Blackhawks Woes

[SaberSox]

Can someone who knows more about hockey than me explain what the hell is wrong with the Hawks?

 

[derosabomb]

overrated asses

 

[DMelt36]

Team defense. They're giving up waaaaaaay too many goals. Some of that can be put on the goalies, but I'd put more of it on subpar play in their own zone.

They've given up 123 goals. The only other teams in the conference that have given up more goals would not be in the playoffs if it started today.

Sure, they're scoring a lot (134, tied for second in West w/ Detroit and behind Vancouver), but incredible team defense is what got this team a Stanley Cup. They're not doing that.

They look like the Washington Capitals.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Hawks might wanna take a page out of the Wings book & actually crash the net.

Nah, lets go to the side of it instead. :slap:

 

[SaberSox]

Team defense....Sure, they're scoring a lot (134, tied for second in West w/ Detroit and behind Vancouver), but incredible team defense is what got this team a Stanley Cup. They're not doing that.

I see. Thanks for the info. So, not being a hockey aficionado by any stretch of the imagination, I'm trying to understand the game better. Are there any specific things to watch for while watching a game as far as defense goes?

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Bad:

Defense isn't good enough. Neither Lepisto or O'Donnell have proven to be steady enough for consistent 5/6 d-man work. Each is better suited as a 7. That's two off-season misses that are costing the team pretty big right now. Also, everyone is saying Leddy is playing more minutes than he's capable of.

Certain forwards are under performing- Frolik and Bickel have managed to make the 3rd line irrelevant. It's only two players, but they've both been so bad that neither produces no matter who they get on a line with.

And now, injuries are starting to take a toll. Sharp is a huge loss, Kruger has been missed and even Carcillo being in the lineup could help right about now but he's gone for who knows how long.

Kane started off hot but he's been really cold lately. Had one of his better offensive games against Detroit last night but still didn't find the score sheet... more on him later.



Good:

Stalberg has been a positive. Not just his point production, but his ability to fill in on any line and not be totally out of place.

Mayers has been an anchor on the 4th line. GREAT off season pick up.

Hayes in his little time up has been good/great. He knows his role and he plays it well thus far.

Brunette is nothing special but he's dependable. He wins puck battles and essentially is not a liability. He's smart and experienced and he'll chip in every now and then.

Toews and Hossa are playing like the superstars they are.



Horrible

The powerplay. This is it. If the Hawks could figure this one out- they'd be in much better shape. Eddie O keeps saying their problem is the entry into the offensive zone on powerplays. I disagree. Even when they get set up, they consistently do one of three things-

1- Quick slapper on net with NO net presence that gets kicked away and is promptly cleared
2- Pass the puck below the goal line and then throw it across the crease. Fans know it's coming... other teams know it's coming.
3- Keith takes a long shot and it gets blocked.

As long as this team draws powerplays (which it has been), there is no reason for Kane to be cold. He is built for man advantage hockey, yet this team looks like robots on the PP. Robots that have been given the wrong code and are just programed to fail.

The Hawks are a puck possession team. Puck possession draws penalties. Penalties are worthless when you don't take advantage of them.


To fix:

1- Acquire defense. This will cost.
2- Stop sucking balls on the powerplay. Just stop.

 

[Uman85]

It's really strange that a team can be so bad on the PP after having a pretty good unit last year. I know Campbell's absence may have quite a bit to do with that, but I believe the players on this team are more than capable of stepping up.

 

[Diehardfan]

It's really strange that a team can be so bad on the PP after having a pretty good unit last year. I know Campbell's absence may have quite a bit to do with that, but I believe the players on this team are more than capable of stepping up.

A lot more than people are ready to give him credit for. Sure, he was soft defensively but you have to accept the bad with the good. The Hawks moved the puck better, exited the def zone easier and were more proficient on the PP with Campbell. Ok, they free'd up money but what did they do with it? O'Donnell, Lepisto, Caracillo and Brunette are not exactly the things that dreams are made of.

Im getting tired of Bowman getting a pass around here. This was supposed to be a team that was stronger and tougher. Instead he turned them into a team that is less skilled and noticably slower.

A quick stat....Campbell's new employer the Florida Panther's PP was dead last in 2010-2011. They are currently 10th this year.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Campbell was much more important defensively than he was on the PP.

Florida is a completely different team this year. Look at all their stats and I'm sure they're all better than last year. It's a new team top to bottom.

#51 isn't a magician. He's just a steady defenseman that can play a lot of minutes. In other words, the exact thing that the Hawks are lacking right now.

 

[SaberSox]

It's really strange that a team can be so bad on the PP after having a pretty good unit last year. I know Campbell's absence may have quite a bit to do with that, but I believe the players on this team are more than capable of stepping up.

