With Keith, Murphy, Dahlstrom, Gus and Joki back and the 6th Dman being a rotation this thing is starting to resemble an NHL defense. Not in the top 1/2 but resembling a competent defense.

Add a forward group fighting for minutes that will backcheck and the continued solid play of Delia and play in their own end may be the best in a few yrs.

I would rather see Forsling get #1 minutes on the farm than rotate though.
- Mr Ricochet

If Forsling does get sent back to Rockford for more seasoning, this is where a rotation of Raddysh, Carlsson, and Hillman may be worth it to see what the Hawks have in each of them. Give them brief cups of coffee, not enough to shatter their confidence if they really struggle but enough to observe their strengths and areas for more improvement.

I guess Davidson could be called up, too, but would rather he help Campbell be a veteran presence on the Hogs blueline since Garrison isn't reporting, then give the prospects a chance to show what they got. If there's a season to do this type of tryout, this is the one.

IIRC a few posts from yesterday discussing the difference between conditional and unconditional waivers. Davidson was placed on the former so if he clears he goes to Rockford. Garrison was placed on the latter which means he is free to find employment elsewhere but I believe the Hawks are on the hook for all or part of his remaining salary for the season.

Something like that. Anyone, please correct me wherever I am inaccurate.
- AEL_Fox

Thanks, AEL and Bogie, I didn't know if there was a longer time needed to terminate the contract with unconditional. I knew it would end the contract, just unsure of when.

Another call-up, getting ready for Joki, more signings, or a trade? Something is in the works.

Chunky, Gus has 10 points on 3 goals, 4 PP points on 2 PP goals, 19 blocks, 6 hits in his last 10 games. Played 25+ and 24+ mins his last 2 and 4+, 5+, 4+, 3+ and 4+ PP minutes his last 5 games.

Going forward Gus haters will have a lot of minutes to critique.
- Mr Ricochet

Yeah, Gus has definitely been playing well the last month or so. The only reason I included him in the possible rotation is that Colliton seems to love Dahlstrom and Murphy, and Seabrook sitting doesn't seem all that likely (yet).

This is kind of the problem that I was alluding to in my mailbag question. The Hawks have a lot of "prospects" that need time to grow. We also have a number of vets that have been here forever and have high cap hits. We are now in the position that we have guys not playing well blocking the growth of prospects. I don't want to send Forsling to the AHL. I think he's been down there long enough. He shows really promising NHL flashes. He just needs to find a way to be more consistent.

If Forsling does get sent back to Rockford for more seasoning, this is where a rotation of Raddysh, Carlsson, and Hillman may be worth it to see what the Hawks have in each of them. Give them brief cups of coffee, not enough to shatter their confidence if they really struggle but enough to observe their strengths and areas for more improvement.

I guess Davidson could be called up, too, but would rather he help Campbell be a veteran presence on the Hogs blueline since Garrison isn't reporting, then give the prospects a chance to show what they got. If there's a season to do this type of tryout, this is the one.
- AEL_Fox

I am a huge fan of Hillman. He plays a similar game to Dahlstrom (although I believe he is a bit more hesitant to join the offense). he is also a bit more physical, and makes the quick/safe/simple play.

IIRC a few posts from yesterday discussing the difference between conditional and unconditional waivers. Davidson was placed on the former so if he clears he goes to Rockford. Garrison was placed on the latter which means he is free to find employment elsewhere but I believe the Hawks are on the hook for all or part of his remaining salary for the season.

Something like that. Anyone, please correct me wherever I am inaccurate.
- AEL_Fox

The Blackhawks aren’t required to immediately send him down. They can keep him up as 7th Dman until Jokiharju comes back.

A player does not need to pass through waivers if the player has not been on the NHL active roster for a cumulative 30 days since last clearing waivers, and has not played in 10 or more NHL games.

I am a huge fan of Hillman. He plays a similar game to Dahlstrom (although I believe he is a bit more hesitant to join the offense). he is also a bit more physical, and makes the quick/safe/simple play.
- Chunk

I wonder if Mitchell and Hillman can make a d pair in the nhl?

If Forsling does get sent back to Rockford for more seasoning, this is where a rotation of Raddysh, Carlsson, and Hillman may be worth it to see what the Hawks have in each of them. Give them brief cups of coffee, not enough to shatter their confidence if they really struggle but enough to observe their strengths and areas for more improvement.

I guess Davidson could be called up, too, but would rather he help Campbell be a veteran presence on the Hogs blueline since Garrison isn't reporting, then give the prospects a chance to show what they got. If there's a season to do this type of tryout, this is the one.
- AEL_Fox

Personally, I wonder if more vets are really on the Rockford blueline. Campbell is there and while not a long time North American player, Rutta has some experience playing professional hockey. I'm just wondering from the perspective of taking away icetime from the young guys with another vet. I just wonder if maybe they were really hoping someone would take Davidson on waivers.

Speaking of Rockford dmen....

The #IceHogs have recalled defensemen Neil Manning and Josh McArdle from the @IndyFuel


Is something happening? Or injuries?

I am a huge fan of Hillman. He plays a similar game to Dahlstrom (although I believe he is a bit more hesitant to join the offense). he is also a bit more physical, and makes the quick/safe/simple play.
- Chunk

Same here. Having some stay-at-home defenders would be nice. Agree that Hillman is physical and makes simple, smart plays. Carlsson is similar as well but is willing to join the rush and has more offensive upside in comparison.

