He played great with 91 and 16 last night. He seemed hyped up playing against his former team and the SC honoring. I'm not a Kunitz advocate, but I wouldn't mind seeing that line more. At least, give it a chance.
- I Am The Breadman

Same here, but did like that line last night and it allows Sikura to go play meaningful top mins instead of 4th line mins. I like seeing them give some of the kids a cup of coffee and all but they're not going to develop much playing 4th line mins or being scratched.

On a side note, I just updated my avatar of the Cat. I need a 2019 playoff run so that I can see that majestic lion mane of a beard with highlights

But since they don't have another top 6 forward right now, I would like to see Drake get a shot on that first line with a third line of Kahun Kampf and Perlini.
- SoftServe

I see what you're saying. I like Kahun, he doesn't play consistently on that line. He looks good, flies, and chips in every so often, but I wouldn't mind him on a different line. We are lacking another top 6, but it's getting there.

With the Kurashev possible signing, I wonder if Bowman will eat up a year of his contract by playing him 10 games, if he does sign him?

On a side note, I just updated my avatar of the Cat. I need a 2019 playoff run so that I can see that majestic lion mane of a beard with highlights
- SoftServe

May want to get a new avatar, from reading many posts DBC will be traded before the playoffs. Be safe and make your avatar Malkin or Dutch.

May want to get a new avatar, from reading many posts DBC will be traded before the playoffs. Be safe and make your avatar Malkin or Dutch.
- paulr

Or Panarin

I see what you're saying. I like Kahun, he doesn't play consistently on that line. He looks good, flies, and chips in every so often, but I wouldn't mind him on a different line. We are lacking another top 6, but it's getting there.

With the Kurashev possible signing, I wonder if Bowman will eat up a year of his contract by playing him 10 games, if he does sign him?
- I Am The Breadman

Maybe, it should be interesting. Just like the trade deadline should be interesting. At least I'm hoping!

So the roster did get significantly better.

Strome is just a better hockey player than Schmaltz and I think Q would have gotten a lot out of him.

Murphy and Dahlstrom have been the best pairing all year.

They still let up a crap ton of shots but Delia has been great and Ward hasn't sucked.

Takes twoish months to form a new habit. Beginning of November they were bad and now they look much better. Hmmmmm.

Anyway JC has limited but still more talent to work with then Q did and the power play is rolling. I still think they will struggle but they'll at least be interesting to watch most nights.

I see what you're saying. I like Kahun, he doesn't play consistently on that line. He looks good, flies, and chips in every so often, but I wouldn't mind him on a different line. We are lacking another top 6, but it's getting there.

With the Kurashev possible signing, I wonder if Bowman will eat up a year of his contract by playing him 10 games, if he does sign him?
- I Am The Breadman

I think they'll focus on the college kids tbh. One of or both of Mitchell and Barrett will be the priority to get under contract and into Rockford.

Same here, but did like that line last night and it allows Sikura to go play meaningful top mins instead of 4th line mins. I like seeing them give some of the kids a cup of coffee and all but they're not going to develop much playing 4th line mins or being scratched.
- Assman22

He needs a little more Rockford.

"Where's Tyler? He passes to Dylan, Dylan looks for Tyler." I can hear Foley now, his Sedin skit moved to the Sikura skit ... well, both have to make it to the nhl.......

I think they'll focus on the college kids tbh. One of or both of Mitchell and Barrett will be the priority to get under contract and into Rockford.
- fattybeef

Ahhh, I can see that too. Maybe more trades, spaces/contracts clearing, they all can be up in Rock.

So the roster did get significantly better.

Strome is just a better hockey player than Schmaltz and I think Q would have gotten a lot out of him.

Murphy and Dahlstrom have been the best pairing all year.

They still let up a crap ton of shots but Delia has been great and Ward hasn't sucked.

Takes twoish months to form a new habit. Beginning of November they were bad and now they look much better. Hmmmmm.

Anyway JC has limited but still more talent to work with then Q did and the power play is rolling. I still think they will struggle but they'll at least be interesting to watch most nights.
- fattybeef

I think Q would have played Strome a game or two, destroyed is confidence, and then never played him again forcing Bowman to trade Strome at the deadline to a playoff bound team getting zip in return.

He needs a little more Rockford.

"Where's Tyler? He passes to Dylan, Dylan looks for Tyler." I can hear Foley now, his Sedin skit moved to the Sikura skit ... well, both have to make it to the nhl.......
- I Am The Breadman

is Foley being moved to call Rockford games?

Kunitz didn't look too bad and Hayden and the recently demoted Martinsen haven't shown any reason they should be playing in front of him at this point. As long as he doesn't pull boneheaded penalties like in that Flames?! game, I wouldn't mind playing him.
- Popsghostly

Except that Hayden is still young and might get better with regular playing time, wereas Kunitz has no future with this or any team at this point.

Agree, JL. A lot of signs for hope and change, but the leapfrogging maneuver doesn't seem possible. I'm always hoping though.....

