Keith's main problem was that he could never get his shot through.

Jones doesn't think offense naturally. I'm still not over how he tried to take over the OT against Detroit that ended up with Kane scoring on the breakaway.

As others have already said, who else should be the QB on PP1? There is no clear answer. I seem to remember they even tried five forwards on PP1 last season, which would lead me to think the coaches don't know, either.
- 333inthe3rd

And there is a reason IMO the Hawks would prefer Vlasic not being on PP1. As he is the best defensive defenseman currently, you would like him out the next shift after the PP, when the opposition throws out their first line. Tampa had the best PP at 28.6% last year, average is about 21%, so the fail rate is close to 80% of the time that you would wnt your best defenseman on the ice after the PP.

And there is a reason IMO the Hawks would prefer Vlasic not being on PP1. As he is the best defensive defenseman currently, you would like him out the next shift after the PP, when the opposition throws out their first line. Tampa had the best PP at 28.6% last year, average is about 21%, so the fail rate is close to 80% of the time that you would wnt your best defenseman on the ice after the PP.
- LAHawk

The Hawks had a PP success rate of 16.6% last year, further bolstering your point.

The Hawks had a PP success rate of 16.6% last year, further bolstering your point.
- 333inthe3rd

And how much of an improvement do you think exchanging Vlasic for Jones would make, with the forwards being the same?

And there is a reason IMO the Hawks would prefer Vlasic not being on PP1. As he is the best defensive defenseman currently, you would like him out the next shift after the PP, when the opposition throws out their first line. Tampa had the best PP at 28.6% last year, average is about 21%, so the fail rate is close to 80% of the time that you would wnt your best defenseman on the ice after the PP.
- LAHawk

KD tore the team apart to stock draft picks. He’s made a ton of picks and now some are now making their way to Rockford. The veterans signed in the off season were chosen to help the team suck less, provide veteran leadership and for the kids to beat out of a job. Why do you think a powerplay is important at this stage of the rebuild? Surely if there’s any special team to be working on at this stage of the rebuild it’s penalty killing.

And how much of an improvement do you think exchanging Vlasic for Jones would make, with the forwards being the same?
- LAHawk

Exactly. But I'm not sure even peak Bobby Orr or Paul Coffey would drastically improve this power play.

KD tore the team apart to stock draft picks. He’s made a ton of picks and now some are now making their way to Rockford. The veterans signed in the off season were chosen to help the team suck less, provide veteran leadership and for the kids to beat out of a job. Why do you think a powerplay is important at this stage of the rebuild? Surely if there’s any special team to be working on at this stage of the rebuild it’s penalty killing.
- paulr

As a coach don't you want to put your best players in a position to succeed?

As a coach don't you want to put your best players in a position to succeed?
- BetweenTheDots

My point is that the veterans, especially the defensemen, weren’t brought in as powerplay specialists. The defensemen in the current lineup aren’t powerplay specialists. Do you suggest KD goes out and tries to get a powerplay specialist at this time?

As a coach don't you want to put your best players in a position to succeed?
- BetweenTheDots

What has Vlasic done that makes you think he's good at the PP (aside from the fact he's not Jones)? He's the best defensive D-man on the team. Was anyone clamoring for Hjalmarsson to run a PP even when Keith was launching shots into defenders' shin pads?

KD tore the team apart to stock draft picks. He’s made a ton of picks and now some are now making their way to Rockford. The veterans signed in the off season were chosen to help the team suck less, provide veteran leadership and for the kids to beat out of a job. Why do you think a powerplay is important at this stage of the rebuild? Surely if there’s any special team to be working on at this stage of the rebuild it’s penalty killing.
- paulr

Regardless of timing in the rebuild, the PP and PK are both important. if the Hawks can keep the puck (and by extension the defense) moving they'll have better success. Obviously, you would prefer a guy like Lev or KK in that spot to be a dynamic QB, but even with the guys available, if they can get better movement, they can be more effective.

I'd give them about 10 games before jumping off the ledge about anything regarding this team. New faces, jumbled lines, and a lot of age.

