Of all the D prospect not currently in the system, Mitchell is probably the most NHL ready and even then, I am not sure he is ready. He is the most polished on both sides of the ice.

Dahlstrom looks good, idk about fixture, still a rookie. I'm not giving him up though.
Forsling shouldn't be dealt. Looked good after return from IR. I think him and Koekkoek will rotate to see what they have.
Koekkoek, he can walk. I'm okay with him now, but it's no great loss. Play and develop young guys.
- I Am The Breadman

I really like what I have seen from Dahlstrom the last 3 games or so. He went through a rough patch and has responded nicely of late. Exactly what you want to see from a rookie.

ELC players are auto-protected in the expansion draft. It would help with keeping him on ELC longer and letting him develop physically more.
- ObeseOprah

This why Jokiharju should not been on the team this year ,we wasted a year of his ELC

One consideration might be how has this path altered with the coaching change. Joki impressed Q, but JC cut his playing time and the Hawks ended up sending him to Rockford. We might find that one of these young guys fits in better with JC than they didn't with Q or vice versa. It could be that the next guy up is a Carlsson or Raddysh and the other guys end up in Rockford or Junior. My roundabout way to my point is, maybe training camp next fall will give us a fresh take on what future the Hawks see for some of the guys, now that the coaching staff has changed.
- breadbag

Keep in mind Murphy was out the first two months of the year, and let's face it, Forsling 22, Koekkoek 24, Gusto 26, Dahlstrom 24 are being kicked out of the nest to see if they can fly

Is it me or is Matt Murray out with injury an awful lot in his career?

Z, I can see Nylander being moved and possibly Zaitsev, but they wont move Willy without wanting solid pieces back which cost $ and Zaitsev wont be moved without retention, so I find it tough. Plus they have said Marleau may be someone they move out but he is really important to their locker room and the young guys!

I think they are in a bind.
- nickmo2699

And Marleau has a No-Trade. Really think he will be waiving....I don't think so.....

Is it me or is Matt Murray out with injury an awful lot in his career?
- riozzo

One of the times his dad died.

Dahlstrom looks good, idk about fixture, still a rookie. I'm not giving him up though.
Forsling shouldn't be dealt. Looked good after return from IR. I think him and Koekkoek will rotate to see what they have.
Koekkoek, he can walk. I'm okay with him now, but it's no great loss. Play and develop young guys.
- I Am The Breadman

Koekkoek ia still a young guy who having some experience .......maybe ready to play with fewest mistakes among the young dmen. So far he has shown that he is willing to be physical by some checks. He was about #10 overall and can skate and be a puck mover.

You don't see a wow right away and without fanfare so automatically you might be dismissing him.

He would be cheap and he may be ready to take that step into NHL dman. Let him get a fair opportunity.

Anybody have a progress report on Philipp Kurashev after the WJC?, where does he slot in the future?
- LAHawk

Just looked yesterday, couldn't find much besides WJC mentions.

Koekkoek ia still a young guy who having some experience .......maybe ready to play with fewest mistakes among the young dmen. So far he has shown that he is willing to be physical by some checks. He was about #10 overall and can skate and be a puck mover.

You don't see a wow right away and without fanfare so automatically you might be dismissing him.

He would be cheap and he may be ready to take that step into NHL dman. Let him get a fair opportunity.
- jhawk59

Good points, I just feel that he's redundant with Murphy. I don't mind seeing what he has this year, (which I did say) and I know he'll be rotating with Forsling.

On IR.
- I Am The Breadman

I know. Looking towards the future.

I know. Looking towards the future.
- Dieselhead

Ahh, gotcha.

Is it me or is Matt Murray out with injury an awful lot in his career?
- riozzo

Yeah unfortunately he's had a lot of issues since he had his great run with the team when they won the Cup with him and Fleury as their 1-2 punch.

To point #2, I think it was Tommy Hawk.

