The season so far...

[TNBT]

Well, I can certainly think of worse ways to start a season than what we have seen so far. I wanted to start a thread that we can keep running all season where people can add their thoughts on how the team is going at any given time. I look forward to reading your opinions.

[WEFFPIM]

This. power. play. sucks.

[TNBT]

I know we have discussed this in another thread, but I figured that as lineups change throughout the course of the season, we can chat about it here. When I first heard that Kane was being used at C, I was slightly shocked (to say the least), mainly because he has such great chemistry on Toews' wing, and I had never heard of him playing C at any sort of meaningful level before. The more I read the opinions of some of you guys, and the more research I did reading articles and so on, the more merit I am starting to see in some of these changes. I just read an article which was linked from a WireTap story about line changes for our Blackhawks. This is what they said the new lines would be:

Sharp - Toews - Frolik
Carcillo - Kane - Hossa
Olesz - Bolland - Brunette
Stalberg - Kruger - Mayers

It took me a while to really get to like those lines, but now I do. The top line has Toews at C (which should be obvious), and two of our top scoring threats from the wing in Sharp and Frolik. Kane plays C on the second line, with our other really dangerous winger in Hossa, and Carcillo brings some grit and energy to the line, while also helping to look after Kane physically. This line has also had some real success so far, so we know it can work. Bolland at C on the third line is no shock, but his wingers had me questioning things briefly. Olesz hasn't played much and is in to replace Bickell, who I guess is struggling so far. Brunette is on the other wing, which I found odd because I was under the impression when we got him that he was a big bodied scoring line winger, so to find him on the third line confused me. I guess when we have the two scoring lines set though, there is no room for him there. Kruger C's the fourth line, which I was rightly told is the best place for him while he learns the ropes. Mayers adds some nice energy and toughness, while Stalberg adds some offensive punch to the line. He has all the tools you could ask for (size, skating ability, etc), but he is just too soft. Hopefully having guys like Mayers and Carcillo around will help toughen him up, but at 25 already, I'm not holding my breath.

[TNBT]

Actually, I just looked at that lineup again. I'm assuming that most of the time, the third line will be Bickell - Bolland - Brunette and I'm not sure how that would work. Bolland is a really good player and defensive guy, but neither Bickell or Brunette are particularly great skaters, so how would they go together on the same line?

Do you think they will stay together and be able to work? If so, why?

Or do you think a change would be made, like putting Stalberg on the third line and dropping one of Bickell or Brunette to the fourth line?

[TNBT]

Nice win against the Blue Jackets. If we can keep everyone healthy for a while, I think we should be able to find lines that work well together. Missing Keith and now possibly Bolland doesn't make things easy for us.

Regarding the power-play, what changes do you think need to be made? Who would you have on your first and second PP units?

[apollocreed32]

I think people have started catching on to things the hawks do, that's why we are seeing this leveling out. The hawks just need to shoot more, I know we always have high shots on goal but we try to make SO MANY cute passes that lead to nothing. Like last night Seabrook's shot that lead to Toews's first goal (the second one is just Mason being awful so I wont use that as an example).

Especially concerning the power play, we are constantly working for only the cross crease pass, and teams have just camped a guy there to bottle it up. I've been less than impressed with our net presence and screening recently as well. I'm more worried about the PK than the PP though, we might as well just concede a goal and go straight back to 5 on 5 without wasting any time. The PK is SOOOOOOO passive its sickening.

[molepharmer]

I thought I heard last night something like the opponents have scored 6 of the last 9 times while they're on the power play. Then boom, Columbus scored on the power play. Ridiculous.

[TNBT]

I hear what you're saying regarding the lack of net presence. I'm hoping some of the bigger guys (Hossa, Brunette, Bickell, etc) will start planting their asses in front of the net and battle hard for position, but I don't want to get my hopes up too much at this point. One thing I do have confidence in though is that while it seems that teams have figured us out, we will be able to adjust. When you have scoring threats like Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa and Frolik on the roster, I can't see any way that we DON'T get better. If we continue to suck all season, then I'd think there would be some pressure on the coaching staff as time goes on.

[SchruteFarms670]

I liked seeing Toews with Hossa. When he was trying to play with Stalberg and Brunnette he had no chance. Toews and Hossa are great two way players and basically create a 2nd shutdown line. Their line was huge defensively in the Cup Finals a few years ago.

