Colliton on Gustav Forsling's return: "I thought he was excellent. Skating well.. really heavy stick. Coming out of battles with the puck and being physical when he needed to. But he had such a good gap, he didn’t have to defend as much as he would otherwise"
- walleyeb1

Basically saying the competition is not what he would have normally?

This is sarcasm about Debrincat right?
- ObeseOprah

For someone that knows everything and is constantly telling people they're idiots you're kinda slow in the head

So are you saying he was a top center the last few years?
- PatShart

Is everything I type going to be held under a microscope?

Yes, I have always viewed Toews as a top center. He was always used in every situation for the hawks and was burning out because of it plus the Stanley Cups + ot's, all of the Olympics, World Cups, All Star weekends, add his injury ... I was upset he wasn't producing at a high level, but he was still a top centerman in my opinion.

@chrisblock

Scouts on hand in Rockford from just about every team in the NHL, it seems. That includes former #IceHogs head coach Ted Dent, who is now doing some pro scouting for the Arizona Coyotes.

So are you saying he was a top center the last few years?
- PatShart

No not really. But when he plays like he has so far and looks like the version of him more circa 2015 vs 2016 or 2017 he is.

As long as he keeps it up he should be re-entered into one of the best centers convo and maybe some of the revisionist history that had him as an ok player playing on a line with Hossa can stop. Not attributing that to you, just lumping the last part in with my thought.

Just think it’s beyond silly when a guy starts being just a guy and then apparently he was always just a guy...if that makes sense.

For someone that knows everything and is constantly telling people they're idiots you're kinda slow in the head
- GPHawksfan

Sorry, it's hard to tell after seeing so many crazy takes on here. I'll be in the corner with my pointy hat.

@chrisblock

Scouts on hand in Rockford from just about every team in the NHL, it seems. That includes former #IceHogs head coach Ted Dent, who is now doing some pro scouting for the Arizona Coyotes.
- walleyeb1

Not to minimize this, but aren't scouts at every AHL game, especially now in the season?

Basically saying the competition is not what he would have normally?
- HawksHype

More like:

By playing a tight gap a he took away time and space from his opponent. Which allowed the him to dictate where the offensive player could go. Basically forcing them toward the outside of the rink and away from a prime scoring areas.

Not to minimize this, but aren't scouts at every AHL game, especially now in the season?
- powerenforcer

Sounded like more than average scouting attendance. Plus Stan Bowman and Ryan Stewart (VP of pro scouting) Blackhawks⁠ ⁠were on hand for last night’s Rockford IceHogs game.

Is there some gross side effect of using this board for long periods of time that I should know about?
- I Am The Breadman

Yes. Jealousy of my delicious looking wiener.

Go hocks!

Go weiners.

Sounded like more than average scouting attendance. Plus Stan Bowman and Ryan Stewart (VP of pro scouting) Blackhawks⁠ ⁠were on hand for last night’s Rockford IceHogs game.
- walleyeb1

OK, I see.

No not really. But when he plays like he has so far and looks like the version of him more circa 2015 vs 2016 or 2017 he is.

As long as he keeps it up he should be re-entered into one of the best centers convo and maybe some of the revisionist history that had him as an ok player playing on a line with Hossa can stop. Not attributing that to you, just lumping the last part in with my thought.

Just think it’s beyond silly when a guy starts being just a guy and then apparently he was always just a guy...if that makes sense.
- HawkintheD

I want to understand your last part, hahaha. "I'm a dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."

Yes. Jealousy of my delicious looking wiener.

Go hocks!

Go weiners.
- hocktock

Hahahaha, I didn't think the eyes could vomit ... I was wrong.

More like:

By playing a tight gap a he took away time and space from his opponent. Which allowed the him to dictate where the offensive player could go. Basically forcing them toward the outside of the rink and away from a prime scoring areas.
- walleyeb1

That's how I interpreted Colliton's comment about Forsling's gap control. Well articulated on your part. Now if the Hawks defensemen could all do that and do it consistently, then the team would be cooking with grease.

Well, that and improving immensely on both special teams.

More like:

By playing a tight gap a he took away time and space from his opponent. Which allowed the him to dictate where the offensive player could go. Basically forcing them toward the outside of the rink and away from a prime scoring areas.
- walleyeb1

Understood, thanks!

I get what his flaws are. He avoids contact at times but I also see him win board battles in the D-zone often. A poster on here outright called him a coward and stated he lacked courage. I don't think there is any need for that or any reason.
- bhawks2241

Call it as i see it, sorry it hurts your feelings, but not as a person as a NHL hockey player two distinct differences.

I really hope Rick is right.

Is there some gross side effect of using this board for long periods of time that I should know about?
- I Am The Breadman

A positive side effect is that it helps eliminate indecisiveness. I think.

If you think the Blackhawks aren't concerned about it, who did they trade to get rid of Bickell? That's right TT. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Schmaltz in the last year of his contract? When Kane and Toews rfa came up didn't they have a deal in place in July of the previous year, both times? Yet no contact extension for Schmaltz hmmm i wonder why?

A positive side effect is that it helps eliminate indecisiveness. I think.
- Spec41971

Hahaha ???

I also agree. I always thought that he wasn't done and would rebound, but damn, he has more than rebounded. If he keeps it up, may be one of the best, or maybe even his best season.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

He’s making it look like the Hawks went out and signed one of the top free agents this past summer.

Is everything I type going to be held under a microscope?

Yes, I have always viewed Toews as a top center. He was always used in every situation for the hawks and was burning out because of it plus the Stanley Cups + ot's, all of the Olympics, World Cups, All Star weekends ... I was upset he wasn't producing at a high level, but he was still a top centerman in my opinion.
- I Am The Breadman

Well you comment on everyone and everything, do you not expect people to give their opinions back?

Well you comment on everyone and everything, do you not expect people to give their opinions back?
- PatShart

Most of what I do is joking and trying to find out about people. I'm a month into talking with people and I'm working on calming down, slowly. I do go to school so that takes away from my to everyone and everything posts. I always try to thank people for posting news, line updates, trades, etc. that I didn't know about, I appreciate their posts. I do comment through games, so I know my voice is here a lot, a lot more than it should be, I will admit. I don't mind being pressed on opinions or beliefs or reading about opinions or beliefs (when stated as such,) but because I'm a positive person, I feel like we are just always going to butt-heads.

If you think the Blackhawks aren't concerned about it, who did they trade to get rid of Bickell? That's right TT. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Schmaltz in the last year of his contract? When Kane and Toews rfa came up didn't they have a deal in place in July of the previous year, both times? Yet no contact extension for Schmaltz hmmm i wonder why?
- BetweenTheDots

I’ve read a few times from Powers and one other writer (can’t remember their name for the life of me) that said Schmaltz and his agent didn’t want to talk contract this offseason and we’re going to let the season play out. Not saying that is accurate, but it may be a reason for not having something in place now.

I’ve read a few times from Powers and one other writer (can’t remember their name for the life of me) that said Schmaltz and his agent didn’t want to talk contract this offseason and we’re going to let the season play out. Not saying that is accurate, but it may be a reason for not having something in place now.
- Chunk

I was going to say something similar. Players have their own preferences of when they want to negotiate. Or their agent influences the timing. In some rare cases, sometimes family can play a factor.

He’s making it look like the Hawks went out and signed one of the top free agents this past summer.
- Spec41971

I like that fresh perspective