Debrincat on making the big club:

https://twitter.com/BySco...status/887041136505892864

Some good video from prospects camp on Powers' Twitter feed ....
- Hank_Greenberg

Hype machine (fan side) in full effect for the kid. Already a lineup for autographs. Going to be some very disappointed people if he doesn't make the NHL squad. He, personally, sounds more realistic about his chances.

He definitely realized he needs to be tenacious on the puck:

https://twitter.com/BySco...status/887029088032108545

https://twitter.com/BySco...status/887025118962225153

And, a bonus Highmore, who several of you mentioned keen interest in seeing:

https://twitter.com/BySco...status/887024322308648964

Looks like Cro, Keith and Seebs are missing the fan fest.
- riozzo

Seabs missed last year, too. Surprised McD is allowing unless he has a family thing.

Seabs missed last year, too. Surprised McD is allowing unless he has a family thing.
- pdx2ord

Well, it sure wasn't to work on foot speed last year.

Maybe there's a competing pie-eating contest scheduled that same week.

Dylan Sikura is the player I'm most interested in during camp and he's been one of the better guys in the drills. Some more info on him too.

@ByScottPowers
Dylan Sikura has stood out among the drills. He looks like he's put on some weight since the season too.

@MarkLazerus
Dylan Sikura is going back to Northeastern for his senior year. Said ideally, he'll be in a #Blackhawks uniform by spring, a la John Hayden.

@SWhyno
Stephen Whyno Retweeted Mark Lazerus
One scout said Dylan Sikura could be a candidate for Canadian Olympic team.

Ian Mitchell

https://twitter.com/BySco...status/887025118962225153


https://twitter.com/BySco...status/887025678071345157

Dylan Sikura is the player I'm most interested in during camp and he's been one of the better guys in the drills. Some more info on him too.

@ByScottPowers
Dylan Sikura has stood out among the drills. He looks like he's put on some weight since the season too.

@MarkLazerus
Dylan Sikura is going back to Northeastern for his senior year. Said ideally, he'll be in a #Blackhawks uniform by spring, a la John Hayden.

@SWhyno
Stephen Whyno Retweeted Mark Lazerus
One scout said Dylan Sikura could be a candidate for Canadian Olympic team.
- L_B_R

Thanks for sharing those tweets. Sikura is who I am interested in the most, too. Of our prospects not named Debrincat and Fortin, he has top-6 potential. I remember back in the spring he did state he was going to finish up his degree first at Northeastern, but that would be great if he could get a cup of coffee once the NCAA season is over in the spring.

His game seems similar to Schmaltz's, not to mention his frame. Glad to hear Sikura has packed on some pounds. I remember when the Hawks drafted him a few years ago, he weighed 145 lbs!

Goalie Collin Delia finishes with a first big glove save then a second #Blackhawks

https://www.facebook.com/.../videos/2006734619352925/

https://www.facebook.com/.../videos/2006735219352865/

Which prospects or young Dmen in the system have a great shot? I know Forsling does, but who else?

I would love to see the Hawks get a good option (other than Seabrook) to load up a big point shot.

Which prospects or young Dmen in the system have a great shot? I know Forsling does, but who else?

I would love to see the Hawks get a good option (other than Seabrook) to load up a big point shot.
- breadbag

I'm thinking Rutta does.

http://www.dobberprospects.com/jan-rutta/

Looks like Cro, Keith and Seebs are missing the fan fest.
- riozzo

They were all probably asked to wave their NTCs a couple months ago and said F U!

Hype machine (fan side) in full effect for the kid. Already a lineup for autographs. Going to be some very disappointed people if he doesn't make the NHL squad. He, personally, sounds more realistic about his chances.

He definitely realized he needs to be tenacious on the puck:

https://twitter.com/BySco...status/887029088032108545

https://twitter.com/BySco...status/887025118962225153

And, a bonus Highmore, who several of you mentioned keen interest in seeing:

https://twitter.com/BySco...status/887024322308648964
- pdx2ord

Cool, another smurf.

I guess I don't understand why you mentioned his points production if you didn't care about it. And why you keep saying it could be a debate when it's easily proven that he produced in the 1C range last season. The other things, maybe, but production is fine. This is the first time you mention playoffs at all, so of course the discussion was regular season focused. I don't really know why it wouldn't be before but okay.

Either way, I do agree that the most important issue for Toews is him carrying out the other duties as a 1C, including matchups against other 1Cs in important games. That is a legit concern, rather than his points (which were fine).
- L_B_R

I do think there is a case to be made his point production hasn't been of a top 1st line center, or is cause for concern for those who value his point production more than I do...That's my opinion and really not open for debate.

But the overrding point was his all around game isn't what it was and that really matters most in the playoffs, when playing the same team over and over again. The playoffs were mentioned because it was in reference to someone bringing up about back to back first round losses.

The Hawks become like many other teams if Toews is unable to shut down the top center on the opposing team.