Stalberg-Toews-Hossa
Carcillo-Kane-Sharp

This top 6 has been flying the last few games and I hope Q sticks with it a while.

[TNBT]

I liked seeing Toews with Hossa. When he was trying to play with Stalberg and Brunnette he had no chance. Toews and Hossa are great two way players and basically create a 2nd shutdown line. Their line was huge defensively in the Cup Finals a few years ago.

Stalberg-Toews-Hossa
Carcillo-Kane-Sharp

This top 6 has been flying the last few games and I hope Q sticks with it a while.

I could get behind those lines. As I have said before, I really like the idea of having Carcillo on Kane's line as a bit of protection of sorts. I've had Sharp on the first line and Hossa on the second line, as I've heard that Hossa and Kane seem to have looked good together, but I'm not against mixing them up. Basically, in Toews, Sharp, Hossa, Kane and Carcillo, you have 5 of the guys that I would want in my top 6. The only question mark I have is about possibly replacing Stalberg with Frolik. I know Stalberg has speed and has some talent, but I think Frolik is more talented offensively that Stalberg, and his offensive skills are being wasted on the third line. Can you give me some sort of insight into why Stalberg is getting this role ahead of Frolik, and what you think of the idea of putting Frolik in that role instead?

[molepharmer]

I liked seeing Toews with Hossa. When he was trying to play with Stalberg and Brunnette he had no chance. Toews and Hossa are great two way players and basically create a 2nd shutdown line. Their line was huge defensively in the Cup Finals a few years ago.

Stalberg-Toews-Hossa
Carcillo-Kane-Sharp

This top 6 has been flying the last few games and I hope Q sticks with it a while.

I could get behind those lines. As I have said before, I really like the idea of having Carcillo on Kane's line as a bit of protection of sorts. I've had Sharp on the first line and Hossa on the second line, as I've heard that Hossa and Kane seem to have looked good together, but I'm not against mixing them up. Basically, in Toews, Sharp, Hossa, Kane and Carcillo, you have 5 of the guys that I would want in my top 6. The only question mark I have is about possibly replacing Stalberg with Frolik. I know Stalberg has speed and has some talent, but I think Frolik is more talented offensively that Stalberg, and his offensive skills are being wasted on the third line. Can you give me some sort of insight into why Stalberg is getting this role ahead of Frolik, and what you think of the idea of putting Frolik in that role instead?

Just guessing but it's probably because Frolik is the much better defender. So he plays on the checking line with Bolland.
SH TOI Frolik = 32:29
SH TOI Stalberg = 00:53

Stalberg has been a pleasant surprise this year, at least by my expectations, based on last year's play.

[TNBT]

Good point, I hadn't considered the defensive side of the game. With that in mind, having Frolik with Bolland on the 3rd line does make for a much stronger defensive line than having Stalberg there. I agree with your thoughts regarding him too. He has always had size, speed and some talent, but has never really put it all to use before. He definitely seems to be coming out of his shell a little this season. Maybe we could be seeing the early stages of development of a quality player?




On another note, Seabrook looks like he could miss time with an injury, which is the last thing we need. I'm not sure if Bolland is back yet, but he and Seabrook are two guys who are very important to this team.

[WEFFPIM]

So, the trip to Edmonton could have been a bit better...

[TNBT]

So, the trip to Edmonton could have been a bit better...

Yeah, I think that's fair to say. All we can do now is look ahead though.

[WEFFPIM]

"I refuse!"

Bobby Hull

[TNBT]

"I refuse!"

Bobby Hull

You'll do what you're told!

[WEFFPIM]

They needed to sweep metro LA and they did. Now carry that play over into December where you have a decent amount of home games and you'll be set. Particularly the defensive play against the Kings.

[TNBT]

They needed to sweep metro LA and they did. Now carry that play over into December where you have a decent amount of home games and you'll be set. Particularly the defensive play against the Kings.

For sure. With the way we were playing, I was just happy to get out of the "Circus Trip" with an even split. I'm hoping that Toews and Sharp can keep playing as well as they have recently, and we really need to capitalize on the amount of home games we have this month. It's going to be an interesting time for us Blackhawks fans.

[SportsWorld]

Duncan Keith is quite the joke again this year. I thought he'd have a comeback year but I think he's been even worse this year.

[WEFFPIM]

He looked dead tired last season. He's just been garbage this year.