First

I am right behind first

I am right behind first
- hockey nut 28

So you are the Right Fielder

Great piece, Justin.

I'm excited for Fortin, but I also hope Davidson gets his first game in as well.

No matter how hard I hoped and prayed Kunitz would sit, it was Johnson. Damn.

I wouldn't be against trading Rutta right now, but what would the return at this point be: mid-low draft pick for space and a regular rotation of d going? Maybe for another forward, bottom 6?

A Fortin showcase as part of a possible trade?

A Fortin showcase as part of a possible trade?
- Rota's Rooter

That thought crossed my mind but I didn't hear anything specifically on that front.

Great piece, Justin.

I'm excited for Fortin, but I also hope Davidson gets his first game in as well.

No matter how hard I hoped and prayed Kunitz would sit, it was Johnson. Damn.

I wouldn't be against trading Rutta right now, but what would the return at this point be: mid-low draft pick for space and a regular rotation of d going? Maybe for another forward, bottom 6?
- I Am The Breadman

I think Kunitz will sit a bit more in the 2nd half but get used to seeing him now unfortunately.

If you didn't read this article from John Dietz in the Daily Herald, check it out: https://www.dailyherald.c...with-solid-team-chemistry

I'm a huge chemistry guy. I believe it can be the "x factor" in sports and clearly a guy like Duncan Keith agree.

My favourite quote in this entire piece as it relates to this 2018-19 Hawks team is:

"It's already a different feel," Toews said. "We're already creating a different culture in this room as opposed to last year. Guys are excited.

Good on Fortin! He had better show an up and down effort with forechecking and backchecking. Based on limited viewing, I do not see him as a play-maker or a finisher so in controlled play, he would be less effective. His asset is his speed so if he were to contribute it would on odd man breaks and/or quick transition counters but either way he still has to make a play

Given what the Hawks have now, I see Forling as a top 4 with major offensive upside with speed and carrying the puck up to beat either a forechecker or start an offensive play potential. Now to the D zone, while he is not the best he is way better than Gus. Again, he has to be smart and pick his spots to activate.

I know the board has incessantly ragged on Kunitz and at times rightfully so but I will say this other than the intangibles he provides. His play recognition in making that outlet, pass in the slot, pass back to the point, pass on quick counters, etc is very good, probably the best amongst bottom 6's. He just has to execute which will come I believe. Yes he is not the same player but he knows the game and knows how to play within that game.

Who skated with Keith in practice? Forsling filled in?

Sounds like 2-3 weeks to figure out where Forsling will be if they don't carry 8 guys.

Cam Ward playing again...I wonder if riding Ward and keeping Forsberg on the shelf is a way to keep Forsberg's value low if they want to slide him through waivers. i.e. if he isn't playing, he is out of the spotlight and nobody can get a look at him. Of course he had some the late injury the other day and maybe they are just being cautious, but just have to wonder if some of it is planned. If he gets a start here and plays really well, the chances of losing him increase.

Nice write up Justin.

Although I agree it should be lower scoring tonight, I think it will be, but only in relative terms to the Sunday 7-6 shootout.

By lower scoring, I am thinking a 4-3 or 5-3 game.
I just don't see the hawks defence or goaltending being good enough that they surrender any less than 3 goals. This offence will have the burden of having to score 4 or 5 or 6 goals MOST nights if we want a "W".

I have loved our ability to light the lamp, but in our zone we are still a sh-t show. Our team defence is horrid, and our goaltending is mediocure at best.

May as well open it up and play fire-wagon hockey and see what happens. Especially against a team like Minny. Play it as open as possible and just try to score one more than them.

Until Crawford comes back, and our "D" gels al little. I think that is all we can do.

Oh....how is Jokiharju??? Heard he missed practice being ill. Is he playing tonight. Cuz behind the blue line, he is the brightest spot I have seen so far this year!!! Anyone know???

Go Hawks!!!!

If you didn't read this article from John Dietz in the Daily Herald, check it out: https://www.dailyherald.c...with-solid-team-chemistry

I'm a huge chemistry guy. I believe it can be the "x factor" in sports and clearly a guy like Duncan Keith agree.

My favourite quote in this entire piece as it relates to this 2018-19 Hawks team is:

"It's already a different feel," Toews said. "We're already creating a different culture in this room as opposed to last year. Guys are excited.
- Justin Lowe

Most encouraging thing I've seen this year, in a year with quite a few positives (e.g., Toews' play) so far.

