TGDT 11/19 - Blackhawks (14-3-4) @ Avalanche (14-5-0) 8:00PM CSN

[roshinaya]

When the main complaints are about a 4th liner and a someone who plays scrap minutes in the lower 6 it means that the team is pretty damn good and it's just an excuse to complain about something.

 

[Variable]

The complaints are more about the decisions in how to play those players. There is no one in the NHL beyond reproach.   Bollig has no reason on this team, with or without Hossa dressing, to play on the PK. Ever. And then there's Brookbank being played at forward. Now I could be wrong, and I know with the Versteeg trade they're pretty much at the cap, but I was under the impression that when Khabi was put on LTIR (as well as Kostka and Handzus), that frees up his cap hit. If that's true, unless there's some other problem I'm not aware of, I don't see a reason why Morin wouldn't be called back up. Now more than ever if it looks like Bickell is going to miss some time. These are legitmate questions.</p>

 

[roshinaya]

I don't have a problem with Bollig at all. He's done well as a 4th liner and is heaps better than last year when he was truly useless. And what is with this Morin love? It's like he's the one that will make or break this team. The time he's been on the team he's been unremarkable and I am sure the coaching staff is far more privy to how Morin was working with the team than we as fans are. It's nice to think that an unproven commodity like Morin would be another Saad, someone who could step in and contribute from the get go, but perhaps he's just a tweener. That said, I think he will get the call up if Bickell is out for a longer period. And according to Capgeek, Handzus, Kostka and Khabby are indeed on LTIR and there is $2+M of capspace available. So it shouldn't be a cap problem.

 

[Variable]

Bollig is fine as a 4th liner/13th forward, he's not a penalty killer though, and that's where the questioning comes in about it.</p>


 </p>


Morin has looked decent in the limited opprotunties that he has been given. And they have been limited. I don't see the point in playing , what he would ideally be, a 7th D-man as a forward when you have someone like Morin just sitting there. It's not even about being high on Morin's potential or thinking he's another Saad (which I don't), it's more that he can't possibly be, and hasn't been, worse than dressing a fucking back-up defenseman as a forward. I don't even really care what forward it is they call up or use in his place, just as long as they stop doing that and having to double shift other guys like Kane.</p>

 

[R K]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="roshinaya" data-cid="214742" data-time="1384934855">
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Didn't say it was. Just think he needs a breather and getting Raanta some games early on would be important since I hope the brass aren't thinking of letting the dumpsterfire Khabby back.</p>
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 </p>


 </p>


I'd still give Khabi a chance, as personally I'd like Raanta playing every game in Rockford instead of sitting on the bench here.  Rest, maybe, but last night had zero to do with Crawfords work load so far.  The team in front of him was putrid.</p>

 

[puckjim]

The salary cap may keep Morin out of the lineup and Brookbank/Bollig in it.</p>


 </p>


But this could be on Bowman, as he may be trying to save cap space.</p>


 </p>


And just because Bollig has improved, doesn't mean that he belongs in an NHL lineup taking a regular shift.</p>


 </p>


Your best players should be playing always.</p>

 

[puckjim]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="R K" data-cid="214754" data-time="1384958474">
<div>


I'd still give Khabi a chance, as personally I'd like Raanta playing every game in Rockford instead of sitting on the bench here.  Rest, maybe, but last night had zero to do with Crawfords work load so far.  The team in front of him was putrid.</p>
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</blockquote>


They kinda have to because of the salary cap, right?</p>


 </p>


Need to see if Chris can break down their cap issues.</p>

 

[Shantz My Pants]

For the lower lines, your better players might not be able to fill a certain role. Bolligs is to be an enforcer who can play a regular shift. He's done that very well and he's improved tremendously over the year. You can't in the NHL run 4 straight lines of skilled players as you need the grinders and bangers on the 4th line.