I said they strike me as a team playing for each other. Bowman seems to be big on guys bonding and getting/signing/trading for players who have played with each other while developing.
- I Am The Breadman

Breadman, thanks for correcting who originally brought up the tweet about the post-game locker room music and cheering.

Realistically, what FA defenseman do you go after? I did a little research and these are the "top" 18 d-men that will be RFAs or UFAs. Many are on the wrong side of 30...or even 40 with Chara. Is Free Agency the way to go?

1. Erik Karlsson San Jose SharksSJS 28 D Right UFA
2. Jacob Trouba Winnipeg JetsWPG 24 D Right RFA
3. Tyler Myers Winnipeg JetsWPG 28 D Right UFA
4. Jay Bouwmeester St. Louis BluesSTL 34 D Left UFA
5. Alexander Edler Vancouver CanucksVAN 32 D Left UFA
6. Zdeno Chara Boston BruinsBOS 41 D Left UFA
7. Marc Methot Dallas StarsDAL 33 D Left UFA
8. Niklas Kronwall Detroit Red WingsDET 37 D Left UFA
9. Anton Strålman Tampa Bay LightningTBL 31 D Right UFA
10. Cody Ceci Ottawa SenatorsOTT 24 D Right RFA
11. Jake Gardiner Toronto Maple LeafsTOR 27 D Left UFA
12. Braydon Coburn Tampa Bay LightningTBL 33 D Left UFA
13. Dan Girardi Tampa Bay LightningTBL 34 D Right UFA
14. Joel Edmundson St. Louis BluesSTL 25 D Left RFA
15. Michael Del Zotto Anaheim DucksANA 28 D Left UFA
16. Ron Hainsey Toronto Maple LeafsTOR 37 D Left UFA
17. Carl Gunnarsson St. Louis BluesSTL 31 D Left UFA
18. Ryan Murray Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ 24 D Left RFA

Breadman, thanks for correcting who originally brought up the tweet about the post-game locker room music and cheering.
- AEL_Fox

Minor, but it's what I do. Np.

Realistically, what FA defenseman do you go after? I did a little research and these are the "top" 18 d-men that will be RFAs or UFAs. Many are on the wrong side of 30...or even 40 with Chara. Is Free Agency the way to go?

1. Erik Karlsson San Jose SharksSJS 28 D Right UFA
2. Jacob Trouba Winnipeg JetsWPG 24 D Right RFA
3. Tyler Myers Winnipeg JetsWPG 28 D Right UFA
4. Jay Bouwmeester St. Louis BluesSTL 34 D Left UFA
5. Alexander Edler Vancouver CanucksVAN 32 D Left UFA
6. Zdeno Chara Boston BruinsBOS 41 D Left UFA
7. Marc Methot Dallas StarsDAL 33 D Left UFA
8. Niklas Kronwall Detroit Red WingsDET 37 D Left UFA
9. Anton Strålman Tampa Bay LightningTBL 31 D Right UFA
10. Cody Ceci Ottawa SenatorsOTT 24 D Right RFA
11. Jake Gardiner Toronto Maple LeafsTOR 27 D Left UFA
12. Braydon Coburn Tampa Bay LightningTBL 33 D Left UFA
13. Dan Girardi Tampa Bay LightningTBL 34 D Right UFA
14. Joel Edmundson St. Louis BluesSTL 25 D Left RFA
15. Michael Del Zotto Anaheim DucksANA 28 D Left UFA
16. Ron Hainsey Toronto Maple LeafsTOR 37 D Left UFA
17. Carl Gunnarsson St. Louis BluesSTL 31 D Left UFA
18. Ryan Murray Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ 24 D Left RFA
- MNHawk

I would rather keep who we got

Here's the next grouping. Who do you go after that will make your team better? Who will you go after that won't require a bidding war? Who is young enough that you can rely on him for 4-5 years? Oh, and who doesn't just suck...?

