That's the million dollar question my friend. I think that's why the decided to send Joki down so they could decide if Koekkoek is a guy who's gonna stick with the team (at least for one more year), if Forsling can take that next step they think/thought he could, and is Dahlstrom an NHL D-Man. I think Dahlstrom has played himself into being at least a #6/7 D-Man on this team. Now they need to figure out what they having in KK and Forsling. I honestly, think that Forsling is going to be moved in a deal at some point with how many guys they have that they seem to really like. KK I could see going either way. Gonna be interesting to see how this team figures out its Defensive positioning going into next year with all the pieces they have to the puzzle and where they fit best.
- Savetheembers33

This analysis is spot on. I would have to agree that Dahlstrom is most likely resigned to a short-term deal to remain as a 6/7 guy, maybe continuing as Murphy's partner.

This would then mean it's down to Forsling and Koekkoek. We'll see how the rest of the season plays out. Doubt both stay and it could play out that neither of them are Hawks next year. Factors to consider are:

1) What the team needs most (another puck mover with PP skills or a defensive defensman).

2) Who are reasonable candidates to pursue in free agency or trade.

3) Are they are any prospects who can make the jump next season whether an Ice Hog (Carlsson, Hillman, Raddysh) or a college/junior player (Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Krys).

Koek led us in EV last eve BTW.

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

If I had to choose today, I would agree with you and retain Forsling over Koekkoek. Gustav has more upside and could be a reliable two-way defender. Slater so far just seems like just a guy. Not horrible but wouldn't be missed either.

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

Ben Chiarot would work - lefty, decent defensively, cheaper than most of the other d-men on the list worth signing.

Ben Chiarot would work - lefty, decent defensively, cheaper than most of the other d-men on the list worth signing.
- EbonyRaptor

He was the name that caught the eye for me too. Good size about him too - listed at 6'3" and 218. Can't say I have seen too much of him with my own eyes though

If I had to choose today, I would agree with you and retain Forsling over Koekkoek. Gustav has more upside and could be a reliable two-way defender. Slater so far just seems like just a guy. Not horrible but wouldn't be missed either.
- AEL_Fox

How does Forsling have more upside? Because it was deemed he was a steal in a trade? He doesn't do one thing well except shoot the puck and he never gets power play time. He's slow and weak and scared

No one will give up 4 firsts.
- riozzo

Possibly 2 teams could get away with it Buffalo and Colorado
Buff has 3 first rounders this year and if they $11mil coming
off the books with plenty of space, might even be able to resign
Skinner.

Botterill has a dilemma, does he package his 3 first round picks
for say Hughes, Kakko or maybe Podkolzin,Cozens,Dach

Colorado has plenty of cap space with only Rantonnen getting
a hefty, but still plenty of space so imagine Marner added to
the top 3 plus Ott's first.

Both teams would be set for years

So if ever a guy like Marner was to get offered this would be
the time

How does Forsling have more upside? Because it was deemed he was a steal in a trade? He doesn't do one thing well except shoot the puck and he never gets power play time. He's slow and weak and scared
- GPHawksfan

Don't forget injury prone.

Hmmm, who was nasty before...Hossa, Bolland, Bickell, Buff, Madden to name a few. One or more on each line at some point. Saad played a much heavier game too before he got paid. Toews played a heavier game before he got hurt.

Don't underestimate the illness of Bickell as a HUGE change in the fortunes of the Hawks. If he were healthy he would be the Stone type guy on the top six today.

Boqvist is at least a year away to determine if he has the right stuff - if they manage him responsibly.

FA is fastest time to market (bu they have no chips and no cap space), followed by high draft pick (which you get through trade or tanking), followed by player development, which takes a much longer time.

It really is about how much time 19/88 have left. If you want another run with them, you must prioritize time to market solutions. If that is not the goal then you can take a longer view and be more patient.

They just need to pick a lane and stay in it.
- Return of the Roar

How times change. Other than Buff and Madden all the other guys were on the '13 team who you characterized as perimeter players and pirouetting ballerinas...I'm paraphrasing, but something like that.

Basically the entire season you were sounding the horn that their President's Trophy was nice, but they didn't have anyone to play the heavy game when the games counted.

Pick a narrative and stick with it.

Ottawa is without a first this year. My opinion, no ownership would allow 4 firsts to go for anyone short of McJesus
- riozzo

Would you give up 4 firsts for a guy who plays a very similar game with similar numbers at the same point in their career as Patrick Kane?

Don't forget injury prone.
- Davewn

That too. Thank you.

Would you give up 4 firsts for a guy who plays a very similar game with similar numbers at the same point in their career as Patrick Kane?
- paulr

He'll likely be signed before July 1 anyway so it's a moot point.

He'll likely be signed before July 1 anyway so it's a moot point.
- GPHawksfan

Possibly, but Marner's Agent came out today accusing the Leafs of lowballing his client.

