Hog D pairings, at least for their first 2 games:

Campbell - Dahlstrom
Snuggerud - Raddysh
Carlsson - Tuulola

Hillman and Gilbert have been healthy scratches so far. I'd like to see them slot in for Campbell and Tuulola. Campbell is a career minor leaguer so he is what he is. His veteran presence and leadership are key, though, for the young Hogs blueline. Tuulola was the sloppiest of the starters.
- AEL_Fox

I am really surprised that Hillman is sitting. I thought he was OK for someone new to the NHL when he was up with the hawks at the end of last year, so it is a head scratcher for me, unless there are other circumstances (minor injury or something).

Interesting. Dauphin was recently recalled by the Coyotes so that's odd that they recalled him to then place him on waivers. Or is that technically how it works?

Doubt he'll have a similar fate, but makes you wonder if Fortin is being recalled to just place him on waivers especially since many had Highmore and Sikura pegged higher on the depth chart for recalls from Rockford.
- AEL_Fox

From CBS Sports:

Dauphin was placed on waivers Thursday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

It's unclear whether Dauphin -- who was just recently called up -- will be immediately sent back to AHL Tucson or if the club is looking to get a procedural move out of the way. The Coyotes aren't in action until Saturday, so it's possible they are expecting to have Alex Galchenyuk (lower body) or Christian Dvorak (lower body) available and need to clear the way to activate one (or both) of them off injured reserve.

Agree that the 3rd line at least needs more speed and offense. I personally would keep the top 2 lines intact as they have been clicking so far. Maybe forward lines like this:

DeBrincat - Toews - Kahun
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
Fortin - Anisimov - Sikura
Hayden - Kruger - Kampf
Kunitz

Highmore and Johnson are also available but ideally I wouldn't want both of them plus Kruger and Kampf all playing at the same time. They are all optimally 4Cs. Need to diversify the bottom 6.

For the defense once Forsling and Murphy are back, I agree with what Justin proposed:

Keith - Jokiharju
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Forsling - Murphy
Manning

Rutta gets traded for a draft pick or prospect. Davidson gets sent down or waived.
- AEL_Fox

Another head scratcher...I felt that Davidson played better than manning in preseason, so how come he hasn't even gotten a look yet? And now we are discussing how he will be the one sent down?? Defense for both the Hawks and Hogs is just confusing to me right now.

Bummed that Gilbert and Hillman are sitting, but that's the price you pay when you have a ton of D prospects.

So what’s the bottom 6 tonight??

Kunitz-AA-Fortin
Kruger-Kampf-Hayden

Or am I missing something??

Minnesota is old and slow. I think the Hawks take advantage of this with their speed tonight. (Could be why Fortin was recalled over Highmore)

Hawks win 6 - 3!

From CBS Sports:
- Rota's Rooter

Thanks for sharing that. Very helpful to understand Dauphin's situation.

On a related note, Dauphin likely tops out as a 4C in the NHL just like Kruger, Kampf, Highmore, and Johnson. If that line of thinking is sound, then trading Dauphin back to the Coyotes was a good move due to the glut at that position.

So what’s the bottom 6 tonight??

Kunitz-AA-Fortin
Kruger-Kampf-Hayden

Or am I missing something??
- SimpleJack

I hope Kruger is the 4th line center tonight. As someone else stated, he doesn't look as comfortable on the wing. He played well as center in preseason.

Thanks for sharing that. Very helpful to understand Dauphin's situation.

On a related note, Dauphin likely tops out as a 4C in the NHL just like Kruger, Kampf, Highmore, and Johnson. If that line of thinking is sound, then trading Dauphin back to the Coyotes was a good move due to the glut at that position.
- AEL_Fox

I still don't understand why he has to pass through waivers, I thought there was a number of games they had to play before having to be exposed through waivers? Or am I completely wrong?

Oh wait, I think I realized my mistake. That is after they have already passed through waivers, so since he hasn't been put on waiver this season yet...Right?

I am really surprised that Hillman is sitting. I thought he was OK for someone new to the NHL when he was up with the hawks at the end of last year, so it is a head scratcher for me, unless there are other circumstances (minor injury or something).
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Yeah, not sure what the reasoning is for scratching Hillman (and Gilbert for that matter). A possible reason is that the ones who did start all have pro experience whether in the NHL, AHL, or Europe where as Hillman and Gilbert left college in the spring. So maybe Colliton and his staff prefer they learn systems from on high first (i.e. from the pressbox) before suiting up for regular season games.

I still don't understand why he has to pass through waivers, I thought there was a number of games they had to play before having to be exposed through waivers? Or am I completely wrong?

Oh wait, I think I realized my mistake. That is after they have already passed through waivers, so since he hasn't been put on waiver this season yet...Right?
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Not sure. Waivers is something that has nuances that evade my understanding.

Minnesota is old and slow. I think the Hawks take advantage of this with their speed tonight. (Could be why Fortin was recalled over Highmore)

Hawks win 6 - 3!
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I think you are right in terms of Minny being old and slow. I think that will be their downfall.

Not sure. Waivers is something that has nuances that evade my understanding.
- AEL_Fox

I guess it will be just one of those things that evades my understanding as well.