I saw when Keith scored his goal and came back to the bench, he was talking and laughing with JC. Nice to see that.

Joki-dokey returns, Davidson going down? Forsling?
- I Am The Breadman

I would think Forsling would be the one going down. As per CapFriendly, he's still waiver exempt unless I'm reading this incorrectly: https://www.capfriendly.c...r/gustav-forsling#results

He still has 62 games remaining.

He's just so young still at 22 years old, he needs to be playing.

I thought Davidson played alright yesterday and now that he's back and healthy, he's a perfect 7th defenceman. A veteran guy that is on an expiring contract that you can have sitting in the press box for 90% of games.

is Foley being moved to call Rockford games?
- glennjpawlak22

No, just a bad joke.

I think they'll focus on the college kids tbh. One of or both of Mitchell and Barrett will be the priority to get under contract and into Rockford.
- fattybeef

Agreed. Also, pretty excited about Beaudin's season thus far. Boqvist seems like he's having a good year on paper but haven't seen him play.

Another excellent write up Justin,
Yeah have to give Bowman credit he has made some good moves this year after a horriable off season. Even the Murphy for Hammer trade looking good.
No disrepect to Q but a new direction was needed.
- HamiltonHawk

Murphy looks great. I think he was secretly happy when Q was left go. Not because he hated the guy, but needed a fresh start under a new coach. He's thriving and should help solidify the Hawks top 4 for a while IMO.

I would think Forsling would be the one going down. As per CapFriendly, he's still waiver exempt unless I'm reading this incorrectly: https://www.capfriendly.c...r/gustav-forsling#results

He still has 62 games remaining.

He's just so young still at 22 years old, he needs to be playing.

I thought Davidson played alright yesterday and now that he's back and healthy, he's a perfect 7th defenceman. A veteran guy that is on an expiring contract that you can have sitting in the press box for 90% of games.
- Justin Lowe

Okay, thanks. Agree with the amount of play time he needs to be getting.

Do you like Kruger playing wing though, with Drake playing center? If they see Drake being a center, one of Kruger, AA should be getting dealt at the deadline no?
- SoftServe

I think they will try to trade Kruger at the deadline. He would have some value as a 4th line/13th forward for a team looking to make a run. The Hawks won't get much back though but would be nice to see Krugs have another shot as who knows what his future is beyond this season.

Caggiula took 8 draws last night (only won 2) so I think they will feel him out as a C but I think he's best suited as a W.

Hawks have Luke Johnson, Nilsson, Highmore, etc. who could be called up if Krugs gets moved.

Q didn't get along with anyone in the FO, why would they bump him upstairs? Time to reload with young top prospects and let the kids play/develop like it's 2008-09 again.
- Assman22

If Q would "accept" that. He wants to coach still from all that I have heard.
- Justin Lowe

It's all moot at this point, but the reason to bump him to the FO would be one that would have been PR based more than anything else. The optics of his firing were very poor, especially for a club that has a heavy focus on their public image. They could have spun it as him needing time for his family, or however else they wanted to play it. He still could have been allowed to seek a coaching position elsewhere, just like he is assumed to be doing now.

Murphy looks great. I think he was secretly happy when Q was left go. Not because he hated the guy, but needed a fresh start under a new coach. He's thriving and should help solidify the Hawks top 4 for a while IMO.
- Justin Lowe

Something no one has brought up at least as far as I've seen is Murphy's bargain contract now that he's relevant. $3.85 mil per for the next 3 seasons. Hope Stan keeps trading with Zona

Anyone know what time waivers close? I see Jordan Schmaltz is still on waivers rn

Agreed. Also, pretty excited about Beaudin's season thus far. Boqvist seems like he's having a good year on paper but haven't seen him play.
- Assman22

I've seen the London Knights play about 20 times on TV. The first few games Boqvist was one of the most talented players on the ice but he was more intent on joing the rush than playing his position. In the meantime he has learned to play a much more responsible game and is picking his spots offensively and he's still one of the most talented players on the ice. By season's end I expect the Hunters will have Boqvist playing very well defenively and he will be dangerous offensively and be a top powerplay quarterback. Boqvist couldn't have been drafted by a better junior franchise.

Something no one has brought up at least as far as I've seen is Murphy's bargain contract now that he's relevant. $3.85 mil per for the next 3 seasons. Hope Stan keeps trading with Zona
- Assman22

Is there anyone left to get? I hope he and Chiarelli become trading buddies. Maybe we can get Leon for Seabs.

I thought Murphy looked decent last year once he stopped getting press boxed by Q, but he looks even better this season. Don't see too many on here still putting the Murphy for Memory of Good Hammer trade in the loss ledger for Stan.

Is there anyone left to get? I hope he and Chiarelli become trading buddies. Maybe we can get Leon for Seabs.

I thought Murphy looked decent last year once he stopped getting press boxed by Q, but he looks even better this season. Don't see too many on here still putting the Murphy for Memory of Good Hammer trade in the loss ledger for Stan.
- HawkintheD

Lucic. Fixed, haha.