Regardless of timing in the rebuild, the PP and PK are both important. if the Hawks can keep the puck (and by extension the defense) moving they'll have better success. Obviously, you would prefer a guy like Lev or KK in that spot to be a dynamic QB, but even with the guys available, if they can get better movement, they can be more effective.

I'd give them about 10 games before jumping off the ledge about anything regarding this team. New faces, jumbled lines, and a lot of age.
- Chunk

Defensive hockey and penalty killing are the most important things for a team to be successful. I think it was the 2013 cup win where the Hawk’s PK was one of the best and their PP had allot of difficulty scoring. Power plays are a nice to have penalty killing and defensive hockey are crucial. And right now the team doesn’t have a guy to quarterback the PP. Maybe someone can step up but it’s crucial for LR to be instilling a three zone defensive mindset. At this point in time a power play isn’t a priority.

What has Vlasic done that makes you think he's good at the PP (aside from the fact he's not Jones)? He's the best defensive D-man on the team. Was anyone clamoring for Hjalmarsson to run a PP even when Keith was launching shots into defenders' shin pads?
- Chunk

Keith was good at the PP sure he hit a lot of shin pads but he also has some good offensive IQ which led to some really nice plays on the PP.

The only point I'm trying to make is why not try other dmen, the only way you will truly find out is if it's during games. I believe Faber never played the PP until he played for the Wild and low and behold he's really good at it. I'm not saying we have a Faber but we know what Jones is and he's really not good at it, they talk about earning your positions yet what has Jones really done to earn that role?

Keith was good at the PP sure he hit a lot of shin pads but he also has some good offensive IQ which led to some really nice plays on the PP.

The only point I'm trying to make is why not try other dmen, the only way you will truly find out is if it's during games. I believe Faber never played the PP until he played for the Wild and low and behold he's really good at it. I'm not saying we have a Faber but we know what Jones is and he's really not good at it, they talk about earning your positions yet what has Jones really done to earn that role?
- BetweenTheDots

It looks like you are going to get your wish anyway. They're putting Martinez and Vlasic on the ice together on PP2.

They had Martinez on it last game. They are trying other guys. That said, Jones is still the best guy for it on the team. They tried KK on it a few times last year and even with all his offensive gifts, he was worse than Jones.

Defensive hockey and penalty killing are the most important things for a team to be successful. I think it was the 2013 cup win where the Hawk’s PK was one of the best and their PP had allot of difficulty scoring. Power plays are a nice to have penalty killing and defensive hockey are crucial. And right now the team doesn’t have a guy to quarterback the PP. Maybe someone can step up but it’s crucial for LR to be instilling a three zone defensive mindset. At this point in time a power play isn’t a priority.
- paulr

Very true, but despite your point about the 2013 cup team, the PP is also important. There really is nothing that can (or should) be done about it at this point. They only have so many options for it. I actually think the 2 d0man look could be a thing going forward. That way you have less guys "out of position" and they can just play like they are accustomed.

Keith was good at the PP sure he hit a lot of shin pads but he also has some good offensive IQ which led to some really nice plays on the PP.

The only point I'm trying to make is why not try other dmen, the only way you will truly find out is if it's during games. I believe Faber never played the PP until he played for the Wild and low and behold he's really good at it. I'm not saying we have a Faber but we know what Jones is and he's really not good at it, they talk about earning your positions yet what has Jones really done to earn that role?
- BetweenTheDots

Well Faber never played in the NHL before the Wild, so of course he never played the power play for any other team

Exactly. But I'm not sure even peak Bobby Orr or Paul Coffey would drastically improve this power play.
- 333inthe3rd

You’re right, they’re 70 years old, but Cale Makar would. In all seriousness, they don’t have a quarterback for their power play on the roster, it will have to be Arty or KK eventually.

What has Vlasic done that makes you think he's good at the PP (aside from the fact he's not Jones)? He's the best defensive D-man on the team. Was anyone clamoring for Hjalmarsson to run a PP even when Keith was launching shots into defenders' shin pads?
- Chunk

I don't see Vlasic skating the puck up the ice qbing the pp.

What has Vlasic done that makes you think he's good at the PP (aside from the fact he's not Jones)? He's the best defensive D-man on the team. Was anyone clamoring for Hjalmarsson to run a PP even when Keith was launching shots into defenders' shin pads?
- Chunk

Everyone on this board knows the object of a Blackhawks power play is not to give up a short handed goal.

