This team has a ton of issues. We now hear that they are not putting forth the effort when they fall behind. So now are stars are not playing like stars.They are not setting a good example for the young guys. What a train wreck . I think they problem is the GM all the star were drafted before he got here and he has done nothing to keep the culture alive .

I'm all for the Blackhawks rotating some Rockford guys up and getting a look at them. They need to know what kind of players they have.

What a sucky season!

Remember 10-1 over the Pens in the season opener? What a misrepresentation of what was ahead for this team.
- matt_ahrens

Who at Rockford really projects as much of an NHL player? Other than Hayden who should have never been sent down, Highmore, Snuggerund look like bottom level talent, though should have a spot in the NHL one day. The rest of Rockford are just not very impressive at all. If the Hogs had a bunch of good looking young prospects then the "play the kids" mantra could create excitement, but the Hawks system is barren of high end prospects.

Maybe you are right. But adding a top pairing defender would make a huge change when the other defenders are slotted down in the line up. Also they did not look terrible the 1st part of this season when Crawford was in net. In fact most comments about Rutta, Kempny, Forsling and Murphy were positive. I believe they can get better with experience. Forsling 79 games in NHL, Rutta 41 games, Kempny 79 games.
- -Doh-

I agree with you. I think adding at the top of the D-core helps push the rest down to easier minutes. I think Forsling will be back for sure. Rutta might be, but he really struggled after a solid start. I think if Rutta wants to stay for 1 million or less, they will retain him. I think Kempny is gone.

While Oesterle has made some mistakes, I don't think he is really a 7D at best, like some had said. I think the issues is mostly him being slotted above his pay grade when he was in the #2 hole for the Hawks. I think 3rd pair, and some PP time and he is fine.

Who at Rockford really projects as much of an NHL player? Other than Hayden who should have never been sent down, Highmore, Snuggerund look like bottom level talent, though should have a spot in the NHL one day. The rest of Rockford are just not very impressive at all. If the Hogs had a bunch of good looking young prospects then the "play the kids" mantra could create excitement, but the Hawks system is barren of high end prospects.
- kwolf68

100%

Why isn't he in the lineup? I don't get it.

100%

Why isn't he in the lineup? I don't get it.
- Hank3Henshaw

You and me both man. They said it was to play "top line minutes"...I got an idea, play top line minutes in CHICAGO. One of the few players we had who would throw a check and get to the front of the net.

You and me both man. They said it was to play "top line minutes"...I got an idea, play top line minutes in CHICAGO. One of the few players we had who would throw a check and get to the front of the net.
- kwolf68

That is frowned upon with this currant establishment!!!

That is frowned upon with this currant establishment!!!
- BGKarras

Seems so.

Savvy asked for some photo compares on Toews. Yeah, his face and neck have slimed down a lot (but that happens to people getting older sometimes), but the rest of him, eh. . .maybe lost some in the thighs - they were massive

2010-2012ish




2015 Summer




2017

Savvy asked for some photo compares on Toews. Yeah, his face and neck have slimed down a lot (but that happens to people getting older sometimes), but the rest of him, eh. . .maybe lost some in the thighs - they were massive

2010-2012ish




2015 Summer




2017

- pdx2ord

Thanks pdx!
His face looks gaunt and you can usually tell (with hockey players at least) in the neck/shoulder area. From the pics you posted, pretty easy to see he's not nearly as ripped as he once was. Can't quite tell with the legs (him sitting vs standing it's always difficult to compare).

But upper body for sure. Look at the big difference in the arms/biceps too.
He's no Bobby Hull during his prime, that's for sure.
(for the old-timers like me, I can always remember one interview of him in the locker w/his shirt off and one of his kids being antsy and hitting the old man repeatedly in the gut. Of course, the punches were bouncing off and Bobby didn't even seem to notice).

Glass on waivers today. Looks like they'll recall Berube and give him a chance. He can't be any worst...can he?

It was a good run guys, I wish the Blues could have won just 1 of those cups. Time to clear the house and re-build....

I agree with you. I think adding at the top of the D-core helps push the rest down to easier minutes. I think Forsling will be back for sure. Rutta might be, but he really struggled after a solid start. I think if Rutta wants to stay for 1 million or less, they will retain him. I think Kempny is gone.

While Oesterle has made some mistakes, I don't think he is really a 7D at best, like some had said. I think the issues is mostly him being slotted above his pay grade when he was in the #2 hole for the Hawks. I think 3rd pair, and some PP time and he is fine.
- breadbag

I would agree with this as well. Slot everyone properly and things may improve organically.

Specifically with Oesterle, I just feel the Hawks have a redundancy with puck-moving defensemen who play mediocre defense, i.e. him, Gustafsson, Dahlstrom, and Rutta. Forsling at least has shown glimpses of great gap control and using his agility to his advantage. And Kempny at least has a physical edge to his game. Keep some of them, definitely not all.

I watched that Calgary/ Boston game last night -old time rough and tumble playoff type hockey. I wishfully tried to envision our team playing that way.