19. Ben Hutton Vancouver CanucksVAN 25 D Left RFA
20. Adam McQuaid New York RangersNYR 31 D Right UFA
21. Ben Lovejoy New Jersey DevilsNJD 34 D Right UFA
22. Patrik Nemeth Colorado AvalancheCOL 26 D Left UFA
23. Nathan Beaulieu Buffalo SabresBUF 25 D Left RFA
24. Jan Rutta Tampa Bay LightningTBL 27 D Right UFA
25. Esa Lindell Dallas StarsDAL 24 D Left RFA
26. Nikita Zadorov Colorado AvalancheCOL 23 D Left RFA
27. Alex Petrovic Edmonton OilersEDM 26 D Right UFA
28. Jake McCabe Buffalo SabresBUF 24 D Left RFA
29. Luca Sbisa New York IslandersNYI 28 D Left UFA
30. Deryk Engelland Vegas Golden KnightsVGK 36 D Right UFA
31. Ben Chiarot Winnipeg JetsWPG 27 D Left UFA
32. Roman Polák Dallas StarsDAL 32 D Right UFA
33. Andrej Sustr Anaheim DucksANA 27 D Right UFA
34. Connor Carrick Dallas StarsDAL 24 D Right RFA
35. Derrick Pouliot Vancouver CanucksVAN 24 D Left RFA
36. Jordie Benn Montreal CanadiensMTL 30 D Left UFA
37. Chris Wideman Florida PanthersFLA 28 D Right UFA
38. Brooks Orpik Washington CapitalsWSH 37 D Left UFA

Here's the next grouping. Who do you go after that will make your team better? Who will you go after that won't require a bidding war? Who is young enough that you can rely on him for 4-5 years? Oh, and who doesn't just suck...?

19. Ben Hutton Vancouver CanucksVAN 25 D Left RFA
20. Adam McQuaid New York RangersNYR 31 D Right UFA
21. Ben Lovejoy New Jersey DevilsNJD 34 D Right UFA
22. Patrik Nemeth Colorado AvalancheCOL 26 D Left UFA
23. Nathan Beaulieu Buffalo SabresBUF 25 D Left RFA
24. Jan Rutta Tampa Bay LightningTBL 27 D Right UFA
25. Esa Lindell Dallas StarsDAL 24 D Left RFA
26. Nikita Zadorov Colorado AvalancheCOL 23 D Left RFA
27. Alex Petrovic Edmonton OilersEDM 26 D Right UFA
28. Jake McCabe Buffalo SabresBUF 24 D Left RFA
29. Luca Sbisa New York IslandersNYI 28 D Left UFA
30. Deryk Engelland Vegas Golden KnightsVGK 36 D Right UFA
31. Ben Chiarot Winnipeg JetsWPG 27 D Left UFA
32. Roman Polák Dallas StarsDAL 32 D Right UFA
33. Andrej Sustr Anaheim DucksANA 27 D Right UFA
34. Connor Carrick Dallas StarsDAL 24 D Right RFA
35. Derrick Pouliot Vancouver CanucksVAN 24 D Left RFA
36. Jordie Benn Montreal CanadiensMTL 30 D Left UFA
37. Chris Wideman Florida PanthersFLA 28 D Right UFA
38. Brooks Orpik Washington CapitalsWSH 37 D Left UFA
- MNHawk

With this list I would rather be patient and build from within

Actually looking at Toronto's cap, they could sign Marner but then something would have to give, I'd be okay with Kapanen and Marleau coming over here this summer for a 2nd or 3rd round pick

Here's the next grouping. Who do you go after that will make your team better? Who will you go after that won't require a bidding war? Who is young enough that you can rely on him for 4-5 years? Oh, and who doesn't just suck...?

