Bryan Bickell benches tonight...this should light a fire. Really like that Q is giving Fro a shot on the top line as well with the captain and Sharp.

other than kane, hossa, sharp, toews... hawks really don't have much offense.

Posted by moy23 on 7/16/2011 12:33:00 PM (view original):
Lets talk about goal scoring since CI is....   This is what the 6th highest payroll in the NHL buys you for scoring

Brunette (18) - Toews (32) - Kane (27 goals in 2010-11)
Olesz (6) - Sharp (34) - Hossa (25)
Bickell (7) - Bolland (15) - Frolik (11)
Stalberg (12) - Mayers (3) - Smith (1)
Carcillo (4), Kruger (0)


What is going to happen when a core guy like Kane, Toews, Hossa, or Sharp go down for some games - do you guys REALISTICALLY have anyone that can step up and replace them scoring-wise?

I guess I addressed the goal (or lack there of) issue back in July 

Posted by moy23 on 11/8/2011 10:33:00 PM (view original):
other than kane, hossa, sharp, toews... hawks really don't have much offense.

I think alot of it right now has to do with confidence. The Hawks were near the top of the league in every offensive category last season with an inferior team skill-wise AND losing large chunks of time from Hossa, Campbell and Bolland. I believe guys like Bickell, Frolik, Bolland and Stalberg can all contribute offensively outside the Big 4, and I also believe Brunette will be much more effective once the rest get going.

I think the problem with the offense is not personnel, it's confidence and team play. I think the offense will come once the defense is sorted out. Too many guys out of position right now lead to sloppy breakouts and thus, less offense. This team's scoring has always started with plays in their own zone and that's not happening right now, which also contributes to their lack of puck control.

Still, show me a team who has a player that can directly replace a star player. There are stop-gaps, but no real replacements for guys like Toews and Kane. The Hawks have the stop-gaps. That being said, if the PP could ever get going, it would go a LONG way in making this team successful. They went from creating chances and not converting to being completely inept the last 2 games. That tells me that it's not necessarily the talent, it's that they're frustrated from not being able to convert and that lack of confidence transfers to their 5-on-5 play.

I personally think it's way to early to press the panic button the way most Hawks fans are, wanting to trade the entire team. Everyone needs to chill out.

Its not about directly replacing a star.... Look at the pens, they have the depth and ability to play on without two superstars last season... And without sid this season. In fact they are so deep they just gave away letestu yesterday. The same can not be said for the hawks. if Toews and Kane go down do you really think their stop gaps will step up like the pens?

Obviously confidence will make a team better.... They've been riding a false confidence beating up on easy teams this season. Hawks fans are worried cause there are gaping holes on the team that everyone saw when they were winning and now teams are starting to exploit these holes... Even weaker teams like Carolina and st Louis.

Btw... I agree about not blowing up the team now. Ride it out and use some of that cash on the side for a real player.... Not some Andrew brunette crap player.

There are obvious issues to work out for the hawks. But when you start a season like they did, regardless of the opponents, that gives you the flexibility to work out any issues when you hit a slump like they have internally before making a personnel change. By all accounts from Chicago media the energy around the room and team chemistry is much better this year which is good.

And as for the pens, I believe the difference is in the playing style. Chicago's up tempo transition style is tailor made to the skills of the key personnel on the team. If there isn't a comparable on the team to replace one of thos guys, it falls apart. That said, I do believe the personnel is there with the required skillset, its just a matter of finding a consistent effort across the board. Bryan Bickell, Frolik, Brunette and even Carcillo are all very effective players when they show up consistently.

By the way, I've really liked OD as the #6 so far. Don't see any of the bad penalties, horrible passes or terrible positional play you were referring to. He's playing a very simple but effective game. Much better so far than the Jordan Hendrys of the world.

Read Jaeckel's blog today.  A lot of what I was talking about in the offseason. 

- Team is not much better than last year "or you need your head examined"
- Did not add much needed physical top 6 players
- Confusion w/ the direction of the team (Management issues)
- Loss of Brouwer (20 goals, 200 hits) hurts

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/John-Jaeckel/Echoes-Of-Last-Year-Grow-Louder/128/39578

Posted by andru2797 on 11/10/2011 7:28:00 AM (view original):
Yeah I read it...I still find his lovefest with Brouwer very unhealthy, lol.

Also, you're referring to a guy who picked this team, that he now claims is not better than last year's, to win the Cup i the pre-season. He sounds more like a frustrated fan than an objective journalist.

I think he bought into the hype like every other major network.... He only had that one way off-kilter blog. Better than the guy muddy follows.... Keith to win back to back Norris.... Toews and Kane each beak 100 points.... Yada yada yada ;)

actually I think its impossible to find a hawks writer that writes with their brain rather than their heart. Jaeckel is the closest they come imo.

Bolland out for tonights game

Marian Hossa is by far the Hawks MVP so far this year. Any line he plays on is the team's best line every night. He looks monstrous this season. What a pass on that Stalberg goal.

He's having a solid year.  They need another player like him in their top 6.... rather than frolik and/or brunette.

Granted... here it comes... once again its another big game against an easy opponent.


Could the hawks have an easier schedule?  Of the 17 games they've played this season only 6 were against a team that made the playoffs last year and phoenix sucks:

Lost to Boston (SO)
Beat Phoenix
Beat Anaheim (SO)
Beat Nashville (OT)
Lost to TBL (OT)
Lost to Vancouver

Before the month is out they will play the Canucks, Kings, Sharks, and Ducks.  Also they get the up and coming Oilers twice.  That run will test the hawks.... finally.