Post-Game Talk: We Made Dat Avalanche | Hawks 5 - Avs 2

[No Fun Shogun]

Good win, but obviously hoping Hossa's okay. Even with the nebulous terminology that the NHL uses for injury though, "day to day" is a positive sign.

 

[Bring Back GLR]

I really hope that the Hawks can turn this year into something special. Who knows how long Hossa can last. Somebody sneezes in his direction and he has to leave the game. Hawks got burnt by the cap two years ago and deserve another Mug.

 

[member 151739]

I hope Hossa is okay. We can't have him out for an extended period of time.

Another great night for Kane.

 

[LarmerSavardSecord]

Saad is now in the top 5 in rookie scoring. Sure, he has an awesome slot on the Hawks top line, but he's scoring at the same rate as every other 3rd wheel has on the top line in the new era. And after a slow start on the score sheet he is near a PPG pace over the last 15 games.

He's not the most talented rookie this year, but he's getting it done @20 years old. And looking like the better part vs. guys like Ladd, Brouwer and Versteeg ever did when given the same opportunity.

 

[Bring Back GLR]

Yes, but the Avs don't deserve to be put in that boat. Edmonton has drafted first overall three times in a row and could potentially do it again. Now that is pathetic.

Colorado? Not even close to that.

Maybe it's a little late with this post, but Avs fans should remember where they came from. Sundin, Nolan and Lindros right there were 3 straight first overall picks that led directly to where those great Avs teams got built on. Sure none of those guys played for them but those high picks helped pave the future.

 

[Bring Back GLR]

Sorry, Nolan 9 played games with the Avs at 95/96 cup year but was traded at the beginning of the year for Sandis Ozilnish (spelled wrong I know)

 

[slovakfan*]

Teams like the Avs and Oilers have had even more higher picks than us yet look at them and look at us. both teams are going nowhere and don't even look like they're close to turning the corner.

if oilers are not devastated with injuries they look pretty good. if they get 1-3 aquisition they have potential to be contender for few years. but they need to do these last steps this or next season. avs biggest problem so far is probably coaching....

 

[committedindian86]

The Oilers problem is their Defensemen, or lack there of. Great young forwards though

 

[Ace Rothstein]

Also like to remind you guys that are bagging on the fans that were at the Pepsi Center tonight that there was a time in the early 2000's that you'd go to a Hawks-Avs game in Chicago and there were 10,000 fans in a 20,000 capacity building where over half of them were Avs fans.

I remember when we had sparse crowds, it wasn't all that long ago really. I never remember there being many Avs fans there though. Every Wings game was a home game for them in Chicago. Avs games? Don't really recall there being a huge following here.

 

[Ace Rothstein]

Saad is now in the top 5 in rookie scoring. Sure, he has an awesome slot on the Hawks top line, but he's scoring at the same rate as every other 3rd wheel has on the top line in the new era. And after a slow start on the score sheet he is near a PPG pace over the last 15 games.

He's not the most talented rookie this year, but he's getting it done @20 years old. And looking like the better part vs. guys like Ladd, Brouwer and Versteeg ever did when given the same opportunity.

He's been very good and consistent so far. I can't believe it took him 13 or 14 games to register an assist with how well he was playing. You'd think he would have at least lucked into one earlier than he did.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Allow me to preface this by saying that I have never been a fan of Seabrook.

But, his lack of effort on the Landeskog shorty was unbelievable. Dude's on a power play and he can't be bothered to skate, and once he's beaten, can't be bothered to try to knock the puck away or even tie up Landeskog's hands. That was appalling. I read a lot about trading Bolland or Sharp in the future to ensure the Hawks hold onto Toews and Kane, but (purely hypothetically) I'd be more inclined to hold onto the two of them, Oduya, Hjammer, and Leddy, and trade Seabrook to open cap space.

Oh, and no this isn't a knee jerk reaction, I've though this for over a year.

A few bad games erases 2 full seasons of him being (arguably) the Hawks best defenseman for the past 2 seasons. Got ya

 

[Taak19]

Maybe it's a little late with this post, but Avs fans should remember where they came from. Sundin, Nolan and Lindros right there were 3 straight first overall picks that led directly to where those great Avs teams got built on. Sure none of those guys played for them but those high picks helped pave the future.

It's no big surprise that teams that finish low for consecutive years eventually get better, hell look at the wings in the 70s.

 

[ColdSteel2]

It's no big surprise that teams that finish low for consecutive years eventually get better, hell look at the wings in the 70s.

