Granted it was against the Nucks, which have similar talent level overall, but the boys looked tough yesterday. Didn't give up on as many plays and a bunch of chippy facewashes.

A full training camp learning the defensive system would do these boys some good.

Question to the board: What do we think of Koekkeok? Is he salvageable? A piece to build with or a piece to trade?

Stan trades CC to AZ so they can put him on IR.

Panarin and Bob have same agent, so they will sign same deals (theres our new Toews/Kane tandem)

It's aaaaallllllll... part of the plan.
- HawksHype

The NHL superagent is Pat Brisson (Toews, Kane, Crosby, Kopitar). He also is childhood friends and played junior with Luc Robitaille

Nice write up again JL.
Im confident Bowman won't do anythinkg stupid.
If he can add someone for next to nothing to help try makes the playoffs he will bUT nothing that will hurt the future or hit the Cap next year.
I don't think we will add much via free agents in the summer either we have some cap space bUT Dcat and Strome are playing well and looking like they will be getting paid big bucks in a year or two.

To answer the previous question, Blackhawks PP per season:

2010 16th 17.7% (SC)
2011 4th 23.1%
2012 26th 15.2%
2013 19th 16.7% (SC)
2014 10th 19.5%
2015 20th 17.6% (SC)
2016 2nd 23.1%
2017 19th 18.0%

So, in the 3 Cup years, they ranked in the bottom half of the league 16th, 19th & 20th.

This might also mean that some other things are more important that the PP. My guess would be PK and team defense.

For the most part, in most sports, defense wins championships.

Granted it was against the Nucks, which have similar talent level overall, but the boys looked tough yesterday. Didn't give up on as many plays and a bunch of chippy facewashes.

A full training camp learning the defensive system would do these boys some good.

Question to the board: What do we think of Koekkeok? Is he salvageable? A piece to build with or a piece to trade?
- CanOCorn

Former 10th overall draftpick that was basically blocked in the Tampa system. He has potential, is a great skater has size, If he accepts a minimum contract, I would sign him

Granted it was against the Nucks, which have similar talent level overall, but the boys looked tough yesterday. Didn't give up on as many plays and a bunch of chippy facewashes.

A full training camp learning the defensive system would do these boys some good.

Question to the board: What do we think of Koekkeok? Is he salvageable? A piece to build with or a piece to trade?
- CanOCorn

I like his speed and how mobile he is . I hope they give him a chance

To answer the previous question, Blackhawks PP per season:

2010 16th 17.7% (SC)
2011 4th 23.1%
2012 26th 15.2%
2013 19th 16.7% (SC)
2014 10th 19.5%
2015 20th 17.6% (SC)
2016 2nd 23.1%
2017 19th 18.0%

So, in the 3 Cup years, they ranked in the bottom half of the league 16th, 19th & 20th.

This might also mean that some other things are more important that the PP. My guess would be PK and team defense.

For the most part, in most sports, defense wins championships.
- scottak

Finally some sanity amidst the fantasy island crap.

Granted it was against the Nucks, which have similar talent level overall, but the boys looked tough yesterday. Didn't give up on as many plays and a bunch of chippy facewashes.

A full training camp learning the defensive system would do these boys some good.

Question to the board: What do we think of Koekkeok? Is he salvageable? A piece to build with or a piece to trade?
- CanOCorn

I think he has been getting better with more time. The initial problem I had with him is that I didn't know what to expect from him (is he more offensive, defensive, etc). I don't mind him, but I don't think he is anything notably special. If you are rotating Forsling, Koekkeok, and Dahlstrom, I think they are all about the same guy with Dahlstrom being a bit steadier defensively.

All that said, I would much rather Joki was back up.

Former 10th overall draftpick that was basically blocked in the Tampa system. He has potential, is a great skater has size, If he accepts a minimum contract, I would sign him
- LAHawk

Compared to that f'n Jan Rutta, KooKoo resembles a combination of Orr and Potvin.