 

[LordKOTL]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="R K" data-cid="214754" data-time="1384958474">
<div>


I'd still give Khabi a chance, as personally I'd like Raanta playing every game in Rockford instead of sitting on the bench here.  Rest, maybe, but last night had zero to do with Crawfords work load so far.  The team in front of him was putrid.</p>
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QFT, but I don't think Khabi will be back.  If he is, play him against Winnipeg.</p>


 </p>


I did like the move of pulling Crawford, though.  He didn't look bad, but anything short of 4x6 plywood sheets weren't going to steal that abortion of a game.</p>


 </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="roshinaya" data-cid="214715" data-time="1384917047">
<div>


I say play Raanta the next game, regardless how this ends. Crawford needs a rest and time to shake these shit games off.</p>
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QFT, unless Khabi is back, then play Khabi (as unlikley as it is).  Even if the score goes to 82-0, give Crawford a break. The last two days off he had, it was a Dante Hicks situation.</p>


 </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rex" data-cid="214722" data-time="1384920993">
<div>


Not many quality shots after the PP. The three goals Crow let in were, well, the D fucked him.</p>


 </p>


THe first one might as well have been an own goal, it was a really fucked up bounce. </p>
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The bounce was fucked up, but Seabroks attempt at a behind the net pass missed the target by more than a Keith shot from the point.  even if the bounce did a proper "mirror" carom at best it would have hit the corner of the back of the net and not gone behind.  His aiming point was far too close to his side of the net and he should have aimed more towards the far side.</p>


 </p>


No matter how you spin this, for 40 minutes we were okay in the O-zone, even if Colorado was thwarting almost every effort for a decent shot and allowing mostly gimmies for Wifebeater, but the play in the back end was so bad it was akin to an abortion in a running cuisinart.  It was the level of embarrassing play that makes you wish Rocky would not pay anyplayer iced for that game and give the 'hawk fans a refund.  It was the type of play that makes you wish for a bag skate session so intense that the only way off the ice is on a gurney.</p>

 

[bierboy]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="LordKOTL" data-cid="214765" data-time="1384962595">
<div>


...It was the level of embarrassing play that makes you wish Rocky would not pay anyplayer iced for that game and give the 'hawk fans a refund.  It was the type of play that makes you wish for a bag skate session so intense that the only way off the ice is on a gurney.</p>
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 </p>


Couldn't agree more....how this team can be so schizophrenic is beyond comprehension. They lay a turd in Music City, play a darn near perfect game the next night, then lay another hot, steaming pile in Denver two days later....doesn't bode well for much of a playoff run.</p>

 

[LordKOTL]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bierboy" data-cid="214773" data-time="1384973016">
<div>


Couldn't agree more....how this team can be so schizophrenic is beyond comprehension. They lay a turd in Music City, play a darn near perfect game the next night, then lay another hot, steaming pile in Denver two days later....doesn't bode well for much of a playoff run.</p>
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Honestly I'm not too worried in the long run.  No team has ever gone 82-0 and I double it will happen in my lifetime. I know there will be game in any given year where the superstars shit the bed, and I get that and accept it.</p>


 </p>


But the key is not repeating it, and I place that on the coach.</p>


 </p>


Last night really looked like the Avs has the system and the players to thwart the game we play. they were fast enough to negate a good majority of our puck possession game.  Their Team D got into shooting and passing lanes quick enough to eliminate most real good chances allowing Wifebeater to see only mostly "gimme" shots.  And on the back end of things everyone was losing their man, making horrible clears, leaving guys open, and turning the puck over.</p>


 </p>


Crawford and Raanta weren't bad. but it's hard to tell how good they were when really, the level of their play was maksed by the stench of the D in front of them.</p>


