With 19 and 20 getting off the schnide last night (a game I admittedly didn't see) lets see if they can heat up and get a streak going.

The Fox has left the yard thank god...I honestly suspect Pace will hire HO HUM Dennis Allen from New Orleans. Bears request interview with Carolina DC Wilks. Josh McDaniel will likely end up in New York, but given the need to get a "QB Guru" he'd be a top choice, but the Giants job is a better job than Chicago and Billichik is pimping for him pretty hard. Though I wont lose sleep either, the Billichik coaching tree has not yielding impressive results when they leave the hooded emperor.

My favorites if Jim Harbaugh is not a candidate (which I don't think he is) are Pat Shurmur and David Shaw. What Shurmur did in Minnesota with a third string QB was amazing. He actually has shown the ability to groom QBs to play good football and while his time in Cleveland was not great, I don't think Vince Lombardi could have won in that cesspool of idiocy.
- kwolf68

Hey Kwolf...not the biggest fan of Foxy either. Terrible in game coach, but his players played hared for him and didn't quit on him. But as I mentioned in my last post when you look at the roster he had to contend with I'm not shocked.

Pace gets extended after he signed Glennon for 18m (for 4 starts) as well as several other FA busts like Marcus Wheaton (played by Richard Panik) Wheaton 11m and I think 8 catches this year or Dion Sims...or how bout kevin white - another guy that can't get on the field. I'm not sold on Trubisky who Pace gave up three picks to move up to grab when no one else wanted him. Meanwhile Garappolo is 5-0 with the niners. Who Pace could have had for a 2nd.

It'll either be Shurmer or the QB coach from the Eagles - DiFillipo? My money is on the kid from the Eagles. Pace wants a young guy. Meanwhile Fangio who took dog crap and built a top 10 defense will be gone - probably to the Packers - gulp.

Hey Kwolf...not the biggest fan of Foxy either. Terrible in game coach, but his players played hared for him and didn't quit on him. But as I mentioned in my last post when you look at the roster he had to contend with I'm not shocked.

Pace gets extended after he signed Glennon for 18m (for 4 starts) as well as several other FA busts like Marcus Wheaton (played by Richard Panik) Wheaton 11m and I think 8 catches this year or Dion Sims...or how bout kevin white - another guy that can't get on the field. I'm not sold on Trubisky who Pace gave up three picks to move up to grab when no one else wanted him. Meanwhile Garappolo is 5-0 with the niners. Who Pace could have had for a 2nd.

It'll either be Shurmer or the QB coach from the Eagles - DiFillipo? My money is on the kid from the Eagles. Pace wants a young guy. Meanwhile Fangio who took dog crap and built a top 10 defense will be gone - probably to the Packers - gulp.
- DK002

DK---this is actually a pretty good analysis. I didn't like Pace's draft 3 years ago, but his last two years are pretty good. I didn't understand trading that much just to move up 1 spot, the Glennon deal is nothing to be honest it was just 1 year and now they can cut ties with him, White has 1 more shot at the rung but the dude is very talented, other free agents were busts for sure. And yea Fangio should be retained, he did a nice job with that defense.

Fox is a good man who commands respect from his players and they never quit for him, but the dude is a notorious over-thinker and a terrible micromanager. The play calling in the Vikings game left me wanting to hurl myself into an oncoming train. I still think his challenge in the Green Bay game was one of the dumbest 5 coaching decisions in NFL history.

FFS, Keenan's game was dump and chase with a bunch of slugs. I was amazed at how often they retreived the puck dumping it when he was coach, but that was a whole different team. The team as it is now might not be Q's kind of team, but it sure as hell isn't Keenans. Darryl is more adaptable than either Q or Keenan, but he prefers a bigger team too. Keenan has proven time and again that he is a 2 year act with a 5 year contract.
- 6628

Either way they will figure it out.

FFS, Keenan's game was dump and chase with a bunch of slugs. I was amazed at how often they retreived the puck dumping it when he was coach, but that was a whole different team. The team as it is now might not be Q's kind of team, but it sure as hell isn't Keenans. Darryl is more adaptable than either Q or Keenan, but he prefers a bigger team too. Keenan has proven time and again that he is a 2 year act with a 5 year contract.
- 6628

Keenan will never sniff the NHL again.

