, blown opportunity.
Here is the deal. I really like what Stan Bowman has done for the Hawks. In fact, I trust in Stan. Blowing the Campoli thing in exchange for Steve, "ooops" Montador happened and we will move on. The center situation is with us now and might need some attention. Regardless, I hope to see a full squad of forwards dressed tonight.
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A significant factor in the juggling was the result of playing 7 defensemen, causing the double shifting of a forward. Why would anyone do this on opening night you might ask? Well, it might be in response to the not so great performance displayed by newly acquired Steve Montador during camp, but that is not what this post is about.
I want to talk center position for a moment, because it might be a factor in tonight's home opener which will revisit the Dallas Stars as an opponent. For more on last nights game, I wrote a detailed recap here: http://www.puckpowwow.com/
Much of the off-season decisions by the Hawks' administration was done with the belief that Dave Bolland would remain healthy. Surprise, it didn't even take a regular season game to destroy that hope. We now find the Hawks with a problem.
We have been sold the idea of Kaner as a center, and I might add that Kane looks pretty good so far. He was a huge offensive threat last night and won some timely face-offs. It's a shame Q couldn't stick with some of his line combos, because I liked what I saw of Kane as a center.
Brandon Pirri was called up from Rockford to fill in at the vacant 3rd line center spot. A call that I felt Pirri answered quite well. He almost became the Hawks' first goal scorer of the year on a few occasions and generated some great all around play. The response from Q and company must have gone something like this, "Great job kid, now go back to Rockford."
Instead of rewarding Pirri with another shot, the Hawks have called Marcus Kruger up instead. Thats right folks, still no Bolland to look forward to.
So, in case you were worried about some coaching choices last night, fear not, because the Hawks have made a move that completely ignores how Pirri showed well last night and significantly outplayed Kruger in every way possible during training camp.
Let us move on, because I still anticipate a Hawks win, given that their talented offense should be too much for Dallas when playing at home.
But, this debacle brings much concern to the surface. I am concerned that Bolland will play the bulk of the season, and how the Hawks will respond if he can't. Why should Pirri not be the answer? And if he isn't, who will be? The lack of effort in obtaining a reliable center in the off-season is beginning to look like a real mistake. Along with the loss of Campoli, the only missed opportunity, or should I say, blown opportunity.
Here is the deal. I really like what Stan Bowman has done for the Hawks. In fact, I trust in Stan. Blowing the Campoli thing in exchange for Steve, "ooops" Montador happened and we will move on. The center situation is with us now and might need some attention. Regardless, I hope to see a full squad of forwards dressed tonight.
Click here to view the article