If Sikura does well in a late season cameo appearance, then in the off season Bowman can decide if Schmaltz, DeBrincat, Sikura is one too many smallish players. He could therefore look to make a one for one as primary players in a trade. Similar to Panarin for Saad. But thus time I suggest a return as a #2 center who wins face offs and is a physical player. I would include Anisimov for next to nothing ...as a sweetener.
- jhawk59

Not a bad point here. Would be risky to move any of those 3 given the 'untapped' potential, but I am in general agreement, trade from positions of depth to address positions of weakness.

If Mike Smith is plying tonight, I would try to hit his as often as I can. Get him off his game early. Plus, he could still win "Best Dive of 2017".

If Sikura does well in a late season cameo appearance, then in the off season Bowman can decide if Schmaltz, DeBrincat, Sikura is one too many smallish players. He could therefore look to make a one for one as primary players in a trade. Similar to Panarin for Saad. But thus time I suggest a return as a #2 center who wins face offs and is a physical player. I would include Anisimov for next to nothing ...as a sweetener.
- jhawk59

If those three guys are all solid NHL talent I wouldn’t be in a rush to make a trade. If a deal makes sense then fine, but more and more small players are succeeding in the NHL.

Not a bad point here. Would be risky to move any of those 3 given the 'untapped' potential, but I am in general agreement, trade from positions of depth to address positions of weakness.
- kwolf68

I might like having another team's prospect at a similar development level as our smallish forwards if we can get in the exchange a center for our c/wing. And or a more physical dman wherin a Ruuta goes the other way. Either Ruuta or Forsling goes. Because I gamble some of the great skaters "d" prospects can eventually replace him, and some of those guys may play somewhat soft too. Remember if Kempny goes bye bye and Seabrook is on the decline, we are missing toughness on defense.

I might like having another team's prospect at a similar development level as our smallish forwards if we can get in the exchange a center for our c/wing. And or a more physical dman wherin a Ruuta goes the other way. Either Ruuta or Forsling goes. Because I gamble some of the great skaters "d" prospects can eventually replace him, and some of those guys may play somewhat soft too. Remember if Kempny goes bye bye and Seabrook is on the decline, we are missing toughness on defense.
- jhawk59

I'd like another big D-man....Murphy has really endeared himself to me. In fact, he has been one of the few really bright spots this year, along with DinkyCat, Schmaltz development, Forsling and Ruuta (until lately) and the banger line.

If those three guys are all solid NHL talent I wouldn’t be in a rush to make a trade. If a deal makes sense then fine, but more and more small players are succeeding in the NHL.
- DarthKane

True. My suggestion applies only if by exchanging young still untapped potential players.....that we gain in an area of weakness.....So like the player coming back to us is better in face off, perhaps more a physical than fancy skating skill guy. More along the lines of what Toews USED TO be than the skating skill of a Panarin (I am using Panarin as an example of speed,skill to the two way battle warrior Toews used to be).

That being said, I am extremely interested to see exactly the type game and continual development with Carlsson and Tuolola. Krys is a project before if he plays nhl. Snuggerud is small. Is he going to be a better option than Oesterle once Snuggerud is nhl worthy. Those two represent a threat as offensive dmen on a third pair as their upside. Which works even if they are weak defensively as long as say Murphy matches well in their pairing. We could surprise and sort of have a secret weapon in the third pair. We could conceivably have one good offensive guy in each pairing. Time has to pass to see how it all might play out.

glennjpawlak22

Today @ 3:16 PM ET

hey Justin. For fun let's assume Hawks were a contender. Do you think AA would survive a long playoff run? I don't and for that reason you have to strongly consider moving him. Injury prone

Hey Glenn - it's hard to predict who will hold up in a long playoff run. Some of it's luck but most is how you prepare and are conditioned heading in + your tolerance to pain.

Anisimov is 29 years old and has played 80+ games 3 times in a seasons with NYR & CLB. He has played 177 games in the regular season out of 201 (88%) since his arrival in Chicago. So, I personally wouldn't deem him injury prone.

However, if the Hawks are worried about his health and are contenders then it's a possibility I guess.

There is a high risk to doing that though. Look at guys who have had a history of major injuries and bucketed as "done" and rumours swirled around them that the team should consider moving on:

Crosby
Skinner
Stamkos

To name a few big ones.


IF... that's an IF the Hawks are in a position to contend, I would find it very hard to see them moving AA, a 6'4 / 200lb, 200-foot centre heading into the playoffs.

I see the opposite to be honest. I can see if the Hawks are OUT of it and a team is looking to make a run (couple with poor depth up the middle for future seasons), then they may make a play to add AA.


That's my 0.02.

glennjpawlak22

Today @ 3:16 PM ET

hey Justin. For fun let's assume Hawks were a contender. Do you think AA would survive a long playoff run? I don't and for that reason you have to strongly consider moving him. Injury prone

Hey Glenn - it's hard to predict who will hold up in a long playoff run. Some of it's luck but most is how you prepare and are conditioned heading in + your tolerance to pain.

Anisimov is 29 years old and has played 80+ games 3 times in a seasons with NYR & CLB. He has played 177 games in the regular season out of 201 (88%) since his arrival in Chicago. So, I personally wouldn't deem him injury prone.

