Hawks' Problem Is Chemistry, Not Talent

[TheChicagoFan]

What I'm saying is that when the checking lines do score, it adds a lot of value to your team. You've got to find ways other than star players to score in the playoffs if you want to win.

Like the 3rd line the cup year. Fantastic.

 

[HawkWriter]

What I'm saying is that when the checking lines do score, it adds a lot of value to your team. You've got to find ways other than star players to score in the playoffs if you want to win.

Like the 3rd line the cup year. Fantastic.

Bingo.

Add in the Blackhawks 4th line. Those guys knew their role. They could all skate, hit, stick up for a teammate, forecheck and most importantly they could all actually play the game of hockey.

 

[tbo41fan]

Bingo.

Add in the Blackhawks 4th line. Those guys knew their role. They could all skate, hit, stick up for a teammate, forecheck and most importantly they could all actually play the game of hockey.

your talking about the cup year right? lol

 

[HawkWriter]

your talking about the cup year right? lol

haha yes.

I really think one of the Blackhawks biggest issues over the last few years has been that 4th line.

I know they only play 8 minutes a night, but those are some valuable minutes and they provide some valuable depth if they can do their job of wearing down the Dmen and also chip in some.

 

[tbo41fan]

haha yes.

I really think one of the Blackhawks biggest issues over the last few years has been that 4th line.

I know they only play 8 minutes a night, but those are some valuable minutes and they provide some valuable depth if they can do their job of wearing down the Dmen and also chip in some.

if we had a competent 4th line, that could even be more like 9-11 mins against weaker teams

a good 4th line= less stress on top 6

 

[DMelt36]

The thing that kills me is that we could have had Kopitar in a draft. Instead we got Skille.

Hindsight's 20/20. Had the Hawks drafted Kopitar then they may not have drafted Toews in the following year. No complaints from me on that one.

What I'm saying is that when the checking lines do score, it adds a lot of value to your team. You've got to find ways other than star players to score in the playoffs if you want to win.

Like the 3rd line the cup year. Fantastic.

A solid 3rd and 4th line that compliments the performances of the top 2 lines is usually the difference between a really good team and a great team.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

And I think that's the big thing that's been missing on these past two year's teams. Good 3rd and 4th lines. The 3rd line in the Vancouver series last year was pretty good, but other than that the Hawks haven't had enough depth in those areas.

I'm not really sure what the answer to that problem is, but Bowman better figure it out.

 

[DMelt36]

And I think that's the big thing that's been missing on these past two year's teams. Good 3rd and 4th lines. The 3rd line in the Vancouver series last year was pretty good, but other than that the Hawks haven't had enough depth in those areas.

I'm not really sure what the answer to that problem is, but Bowman better figure it out.

Third line's been the best line in the last two playoff seasons.

The only goal I can even remember from the 4th line was Bollig's 60-foot wrister past Smith in Game 1 or 2 this year. It definitely needs to be better. Granted, scoring isn't their main job. But I don't recall it doing much of anything other than that goal. That's a big problem, particularly after watching the Kings' and Devils' 4th lines have done this year.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

And It's not all about just playing well in the playoffs. I think that they need to be able to score in the regular season too. Because the top 6 is very talented and needs to have the pressure off of them all year long.

That's just my opinion on what the Hawks need to improve. 3rd and 4th line. Goaltending. Maybe some defense. That's about it.

 

[DMelt36]

And It's not all about just playing well in the playoffs. I think that they need to be able to score in the regular season too. Because the top 6 is very talented and needs to have the pressure off of them all year long.

That's just my opinion on what the Hawks need to improve. 3rd and 4th line. Goaltending. Maybe some defense. That's about it.

If you get could a more consistent effort from Bickell and a tangible Michael Frolik on the ice in the regular season (as opposed to his typical invisible perofrmance) that'd make for a real good 3rd line of those two around Bolland. But with Frolik's contract, I think he may be moved this summer.

You've got four guys right now that could make up the 4th line trio: Shaw, Carcillo, Mayers and Bollig. I'd love to see what Shaw and Carcillo could do together. If one of those four guys can start winning draws consistently, the 4th line could be real, real good.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

I don't mind the 4th line actually. Bollig/Carcillo-Mayers-Shaw/Hayes?

The third line is the problem for me just because it's so inconsistent. Sure, it's okay in the playoffs when the players actually care but I'd like to see Bickell and Frolik actually do something in the regular season.