If you didn't read this article from John Dietz in the Daily Herald, check it out: https://www.dailyherald.c...with-solid-team-chemistry

I'm a huge chemistry guy. I believe it can be the "x factor" in sports and clearly a guy like Duncan Keith agree.

My favourite quote in this entire piece as it relates to this 2018-19 Hawks team is:

"It's already a different feel," Toews said. "We're already creating a different culture in this room as opposed to last year. Guys are excited.
- Justin Lowe

I think Enzo posted that. It was a good read. I especially love the picture, a happy, confident celebrating Toews holding up 1 finger, on top of the world next to Kane, uncertain about winning, looks hammered, and is close to holding up all of his fingers.

Who skated with Keith in practice? Forsling filled in?

Sounds like 2-3 weeks to figure out where Forsling will be if they don't carry 8 guys.

Cam Ward playing again...I wonder if riding Ward and keeping Forsberg on the shelf is a way to keep Forsberg's value low if they want to slide him through waivers. i.e. if he isn't playing, he is out of the spotlight and nobody can get a look at him. Of course he had some the late injury the other day and maybe they are just being cautious, but just have to wonder if some of it is planned. If he gets a start here and plays really well, the chances of losing him increase.
- breadbag

I'm not sure he was plugged into a pairing.

They will not carry 8 defencemen so when Forsling comes back in 2-3 weeks, something will have to give.

When Murphy comes back in December, something else will have to give.

I believe the Hawks should see what they have in Brandon Davidson. They may have a nice 6th-7th defencemen there that can give you more stability than Rutta.

I've mentioned it a couple times, but I'm not the biggest Rutta fan because he doesn't excel in any area. He's not a shutdown guy, he's not an offensive driver and he's just 'meh' with his overall game.

In Davidson, you have a guy you can put into a defensive role, who has a bit of nastiness to his game. A veteran for 650k that can be in-and-out of the lineup when you need him.

If I were Stan (and I'm not), I would try to get a late draft pick, lower-tier prospect or a player that can help score goals in Rockford for Rutta.

Then when Forsling returns, you have:

Keith-Joki
Gus-Seabs
Forsling-Manning
Davidson

I think Enzo posted that. It was a good read.
- I Am The Breadman

Oh nice! Enzo beat me too it.

I just read it this morning and really enjoyed the quotes and overall vibe of the article.

Who skated with Keith in practice? Forsling filled in?

Sounds like 2-3 weeks to figure out where Forsling will be if they don't carry 8 guys.

Cam Ward playing again...I wonder if riding Ward and keeping Forsberg on the shelf is a way to keep Forsberg's value low if they want to slide him through waivers. i.e. if he isn't playing, he is out of the spotlight and nobody can get a look at him. Of course he had some the late injury the other day and maybe they are just being cautious, but just have to wonder if some of it is planned. If he gets a start here and plays really well, the chances of losing him increase.
- breadbag

Are you serious with Ward being in net again? That crap is crap. His value of play is lower than Berg's value when he isn't playing. Sorry Justin, your thoughts on it being a low scoring game were just thrown out of the window.

Nice write up Justin.

Although I agree it should be lower scoring tonight, I think it will be, but only in relative terms to the Sunday 7-6 shootout.

By lower scoring, I am thinking a 4-3 or 5-3 game.
I just don't see the hawks defence or goaltending being good enough that they surrender any less than 3 goals. This offence will have the burden of having to score 4 or 5 or 6 goals MOST nights if we want a "W".

I have loved our ability to light the lamp, but in our zone we are still a sh-t show. Our team defence is horrid, and our goaltending is mediocure at best.

May as well open it up and play fire-wagon hockey and see what happens. Especially against a team like Minny. Play it as open as possible and just try to score one more than them.

Until Crawford comes back, and our "D" gels al little. I think that is all we can do.

Oh....how is Jokiharju??? Heard he missed practice being ill. Is he playing tonight. Cuz behind the blue line, he is the brightest spot I have seen so far this year!!! Anyone know???

Go Hawks!!!!
- hawk35

Jokiharju is playing tonight from what I've read. That is, unless he got even sicker over night (and not in the good way).

