I would expect a few trades to be coming.

1) Forsberg/Delia: One of these guys has to be traded. Ward should not be here next season, so one of these guys needs to get the constant reps to become the backup. There's enough fodder to stack the lower levels and Rockford next year. But one of these guys has to be given the opportunity to develop and play. Don't care who it is, but management needs to believe in 1 guy.

2) Davidson/Manning/Rutta/Gus: I don't care what we get for them, cash, doesnt matter. I think with Murphy coming back soon, he needs to be in the lineup and given a complete shot at being a Top 4 this year. Cut off the fat at the bottom to prevent the want to switch in and out players. Again, commit to your guys. The hope here would be to have Murphy play like a Top 4, so going into next year, you have Keith, Seabs, Murphy, Jokiharju along with a few of the young guns coming up. I was hesitant to throw in Gustafsson, because I actually do like his game. But if you need to package him in order to get rid of someone else, I'd make that trade.
- HawksHype

1) Forsberg gonna go, seems like Q and company like Delia over him.

@) Agree

I would not move Schmaltz to 2C. I would stick with this 2nd line for a while. Though if Saad plays a few more games like last night I would be tempted to try:
Saad/Toews/Kahun
ADB/AA/Kane
- -Doh-

Schmaltz hasn't been good at center, it's not easy, give him more time there to prove if he's good there or not. If not, no big deal, more than enough skills to be a great winger.
I'd like to see 12-19-20 and 24-8-88.

I was just throwing it out there about smaltz someone in management has to hear Eddie and foley bashing smaltz for bailing out and his play so far as not been stellar there is a lot of talent there but need to see more before i would give him a big contract. If a team came calling say philly for example for sanhiem and a prospect i would give a serious thought.
- Scott1977

I know, and your offer seems interesting. I tune our broadcasting unless it is a learning opportunity for all the young hockey players.

I admit it's a bit nebulous. The best way I can describe it is the difference between AA and Schmaltz. Aside from Face-offs, AA checks all of the boxes. sound defensively, goes to the front of the net, can anchor and not get moved out of the way while being able to set up/make room for others.

Schmaltz has always been more productive at wing, and it seems that they are forcing him in at center. He tends to get lost in the defensive zone, and lose his responsibility. He is really good in the neutral zone and back checking, but he often looks out of place playing defense.

On offense, he tends to stay to the outside a lot of the time, or fly by the net. I'm probably contradicting myself a bit here, but it could just be that I find him to be much more effective at W than at C.
- Chunk

Thank you for sharing your insights. Good points you brought up.

I'm not sure yet whether Schmaltz is better at C or W. To me, it matters more who his linemates are so that collectively they can be the strongest line they can be on both sides of the ice. If that means Schmaltz is better being a winger, that's fine with me.

The kids bails out sometimes yeah. What about the 2 on 1 battle he won along the boards to clear the puck during the Ducks 6 on 4?

If Saad keeps up his play then I would move Schmaltz back to 2C. I don't like that line with Anisimov and Saad. Kane looks better with another playmaker to work with. If Saad is out there in beast mode clearing space that is a lot of room for Kane and Schamltz to work.
- bhawks2241

I'd also like to see Schmaltz back at 2C with Saad and Kane. Then move Anisimov back to 3C with two of Fortin, Kampf, and Sikura. I'm intrigued by the possibility of Fortin and Sikura playing with Anisimov.

A couple of observations.

AA- His presence in front of both nets was noticeable last night. That is something you do not get with Schmaltz.

Kruger's penalties - They are unusual for him. But on the flip side I feel he is playing more physical and with more of an edge than his last few years. I ike that. Kruger centering Hayden/Kunitz/Martinsen might be ok for a 4th line.

Gus has stepped up, way up. But he still needs to make better decisions on his pinches or drives to the net in the offensive zone. He needed to stay at the blue line on the Anaheim goal. Toews probably should have held onto the puck or dumped it in the corner too. So they should share the blame equally.

