Who is the best defensive prospect in our system not named Jokiharju? It seems like both Krys and Mitchell have good upside. Are either of them ready?
- Bjm84

Who is the smallest one and is from Europe?

That one

Who is the best defensive prospect in our system not named Jokiharju? It seems like both Krys and Mitchell have good upside. Are either of them ready?
- Bjm84

Nope - they are not.

Jokiharju could sneak on for at least a 10-game audition in the fall but I think it all depends on what his plan is. There are some suggesting that it may be more worth it for him to head to the Finnish or Swedish league to play against men vs. sticking in the WHL where he's performing very well.

As far as i know, no, neither of them are ready.

Forsling is supposed to be one of those better prospects.

Tuulola is another one. I don't know a whole lot about the other guys selected the last couple years.
- BlazinMike

He is having a strong season.

Lucas Carlsson would be the one I would put money on coming over to NA next year and vying for a roster spot on the Hawks, if not head to Rockford and work on his game over here.

Who is the best defensive prospect in our system not named Jokiharju? It seems like both Krys and Mitchell have good upside. Are either of them ready?
- Bjm84

Carlsson. The knock on him is he's not exactly fast but is defensively sound. Kind of like Hjalmarsson.

Then next would likely be Mitchell. Despite his size, he has a good all around game and doing quite well as a freshman at Denver. If he adds more strength while in college then those descriptions of him being Keith lite may be accurate.

Krys is a great puck carrier but his defense is suspect. Easily outmatched. Hopefully his Boston U coaches are helping him develop his defense.

DeBrincat is not cooperating with the Hawks tanking strategy, he's been demoted to the 4th line.

Blackhawks lines:
Saad-Toews-Wingels
Bouma-Schmaltz-Kane
Hinostroza-Anisimov-Duclair
Sharp-Hartman-DeBrincat

Keith-Oesterle
Kempny-Seabrook
Dahlstrom-Murphy
Gustafsson-Rutta

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 15, 2018

- DarthKane

Wingels and Bouma in the top 6....
Hysterical. Nice slap in the face to some of the boys eh ?? I like it !!
The Tank is On.

I have a hard time imagining the Hawks losing out the rest of the way. i think they will go on some kind of streak, not to get into the playoffs obviously, but i just don't see this team going something like 3 and 20 or whatever amount of games are left.

If they're really looking to tank though, suit up Rozy and tootoo or something
- BlazinMike

When you look at the rest of the season schedule it’s not too difficult to imagine something like this.


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Nope - they are not.

Jokiharju could sneak on for at least a 10-game audition in the fall but I think it all depends on what his plan is. There are some suggesting that it may be more worth it for him to head to the Finnish or Swedish league to play against men vs. sticking in the WHL where he's performing very well.
- Justin Lowe

Thanks for the intel on Jokiharju possibly playing in a European pro league next season to amp up his game to prepare for playing in the NHL. I'd hate to see him in a trial by fire scenario with the Hawks and struggle because he was rushed.

And good call on Tuulola. Ricochet shared an article about him recently that said he has a mean streak. That would be nice although I can't imagine it's the magnitude of a Bieksa, Manson, Doughty, or Johns.

The nerve of him!
How about a stint in Rockford!
- 67hawks

Nah but he better watch it or he’ll be scratched for playing too good!

Thanks for the intel on Jokiharju possibly playing in a European pro league next season to amp up his game to prepare for playing in the NHL. I'd hate to see him in a trial by fire scenario with the Hawks and struggle because he was rushed.

And good call on Tuulola. Ricochet shared an article about him recently that said he has a mean streak. That would be nice although I can't imagine it's the magnitude of a Bieksa, Manson, Doughty, or Johns.
- AEL_Fox

Has Johns really been that good in the NHL so far?

Bouma on line 2 to go after Kessler when he does something dumb to Kane.

Wingels and Bouma in the top 6....
Hysterical. Nice slap in the face to some of the boys eh ?? I like it !!
The Tank is On.
- Hawkytalk

No Stan wants to showcase them lol.

The lines are like squirt hockey...

ok Johnny this is your week to play center....billy now you're up next...ok sammy now you get to play Defense

Bouma and Wingels in the top 6. Bouma? ..tank it female doges.

EK reporting 3 team deal with Leafs acquiring McDonagh, and Nash to the 3rd team.....Leafs could do some real damage in the East with the addition of McDonagh.

Wingles and Bouma top 6 is laugahble and amazing at the same time. Q got the memo from Bowman that #TANK is fully engaged. Ducks 4-2 over Hawks.


