My bad. So many dmen from Sweden have been drafted by Chicago. I needed a proofreader: thank you. Btw I really appreciate and am glad for your input on prospects from Finland.

I bet he would think the same way on the food I mentioned
- jhawk59

No problem! I don´t know why they are called Swedish meatballs though? We can make pretty good meatballs too here in Finland too.

Have you seen much of Hawk 4th rounder Roope Laavainen? If so do you have a thought on him?
- Mr Ricochet

No I haven´t because he´s been playing in juniors. But maybe this year he will make his FEL debut and I´m able to see him in action.

I know that a team only has a certain # of players whom can be under contract each year. This applies to the # in the organization. So minor league contracts count. The # is around 50. Sometimes a player is moved just so a newbie can be signed. Late last season (February maybe?) Chicago made a trade with LA whereas we opened up a couple slots. There was a career minor leaguer, Rockford leading scorer, dealt to the Kings farm club. Bowman earlier recalled him for one game and he played a few shifts, then no ice after that in the game (As I recall, which i believe a game report shows). The player is a center or forward and played for Toronto's farm club the previous season. He also had an earlier stint with Rockford a couple or so years ago. Strictly an offensive player with good skating and good shot. Bowman decided, however, this player was not NHL calibre.
- jhawk59

As of today 45/50

I was listening to the Score last night on drive home from Michigan. Not sure who the two broadcasters were. But the one basically said "we are not going to cover or talk about the White Sox...because they are X amount of games under .500 and not going anywhere". Ok...I am fine with that except for the huge double standard. That being they cover the Bulls like 2-3 times more than the Hawks...and the Hawks have been far better than the Bulls over the last 7 years or so. Either cover all the teams...or cover the good ones....but don't pick and choose.

I was listening to the Score last night on drive home from Michigan. Not sure who the two broadcasters were. But the one basically said "we are not going to cover or talk about the White Sox...because they are X amount of games under .500 and not going anywhere". Ok...I am fine with that except for the huge double standard. That being they cover the Bulls like 2-3 times more than the Hawks...and the Hawks have been far better than the Bulls over the last 7 years or so. Either cover all the teams...or cover the good ones....but don't pick and choose.
- onehundredlevel

Ok, it was Nick Shepkowski who said it. I just looked it up.

One other thing I am picking up on lately...with Cutler gone the Chicago Bears sports media is looking for their new whipping boy. Looks like it is turning out to be Kevin White. They already are writing goofy stories about him...trying to start some crap. The media can blow sometimes.

Ok, it was Nick Shepkowski who said it. I just looked it up.

One other thing I am picking up on lately...with Cutler gone the Chicago Bears sports media is looking for their new whipping boy. Looks like it is turning out to be Kevin White. They already are writing goofy stories about him...trying to start some crap. The media can blow sometimes.
- onehundredlevel

Cutler was an average QB who was whipped beyond what anyone would expect because Lovie and/or the trainers would not let him play in the second half of a playoff game due to a real injury. That was followed by the old school player/announcers lambasting him for not being tough enough yet out of the other side of their mouth complaining about playing with concussions. So which was it...

http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/2020-vision-what-the-chicago-blackhawks-roster-will-look-like-in-three-years

The Hockey News has a series where they're predicting what each team's lineup may look like in 2020-21. Here's what they project for the Blackhawks:

Saad - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Hartman
Fortin - Anisimov - Sikura
Hayden - Kero - Bondra

Keith - Murphy
Forsling - Seabrook
Carlsson - Snuggerud

Crawford
Forsberg

Notable subtractions: Panik, Kempny
Assumption that Sharp retires by then
- AEL_Fox

It's kinda silly to nitpick a projected lineup three years out but I think Sikura will be a better top-6 player than Hartman and I think Soderlund will be on the team by then. Plus the skating of Hayden (barely adequate) and Bondra (probably never be adequate) on the same line is not a good thing. Here's my 2020/21 projected lineup:

Saad-Toews-Sikura
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Kane
Fortin-Schmaltz-Soderlund
Hayden-Dauphin-Hartman

Like your last post, a good analysis.

The "hard miles" theory certainly doesn't seem to have hurt the Penguins - since 2008-09 (when the Hawks first made the post-season and the Pens won their first Cup), each team has played 22 rounds in the tournament - with (just in the last 5 years, since the Hawks begain their 3-year run) the Pens playing in 14 and the Hawks in 13 rounds.

Didn't seem to bother the Pens the last two seasons. And - the Hawks had a long off-season (not cut short by much for those who played in whatever tournament happened last September) last summer - didn't seem to provide enough rest for April, 2017 play.

Perhaps there are more important issues than "hard miles" and such.

And - Forsberg not being ready if Crawford goes down - I'm not sure this is really different from the Darling days - if Crawford had gone down completely in 2015, would Darling have been able to carry the team to a title? Or - would Darling have been better than Crawford in the last two post-seasons? Darling still hasn't performed as a full time number one yet - we think he can, but can he?
- StLBravesFan

Don't want to get into a debate because there are many factors invloved but the Pens top players over the years haven't been on the ice as much as the Hawks top guys.