I think you were in debate with someone first about all this and I didn't have a dog in that fight but you seem to want to include me....My view was to add his point production would be my primary concern. My main point still stands-Fans should be more concerned about Toews getting manhandled and not being able to to defend more so than his point production.

I think a case could be made Toews will get closer to 70 points than 60 but I wouldn't bet either way for now. But I do know if he can't defend the Hawks will not be a true Cup contender because as of today, I don't see anyone else that can fill the same role.

Your expectations need to adjust. Scoring is down in the NHL and players typically start to decline in production around his age. Not all, but most, though decline in production does not mean decline elsewhere. Listen, only about 8-10 centers score at a .9+ PPG a year and almost all of them are primarily offensive centers and/or have primarily offensive linemates. Toews is never going to have a Ovechkin or Perry or Laine, but that's fine - Toews scoring at a .81 PPG while maintaining his other play is good. Saad will help more with the other areas of his role more so than his production imo.
- L_B_R

I like to use 30 as the age of decline for point production...But it's a slippery slope to start comparing ...Begeron is an elite defender and is 2 years older, so it's tough to compare as others have had different injurey concerns as well.

When the Hawks won in 2015 Toews was mentioned in the same breath as Crosby by many who know the game well...I even thought Toews should be the captain of Team Canada. But since then he hasn't bee the same player, probably for a multitude of reasons..Not to forget how much hockey he played over the preceeding few years.

Saad will help no doubt because Toews shouldn't have to be the one digging pucks out along the boards on most shifts. When Saad left the forecheck for that line wasn't the same nor was the speed.

Q tried to get the Toews line to flow, that's why Shaw was used so often. He can skate and forecheck but it never really worked as well as with Saad who also has more size.

Seabs missed last year, too. Surprised McD is allowing unless he has a family thing.
- pdx2ord

Toews missed last year...Did Seabrook miss as well?

I do think there is a case to be made his point production hasn't been of a top 1st line center, or is cause for concern for those who value his point production more than I do...That's my opinion and really not open for debate.

But the overrding point was his all around game isn't what it was and that really matters most in the playoffs, when playing the same team over and over again. The playoffs were mentioned because it was in reference to someone bringing up about back to back first round losses.

The Hawks become like many other teams if Toews is unable to shut down the top center on the opposing team.

I think you were in debate with someone first about all this and I didn't have a dog in that fight but you seem to want to include me....My view was to add his point production would be my primary concern. My main point still stands-Fans should be more concerned about Toews getting manhandled and not being able to to defend more so than his point production.

I think a case could be made Toews will get closer to 70 points than 60 but I wouldn't bet either way for now. But I do know if he can't defend the Hawks will not be a true Cup contender because as of today, I don't see anyone else that can fill the same role.
- Al

I think Toews said as much himself in the Trib interview:

After an inconsistent season, Jonathan Toews will re-evaluate what he does off the ice to prepare for 2017-18.

The Blackhawks captain wasn't pleased with the way his body held up during the season, and though he wouldn't admit it, he was likely hampered by an injury during the first round of the playoffs.

"I'm definitely going to take a different approach the way I prepare for next season," Toews, 28, said Saturday as the Hawks held meetings and cleaned out their lockers at the United Center. "I didn't get to the level that I needed to be to help our team survive for a little bit longer in this last playoff series. I have to be responsible for that as well."

Toews said he will change "a little bit of everything" about his offseason regimen to produce more than the 21 goals and 37 assists he had in 72 regular-season games and one goal and an assist during the Predators' four-game sweep.

"I've always been that type of player who likes to play heavy and protect the puck down low in the corners," Toews said. "It seems the strength has been a factor but also the speed in my game that I used to have in my younger years.

"I have to get back to playing more puck possession, a little bit more speed on the rush. The skill part is another thing I'll have to focus on and try to get back to playing the way I know I can."

I hope that means he cut ties with the Onnit helping people achieve a new level of well-being we call Total Human Optimization BS.

I do think there is a case to be made his point production hasn't been of a top 1st line center, or is cause for concern for those who value his point production more than I do...That's my opinion and really not open for debate.
- Al

Well, I wish you'd had originally said your opinion was that he's not a top 1C before rather than saying he was producing like a 2C. Those are different things. If you'd said the former originally, I'd have never argued otherwise - he's def produced more in the middle of the pack for 1Cs than top 5/10, so there's totally an argument to stand on that he doesn't produce like a top 1C anymore. It's the 2C part I took issue with, since it's not based on like actual points of centers for 7 or so years.

People can be concerned about points as much as they like imo. I just think they can go about it without incorrectly stating that general 1C production is higher than it is in modern NHL.

Well, I wish you'd had originally said your opinion was that he's not a top 1C before rather than saying he was producing like a 2C. Those are different things. If you'd said the former originally, I'd have never argued otherwise - he's def produced more in the middle of the pack for 1Cs than top 5/10, so there's totally an argument to stand on that he doesn't produce like a top 1C anymore. It's the 2C part I took issue with, since it's not based on like actual points of centers for 7 or so years.

