Strome seems like the guy who doesn't do the skill drills as well or fast as a guy like Schmaltz, but put him in a game and he has more impact but doesn't look as pretty.
- 6628

That is totally fine by me. I've liked what he has brought in a small amount of games. He just better not ask for Schmaltz money.

Eklund is saying that today should be a busy day. That the Friday before a freeze, draft, and tdl are busy with rumors. Hawks are one of the teams that keep having their name pop-up.

Heard a rumor that the Hurricane's were VERY close to making a move in the last week for a top forward but it fell through last minute for some reason...

Wonder if the Hawks were trying to trade AA to them and the deal fell through cuz he got put in concussion protocol and then on IR from the Weber hit?

Heard a rumor that the Hurricane's were VERY close to making a move in the last week for a top forward but it fell through last minute for some reason...

Wonder if the Hawks were trying to trade AA to them and the deal fell through cuz he got put in concussion protocol and then on IR from the Weber hit?
- Savetheembers33

Anisimov is about as ordinary and average as you can get. "Top forward" does not come immediately to mind when talking about Anisimov.

Eklund is saying that today should be a busy day. That the Friday before a freeze, draft, and tdl are busy with rumors. Hawks are one of the teams that keep having their name pop-up.
- I Am The Breadman

In Ek's latest rumor mill, NO mention of the Blackhawks, which is a red flag that the Hawks may be extremely busy.

In Ek's latest rumor mill, NO mention of the Blackhawks, which is a red flag that the Hawks may be extremely busy.
- kwolf68

He said hawk's name kept popping up, but only talks about Phi, Edm, Stl, Ott, and Montreal

Anisimov is about as ordinary and average as you can get. "Top forward" does not come immediately to mind when talking about Anisimov.
- kwolf68

Top as in elite? No. Top Forward, as in a guy who can help make your top 6 better at a relatively low cost? Yes. Not saying that it was referring to him in particular but the timing of the rumor and injury are interesting.

He said hawk's name kept popping up, but only talks about Phi, Emd, Stl, Ott, and Montreal
- I Am The Breadman

I'm sure Stan is working the phones trying to see if he can upload one of his 137 Defensemen or get someone to take Seabrook's contract...basically being a gnat while the other teams try and make bigger moves to help them now which is why you keep hearing about the Hawks but nothing really going

I'm sure Stan is working the phones trying to see if he can upload one of his 137 Defensemen or get someone to take Seabrook's contract...basically being a gnat while the other teams try and make bigger moves to help them now which is why you keep hearing about the Hawks but nothing really going
- Savetheembers33

Dammit to hell.

I watched Tavares closely last night and his skating is not a helluva lot better than Strome's and that is after a few years of going to figure skating school.

I know they are not comparable players at this point in their careers but if Strome is willing to work hard on his physical deficiencies he can become a valuable player for Chicago in time.
- RickJ

From the limited time I've watched Strome I agree with you Rick.

Dammit to hell.
- I Am The Breadman

Lol doesn't mean that something won't happen soon here. Anytime a deal goes down it's weeks if not months of discussions back and fourth calling and asking about certain players and if they're available. Then other teams asking about players they like and have scouted. Lots of back n fourth. I'm sure Stan his making his rounds checking on guys he's interested in as well as seeing where teams stand about guys they've called about. It's all fluid.

That's why it cracks me up sometimes that people $#!t on EK as much as the do for his rumors. You can hear about one team calling another about a player but that doesn't mean its gonna happen or even likely. You can call about someone even if the chances are slim. That's why it's called a RUMOR. You don't think Stan made a call to Doug Armstrong when the report came out that they might be looking to sell some pieces to ask what it would take for a Vladimir Tarasenko or Colton Parayko? I'm sure he did but there's not a chance STL would do that without us overpaying and we don't anywhere close to what they would want for either of them. It's part of being a GM making regular calls with other GMs and having discussions.

I watched Tavares closely last night and his skating is not a helluva lot better than Strome's and that is after a few years of going to figure skating school.