It should be interesting to see the next moves.
The press box (Martinsen, Kunitz, Kampf, Davidson, Hayden, Johnson, Fortin)
The Rockford shuttle (Johnson, Forsling, Sikura, Highmore, Fortin, Entwistle)
Murphy's return.
Use of cap space (currently $4.4 mil+/-)
Trades? (My guess is they stand pat. Maybe moving a spare defensemen and minor league goalie for next to nothing in return.)
- -Doh-

Another thing that I love about Kruger's game is that he is a rat like Bolland. You can tell he is getting under the skin of a lot of opponents by the way they give him shots, face washes, etc. after the whistle. He plays in the tough areas, crashes the net, and irritates the heck out of people.

Gustafsson needs to realize that he doesn't need to be the 2nd person up the ice during offensive rushes. Top priority is always defense. I hate it when he's either the 2nd person in the O zone or just lingers in or below the circles expecting a forward to cover his station at the point.

Entwistle is still in juniors, not at Rockford yet. His shuttle pass won't be in his wallet until spring. Hopefully he can get a cup of coffee with the Hawks if his season at juniors ends before the NHL season does. If not, he would still be a great addition to the Hogs as they push for the playoffs and hopefully go deep again.

100% agreed. Same with Kruger.

Assuming they are out of it by TDL, those are 2 valuable chips who can add picks. Would love to see them deal AA and Morphy as well.....but time will tell.

SOlid game after a horrible one Sunday night.

that's fair Boisy.

Maybe I just keep expecting even more from Hayden. Thought he had some sloppy plays and decision making at times.
- Justin Lowe

Maybe my expectations are low for a bottom 6 guy. I see him as a solid bottom six guy that can be physical, has good size, good puck possession (at times), and can grow into a responsible player. He also shows flashes of being a skilled power forward, so I can understand if people expect more from him.

But you can sweep at a puck with your stick while you are moving, so you can still stay with the play.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Most definitely.

It boils down to play recognition and knowing what strategy to use. Some plays a stick check is the best move while other plays taking the body is the best option.

Another factor is how to use either while not taking yourself out of the play. If you are taken away from the play, make darn sure the opponent being checked is taken out too.

Sure they won, but they were outhit again. Everyone knows what really matters in this game is hits.

#ChicagoSmurfhawks
- Ogilthorpe2

And Marcus Kruger doing whatever it is that has given folk hero status on this board. Somewhere Joakim Nordstrom is jealous.

But you can sweep at a puck with your stick while you are moving, so you can still stay with the play.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

EXACTLY! This makes a huge difference. If a D is backpeadaling, swipes at the puck and misses, he is still in position to make a play. If you move forward for the big hit, a late guy can fill the lane behind you and make it an odd man break.

The Hawks are not the only team in the league that realizes this.

And Marcus Kruger doing whatever it is that has given folk hero status on this board. Somewhere Joakim Nordstrom is jealous.
- SteveRain

I think in Boston? Not certain.

Which is what I was saying all along.

And if he is unable to bring that every night, he's not worth the contract and hurts the team much more than Kunitz, Manning, Davidson, etc
- PatShart

Agreed....and not sure if you caught it but a TSN link said as much from Bowman re Saad. Lots of these Panarin vs Saad trade winning articles this week.

Last night's Saad was similar to 2015 Saad. However, before everyone claiming "he's back" he has all of 13 goals in his last 85 games. That's not going to cut it.

So lets see him become a consistent staple like 19/12/88 as he should be. Given his talent, and the only thing holding Saad back is Saad. Compete has to be there.

I think in Boston? Not certain.
- I Am The Breadman

Not sure....but I hope Victor Stalberg is with him....

I would not move Schmaltz to 2C. I would stick with this 2nd line for a while. Though if Saad plays a few more games like last night I would be tempted to try:
Saad/Toews/Kahun
ADB/AA/Kane
- -Doh-

I'm curious to see what the ADB/AA/Kane line could do. DeBrincat could be Panarin-lite (or his equal eventually.) I'd rather see a quicker C with Kane but AA does a lot of good things that compliment what Kane does.

I'm not sold on Schmaltz as a center. He is a good player with potential for more and I don't mind if he sticks around but if he gets traded for a talented player his age or younger, I'd be ok with that, depending on who it is. I could eventually see him on Toews' line as a RW with either 12 or 20 on the left.

