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.
- Chunk

They both do that...

Especially Karlsson. His gap control and ability to deny successful entries are both tremendous. Good puck persuers and like Keith in his prime nearly impossible to beat to the corners. May be the best first pass defender in the league as well.

Amazing talent. Would take him hands down above anyone except maybe Subban. Hedman and Seth Jones very good and close too but a healthy Karlsson I think edges the pack.

Ohh man this is a dream scenario if mine for the Hawks for all three of those kids to pan out and be on a line together for this team. poop depending on how things pan out its possible that could even be our fourth line in a few years.
- Savetheembers33

Yes, I could see Entwistle, Barratt, and Soderlund being either an outstanding 3rd line or 4th line depending on the Hawks roster depth when that time arrives in a few years especially if middle 6 forward prospects like Wise, Kurashev, and Hagel pan out. Slavin and Hakkarainen may also be prospects worth watching for the bottom 6.

Then there's also seeing how Sikura and Kahun develop and what roles they will ultimately play. Both are definitely top 9 in my book so it's a question of top 6 or middle 6. Same with Perlini and Caggiul but think they are clearly bottom 6.

I guess there's also Fortin and Ejdsell but I'm not high on either of them. Happy to have either or both prove me wrong.

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
- walleyeb1

Some of us may be getting PTOs soon to help replenish the depleted Hogs roster.

Coyotes forward Nick Schmaltz (lower-body injury) may be headed to IR; could be out a while. The hits keep coming to this Coyotes roster.

Coyotes forward Nick Schmaltz (lower-body injury) may be headed to IR; could be out a while. The hits keep coming to this Coyotes roster.
- walleyeb1

That sucks, I know Hino recently got off IR, about a week ago.

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

Eddie good when not with foley and the bromance

Coyotes forward Nick Schmaltz (lower-body injury) may be headed to IR; could be out a while. The hits keep coming to this Coyotes roster.
- walleyeb1

Since the rejuvenation began 11 years ago, I'm not sure there's a team in the league with as good an injury record as the Blackhawks.

Very few in such a dangerous sport - and none (that I can recall) that affected any seasonal (regular or tournament) results.

Yes, I could see Entwistle, Barratt, and Soderlund being either an outstanding 3rd line or 4th line depending on the Hawks roster depth when that time arrives in a few years especially if middle 6 forward prospects like Wise, Kurashev, and Hagel pan out. Slavin and Hakkarainen may also be prospects worth watching for the bottom 6.

Then there's also seeing how Sikura and Kahun develop and what roles they will ultimately play. Both are definitely top 9 in my book so it's a question of top 6 or middle 6. Same with Perlini and Caggiul but think they are clearly bottom 6.

I guess there's also Fortin and Ejdsell but I'm not high on either of them. Happy to have either or both prove me wrong.
- AEL_Fox

Agree 100% with ya man. If they can free up some cap space with some trades and draft and/or sign some top 6 forward help with the glut of middle to bottom six guys they have now and have on the way this team could be very deep again sooner rather than later IMO

Since the rejuvenation began 11 years ago, I'm not sure there's a team in the league with as good an injury record as the Blackhawks.

Very few in such a dangerous sport - and none (that I can recall) that affected any seasonal (regular or tournament) results.
- StLBravesFan

Something to be said about the Hawks commitment to strength and conditioning coaches, nutritionists, massage and physical therapists, rehab, etc.

I know that doesn't fit the rhetoric of nobody wants to come to the Hawks because of blah, blah, blah, but in reality players see the way the organization treats their players on many levels and make Chicago still a desirable place to sign.

Since the rejuvenation began 11 years ago, I'm not sure there's a team in the league with as good an injury record as the Blackhawks.

Very few in such a dangerous sport - and none (that I can recall) that affected any seasonal (regular or tournament) results.
- StLBravesFan

Hossa vs Yotes

Some of us may be getting PTOs soon to help replenish the depleted Hogs roster.
- AEL_Fox

AEL, concerning a previous post of yours where you said that the Hawks could still be on the hook for Garrisons salary...I don't think that is how it works...if the contract is terminated, then the Hawks don't owe anything. No contract = no salary.

Hossa vs Yotes
- glennjpawlak22

*spit*
Raffi Torres
*spit*
*spit*

They both do that...

Especially Karlsson. His gap control and ability to deny successful entries are both tremendous. Good puck persuers and like Keith in his prime nearly impossible to beat to the corners. May be the best first pass defender in the league as well.

Amazing talent. Would take him hands down above anyone except maybe Subban. Hedman and Seth Jones very good and close too but a healthy Karlsson I think edges the pack.
- fattybeef

Really? I get to watch a number of Sharks games, and from what I've seen they both have some notable shortcomings in their own end. Burns is a bit better than Karlson, but they both get beaten quite often by speed. Karlson particularly has been beaten along the boards a lot this season.

