Thoughts from the first weeks of the season ...

[CRM 114]

Toews and Hoss have both started off slow, could be because Q hasn't found a winger that looks right playing with them and that it's so early in the season. Could it be Dano? Daley doesn't look like a #4 Dman, seems that will be the hardest fix. Bigfoot needs to be gone !!!!

As far as the Toews trolling that started in last years playoffs he had 21 pts, Kane had 23, for Tampa Bay, Stamkos had 18 pts and Tyler Johnson had 23 pts. So comparing him to other top players playoff production and considering his 2 way game the constant harping on Toews in last years playoffs was complete BS . He is off to a slow start this year (so criticize away) but my guess is the trolling would have kept up even if he was the leading scorer on the team this season. So long live the Toews trolling game plan, have fun with that.

Toews could have a hat trick in every game and Grimson would still complain about him.

 

[DMelt36]

Toews and Hoss have both started off slow, could be because Q hasn't found a winger that looks right playing with them and that it's so early in the season. Could it be Dano? Daley doesn't look like a #4 Dman, seems that will be the hardest fix. Bigfoot needs to be gone !!!!

As well as Toews and Hossa have played together in the last few seasons, it hardly matters who that third guy is. I may end up with 40 points if I was their LW. But if you can get a LW who meshes well enough, that line could eviscerate the NHL, similar to the way it did when Sharp-Toews-Hossa were all playing great hockey at the same time.

 

[CRM 114]

I'm not too worried about anything. This group has shown what it takes to get it done when it matters. Just get in.

Panarin has far exceeded my expectations as well. I thought it would take a while for him to settle in ala TT.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

#calledit

Glad the homers are finally coming around.

 

[winos5]

Not worried about Toews at all. Not the first time he had a slow start or a slump. He will catch fire soon.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

Keith being out 4-6 weeks now will show what the D is really up against and why he looked "off" those first few games.
If Toews' line can get things going we all may see plenty of 5-4 games coming up, unless TVR and Daley can start stepping up and absorbing the minutes lost from losing Keith, or the Hawks will have an uphill battle until he's healthy. Playing all East teams was a benefit for a bit, but losing a Norris winning Dman is a glaring hole in a thin blue line after 7 and 4.

 

[clonetrooper264]

This is really TVR's time to shine. Really hoping he can step it up.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Q will lose all patience with the young Dmen and play Biscuit and Hammer heavy minutes.:yep:

 

[DMelt36]

Q will lose all patience with the young Dmen and play Biscuit and Hammer heavy minutes.:yep:

That's the fear.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense, so time for all 4 lines to start putting up some numbers. I know we shouldn't expect anything from the captain (he's too busy thinking about his next pedicure) so Panarin needs to really start thinking shoot first instead of pass. With Keith on IR doesn't his money go off the books, so now wouldn't they be able to bring up Dano (weren't they against the cap) or do they think he needs time in Rockford?

 

[HawkWriter]

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense, so time for all 4 lines to start putting up some numbers. I know we shouldn't expect anything from the captain (he's too busy thinking about his next pedicure) so Panarin needs to really start thinking shoot first instead of pass. With Keith on IR doesn't his money go off the books, so now wouldn't they be able to bring up Dano (weren't they against the cap) or do they think he needs time in Rockford?

If Keith goes on LTIR (which is certainly possible), then the Blackhawks will receive some cap relief. They would likely use it to put a Dman on their NHL roster and not a forward though.

 

[HawkWriter]

Q will lose all patience with the young Dmen and play Biscuit and Hammer heavy minutes.:yep:

I think the notion that Q has something against young guys is over blown. Q has something against players who don't play their role, don't play well on the defensive side of the puck, and that are inconsistent. That happens to be a lot of young players but if a veteran showed the same thing then they would receive the same treatment. This isn't a team that needs to let these young players work things out at the NHL level instead of the AHL level and Q has showed how important those veterans are to winning Stanley Cups.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

If Keith goes on LTIR (which is certainly possible), then the Blackhawks will receive some cap relief. They would likely use it to put a Dman on their NHL roster and not a forward though.

What Dman? I'd think they have the best Dmen up already and if they thought someone else was worthy they would bring that player up and send the dead weight back down. They don't have the next Norris trophy winner in Rockford.

 

[HawkWriter]

What Dman? I'd think they have the best Dmen up already and if they thought someone else was worthy they would bring that player up and send the dead weight back down. They don't have the next Norris trophy winner in Rockford.

I don't think anyone expects them to have the next Norris trophy winner sitting in Rockford. Will likely see Pokka or Cumiskey up here. Rundblad has been sitting in the press box because he can't move freely between AHL/NHL, otherwise there is probably a chance that he would have been down there. No reason to add a 14th forward and only have 6 dmen, not giving Q any options on the back end.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

So if Runbad can't go back freely, seems like someone would be doing the Hawks a favor if they snatched him is he really any better than Cumiskey? Pokka, who knows... supposedly has good upside.

 

[winos5]

According ot an article at NHL.com, Cumiskey is recovering from a pre-season injury and won't be ready for 2-3 weeks. Rosival as well.

 

[DMelt36]

I think Rozsival is still recovering from last year's injury

 

[winos5]

Yeah, meant he was 2-3 weeks from being able to skate

 

[LordKOTL]

Not worried about Toews at all. Not the first time he had a slow start or a slump. He will catch fire soon.

Thank you.

This isn't the 1st time Toews has started out slow.

My overall feelings is that the D thus far has been merely okay. Svedberg, Daley, and TVR have been getting better per game and not overplaying their abilities. Losing Keith is going to hurt.

Goaltending has been good to great. Both Crawford and Darling look great and both can give the team a fighting chance to win.

O IMHO is the real worry. Kane/A²/Breadmaster line has been nothing short of great, but they can't be the only line carrying the O. Toews and Hossa may be starting slowly but with Keith out the onus has to be on them to contribute offensively. The 4th line has been good in their role, but the 3rd line right now is out of sorts and has no identity.

As for coaching, the only thing that I took as something really proising was after the Washington loss the way Q stormed off the ice spoke volumes. Even though CBJ has been a dumpster fire their response was great after being embarassed 2 games in a row with only Svedberg denting the twine.

 

[Ares]

I think Rozsival is still recovering from last year's injury

Rozival is gonna need an on-ice walker.... idk why hes on our team.... hes an old man who shattered his ankle and Cumiskey was better.