Just my 2 cents but I think there are reasons.

I think in some regards the special teams is more simple than 5v5. They focus mostly on one zone at a time, they know their positioning/roles better once things are "set up" and there is more clear focus on "what to do".

I feel like 5v5 can be a bigger risk to teams that lack of depth of complete players. For example, you can have a handful of good PK guys on the roster and the PK can really shine. You shelter the weak links.

Same thing on the PP, you only need a few guys who are effective at moving the puck around and a couple decent shooters to really start to generate chances.

At 5v5 the weaker links in the chain get exposed more. The proficiency in all zones becomes a bigger issue. The coaches minimize it with trying to controller the deployment and the match ups, but I think it just takes more depth top to bottom to have a good 5v5 team.

The last thing and the biggest to me is that 5v5 is much more about breakouts and moving the puck and gaining the zone. On the powerplay, moving up ice and getting setup is much easier. The other team has to respect your manpower advantage and you get the first half of the ice almost for free. At 5v5 there is a lot more resistance to getting out of your own end and transitioning. The D being able to escape with the puck is more important. Breakout passes, joining the rush, clean plays up to the center red line. This is where the balance starts to shift. The areas we are most "green" at are D and C. I think those are huge factors.
- breadbag

This makes a lot of sense.

SC was lamenting the puck movement in the clip that was linked. I just noted that the clip was on the PP and the Hawks have been one of the better PP teams this year and have that kind of movement in that situation.

Salary cap in danger of stalling .Trump !! . Real glad we got rid of Jones now ,although that 2,5 mil may lock a little bigger in the rear view mirror . Still got that 1st .
- oldduffman

Well that story didn't have much legs now did it?

Just my 2 cents but I think there are reasons.

I think in some regards the special teams is more simple than 5v5. They focus mostly on one zone at a time, they know their positioning/roles better once things are "set up" and there is more clear focus on "what to do".

I feel like 5v5 can be a bigger risk to teams that lack of depth of complete players. For example, you can have a handful of good PK guys on the roster and the PK can really shine. You shelter the weak links.

Same thing on the PP, you only need a few guys who are effective at moving the puck around and a couple decent shooters to really start to generate chances.

At 5v5 the weaker links in the chain get exposed more. The proficiency in all zones becomes a bigger issue. The coaches minimize it with trying to controller the deployment and the match ups, but I think it just takes more depth top to bottom to have a good 5v5 team.

The last thing and the biggest to me is that 5v5 is much more about breakouts and moving the puck and gaining the zone. On the powerplay, moving up ice and getting setup is much easier. The other team has to respect your manpower advantage and you get the first half of the ice almost for free. At 5v5 there is a lot more resistance to getting out of your own end and transitioning. The D being able to escape with the puck is more important. Breakout passes, joining the rush, clean plays up to the center red line. This is where the balance starts to shift. The areas we are most "green" at are D and C. I think those are huge factors.
- breadbag

You are right on point. They just need more talent and depth to compete 5v5, especially against good teams. Like I mentioned earlier, once KK and Levshunov acclimate to the NHL and get more experience, that will facilitate their transition game. It’s coming, another couple of years, however we should see some progress next year.

I will be encouraged when they hire an NHL quality coaching staff instead of the Mannequin and his accessories
- LAHawk

This team really needs Q.

Well that story didn't have much legs now did it?
- LAHawk

Why not?

Why not?
- paulr

https://economictimes.ind...ow/119429084.cms?from=mdr

This team really needs Q.
- rpeters01

I keep looking over all of the league assistants and other guys that might be available. I always come back to the same few guys.

Todd Nelson
David Carle
Sullivan (if he's let go)

Woodcroft doesn't do much for me.
Claude Julien (asst for STL right now)?
Kevin Dineen?
Kirk Muller?

Gonna be an interesting offseason. The Hawks need both a new coach (and staff) and some better players. They might even move some guys out that people expect to stay. Personally, I think Reichel is done with this team. Even with injuries and their obvious struggles, he still only gets minimal time.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/us-stocks-open-higher-on-trumps-softened-tariff-stance/articleshow/119429084.cms?from=mdr
- LAHawk

What? You mean no one would make knee-jerk decisions/proclamations based on headlines? Madness I tell you.