Hey Kwolf...not the biggest fan of Foxy either. Terrible in game coach, but his players played hared for him and didn't quit on him. But as I mentioned in my last post when you look at the roster he had to contend with I'm not shocked.

Pace gets extended after he signed Glennon for 18m (for 4 starts) as well as several other FA busts like Marcus Wheaton (played by Richard Panik) Wheaton 11m and I think 8 catches this year or Dion Sims...or how bout kevin white - another guy that can't get on the field. I'm not sold on Trubisky who Pace gave up three picks to move up to grab when no one else wanted him. Meanwhile Garappolo is 5-0 with the niners. Who Pace could have had for a 2nd.

It'll either be Shurmer or the QB coach from the Eagles - DiFillipo? My money is on the kid from the Eagles. Pace wants a young guy. Meanwhile Fangio who took dog crap and built a top 10 defense will be gone - probably to the Packers - gulp.
- DK002

He should be #1 Head Coach candidate.

He should be #1 Head Coach candidate.
- powerenforcer

I think he should get an interview, but they didn't even consider giving him an interim job and dumping Fox earlier. He's gone.

Fakes news. Jokiharju is another euro-smurf drafted by Stan that will just add to his long list of failures.




Seriously though, I think Jokiharju could turn out to be a top 4 d-man (eventually). I wouldn't be surprised to see the Hawks sign him to a contract at the end of this season.
- DarthKane

Right now he is a push defender with smarts who will get better in his own end, a hockey guru I know said. I add this: what about his strength and weight. He is exactly the type mobile skilled dman teams covet but probably needs to get stronger and at least a bit bigger to play at the NHL level.

Remember when TT was the star on the Finnish team. Now a few years later TT is having his first solid season. Coincidentally he had to be convinced to work out. He is playing with confidance and trying things on ice he wasn't previously. I view Jokiharju along the same line.

Because Tuolola and Carlsson are playing in advanced pro leagues, I think their transition would be sooner. Watch to see what they show as I hope both are in camp next fall. Snuggerud, offensively very smart and productive, needed a year AHL to practice playing better defense. He has been out roughly a month injured.

Snuggerud is a third pair type ceiling. The others might have a hugher ceiling if they keep developing. It takes time. Growing pains, need to be challenged and coached right once a pro and signed by us. They may turn out having to go through what Forsling and Ruuta are now. Prospects. We got them. The kind you need. Just waiting to see how they all turn out.

All these dmen is why i draft a center next draft. Even move up a few spots to grab the guy Bowman likes.....My two cents.

CZE vs FIN stream: http://watchkobe.ml/wj1.php

Right now he is a push defender with smarts who will get better in his own end, a hockey guru I know said. I add this: what about his strength and weight. He is exactly the type mobile skilled dman teams covet but probably needs to get stronger and at least a bit bigger to play at the NHL level.

Remember when TT was the star on the Finnish team. Now a few years later TT is having his first solid season. Coincidentally he had to be convinced to work out. He is playing with confidance and trying things on ice he wasn't previously. I view Jokiharju along the same line.

All these dmen is why i draft a center next draft. Even move up a few spots to grab the guy Bowman likes.....My two cents.
- jhawk59

Kid is 18, a 99 taken 29th overall, and playing on a FIN defense that has FIVE 1st rounders and has seemingly jumped to near the top of the group. A group that includes 99 Heiskanen that was taken 3rd overall, 98 Joulevi 5th overall and 98 Valimaki 16th overall........He's showing very well at this point jumping ahead of some players older and drafted higher.

He probably plays in the WJC next yr too. No doubt he has a lot of developing to do and size/strength to put on, although he's proportionate at 6ft 180, as he's 18. Even in a Flat Earth cap world where players now develop at the NHL level it should be at least 3 yrs before he helps the Hawks.

As far as who the Hawks draft next I hope they take the best player on the board regardless off position. Stock the cupboard with the best hockey players you can acquire.

3rd period about to start, CZE 2-FIN 2. Should be a great finish: http://watchkobe.ml/wj1.php

Right now he is a push defender with smarts who will get better in his own end, a hockey guru I know said. I add this: what about his strength and weight. He is exactly the type mobile skilled dman teams covet but probably needs to get stronger and at least a bit bigger to play at the NHL level.

