What are they missing?

Same thing they were missing last year - offensive depth.

They are a one line team plus Kane, where the bottom nine cannot score or maintain O zone possession unless they play keep away on the perimeter.

Too much reliance on players not ready for prime time, who may never be ready for prime time, or are no longer prime time (Saad).

Say what you want about options going forward, but as long as $49.7MM of their $79.5MMin cap space is tied up in seven guys - six of which have NMC/NTC clauses - they have only $30MM in cap to dress the remaining 13+ roster spots with an average contract value of $2.3MM. If people haven't noticed, salaries are going even higher, to the point where a difference making top six forward or top four D pairing guy's starting pay is around $6MM.

And, they have ADB and NS to consider going forward. So, they can't sign a Panarin, Nylander, (not that I advocate either of them) or any other 50+ point guy without crowding out what they can have on the bottom.

They will win gimmick point games, and started with a soft schedule. But the last six games show who they are - a .500 team.

Sikura is strong and noticeable on the forecheck, patient with the puck as he searches for options, makes nifty passes even in tight spaces, and isn't afraid to shoot. He has a nice snapshot from the circles. Also quite good on the PP playing in the same position as Kane.

Defense is fine. Not stellar but not horrible. Then again, it's not like forward defense on the Hawks is at an all time high. He doesn't have to clear a high bar.
- AEL_Fox

Thanks for the breakdown.
Is he playing on the same line, with the same guy?

Can the lion be switched out with Debrincat? Is that negotiable?
- I Am The Breadman

I think that is a totally fair and reasonable request.

Henri Jokiharju....just wow. His play against McDavid + RNH last night was nothing short of spectacular for a 19yr old in his 10th NHL game. That is the first game I've ever watched McJesus play where he didn't have 5+ grade A chances either shooting or creating for teammates. Keith was solid, as well.

Toews' production has slipped, considerably, as Foley noted last night. I like the offensive pressure that Schmaltz-Fortin-Johnson have created on line 3, but I'm not opposed to trying Schmaltz with Cat+Toews if Line 1 continues to stagnate this week.
- EnzoD

It wasn't a realistic expectation for that line to continue at that pace. The line is still playing well, but I wouldn't be opposed to a Schmaltz/Kahun swap either (eventually).

There are been a few positive story lines this season, but Jokiharju leads the way for sure. I'm sure he'll have his ups and downs throughout the season but overall he's been fantastic.

My question is how’d we end up with Saad, Kane and Gustafsson as the three players on the ice during the three on three in the first place?

It wasn't a realistic expectation for that line to continue at that pace. The line is still playing well, but I wouldn't be opposed to a Schmaltz/Kahun swap either (eventually).

There are been a few positive story lines this season, but Jokiharju leads the way for sure. I'm sure he'll have his ups and downs throughout the season but overall he's been fantastic.
- DarthKane

I've been asking about the Kahun switch for awhile, it looks like they have hit a wall quick. Still good, but not as productive as the first 3-4 games.

Edzo gave the warning last night, Joki looks great and is playing great. The minutes will add up on this kid in his rookie season and the schedule won't get any easier. Expect up and down from him.

I think that is a totally fair and reasonable request.
- DarthKane

I knew you would be on board.

It wasn't a realistic expectation for that line to continue at that pace. The line is still playing well, but I wouldn't be opposed to a Schmaltz/Kahun swap either (eventually).

There are been a few positive story lines this season, but Jokiharju leads the way for sure. I'm sure he'll have his ups and downs throughout the season but overall he's been fantastic.
- DarthKane

Kahun on that line with Johnson and Fortin gives you three rookies there - not sure that’s a good look for an important line.

Schmaltz gives them some stability and experience and he has scored 20 goals n The Show.

What are they missing?

Same thing they were missing last year - offensive depth.

They are a one line team plus Kane, where the bottom nine cannot score or maintain O zone possession unless they play keep away on the perimeter.

Too much reliance on players not ready for prime time, who may never be ready for prime time, or are no longer prime time (Saad).

Say what you want about options going forward, but as long as $49.7MM of their $79.5MMin cap space is tied up in seven guys - six of which have NMC/NTC clauses - they have only $30MM in cap to dress the remaining 13+ roster spots with an average contract value of $2.3MM. If people haven't noticed, salaries are going even higher, to the point where a difference making top six forward or top four D pairing guy's starting pay is around $6MM.

And, they have ADB and NS to consider going forward. So, they can't sign a Panarin, Nylander, (not that I advocate either of them) or any other 50+ point guy without crowding out what they can have on the bottom.