I know they are not comparable players at this point in their careers but if Strome is willing to work hard on his physical deficiencies he can become a valuable player for Chicago in time.
- RickJ

I'd wager the "change of scenery" and playing with one of his buddies, ADB plus the veteran presence will bring out the best in Strome

From the limited time I've watched Strome I agree with you Rick.
- 6628

I think being around DCat and DCat telling him how much he improved this summer working with the Hawks strength and conditioning will get Strome in there this summer.

Dcat is noticeably stronger and more explosive this season. A lot better balance and core strength too. Seen him win battles against much bigger players and lay some solid hits for his size.

https://twitter.com/Prosp...tatus/1073343403709091840

Pierre saying that Hughes isn't a generational talent, he's more of a Hischier than a Matthews or MacKinnon. Really hope he's wrong, despite his obsessive covering of prospects.

I'd wager the "change of scenery" and playing with one of his buddies, ADB plus the veteran presence will bring out the best in Strome
- Slofire94

I hope Strome brings out the best in our veterans.

https://twitter.com/Prospects_Watch/status/1073343403709091840

Pierre saying that Hughes isn't a generational talent, he's more of a Hischier than a Matthews or MacKinnon. Really hope he's wrong, despite his obsessive covering of prospects.
- ObeseOprah

I think with how talented these kids coming out are these days the term "generational talent" is thrown around a bit too much. I get it's easy to say that when a kid is projected to be a #1 pick and is that much more ahead of his peers in the class currently. I think he could be a very good scorer in this league like Kaner or even Johnny Gaudreau but with even more burst and speed, but I'm not even convinced he's a "generational" kinda guy like those you mentioned. Who know's it's entirely possible he could become that. People were debating between Kane and JVR for the best prospect and we saw how that turned out.

I'll tell you what though, I forgot who it was who mentioned it yesterday about the Winger Vasili Podkolzin, but I read a few scouting reports and watched some highlight videos of this kid and WOW. He looks like the real deal. I honestly like him more than I like Hughes from what I saw. He's a VERY good skater, stick handler, got a good quick release on a shot, AND he's not afraid to got to the "dirty" areas to make plays or get physical. He also is a very solid defender who kills penalties. He's already 6'1 and 190 at 18 so he probably will be able to put on another 20 pounds of muscle as he matures. LOTS of comparisons to Pavel Datsyuk and you can see it with how he plays his game. I would LOVE for the Hawks to get him and put him in the lineup next year as long as he is actually planning on coming over to the NHL. I don't wanna get stuck in the KHL-NHL back n fourth crap with a high pick like that when we need the help now

Lol doesn't mean that something won't happen soon here. Anytime a deal goes down it's weeks if not months of discussions back and fourth calling and asking about certain players and if they're available. Then other teams asking about players they like and have scouted. Lots of back n fourth. I'm sure Stan his making his rounds checking on guys he's interested in as well as seeing where teams stand about guys they've called about. It's all fluid.

That's why it cracks me up sometimes that people $#!t on EK as much as the do for his rumors. You can hear about one team calling another about a player but that doesn't mean its gonna happen or even likely. You can call about someone even if the chances are slim. That's why it's called a RUMOR. You don't think Stan made a call to Doug Armstrong when the report came out that they might be looking to sell some pieces to ask what it would take for a Vladimir Tarasenko or Colton Parayko? I'm sure he did but there's not a chance STL would do that without us overpaying and we don't anywhere close to what they would want for either of them. It's part of being a GM making regular calls with other GMs and having discussions.
- Savetheembers33

Haha, yeah, I know. I understand the fluidity of rumors. I'm afraid that Stan is only talking to the same guys. He needs to expand his horizons.

I think with how talented these kids coming out are these days the term "generational talent" is thrown around a bit too much. I get it's easy to say that when a kid is projected to be a #1 pick and is that much more ahead of his peers in the class currently. I think he could be a very good scorer in this league like Kaner or even Johnny Gaudreau but with even more burst and speed, but I'm not even convinced he's a "generational" kinda guy like those you mentioned. Who know's it's entirely possible he could become that. People were debating between Kane and JVR for the best prospect and we saw how that turned out.