Future blueline will need some defensive defensemen and I see Carlsson, Hillman, and possibly even Gilbert as a part of the mix to go along with Murphy and Dahlstrom. Can't keep all of them so take the best 2-3 and trade the others for future assets that can help shore up other areas of need (or have them serve as Hog leaders and keep around for emergency call-ups).

Awesome, can we work next on getting rid of Konroyd and also start thinking about finding Foley's replacement also.
- TheTrob

Radio guy for the hawks wiedamin and eddie
And all for getting rid of konroyd horrible

Speaking of Rockford dmen....

The #IceHogs have recalled defensemen Neil Manning and Josh McArdle from the @IndyFuel


Is something happening? Or injuries?
- breadbag

I was wondering the same thing, seams strange.

Speaking of Rockford dmen....

The #IceHogs have recalled defensemen Neil Manning and Josh McArdle from the @IndyFuel


Is something happening? Or injuries?
- breadbag

Hogs are winless in their last 5 games. Just a shake-up probably.

Speaking of Rockford dmen....

The #IceHogs have recalled defensemen Neil Manning and Josh McArdle from the @IndyFuel


Is something happening? Or injuries?
- breadbag

The rink stated they only have 5 healthy defenseman

The rink stated they only have 5 healthy defenseman
- Abadseed

That makes sense then, because they have so many Dmen on the roster as it is, I was wondering.

The rink stated they only have 5 healthy defenseman
- Abadseed

The last Hogs game they played with only 5D.

Radio guy for the hawks wiedamin and eddie
And all for getting rid of konroyd horrible
- Scott1977

Eddie is pretty bad too. I'd like to see both gone tbh.

The rink stated they only have 5 healthy defenseman
- Abadseed

Send down seabs!!

Eddie is pretty bad too. I'd like to see both gone tbh.
- fattybeef

The schtick is becoming unbearable - its a Hockey game guys....focus on the game, not on the cookies and time of the game (333)

Same here. Having some stay-at-home defenders would be nice. Agree that Hillman is physical and makes simple, smart plays. Carlsson is similar as well but is willing to join the rush and has more offensive upside in comparison.

Future blueline will need some defensive defensemen and I see Carlsson, Hillman, and possibly even Gilbert as a part of the mix to go along with Murphy and Dahlstrom. Can't keep all of them so take the best 2-3 and trade the others for future assets that can help shore up other areas of need (or have them serve as Hog leaders and keep around for emergency call-ups).
- AEL_Fox

I think you have a good handle on them. I'm really curious to see who sinks or swims. I really liked Hillman in his call up last year, but I'm not sure if he will crack the Hawks roster. I'm just glad they have some options in terms of defensive Dmen, because we know there are some offensive dmen in the pipeline.

I think you have a good handle on them. I'm really curious to see who sinks or swims. I really liked Hillman in his call up last year, but I'm not sure if he will crack the Hawks roster. I'm just glad they have some options in terms of defensive Dmen, because we know there are some offensive dmen in the pipeline.
- breadbag

Amen! It's great to have guys like Karlson, or Burns, but in the end we need guys that help keep the puck out of our net.

I wonder if Mitchell and Hillman can make a d pair in the nhl?
- I Am The Breadman

Possibly. Would be nice to see. They were paired up in Denver if I'm not mistaken.

I think you have a good handle on them. I'm really curious to see who sinks or swims. I really liked Hillman in his call up last year, but I'm not sure if he will crack the Hawks roster. I'm just glad they have some options in terms of defensive Dmen, because we know there are some offensive dmen in the pipeline.
- breadbag

It's great that the pipeline has options for both offensive D-men and defensive D-men with a few who may be great at both, i.e. Jokiharju, Beaudin, possibly even Krys.

Lots of options coming up. Not all can make it since there are only 7 spots but that's a nice luxury to have that depth so those who won't make it can be traded. And if they get cut because of a numbers game rather and not because they suck, then that's even better because their trade value is high.

Possibly. Would be nice to see. They were paired up in Denver if I'm not mistaken.
- AEL_Fox

You're right, that's why I mentioned them. I think they were the top pair for DU. I just wonder if that translates to nhl level.

Personally, I wonder if more vets are really on the Rockford blueline. Campbell is there and while not a long time North American player, Rutta has some experience playing professional hockey. I'm just wondering from the perspective of taking away icetime from the young guys with another vet. I just wonder if maybe they were really hoping someone would take Davidson on waivers.
- breadbag

Forgot about Rutta. Good point. I imagine, though, Rutta and Davidson wouldn't be scratches since that would lessen their value to other teams who may need D-men like them.

In contrast, no teams are going to be knocking on Campbell's door to be an NHL regular. He's a career minor leaguer. A valued and respected one at that as he has captained several teams and is a captain for one of the AHL all star teams coming up.

Campbell could be like Kunitz: a veteran presence in the locker room and during practices but a healthy scratch to allow the youngsters to play.

Forsberg leads the @goicehogs out for pregame warmups.

Looks like no Jan Rutta tonight for RFD. Not on the ice.

No Snugerud, Highmore and Ejdsell, (all injuries) so all hands on deck for RFD tonight vs. @mkeadmirals