Blackhawks '21

#26      
If you recall the latter half of Q's last full year, when Crow got hurt and the goaltending was a hot mess, Keith was almost guaranteed to cough up at least one pizza to the slot each game. I don't want to say he was in full on IDGAF mode, but he certainly didn't seem careful managing the puck in our zone. If he loses interest early this year it could get very ugly. I'm hoping we right the ship quickly in this set against Detroit.
Keith has aged out of his #1 D spot. No knock on him, Father Time is undefeated.
 
#27      

bdutts

Houston, Texas
Yeah, Keith has been poor. Clinging to the fact that he had a similar start last year and was able to right the ship (not saying he's an elite #1, he clearly has slipped). Murphy was mediocre, at best, too.

JC has repeatedly stated that it's an open contest for #1G. Lankinen will stay on the taxi squad all season, most likely, as he doesn't have to clear waivers. WRT drawing in, it doesn't matter if a guy is on the active roster or taxi squad. And, yes, to your point, goalkeeping has been rather poor.
What I really meant about the goalies was to pick two and let them run with it to see who's going to win it. Can't really have three competing as that doesn't give any of three any momentum to build on. Seems like they like Delia and Subban. Then put Lankinen on the taxi squad. I don't know the rules for bringing taxi guys up so thanks for clarifying.
 
#28      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
What I really meant about the goalies was to pick two and let them run with it to see who's going to win it. Can't really have three competing as that doesn't give any of three any momentum to build on. Seems like they like Delia and Subban. Then put Lankinen on the taxi squad. I don't know the rules for bringing taxi guys up so thanks for clarifying.

3 way derby. If there ever was a time to figure it out, it's now. FWLIW, my money (2 cents, lol) is on Lankinen. Doesn't mean squat though. There will be a slew of goalies available before the expansion draft. Doesn't take a Nostradamus to think Bowman will be active.
 
#29      

bdutts

Houston, Texas
3 way derby. If there ever was a time to figure it out, it's now. FWLIW, my money (2 cents, lol) is on Lankinen. Doesn't mean squat though. There will be a slew of goalies available before the expansion draft. Doesn't take a Nostradamus to think Bowman will be active.
And I think that since both Delia and Subban are signed for next year, one of those two could be exposed, assuming they want to keep Lakinen. Doesn't mean Seattle would select either. And as you stated, one of the three could be traded to a team that needs to find a goalie to expose.
 
#30      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Not gonna blow things out of proportion, but the Hawks played well last night. VG game from Lankinen. Hopefully, he seizes the position. Nice to see the PP actually moving the puck (vs Kane holding it on the half wall, ugh). Good things happen when the players and puck move. Very nice outing from Cat. His skating and intensity seem better. Loving Mitchell's hockey IQ and composure. Definitely a top 4 guy in the making. Glad he got burnt by Larkin (good timing, lol). Great learning experience. Murph & Keith were better. Strome flashed some. Soderburg will be in soon.

Win tomorrow.
 
#31      
Not gonna blow things out of proportion, but the Hawks played well last night. VG game from Lankinen. Hopefully, he seizes the position. Nice to see the PP actually moving the puck (vs Kane holding it on the half wall, ugh). Good things happen when the players and puck move. Very nice outing from Cat. His skating and intensity seem better. Loving Mitchell's hockey IQ and composure. Definitely a top 4 guy in the making. Glad he got burnt by Larkin (good timing, lol). Great learning experience. Murph & Keith were better. Strome flashed some. Soderburg will be in soon.

Win tomorrow.
Effort was improved from the road trip but they still gave up way too many scoring opportunities. A good team would have buried a few more. Lankinen did play very well and looks like he may take the reins as the number 1 goalie.

Mitchell has been very, very impressive thus far. Somehow he is exceeding the high expectations.
 
