Official Thread For Teh FaceOffs Andsz Teh Stuffz

[HawkWriter]

^^^ Exactly, that was before the season has started. No one has said anything since or said that they still believe that. Plenty of people showed doubts before the season and I fully admit I was one of them and am still a skeptic (Only 1 point in the last 4 games and only registered points in 2 out of 6 games playing with Sharp/Kane). However, hard to complain with his results for the most part.

You said, "so basically some of you still want bolland moved down? I really hope some of you dont actually want that." but no one has said they still want bolland moved down. Your question has nothing to do with my post that you quoted and apparently believe proves your point.

Nice try.

 

[DewsSox79]

because why mess with line chemistry when they are flowing so well? Who loses a spot? Kruger and his PK ability? Bolland moved down to 3rd line instead of staying on 2nd where he is flourishing?

I just dont like the idea of re-shuffling

exactly

 

[HawkWriter]

because why mess with line chemistry when they are flowing so well? Who loses a spot? Kruger and his PK ability? Bolland moved down to 3rd line instead of staying on 2nd where he is flourishing?

I just dont like the idea of re-shuffling

No one is saying Bolland should move down or Kruger should be taken off the PK. Both Bolland/Kruger are real solid defensively. I'm okay with Bolland's faceoffs for the most part (if he hits his 48% from last year) as that isn't terrible. Kruger hasn't shown me anything to believe in him at the faceoff dot but he knows how to play a decent two way game (better defense than offense) and he should be on the PK. It is a pretty simple shuffle and the Blackhawks have Mayers/Bollig on the 4th line who have shuffled. Once Carcillo comes back everything will be a little tighter but would still be nice to have a PK/Faceoff guy not named Toews.

 

[tbo41fan]

No one is saying Bolland should move down or Kruger should be taken off the PK. Both Bolland/Kruger are real solid defensively. I'm okay with Bolland's faceoffs for the most part (if he hits his 48% from last year) as that isn't terrible. Kruger hasn't shown me anything to believe in him at the faceoff dot but he knows how to play a decent two way game (better defense than offense) and he should be on the PK. It is a pretty simple shuffle and the Blackhawks have Mayers/Bollig on the 4th line who have shuffled. Once Carcillo comes back everything will be a little tighter but would still be nice to have a PK/Faceoff guy not named Toews.

Mayers and Bollig havent been playing center. if we bring in a center, who gets the axe? Which line(s) gets re-shuffled?

 

[Gunzaan]

This whole thread is a joke and it promotes the idea that if you have an opposing opinion from the majority, you will be treated like a joke here. A few people started a legitimate topic about an area of perceived weakness on the team, despite a great start, and then this thread is created.

Yes, there have been some good counter points but the debate hits a huge obstacle when you have Special person mods starting threads like this. Look at the title of the thread! It shows a lack of respect to the whole point of the boards - healthy discussion. Now, this particular mod is known for doing this, he alwayzzz respondzzzz like a 2 year old when someone disagreezzzz with him (see what I did there? How cute ).

I personally agree with some of the people looking for a change on the third or fourth line center, but I'd also love to hear some valid counter points to that as well.... You know, a healthy discussion! It's too bad that threads like this are created to completely derail the conversation.

 

[HawkWriter]

Mayers and Bollig havent been playing center. if we bring in a center, who gets the axe? Which line(s) gets re-shuffled?

Mayers has been switching off with Kruger and has been taking some faceoffs. If there is a better PK/Faceoff guy out there (I believe there is) who could play the 4c position that would be great. Give Mayers/Bollig the axe and put Kruger over at wing where I think he likely needs to be...or even Shaw at wing who has not been playing that well this season at center. I would be looking at a 3c/4c type guy because Shaw/Kruger aren't cutting it right now and I don't believe they are cutting it long term at the center position. Both of them have shown they should be at the NHL level for the most part.

If it doesn't happen this year, the Blackhawks do have Danault down the line. Love watching him play, he is good at the faceoff dot (how will that translate, nobody knows) and very responsible defensively. Could be a 2c/3c of the future for the Blackhawks.

 

[tbo41fan]

Mayers has been switching off with Kruger and has been taking some faceoffs. If there is a better PK/Faceoff guy out there (I believe there is) who could play the 4c position that would be great. Give Mayers/Bollig the axe and put Kruger over at wing where I think he likely needs to be...or even Shaw at wing who has not been playing that well this season at center. I would be looking at a 3c/4c type guy because Shaw/Kruger aren't cutting it right now and I don't believe they are cutting it long term at the center position. Both of them have shown they should be at the NHL level for the most part.

If it doesn't happen this year, the Blackhawks do have Danault down the line. Love watching him play, he is good at the faceoff dot (how will that translate, nobody knows) and very responsible defensively. Could be a 2c/3c of the future for the Blackhawks.

Knowing that Q gives a majority of ice time to top 2 lines I think it is pretty irrelevant to find a 3rd/4th line center

If you want to really improve Faceoff % you need a top 6 center who Q will play alot, if you do that you have to move Bolland down and re-shuffle everything...thats where I have the problem

 

[HawkWriter]

Knowing that Q gives a majority of ice time to top 2 lines I think it is pretty irrelevant to find a 3rd/4th line center

If you want to really improve Faceoff % you need a top 6 center who Q will play alot, if you do that you have to move Bolland down and re-shuffle everything...thats where I have the problem

Players like Frolik, Shaw, Stalberg, Kruger are all seeing between 10-15 minutes a game. A good chunk of the game right there and I believe the biggest need for a faceoff guy comes on the PK (Frolik and Kruger see a good amount on the PK, which is very important time).