However, if the Hawks are worried about his health and are contenders then it's a possibility I guess.

There is a high risk to doing that though. Look at guys who have had a history of major injuries and bucketed as "done" and rumours swirled around them that the team should consider moving on:

Crosby
Skinner
Stamkos

To name a few big ones.


IF... that's an IF the Hawks are in a position to contend, I would find it very hard to see them moving AA, a 6'4 / 200lb, 200-foot centre heading into the playoffs.

I see the opposite to be honest. I can see if the Hawks are OUT of it and a team is looking to make a run (couple with poor depth up the middle for future seasons), then they may make a play to add AA.


That's my 0.02.
- Justin Lowe

Agreed. And even if Kampf is not as big as AA, he could suffice as a replacement. That would be Bowman's thinking. But Bowman knows he needs a replacement for Toews, likely gained through the draft. The team needs better help at center ice. It doesn't hurt to move AA big contract although it is secondary to the real reason you move him. His age is also a concern, though again secondary to the reason for a trade. Just too make it perfectly clear, Kampf replaces AA and Bowman should draft a center. I look to go with how much better might some young dmen become plus the prospects in the system at this position. Let that play out but go get whatever kind of center to replace Toews. Look at Wiz draft site to determine how many centers are worthy first round picks.

I'm scouting Ottawa hard.

They are near fire sale mode and Melnyk is the biggest cheapskate since Dollar Bill.

Anyone making more than two nickels is expendable in Ottawa

The NHL’s top five d-men in Relative xGF% has a bit of a surprising name in fifth place.

The NHL’s top five d-men in Relative xGF% has a bit of a surprising name in fifth place.


- walleyeb1

Yea boi

forehead draggin the haters over the hjalmarsson trade

Yea boi

forehead draggin the haters over the hjalmarsson trade
- Stan_Bowman

We does the terminology xGF% mean or indicate?

Lindholm is up and coming, E Johnson and C Murphy career has stalled NOTE previous to this season.

The NHL’s top five d-men in Relative xGF% has a bit of a surprising name in fifth place.


- walleyeb1

WoW. The numbers bear out the eye test. Way to go Connor. He came in for a fan favorite, sucked for about a month and has really figured it out, he has settled down and I honestly trust him out there. Maybe he just needed to get the stench of Coyote piss off him.

I'm scouting Ottawa hard.

They are near fire sale mode and Melnyk is the biggest cheapskate since Dollar Bill.

Anyone making more than two nickels is expendable in Ottawa
- Stan_Bowman

Although Brassard is more of the type center wingers we already have vis - a - vi s skill non physical on small side. Brassard has had concussions previously. What is his pay out too as far as cap hit and what prospect would they want? I pass on Brassard

I hope Mr. Glass’ rebound control is under control tonite....
- StLBravesFan

Yea, a lot of pucks bounced off of him but man he was peppered. Overall I thought the "kid" showed a quiet body under the circumstances. ... Generally a goalie will feel less pressure/nerves after they get an NHL start under their belt but with him growing up in Calgary he may feel added pressure to perform in front of family and buds.

Conversely Forbserg looks like a QB with happy feet and he won a cup in the AHL. Q pulled the right lever in EDM.

Glass getting peppered with shots. Defense and the wingers aren't helping much--too many turnovers.

pitiful

Lost Team tonight-maybe giving up a goal with .5 on the clock wakes them up

Is this something new that McD has come up With a new gimmick by having WGN flash a red sign advertising the Blackhawks Store behind our goalie every time there is considerable action. That sign really showed up big on the other team's last second goal. This is a Bush league promo by McD. At least put up the promo fuc.ing sign when the Hawks score.

Is this something new that McD has come up With a new gimmick by having WGN flash a red sign advertising the Blackhawks Store behind our goalie every time there is considerable action. That sign really showed up big on the other team's last second goal. This is a Bush league promo by McD. At least put up the promo fuc.ing sign when the Hawks score.
- spanky

I wish they’d just drop WGN.

I wish they’d just drop WGN.
- walleyeb1

Yes, drop WGN so we don't have to listen to Konroyd. If Keith picked-up the puck with his glove and threw it into his own goal, Steve Konroyd would remind us that Keith is having an incredible season as he just prevented a turnover in his own end.

Yes, drop WGN so we don't have to listen to Konroyd. If Keith picked-up the puck with his glove and threw it into his own goal, Steve Konroyd would remind us that Keith is having an incredible season as he just prevented a turnover in his own end.
- etchtech

Konroyd is on Comcast too. But he isn't very good.

happy new year everyone and this one is OVAH early...good why waste my time

same ole same ole with this team...

Konroyd is on Comcast too. But he isn't very good.
- tompo1015

The only thing he’s good for is correcting Foley when he calls players by the wrong name.

Yes, drop WGN so we don't have to listen to Konroyd. If Keith picked-up the puck with his glove and threw it into his own goal, Steve Konroyd would remind us that Keith is having an incredible season as he just prevented a turnover in his own end.
- etchtech

Mr. Sport Director of WGN should also be given the pink slip. After watching the Hawks just gave up 2 more goals maybe it's time to give another pink slip to our coach....It would be a "Daily Double" for Chicago coaches.