Hate giving away Dmen when they are young. Especially ones with a booming shot, and talent to be PP QB.

You see it time and time again that they mature later. I don't think the return for him now is great, or that he has a lot of bargaining leverage.

I'd probably resign him to an affordable deal and let him get more time, even if that is top minutes in Rockford.
- vabeachbear

I'm not advocating giving him away, but just saying he is gonna get a raise. Next season, sending him to Rockford probably isn't an option, because he will have to pass through waivers. If he is going to be part of the future and signs for a reasonable amount, by all means, I hope they keep him around. Otherwise they could use him as part of a package to improve the team and make room for someone else.

I know that Delia is on an emergency basis call-up. How does that differ? It doesn't affect the number of call-ups or there is a certain amount of time he can stay up?

Columbus would be dumb to make that trade.
- LeafGuy89

Depends how desperate Columbus making the playoffs and going far. Since Panarin and bob are leaving and Columbus likely not getting anything in return.

Totally agree. Coaching is so vital in the AHL and minors as well. I'm not sure Derek King is exactly the guy and not sure the Hawks are sold either. Wouldn't be shocked to see them bring in someone else to run the ship.

Also, the Hawks have a "vet dman" looking out for those guys in Rockford in Sheldon Brookbank as well.
- Justin Lowe

Seems to me they had a quality AHL development coach there before - Colitis or something like that - not too long ago.

Seriously - might it not have been better to keep Colliton in Rockford a another year or two to help develop the kids - and develop himself as a head coach in North America - bring someone in to coach the parent squad for a year or two (Mike Smith?) as a placeholder - and then move Colliton into Chicago when his guys from the Hogs are truly ready to move into the Show?

Just second guessing / Monday morning quarterbacking....

That's my only hesistation in trading Gus so early on. He's got a lot of talent and is still only 22 with plenty of room to grow with his big shot. He could very well become a top 4 D-Man and I wouldn't wanna give that away for nothing...but if a team comes in and offers a good young forward who can step into the lineup soon here its something you at least have to be open to
- Savetheembers33

Gus will be 27 by the time the Hawks are playing golf this spring - but yes, a lot of talent - if his defensive skills could become just acceptable, he would be a tremendous asset going forward.

Thanks for the mailbag. Always a nice change of pace especially with a crazy season like this.

Hopefully it'll get a little nuts over the next month and we will continue to have fun stuff to talk about.

Gus will be 27 by the time the Hawks are playing golf this spring - but yes, a lot of talent - if his defensive skills could become just acceptable, he would be a tremendous asset going forward.
- StLBravesFan

Hes been decent lately. Playing his off side. Certainly a killer on the power play.

IMHO Keith is past his sell by date to get much of a return.

No team is "adding Keith away" from being a cup contender, any who might be have no cap space, and any who do aren't a team Keith would likely waive to go to.
- Return of the Roar

Logically, you are spot on. That said, but as long as there are GM's like Chiarelli out there, you can never say never. Plus trade deadlines always get the creative juices flowing from GM's.

Garrison made fun of my height. He gone

Gus will be 27 by the time the Hawks are playing golf this spring - but yes, a lot of talent - if his defensive skills could become just acceptable, he would be a tremendous asset going forward.
- StLBravesFan

He meant Forsling, I think the team calls him Gus because of his first name.

Gus will be 27 by the time the Hawks are playing golf this spring - but yes, a lot of talent - if his defensive skills could become just acceptable, he would be a tremendous asset going forward.
- StLBravesFan

He was talking about Gus (tav) Forsling I believe.

Great piece, JL. Your best yet! I really enjoy your takes and perspectives and insights. I'm glad I came out of the interweb shadow. You run a great ship around here, so thank you, for all that you do.

I was happy with most of the hawks performances yesterday, but if they stay out of WC's, that I'd fine by me. The jerseys and hats were cool.

I'm actually surprised that the hawks have no Russians in the WJC. I'm glad for who are playing and playing well, and that we almost lead the league, but I want to see more faces. I'm greedy like that. It means we have much better prospects that we thought, and could be closer to contention.....

I do wonder about the goaltender situation. Crow's is scary and serious. I want him back, but what if he takes another? How long does he actually live after these?