19. Ben Hutton Vancouver CanucksVAN 25 D Left RFA
20. Adam McQuaid New York RangersNYR 31 D Right UFA
21. Ben Lovejoy New Jersey DevilsNJD 34 D Right UFA
22. Patrik Nemeth Colorado AvalancheCOL 26 D Left UFA
23. Nathan Beaulieu Buffalo SabresBUF 25 D Left RFA
24. Jan Rutta Tampa Bay LightningTBL 27 D Right UFA
25. Esa Lindell Dallas StarsDAL 24 D Left RFA
26. Nikita Zadorov Colorado AvalancheCOL 23 D Left RFA
27. Alex Petrovic Edmonton OilersEDM 26 D Right UFA
28. Jake McCabe Buffalo SabresBUF 24 D Left RFA
29. Luca Sbisa New York IslandersNYI 28 D Left UFA
30. Deryk Engelland Vegas Golden KnightsVGK 36 D Right UFA
31. Ben Chiarot Winnipeg JetsWPG 27 D Left UFA
32. Roman Polák Dallas StarsDAL 32 D Right UFA
33. Andrej Sustr Anaheim DucksANA 27 D Right UFA
34. Connor Carrick Dallas StarsDAL 24 D Right RFA
35. Derrick Pouliot Vancouver CanucksVAN 24 D Left RFA
36. Jordie Benn Montreal CanadiensMTL 30 D Left UFA
37. Chris Wideman Florida PanthersFLA 28 D Right UFA
38. Brooks Orpik Washington CapitalsWSH 37 D Left UFA
- MNHawk

Ignore the stupid ass hashtag and comment!

Hawks need another elite talent at forward. The best chance of that is a top 5 draft pick.
They are not legitimate cup contenders, let's be realistic about what sets us up best long-term.

If I offered you a first round exit and a 16th overall pick or missing the playoffs and getting a 4th overall pick, which would you take?
- ObeseOprah

Hawks need another elite talent at forward. The best chance of that is a top 5 draft pick.
They are not legitimate cup contenders, let's be realistic about what sets us up best long-term.

If I offered you a first round exit and a 16th overall pick or missing the playoffs and getting a 4th overall pick, which would you take?
- ObeseOprah

I will take door number 2, alex.

Realistically, what FA defenseman do you go after? I did a little research and these are the "top" 18 d-men that will be RFAs or UFAs. Many are on the wrong side of 30...or even 40 with Chara. Is Free Agency the way to go?

1. Erik Karlsson San Jose SharksSJS 28 D Right UFA
2. Jacob Trouba Winnipeg JetsWPG 24 D Right RFA
3. Tyler Myers Winnipeg JetsWPG 28 D Right UFA
4. Jay Bouwmeester St. Louis BluesSTL 34 D Left UFA
5. Alexander Edler Vancouver CanucksVAN 32 D Left UFA
6. Zdeno Chara Boston BruinsBOS 41 D Left UFA
7. Marc Methot Dallas StarsDAL 33 D Left UFA
8. Niklas Kronwall Detroit Red WingsDET 37 D Left UFA
9. Anton Strålman Tampa Bay LightningTBL 31 D Right UFA
10. Cody Ceci Ottawa SenatorsOTT 24 D Right RFA
11. Jake Gardiner Toronto Maple LeafsTOR 27 D Left UFA
12. Braydon Coburn Tampa Bay LightningTBL 33 D Left UFA
13. Dan Girardi Tampa Bay LightningTBL 34 D Right UFA
14. Joel Edmundson St. Louis BluesSTL 25 D Left RFA
15. Michael Del Zotto Anaheim DucksANA 28 D Left UFA
16. Ron Hainsey Toronto Maple LeafsTOR 37 D Left UFA
17. Carl Gunnarsson St. Louis BluesSTL 31 D Left UFA
18. Ryan Murray Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ 24 D Left RFA
- MNHawk

I would LOVE....but, sadly....not gonna happen. And, a Left would be preferred. Still, 24 yrs old....great offense/ defense balance. Sign him up!

Ignore the stupid ass hashtag and comment!
- I Am The Breadman

I laughed at that too. Rutta....vomit....