Remember when TT was the star on the Finnish team. Now a few years later TT is having his first solid season. Coincidentally he had to be convinced to work out. He is playing with confidance and trying things on ice he wasn't previously. I view Jokiharju along the same line.

Because Tuolola and Carlsson are playing in advanced pro leagues, I think their transition would be sooner. Watch to see what they show as I hope both are in camp next fall. Snuggerud, offensively very smart and productive, needed a year AHL to practice playing better defense. He has been out roughly a month injured.

Snuggerud is a third pair type ceiling. The others might have a hugher ceiling if they keep developing. It takes time. Growing pains, need to be challenged and coached right once a pro and signed by us. They may turn out having to go through what Forsling and Ruuta are now. Prospects. We got them. The kind you need. Just waiting to see how they all turn out.

All these dmen is why i draft a center next draft. Even move up a few spots to grab the guy Bowman likes.....My two cents.
- jhawk59

Of the defense prospects, I agree that the inside track as far as development may be with those you identified: Jokiharju, Tuulola, and Carlsson. Snuggerud is worth developing as a 4-5-6 defender but he may be leap-frogged by Dahlstrom who is playing strong in Rockford in his second season.

Krys as a sophomore and Mitchell as a freshman are both playing well collegiately at BU and Denver. If I were management, I'd have them play at least 3 years in the NCAA, if not play until graduation, before getting them to the AHL. Both of them need to get bigger and stronger, gain confidence, and play in all situations.

Laavainen is also another recent Finnish draft pick who plays defense at the pro level in Europe so he could be worth a look like countryman Tuulola. Same with Carlsson in Sweden. Like Rutta and Kempny, these 3 are getting great pro experience and the next step after this season may be to jump the pond to gain experience on North American rinks.

All these dmen is why i draft a center next draft. Even move up a few spots to grab the guy Bowman likes.....My two cents.
- jhawk59

You mentioned in the last blog or earlier in this blog that you caught a recent Hogs game and liked what you saw in both Knott and the older Sikura. Do they play physical? If they can bring a physical element, play a sound defensive game, and be strong along the boards and in puck scrums, both could be future candidates to fill out the 4th line. I can't see either being 3rd liners (maybe Knott if either of them), and definitely not top 6.

Having Dylan's older brother Tyler in the system was a nice move by management. Developing Tyler the right way under Colliton (and not see him as a career minor leaguer as he is on his 4th or 5th team in just as many years) would also be a great strategy and a good contrast to the debacle with the Hayes brothers. The Sikuras seem to have better heads on their shoulders than the Hayes.

While Kevin is a skilled contributor and deserving of an NHL roster spot, Jimmy may have been rushed in his development while in Chicago and was being asked to do things that were beyond his limited skill set (round peg, square hole). Tyler on the other hand could be a great 4th line banger given what he has displayed so far in Rockford (round peg, round hole).

You mentioned in the last blog or earlier in this blog that you caught a recent Hogs game and liked what you saw in both Knott and the older Sikura. Do they play physical? If they can bring a physical element, play a sound defensive game, and be strong along the boards and in puck scrums, both could be future candidates to fill out the 4th line. I can't see either being 3rd liners (maybe Knott if either of them), and definitely not top 6.

Having Dylan's older brother Tyler in the system was a nice move by management. Developing Tyler the right way under Colliton (and not see him as a career minor leaguer as he is on his 4th or 5th team in just as many years) would also be a great strategy and a good contrast to the debacle with the Hayes brothers. The Sikuras seem to have better heads on their shoulders than the Hayes.

While Kevin is a skilled contributor and deserving of an NHL roster spot, Jimmy may have been rushed in his development while in Chicago and was being asked to do things that were beyond his limited skill set (round peg, square hole). Tyler on the other hand could be a great 4th line banger given what he has displayed so far in Rockford (round peg, round hole).
- AEL_Fox

Tyler is a player. Not looking like a special skill guy, but he has shown just in one game I saw willingness to make a play or drive to the net. His skating seems average. I get the impression he battles but i an uncertain his size or effectiveness along boards, just that he is WILLING. I came away thinking, a minor league type who plays on an offensive line/capable in AHL.not sure his game translates that way to NHL. I want to try to see more Wolves vs Icehogs on Wolves channel. But going to the game you see far more...especially if you train your eyes on the guys you are interested in and less on the other players and where the puck is at all times given where your guy is on the ice.