 

[Gunzaan]

Knowing that Q gives a majority of ice time to top 2 lines I think it is pretty irrelevant to find a 3rd/4th line center

If you want to really improve Faceoff % you need a top 6 center who Q will play alot, if you do that you have to move Bolland down and re-shuffle everything...thats where I have the problem

I can get on board with this opinion. That's why I don't understand why people would be all upset with a change at 3 or 4C.. it wouldn't be a huge difference either way.

I will agree that if the Hawks really wanted to improve their faceoffs, they would have to make a change with Bolland at 2C and I don't think THAT drastic of a change is needed right now.

Nothing wrong with discussing the future tho

 

[Gunzaan]

Players like Frolik, Shaw, Stalberg, Kruger are all seeing between 10-15 minutes a game. A good chunk of the game right there and I believe the biggest need for a faceoff guy comes on the PK (Frolik and Kruger see a good amount on the PK, which is very important time).

Shaw and Frolik have been very solid on the PK tho.. it would be hard to take them off it right now with their PK absolutely rolling.

 

[HawkWriter]

Shaw and Frolik have been very solid on the PK tho.. it would be hard to take them off it right now with their PK absolutely rolling.

Agreed completely and I think they should both stay on the PK. I just don't think Kruger should be a main center (1 of 2 for the most part so far) when it comes to the PK because a lost defensive zone faceoff means the PP team is going to be set up right away. Win the faceoff in the defensive zone and you kill off atleast 15 seconds by dumping it down...after that who knows how much longer you will kill because the PP team now has to enter the zone and set up.

 

[Gunzaan]

Agreed completely and I think they should both stay on the PK. I just don't think Kruger should be a main center (1 of 2 for the most part so far) when it comes to the PK because a lost defensive zone faceoff means the PP team is going to be set up right away. Win the faceoff in the defensive zone and you kill off atleast 15 seconds by dumping it down...after that who knows how much longer you will kill because the PP team now has to enter the zone and set up.

True true true! But don't make too much sense or point out any possible weakness in the Hawks or the zzzz crowd will get ya!!

 

[tbo41fan]

Players like Frolik, Shaw, Stalberg, Kruger are all seeing between 10-15 minutes a game. A good chunk of the game right there and I believe the biggest need for a faceoff guy comes on the PK (Frolik and Kruger see a good amount on the PK, which is very important time).

Yeah but our PK is awesome so far...thats all Im saying. team is playing well, dont screw with them. When we begin to sway a bit and Q (without a doubt) begins shuffling lines then I say go for it

Shaw and Frolik have been very solid on the PK tho.. it would be hard to take them off it right now with their PK absolutely rolling.

Agree

 

[nwfisch]

True true true! But don't make too much sense or point out any possible weakness in the Hawks or the zzzz crowd will get ya!!

I think plenty if not all of the forum has expressed concerns about weaknesses in the Blackhawks. At least I give HawkPoser some credit, he's actually critical of something the team is doing for a change.

I just wonder as a hockey outsider, never playing the game myself, is there really any "coaching" to be done on the faceoffs? Can Q or other coaches give tips on how to win faceoffs at a better rate?

To me, that can't really be done, and I don't think the Blackhawks window is going to close anytime soon on winning another Stanley Cup, so I would be hesitant on them acquiring a second-line center.

My big concern is that I don't Crawford will stand on his head like he has the first 6 games so far. The faceoff losses are fine as long they don't result in goals allowed.

 

[HawkWriter]

Faceoffs are routinely one of the most practiced parts of the game at any level (right up there after PP/PK). There is a lot of practice that can go in for the center to get better but also for the wingers on how to assist when a faceoff is 50/50, lost, or won. In terms of faceoffs, the best faceoff guys are the best cheaters. Toews rarely has his body squared 100% and rarely has his stick stopped in the white. When it comes to faceoffs, if you ain't cheating you ain't tryin.

 

[icehogfan08]

You really don't have to re shuffle the just let Kane or sharp take a draw instead of Bolland. Bollig was a 3 center in rockford let him take some draws. Frolik has had some center experience from his days with the panthers

 

[DewsSox79]

You really don't have to re shuffle the just let Kane or sharp take a draw instead of Bolland. Bollig was a 3 center in rockford let him take some draws. Frolik has had some center experience from his days with the panthers

NOT WHILE WE ARE WINNING!

 

[icehogfan08]

NOT WHILE WE ARE WINNING!

That is hilarious. So if Bolland or Toews get tossed from the dot tonight for jumping early it's going to cost us a loss

 

[DewsSox79]

That is hilarious. So if Bolland or Toews get tossed from the dot tonight for jumping early it's going to cost us a loss

you would essentially have to change the lines. So what you are saying is have sharp or kane take the draw and go back to their original positions? i mean cmon man.

 

[icehogfan08]

you would essentially have to change the lines. So what you are saying is have sharp or kane take the draw and go back to their original positions? i mean cmon man.

Why would you have to change the lines?
It's to take a draw and it happens a few times a game when linesmen throw guys out of the circle. I don't see what it would hurt at all to let someone else take a draw if needed and play LW.