It seems to me in the regular season players like Toews-Kane-Keith are playing more minutes than Malkin-Crosby-Letang.. Also...amazingly the Pens have stayed good despite some major injuries to Crosby and Letang and to a lesser extent Malkin. Pit has had a strong supporting cast that has gone beyond their core.

Hawks have reformulated their design and brought in some grit and experience for the bottom 6 and now have a power forward to play wing. Should be interesting....

Took the ride and saw the best each country had to offer at this age group, for the most part. The above line was indeed damn good and effective despite not being littered with blue chippers like the other lines. Soderland (4th rd), Steen (6th rd) and Lundstrom (2018 draft eligible who Wiz has going to the Hawks at 27 of the 1st round in his mock draft). Line played all 3 zones and was dangerous. Q would have called all 3 players predictable.

Soderland in the 4th round looks like a solid pick. Kid played low, very strong on his skates and edges, high octane all the time, tons of compete and speed, seemed positionally sound, never floated, was assertive and as witnessed by his game winning rocket blast in OT has a helluva shot and release. ..........

Can only assume he slipped to the 4th round due to his size listed at 5ft 9 in 163lbs. As a reference he would skate a circle around DeBrincat and plays much much bigger. Dcat may have top 6 potential but Soderland has a much better chance of playing bottom 6 for 10 yrs than Dcat does top 6 for 10 yrs. .... In a tournament littered with the best players on earth at this age your eyes found themselves on this kid. Being a 4th rounder that's a good thing. From only the two viewings of Soderland I agree with every word of this evaluation: http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=188028

Hawk 4th rd, 7 picks after Soderland, Dman Roope Laavainen (FIN) played a gritty style. Average skater, good size didn't show an offensive side. Blended in for the most part.

Hawks only had 2 players at this tournament IMO as a result of drafting so low the last 2 yrs. Until they start drafting top 15 it's a tough go as far as the draft. Gonna have to find a couple Saad's in the 2nd rounds and Soderland types in the lower rounds.

The Rasmus Dahlin kid will go first next yr IMO. Have seen the beast Svechnikov play for Muskegon 4-5 times live and thought there can't be many, if any, players on earth at his age better but Dahlin is in his class and plays defense. Dahlin looks as close to Lidstrom as I have seen in style, smoothness, effortless stride and poise. Kid looks like a generational player.
- Mr Ricochet

Svechnikov will go #1 next draft. As good as Dahlin is, Svechnikov is the best prospect of the last 30 years, not named Crosby or McDavid.

It's kinda silly to nitpick a projected lineup three years out but I think Sikura will be a better top-6 player than Hartman and I think Soderlund will be on the team by then. Plus the skating of Hayden (barely adequate) and Bondra (probably never be adequate) on the same line is not a good thing. Here's my 2020/21 projected lineup:

Saad-Toews-Sikura
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Kane
Fortin-Schmaltz-Soderlund
Hayden-Dauphin-Hartman
- EbonyRaptor

.


Depending on the situation this fall and that the money shakes out would not be surprised if a couple of those pieces are traded for Matt Duchenne, knowing The mindset above Stan Bowman, they are not going to go for a lineup like that one that is posted there , Even if it is projected three years away.

As long as the window is open next couple of years John McDonagh no doubt is monitoring that situation very closely and would love to add a now player like Matt Duchenne to the top six, which would mean a few of those kindergartners would be dealt the other way

Svechnikov will go #1 next draft. As good as Dahlin is, Svechnikov is the best prospect of the last 30 years, not named Crosby or McDavid.
- DARKSEID

Had to look him up. There are 2 brothers. Evginy who is already in the Wings system and Andrei who is draft eligible in 2018 and is more highly regarded. It wouldn't surprise me to see Detroit try to tank this year to increase their chances at Andrei and a possible Russian brothers tandem.

Had to look him up. There are 2 brothers. Evginy who is already in the Wings system and Andrei who is draft eligible in 2018 and is more highly regarded. It wouldn't surprise me to see Detroit try to tank this year to increase their chances at Andrei and a possible Russian brothers tandem.
- Rota's Rooter

Don't think that will be very hard for them.

.


Depending on the situation this fall and that the money shakes out would not be surprised if a couple of those pieces are traded for Matt Duchenne, knowing The mindset above Stan Bowman, they are not going to go for a lineup like that one that is posted there , Even if it is projected three years away.

As long as the window is open next couple of years John McDonagh no doubt is monitoring that situation very closely and would love to add a now player like Matt Duchenne to the top six, which would mean a few of those kindergartners would be dealt the other way
- wonthecup10

If that lineup hits the ice, or anything remotely similar, there will be no problem finding tickets on the cheap.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/2020-vision-what-the-chicago-blackhawks-roster-will-look-like-in-three-years

The Hockey News has a series where they're predicting what each team's lineup may look like in 2020-21. Here's what they project for the Blackhawks:

Saad - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Hartman
Fortin - Anisimov - Sikura
Hayden - Kero - Bondra

Keith - Murphy
Forsling - Seabrook
Carlsson - Snuggerud

Crawford
Forsberg

Notable subtractions: Panik, Kempny
Assumption that Sharp retires by then
- AEL_Fox

It is hard enough to predict who will be in the lineup at the end of this season, let alone 3 years out. I think that D they predicted is not very likely. Keith still the top pair in another 3 seasons? That may be a stretch when he is 37.