My point is that the veterans, especially the defensemen, weren’t brought in as powerplay specialists. The defensemen in the current lineup aren’t powerplay specialists. Do you suggest KD goes out and tries to get a powerplay specialist at this time?
- paulr

Maybe Gus was the answer, the below is from the Wings blogger.
Gustafsson had multiple drop passes in his own zone to no one. He lost a lot of defensive battles.

Well Faber never played in the NHL before the Wild, so of course he never played the power play for any other team
- LAHawk

I think that's true for college as well

Keith's main problem was that he could never get his shot through.

Jones doesn't think offense naturally. I'm still not over how he tried to take over the OT against Detroit that ended up with Kane scoring on the breakaway.

As others have already said, who else should be the QB on PP1? There is no clear answer. I seem to remember they even tried five forwards on PP1 last season, which would lead me to think the coaches don't know, either.
- 333inthe3rd

I don't think his hockey sense is that great anyway.

Tremendous athlete and looks productive moving forward with the puck but man some stuff just doesn't quite click with him.

Maybe they should put TT at the top of the umbrella. Though he doesn't have a threatening shot he could at least distribute.

Y'all want to feel better about the Hawks? Go read the last 5 pages of the Sabres blog.

Poor bastards have already launched the season.

Wiz, not sure if you’re back yet, hope all is good by you, I know your area was hit hard. All good by me, no damages to our house whatsoever, the beach area and coastal restaurants here were crushed. Mo, haven’t made it to Tony’s Beef since the storm, I need a beef fix.

And how much of an improvement do you think exchanging Vlasic for Jones would make, with the forwards being the same?
- LAHawk

Honestly how much worse can it get, how about just maintaining possession in the offensive zone.

Honestly how much worse can it get, how about just maintaining possession in the offensive zone.
- BetweenTheDots

I’m with LA on this one, you need Vlasic to weather the storm on defense after a power play, focus on the penalty kill, that’s more important.

Big difference than last year. down 2-0 last year, it was all over. They were one (of a few) posts away from tying it up.

Did you see the Panthers/Boston game? Panthers with the banner raising had the same energy spurt that Utah did for it being their first game "ever".. Actually if Richardinson would of buried that wide open chance in the first couple of minutes, it could have been a different game.

Sure the Hawks are not a playoff team, but they look like a team that belongs in the NHL. Couldn't say that the last 2 years.

YES this team is old and for the most part VERY slow. Again the one thing they did starting in the second period that never happened last year was they started putting pucks behind the defenseman forechecking and causing turnovers.

Will be inteesting to see how LR sets up his defensive pairings for the Oilers.

The current Blackhawks team sort of reminds me of the Punch Imlach Toronto teams of the 60's. A bunch of over the hill hockey players sprinkled in with some talent that know how to play the game.

Now the rest of the blog I will be ranting about KD signing Brodie for 2 years.

Since Kubalik has been gone (and out of the league), he is my new whipping person.
- LAHawk

The prospects will work on their game in Rockford and starting next year there will be an ongoing influx of young talent looking to and sooner or later permanently taking a veteran’s job. If some collegiate forwards turn pro for the following season, I figure two seasons away a lot of young kids are going to be in the lineup. If they are a bit short on nhl capable, they may not spend any or not much time prepping in the AHL. It will be a play the young kids as much as possible mode. Mixed in could be whomever KD drafts in ‘25 (particularly if a forward in top ten overall).

What I would like to see your thoughts on, however, is the LA Kings Eklund report how they are going hard after Shesterkin. A big if NYR did agree to move him, what do they get back. Salary cap issues is going to be a concern regarding the salaries now - and later - each player for both teams. I believe NYR loose thus trade no matter who they get because the NYR will have a tougher time winning in playoffs with a lesser goaltender in net. I would choose to pay the goaltender more and adjust their roster y subtracting someone - who like who knows but do not move your goaltender

Imagine Byfield and Clarke will be in trade rumor for Shesterkin? Yet I predict NYR re-sign their netminder