People can be concerned about points as much as they like imo. I just think they can go about it without incorrectly stating that general 1C production is higher than it is in modern NHL.
- L_B_R

Here's exactly what I said ....
You could make the agrument #19's offenisve stats will better reflect a 2nd line center than a first, but that isn't a reason to be too down. In some ways that was what Toews was except he always could defend and play in every situation.

What I would be more concerned with is his ability to cover the top line center on an opposing team. Because that probably is too much to ask of Anisimov.


....will better reflect was in reference to next year and how his #'s have been trending, which is down...But my first thought when Toews is mentioned isn't how many points he scored or where he ranked in comparison to other top scoring centers. The bolded part was main point.

Well, I wish you'd had originally said your opinion was that he's not a top 1C before rather than saying he was producing like a 2C. Those are different things. If you'd said the former originally, I'd have never argued otherwise - he's def produced more in the middle of the pack for 1Cs than top 5/10, so there's totally an argument to stand on that he doesn't produce like a top 1C anymore. It's the 2C part I took issue with, since it's not based on like actual points of centers for 7 or so years.

People can be concerned about points as much as they like imo. I just think they can go about it without incorrectly stating that general 1C production is higher than it is in modern NHL.
- L_B_R

Speaking for myself, the biggest concern is he's one of the 3 highest paid players in the league (tied highest till McD's deal) with a bunch of term left on his deal and trending the wrong way. At this point he's either overpaid or grossly overpaid, depending on one's viewpoint, on a perennially cap strapped team. Cornerstone or millstone? I guess time will tell...

edit: It was especially disconcerting watching Johansen abuse him last playoffs

Speaking for myself, the biggest concern is he's one of the 3 highest paid players in the league (tied highest till McD's deal) with a bunch of term left on his deal and trending the wrong way. At this point he's either overpaid or grossly overpaid, depending on one's viewpoint, on a perennially cap strapped team. Cornerstone or millstone? I guess time will tell...

edit: It was especially disconcerting watching Johansen abuse him last playoffs
- Davewn

Valid points and your edit mentions
what should be the main concern.

Here's exactly what I said ....
You could make the agrument #19's offenisve stats will better reflect a 2nd line center than a first, but that isn't a reason to be too down. In some ways that was what Toews was except he always could defend and play in every situation.

What I would be more concerned with is his ability to cover the top line center on an opposing team. Because that probably is too much to ask of Anisimov.

....will better reflect was in reference to next year and how his #'s have been trending, which is down...But my first thought when Toews is mentioned isn't how many points he scored or where he ranked in comparison to other top scoring centers. The bolded part was main point.
- Al

Yes, and the first half of the first sentence is different than what you literally just said though. I keep saying the other points are valid on the concerns related to his play not related to points, and the only critique I had on your comment was that he's producing like a 2C. He's just factually not doing that. He'd have to drop over .1 PPG to do so. If you'd just originally said he's not producing like a "top" 1C vs 2C then I would have never replied at all. Or that he should produce more because he's being paid so much, also valid argument.

I watched the video. But remember ADB is still a kid. Let him get some strength while maintaining flexibility. If he has the nose for the openings, the shot, and the especially the stones and attitude to get to the net like those who've seen him play say he will be a player. I agree with another poster here who said something like he will be better during play with multiple players than a 1 on 1 drill.

I remember another guy who was similar in size, skating style, even looked like him with the pads on, and that guy did ok.


Dudes name was Dino

Keep in mind, the worst practice goalie ever was Tony Esposito.

Yes, and the first half of the first sentence is different than what you literally just said though. I keep saying the other points are valid on the concerns related to his play not related to points, and the only critique I had on your comment was that he's producing like a 2C. He's just factually not doing that. He'd have to drop over .1 PPG to do so. If you'd just originally said he's not producing like a "top" 1C vs 2C then I would have never replied at all. Or that he should produce more because he's being paid so much, also valid argument.
- L_B_R

Goals are down yes....But in my opinion when a center who gets the PP time and total ice time that Toews does, fails to score at least 60 poiints in the last 2 seasons he isn't a top producing center...and the argument that you fail to see or won't acknowledge, both your choice-Is his production has resembled a 2nd line center, and that's a point I can see others make.

Toews missed last year...Did Seabrook miss as well?
- Al

There was a video of Keith calling him from one of the panels, since he was not there in person. Not sure if he missed all three days.

ETA: just heard he was there on Friday, but not the other two days

There was a video of Keith calling him from one of the panels, since he was not there in person. Not sure if he missed all three days.
- pdx2ord

Could have been I was kind of surprised Toews missed.

Could have been I was kind of surprised Toews missed.
- Al

A family issue/commitment, possibly his grandfather(?) being seriously ill - I think he passed later that summer.

Definitely not sure - just the reason I heard.