I don't know, I'd like to get excited about tankathon 2018...but knowing Bowman he'll draft a speedy but physically inept smurf who plays wing (not center or D). This team needs to get bigger and harder to play against stat!
- Murph76

You just know Stan will draft this guy...

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...s/pdisplay.php?pid=187519

I see your point but Forsling played nearly half the season here this year and a good chunk of NHL action in 16/17 so I'd expect him to be ready for the NHL full time next year (or hope). He has all the tools. Jokiharju is a bigger stretch, but my hope is that he truly is an NHL talent and can get a taste of NHL action next year even if he ends up back in the OHL after the 9 game trial. My point being that Oesterle, Rutta, Kempny, Gustafson and even Murphy are what they are....borderline 3rd pair dmen. You cant have five 3rd pair dmen again next season and expect much different results. What is that quote about insanity?? Oh ya...."doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Big changes need to come on Defense, whether it is young talents with high upside in Jokharju/Forsling, or outside help via UFA/trade. and NHL quality help, not Euro guys please!
- EnzoD

I'm good with Forsling playing a 3/4 role next season. The Hawks did a smart thing and sent him to Rockford for more seasoning and playing time. Best thing for him would be to pair him with a veteran who can help him and cover up for some of his mistakes. And that would not be Connor Murphy.

The Finn can go learn in Rockford for a year or 2.

While it is true that Forwards have responsibilities constant odd-man breaks are caused by over-aggressive Defenceman. Being over-aggressive does not just mean pinching deep and getting caught. It can occur at the opposing blue-line when a D-Men applies too much pressure to keep the puck in. This causes errors which happened with Murphy and Kempny last night. Go to the area of the ice that allows for the easy and safe control of the puck - if that results in the puck going outside the blue-line that’s the way it is. Better to be controlling the puck outside the blue-line to play another day rather than having it in your own net. Two totally and easily avoidable goals.

In spite of the fact that 2 over-aggressive goals had been scored against Ulf indicated in the intermission that he wanted his D-Men to be even more offensively aggressive. This is ridiculous. D-Men should be worried about defence first no matter where they are on the ice. Act offensively when it makes sense to do so and when it is safe to do so - pick your moments.

Compounding the over-aggressive play is weak non-physical play. The 3rd Ducks’ goal was also avoidable. Kempny was not hard enough on the puck behind and to the side of the net. You simply have to win these battles. Sad to say but many Hawks’ D-Men play as if there is a “no hitting” rule like there is in Women’s hockey.

I don't know, I'd like to get excited about tankathon 2018...but knowing Bowman he'll draft a speedy but physically inept smurf who plays wing (not center or D). This team needs to get bigger and harder to play against stat!
- Murph76

Or the prospect that has committed to an NCAA program and we wind up waiting 4 years to see if he'll sign.

Your best work by far Justin, it’s spot on!

“To me, this is a systematic issue. Too many times this season (and last year), the Hawks forwards were caught too deep in the offensive zone. Couple that with the ill-timed pinch by a dman – you have a recipe for disaster.”

I’ve been saying this most of the season, and it’s directly connected to this:

This isn't a Quenneville vs. Samuelsson debate because if you don't think Coach Q has the final say by now, you're crazy. So, Q attempted to change with the help of Samuelsson and it didn't work. The big question I have is, was it style or personnel?

So which is it the chicken or the egg?

What we are seeing with this Hawks team now is the development and evolution of the 2021 Stanley Cup Champs

Can Hossa still be involved with the team even though he's LTIR? Having him show these young kids how to box out in the Ozone and how to hunt down the puck in the Neutral zone and Dzone could help.

Is Hossa for sure out next season? We haven't used much of his cap relief.

I agree I'm very curious to see what Forsling and Jokiharju can do. I think we need both of them to take a step next year if we want to be a serious contender for a Cup in the next few years. I'd like to see Forsling get regular playing time next year for sure. Jokiharju is interesting. I would LOVE to see him come to camp make an impact and make the team and do well, but at the same time can he make the jump as a 19 year old? Possibly. Time will tell. Might be better for him and the team for him to continue to develop for another year before they really try to plan with him apart of the D-men going forward

Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, and Forsling are the only "locks" I can see to be apart of our Top 6 D-Men come next season. Oesterle will likely make the the team because he's got a great contract and has played fairly well this year. I'd like to see them acquire a guy capable of playing 15-20 minutes a night and can help lead the team. If it takes trading AA to free the cap space in order to do so I would like to explore that.