Some one alluded to this earlier, but has anyone regressed since JC took over? You can make a case for Jokiharju, but he hasn't really regressed (according to his numbers) and at 19 is still developing.

To me, it seems like everyone has been challenged to be better, not as good as they were/have been. Considering they are still rotating guys in and out of the lineup (after wins no less), I think Stan and JC understand that this year is a "take what you can get" situation. JC took over mid-year and is still getting everyone on the same page (and it won't be until next year that it starts to really happen). I may be overstepping here, but I think Stan is smart enough to know what he has and where they stand that he won't be selling off prime prospects and picks to go after a rental of Panarin/Simmonds/Stone, etc.
- Chunk

I put it down to a different motivational approach from the two coaches - only have publicly available statements to go on (obvs not in the room), but Q struck me as the old-school "you weren't good enough tonight/didn't play the right way ("he was OK"), so next game you're going to have a seat." JC, on the other hand, says things like "he has more he can give us, he's a better player than he showed tonight, he knows what he has to do, and I know he can do it." One can tear down confidence, the other builds it.

From Corsica Hockey
Chicago Blackhawks 18-19 Season WAR/82

Defensemen

Dahlstrom +0.81
Murphy +0.13
Rutta -0.01
Manning -0.18
Seabrook -0.36
Keith -0.49
Jokiharju -0.57
Gustafsson -0.93
Forsling -1.99

Goaltenders

Delia +8.44
Crawford +2.00
Ward -3.67

Centers

Toews +1.28
Strome +0.68
Kampf +0.46
Kruger +0.25
Anisimov -0.32
Schmaltz -0.83

The Blackhawks now have a 15% chance of making the playoffs.

Possibly, but Marner's Agent came out today accusing the Leafs of lowballing his client.
- paulr

Based on play this year Marner's agent should be demanding same $/yr as Mathews and Tavares. Kid is a superb player.

Forwards

Debrincat +4.34
Kane +2.50
Saad +0.96
Perlini +0.24
Kahun +0.19
Kunitz +0.09
Caggiula -0.03
Fortin -0.16
Hayden -1.01

Its been a nice run of late team buying Into JC system looking more like a team playing with confidence. Lets not kid ourselves this is NOT A PLAYOFF TEAM still too many holes. If it was me I would listen on everyone as far as trade talk. If a gm calls bowman and wants to give a 1st and good prospect for gust I would do it as good as he as been on the offensive side of the puck just as bad on defensive side has he improved slightly. Hawks need to be sellers for the future of the hawks going forward. Hawks still need a top 4 stable d man top 6 forward 2-3 physical forwards with speed and scoring ability 1-2 centers and figure the Crawford situation out. So my hope is that Bowman and company does not look at this recent success and start thinking they are a playoff team and become buyers. Need to look at the big picture going forward, build a team that can compete for another 10-12 years and possible cup winners. It starts with being sellers from today until the TDL.
- Scott1977

I'm with you that they shouldn't be buyers at the TDL and that they should consider any and all good offers to offload some hard-to-move players who are not part of the future plans. However, would it be a horrible thing for them to squeak into the playoffs? I seem to remember quite a few around here saying that the biggest reason we lost in 2015-16 was the number of new/younger players who did not have playoff experience. So, wouldn't it be nice to get the kids some of that valuable experience (along with the giant confidence boost that would go with it)?

Forwards

Debrincat +4.34
Kane +2.50
Saad +0.96
Perlini +0.24
Kahun +0.19
Kunitz +0.09
Caggiula -0.03
Fortin -0.16
Hayden -1.01
- scottak

Sell high, trade DeBrincat for Lucic and add some much needed toughness. #grit

Sell high, trade DeBrincat for Lucic and add some much needed toughness. #grit
- DarthKane

Might Maple Leafs losing to Ottawa at home!

Edit: jinxed it...13th goal for bottom 6er Johnsson and it’s tied

Austin Matthews...damn he’s slick for suck a big guy. 3-2 leafs. I still don’t like their defense enough to win the Cup. Ottawa has been all over them

Based on play this year Marner's agent should be demanding same $/yr as Mathews and Tavares. Kid is a superb player.
- RickJ

He’s exceptionally talented offensively...how about that toe drag??

Sell high, trade DeBrincat for Lucic and add some much needed toughness. #grit
- DarthKane

LOL You called?

Austin Matthews...damn he’s slick for suck a big guy. 3-2 leafs. I still don’t like their defense enough to win the Cup. Ottawa has been all over them
- EnzoD

You are correct. That is why they would have a tough time with Boston and especially Tampa, who have as much or more speed and skill up front. Hedman, McDonough, Stralman as top 3 with Girardi as a PK/Shutdown Sergachev, another evolving star. Plus Cernak, big bodied beast who can skate, think Parayko with a little less offensively and depth with Braden Coburn...another big guy.

Nobody in the NHL matches up with that blue line. Yes San Jose has some offensive skill, but do not believe they have that depth.