Sledge-O-Matic wasn’t a bad routine the first couple of times you saw it...
- StLBravesFan

Huh

Sounds like Beaudin and Mitchell are ahead of Boqvist in readiness... but that could change by the start pf next season. Boqvist could really bloom in London.
- Justin Lowe

I finally get to see Boqvist tonight in Owen Sound and then Entwistle on Wednesday. I am excited to see some of this years prospects live.

Huh
- Stan_Bowman

You must be too young.

You must be too young.
- StLBravesFan

Watermelon guy????? Is that what you are talking about?

I heard of sack-o-matic, but that is from boondock saints II.

I hope all those guys are watching Jokiharju and getting that motivation to take their game to an NHL level.
- breadbag

Well if Jokiharju can be effective all year, it shows other players and the Hawks front office/coaches the possibilty of a shorter learning curve with these younger players.

I'm all for it... if they are readyNot just for the sake of plugging young guys into the NHL.

Well if Jokiharju can be effective all year, it shows other players and the Hawks front office/coaches the possibilty of a shorter learning curve with these younger players.

I'm all for it... if they are readyNot just for the sake of plugging young guys into the NHL.
- Justin Lowe

I like the way you logic.

I like the way you logic.
- I Am The Breadman

Ha.

The most idel scenario is these young defencemen are staggered coming into the league with veterans like Keith, Seabs, Manning, Murphy showing them the ropes.

This way you have waves of youth vs. trying to jam all of these youngsters into your lineup at once which would be a recipe for disaster.

A cpuple other factors to think about with that strategy would be contract and expansion draft implications.

Ha.

The most idel scenario is these young defencemen are staggered coming into the league with veterans like Keith, Seabs, Manning, Murphy showing them the ropes.

This way you have waves of youth vs. trying to jam all of these youngsters into your lineup at once which would be a recipe for disaster.

A cpuple other factors to think about with that strategy would be contract and expansion draft implications.
- Justin Lowe

It's nice having guys who are ready vs the team has holes and necessities. That rushing the young guys has to stop.

As far as contracts, do you mean sign the max entry and burn off a year? I really don't like that. I like that we keep our draftees, but it is not even a year of development that gets shot to bleep. Also, expansion draft implications: don't they have to have a certain amount of games/years played? I think our ntc/nmc might screw us. Hopefully, Seattle is a whiles off and some contracts can fall off the books, for obvious reasons and protection reasons.

Per Eklund, TOR is allowing teams to talk with Nylander. EDM and DET are the two teams mentioned. Come on, Stanny Boy.

Ha.

The most idel scenario is these young defencemen are staggered coming into the league with veterans like Keith, Seabs, Manning, Murphy showing them the ropes.

This way you have waves of youth vs. trying to jam all of these youngsters into your lineup at once which would be a recipe for disaster.

A cpuple other factors to think about with that strategy would be contract and expansion draft implications.
- Justin Lowe

Sounds like Beaudin and Mitchell are ahead of Boqvist in readiness... but that could change by the start pf next season. Boqvist could really bloom in London.
- Justin Lowe

That is the best way to go with staggering entry of prospects into the NHL with the veterans provide mentorship and experience to balance the youth.

Beaudin and Mitchell may end up being the most well rounded with top 4 skill compared to Boqvist. Boqvist is a top 3 but his defense may be the least refined yet his offensive talents may be most superior.

Jokiharju is the best of the bunch, so far at least. He's the only one showcasing in the NHL of course so anything can happen once the others reach the big show.

Krys is lowest on the depth chart of these 5 but may end up being well rounded, just the least skilled in comparison (i.e. being a strong 3rd pair guy).

Carlsson looks to be Hjalmarsson lite or possibly just as good if he develops well, especially under Colliton who has a track record of working with Swedes.

Hillman and Gilbert are defensive defensemen like Carlsson but could top out at the 5-6-7 spots.

Then there's Forsling who I see as being better than Gustafsson but likely not as strong as Boqvist. Forsling may be with the Hawks short term but could end up being a trade piece.

It's nice having guys who are ready vs the team has holes and necessities. That rushing the young guys has to stop.

As far as contracts, do you mean sign the max entry and burn off a year? I really don't like that. I like that we keep our draftees, but it is not even a year of development that gets shot to bleep. Also, expansion draft implications: don't they have to have a certain amount of games/years played? I think our ntc/nmc might screw us. Hopefully, Seattle is a whiles off and some contracts can fall off the books, for obvious reasons and protection reasons.
- I Am The Breadman

In addition to Seattle, apparently Houston is rumored to be a future expansion team with one current NHL owner leading the charge on that. Not that this owner will buy a 2nd team but he seems to be in the know of what cities are ready and have the resources to bid for a team.

