I had the same thought about Hayden's performance in the playoffs with the Hogs. And I love the guy, love the physicality, work ethic, smarts, etc. But look at Martinsen's playoff numbers with the Hogs for example. You would think he is a much better player than Hayden.

He is still young. I think the goal for him should be to see if he can reach pre-breakout Bickell level. That is, a 3rd line guy that can score 30-40 points a year, around 15 goals, while playing sound defense and bringing a physical edge to wear down opponents blue line.

I think asking him to become anything more than that is really going to be out of reach at this stage in his development.

Thanks Justin I will at the tournament so I will share some of my observations of the players. Keep up the good work and GO BEARS!

Nice blog today, Justin. Just a few random thoughts based on the blog and what others have posted so far:

1) IMHO and as you shared later, Hayden playing top 6 is more out of necessity because of lack of viable options whose potential is top 6. I believe Hayden tops out as a 3rd line winger but may be best suited as a fantastic 4th liner. If he plays top 6, it's just a short-term solution until someone else more qualified is ready or acquired.

2) In the event that Hayden does progress better than I personally project, I could see him in the Bickell mold (in his prime, not on the decline, of course). As a previous poster estimated, something like a 30-40 point player with 20-goal potential. I just don't see it but will be happy if he does.

3) Sikura doesn't need time in the AHL to adjust to NHL speed. I thought he acquitted himself well in his brief 5-game stint last season as far as keeping up. He thinks and plays the game fast but can also slow the game down to make plays. His decision making is quick. If anything, start him on the 3rd line so he plays against 3rd string D-men so he gets his bearings but eventually graduate him to the top 6.

4) I agree with another poster or two who recommended pairing up Keith with Murphy and Manning with Rutta (or Jokiharju if he makes the team). Manning as a stay-at-home defender needs a better skater as a partner.

Great blogs this summer JL.

Saad Toews Sikuri
Kahun Anisimov Kane
Dcat Schmaltz Hayden
Kunitz Kampf Martins en
Kruger
* lots of double shifts for Kane on the third line

Keith Murphy
Gus Seabs
Manning/Rutta /Davidson

Looking like a lottery pick fingers crossed for HUGHES

A projected lineup in a "fill in the blank" format:

DeBrincat - Toew - RW
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
LW - Anisimov - RW
Kunitz - Kruger - RW
13th forward

Who I think makes the team to fill these 5 spots:

Sikura
Kahun
Kampf
Hayden
13th: Martinsen, possibly Highmore

Defense and goal:

Keith - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Manning - Jokiharju
Rutta

If it's between Davidson and Hillman and assuming that Davidson wasn't personally identified by Q to be a PTO (versus Manning as someone Q personally identified as someone for Bowman to pursue, at least that was what was reported), I feel Hillman gets the edge. Q has an affinity for Hillman as he did for TVR. Hillman could be the next TVR as another poster made that analogy several blogs ago.

Ward
Forsberg
(Crawford - LTIR)

I understand why some people don't like line combo posts, but during the off season there's not much else to talk about. We all know Q will shuffle up the lines consistently throughout the season too.

I am becoming more and more intrigued with Hayden's situation. I wouldn't be surprised to see Hayden make the team out of camp, but where does he play and can he stick with the big club?
- DarthKane

One aspect of Hayden I feel pretty confident about is his persistence and work ethic. I suppose that can be said about most players but it's the degrees difference that make a difference, if that makes sense. Ultimately physical ability determines the limit to which even the most determined and motivated athlete can improve their game so maybe Hayden will never be more that a 4th line fringe player - but I think there's a good possibility he comes to training camp a more improved player than last season and maybe - maybe - it's enough to not only make the team but play a significant role.

Just to piggyback on a few comments here:

1) I see Hayden surprising people this year. He is one of the few who consistently goes to the net every chance he gets and will create a lot of space.

2) I have a lot of concern over the center position. We seem to have a lot of "true" centers on the roster, but outside of Toews (and to a slightly lesser degree Schmaltz), no one projects to really move the needle at all. AA and the 3 K's don't inspire much confidence...yet.

3) Speaking of Toews, just read the Powers article in The Athletic about him. It noted that he has been skating for three months and working on regaining the skills and hands that he was previously known for. I've also read a few accounts that said he was working on ice with a lot of the guys in Chicago and not as much in Winnepeg. Who knows, maybe everyone really is mad about previous seasons failures.

Just to piggyback on a few comments here:

1) I see Hayden surprising people this year. He is one of the few who consistently goes to the net every chance he gets and will create a lot of space.

2) I have a lot of concern over the center position. We seem to have a lot of "true" centers on the roster, but outside of Toews (and to a slightly lesser degree Schmaltz), no one projects to really move the needle at all. AA and the 3 K's don't inspire much confidence...yet.

3) Speaking of Toews, just read the Powers article in The Athletic about him. It noted that he has been skating for three months and working on regaining the skills and hands that he was previously known for. I've also read a few accounts that said he was working on ice with a lot of the guys in Chicago and not as much in Winnepeg. Who knows, maybe everyone really is mad about previous seasons failures.
- Chunk

Of course they are! They are competitors through and through, who want to win it all as often as they can. I would be surprised if they weren't mad/disappointed at their own play the past 2 seasons.

Of course they are! They are competitors through and through, who want to win it all as often as they can. I would be surprised if they weren't mad/disappointed at their own play the past 2 seasons.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Indeed, I was going for a bit of sarcasm at the end, but I'm not as deft as DarthKane!