He has had some injury issues but Bowman will keep him which gives him some flexibility to move out another Dman at the TDL.

I like how the narrative has shifted to "not a team built for the playoffs" from "not a team that can make the playoffs." At this point, we just have to enjoy the journey.

I like how the narrative has shifted to "not a team built for the playoffs" from "not a team that can make the playoffs." At this point, we just have to enjoy the journey.
- 333inthe3rd

Also in order to make the playoffs, the team will have to win some playoff type games to get there.

The probability of the Hawks making the playoffs improved from 15% to 17% after last night. (Per The Athletic).

Spot on analysis. At best this team, this year, is a .500 bubble team. The drop off in talent from the glory years is dramatic.

Hopefully, last year was the bottom. This year looks to be trending up. 2019-20, maybe a playoff team with a couple of key additions. Then look to be contending again as early as 2020-21.
- scottak

.500 this year puts you right in the mix in the Western conference.

This team no doubt has flaws, but it is nice to see them be competitive. The hope is that the abundance of young players in the lineup continue to get better, stronger and learn how to play. While I expect that it will come for some, I feel that others just "are what they are".

You can deal with Gustafsson's defensive liabilities because of what he brings at the other end and you understand that at 27 there is probably not going to be much change in his game. You hope that some of the other younger defensemen develop at both ends of the ice.

Speaking of defensemen, I'm more than OK with the Forsling experiment to end. Either send him back to the Rock until he improves or deal him to someone. With the likes of Boquist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Krys, Raddysh, etc. in the system there are plenty of other young options to explore. Forsling, even after over 100 NHL games, still makes very poor reads, takes poor angles, and coughs up too many pucks with bad passes. Unlike Gustafsson, he does not offer much at the offensive end at this point. Yes, he has a nice shot, but watching him play he does not offer the type of dynamic offensive play you would like to see. I would rather see Dahlstrom at this point and his steadier play in his own end.

I do not see them moving Keith.

I also do not see them moving Kunitz, Kruger, Ward or AA before the TDL. One reason is that you would get very little back. The other reason is that there is no one at the Rock that screams "this kid should be in the NHL right now". My guess is that they keep this team as currently constructed, move AA after July 1st, add a high end free agent (either forward or D), add a mid level free agent (either forward or D) in the off season, and hope Crow is healthy for his final season with the Hawks.

I would like to see them move AA before the TDL. Maybe they could if they retain $2mil in salary (his July 1 bonus). They may not get much back.

I could see them moving one of their Dmen not named Keith, Seabs, Murphy, or Gus.

If they did move AA at the TDL I could see them acquiring a 3C or 4C for a run to make the playoffs that fits into their plans for next year.

I think it is still a long shot that the Hawks make the playoffs. But if they do, and Crow comes back and plays like he did in the first part of this year, the Hawks may not be swept and would be fun to watch against Nashville or the Peg.

This. Team. Sucks.

They have a crazy good power play right now, Partick Kane who is reminding everyone how great he is and they're getting outstanding goaltending.

They are horrendous at defending. Esp high danger chances. They suck at getting high danger chances and the brilliance of Kane and DCAT (who makes Panarin kind of superfluous - means not necessary) is keeping them a float.

The Sox have a better chance of singing Harper and Machado then the Hawks do of winning even one playoff game let alone getting to the playoffs.

Gus for a high pick. Give Keith some nights off. Move AA and Kruger. Give Johnson and Sikura more minutes. Saad + for Faulk or Dougie would be good. Top 4 or 5 pick needs to happen and they need a first pairing guy on the blue line.

Aside from the highs and lows, this is not fun to watch unless Kane has the puck or they're on the power play. Wake up people.

I think Koek has looked better then forsling IMO. I would move him and bring back Joki probably. one thing people need to remember is signing any fringe guy to $1050000 or less you can just bury in Rockford. the worse thing that could happen is they get claimed. unless perlini as example can return some value I would keep him and give him the off season and training camp to prove he is 1 of our top 13 forwards.