I'll tell you what though, I forgot who it was who mentioned it yesterday about the Winger Vasili Podkolzin, but I read a few scouting reports and watched some highlight videos of this kid and WOW. He looks like the real deal. I honestly like him more than I like Hughes from what I saw. He's a VERY good skater, stick handler, got a good quick release on a shot, AND he's not afraid to got to the "dirty" areas to make plays or get physical. He also is a very solid defender who kills penalties. He's already 6'1 and 190 at 18 so he probably will be able to put on another 20 pounds of muscle as he matures. LOTS of comparisons to Pavel Datsyuk and you can see it with how he plays his game. I would LOVE for the Hawks to get him and put him in the lineup next year as long as he is actually planning on coming over to the NHL. I don't wanna get stuck in the KHL-NHL back n fourth crap with a high pick like that when we need the help now
- Savetheembers33

Enzo brought him up.

He would be a good grab. Agree with generational tossed around. Also hope for the Khl and Nhl getting screwed around with. We got that already in some of our prospects.

Haha, yeah, I know. I understand the fluidity of rumors. I'm afraid that Stan is only talking to the same guys. He needs to expand his horizons.
- I Am The Breadman

Winning 3 cups and constantly unloading on CAR/AZ doesn't make Stan very popular in the lunch line...

Enzo brought him up.

He would be a good grab. Agree with generational tossed around. Also hope for the Khl and Nhl getting screwed around with. We got that already in some of our prospects.
- I Am The Breadman

Yes! Credit goes to Enzo for bringing him up cuz I hadn't had a chance to check him out yet, but damn does he look good like he could be one of those guys to go in the 3-5 range that people look back at and say "How did he not go #1??"

https://twitter.com/Prospects_Watch/status/1073343403709091840

Pierre saying that Hughes isn't a generational talent, he's more of a Hischier than a Matthews or MacKinnon. Really hope he's wrong, despite his obsessive covering of prospects.
- ObeseOprah

Not that Hischier is chopped liver. 52 pts last year and 19 so far this year in 25 games.

To your point, this is why I don't understand those calling for the Hawks to tank. It doesn't guarantee much of anything. I'd be much happier if they just scouted and drafted as well as they can, not give 30 yr old players 8 year contracts, and sign players that have an upward trajectory (not just placeholders).

https://twitter.com/Prospects_Watch/status/1073343403709091840

Pierre saying that Hughes isn't a generational talent, he's more of a Hischier than a Matthews or MacKinnon. Really hope he's wrong, despite his obsessive covering of prospects.
- ObeseOprah

I'm sure Hughes will end up being very good but. I'm liking Kaapo Kakko. 6'1/181lbs at age 17 and supposedly a very high hockey IQ. And a Finn to boot. They always seem to bring a little more of an attitude then players from other Scandinavian countries.

And besides, I just like saying Kaapo Kakko

I'm sure Hughes will end up being very good but. I'm liking Kaapo Kakko. 6'1/181lbs at age 17 and supposedly a very high hockey IQ. And a Finn to boot. They always seem to bring a little more of an attitude then players from other Scandinavian countries.

And besides, I just like saying Kaapo Kakko
- Rota's Rooter

So for Kakko and Podkolzin are the two guys that I've really liked watching videos on about their game other than Hughes. I was on Kakko for awhile there because he seems like he will be a very good all around Top 6 Forward in this league and then I saw Podkolzin. If you haven't had a chance to watch that kid can do check him out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrtc2JWvHGU

Interesting insight for those of us who've been discussing McD's role and that of his team in relation to hockey operations. Sounds like the Hawks' setup is somewhat unique in sports. Now, the question is, are we better or worse off for it?

https://chicago.suntimes....ut&utm_content=1544730768

We should know real soon on whether Rutta cleared waivers.

What's everyone's guess?