 </p>


Going forward, the task for Team O has to be quicker and more accurate passing, quicker shots, being a bit selfish and looking for the shot more than the pass, and most importantly *if* our primary gameplan is being thwarted, having a backup plan that all lines can fall back on to at least give the opposing D and coaches something to think about.  On the back end of things, none of the peoplems are new, but last night should have shown the coaching staff that they need to be addressed.  1st off, Keith and Seabs need a rectal craniectomy.  They're paid as all-star d-men and shouldn't make the amount of mistakes that they have been--cup hangover or not.  It would be like Hossa being contantly knocked off the puck--you know he's one of the best at sheilding the puck and if he would go games on end coughing it up you know you gotta fix it.  From there, they have to address safe breakout passes and knowing who to get the puck to for the transition (Leddy, Kane, Keith, etc.), and now to mitigate the transition if whomever is just not on that game.</p>


 </p>


As cliche as it is, I think last night, and Nashville, should be a hard lession that the team does not have the talent to win on talent alone.  But that being said, there's a lot of hockey to be played and the bulk of the team knows how to win when all is said and done.  I'm not worried in the least about playoff time, but I get so frustrated when the team messes up and maintains the course even though it's an excersize in futility only seen by Wile E. Coyote.</p>

 

[Forklift]

Seabrook was an absolute barfsack last night.</p>

 

[R K]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Forklift" data-cid="214781" data-time="1384978302">
<div>


Seabrook was an absolute barfsack last night.</p>
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</blockquote>


 </p>


 </p>


Both he and Keith sucked.   Seabrook, bone head pass, -1....  Keith front of net -2</p>

 

[R K]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="puckjim" data-cid="214757" data-time="1384958709">
<div>


They kinda have to because of the salary cap, right?</p>


 </p>


Need to see if Chris can break down their cap issues.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


Not really with everyone on LTIR.  Until they come back that does not effect the Cap.  Khabi, Zus, Kostka.. </p>

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="R K" data-cid="214788" data-time="1384979957">
<div>


Not really with everyone on LTIR.  Until they come back that does not effect the Cap.  Khabi, Zus, Kostka.. </p>
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 </p>


Is there any word on Bickelll? Looked bad, but you never know, wish we had even an inkling if it were serious or not.</p>


 </p>


Also, this team misses Hossa very badly.</p>

 

[Shantz My Pants]

Lord, there really isn't much of a "game plan" set up outside of changing up your offensive zone and neutral zone forecheck, which teams usually only have 2 of; an aggressive one for when they are in need of a goal or tied, and a defensive one when they are trying to walk away with the W.


I mean you can change your break out on the fly, which the Hawks sometimes do when they stretch the winger to the red line, or make shorter passes to try and break through a trap, but it's not like there are 100 different tactics you can do from a coaching stand point. It's mostly keep moving, move the puck and try and create offense by finding open ice. Not much rocket science involved.

 

[MassHavoc]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="PSR" data-cid="214692" data-time="1384905791">
<div>


I'd like another 5-1 win, or something of the good defensive game variety. Would be great to get the team D really rolling for this circus trip.</p>
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Dick... you are supposed to specify which team.</p>

 

[R K]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Trev" data-cid="214791" data-time="1384982001">
<div>


Lord, there really isn't much of a "game plan" set up outside of changing up your offensive zone and neutral zone forecheck, which teams usually only have 2 of; an aggressive one for when they are in need of a goal or tied, and a defensive one when they are trying to walk away with the W.


I mean you can change your break out on the fly, which the Hawks sometimes do when they stretch the winger to the red line, or make shorter passes to try and break through a trap, but it's not like there are 100 different tactics you can do from a coaching stand point. It's mostly keep moving, move the puck and try and create offense by finding open ice. Not much rocket science involved.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


 </p>


IMO Last night was more of a breakdown in defensive coverage, along with no help from the forwards on the ice at the time.</p>

 

[mikita's helmet]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Grimson" data-cid="214732" data-time="1384926330">
<div>


I know, I was just being a dick.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


So out of character for you.</p>

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MassHavoc" data-cid="214792" data-time="1384982376">
<div>


Dick... you are supposed to specify which team.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


What can I say, I am a guru</p>