Thanks for the beauty hits compilation video. Each one a clean hit too.

I think Koek has looked better then forsling IMO. I would move him and bring back Joki probably. one thing people need to remember is signing any fringe guy to $1050000 or less you can just bury in Rockford. the worse thing that could happen is they get claimed. unless perlini as example can return some value I would keep him and give him the off season and training camp to prove he is 1 of our top 13 forwards.
- kmw4631

Agreed. I also don't like sitting Dahlstrom for Forsling. Murphy and Dahlstrom really work well together. I make them my #1 PK tandem and see what they can do.

* give up too many shots and a high % in the high danger variety
* currently don’t have a starting goalie
* showing signs of strong offensive dominance on shifts but most of that is perimeter play (guys like Caggiula and Strome helping but not enough)
* PK is horrendous

What are you talking about? They start a goalie every night.
- Chunk

Sorry... meant #1 starting goalie.

Fixed.

This. Team. Sucks.

They have a crazy good power play right now, Partick Kane who is reminding everyone how great he is and they're getting outstanding goaltending.

They are horrendous at defending. Esp high danger chances. They suck at getting high danger chances and the brilliance of Kane and DCAT (who makes Panarin kind of superfluous - means not necessary) is keeping them a float.

The Sox have a better chance of singing Harper and Machado then the Hawks do of winning even one playoff game let alone getting to the playoffs.

Gus for a high pick. Give Keith some nights off. Move AA and Kruger. Give Johnson and Sikura more minutes. Saad + for Faulk or Dougie would be good. Top 4 or 5 pick needs to happen and they need a first pairing guy on the blue line.

Aside from the highs and lows, this is not fun to watch unless Kane has the puck or they're on the power play. Wake up people.
- fattybeef

Thanks for informing us what is and isn't fun to watch because none of us is capable of forming our own opinion.

Tyler -

SPOT. ON.

So, given that all to be true, and the consensus appears to agree with your analysis here, what should the FO do the rest of the season?

1. Who stays?

A. Offense
19/88, 12/17, 20/91 are your keepers on the top three lines.

B. Defense
Gus has a role to play, and at his contract should be developed/evaluated another year to see if you keep him long term.

Murphy is pleasantly surprising me with the development of his game. Keeper.

Keith - unless the return is valuable, you keep him. Still a top four guy.

Dahlstrom - give him more time in the NHL. He will be a solid bottom pair guy at worst.

Seabrook - unmovable. maybe if they can get the ice tilted back more often in their favor, play zone D, and keep the odd man breaks to a minimum, he's a salary pariah but still serviceable.

C. Goalie - good question. Delia is serviceable now with upside. CC - unknown. No cap room for a new FA stud unless CC retires, or after LTIR'd can use that money for a replacement after the season starts.

2. What do they need?

A. Offense

Three tough wall warriors - one for each of the three top lines

A fourth line in the mold of Vegas' fourth line. Not sure if the personnel are in the pipeline for that. Maybe JC invests time to determine that this season.

B. Defense

Need at least one true top four guy that is not 5'10" 175 who can clear the crease and win pucks in the D zone. To start.

Seeing that there are AT LEAST five people needed to truly get back in the game, one sees that the importance of a high draft pick is even more critical since there is not enough cap room to solve everything through FA, or the current pipeline.

If the data suggest that picks from the top five slots have a higher chance of being something valuable, I would be interested in hearing why a plan to get that pick this offseason is NOT the best strategy. Especially when top six wingers and top four D guys are starting st $6MM a year.

Is there even value in sneaking in the playoffs just to get smashed, when most people already know much of the roster is not capable of elevating their game to the level required? And that it would kill their high draft pick opportunity.

Are Perlini, Hayden, Kruger, Sikura, Kampf, and Kahun the right candidates for a fourth line, let alone anywhere else?