This team really needs Q.
- rpeters01

Why? So the entire team can be described as "fine"?

Why? So the entire team can be described as "fine"?
- Chunk

They would be described as "okay" by Q.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/us-stocks-open-higher-on-trumps-softened-tariff-stance/articleshow/119429084.cms?from=mdr
- LAHawk

Do you really believe the tariffs are over? I think this is only heating up. There’s a national boycott of all American products in Canada. My local grocery store no longer carries any produce from the US, a month ago most of the produce was American. Many Canadians are making a concerted effort to avoid all products produced in the US. The Liquor stores in Canada have removed all American alcohol fron their shelves and cancelled new orders. And this boycott has started catching on world wide. What do you think will happen if the boycott keeps up?

I keep looking over all of the league assistants and other guys that might be available. I always come back to the same few guys.

Todd Nelson
David Carle
Sullivan (if he's let go)

Woodcroft doesn't do much for me.
Claude Julien (asst for STL right now)?
Kevin Dineen?
Kirk Muller?

Gonna be an interesting offseason. The Hawks need both a new coach (and staff) and some better players. They might even move some guys out that people expect to stay. Personally, I think Reichel is done with this team. Even with injuries and their obvious struggles, he still only gets minimal time.
- Chunk

Q is way above those guys and his biggest strength is setting up a defensive system that gets the puck out.

Q is way above those guys and his biggest strength is setting up a defensive system that gets the puck out.
- rpeters01

Sure, but there is no way in hell that guy is ever going to coach in Chicago (or possibly the NHL) ever again.

This makes a lot of sense.

SC was lamenting the puck movement in the clip that was linked. I just noted that the clip was on the PP and the Hawks have been one of the better PP teams this year and have that kind of movement in that situation.
- Chunk

I was really talking about Seth looking lost and floundering all over the place not knowing who to cover. And then his team got scored on. I know the Panthers ended up winning the game, but that just looked like vintage Seth from his time in Chicago.

I missed that it was their RW on the PK that had the broken stick, and for some reason the had Seth on the LD side of the box; interestingly enough the guy without the stick dove and nearly broke up a pass right before the Pens scored (which is more than Jones really did out there).

Also - saw the Canadian political advert with Mike Myers in it last night ... loved the quiz question about:

You're the defenceman covering on a 2 on 1 - who do you take?


Now I've been in that spot more than once (mainly because my level - you can have 5 on 1's sometimes... nevermind that :D) ...

I've always the pass option .... and there are a few times that the shooter still drilled it home. One time, once my stupid goalie wanted to fight me because he claimed I was screening him (on a 2 on 1 where I was covering the pass option who was fairly wide of goal) -- and it was actually the guy with the puck that never passed and just skated in like he was on rails)... ahhh yes, memories ... can't make that one up.

In fact that was actually an awesome scrimmage. Almost all new guys to hockey. I'm on D- I got the puck in the neutral zone ... everyone is literally stopped dead on the blue line (I guess at least they were not offside ... but they were actually standing there) - and I was like ... ok I got no play, I gotta dump it in.

They still stood there ... like superglued to the spot.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/us-stocks-open-higher-on-trumps-softened-tariff-stance/articleshow/119429084.cms?from=mdr
- LAHawk

I don't know how this is a good thing.

From the article

Speaking on the repercussions of Trump's fluctuating trade policies, Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer for Northlight Asset Management, said "we think the biggest impact is that the uncertainty has at least slowed down or potentially frozen a lot of the business activity."

I was really talking about Seth looking lost and floundering all over the place not knowing who to cover. And then his team got scored on. I know the Panthers ended up winning the game, but that just looked like vintage Seth from his time in Chicago.

