Blackhawks 2017-2018 Season Thread

[NCChiFan]

Great to see the Hawks piling on great Offense. Hope this trend continues all season long, something that was missing most of last year.

 

[anotheridiot]

well Haydon, Forsling, Kero really playing some inspired hockey. Unbelievable call last night with that offsides and no explanation. If Seabrook kicked the puck into the zone its the only way I can see it.

 

[JBM73]

So, 9 games in and there's definitely a lot to like about this team. Crawford playing well, Forsberg seems like he should be a serviceable backup. The 1st, 2nd and 4th lines (with Wingels, not Kero) seem to be coming together nicely. On D, while the group certainly isn't great they at least seem to have 8 legit NHL d-men, and hopefully the young guys continue to progress as they gain experience and a true top 6 will emerge.

That really just leaves the 3rd forward line. Ugh. Not gelling AT ALL. I don't think it's for lack of talent. Sharp, Anisimov and Debrincat all have NHL level skill, but together they just aren't getting it done and are getting beaten like a rug defensively. A definite change is in order for that line. Any ideas?

 

[JBM73]

Well, looks like my last post was a couple of games too soon...

 

[anotheridiot]

I think they need to get into "Goon" and rip the A off of Seabrook. Just getting assists by not clearing pucks and giving it away to the other team. If he cant play and is slow, he can at least start hitting people. I think his last check was 2015.

They cannot change this team so changing the roles might do something. Seabrook has not been the same since getting that 5.8 deal. Apparently its up to Toews and Keith to call him out and they are not doing it.

 

[Payton]

I think they need to get into "Goon" and rip the A off of Seabrook. Just getting assists by not clearing pucks and giving it away to the other team. If he cant play and is slow, he can at least start hitting people. I think his last check was 2015.

They cannot change this team so changing the roles might do something. Seabrook has not been the same since getting that 5.8 deal. Apparently its up to Toews and Keith to call him out and they are not doing it.

Yeah, my jersey is a Seabrook jersey and I'd be embarrassed to wear the thing out in public or to a game...

Maybe I should get a Bob Avellini Bears' jersey too! Same number! LOL!

 

[anotheridiot]

Yeah, my jersey is a Seabrook jersey and I'd be embarrassed to wear the thing out in public or to a game...

Maybe I should get a Bob Avellini Bears' jersey too! Same number! LOL!

It will work with a bag over your head.

 

[anotheridiot]

looks like the first message has been fired, Seabrook and Sharp off the power play rotation

 

[Payton]

looks like the first message has been fired, Seabrook and Sharp off the power play rotation

Annnnnnnd, our power play STILL sucks...

Nice win, but it is speaking volumes that it is not any of our "core" players that are scoring here...

REALLY wish we could off-load Toews and Seabrook and get something in return.

 

[anotheridiot]

yes it sucked, but I actually saw Seabrook shoot two rockets towards the net, not just flip the puck behind the net while skaters are trying to get on sides. Sharp had some determined shifts. Glad Hartman got back on the ice, but he is so much like Shaw with just getting to the hard areas and not getting much credit and really only does well with a top line. Still a win, even though Kevin Hayes still stuck us for a goal, Forsling made a few big plays to solidify him as our #2 d man.

 

[anotheridiot]

Rise Against back in town, Donato ends up with 11 stitches, Crow back on IR.

Say its isn't so.

 

[Payton]

As time goes on, I am slowly coming to the realization that not only is this team not a Cup Contender, they may not even be a playoff team...

 

[anotheridiot]

As time goes on, I am slowly coming to the realization that not only is this team not a Cup Contender, they may not even be a playoff team...

I just don't get it. Last night the real active line was the third, with Vinnie Hinnie, Kampf and the cat. just dominated shifts. Vinnie gets to pucks what seems like every time while Panik seems to be in panic mode when the puck is on his tape. Sharpie is just in need of some Cheryl Scott therapy.

Toews, Seabs and Keith are all just constantly a step behind or giving the puck away. I really hope Q keeps these 3 together and lets them continue to Gel so at least one line looks good.

Schmaltzy needs to be that center for Kane. Anisimov has puck luck and net sense, but just need to move along already.

Last night our two best D men sat after a bad night in Ruuta and Forsling, I guess they get the loft another game after yesterdays performance by Glass.

 

[averagejoe]

Hi guys.
Sorry I haven't posted, but to be honest, I've missed a lot of Hawks games.

I've seen a few Rangers games. Flyers and Sabres games though.

Finally sat down to enjoy the Islanders @ Hawks.

Ugh.

Maybe I have little to compare ONE game to, but...

• Forsberg is clearly not Corey Crawford. He looks lost out there.
• I miss Panik too.
• Isles D stood up the forwards at the blue line forcing dump-ins. Hawks need to adjust to that and practice being a dump-and-chase type of unit. They do have the speed to do it. But looked totally thrown off their game.
  • Duclair in particular looked like he had trouble settling down pucks behind the net.

Go Hawks.

 

[anotheridiot]

ITs a sad state. Yesterday they moved the blame game to Forsling and sent him to Rockford. Cant let young d men learn from mistakes up here, how would they? Keith and Seabrook are making the same mistakes and never learn. They sat Seabrook for one game, the team played well, Kane earned the A with 5 points, next game Seabrook is back with the A and the team is down hill again.

Not getting leadership on the ice from anyone wearing the C or A, maybe that can be changed.

Q cannot handle young d men. Seems like he is stuck with Gustaffson again, so he will piss on some other kid.

Remember Clendining scored on his first shot on the ice too? Poor guy got sent back here with Duclair and got sent right to Rockford.

Cant fix this if they don't fix the problems.

 

[averagejoe]

Don't want to minimize the drought the Hawks are in.
But EACH year they seem to find a chunk of the season to perform poorly.
I also think too much may be made of it since there's still about HALF of a season to play!
That said, they do need to make up more ground than usual.


Go Hawks!

 

[anotheridiot]

they are just bringing up playoff points way too early this year.

I really dont know what will turn this team around. Seems whoever moves to the "top" line takes a step backwards. I thought it was long overdue of sitting Wingels and Bouma, but it did not do much. Vinnie gets to pucks, nobody can hit DeBrincats tape, set up the same one timer to sharp, passing up shots to try to squeeze passes. Keith and Seabs are not getting pucks to the net, and when they do nobody is around. I am pretty sure other teams send two guys to the boards and leave one guy in front of the net. Hawks have 3 guys chasing pucks to the corner and nobody to get a pass in the paint because the d men are too afraid of getting beat on a breakaway because they are slow.

Maybe this pissing contest with Bowman and Q is flooding the locker room. Somebody needs to give.

 

[Payton]

Going to be sad missing the playoffs... Really didn't think that was a possibility entering the season.

 

[averagejoe]

Going to be sad missing the playoffs... Really didn't think that was a possibility entering the season.

 

[anotheridiot]

How long before they see Toews and Duclair have no chemistry? We always see Keith and Seabrook getting matched back up when its going bad, we have yet to see Kane with Toews. I know, you need more than one line but something needs to get Toews going.