What about when teams finish low for 5-7 years and get absolutely nothing from it and actually become worse, like the Hawks did? If you want to say anything about the Hawks becoming better, I'd call it dumb luck. They ****ed up every draft and at some point, the law of averages dictates you have some success.

 

[BobbyJet]

I haven’t seen the 3rd period yet but here are my likes and dislikes from last night:

Likes:
-obviously the fact that Kane and Toews are running on all cylinders
- Hammer is playing with more confidence every game it seems. He looks awesome out there as he and the play of Oduya, along with Kane’s play of course, are the biggest differences in this year’s team, imo.
- Hayes looks better each game and he cashes in on his first legit scoring chance. Showed his good hands and I really hope he (somehow) sticks around this time
- despite the criticism here, I still like Bolland’s (subtle) contribution on the 2nd line by adding the defensive element
- the third line continues to play well and a nice goal by Shaw
- it appeared to me that Q sat Seabs after some lackadaisical efforts. No player should be immune to that but glad to see Seabs come back and bury one

Concerns:
-the injury to Hossa, but it doesn’t look serious
-the PP was not so good and a short handed goal against is worse
-the team play remains pretty solid but I think the 4th line is getting away from the game they should be playing (especially Bollig who should be banging out there, not pretending to be Patrick Kane%

 

[madgoat33]

really need to get keith and seabrook off the point if we want the pp to improve. maybe one of them out there at a time, but not both.

 

[Bubba88]

that's why I like the drafting system and not the rich getting richer. Bad teams should get the good guys coming up. Good scouting and trading with good coaching can make up for not drafting high.

 

[zac]

really need to get keith and seabrook off the point if we want the pp to improve. maybe one of them out there at a time, but not both.

Keith hasn't had any business being on the PP for at least 2 years. He can't keep pucks in the zone, has a weak and errant shot, hesitates every time he gets the puck, and makes bad decisions when it's on his stick (easily blockable shots or stupid 3 foot passes).

I'd roll 4 forwards with Sharp and Leddy as our pointmen. With that said, it isn't going to get better until we stress collapsing the puck down, leading to closer shots as well as quicker passes and shots in general. Our whole m.o. is fatally flawed and we negate our man advantage with what we do out there.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Sharp on the point doesn't work. Roll Leddy Rosi/Oduya.

 

[EmeticDonut]

Any reason why Seabs usually plays on the right side on the PP while Keith is on the left? Wouldn't it benefit more if they switched places so that they could quicker get one-timers off?

 

[massivegoonery]

I'm a bit surprised we haven't seen Hossa at the point 5-on-4 since he got here.

 

[BobbyJet]

Any reason why Seabs usually plays on the right side on the PP while Keith is on the left? Wouldn't it benefit more if they switched places so that they could quicker get one-timers off?

You will see the more creative PP’s do the switch of their point men during puck possession. You’re right, it can be very effective. Hawks should incorporate that into their system. Forget Sharp at the point, though he’s probably better there than Keith at getting the puck through traffic (which is baffling considering Keith’s skating ability, he should be perfect at moving laterally to find a hole). I don’t mind Seabs there so much, but I’d like to see Leddy get more PP time. Hammer and Oduya as well.

BTW… I sat down and watched the 3rd period last night. Great job of shut down by the Hawks (mainly via puck possession). Avs were thoroughly frustrated. The 4th line was very responsible defensively. After being okay in the first 2 periods, Bickell stepped it up in the 3rd …and had a solid period ... and what a snipe by Toews. I wish he’d use his shot more often.

 

[RayP]

Keith hasn't had any business being on the PP for at least 2 years. He can't keep pucks in the zone, has a weak and errant shot, hesitates every time he gets the puck, and makes bad decisions when it's on his stick (easily blockable shots or stupid 3 foot passes).

I'd roll 4 forwards with Sharp and Leddy as our pointmen. With that said, it isn't going to get better until we stress collapsing the puck down, leading to closer shots as well as quicker passes and shots in general. Our whole m.o. is fatally flawed and we negate our man advantage with what we do out there.

Exactly what I'd like to see. With Hossa and Toews out there, I wouldn't be worried about only having 1 defensemen. I'd try loading the first PP up with skill with Hossa, Toews, Kane, Sharp when healthy, and Leddy. 2nd unit I'd go with a more scrappy unit with guys like Shaw, Stalberg, Bickell.

 

[madgoat33]

they've tried Sharp at the point plenty and it doesn't work.

 

[Bubba88]

there was a time Sharp was on the point and it was dangerous all the time... was during the Cup year

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

there was a time Sharp was on the point and it was dangerous all the time... was during the Cup year

I never remember him being a point threat. The only forward we've had in recent memory that was a quality point option was Jeff Hamilton