I missed that it was their RW on the PK that had the broken stick, and for some reason the had Seth on the LD side of the box; interestingly enough the guy without the stick dove and nearly broke up a pass right before the Pens scored (which is more than Jones really did out there).
- SC116

Well that story didn't have much legs now did it?
- LAHawk

Well Trumpets Billionaire's buddies probably made a hefty sum on the selloff . And Bettman will use any negative news true or not to hold down the cap .I say this story is far from done .

Do you really believe the tariffs are over? I think this is only heating up. There’s a national boycott of all American products in Canada. My local grocery store no longer carries any produce from the US, a month ago most of the produce was American. Many Canadians are making a concerted effort to avoid all products produced in the US. The Liquor stores in Canada have removed all American alcohol fron their shelves and cancelled new orders. And this boycott has started catching on world wide. What do you think will happen if the boycott keeps up?
- paulr

Its called a negotiation.

I'll never understand what the problem is with reciprical tarriffs.

Example; EU put a 10% tarrif on US autos, US put a 2.5% tarriff on EU cars.

Why does that seem fair or logical to anyone. Trump threatens reciprocal tarriffs of 10% on EU cars into the US.

Yesterday, EU announces they are dropping the tarriffs on US cars into the EU to 2.5%

On the same day Hyundai announces a 20 billion investment into the US on car manufacturing plants, as well as a steel plant.

Someone has to explain to me how any of this makes what Trump is doing (at least on this specific subject) is bad for the American worker and the working middle class.

I'll also add, as a bourbon lover, hoping this allows me to get more stuff i can't normally get

Its called a negotiation.

I'll never understand what the problem is with reciprical tarriffs.

Example; EU put a 10% tarrif on US autos, US put a 2.5% tarriff on EU cars.

Why does that seem fair or logical to anyone. Trump threatens reciprocal tarriffs of 10% on EU cars into the US.

Yesterday, EU announces they are dropping the tarriffs on US cars into the EU to 2.5%

On the same day Hyundai announces a 20 billion investment into the US on car manufacturing plants, as well as a steel plant.

Someone has to explain to me how any of this makes what Trump is doing (at least on this specific subject) is bad for the American worker and the working middle class.

I'll also add, as a bourbon lover, hoping this allows me to get more stuff i can't normally get
- vabeachbear

The point isn’t tariffs, my point was the NHL cap can still go down because of tariffs. Getting into a trade war with every trading partner can go one of two ways, a boom to the economy or a recession. As I asked LA do you think this tariff issue is over?

And in the case I was talking about what Canada and much of the western world is doing aren’t tariffs, it’s much worse, it’s boycotting American goods. You’re already seeing Tesla being boycotted in the countries that traditionally purchase it. You’re seeing a huge chunk of the Canadian public avoiding American products. You’re seeing countries avoiding the US as a tourist destination. In February Canadians crossing the border into the US was down 23% from the previous February. In March I expect that to increase significantly. And a week ago Canada, the UK and parts of Europe have advised their citizens to avoid the US. This tariff boycott mess is just beginning. I expect where the cap eventually goes is a long way from being determined.

The point isn’t tariffs, my point was the NHL cap can still go down because of tariffs. Getting into a trade war with every trading partner can go one of two ways, a boom to the economy or a recession. As I asked LA do you think this tariff issue is over?

And in the case I was talking about what Canada and much of the western world is doing aren’t tariffs, it’s much worse, it’s boycotting American goods. You’re already seeing Tesla being boycotted in the countries that traditionally purchase it. You’re seeing a huge chunk of the Canadian public avoiding American products. You’re seeing countries avoiding the US as a tourist destination. In February Canadians crossing the border into the US was down 23% from the previous February. In March I expect that to increase significantly. And a week ago Canada, the UK and parts of Europe have advised their citizens to avoid the US. This tariff boycott mess is just beginning. I expect where the cap eventually goes is a long way from being determined.
- paulr

It doesn't matter we are long over due for one. No matter who's running the ship

Damn, sucks for Mrazek. He was playing pretty well for DET, then gets injured after one save last night.

4-4-4-4-4

4-4-4-4-4
- 35Tony0

8-6-7-5-3-0-9-e-ine

4-4-4-4-4
- 35Tony0

4-3-1-1-4