Also, did Rasmus Dahlin get scratched for Sweden last night???

EK reporting 3 team deal with Leafs acquiring McDonagh, and Nash to the 3rd team.....Leafs could do some real damage in the East with the addition of McDonagh.

Wingles and Bouma top 6 is laugahble and amazing at the same time. Q got the memo from Bowman that #TANK is fully engaged. Ducks 4-2 over Hawks.


Also, did Rasmus Dahlin get scratched for Sweden last night???
- EnzoD

Yes, apparently because he is young. http://www.nbcolympics.co...-scratched-swedens-opener

Imagine having 20 bums on your team and the next phenom, so you sit the phenom and never hear the end of it from the fans and Swedish press.

Bouma on line 2 to go after Kessler when he does something dumb to Kane.
- RaleighHawk

Good.
And Sharpie will definitely answer to any Duck who decides to eff with D-Cat.

Yes, apparently because he is young. http://www.nbcolympics.co...-scratched-swedens-opener

Imagine having 20 bums on your team and the next phenom, so you sit the phenom and never hear the end of it from the fans and Swedish press.
- ObeseOprah

Unbelievable. I stayed up to watch the Sweden vs Norway game and I didn't see him or hear his name called and was very confused. Cannot believe USA lost to (frank)ing Slovenia. Should have done all NCAA players then FFS.

Has Johns really been that good in the NHL so far?
- BlazinMike

Others have commented on how Johns has elevated his game this season under Hitchcock after not doing so hot under Ruff. Not sure he is a top-3 defender but playing much better generally no matter where he slots.

Good.
And Sharpie will definitely answer to any Duck who decides to eff with D-Cat.
- 35Tony0

Was it Sharp who stood up to Perron after he tried to intimidate DeBrincat in the Vegas game? Pretty sure it was Sharp but could've been Hartman.

Was it Sharp who stood up to Perron after he tried to intimidate DeBrincat in the Vegas game? Pretty sure it was Sharp but could've been Hartman.
- AEL_Fox

Yep, I too am pretty sure it was Sharp. Patrick Sharp EARNED the 'A' in his previous stint in Chicago.

DeBrincat is not cooperating with the Hawks tanking strategy, he's been demoted to the 4th line.

Blackhawks lines:
Saad-Toews-Wingels
Bouma-Schmaltz-Kane
Hinostroza-Anisimov-Duclair
Sharp-Hartman-DeBrincat

Keith-Oesterle
Kempny-Seabrook
Dahlstrom-Murphy
Gustafsson-Rutta

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 15, 2018

- DarthKane

So Bouma is now Panarin’s replacement on Kane’s line. Whew. Kane must just be in a wonderful head space.

Others have commented on how Johns has elevated his game this season under Hitchcock after not doing so hot under Ruff. Not sure he is a top-3 defender but playing much better generally no matter where he slots.
- AEL_Fox

Last time I checked, Johns was still getting 3rd pairing minutes (least amount of TOI).

Bouma on line 2 to go after Kessler when he does something dumb to Kane.
- RaleighHawk

Yes. Now that winning is not important there is no need to take any crap from him.

When you look at the rest of the season schedule it’s not too difficult to imagine something like this.


html

- walleyeb1

Talk about reaching a time of different perspective. Nothing looks winnable anymore.

Has Johns really been that good in the NHL so far?
- BlazinMike

Did you watch the Hawks vs Stars last week? Johns was a force all over the ice. His ice time has fluctuated significantly lately....20:33, 13:53, 19:42, 14:25, 19:35,18:41....his season avg is 17:28 TOI in 54 GP he has 7 G, 5A, +9, 90 SOG, 134 Hits, 110 blocks. To Hawks67....he appears to be in the 4/5 role for the Stars depending on the game. How many minutes would Oesterle, Gustafson, Kempny, Murphy or Seabrook be playing for Dallas??

Did you watch the Hawks vs Stars last week? Johns was a force all over the ice. His ice time has fluctuated significantly lately....20:33, 13:53, 19:42, 14:25, 19:35,18:41....his season avg is 17:28 TOI in 54 GP he has 7 G, 5A, +9, 90 SOG, 134 Hits, 110 blocks. To Hawks67....he appears to be in the 4/5 role for the Stars depending on the game. How many minutes would Oesterle, Gustafson, Kempny, Murphy or Seabrook be playing for Dallas??
- EnzoD

He's 4/5 on a good team heading to the playoffs. Safe to say he'd be at least that on the Hawks.