They will win gimmick point games, and started with a soft schedule. But the last six games show who they are - a .500 team.
- Return of the Roar

i agree...the cap goes up so do contracts...the contracts of the old "core" continue to plague this team...

maybe with the cap space they do have and packaging one or two of these bottom sixers which they have in abundance can translate into a decent top 4-9 with some offensive punch...

It wasn't a realistic expectation for that line to continue at that pace. The line is still playing well, but I wouldn't be opposed to a Schmaltz/Kahun swap either (eventually).

There are been a few positive story lines this season, but Jokiharju leads the way for sure. I'm sure he'll have his ups and downs throughout the season but overall he's been fantastic.
- DarthKane

No doubt a 2.0 PPG pace was not expected, but going from 10 points in 5 games to 1 point in 6 games is a precipitous drop. I still like what I see from 19 in terms of skating agility and puck control/creating chances, but important to note his drop in production given the lack of scoring depth on the team.

I find it really really really difficult that Forsling can play any worse than 23 or 44? So what are they waiting for?

Is this organization beginning to develop narrow vision? They have made some good decision but lately they have made some really bad ones.

Im beginning to worry how the Blackhawks are beginning to glorify amount of games played by players and past player tributes they are trying to make Blackhawks hockey an event instead of Stanley Cup Winning Hockey.

But i have faith that my fellow hockey fans won't fall for that crap like so many Cub fans did, and I'm a Cubs fan

Kahun on that line with Johnson and Fortin gives you three rookies there - not sure that’s a good look for an important line.

Schmaltz gives them some stability and experience and he has scored 20 goals n The Show.
- StLBravesFan

Past performance is not indicative of future results. This team is nearing the point of desperately needing Schmaltz to start putting the puck in the net. He has a measly 19 shots on goal so far and 1 goal. He has been in The Show now long enough, the coaching staff and Bowman aren't wrong to expect more out of this kid. He likes the pretty hockey and it isn't delivering much in the way of results.

Blackhawks reassigned goalie Kevin Lankinen to ECHL Iowa today. Needed to make room with Forsberg and Delia now in Rockford.

— Satchel Price (@SatchelPrice) October 29, 2018

I find it really really really difficult that Forsling can play any worse than 23 or 44? So what are they waiting for?

Is this organization beginning to develop narrow vision? They have made some good decision but lately they have made some really bad ones.

Im beginning to worry how the Blackhawks are beginning to glorify amount of games played by players and past player tributes they are trying to make Blackhawks hockey an event instead of Stanley Cup Winning Hockey.

But i have faith that my fellow hockey fans won't fall for that crap like so many Cub fans did, and I'm a Cubs fan
- BetweenTheDots

There is absolutely no reason that Chris Kunitz should play another game this year. He's DONE! Kampf was playing well, then sits for a week and the rust/lack of confidence showed last night with him IMO. Martinsen reminds me of the insurance commercials guy, Mayhem. He's an out of control giant with no hands, but can skate decenty fast and cause mayhem when he's on the ice. I like him more than previous goons like Mashinter, and Hayden has does jack squat. Johnny Hayden needs to get a fire in his belly and start hitting people. I counted at least 4 times against STL where he had a chance to land a clean and hard body check and went for a fly by poke check.

Blackhawks reassigned goalie Kevin Lankinen to ECHL Iowa today. Needed to make room with Forsberg and Delia now in Rockford.

— Satchel Price (@SatchelPrice) October 29, 2018

- DarthKane

Not ideal for Lankinen (or Tompkins who is playing really well for Iowa) but the guy needs to play.

Delia and Forsberg will now split some starts. Delia has been great with .925 (10th in the AHL) so far. I know the Hawks don't want to necessarily want to hinder his progression, however, they didn't want to loose Forsberg to waivers.

You could see a battle of the backups next year with Delia, Forsberg, Lankinen and Nalimov all in the mix.

No doubt a 2.0 PPG pace was not expected, but going from 10 points in 5 games to 1 point in 6 games is a precipitous drop. I still like what I see from 19 in terms of skating agility and puck control/creating chances, but important to note his drop in production given the lack of scoring depth on the team.
- EnzoD

i think that Kahun needs to be seriously considered to move off of Line 1 - not that he did anything wrong, he is just not slotted correctly to Line 1. Think about it...19 has puck, his only option to score is the Cat - teams can sag off of Kahun to cover Toews/Cat - i know he is not coming back, but imagine a line of Hossa/Toews/Cat how lethal that would be.

Sikura is strong and noticeable on the forecheck, patient with the puck as he searches for options, makes nifty passes even in tight spaces, and isn't afraid to shoot. He has a nice snapshot from the circles. Also quite good on the PP playing in the same position as Kane.

