To point 2 Justin about Center market. Ottawa just made an interesting trade last night. Thoughts on a guy like Brassard to come in and be the 2C. This moves AA to be the 3rd line Center and Schmaltz to the wing where he doesnt have to play as much defense. He isnt the 2C of the future if he isnt going to get stronger. he is too easy to knock off the puck and is liability in his own end. He is solid on the back check but that is not going to get it done.
- nickmo2699

Brassard might fit but I personally don't think it'll happen based on what I'm hearing.

Also, they like Schmaltz at centre (which is confusing to see him back on the wing) and it's not his defence they are worry about, it's his strength (as you mention above). Like most younger players, he just needs to hit the gym and get stronger.

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

Actually I have no problem at all with Hayden playing in Rockford as long as he’s developing which it looks like he is.

In 39 games with the Blackhawks he had 3G 8A, with the Hogs in 15 games he’s had 4G 7A. So maybe he’s learning under Colliton’s tutaledge.

Brassard might fit but I personally don't think it'll happen based on what I'm hearing.

Also, they like Schmaltz at centre (which is confusing to see him back on the wing) and it's not his defence they are worry about, it's his strength (as you mention above). Like most younger players, he just needs to hit the gym and get stronger.
- Justin Lowe

TSN had an article yesterday about how the Senators asking price for Brassard is high. Not sure what exactly they are asking for but high asking price and Bowman doesn't seem like a good equation.

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

We're still getting Duchene. He's finally playing well in OTT.

Stick around for more and comment away!

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.
- DarthKane

Bingo.

From what I've heard, they are are hoping that Hayden can play up and down the lineup and potentially fill a roll on the PP (a la Tommy Wingels style).

They just want him to work still on his speed and acceleration in his skating.

What ever happened to Eli? Did anyone find out?
- BlazinMike

Eli is doing well. I still talk to him, he's been real busy with work and life.

We're still getting Duchene. He's finally playing well in OTT.

Stick around for more and comment away!
- Justin Lowe

Still getting Duchene? Ummmmmmmm huh?


Lemme guess its Saad for Duchene. Why not?!

DP sorry

I'm all for any goalie that doesn't give up goals on shots from behind the goal line.

Glass is showing why he spent 7 years in the KHL, and Forsberg is clearly not ready for the NHL.

This is on Stan for not signing an experienced NHL veteran back-up before the season started.
- scottak

Pretty sure Berube was an experienced NHL backup at one point? Who else (affordable) was available over the summer?

In light of the this season going south and bowman and Q are at odds again. Plus how bad the team looks and the coaching mistakes and horrible trades that were made in the offseason do wirtz and mcdough reassess their position on giving the backing of bowman and Q. So what needs to be done to change this team's fortunes around and become a contender again at the tdl and in the offseason. Thoughts and opinions are welcomed

We're still getting Duchene. He's finally playing well in OTT.

Stick around for more and comment away!
- Justin Lowe

You mean Duchene might be interested in us after becoming a UFA next year?
He may want to leave that dumpster fire in Ottawa.
Oops, shouldn't have said that!

All I know is we sat Seabs one game and we won 8-2 (Granted, it was the Sens). Since then he has never sat and we have been bad. And Q will almost always stick with a winning lineup. Why he put Seabs back in is beyond me.
- onehundredlevel

Just a thought here, I remember hearing Seabrook came into camp over weight and out of shape, not sure if that was true or not.

In any event it makes me wonder how much of Seabrook’s decline is due to poor training and diet vs age. If it’s the former I can understand Q playing him 25 to 30 minutes a game to send a message.

Just a thought here, I remember hearing Seabrook came into camp over weight and out of shape, not sure if that was true or not.

In any event it makes me wonder how much of Seabrook’s decline is due to poor training and diet vs age. If it’s the former I can understand Q playing him 25 to 30 minutes a game to send a message.
- walleyeb1

Another Question:
How much has it got to do with the security of a generous contract taking him into retirement?
Even if it bought out, it is the type of money the rest of us can only dream about.

