There is a reasonable justification for the Panarin-Saad trade, but looking at Murphy's play and cap hit vs Hammer's play and Cap Hit....it makes absolutley no sense. Last night Hammer looked like the guy who was a key piece in 3 Cups and 4 Conference Final runs. He makes $4.1mil this year, and only $5mil for 2 years after this season vs #3.5mil for Murphy who is a 3rd pair dman. It's not like Hammer was a bad locker room presence either. The guy epitomized the "warrior" mentality and true teammate of laying his body in front of every shot, every game. I don't understand the move, especially since they shouldve been trying to win NOW.
- EnzoD

Maybe.... but he Hjalmarsson didn't look like that last season and the quality of his playing was declining in Chicago too. Don't get me wrong, I think Hjalmarsson is awesome, but his style of play just caught up with him. Remember, he wasn't that stellar in the dreaded Nashville series.

Trading Hjalmarsson wasn't a bad move, but an argument can be make about the quality of return.

Edit: Plus Stan would have been roasted here for giving Hammer a NMC like he got with Arizona.

The potential benefits of the Hartman trade won't be realized until Beaudin makes the team (or not). This deal still has the potential to work out well, just like when (fan favourite) Andrew Shaw was dealt for picks and one turned into DeBrincat.

Nobody was mourning the loss of Duclair and there wasn't a made rush from the other GMs to sign him either.

Hinostroza's stats look good because of his strong game last night. He had 1 assist in his first 5 games.

That being said...

AA needs to pick up his game and probably will. 20-20 is realistic.

Kunitz needs to be the 13th forward.

I'm all for giving Hayden a shot, but he's never really impressed me. He had a solid camp but he hasn't impressed since.
- DarthKane

Agreed on Kunitz and Hayden. I didn't like Hayden's game last night, looked too slow and couldn't seem to win any puck battles. The Kunitz-AA-Hayden line looked like the worst, which was a tough bar to pass with last night's stifling.

That Coyote defense just smothered anything near the slot. The Hawks had too many dumps and couldn't sustain enough pressure anywhere inside of the perimeter.

Agreed on Kunitz and Hayden. I didn't like Hayden's game last night, looked too slow and couldn't seem to win any puck battles. The Kunitz-AA-Hayden line looked like the worst, which was a tough bar to pass with last night's stifling.

That Coyote defense just smothered anything near the slot. The Hawks had too many dumps and couldn't sustain enough pressure anywhere inside of the perimeter.
- ObeseOprah

I break up the Hawks forwards like this....

Good: Toews, Kane, Debrincat, Schmaltz, Kahun, Kruger
Ok: Anisimov, Saad, Kampf
Bad: Kunitz, Martinsen
Wait and See: Hayden, Fortin

I don't have much hope for Hayden or Fortin, but I'm not writing them off. I'd rather see Highmore and Sikura.

Once the D gets healthy there will be a real opportunity to deal 1-2 d-men for help in the bottom 6.

I break up the Hawks forwards like this....

Good: Toews, Kane, Debrincat, Schmaltz, Kahun, Kruger
Ok: Anisimov, Saad, Kampf
Bad: Kunitz, Martinsen
Wait and See: Hayden, Fortin

I don't have much hope for Hayden or Fortin, but I'm not writing them off. I'd rather see Highmore and Sikura.

Once the D gets healthy there will be a real opportunity to deal 1-2 d-men for help in the bottom 6.
- DarthKane

I'm not arguing your point, but what do you like about Highmore more than Hayden. I thought they looked like the same guy in the preseason. They both look like Jack Skille to me. Try really hard, but not a lot of results.

I like Fortin. The dude can fly and will be able to create space as he becomes more confident. Also, he was camping out all night in front of the net when the hawks had the puck. I would much rather watch him play than Chris kunitz. Also, if people wanna dog on Fortin for not putting the puck in the net when he has had the chance, at least give him more time. Hes been in great position a lot in two games. He will eventually start finding the net. I actually really liked him with schmaltz and kane last night.