From what I understand, and I could be wrong because I don't know what the hell I'm talking about, losing Ladd after the Championship season really hurt the Hawks in the PP department.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Hawks might wanna take a page out of the Wings book & actually crash the net.

Nah, lets go to the side of it instead. :slap:

Just keep sucking their **** why don't ya?

 

[HawkWriter]

I think a lot more people are giving Campbell more credit than he deserves on the PP. He wasn't what made the PP run last year or the year before, not one bit.

Hell, last year he only put up 6 PP and the year before he put up 11.

I know everyone thinks of him as an offensive Dman, but he certainly didn't help or even play on the PP as most here are making it seem.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

I definitely think Campbell is one of the reasons the Hawks are struggling, but not necessarily because he was so good on the PP.

I'm thinking more along the lines of if we had Campbell, the team would have 6 good defensemen. Campbell was one of the best defensemen on the team, but his contract kept him from staying on the Hawks.

Huge loss in my opinion.

 

[Captain Iago]

Team defense. They're giving up waaaaaaay too many goals. Some of that can be put on the goalies, but I'd put more of it on subpar play in their own zone.

They've given up 123 goals. The only other teams in the conference that have given up more goals would not be in the playoffs if it started today.

Sure, they're scoring a lot (134, tied for second in West w/ Detroit and behind Vancouver), but incredible team defense is what got this team a Stanley Cup. They're not doing that.

They look like the Washington Capitals.

:clap:

One difference between those Caps teams you are referring to (prior to this and last season, I presume) and the Hawks is that those Caps seemed to me like practically a sure shot on the PP. This team's PP is in the very meh range despite having a plethora of offensive talent.

Like you said, the team D is killing this team. The second pairing is playing like kids they are out there. Without changes, this team is a one-and-done in the playoffs.

 

[Captain Iago]

From what I understand, and I could be wrong because I don't know what the hell I'm talking about, losing Ladd after the Championship season really hurt the Hawks in the PP department.

No, not so much on the PP, but battling along the boards, in his own zone, shutting down opponents while chipping in offensively, being a presence around the net, a pest...it goes on...

Ladd is a quality, quality two-way player. Great hockey IQ.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

Issues will probably be resolved before the trade deadline. This team has plenty of cap room, and showcasing some of the rookies will get teams interested. A stay at home D man like Sopel is something to look for. Small cap hit, but will patrol the blue line.

Team toughness-- they have Scott and Mayers, but are lacking an offensive big body-- some one like Dubinsky. I doubt that issue is addressed.

As far as Carcillo is concerned-- good riddance. A few flashes in the pan (I got to see the goal in Tampa in person--wow), but Carbomb is living up to his name--unstable. I hope he heals and finds work, but hopefully not in the Indian Head.

I think Q juggling lines is preventing any kind of gelling with the talent on the Hawks. Keep Kaner at wing and load up that line. He'll start netting them again. If Hitchcock can get an underachieving Blues team to lead the division-- Q better steal a couple of pages from Ken's book.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

Oh.. please don't move Shaw. That kid has some serious potential.
Hayes could be another Daze-- but without the back issues (don't make fun of that comment-- Daze was MVP of the '02 ASG).

 

[HawkWriter]

Oh.. please don't move Shaw. That kid has some serious potential.
Hayes could be another Daze-- but without the back issues (don't make fun of that comment-- Daze was MVP of the '02 ASG).

Except that Daze was better at everything...especially skating. Daze was a better passer, had a better shot, and a pretty high hockey IQ.

I guess Hayes atleast hits people. I think people are jumping all over Hayes way too fast...he really needs to improve his foot speed in a big way.

 

[Captain Iago]

Issues will probably be resolved before the trade deadline. This team has plenty of cap room, and showcasing some of the rookies will get teams interested. A stay at home D man like Sopel is something to look for. Small cap hit, but will patrol the blue line.

Team toughness-- they have Scott and Mayers, but are lacking an offensive big body-- some one like Dubinsky. I doubt that issue is addressed.

As far as Carcillo is concerned-- good riddance. A few flashes in the pan (I got to see the goal in Tampa in person--wow), but Carbomb is living up to his name--unstable. I hope he heals and finds work, but hopefully not in the Indian Head.

I think Q juggling lines is preventing any kind of gelling with the talent on the Hawks. Keep Kaner at wing and load up that line. He'll start netting them again. If Hitchcock can get an underachieving Blues team to lead the division-- Q better steal a couple of pages from Ken's book.

If the Hawks can only get a 6/7 defenseman, then an upgrade in defensively aware forwards is necessary. Unless the problem is systemic, which would require a much larger change; one that the Hawks won't do.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

Both of you have valid points.