All I know is we sat Seabs one game and we won 8-2 (Granted, it was the Sens). Since then he has never sat and we have been bad. And Q will almost always stick with a winning lineup. Why he put Seabs back in is beyond me.
- onehundredlevel

...and half of the Sens had the flu.

...and half of the Sens had the flu.
- DarthKane

good memory Darth!!!!

not a big shocker but Glass has been put on waivers

not a big shocker but Glass has been put on waivers
- mjaxx2

Now what will Q do? Now it will be the Berube/Forsberg ping pong.

Now what will Q do? Now it will be the Berube/Forsberg ping pong.
- z1990z

Q will go 60 minutes of 6 man

As Glass struggled and kept starting games anyway, I wondered if they were doing it to try to get any kind of a pick for him.

As for bad contracts, a lot of overpays seem to be because Stanley doesn't have sufficient leverage in the negotiations. Overpay Bickell because he was the only big physical forward they had. Overpay Toews and Kane together because, well, are you going to let them both walk? They have negotiated as a tandem, much like the Sedins always have. That is a tremendous negotiation position. And the board thought Crawford was an overpay, too, but again, who plays goalie if he doesn't? Seabrook, who steps in to play a top 4 role if he's gone, and what replaces his leadership?

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....
- cuethenoise

Your time is coming my man, Doug Armstrong has done a good job, you guys are one goaltender away from getting your 1st cup. Even though it’s a nasty rivalry I always enjoy the games, same with Nashville except we got one hand job that comes over from the predator site every now and then but then Crawls back in his moms basement when it’s not going his way. I also enjoy the Cubs Cardinals rivalries to , Good times great fun!
I personally want to see them get a top three pick and go after Keith Tkachuk’s kid.You guys know all too well that is a great bloodline to have in the system. Just look at how Matthew is playing these days for Calgary. My kind of player!Going back years ago Mike Smith’s, screwup was the St. Louis Blues gain by getting daddy. And going back even further when the Winnipeg Jets were for sale, Rocky’s dad through an offer sheet at Keith, only to have it matched by the new prospective owners of the Winnipeg Jets, So it was a two time loss for us, hopefully Stan Bowman doesn’t have his head in his ass and if Brady Tkachuk drops into his lap, He takes him,the third time’s a charm!

Your time is coming my man, Doug Armstrong has done a good job, you guys are one goaltender away from getting your 1st cup. Even though it’s a nasty rivalry I always enjoy the games, same with Nashville except we got one hand job that comes over from the predator site every now and then but then Crawls back in his moms basement when it’s not going his way. I also enjoy the Cubs Cardinals rivalries to , Good times great fun!
- wonthecup10

Crawford for Parayko.

Crawford for Parayko.
- DarthKane

Dont think anyone will trade for CC now that the vertigo issues came up. From what I know, vertigo will never completely goes away.

Crawford for Parayko.
- DarthKane

Depending on what Stan Bowman has up his sleeve I think he would jump at that trade in a heartbeat, but he better have a goaltending prospect it’s ready to step in before he does something like that.

Actually I have no problem at all with Hayden playing in Rockford as long as he’s developing which it looks like he is.

In 39 games with the Blackhawks he had 3G 8A, with the Hogs in 15 games he’s had 4G 7A. So maybe he’s learning under Colliton’s tutaledge.
- walleyeb1

Not a fair comparison. He was being relegated to 10 minutes a night on the fourth line. This team is finished for the year, bring him up and install him into comparable situations with the big club. See how he looks and progresses in a Top 6 role between now and the end of the season.

It was stupid to send one of the few guys who hit and crash the net when we were in the mix, now it's even dumber to not use the last 25 games to grow his game more, so that he can really hit the ground running next year.

Similar to what Rangers management did last week, Trevor Linden as Canucks team president sent a letter to season ticket holders to ask for patience as the team rebuilds.

https://www.tsn.ca/canuck...tience-in-letter-1.999122

The Canucks also announced a contract extension for GM Jim Benning.