#32      

bdutts

Houston, Texas
Not gonna blow things out of proportion, but the Hawks played well last night. VG game from Lankinen. Hopefully, he seizes the position. Nice to see the PP actually moving the puck (vs Kane holding it on the half wall, ugh). Good things happen when the players and puck move. Very nice outing from Cat. His skating and intensity seem better. Loving Mitchell's hockey IQ and composure. Definitely a top 4 guy in the making. Glad he got burnt by Larkin (good timing, lol). Great learning experience. Murph & Keith were better. Strome flashed some. Soderburg will be in soon.

Win tomorrow.

Well said! Agree with all your points above.
 
#36      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Hawks aren't going anywhere this season, but, hot damn, they're playing so much better than expected. Win or lose, they're fun to watch. Well coached too.
 
#38      
4-1-4 in their last 9. Pretty good for such a young team. They won't make the playoffs but good to see them show fight every night.
I don't know, they might just make the playoffs if they keep getting this kind of play from their rookies. No one expected much from them with Toews, Seabrook, and Dach out. Lankinen & Subban have been great between the pipes. PP and PK have been really good. Fun team to watch right now.
 
#39      

bdutts

Houston, Texas
I don't know, they might just make the playoffs if they keep getting this kind of play from their rookies. No one expected much from them with Toews, Seabrook, and Dach out. Lankinen & Subban have been great between the pipes. PP and PK have been really good. Fun team to watch right now.
Since the first three games where they looked overmatched, they have been competitive in the rest. Fun to watch guys like Mitchell, Suter, Kurashev, Lankinen and the rest of the young guys progress.
 
#41      

bdutts

Houston, Texas
Shaw out. In concussion protocol. Might he be done for good now?
 
#42      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
A few more thoughts:
- Beaudin switched sides and played RD in Boqvist's absence. All the more impressive. Coming off a pretty lackluster season, he may be the biggest surprise in a season full of them.
- Boqvist and Wallmark are off Covid protocol
- Murphy's out for 10-14 days
- Kalynuk is up. Hopefully, he'll get some games.
 
#43      
Hagel & Beaudin have been VVG. Janmark was a great signing. Hawks are vastly exceeding expectations and are a lot of fun to watch now. D has tightened up considerably, PP is light years better, PK is rolling. Pinch me.
Janmark with another goal last night. Now has as many in 17 games (6) as he had in 62 last season. Subban looking good, also. Nice combo with he and Lankinen.
 
#46      

KBLEE

Montgomery, IL
7-1-1 in their last nine games is pretty darn decent.
 
#47      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
I mean, this has gone better than expected.

Good job everyone? 🤷‍♂️

Definitely. Especially, Colliton. Kids are playing very well and buy in is tremendous, across the board. Love to see it. BTW, pretty sweet move by Kurashev last night, eh?

March schedule is brutal though. So, the results won't be as good. No chance. Regardless, this season has been a lot of fun.

Next euro FA? LF Damir Zhafyarov? Hawks have offered a contract. He's tearing up the KHL.
 
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#48      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Correction: Hawks haven't offered Zhafyarov a contract. Yet. Lotta smoke here.

Lankinen: 7-2-3 with a .931 save percentage. And that's with a decidedly non-stellar debut.
 
#49      
Definitely. Especially, Colliton. Kids are playing very well and buy in is tremendous, across the board. Love to see it. BTW, pretty sweet move by Kurashev last night, eh?

March schedule is brutal though. So, the results won't be as good. No chance. Regardless, this season has been a lot of fun.

Next euro FA? LF Damir Zhafyarov? Hawks have offered a contract. He's tearing up the KHL.
Two big games with Carolina coming up.
 
#50      
Definitely. Especially, Colliton. Kids are playing very well and buy in is tremendous, across the board. Love to see it. BTW, pretty sweet move by Kurashev last night, eh?

March schedule is brutal though. So, the results won't be as good. No chance. Regardless, this season has been a lot of fun.

Next euro FA? LF Damir Zhafyarov? Hawks have offered a contract. He's tearing up the KHL.
Very happy with the start - tied for 1st 18 games in is phenominal. Don't expect it to last but this is laying a good foundation for the future.