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.
- AEL_Fox

He keeps his net. Forsberg does not. It is really just that simple. When Forsberg plays the NHL game it is too fast for him and he over-corrects to get moving laterally.

He keeps his net. Forsberg does not. It is really just that simple. When Forsberg plays the NHL game it is too fast for him and he over-corrects to get moving laterally.
- Return of the Roar

Forsberg's biggest problem, which AEL alluded to, is he rattles easily. Confidence is huge, with any player, but especially young guys. I think losing his net stems from his head/lack of confidence.

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.
- I Am The Breadman

I've told you this before but you have a really good knack of remembering everyone's past posts like predictions, claims, etc. And you know how to take screenshots for evidence!

Debrincat makes fun of your height.
- Chunk

I am putting you down for line of the year!

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.
- nickmo2699

Would be a huge mistake. Another eight figure salary??

LAST thing this team needs right now is another boat anchor contract to crowd out bottom six talent that will be needed to be a REAL playoff contender.

Bummed on the Garrison and Davidson news.

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....
- StLBravesFan

I think it would have been best to have Colliton in Rockford for a couple more years for a number of reason. I, however, am not in management for the Chicago Blackhawks though, so it was not my call.

I've told you this before but you have a really good knack of remembering everyone's past posts like predictions, claims, etc. And you know how to take screenshots for evidence!


- AEL_Fox

Hahaha, my Jedi powers, you called it. Star Wars is here all of the time.

Last line was a joke. I don't know how to do that. It took me two months just to get an avatar......

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

Something smells funny with this Nalimov character. I'm not too optimistic he'll ever play in the NHL.

Good for the Hawks for holding their ground to evaluate him for another year.

Forsberg's biggest problem, which AEL alluded to, is he rattles easily. Confidence is huge, with any player, but especially young guys. I think losing his net stems from his head/lack of confidence.
- I Am The Breadman

Agreed. I never minded too much the way Forsberg technically played, it was his mental that you could tell was not good.

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

Thanks Breadman! Hope you had a good holidays!

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.
- nickmo2699

Having a stellar top 6 would be part of the equation but think the rest of it entails rolling 4 solid lines not to mention ensuring the blueline continues to improve and the goalie situation is squared away with reliable tenders. Taking your proposal of Panarin being re-signed:

Panarin - Strome - Kane
Saad - Toews - DeBrincat
Kahun - Anisimov - Sikura
Perlini - Kampf - Ciaggula

Keith - Jokiharju
Dahlstrom - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Forsling

Delia (at least as backup)
Ward
(Crawford on LTIR?)

The bolded are the question marks for various reasons: will they still be with the Hawks next year or at least in a diminished role? Some of the bolded players could be upgraded at the TDL or off season. If not, those are likely candidates to hold those positions.

This all doesn't take into account how the cap would balance and who the Hawks draft this summer plus any prospects who may surprise to win a job next fall.

Didnt it seem like Saad was scoring more on the RW when he could attack the middle of the ice more effectively?

Thanks Breadman! Hope you had a good holidays!
- Justin Lowe

Same to you and your family.

Having a stellar top 6 would be part of the equation but think the rest of it entails rolling 4 solid lines not to mention ensuring the blueline continues to improve and the goalie situation is squared away with reliable tenders. Taking your proposal of Panarin being re-signed:

Panarin - Strome - Kane
Saad - Toews - DeBrincat
Kahun - Anisimov - Sikura
Perlini - Kampf - Ciaggula

Keith - Jokiharju
Dahlstrom - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Forsling

Delia (at least as backup)
Ward
(Crawford on LTIR?)

The bolded are the question marks for various reasons: will they still be with the Hawks next year or at least in a diminished role? Some of the bolded players could be upgraded at the TDL or off season. If not, those are likely candidates to hold those positions.

This all doesn't take into account how the cap would balance and who the Hawks draft this summer plus any prospects who may surprise to win a job next fall.
- AEL_Fox

I am thinking about the same thing. Panarin would be great, but expensive, and we would be back in cap hell. If they get the 2nd pick in the draft maybe they take Kaapo Kakko,or Dylan Cozens. 6'2 200' RW NHL ready to play with Toews and Saad. Then the other top line is ADB, Strome and Kane.

If you believe Delia is the real deal, then you have a boat load of cash to find short term defensive help until the prospects are ready.

Van trades Nilsson and Archibald to Ott for Pyatt, McKenna, and a 2019 6th round pick.

Forsberg's biggest problem, which AEL alluded to, is he rattles easily. Confidence is huge, with any player, but especially young guys. I think losing his net stems from his head/lack of confidence.
- I Am The Breadman

Anton (Huet) Forsberg?

Depends how desperate Columbus making the playoffs and going far. Since Panarin and bob are leaving and Columbus likely not getting anything in return.
- Scott1977

Bobo is leaving? For where? His agent must have convinced him that he is worth more than $7.4M/year and losing in the first round of the playoffs doesn't really matter.

He will be lucky to avoid a pay cut going forward.

Would be a huge mistake. Another eight figure salary??

LAST thing this team needs right now is another boat anchor contract to crowd out bottom six talent that will be needed to be a REAL playoff contender.
- Return of the Roar

Not sure if you are saying that tongue in cheek or not. While yes, you need solid bottom 6 talent to be a contender, you are truly never going to be a contender WITHOUT top 6 talent, and right now the Hawks are still 1 or 2 players from actually having 6.

Anton (Huet) Forsberg?
- TheTrob

Yes.

I am thinking about the same thing. Panarin would be great, but expensive, and we would be back in cap hell. If they get the 2nd pick in the draft maybe they take Kaapo Kakko,or Dylan Cozens. 6'2 200' RW NHL ready to play with Toews and Saad. Then the other top line is ADB, Strome and Kane.

If you believe Delia is the real deal, then you have a boat load of cash to find short term defensive help until the prospects are ready.
- -Doh-

Vasily Podkolzin and Kirby Dach have consistently been ranked in the top 5 as well and both can play RW. Matthew Boldy and Arthur Kaliyev are RWs also and have been in the top 10.

Keith might have told Bowman that he would not mind being moved to a contender. Who could fault that. He is playing on a loser, which he is not used to. His longtime coach was fired. His new coach is younger than he is. The team is in at least a moderate rebuild.

I think he would get you at least a first round pick (probably a late 1st round pick if he goes to a contender).

His cap hit is moderate and cost controlled for 4 more years. At worst he is a very good 2nd pair dman. He still can eat a ton of minutes. He is in good shape, for his age. He may have lost a stride, but still is fairly quick. A change of scenery and a play off race could get him excited about the game again.

I would not mind keeping him for at least another year. That would buy some time for the prospects. But if he wants out I would accommodate him if the return is right.

NM... looks like Garrison is being released completely.

Davidson is Rockford bound though. One would think he'll pass through waivers.

--
@ByScottPowers: Garrison is put on unconditional waivers and Davidson is on on waivers today.
- Justin Lowe

Garrison failed to report to Rockford so he’s on unconditional waivers for contract termination.

Garrison failed to report to Rockford so he’s on unconditional waivers for contract termination.
- walleyeb1

Odds are that Chiarelli told Bowman that Garrison would not report but Stanbo didn't care and was happy about it because he dumped Manning and also gets himself an extra contract spot with the termination.

Garrison failed to report to Rockford so he’s on unconditional waivers for contract termination.
- walleyeb1

I don't blame Garrison for not reporting. Management needs to be careful with this trend of burying veterans in Rockford. It may not help make Chicago an attractive destination during free agency, particularly for older players who could be useful for short-term service. Who knows, maybe such a reputation already exists?