Then we got Lankinen, Delia, Peeters, Nalimov, Forsberg, and Gravel. We are on three sides of the spectrum: bust, unknown, and hope. I have hope for Delia and Gravel, I think they might pan out the best. Nalimov, I expect to sign in the off-season, but I don't know anything about him.
- I Am The Breadman

I wouldn't expect to ever see Peeters. He hasn't advanced much, if at all, since they drafted him. Not sure exactly what happened with Nalimov, but he fell off a cliff this year. 4-5 different teams and is barely playing. When he has, it has not been all that great.

I'm actually surprised that the hawks have no Russians in the WJC. I'm glad for who are playing and playing well, and that we almost lead the league, but I want to see more faces. I'm greedy like that. It means we have much better prospects that we thought, and could be closer to contention.
- I Am The Breadman

I posted this in the last blog:

Can't remember which news outlet it was (TSN, Hockey News, Sportsnet?) but one of them rated the Hawks prospect system around middle of the pack possibly even in the 11-15 range. They're trending in the right direction especially after the past two drafts.

Other teams may have some blue chippers but the Hawks have some pretty good ones coming up the ranks as well. Yes, could be better but still sufficient to have some excitement for the future.

Then we got Lankinen, Delia, Peeters, Nalimov, Forsberg, and Gravel. We are on three sides of the spectrum: bust, unknown, and hope. I have hope for Delia and Gravel, I think they might pan out the best. Nalimov, I expect to sign in the off-season, but I don't know anything about him.
- I Am The Breadman

Delia and Gravel are my "picks to click" for future netminders.

I think Delia is distancing himself as the clear winner between he and Forsberg which could spell the end to the Swede's time in the Hawks system.

Nalimov is a dark horse but I'm not holding my breath with him. May have talent but he seems to have a problem with sticking with a team. Is that the KHL system messing with his career trajectory or is he the problem? Also don't like his attitude of not wanting to earn an NHL job (at least that's how I interpreted his past interviews). First thing's first: get out of your KHL contract, then cross the pond. Once those two steps are done, prove your worth and don't expect to be handed a spot. If you make the team on your own merit: GREAT! But if you suck it up, that's on you.

Lankinen is an unknown still but could surprise.

And I've given up on Peeters. He was underwhelming in the past prospect camps and there have been reports that his motivation is pretty poor. Some questioned whether he even wanted to be at the most recent prospect camp in July.

He meant Forsling, I think the team calls him Gus because of his first name.
- breadbag

Got it.

Garrison made fun of my height. He gone
- Stan_Bowman

Debrincat makes fun of your height.

I think AA will be moved at TDL or before the draft. I like that they are playing him on Kane's line. That can only raise his value. You might just get a 3rd round pick. But if a playoff team has an injury to a center you might get a 2nd or you might get a 3rd round pick plus something (like an Entwistle or Perlini throw-in).

After AA is moved you put ADB back with Strome and Kane and ADB's TOI gets back to where it should be.

The Hawks will miss the playoffs and have a very high first round pick and some cap space.
Top "offensive" line - ADB, Strome, Kane
Top "200 foot" line - Saad, Toews, Free agent or 1st round pick
Perlini, Kampf, Kahun, Caggiula, Sikura, Hayden (bottom 6)

Not terrible.

IMHO Keith is past his sell by date to get much of a return.

No team is "adding Keith away" from being a cup contender, any who might be have no cap space, and any who do aren't a team Keith would likely waive to go to.
- Return of the Roar

Depends on how you define that. Teams like the Leafs, Penguins, Avalanche and a few others are much weaker defensively than other teams and could use an upgrade. As they are already "contenders" so in that sense you are correct they are not a Keith away from being contenders, but he definitely makes a team like the Leafs more competitive against TBL. There are other teams like EDM who are still looking for something defensively (and in net) to bolster McDavid, etc. and become "contenders", whether that is realistic or not.

IMHO Keith is past his sell by date to get much of a return.

No team is "adding Keith away" from being a cup contender, any who might be have no cap space, and any who do aren't a team Keith would likely waive to go to.
- Return of the Roar

I agree. Keith at $5.5M for 4 more seasons is a hard sell to the handful of teams that (a) need him and (b) can afford him. But, what about Kieth at $3.5M with the Hawks retaining $2M? Looking at Toronto which has cap space this season and Keith would help them. They hit cap hell next season when they have to open the bank vault for Matthews, Marner and a couple lesser lights - but they also have Gardner ($4) and Hainsey ($3) coming off the books so maybe it would work for them.