Knott had one or two plays in going around net in puck pursuit where he extended arm and maye his momentum a bit, too he brushes off a defender like they were an annoying bug. Like a football straight arm shiver. He moves well but i didn't get to key in on straight away speed. I had thought He was a fast goal scoring wing and he looked like that in (I believe) his goal in the preseason before last (against Detroit maybe). I suggest it is a numbers game and someone has to be on a checking line. Due to experience Kero is on an offensive line though he had a two way game. Highmore was playing LW. So next year I think with a year pro experience Knott should move up.

I thought maybe Iocopola was noticeably quicker. But I wasn't key on him. I saw the type player he was last year. Luis impresses me as a squirt who can play. I think I have a good read on Dahlstrom and Norell, but want to key on them again. Agsin Dahlstrom not physical at all.Snuggerud was hurt and R Press either a scatch or sent back to ECHL

This board see's more action in the dead of August than what we are seeing recently...

From Mark Lazerus Twitter
Blackhawks lines today:
Saad-Toews-Hinostroza
Hartman-Schmaltz-Kane
Sharp-Kampf-DeBrincat
Bouma-Wingels-Hayden

Panik back out.

Take it with a grain of salt. Q frequently tinkers in practice then changes on gamedays.

-----
Panik earned his seat in the press box. Looking forward to seeing what Hino adds to 19 and 20.

NHL fan vote on best modern era uniforms:

Top 5 NHL best sweaters as voted by fans:
1. @NHLBlackhawks (1959-present)
2. Hartford Whalers (1979-92)
3. Anaheim Mighty Ducks (1993-2006)
4. Quebec Nordiques (1979-95)
5. Minnesota North Stars (1978-81)

From Mark Lazerus Twitter
Blackhawks lines today:
Saad-Toews-Hinostroza
Hartman-Schmaltz-Kane
Sharp-Kampf-DeBrincat
Bouma-Wingels-Hayden

Panik back out.

Take it with a grain of salt. Q frequently tinkers in practice then changes on gamedays.

-----
Panik earned his seat in the press box. Looking forward to seeing what Hino adds to 19 and 20.
- matt_ahrens

I've missed the last few games. How did the Hino-Kampf-Debrincat line play/look? In watching highlights, Hino seems to be making some playing in the middle of the ice which is nice to finally see (from anyone).

NHL fan vote on best modern era uniforms:

Top 5 NHL best sweaters as voted by fans:
1. @NHLBlackhawks (1959-present)
2. Hartford Whalers (1979-92)
3. Anaheim Mighty Ducks (1993-2006)
4. Quebec Nordiques (1979-95)
5. Minnesota North Stars (1978-81)
- pdx2ord

So the hawks sweater is the only one of the bunch still in play? Not sure what to think about that.

[quote=DK002]

....Meantime the Bears have fired Fox - yet Ryan Pace who assembled that dumpster fire of a roster remains. You know the guy that thought giving Mike Glennon 18m was a good idea and that's just for starters.....

I think it would be hilarious if the Bears cut Glennon, Fox gets hired to coach the Browns, he picks up Glennon, and Cleveland goes on to win the Super Bowl next season. Pace would be sitting here picking his nose. Unless they start winning, Pace won't be here long.

[quote=AEL_Fox]...I agree that the inside track as far as development may be with those you identified: Jokiharju, Tuulola, and Carlsson. Snuggerud is worth developing as a 4-5-6 defender but he may be leap-frogged by Dahlstrom who is playing strong in Rockford in his second season.

...Laavainen is also another recent Finnish draft pick who...

What happened to the days when you could easily pronounce the names of the guys on your team: White, Hull, Maki, Savard, Secord, Wilson, Larmer, Hall, Brown, Murray, Manson, Pappin, Korab, Jarrett, Pinder, Martin, Tony O, Belfour, Mohns, Orr, O'Shea, Mulvey, Redmond, Higgins, Nichols, Preston, etc.? Hell, even Makita was easy to pronounce.