I will be shocked if Fortin plays 20 games in the NHL this season.

Yes he is fast.

He does nothing to help you win hockey games though, which is kind of the point. Honestly, I think I'm better off with Kunitz or Martinsen out there than Fortin and all his speed.

Maybe Fortin should show he can score at a 20 goal pace in the AHL before we anoint him a role in our top 9 forwards. Because if his hands and head are so bad he can't pot ten goals at the NHL level, he has no business being on the club.

It's actually embarrassing how much we are hoping to be able to count on him because our depth is so bad. Hino is not a great player by any stretch but he is Gordie Howe next to Fortin.
- hereismike1

Yep. Seen all I need to see with Fortin. All speed no finish. Stalberg 2.0...but at least Vik was more physically engaged at times. Fortin brings nothing

I like Fortin. The dude can fly and will be able to create space as he becomes more confident. Also, he was camping out all night in front of the net when the hawks had the puck. I would much rather watch him play than Chris kunitz. Also, if people wanna dog on Fortin for not putting the puck in the net when he has had the chance, at least give him more time. Hes been in great position a lot in two games. He will eventually start finding the net. I actually really liked him with schmaltz and kane last night.
- frafra

When has Fortin ever shown he can "find the net"?

So Crawford is starting again tomorrow. Can we please put all of these post-game comments to use and actually play some sound defense, protect the crease, clear some pucks etc?

The thing that kills me is that at least a quarter of the goals that we have let in come from bonehead errors, Kunitz giveaway last night, Saad and Manning letting that puck get behind them on the wall, Ward (Jeebus Ward) with that gift to the Blues, and those are just the ones that are fresh. I will be very interested to see how Davidson does.

I break up the Hawks forwards like this....

Good: Toews, Kane, Debrincat, Schmaltz, Kahun, Kruger
Ok: Anisimov, Saad, Kampf
Bad: Kunitz, Martinsen
Wait and See: Hayden, Fortin

I don't have much hope for Hayden or Fortin, but I'm not writing them off. I'd rather see Highmore and Sikura.

Once the D gets healthy there will be a real opportunity to deal 1-2 d-men for help in the bottom 6.
- DarthKane

I agree with all of this, with the exception of Anisimov. You know my thoughts on him...

When has Fortin ever shown he can "find the net"?
- PatShart

He finds the net all the time. He's one of the few guys that consistently go right at it. The problem is, he can't seem to put anything into it.

When has Fortin ever shown he can "find the net"?
- PatShart

A couple of years ago in training camp. That's what got him a pro contract. Since then, nada.

Time to start seeing who else in Rocktown can be of possible use on the big club. I had hopes for Hayden but, it looks like he won't amount to much if anything.

Start rotating these guys out and see what we have if anything.

I'm not arguing your point, but what do you like about Highmore more than Hayden. I thought they looked like the same guy in the preseason. They both look like Jack Skille to me. Try really hard, but not a lot of results.
- Chunk

Neither Hayden or Highmore (or Fortin or Sikura) has shown anything at the NHL level, I fully acknowledge that none of them are guaranteed to do anything with Chicago.

However, it's about potential. I thought Highmore had a better camp than Hayden. Granted, they play different games so there could be room for both to get an opportunity. The bottom 2 lines need help with offense, especially if AA is moved to the 2nd line.

The freezer pigs play twice this weekend. If Highmore and Sikura continue to play well I wouldn't be surprised to see one or both get a call up.

The potential benefits of the Hartman trade won't be realized until Beaudin makes the team (or not). This deal still has the potential to work out well, just like when (fan favourite) Andrew Shaw was dealt for picks and one turned into DeBrincat.

Nobody was mourning the loss of Duclair and there wasn't a made rush from the other GMs to sign him either.

Hinostroza's stats look good because of his strong game last night. He had 1 assist in his first 5 games.

That being said...

AA needs to pick up his game and probably will. 20-20 is realistic.