Defense is fine. Not stellar but not horrible. Then again, it's not like forward defense on the Hawks is at an all time high. He doesn't have to clear a high bar.
- AEL_Fox

Even though the Hawks have scored pretty well so far, they could really benefit from some more offense on the 3rd line and hopefully Sikura gets to the point where he's capable of providing that soon.

The best part about the Forsling and Murphy injuries was allowing Jokiharju to get in and show the coaching staff how ready he truly was for show time.
- Justin Lowe

Justin what players could the hawks realistically be looking at as far as top 6 and what would the hawks have to give up to acquire the player? Mark stone wayne Simmons would 2 players i look at because i don't see phily extended simmons and stone is not signing back with Ottawa IMO. I would assume smalz and young d prospect would have to be involved in said trade.

Smaltz + krys and 4th for stone too much or not enough? Then sign stone 6 years 7 million per. Thoughts?

i think that Kahun needs to be seriously considered to move off of Line 1 - not that he did anything wrong, he is just not slotted correctly to Line 1. Think about it...19 has puck, his only option to score is the Cat - teams can sag off of Kahun to cover Toews/Cat - i know he is not coming back, but imagine a line of Hossa/Toews/Cat how lethal that would be.
- glennjpawlak22

Mark Stone

Mark Stone

- Return of the Roar

he's getting $8mil next summer

he's getting $8mil next summer
- EnzoD

Dump Saad, spend $8MM

Dump Saad, spend $8MM
- Return of the Roar

Hawks need Saad to have private training sessions with Adam Oates so he can learn how to control the puck and dangle. Guy has Bickel/Stalberg puck control right now.

Thanks for the breakdown.
Is he playing on the same line, with the same guy?
- I Am The Breadman

He started the year with Highmore and Nilsson as the Hogs top line but that lasted about 5 games. Highmore got injured and Nilsson just is not that talented. Scrappy but is not a top 6 player even in the AHL.

When Highmore is healthy, he and Sikura play together. The top 6 rounds out with at least Schroeder and Broadhurst then forwards like Louis and Ejdsell.

Knott and Noel have been a stable duo with mainly Iacopelli as the other winger.

Terrible performance last night. No finish. Anaemic PP. No OT team game plan - McDavid simply pushed the physically bigger Saad off the puck as if he were a child man and despite going behind his own net AT THE END OF HIS SHIFT still beat all other Hawks down the ice to score the winning goal as if no one knew that was a possibility - da! Slap in the face. Kick in the ass. Hellllo.
This year this team is nothing going nowhere. The only thing they will accomplish this year is to take themselves out of a top draft pick. What to do?
Nurture and shape the youth. Crawford is 33 years old - plan NOW for a #1 replacement - not after he retires and you're left with no one. Stop signing past players to mega $ thank you contracts - although there's no one left within the organization to give thank you $ to- oh wait - in 2022 when Duncan Keith's contract ends and he's 39 years old perhaps Stan can offer him an 8 year thank you contract at $25 mil per!
Stan is not the GM everyone thought he was. He rode the coat tails of his predecessors. He's the reason for all the salary cap issues that has lead to the recent Hawk demise. How come the Crosby/Malkin/Murray....Penguins don't have those issues.....because their GM actually managed the team's cap and made it work.
SAY GOODBYE TO STAN is the top move the organisation should consider.

There is absolutely no reason that Chris Kunitz should play another game this year. He's DONE! Kampf was playing well, then sits for a week and the rust/lack of confidence showed last night with him IMO. Martinsen reminds me of the insurance commercials guy, Mayhem. He's an out of control giant with no hands, but can skate decenty fast and cause mayhem when he's on the ice. I like him more than previous goons like Mashinter, and Hayden has does jack squat. Johnny Hayden needs to get a fire in his belly and start hitting people. I counted at least 4 times against STL where he had a chance to land a clean and hard body check and went for a fly by poke check.
- EnzoD

Agree, Hayden needs to simplify his game and be a physical force dishing out hits and rubbing opponents out. Believe it or not, he needs to watch some tape on Martinsen.

Although he had his lapses, Davidson was a physical force out there last night laying out Oilers whenever he had the chance. If he too can play a simple, smart game and bring the physicality, he can state his case to play regularly on the 3rd pair. Doubt that happens, and Manning will outlast him given his contract status.

Anyway, I'd much rather see the D pairings Justin suggested once everyone is healthy.

Keith - Jokiharju
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Forsling - Murphy
Manning (slight chance it's Davidson)

Rutta will be traded.