As bad as this season has been I think there are pieces on this team that can be put together to become a serious contender once again whether that be in a year or two. Bowman (if still with the team; which I don't see him getting the boot) is gonna have a lot of work to do and is going to have to correctly identify which pieces need to stay AND where to play them at. I think it's been lost on the team the value of guys playing specific roles. It seems to me this team is just a collection of talents rather than guys being developed and placed in the right spot for a specific role for them to thrive in. I think this is something that made the Hawks so great and helped them be so successful. Talent has to be there in order to do it. We'll see what happens
- Savetheembers33

Great points all around. I agree that the 4 locks on defense next season would be Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, and Forsling. This isn't to say they are the top 4, but Keith and Seabrook are givens. Murphy is at least an every day 3rd pairing defender. And as others have stated, Forsling has spent significant time in the AHL each of the last two seasons but also made the Hawks out of training camp the last two seasons (I believe, maybe I'm wrong). So I would at least expect Forsling to make the Hawks out of camp again this fall.

Justin mentioned yesterday that there are talks about possibly having Jokiharju get some pro experience in a European league rather than spend another year in Portland where he is already dominating and likely may not grow much more. I'd love for Jokiharju to impress right away in camp and state his case to make the Hawks with consistent, two-way play but that's a tall order.

And the last bolded part sums up the entire lineup, but especially the blueline: slot players properly and both offensive productivity and defensive stability may grow organically. But that is a tall order, too, because (amongst other reasons) that relies on Bowman and Q being on the same page.

Your best work by far Justin, it’s spot on!

“To me, this is a systematic issue. Too many times this season (and last year), the Hawks forwards were caught too deep in the offensive zone. Couple that with the ill-timed pinch by a dman – you have a recipe for disaster.”

I’ve been saying this most of the season, and it’s directly connected to this:

This isn't a Quenneville vs. Samuelsson debate because if you don't think Coach Q has the final say by now, you're crazy. So, Q attempted to change with the help of Samuelsson and it didn't work. The big question I have is, was it style or personnel?

So which is it the chicken or the egg?
- walleyeb1

Thanks Walleye. I was able to get a bit of sleep last night finally, ha.

To me, that's the biggest question right now.

What style/system do the Hawks want to play and which style (under the cap) can they realistically ice for the next few seasons.

With Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook locked up to a lot of $$ the next while, do they have to make more strategic adjustments based on A) "some" of those core-4 above, who have noticeably declined in play and B) who they can afford to sign/trade for under the cap.

Can Hossa still be involved with the team even though he's LTIR? Having him show these young kids how to box out in the Ozone and how to hunt down the puck in the Neutral zone and Dzone could help.

Is Hossa for sure out next season? We haven't used much of his cap relief.
- ObeseOprah

My guess is that Hossa is done for good.

It's not easy to use the cap relief from Hossa's LTIR. Since they aren't putting Hossa on LTIR until the start of the season they can't sign any talent in the off-season. Plus, since LTIR is re-evaluated on a year-to-year basis they can't acquire long-term contracts.

That leaves Stan with signing guys like he did with Franson or trading for expiring contracts. That doesn't really fit in with the youth movement in two ways - the team wants the young guys to play plus they don't want to give up the assets to acquire these expiring contracts.

I don't see the cap spaced gained from Hossa's LTIR ever really being any value. the best case scenario would be to trade him to a cash strapped team like Ottawa.

Can Hossa still be involved with the team even though he's LTIR? Having him show these young kids how to box out in the Ozone and how to hunt down the puck in the Neutral zone and Dzone could help.

Is Hossa for sure out next season? We haven't used much of his cap relief.
- ObeseOprah

There's no rule he can't be around the team.

That's a fantastic thought. There are conflicting reports I've heard on Hossa. Some say he's really happy to step away as he lost some zest for the game and others are saying he is training hard and doesn't want to end his career like this.

So I guess it's all up to him because my guess is the coaching staff would love to have him around. So would the players.

There's no rule he can't be around the team.

That's a fantastic thought. There are conflicting reports I've heard on Hossa. Some say he's really happy to step away as he lost some zest for the game and others are saying he is training hard and doesn't want to end his career like this.

So I guess it's all up to him because my guess is the coaching staff would love to have him around. So would the players.
- Justin Lowe

I may be reading too much into this and have a tin foil hat on, but I wonder if Hossa "losing zest for the game" is code for him being unhappy about internal issues within the Hawks organization and his continuity of training is so he is prepared to play right away once these internal issues are resolved.

I may be reading too much into this and have a tin foil hat on, but I wonder if Hossa "losing zest for the game" is code for him being unhappy about internal issues within the Hawks organization and his continuity of training is so he is prepared to play right away once these internal issues are resolved.
- AEL_Fox

Could be.

My take is that his skin condition (which is real) along with the amount of hockey he's played over the last decade is the reason. I hear he was/is treated amazingly within the organization.

Could be.

My take is that his skin condition (which is real) along with the amount of hockey he's played over the last decade is the reason. I hear he was/is treated amazingly within the organization.
- Justin Lowe

Might also have something to do with the fact that his salary dropped to $1MM this season and will continue to be $1MM for the next 3 seasons. He never intended to play this year. It was cap circumvention, which at the time was perfectly legal. He should be allowed to retire without penalty to the Blackhawks.

