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

Iowa or Indy? Must be a typo. Iowa is the Wild's AHL team.

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.
- AEL_Fox

Unless Rutta brings back a close to NHL ready prospect, 2nd round pick, or legit NHL depth on forward...I'd rather keep him around as injuries happen.

Iowa or Indy? Must be a typo. Iowa is the Wild's AHL team.
- AEL_Fox

Yes, Indy. I knew that didn't look right.

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

Edzo, welcome to the NHL (No Hitting League). I watched most of the Leafs - Winnipeg game on Saturday night and Big Buff could have destroyed a couple of the Leaf forwards in open ice but he decided to back off and play shinny instead. Trouba used his body effectively to hit Mathews with a clean check and now they are panic stricken in Toronto because #34 is hurt and out for a month. Too f'n bad.

Hockey has always been a physical sport and I'm not too entertained having to watch high skilled ballerinas skate around every night with their heads down totally unafraid of getting clocked. Johnny Hayden better use the physical tools he has or his NHL career will be brief because he isn't a hockey skill magician.

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.
- AEL_Fox

Or tape of himself from early last season when he was delivering 3-4-5 hits a game.

Oh and for those wondering the hits leader for the Hawks after 12 games...Henri Jokiharju with 20. You gotta like the kid.

Edzo, welcome to the NHL (No Hitting League). I watched most of the Leafs - Winnipeg game on Saturday night and Big Buff could have destroyed a couple of the Leaf forwards in open ice but he decided to back off and play shinny instead. Trouba used his body effectively to hit Mathews with a clean check and now they are panic stricken in Toronto because #34 is hurt and out for a month. Too f'n bad.

Hockey has always been a physical sport and I'm not too entertained having to watch high skilled ballerinas skate around every night with their heads down totally unafraid of getting clocked. Johnny Hayden better use the physical tools he has or his NHL career will be brief because he isn't a hockey skill magician.
- RickJ

I like how Trouba plays and love watching Matthews so that’s a bummer. 2 straight seasons for Matthews with shoulder injuries...he needs to start protecting himself or he’s gunna be Lindros 2.0

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.
- EnzoD

Actually I’m afraid he’s turning into Bickell 2.0!

Edzo, welcome to the NHL (No Hitting League). I watched most of the Leafs - Winnipeg game on Saturday night and Big Buff could have destroyed a couple of the Leaf forwards in open ice but he decided to back off and play shinny instead. Trouba used his body effectively to hit Mathews with a clean check and now they are panic stricken in Toronto because #34 is hurt and out for a month. Too f'n bad.

Hockey has always been a physical sport and I'm not too entertained having to watch high skilled ballerinas skate around every night with their heads down totally unafraid of getting clocked. Johnny Hayden better use the physical tools he has or his NHL career will be brief because he isn't a hockey skill magician.
- RickJ

This is my biggest beef, way way way way to many times i see a forward of an opposing team get stick checked and end up getting past the Hawks player to create an opportunity, the art of removing the player from the puck is so often passed by, by this team, 2 young players on this team are hockey players, Cat and Henri they think the game very well, the rest suck always chasing, very frustrating

Actually I’m afraid he’s turning into Bickell 2.0!
- walleyeb1

Part of me sees that but I also have faith in Saad to get back on track to be a 20-25 goal scorer and 50-55 points.

I actually fear Hayden wanting to be Bickell 2.0. Big guy who has the tools to bring a physical game as a really great 4th liner but playing too much finesse that doesn't result in anything productive. Be a north-south player, play the body, and chip in opportune goals.

Defenders who can defend. Need at least 2 more. Probably a center, too.

Part of me sees that but I also have faith in Saad to get back on track to be a 20-25 goal scorer and 50-55 points.

I actually fear Hayden wanting to be Bickell 2.0. Big guy who has the tools to bring a physical game as a really great 4th liner but playing too much finesse that doesn't result in anything productive. Be a north-south player, play the body, and chip in opportune goals.
- AEL_Fox

he's on a 41 point pace right now, but they need him to score more goals. He had a couple glorious chances again last night that he hits the goalie or misses the net. 6 games decided in OT so one goal here or there and they have 2-6 more standings points.

Defenders who can defend. Need at least 2 more. Probably a center, too.
- John Jaeckel

Any suggestions?

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.
- Garn.

Not many on here know where Nellie Lake is but I do. Maybe you should find some local job ads and send them to Stan to consider. I think he would be a good miner below ground.

Unless Rutta brings back a close to NHL ready prospect, 2nd round pick, or legit NHL depth on forward...I'd rather keep him around as injuries happen.
- EnzoD

One thing the Hawks can do if they're biding their time with Forsling getting back into game shape and Murphy being 100% healthy again is call up Dahlstrom or possibly even Raddysh to see what they have in them before cutting bait with Rutta and/or Davidson.

I'd wait on calling up Hillman and Carlsson. They have good upside as defensive defensemen but are still in their first season in Rockford. Maybe late season call-ups. Let them continue developing and playing big minutes with the Hogs.

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.
- EbonyRaptor

Agree. Give Sikura a few more games in Rockford to get his confidence and hunger really high. Maybe around the 20-25 game mark?

I agree with others that Kahun may be ready for a move down the depth chart. If that happens, it could create an opportunity for Sikura down the line to show if he can cut it as a top 6 forward. I'd prefer to have Sikura start on the 3rd line then eventually graduate to a top 6 role.