Glass on waivers today. Looks like they'll recall Berube and give him a chance. He can't be any worst...can he?
- DarthKane

just curious why Glass needs to clear waivers to be sent down? isnt this his first time called up to the NHL?

I would agree with this as well. Slot everyone properly and things may improve organically.

Specifically with Oesterle, I just feel the Hawks have a redundancy with puck-moving defensemen who play mediocre defense, i.e. him, Gustafsson, Dahlstrom, and Rutta. Forsling at least has shown glimpses of great gap control and using his agility to his advantage. And Kempny at least has a physical edge to his game. Keep some of them, definitely not all.
- AEL_Fox

That is why I stated in the previous blog that Oesterle is a nice asset, but we do not need 4 of him.

just curious why Glass needs to clear waivers to be sent down? isnt this his first time called up to the NHL?
- glennjpawlak22

I'm not sure of all the waiver conditions, but his age and professional experience probably has something to do with it. It's not a big deal, I doubt he's claimed but if he is it's not a big loss.

I would agree with this as well. Slot everyone properly and things may improve organically.

Specifically with Oesterle, I just feel the Hawks have a redundancy with puck-moving defensemen who play mediocre defense, i.e. him, Gustafsson, Dahlstrom, and Rutta. Forsling at least has shown glimpses of great gap control and using his agility to his advantage. And Kempny at least has a physical edge to his game. Keep some of them, definitely not all.
- AEL_Fox

Forsling (and Hayden too) is down in Rockford for a reason. As much ice time as possible and instruction/coaching/development and hopefully learning what it takes to win. Nothing wrong with that. Forsling should be up next year playing on the 2nd pairing.

Gustaffson, Rutta, Kempny are more or less all disposable bottom of the depth chart pieces. If a trade offer comes along 1 or 2 of them are gone.

LOL what? He's still a great 2nd or 3rd line center.
- kwolf68

Foolishness.

Quibble all you want over how much Toews is paid, he is a top line center. He has been in his career, and he is this season.

If you want to see a lottery team, take Toews out of the equation. Our center depth would be: 8 - 15- 64 - 57

Switch him with any other third liner in the league? 8 - 15 - new guy - 64?
Good franking luck.

Foolishness.

Quibble all you want over how much Toews is paid, he is a top line center. He has been in his career, and he is this season.

If you want to see a lottery team, take Toews out of the equation. Our center depth would be: 8 - 15- 64 - 57

Switch him with any other third liner in the league? 8 - 15 - new guy - 64?
Good franking luck.
- TexasHawk

To add to your comment our top C at the dot would be AA at a dazzling 46%

Glass on waivers today. Looks like they'll recall Berube and give him a chance. He can't be any worst...can he?
- DarthKane

Did you mean the worst of the worse?

In all 20 days as a member? Wait, it gets better....
- riozzo

I've been reading since 2009 but this year takes the cake.

Forsling (and Hayden too) is down in Rockford for a reason. As much ice time as possible and instruction/coaching/development and hopefully learning what it takes to win. Nothing wrong with that. Forsling should be up next year playing on the 2nd pairing.

Gustaffson, Rutta, Kempny are more or less all disposable bottom of the depth chart pieces. If a trade offer comes along 1 or 2 of them are gone.
- RickJ

I don't have an issue with Forsling and Hayden in Rockford. I like the potential of both guys but they wouldn't have made the Hawks a playoff team this year.

Forsling's play really started to slide in December, he needed to go to Rockford to regain some confidence and play more all-round minutes.

Hayden was fine with the limited 4th line role he had in Chicago. But I've read that the Hawks want more from Hayden in the long term and he was sent to Rockford to get some top-6 minutes and power play time rather than plan 8 minutes a night in Chicago. I fully expect to see Hayden back in Chicago either after the trade deadline or to start next season. Either way he will likely have a bigger role than he did when he was assigned to Rockford.

I agree with you. I think adding at the top of the D-core helps push the rest down to easier minutes. I think Forsling will be back for sure. Rutta might be, but he really struggled after a solid start. I think if Rutta wants to stay for 1 million or less, they will retain him. I think Kempny is gone.

While Oesterle has made some mistakes, I don't think he is really a 7D at best, like some had said. I think the issues is mostly him being slotted above his pay grade when he was in the #2 hole for the Hawks. I think 3rd pair, and some PP time and he is fine.
- breadbag

I don't disagree, but where are you going to get a top 4D (in his prime) without (over)paying a huge price? Larsson for Taylor Hall comes to mind. Most of them around the league are typically home grown and rarely come on the market.

I've been reading since 2009 but this year takes the cake.
- GPHawksfan

I feel that. I only made an account because JJ said we were getting Duchene last season. Lurked for years though.

I've been reading since 2009 but this year takes the cake.
- GPHawksfan

What exactly are you referring to?

I'm all fairness, there has been a lot of silliness here over the past several years and it will be hard to beat some of the stuff that was said in the past.