Where is LBR, I bet she could set me straight.

I still don't understand why he has to pass through waivers, I thought there was a number of games they had to play before having to be exposed through waivers? Or am I completely wrong?

Oh wait, I think I realized my mistake. That is after they have already passed through waivers, so since he hasn't been put on waiver this season yet...Right?
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I don't know either. Age? He's 23 and a 3rd year pro but has played less then 50 NHL games (never called up when with the Hawks).

Not sure. Waivers is something that has nuances that evade my understanding.
- AEL_Fox

https://en.wikipedia.org/...NHL_salary_cap#Exemptions

The wiki page has a table for waivers exemptions. If I read it right, because he is a 3rd year pro and 23 y.o. he would have to pass through waivers.

Agreed.

Stan needs to build a strong foundation from within, then supplement the team through a strategic free agent signing. Exactly like the Hawks did with Hossa and the Leafs have done with Tavares.

I don't think the Hawks are in the position to do that this season, maybe next season or the year after.
- DarthKane

They also need to prove - for a season or two - to the "Hossa / Tavares" strategic signing that he could be the difference maker on a potential Cup winning team - otherwise, it will be hard to go out and get one.

https://en.wikipedia.org/...NHL_salary_cap#Exemptions

The wiki page has a table for waivers exemptions. If I read it right, because he is a 3rd year pro and 23 y.o. he would have to pass through waivers.
- Rota's Rooter

Thanks for sharing that link.

Thanks for sharing that. Very helpful to understand Dauphin's situation.

On a related note, Dauphin likely tops out as a 4C in the NHL just like Kruger, Kampf, Highmore, and Johnson. If that line of thinking is sound, then trading Dauphin back to the Coyotes was a good move due to the glut at that position.
- AEL_Fox

He can play wing also plus he good size and speed wouldn't hurt to have another prospect in the system.

https://en.wikipedia.org/...NHL_salary_cap#Exemptions

The wiki page has a table for waivers exemptions. If I read it right, because he is a 3rd year pro and 23 y.o. he would have to pass through waivers.
- Rota's Rooter

Once a player has cleared waivers, they do not need to again clear them for the shorter of: (1) 30 cumulative days on the NHL roster; or (2) until they have played in ten NHL games.

This is what I was referring to, but I realize it is after they have already passed through waivers, and Dauphin hasn't been through waivers yet this season.

Believe that this is just the beginning. Believe that we are on it. Believe in #ONEGOAL

Love this. Points to the front office having a 3-5 year plan (at least) in place, and plan to be contenders again very soon.

He can play wing also plus he good size and speed wouldn't hurt to have another prospect in the system.
- Scott1977

You're right about Dauphin being versatile enough to play wing, too.

I think all of them could play wing yet 4th line is optimal slotting. At some point, if there is a glut of 4th liners in the system whether on the roster or in Rockford, the Hawks need to cut bait with some of them especially the ones who are able to hold down a steady NHL job. Trade to fill other needs.

The same goes for the deep blueline prospect pool. Some will make it to the NHL, some will not. Regardless, the pool is so deep that there may be more NHL ready D-men than there are available spots. Again, trade to fill other needs.

Main difference between the 4th line glut and blueline glut is that the latter would net greater return via trade. The former wouldn't necessarily bring back junk, just lower level talent or at least higher round draft picks.

Reread my post, I said forward prospects. I think Jokiharju and Boqvist are our future top dmen. I'm not certain who of our forward prospects will even make the NHL.
- ObeseOprah

Generally forwards need a little less time to be ready to play in the NHL than do d-men so in that respect I think it's better the Hawks already have a bunch of promising d-prospects in the stream. Forsling with half a year in the NHL, Joki starting this year and Boqvist, Beaudin and Mitchell in the hopper.

But you're correct that the Hawks don't have any blue chip forwards. Even Sikura, who I think has a chance to be a solid top-9 guy, wouldn't be considered a blue chip prospect like a Zadina. But they do have DeBrincat and Schmaltz who are both capable of 60+ point seasons.

Interesting. Dauphin was recently recalled by the Coyotes so that's odd that they recalled him to then place him on waivers. Or is that technically how it works?

Doubt he'll have a similar fate, but makes you wonder if Fortin is being recalled to just place him on waivers especially since many had Highmore and Sikura pegged higher on the depth chart for recalls from Rockford.
- AEL_Fox

Fortin is just an emergency basis, that could be different than Arizona's situation. I also know Arizona had a bunch of injuries, guys might be coming back.

So what’s the bottom 6 tonight??

Kunitz-AA-Fortin
Kruger-Kampf-Hayden

Or am I missing something??
- SimpleJack

I think that is right, Johnson is the scratch.

Q stating that they want Forsling to play right away - are we sure Q means playing right away for the Hawks or does he mean in Rockford? He played the second half of last year in Rockford so I'm not sure he was a shoe in to start with the Hawks right out of training camp if he hadn't gotten injured. Right? Personally I hope he plays for the Hawks because he is one of the hopes for the future so get him playing experience this season instead of other guys but I'm not sure there isn't a second way to interpret Q's quote.