But, is getting rid of $3.5M off the cap worth getting rid of Keith? Don't know.

I think AA will be moved at TDL or before the draft. I like that they are playing him on Kane's line. That can only raise his value. You might just get a 3rd round pick. But if a playoff team has an injury to a center you might get a 2nd or you might get a 3rd round pick plus something (like an Entwistle or Perlini throw-in).

After AA is moved you put ADB back with Strome and Kane and ADB's TOI gets back to where it should be.

The Hawks will miss the playoffs and have a very high first round pick and some cap space.
Top "offensive" line - ADB, Strome, Kane
Top "200 foot" line - Saad, Toews, Free agent or 1st round pick
Perlini, Kampf, Kahun, Caggiula, Sikura, Hayden (bottom 6)


Not terrible.
- -Doh-

I mean if you're able to grab Panarin and Put the Cat with Toews and Saad, you are looking at a playoff team that can cause serious matchup issues.

I wouldn't expect to ever see Peeters. He hasn't advanced much, if at all, since they drafted him. Not sure exactly what happened with Nalimov, but he fell off a cliff this year. 4-5 different teams and is barely playing. When he has, it has not been all that great.
- Chunk

Yeah, Peeters was in the bust category. Nalimov is a huge ? in my book. I know him and Bowman have talked a lot, and might have a deal come summer.

Garrison made fun of my height. He gone
- Stan_Bowman

goddamn

I think Delia is distancing himself as the clear winner between he and Forsberg which could spell the end to the Swede's time in the Hawks system.
- AEL_Fox

Spot on. Delia has the right stuff, Forsberg does not.

I agree with other posters that Delia needs more starts. No better baptism than the dumpster fire in front of him these days, and he seems to be up to the challenge, unlike Forsberg.

Spot on. Delia has the right stuff, Forsberg does not.

I agree with other posters that Delia needs more starts. No better baptism than the dumpster fire in front of him these days, and he seems to be up to the challenge, unlike Forsberg.
- Return of the Roar

Yeah, not only is Delia more efficient and compact on his playing style, he doesn't seem to get rattled by a barrage of shots or by goals against. Composure and mettle are part of the battle and he is proving to have both at the NHL level so far compared to Forsberg.

If not Jenner or Anderson, kick the tires on Wennberg. He may be a possible option to explore as a new 3C to lineup behind Toews and Strome. While Jenner is more physical, Wennberg is offensively gifted. Jenner is better on faceoffs (51% vs 47%).
- AEL_Fox

Agree but with panarin and bob most likely leaving wennberg i would think columbus needs to hold on to. What is the date for TDL?

I posted this in the last blog:

Can't remember which news outlet it was (TSN, Hockey News, Sportsnet?) but one of them rated the Hawks prospect system around middle of the pack possibly even in the 11-15 range. They're trending in the right direction especially after the past two drafts.

Other teams may have some blue chippers but the Hawks have some pretty good ones coming up the ranks as well. Yes, could be better but still sufficient to have some excitement for the future.


Delia and Gravel are my "picks to click" for future netminders.

I think Delia is distancing himself as the clear winner between he and Forsberg which could spell the end to the Swede's time in the Hawks system.

Nalimov is a dark horse but I'm not holding my breath with him. May have talent but he seems to have a problem with sticking with a team. Is that the KHL system messing with his career trajectory or is he the problem? Also don't like his attitude of not wanting to earn an NHL job (at least that's how I interpreted his past interviews). First thing's first: get out of your KHL contract, then cross the pond. Once those two steps are done, prove your worth and don't expect to be handed a spot. If you make the team on your own merit: GREAT! But if you suck it up, that's on you.

Lankinen is an unknown still but could surprise.

And I've given up on Peeters. He was underwhelming in the past prospect camps and there have been reports that his motivation is pretty poor. Some questioned whether he even wanted to be at the most recent prospect camp in July.
- AEL_Fox

Agree with your goalie predictions, but I didn't know everything about Nalimov.

I remember you posting that about prospect ranking. A breadman, or elephant, never forgets.