Maybe my expectations are low for a bottom 6 guy. I see him as a solid bottom six guy that can be physical, has good size, good puck possession (at times), and can grow into a responsible player. He also shows flashes of being a skilled power forward, so I can understand if people expect more from him.
- Boisy12

Still think hayden is trying to find his "niche" to become an everyday NHL player. he's going to have his ups and downs but 4th line guys I am not OVERLY concerned about as much as I am about the back end. That has been a tough watch for a large majority of the season.

And no...Connor Murphy's return is not going to fix that.

The kids bails out sometimes yeah. What about the 2 on 1 battle he won along the boards to clear the puck during the Ducks 6 on 4?

If Saad keeps up his play then I would move Schmaltz back to 2C. I don't like that line with Anisimov and Saad. Kane looks better with another playmaker to work with. If Saad is out there in beast mode clearing space that is a lot of room for Kane and Schamltz to work.
- bhawks2241

Agree

Still think hayden is trying to find his "niche" to become an everyday NHL player. he's going to have his ups and downs but 4th line guys I am not OVERLY concerned about as much as I am about the back end. That has been a tough watch for a large majority of the season.

And no...Connor Murphy's return is not going to fix that.
- SteveRain

No, but Connor Murphy and Forsling will

From what I've read Nurse isn't getting dealt, he's the Oiler's number
one Dman, Trouba, Faulk might be possibilities, but how about Muzzin
for Schmaltz? Kings like Quack's can't score but Quacks have help on
the way while the Kings don't, so maybe also Murphy Schmaltz for
Muzzin +.

Another possibility Arty for Neideritter, or Arty Schmaltz for Coyle/ Neider

some grit is still needed as well as better D, I can't quite figure out
why Dahlstrom/Hillman didnt get coffee before Manning/Davidson
- gazza53

Some good ideas i think hawks wants dahlstrom and hillman to develop if the season goes down hill then maybe them. If smaltz would be dealt it be to team that needs speed and offense right now not giving up on smaltz too much talent there but a team did call and the TRADE benefited both teams then yes trade him.

I know, and your offer seems interesting. I tune our broadcasting unless it is a learning opportunity for all the young hockey players.
- I Am The Breadman

I bring up eddie because he not only local but nationally regarded and his opinion is heard and taken into account for what it is worth.

Justin Thanks for your thoughts. It was nice to see Saad show up , however he has more M.I.A games then positive games. I'm curious have you heard any rumors of any trades to upgrade this team ?

The defense since forsling was sent down and murphy is just weeks away to returning who gets moved ? Any chance both Rutta and Murphy are moved in either a blockbuster move to get a top 6 or more bottom depth ?

Honestly i loved Qs move of Schmaltz on the 3rd line, i think having 2 playmakers on 1 line actually hurts it. It's always about balance and i thought the different parts on the 2nd and 3rd lines worked very well last night

If they do anything for a D-man, I think it will be for immediate help and not necessarily for the future. They seem to be really happy with their pipeline of talent, and they have a need right now for a Defenseman who is worth his contract.

If you are trading Schmaltz, I would think you would need to get another center back. I would like to see a true center who can be responsible on both ends and put up 50-60pts. Unfortunately, those typically are expensive and rare.
- Chunk

Looks like DET is going to be awful. Kronwall is in the last year of his contract @$4.75M this year. Anyone interested in adding him at D?

Looks like DET is going to be awful. Kronwall is in the last year of his contract @$4.75M this year. Anyone interested in adding him at D?
- scottak

They got 2 barely adequate goalies.

Justin Thanks for your thoughts. It was nice to see Saad show up , however he has more M.I.A games then positive games. I'm curious have you heard any rumors of any trades to upgrade this team ?

The defense since forsling was sent down and murphy is just weeks away to returning who gets moved ? Any chance both Rutta and Murphy are moved in either a blockbuster move to get a top 6 or more bottom depth ?
- Taylorst1

I thought a blockbuster usually included good players? The two listed from the Hawks are poop.