Missed the NYE game but good to see the Hawks claw their way back from a 3-0 deficit to get at least a point. I still don't think this team has what it takes to win a single playoff round, if they can someone get into the Final 16 in the first place. I would be selling guys like Anisimov and, if possible, Seabrook to acquire prospects/picks and get on with the mini-rebuild. Maybe the Hawks can get lucky with the Lottery and grab a Top 5 pick as a future pillar of the roster......

NHL fan vote on best modern era uniforms:

Top 5 NHL best sweaters as voted by fans:
1. @NHLBlackhawks (1959-present)
2. Hartford Whalers (1979-92)
3. Anaheim Mighty Ducks (1993-2006)
4. Quebec Nordiques (1979-95)
5. Minnesota North Stars (1978-81)
- pdx2ord

They really are the best.

Missed the NYE game but good to see the Hawks claw their way back from a 3-0 deficit to get at least a point. I still don't think this team has what it takes to win a single playoff game, if they can someone get into the Final 16 in the first place. I would be selling everyone to acquire prospects/picks and get on with the mini-rebuild. Maybe the Hawks can get lucky with the Lottery and grab a Top 5 pick as a future pillar of the roster......
- EnzoD

Fixed.

Missed the NYE game but good to see the Hawks claw their way back from a 3-0 deficit to get at least a point. I still don't think this team has what it takes to win a single playoff round, if they can someone get into the Final 16 in the first place. I would be selling guys like Anisimov and, if possible, Seabrook to acquire prospects/picks and get on with the mini-rebuild. Maybe the Hawks can get lucky with the Lottery and grab a Top 5 pick as a future pillar of the roster......
- EnzoD

The only issue with this idea is that it relies on Stan to make a good draft pick, which he cannot. It would be a waste of assets across the board.

Tyler is a player. Not looking like a special skill guy, but he has shown just in one game I saw willingness to make a play or drive to the net. His skating seems average. I get the impression he battles but i an uncertain his size or effectiveness along boards, just that he is WILLING. I came away thinking, a minor league type who plays on an offensive line/capable in AHL.not sure his game translates that way to NHL. I want to try to see more Wolves vs Icehogs on Wolves channel. But going to the game you see far more...especially if you train your eyes on the guys you are interested in and less on the other players and where the puck is at all times given where your guy is on the ice.

Knott had one or two plays in going around net in puck pursuit where he extended arm and maye his momentum a bit, too he brushes off a defender like they were an annoying bug. Like a football straight arm shiver. He moves well but i didn't get to key in on straight away speed. I had thought He was a fast goal scoring wing and he looked like that in (I believe) his goal in the preseason before last (against Detroit maybe). I suggest it is a numbers game and someone has to be on a checking line. Due to experience Kero is on an offensive line though he had a two way game. Highmore was playing LW. So next year I think with a year pro experience Knott should move up.

I thought maybe Iocopola was noticeably quicker. But I wasn't key on him. I saw the type player he was last year. Luis impresses me as a squirt who can play. I think I have a good read on Dahlstrom and Norell, but want to key on them again. Agsin Dahlstrom not physical at all.Snuggerud was hurt and R Press either a scatch or sent back to ECHL
- jhawk59

Thanks as always for your detailed insight. We'll see how any of these and other prospects pan out.

Fortin is a prospect who will either take another year or two to earn a call up or fizzle out after strong showings in camps that may turn out to be flashes in the pan. Others may advance ahead of him on the pecking order.

Hawks are high on Kero, Highmore, Dauphin and of course Kampf so they should have cups of coffee within the next calendar year or early 2019. Johnson is making a name for himself, and hopefully so will guys like Fortin, Knott, T. Sikura, and Louis.

As for Louis, I can't see the Hawks having both him and Hinostroza: pint-sized speedsters who seem to have similar skill sets. Prospects need to differentiate themselves or else they start getting redundant and not stand out (i.e. become expendable as trade chips).

The only issue with this idea is that it relies on Stan to make a good draft pick, which he cannot. It would be a waste of assets across the board.
- DarthKane

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2018/

Draft Site's current 2018 mock draft to see who possible top 5 picks may be.

Brady Tkachuk is supposedly better than Matthew so he may be an instant contributor to whichever team drafts him if his older brother is any indication.