Are you serious with Ward being in net again? That crap is crap. His value of play is lower than Berg's value when he isn't playing. Sorry Justin, your thoughts on it being a low scoring game were just thrown out of the window.
- I Am The Breadman

Ha. I know.

The Ward thing is a little like Kunitz playing. Q is going to lean on those veterans.

Also, the Forsberg thing is a little more complicated. I've mentioned this before and Scott and Mark talked about it on the Athletic podcast this week - if Forsberg comes in and shines... his stock goes up and there is more of a possibility that he's claimed on waivers.

As it stands now, his value is low based on his mediocre season last year. If he doesn't play a game he should slip through waivers in a couple weeks when Crawford is slated to come back.

Ha. I know.

The Ward thing is a little like Kunitz playing. Q is going to lean on those veterans.

Also, the Forsberg thing is a little more complicated. I've mentioned this before and Scott and Mark talked about it on the Athletic podcast this week - if Forsberg comes in and shines... his stock goes up and there is more of a possibility that he's claimed on waivers.

As it stands now, his value is low based on his mediocre season last year. If he doesn't play a game he should slip through waivers in a couple weeks when Crawford is slated to come back.
- Justin Lowe

I get what you're saying, breadbag just said the same. I see both sides of the argument. I need to see Berg get over or at least out of the mental side of the game, a tall order to ask for, I know. I don't know if he will squeak through waivers, poor play or not. I hope he does because losing him for nothing would suck. Would he or Delia be the starter in Rock?

Ha. I know.

The Ward thing is a little like Kunitz playing. Q is going to lean on those veterans.

Also, the Forsberg thing is a little more complicated. I've mentioned this before and Scott and Mark talked about it on the Athletic podcast this week - if Forsberg comes in and shines... his stock goes up and there is more of a possibility that he's claimed on waivers.

As it stands now, his value is low based on his mediocre season last year. If he doesn't play a game he should slip through waivers in a couple weeks when Crawford is slated to come back.
- Justin Lowe

Q may find himself riding those aging veterans right out of town. While Forsberg admittedly had a bad year last year, if the biggest knock on him is mental strength, how is not playing him helping overcome that? What happens when and if we really need him and his confidence (already appears low) is completely shot?

Q may find himself riding those aging veterans right out of town. While Forsberg admittedly had a bad year last year, if the biggest knock on him is mental strength, how is not playing him helping overcome that? What happens when and if we really need him and his confidence (already appears low) is completely shot?
- pdx2ord

That's what I'm struggling with! Don't play him, waivers, plays well shakes out those demons in Rockford. Don't play, forms rust and may cause more demons mentally. It's a double edged sword.

Q may find himself riding those aging veterans right out of town. While Forsberg admittedly had a bad year last year, if the biggest knock on him is mental strength, how is not playing him helping overcome that? What happens when and if we really need him and his confidence (already appears low) is completely shot?
- pdx2ord

I haven to wonder if they weren't just up front with him about his playing time. i.e. assuming the theory on keeping him "under the radar".

A Fortin showcase as part of a possible trade?
- Rota's Rooter

Yeah that would be a great plan.

Let's trade the youth with speed and size and rely on the likes of
Anisimov, Kunitz, Ruuta etc............ that's the way to rebuild a team of Q types that
will definitely get us back into CUP contention !!

Thank God for the start so far but the question is how long will it continue.
I'm sure this leadership group is putting all their eggs in the Corey Crawford basket.
Let's hope CC is physically and mentally sound to handle it.
If not, what will be their next move ? Sign yet another vet goalie or do the right thing and bust it up ?

Anton he was just as good as Ward last year. I would fire Bowman just for the Ward and Manning Signings. The thing that makes no sense to me is Ward has not been above .910 in 7 years. What is league AVG? Has to be above that. is it just me or guys go from being paid well on the Blackhawks to being out of the league. Ward should have signed for 1 year and 2 mil and able to be sent down. Manning was not even offered a contract by his own team. They got Davidson who is just as good for 4.5 mil less. (Over 2 years). Ward is playing just slightly worse then should be expected. he has been getting worse for years and should be about .900. Which is terrible but all the stats seem to show that is what you should expect.

Last question! What do Kunitz, AA, and fortin have in common? 2 slow cycle players and 1 really fast player. all 3 do not control the puck well I guess. that said I really like the 4th line tonight.