Kunitz needs to be the 13th forward.

I'm all for giving Hayden a shot, but he's never really impressed me. He had a solid camp but he hasn't impressed since.
- DarthKane

DuClair - I did sit shiva for three days.

Well, no - but I DID think they gave up too quickly on a very young player with speed and good potential. But - 2+2=4 in 6 games doesn’t prove much.

Hino - add that one of those goals/points was an ENG.

Neither Hayden or Highmore (or Fortin or Sikura) has shown anything at the NHL level, I fully acknowledge that none of them are guaranteed to do anything with Chicago.

However, it's about potential. I thought Highmore had a better camp than Hayden. Granted, they play different games so there could be room for both to get an opportunity. The bottom 2 lines need help with offense, especially if AA is moved to the 2nd line.

The freezer pigs play twice this weekend. If Highmore and Sikura continue to play well I wouldn't be surprised to see one or both get a call up.
- DarthKane

Highmore looked comfortable during his cup of coffee with us. A great game against the Bruins. He's a good center, a good shooter, a good pker, good speed ... I liked what he brought to the hawks. I want to see him again soon. He should be the next call up. I'm surprised Fortin beat him, I wasn't unhappy, but now it's time to go back to the Rock well.

Yep. Seen all I need to see with Fortin. All speed no finish. Stalberg 2.0...but at least Vik was more physically engaged at times. Fortin brings nothing
- PatShart

Three games in The Show and you’re ready to give up on a 21 year old?

DuClair - I did sit shiva for three days.

Well, no - but I DID think they gave up too quickly on a very young player with speed and good potential. But - 2+2=4 in 6 games doesn’t prove much.

Hino - add that one of those goals/points was an ENG.
- StLBravesFan

Three games in The Show and you’re ready to give up on a 21 year old?
- StLBravesFan

2 games more than necessary.

DuClair - I did sit shiva for three days.

Well, no - but I DID think they gave up too quickly on a very young player with speed and good potential. But - 2+2=4 in 6 games doesn’t prove much.

Hino - add that one of those goals/points was an ENG.
- StLBravesFan

Haha, that's a lot of mourning. I did yom kappur for making fun of Saad. I was fine with Duke either way. It's no big loss or big gain with him. What I didn't like was Lickey-Magilicutty, Marchand's dirty hit. I don't think he played after that. Duke had an attitude problem, he showed it on the ice and Olczyck called him out a couple of times.

- DarthKane

Is that walking dead?

- DarthKane

Oi....

Is that walking dead?
- I Am The Breadman

Yup....

Yup....
- DarthKane

I gave up on that show 3 or so years ago.

I gave up on that show 3 or so years ago.
- I Am The Breadman

Ya... lots of people have. the last 2 seasons were great. this season could be interesting. I read the comics too so I know where the story is going.

Ya... lots of people have. the last 2 seasons were great. this season could be interesting. I read the comics too so I know where the story is going.
- DarthKane

It was a test of faith, for me, when Herschel died. There was just way too many fillers. It was a waste of my time. I had way too many other shows going on plus school. I liked Neegan.

When the Hawks are looking to dip back in to the Rockford pool again, the forwards who deserve a call up are Highmore and both Sikura brothers.

TBH, Fortin didn't do much with the Hogs to warrant a call up. Do wonder if he's being showcased for a trade in the near future or if he's just being rewarded. If the latter is the case, Dahlstrom should be playing in place of Rutta or Manning.

And I know Hayden made the team out of camp and hasn't been to Rockford this season but Tyler Sikura plays a similar game and has proven to be more effective and consistent (albeit against AHL competition). Tyler doesn't crush people like Hayden can. But then again, has Hayden crushed anyone yet?

My issue with Hayden is he has a little Bickell fever in him, i.e. a big guy who should play like a power forward but tries to bring too much finesse and ends up causing turnovers or just being ineffective. Don't get me wrong, he does bring a power game, just not every shift.