I think Koek has looked better then forsling IMO. I would move him and bring back Joki probably. one thing people need to remember is signing any fringe guy to $1050000 or less you can just bury in Rockford. the worse thing that could happen is they get claimed. unless perlini as example can return some value I would keep him and give him the off season and training camp to prove he is 1 of our top 13 forwards.
- kmw4631

I'm not sure Forsling is 100% right now. That said, he struggles against the forecheck, so the front office has to figure out if he is either going to fill out or it's a forever problem with him.

Cuckoo got a 5 on 3 PK assignment last night, and there isn't a chance in hell that Forsling would get that right now, let alone Rutta.

I do not see them moving Keith.

I also do not see them moving Kunitz, Kruger, Ward or AA before the TDL. One reason is that you would get very little back. The other reason is that there is no one at the Rock that screams "this kid should be in the NHL right now". My guess is that they keep this team as currently constructed, move AA after July 1st, add a high end free agent (either forward or D), add a mid level free agent (either forward or D) in the off season, and hope Crow is healthy for his final season with the Hawks.

I would like to see them move AA before the TDL. Maybe they could if they retain $2mil in salary (his July 1 bonus). They may not get much back.

I could see them moving one of their Dmen not named Keith, Seabs, Murphy, or Gus.

If they did move AA at the TDL I could see them acquiring a 3C or 4C for a run to make the playoffs that fits into their plans for next year.

I think it is still a long shot that the Hawks make the playoffs. But if they do, and Crow comes back and plays like he did in the first part of this year, the Hawks may not be swept and would be fun to watch against Nashville or the Peg.
- -Doh-

Realistically speaking, who wants Ward or Kunitz? Maybe someone sees Kunitz as a 4th line veteran depth guy for a playoff run, but he has shown next to nothing this season, if you can get a 7th round pick for him you take it. Ward is clearly not a starter on a playoff team, and truthfully is not any better than most backups at this point. Not sure you will have any takers for him. In terms of AA and Kruger, I think the Kampf injury changes the equation a bit.

I took a lot of flack on this forum 2 weeks ago about the Blackhawks and people so down on how they were. My opinion is unchanged: this team isn’t as bad as some make out to seem and that they could be a contender next year no problem. And here we are, you beat the Caps and the Isles and then some bad teams and you’re right in the thick of it. I’m not saying they SHOULD go for it, but these players aren’t going to give up. The response I got was “why would we bring back virtually the same team and expect to compete.” Well, someone was relating this team to the Pens not all that long ago and I don’t think they’re all that wrong. Their are some strong pieces in place and Crow is an X factor

My belief is that Strome is absolutely going to break out as a 2C next season and the free agent market is crazy strong. If Panarin indeed does come back it changes everything for this team

Not that it means all too much in what actually happens on the ice, it's nice to have a decent pedigree of higher draft picks.

1st OA: Kane
3rd OA: Toews, Strome
1st rounders: Perlini, Seabrook, Koekkoek, Murphy, Ward, Jokiharju
2nd rounders: Keith, Debrincat, Saad, Crawford

Future: Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Krys

Hopefully this offseason adds a first round forward. Although it's looking less like a Hughes/Kakko and more like a mid-rounder.

I took a lot of flack on this forum 2 weeks ago about the Blackhawks and people so down on how they were. My opinion is unchanged: this team isn’t as bad as some make out to seem and that they could be a contender next year no problem. And here we are, you beat the Caps and the Isles and then some bad teams and you’re right in the thick of it. I’m not saying they SHOULD go for it, but these players aren’t going to give up. The response I got was “why would we bring back virtually the same team and expect to compete.” Well, someone was relating this team to the Pens not all that long ago and I don’t think they’re all that wrong. Their are some strong pieces in place and Crow is an X factor

My belief is that Strome is absolutely going to break out as a 2C next season and the free agent market is crazy strong. If Panarin indeed does come back it changes everything for this team
- WSCTeton17

Just remember RE: Pittsburgh, along with Sullivan came Rust, Sheary and Sheahan (seasoned with lots of time together in Wilkes-Barre to mature) as well as Murray who stood on his head for them. Not entirely analogous, but on the similar path in some ways.