Tzchuk and Kane together will be fun
- EnzoD

Absolutely Enzo!!!, somebody’s got to get to someone above Stan Bowman and put that thought in their minds! Because if you leave it up to Bowman, repeating myself again, he will draft a small European perimeter player, a small defensemen that Duncan Keith is taller then, or another Chicago feel good story with that high pick.
I sound like a broken record, but schmaltz And/or DeBrincat , Should not be untouchable if you have a chance to land a young shut down defenseman in a trade. And while I laud him for his hustle, boys, Vincent Hinostroza would be An AHL player in about 27 other teams systems , I just hope our illustrious GM is not putting that kid in the untouchable column. Same with Ryan Hartman, he’s probably at best a fourth line player maybe even a third line player in a well-stocked system.
So it’s all on Stan Bowman, here is one that I hope John McDonough is meddling in.

This is the third time I've heard it suggested this week by Eddie O, but he thinks a move of Toews from Center (and the defensive responsibilities) to the Wing could help him be a better scorer and get more points by focusing more on playing a 140 ft game rather than a 200 ft game. Obviously taking our best Center (though who has struggled) to the Wing would hurt our already lackluster depth at Center, but if Schmaltz is gonna stay at Center and AA isn't going anywhere IF the Hawks can get another Center who can win draws (I like Kampf a lot as 3rd or 4th line Center on this team going forward) maybe it could work? Very unlikely to happen IMO, but idk curious what you guys think of this.

Absolutely Enzo!!!, somebody’s got to get to someone above Stan Bowman and put that thought in their minds! Because if you leave it up to Bowman, repeating myself again, he will draft a small European perimeter player, a small defensemen that Duncan Keith is taller then, or another Chicago feel good story with that high pick.
I sound like a broken record, but schmaltz And/or DeBrincat , Should not be untouchable if you have a chance to land a young shut down defenseman in a trade. And while I laud him for his hustle, boys, Vincent Hinostroza would be An AHL player in about 27 other teams systems , I just hope our illustrious GM is not putting that kid in the untouchable column. Same with Ryan Hartman, he’s probably at best a fourth line player maybe even a third line player in hey well-stocked system.
So it’s all on Stan Bowman, here is one that I hope John McDonough is meddling in.
- wonthecup10

Anyone who watches college hockey (or WIZ if you're out there!), is Tzchuk better suited at Center or Wing in the NHL? If he is projected as a Center and the Hawks are slotted at pick #8, do you trade a prospect or 2019 pick(s) to move up in the draft and grab Tzchuk?? Evan Bouchard would also be an amazing addition. 6'2" 190lbs and top 10 in OHL scoring AS A DMAN! Dahlin is obviously the prize but it's a pipedream to think the Hawks luck out and win the lottery.


EDIT: I really hope there is someone else with title of General Manage when the draft rolls around this June

Could be.

My take is that his skin condition (which is real) along with the amount of hockey he's played over the last decade is the reason. I hear he was/is treated amazingly within the organization.
- Justin Lowe

Which is more important to an organization, shaving time off a rebuild or maintaining a good reputation with current and former players?

Part of me wishes the Hawks would adopt a Cardinals-style of personnel management where they trade players who are older and starting to decline. Specifically, I want them to trade Keith. He is my favorite player, but the current Blackhawks roster has more holes than one player can compensate for. A Keith trade could shave time off the Hawks' rebuild.

However, I am torn. It seems that the Hawks organization is well-respected by its current and former players. There is value there, and I believe it helps the team sign talent. Specifically, I think it helps us sign Euros and College UFAs.

I'm curious to see what the board thinks. (Given that these are both long-term strategies)

Great points all around. I agree that the 4 locks on defense next season would be Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, and Forsling. This isn't to say they are the top 4, but Keith and Seabrook are givens. Murphy is at least an every day 3rd pairing defender. And as others have stated, Forsling has spent significant time in the AHL each of the last two seasons but also made the Hawks out of training camp the last two seasons (I believe, maybe I'm wrong). So I would at least expect Forsling to make the Hawks out of camp again this fall.

Justin mentioned yesterday that there are talks about possibly having Jokiharju get some pro experience in a European league rather than spend another year in Portland where he is already dominating and likely may not grow much more. I'd love for Jokiharju to impress right away in camp and state his case to make the Hawks with consistent, two-way play but that's a tall order.

And the last bolded part sums up the entire lineup, but especially the blueline: slot players properly and both offensive productivity and defensive stability may grow organically. But that is a tall order, too, because (amongst other reasons) that relies on Bowman and Q being on the same page.
- AEL_Fox

Thanks. I agree those four are the only guys I can see 100% (baring a shocking trade or a complete give up on Murphy already). Finding they other two D-Men to go with them is gonna make the difference of this team being a Contender or not next year (along with a healthy Crow).