It is hard enough to predict who will be in the lineup at the end of this season, let alone 3 years out. I think that D they predicted is not very likely. Keith still the top pair in another 3 seasons? That may be a stretch when he is 37.
- breadbag

Did you guys see NHL Network's top-10 goalies? My god is it comically bad. Crawford left off the list. For reference:

4 - Murray
6- Quick
10 - Rinne

If that lineup hits the ice, or anything remotely similar, there will be no problem finding tickets on the cheap.
- Al

Or...... guys like myself Al, Will certainly be eating a bunch of tickets, just like the old days where we had plenty of room to spread out right in front of you guys, unless they slash the price is severely when that happens I don't think I will stick around for another rebuild , I think uncle John will not let it get that far out of hand which is why I think the minute they get Hossa'smoney situation ironed out, depending on their needs, I most certainly see them trading for a Nother top six in the now type player, the money part is for Stan Bowman to worry about!

Did you guys see NHL Network's top-10 goalies? My god is it comically bad. Crawford left off the list. For reference:

4 - Murray
6- Quick
10 - Rinne
- TommyHawk

The Sports Foreceaster does an NHL yearbook and fantasy guide each year. It's not on newsstands yet, but I got a glimpse of a few screenshots of a few pages including who they rank as the elite goalies (no reasoning given and not necessarily in rank order):

Bobrovsky
Crawford
Dubnyk
Holtby
Murray
Price
Quick
Rask
Talbot
Vasilevskiy

If that lineup hits the ice, or anything remotely similar, there will be no problem finding tickets on the cheap.
- Al

You realize that lineup is a 3 years from now projection - right?

You realize that lineup is a 3 years from now projection - right?
- EbonyRaptor

And in three years if that hits the ice, OMG will this blog be on fire...

I found the buzzcast interesting, they seem to think Debrincat will play for the hawks (almost guaranteed) and even more surprising they think Toews line...

Svechnikov will go #1 next draft. As good as Dahlin is, Svechnikov is the best prospect of the last 30 years, not named Crosby or McDavid.
- DARKSEID

Saw the kid up close and saw first hand his burst, strength, hands, skating, balance, compete, shot IQ and any other measurable used to evaluate (I'd add the kid understands the value of all 3 zones too) and would say he's elite in all of them. And as mentioned it was a good sample size of 4-5 games. As good as the USHL is I'm looking forward to seeing him in the OHL at Barrie this yr.......... Best prospect in 30 yrs after McD and Crosby? Lotta good ones out there.

If he was a centerman maybe, and maybe he does go #1, but it took two shifts and I thought to myself this Dahlin is going #1 and that was against WJC competition. Small sample size for sure but man this kid has the look. Not an iota of hurry in his game although he did play vs men all season. Lidstrom is the only comparable I can come up with watching the kid.

Kid turns to get the puck off the back wall like a walk in the park with a guy 5-6 ft on his tail, swoops the thing and effortlessly cuts around the net leaving the forechecker behind in 2-3 strides all the while head up evaluating options. Soft passes hitting players in stride over and over. ........ This kid has a chance at being a generational player himself and he's a Dman.

Damn lucky to see him in such an intimate and small setting. A great yr to be #1 or #2 in the draft.

Or...... guys like myself Al, Will certainly be eating a bunch of tickets, just like the old days where we had plenty of room to spread out right in front of you guys, unless they slash the price is severely when that happens I don't think I will stick around for another rebuild , I think uncle John will not let it get that far out of hand which is why I think the minute they get Hossa'smoney situation ironed out, depending on their needs, I most certainly see them trading for a Nother top six in the now type player, the money part is for Stan Bowman to worry about!
- wonthecup10

I agree barring some serious injuries they are years away from ever calling it or acknowledging any kind of rebuild.

I do think the buzz has waned and some air has left the balloon...They see the same and I hope you don't have an issue selling tickets. But when you see empty seats in the lower bowl the red flag is up.

You realize that lineup is a 3 years from now projection - right?
- EbonyRaptor

I should have qualified but I think it is more than 3 years away-If we starting counting at #1 this season.

The Sports Foreceaster does an NHL yearbook and fantasy guide each year. It's not on newsstands yet, but I got a glimpse of a few screenshots of a few pages including who they rank as the elite goalies (no reasoning given and not necessarily in rank order):

Bobrovsky
Crawford
Dubnyk
Holtby
Murray
Price
Quick
Rask
Talbot
Vasilevskiy
- AEL_Fox

Ranking goalies is slippery, always can find a fault and some guys stay on the list longer than they should...King Henry is missing from this list but Quick is still on it...
But I do believe Crawford is in the top 10.