I'm not saying they are "bad", but defensively they leave some to be desired. I'd take either one on my team, but I would be sure that you have some more defensively stout players with them.

AEL, concerning a previous post of yours where you said that the Hawks could still be on the hook for Garrisons salary...I don't think that is how it works...if the contract is terminated, then the Hawks don't owe anything. No contract = no salary.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I think you're right. Cap friendly gave them more cap space with him gone.

AEL, concerning a previous post of yours where you said that the Hawks could still be on the hook for Garrisons salary...I don't think that is how it works...if the contract is terminated, then the Hawks don't owe anything. No contract = no salary.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

It appears as if Garrison did not want to go to Rockford. If that is the case, the Hawks owe him nothing. I think it would be different if he was on a 35+ contract though.

AEL, concerning a previous post of yours where you said that the Hawks could still be on the hook for Garrisons salary...I don't think that is how it works...if the contract is terminated, then the Hawks don't owe anything. No contract = no salary.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I could be wrong, but I think the main factor here is his age when he signed the contract. Since he was (and still is) younger than 35, I think the Hawks aren't on the hook for salary or cap hit. I'm pretty sure if his was a 35+ the Hawks would have his cap hit for the rest of the season, but I don't think they'd have to pay him the dollars.

Something to be said about the Hawks commitment to strength and conditioning coaches, nutritionists, massage and physical therapists, rehab, etc.

I know that doesn't fit the rhetoric of nobody wants to come to the Hawks because of blah, blah, blah, but in reality players see the way the organization treats their players on many levels and make Chicago still a desirable place to sign.
- TheTrob

I think the trainers and staff never get enough credit. I really believe that part is huge. Personally, I also think it has to do with the style the Hawks play. They are one of the least physically reckless teams in the NHL. Right or wrong, I think it means less chances someone is gonna take a hit badly.

Hossa vs Yotes
- glennjpawlak22

Yes - forgot about that serious injury that maybe / possibly made a difference.

It appears as if Garrison did not want to go to Rockford. If that is the case, the Hawks owe him nothing. I think it would be different if he was on a 35+ contract though.
- 67hawks

Correct. If the Hawks want to cut him loose totally and be off the hook for the 650K they can and I expect that's what they will do.

Yes - forgot about that serious injury that maybe / possibly made a difference.
- StLBravesFan

hard to say, that series, I think we had Toews playing banged up pretty bad on top of Torres running Hossa, Crawford wasn't doing well, and the primma donna actor in the other net (Mike Smith) with his gyrations and flops, not to mention he was actually playing much better than Crow probably were too much to overcome in that one. There just seemed to be something "off" in that series, I never felt like we'd win it, after we cut the Canucks series the year before from 3-0 to 3-2 I had more hope THAT year than the year the Hawks lost to the Coyotes and that Canucks team was WAY better than the Coyotes team.

It appears as if Garrison did not want to go to Rockford. If that is the case, the Hawks owe him nothing. I think it would be different if he was on a 35+ contract though.
- 67hawks

Friedman reported Jason Garrison is considering some overseas options.

Yes - forgot about that serious injury that maybe / possibly made a difference.
- StLBravesFan

we have taken out some good players in series that have swung our way

Pronger and Weber come to mind immediately. Others?

hard to say, that series, I think we had Toews playing banged up pretty bad on top of Torres running Hossa, Crawford wasn't doing well, and the primma donna actor in the other net (Mike Smith) with his gyrations and flops, not to mention he was actually playing much better than Crow probably were too much to overcome in that one. There just seemed to be something "off" in that series, I never felt like we'd win it, after we cut the Canucks series the year before from 3-0 to 3-2 I had more hope THAT year than the year the Hawks lost to the Coyotes and that Canucks team was WAY better than the Coyotes team.
- kwolf68

Toews came back too early from a concussion and Smith played out his mind for that series and the next. Sucks to go out that and Hossa getting clocked didn't help but sometimes you just get goalied.

hard to say, that series, I think we had Toews playing banged up pretty bad on top of Torres running Hossa, Crawford wasn't doing well, and the primma donna actor in the other net (Mike Smith) with his gyrations and flops, not to mention he was actually playing much better than Crow probably were too much to overcome in that one. There just seemed to be something "off" in that series, I never felt like we'd win it, after we cut the Canucks series the year before from 3-0 to 3-2 I had more hope THAT year than the year the Hawks lost to the Coyotes and that Canucks team was WAY better than the Coyotes team.
- kwolf68

if i recall, we pulled even with the Canucks 3-3 and lost in OT?

Toews came back too early from a concussion and Smith played out his mind for that series and the next. Sucks to go out that and Hossa getting clocked didn't help but sometimes you just get goalied.
- fattybeef

Another factor was Coyote defenseman Michal Rozival.