One aspect of Hayden I feel pretty confident about is his persistence and work ethic. I suppose that can be said about most players but it's the degrees difference that make a difference, if that makes sense. Ultimately physical ability determines the limit to which even the most determined and motivated athlete can improve their game so maybe Hayden will never be more that a 4th line fringe player - but I think there's a good possibility he comes to training camp a more improved player than last season and maybe - maybe - it's enough to not only make the team but play a significant role.
- EbonyRaptor

Totally agree. If a player can give maximum effort every shift in all zones, then they deserve a shot at making the roster.

I know I harp on him a lot but Gustafsson is an example of a player who I see as ultimately expendable and not in the long term plans because, while he's stellar offensively, he gives very little effort on defense.

Thanks Justin I will at the tournament so I will share some of my observations of the players. Keep up the good work and GO BEARS!
- Sn1362

Great - please do!

Great - please do!
- Justin Lowe

Justin, that link you provided goes to a Fox Sports site and it looks like an account is required to see the game. Is that correct and if yes, do you know of any other sites that would be streaming the game?

Viktor Svedberg will join the Flames on a PTO, his agent confirms. One of my favorite stories last season was having lunch with Svedberg in Rockford. https://t.co/IfOHJ88IJZ

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) September 7, 2018

With camp getting ready to start.....see how CC is as it seems to me the organization is pushing the narrative he should be good to go where as CC was a lot more hesitant back in July. Have to wonder if the organization is pushing him to get back out there is exceeding what CC is comfortable with.

For all the training montages of Seabrook, or Toews interviews, honestly.....it's all about whatever happens on the ice. I don't care to listen to these guys spit out clichés after last year. If you trained hard, worked on things like you are stating your play will show it. If not.....well...….lets hope the Bears make the fall interesting.

Justin, that link you provided goes to a Fox Sports site and it looks like an account is required to see the game. Is that correct and if yes, do you know of any other sites that would be streaming the game?
- EbonyRaptor

UPDATE: thanks ER. I have update in the blog.

The Hawks finally put something up on their site: https://www.nhl.com/black...g-info-for-97/c-299979612

Baby Hawks lines for the game today:

Sikura-Kahun-Fortin
Nilsson-Entwhistle-Ejdsell
Moynihan-Knott-Noel
Willms-Kurachev-Maksimovich

Beaudin-Boqvist
Hillman-Jokiharju
Carlsson-Tuulola

Lankinen
Gravel


Scratches:

Boomhower
Gilbert
Bondra
Ryczek
Marchand (G)

Baby Hawks lines for the game today:

Sikura-Kahun-Fortin
Nilsson-Entwhistle-Ejdsell
Moynihan-Knott-Noel
Willms-Kurachev-Maksimovich

Beaudin-Boqvist
Hillman-Jokiharju
Carlsson-Tuulola

Lankinen
Gravel


Scratches:

Boomhower
Gilbert
Bondra
Ryczek
Marchand (G)
- Justin Lowe

Gotta love this foursome!

UPDATE: thanks ER. I have update in the blog.

The Hawks finally put something up on their site: https://www.nhl.com/black...g-info-for-97/c-299979612
- Justin Lowe

Thanks Justin.

Baby Hawks lines for the game today:

Sikura-Kahun-Fortin
Nilsson-Entwhistle-Ejdsell
Moynihan-Knott-Noel
Willms-Kurachev-Maksimovich

Beaudin-Boqvist
Hillman-Jokiharju
Carlsson-Tuulola

Lankinen
Gravel


Scratches:

Boomhower
Gilbert
Bondra
Ryczek
Marchand (G)
- Justin Lowe

I'm stoked to see actual hockey - the drought is over!!!!

I'm also stoked to see Sikura-Kahun-Fortin and the top-4 d.

Saad - Toews - Schmaltz
Debrincat - Anisimov - Kane
Kahun - Kampf - Sikura
Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden
Martinsen

Keith-Murphy
Gustafsson-Seabrook
Manning/Davidson-Jokiharju/Rutta

Ward
Forsberg
Crawford (assuming he starts the season on the IR)
- -Doh-

I like this line up I may switch Kruger and Kamph .I like Schmaltz on the wing ,and Debrincat with Kane and AA defence will help that line . Also If Crow is out at the start I would give Forsberg the number 1 spot and if he can regain his confidence it would be huge ,otherwise Ward is there to jump in . Although it doubtful Coach Q would ever do this or keep the lines together longer then the 1st lead change

Thanks Justin.
- EbonyRaptor

being out of town (Colorado) Blackhawk TV blacks me out - Enzo, do you have a link for the game? or anyone else>?

I think these lines are very possible. The Hawks, I believe, want Hayden to take on a bigger role. Remember that there are teams that don't have a true top six forward but they improvise. Tom Wilson, is no way a top six forward, even though he plays that role on a line with Ovechkin and Backstrom. As long as the guy in a top line COMPLIMENTS the other two players and the line functions as a unit ... does not matter if that player is not a "true top line wing" Hayden, if using his size properly, can compliment Toews line or the Schmaltz line. Somebody will have to fill that role because they are not going out and getting somebody from the outside

Gotta love this foursome!
- DarthKane

Very good!

But these four:

Hillman-Jokiharju
Carlsson-Tuulola

... might end up being Rockford's top 4 at some point.

Dahlstrom, Gilbert, Snuggerud might have something to say about that, but it's a great problem to have.

I like this line up I may switch Kruger and Kamph .I like Schmaltz on the wing ,and Debrincat with Kane and AA defence will help that line . Also If Crow is out at the start I would give Forsberg the number 1 spot and if he can regain his confidence it would be huge ,otherwise Ward is there to jump in . Although it doubtful Coach Q would ever do this or keep the lines together longer then the 1st lead change
- oldduffman

Schmaltz is a C.

He views himself as such and so do the Hawks.

To be honest, the Hawks need him to be a centre NOW and for the future or they could be in big(ger) trouble down the middle than originally anticipated.