Defenders who can defend. Need at least 2 more. Probably a center, too.
- John Jaeckel

ummm forsling and murphy...

they always need another center

Or tape of himself from early last season when he was delivering 3-4-5 hits a game.

Oh and for those wondering the hits leader for the Hawks after 12 games...Henri Jokiharju with 20. You gotta like the kid.
- Rota's Rooter

i noticed he will take the body to separate the opposing player, pin him against the glass, then get the puck and move out of danger - so impressive!!!

Or tape of himself from early last season when he was delivering 3-4-5 hits a game.

Oh and for those wondering the hits leader for the Hawks after 12 games...Henri Jokiharju with 20. You gotta like the kid.
- Rota's Rooter

His gap control is excellent and he does a good job of getting his shoulder into a chest and turning the puck away. Neat that they're counting contact as a hit but not a number I'd put a whole lot of emphasis on.

Schmaltz with two guys who want to shoot the puck (dcat and Toews) would be fun maybe.

The NHL scheduling is atrocious. At this point I'd be more concerned with an injury to a top player than anything else. Not much of a surprise they were a little flat Sunday. They play an awful lot of games in December as well. Woof. Hopefully they use this lighter month to bank some points.

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.
- AEL_Fox

Agree with you on Davidson. I liked him last night. His partner on the other hand ...
This team is aching for Murphy throwing himself in front of shots, and a steady Forsling who chips in points every now and then.

One of the takeaways I have from last night, from a blueline perspective, was the play of Manning and Davidson. I know these guys get ripped on this board, but here's my thoughts...

If they can keep it simple like they did last night, I think they serve a good/vital purpose. It's not realistic to think that every Defensemen on your roster will be well-rounded in every aspect of the game. It'd be awesome, but it just doesn't always pan out that way. Joki is obviously going to be a rare, potential top tier talent. He plays like a veteran and not a 19-year-old. Seabrook and Keith need to build off of last night, where I think both kind of looked like their old selves (Seabrook especially).

Until Murphy and Forlsing (if he's not part of some kind of trade) are re-inserted into the lineup, Manning and Davidson need to do what they did last night. They're the type of players who if you don't hear their names, it's a good thing. Not a shot against them, but it just means they're doing their jobs. I think they played within their abilities against EDM and didn't try to do things they're shaky on: rush the puck, etc. Davidson had some nice checks and both guys didn't get cute in the Oilers zone - it was either a pass or a shot on net. Nothing extravagant.

Always good to have some competent guys who can help eat up minutes and give the stronger guy's legs/lungs a breather.

I'd like to see them paired up against the Canucks for another look.

Edzo, welcome to the NHL (No Hitting League). I watched most of the Leafs - Winnipeg game on Saturday night and Big Buff could have destroyed a couple of the Leaf forwards in open ice but he decided to back off and play shinny instead. Trouba used his body effectively to hit Mathews with a clean check and now they are panic stricken in Toronto because #34 is hurt and out for a month. Too f'n bad.

Hockey has always been a physical sport and I'm not too entertained having to watch high skilled ballerinas skate around every night with their heads down totally unafraid of getting clocked. Johnny Hayden better use the physical tools he has or his NHL career will be brief because he isn't a hockey skill magician.
- RickJ

I have pulled for Hayden but he only has value as a player if he plays a physical game, taking the body all the time. If he has decided he is a larger Kane he is going to end up back in Rockford.

I have pulled for Hayden but he only has value as a player if he plays a physical game, taking the body all the time. If he has decided he is a larger Kane he is going to end up back in Rockford.
- Z3Hawk

My sentiments exactly, Z3. The players on our team who are built like heavy hitters need to learn what is and what is not in their game. No matter how hard they try and force it.

One of the takeaways I have from last night, from a blueline perspective, was the play of Manning and Davidson. I know these guys get ripped on this board, but here's my thoughts...

If they can keep it simple like they did last night, I think they serve a good/vital purpose. It's not realistic to think that every Defensemen on your roster will be well-rounded in every aspect of the game. It'd be awesome, but it just doesn't always pan out that way. Joki is obviously going to be a rare, potential top tier talent. He plays like a veteran and not a 19-year-old. Seabrook and Keith need to build off of last night, where I think both kind of looked like their old selves (Seabrook especially).

Until Murphy and Forlsing (if he's not part of some kind of trade) are re-inserted into the lineup, Manning and Davidson need to do what they did last night. They're the type of players who if you don't hear their names, it's a good thing. Not a shot against them, but it just means they're doing their jobs. I think they played within their abilities against EDM and didn't try to do things they're shaky on: rush the puck, etc. Davidson had some nice checks and both guys didn't get cute in the Oilers zone - it was either a pass or a shot on net. Nothing extravagant.

Always good to have some competent guys who can help eat up minutes and give the stronger guy's legs/lungs a breather.

I'd like to see them paired up against the Canucks for another look.
- Hank3Henshaw

What I liked about Davidson’s play is it was traditional D play. Take a body, run someone out of room, try to take possession of the puck - pro-active play. Take away time and space. In O-Zone no risk-taking - under no circumstances get trapped. Of course this type on play will make Ulf bench him.

Unless Rutta brings back a close to NHL ready prospect, 2nd round pick, or legit NHL depth on forward...I'd rather keep him around as injuries happen.
- EnzoD

The minimum I want for Rutta is 3 new hockey sticks, no wait, 3 used hockey sticks but with a half-used hockey tape - and I’m not budging.

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.
- Garn.

McJesus had the inside position/the angle against Saad. It had nothing to do with physical strength.