In addition to Seattle, apparently Houston is rumored to be a future expansion team with one current NHL owner leading the charge on that. Not that this owner will buy a 2nd team but he seems to be in the know of what cities are ready and have the resources to bid for a team.
- AEL_Fox

Houston ass-tros?

Thanks for sharing this. I also liked the young d descriptions and comparisons. I just wasn't going to comment on them separately. The only name you mentioned I worry about is Krys. His progression leaves a lot to be excited about. Hillman and Gilbert need some playing time. I think I read an article some time back that Forsling could be traded. I don't want to see that happen.

Per Eklund, TOR is allowing teams to talk with Nylander. EDM and DET are the two teams mentioned. Come on, Stanny Boy.
- I Am The Breadman

Apparently you need about 6-7 mil in cap space to sign him.

Apparently you need about 6-7 mil in cap space to sign him.
- Chunk

Then TOR knows that a signing can happen, and won't give up Nylander without an awesome return.

Houston ass-tros?

Thanks for sharing this. I also liked the young d descriptions and comparisons. I just wasn't going to comment on them separately. The only name you mentioned I worry about is Krys. His progression leaves a lot to be excited about. Hillman and Gilbert need some playing time. I think I read an article some time back that Forsling could be traded. I don't want to see that happen.
- I Am The Breadman

Krys had a less than impressive freshman year but worked on his play away from the puck and had a stronger sophomore year. He also looked solid in prospects camp this past July (had a lackadaisical Day 1 but then reeled it in the rest of camp).

However, the thing is he's lowest on the depth chart for a reason compared to Jokiharju, Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell: those 4 are going to continue improving as well so no matter how much he improves, Krys could be the odd one out if he doesn't carve a niche for himself.

Even if he does develop well and he's the most expendable, he could garner a good return on a trade to upgrade elsewhere.

Krys had a less than impressive freshman year but worked on his play away from the puck and had a stronger sophomore year. He also looked solid in prospects camp this past July (had a lackadaisical Day 1 but then reeled it in the rest of camp).

However, the thing is he's lowest on the depth chart for a reason compared to Jokiharju, Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell: those 4 are going to continue improving as well so no matter how much he improves, Krys could be the odd one out if he doesn't carve a niche for himself.

Even if he does develop well and he's the most expendable, he could garner a good return on a trade to upgrade elsewhere.
- AEL_Fox

That's what I was afraid of with him, consistency. He's still young, hopefully something good comes his way.

No lineup insertions tonight.

Lines swapped a bit, so we'll see how Fortin does on the 2nd line.

So no Davidson, Johnson rides the pine again as well.

No lineup insertions tonight.

Lines swapped a bit, so we'll see how Fortin does on the 2nd line.

So no Davidson, Johnson rides the pine again as well.
- Justin Lowe

I’m not entirely surprised (or upset) with this. There was a flood of people asking that Q turn down the blender and let the defense gel. We finally get that, let’s see if something can come together.

No lineup insertions tonight.

Lines swapped a bit, so we'll see how Fortin does on the 2nd line.

So no Davidson, Johnson rides the pine again as well.
- Justin Lowe

Fortin and Kane a goal each. So let it be written, so let it be done. Toews goes without saying, he's getting a goal.

You must be too young.
- StLBravesFan

I looked it up and know what you mean, not too young to know who Gallagher is, just never found him entertaining

The third line is awful looking. Why not put Saad on the third line?

The third line is awful looking. Why not put Saad on the third line?
- Hawks_For_Life

If Saad is going to play bottom 6, put him with Anisimov and a recalled Sikura. That would be super as it would help put Saad in a good position to regain his mojo. Playing 4th line isn't going to do it.

I finally get to see Boqvist tonight in Owen Sound and then Entwistle on Wednesday. I am excited to see some of this years prospects live.
- scott.jackson

Entwistle popped in 2 goals yesterday. Kurashev has 12 points in 10 games. Both of them have good size and upside potential. I'll be keeping an eye on them throughout the year.

If Saad is going to play bottom 6, put him with Anisimov and a recalled Sikura. That would be super as it would help put Saad in a good position to regain his mojo. Playing 4th line isn't going to do it.
- AEL_Fox

You aren't wrong, but maybe it is just that they want to reward a couple other guys more with a chance above line 4.

The ice-time might be interesting, because when you look at the lines from practice, it is hard to say the 3rd line is better than the 4th really. The other night Kruger saw more even strength ice-time than AA did. Kruger with Saad and Kampf I think the 4th line could possibly see the ice as much as or more than line 3 tonight.

Kunitz - AA - Hayden
Saad - Kruger - Kampf

I think both units will see a lot of Dzone time either way.

Not Hawks related, but funny. Gotta love when your highest paid dman in the game if on the other team...


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From @tsn_wally, with Ottawa still paying Dion Phaneuf 1.75m a season, and Cody Ceci out today, Phaneuf is the highest paid Sens d-man on the ice in the OTT/LA game. 👀