I think it would be a great move to have him play in Europe for a year. I'd rather not rush him if he's not ready for the jump because we NEED him to be an impact D-Man for this team going forward. Maybe not an elite guy but definitely a Top 4 PP QB.

Yeah and that's the hard part. You can see that Bowman has his list of guys he really likes and wants to play (to show he's making the right moves) and you see Q has his guys he relies on because even though they may struggle he knows that they know what he expects outta them. Somethings gotta give here between the GM and the Coaching Staff and they need to suck it up and get on the same page already to put us back in contention.

Which is more important to an organization, shaving time off a rebuild or maintaining a good reputation with current and former players?

Part of me wishes the Hawks would adopt a Cardinals-style of personnel management where they trade players who are older and starting to decline. Specifically, I want them to trade Keith. He is my favorite player, but the current Blackhawks roster has more holes than one player can compensate for. A Keith trade could shave time off the Hawks' rebuild.

However, I am torn. It seems that the Hawks organization is well-respected by its current and former players. There is value there, and I believe it helps the team sign talent. Specifically, I think it helps us sign Euros and College UFAs.

I'm curious to see what the board thinks. (Given that these are both long-term strategies)
- TexasHawk

At this point in time, do you really think Keith would be opposed to going and playing in Toronto or Vegas and competing for a Cup with actual NHL talent as his defense partner?? Keith is a winner, and winners aren't content on dogpoop teams like the Hawks as currently composed. Stan Bowman is not doing his due diligence if he isn't listening to offers Keith.

You just know Stan will draft this guy...

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...s/pdisplay.php?pid=187519
- DarthKane

Yep, 100% this

Anyone who watches college hockey (or WIZ if you're out there!), is Tzchuk better suited at Center or Wing in the NHL? If he is projected as a Center and the Hawks are slotted at pick #8, do you trade a prospect or 2019 pick(s) to move up in the draft and grab Tzchuk?? Evan Bouchard would also be an amazing addition. 6'2" 190lbs and top 10 in OHL scoring AS A DMAN! Dahlin is obviously the prize but it's a pipedream to think the Hawks luck out and win the lottery.


EDIT: I really hope there is someone else with title of General Manage when the draft rolls around this June
- EnzoD

I haven't heard one way or another. I think it depends on how NHL ready he is. If he's playing next year it'll be on the Wing. If he's a year away than he could be kept at Center to continue to develop there. Also will depend on the depth the team that Drafts him has. I'm still hoping we continue to play hard but lose and drop down to get a better shot at maybe getting him. Tkachuk playing next to Schmaltz and Kane is a very appealing thought as a top line. Finally get a BIG physical forward to protect our best players and play in front of the net.

If not Bouchard would be a very intriguing possibly as well given his offensive potential. I'm curious if anyone has an idea of who looks like they could be NHL ready next year. As much as I love the idea of adding an a young high draft pick we need help now. I'd like to either get someone NHL ready or trade the pick for someone young and under control who can help us win now.

Dahlin might be a pipedream, but hey, no one thought the Bulls would get the first pick to get D-Rose

I was at the game last night.

Laugh if you want, but...

Wingels and Bouma continue to be the best players on the Hawks (IMO). There's a reason they're being rewarded with top line minutes and getting PP time: they work hard every game and every shift. Each guy generated some good offensive opportunities yesterday, setup teammates and they're the only two going to the front of the net and into the greasy corners.

In a time where a lot of Hawks are in their own heads and trying to do too much, these two are keeping it simple. They get pucks (and their bodies) to the net and when you're not scoring, this is what needs to be done.

I was at the game last night.

Laugh if you want, but...

Wingels and Bouma continue to be the best players on the Hawks (IMO). There's a reason they're being rewarded with top line minutes and getting PP time: they work hard every game and every shift. Each guy generated some good offensive opportunities yesterday, setup teammates and they're the only two going to the front of the net and into the greasy corners.

In a time where a lot of Hawks are in their own heads and trying to do too much, these two are keeping it simple. They get pucks (and their bodies) to the net and when you're not scoring, this is what needs to be done.
- Hank3Henshaw

These is great news. Hopefully the other teams' scouts in attendance also see what you're seeing and this increases their trade value. I'd like to see them both dealt, but it would be nice to see Wingels return in the off season.

These is great news. Hopefully the other teams' scouts in attendance also see what you're seeing and this increases their trade value. I'd like to see them both dealt, but it would be nice to see Wingels return in the off season.
- DarthKane

Searching for sarcasm...

But, honestly, I think these are two dudes the Hawks should resign for a reasonable contract (no Bowman silliness) and keep them as your work boots and lunch pale guys.