slappipappi
Registered User
- Jul 22, 2010
- 4,469
- 194
This begs the question...what has gotten into Q this year? Has he magically morphed into a reasonable coach?
From his consistency in lines to improved special teams play he may just have (although it is still too early to say definitively).
Why are the hwks playing so much better this year?
In 2009-2010, the Hawks had arguably the best depth in the NHL.
Following the SC win, alot of that depth had to leave town due to large increases in salaries of players coming off ELC and bounues that got "recaptured" in the following year.
In the next two years the hawks had to fill that depth with older marginal players and young players who weren't ready for the NHL yet. And Q had to rely upon the core to play extra minutes to remain competitive.
Come this year, and the maturing of players like Leddy, Kruger, Stalberg etc. has allowed Q to rest his core more as the depth is so much better. He can roll 4 lines again comfortably, along with 3 lines of d-men. Keith is not playing 30 minutes a night anymore.
The team can now again come at you in waves.
My theory anyway.