I'd love for Joki to come back up. I hope JC can trust him more and lean on him a little bit more. I get that he is 19, but he's already shown promise.
- I Am The Breadman

I watched some Hogs games over the weekend and Jokiharju has got some swagger. Not arrogance but just poised and confident. Really vocal too with teammates.

I watched some Hogs games over the weekend and Jokiharju has got some swagger. Not arrogance but just poised and confident. Really vocal too with teammates.
- AEL_Fox

That is awesome. Great for him to be in that role for the Hogs and getting that experience at a pro level.

That is awesome. Great for him to be in that role for the Hogs and getting that experience at a pro level.
- breadbag

Even in the pregame drills he shows that swagger. Gunning for a recall.

I'd love for Joki to come back up. I hope JC can trust him more and lean on him a little bit more. I get that he is 19, but he's already shown promise.
- I Am The Breadman

Same. Forsling for Kapanen would be nice then pair Jok/Keith for the stretch with Kookoo Puffs as the 7th d-man.

I haven't been following too closely but with the Ducks firing their coach... does this seem like an opening for Q?
- breadbag

I cant see a team in transition like the ducks being a good fit for Q. I still think a team like Winnipeg who have a contending lineup but under Maurice lack the defensive structure and discipline to be a cup contender. Quenneville would have the jets the favorite to get out of the West. Not sure the Jets would care to buy out Maurice and offer Q a bigger contract.

I would like to see Debrincat signed for 6x6 (Forsberg contract).

Right now I would try to sign Strome from around 4 million x 5. I think it's to early to give him a larger contract unless he plays like this next year.
- RedRevenge

Yes Debrincat has proved himself over time and from the get go. Strome could still be a risk signing on a long term high salary deal. Therefore their deals should not be modelled like Kane/Toews identical deals were.

Edmonton is the last team you will see make the mistake of hiring dinosaur coaches in NHL.

If you are a hawk fan, yes Ducks please hire Q.
- TrueGrit

No Binny's in Anaheim.
There is a Benny's Liquor in Anaheim though.
I see a new endorsement contract in Q's future.

hmm 2-19 with a -54 goal differential and they can't score says otherwise...
not that i care...
- bogiedoc

Corry Perry has only been back for 5 games, but yes struggle scoring.

Heavy team that is not fun to play against.

The bigger point is this is yet another example of what it looks like when a team quits on the coach.

No Binny's in Anaheim.
There is a Benny's Liquor in Anaheim though.
I see a new endorsement contract in Q's future.
- savvyone-1

Dunkin Donuts too?

How are you Savvy?

I am enjoying the team again. Fun and fast paced, and undeniably in an uptrend.

I would like to see Debrincat signed for 6x6 (Forsberg contract).

Right now I would try to sign Strome from around 4 million x 5. I think it's to early to give him a larger contract unless he plays like this next year.
- RedRevenge

I would sign DCat to that deal for sure. Strome makes me think twice. As good as he looks and seems to be growing and developing his game since coming over he's still only got 80 career NHL games to this points with 46 points and 30 of them have come with the Hawks this year. I would LOVE to lock him up to a long term deal matching Cat (5 or 6 years around 5-6M per would be perfect) like that did with Kane and Toews, but part of me wants to see more from him before handing him a long term contract with how the cap can be a killer to a team as we've well seen

Corry Perry has only been back for 5 games, but yes struggle scoring.

Heavy team that is not fun to play against.

The bigger point is this is yet another example of what it looks like when a team quits on the coach.
- TrueGrit

it does appear they have quit...i have watched portions of their games and the highlights....they are getting beat all over the ice with alot mental errors and when they do have push offensively they are getting stoned...they put 45 shots the other night and lost in a shutout

Trade idea that most people will hate:
Gustafsson for a 1st/prospects

Why not? Because he's on pace for 54 points, on a great deal for another year, and has ignited our PP, and seems to be well liked by our top guys.

Why? Because almost 27, and he'll command a much higher salary after next season. But more importantly because his stock is sky high, and we have a logjam of talented defensemen piling up in our franchise. Keith, Seabrook, and Jokiharju aren't going anywhere. That leaves three spots. Murphy and Dahlstrom have looked ok as a shutdown pair. That leaves one spot for Koekoek, Forsling, or Gus in the future. Factor in Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Krys, and others and the situation gets more complicated.

54 points in a season for a defenseman is nuts, and the Blackhawks have a tremendous asset right now. But I'm still pretty convinced that this is not a cup contending team, and that selling ultra-high on Gus right now could net a huge return. And while he'd be hard to replace, we do have talent available to QB a PP if he's gone.

What about:
To NYI- Erik Gustaffson

To CHI- 2019 1st, Otto Koivula

Corry Perry has only been back for 5 games, but yes struggle scoring.

Heavy team that is not fun to play against.

The bigger point is this is yet another example of what it looks like when a team quits on the coach.
- TrueGrit

Anybody who thinks Strome is slow needs to watch Perry now. He's glacial.

Same. Forsling for Kapanen would be nice then pair Jok/Keith for the stretch with Kookoo Puffs as the 7th d-man.
- Assman22

I don't see them trading Kap in season. I think they realize this year is likely going to be their best year, collection of talent wise, to win a Cup and won't give up any pieces for their long term cap concerns.

Now, after the season before the draft I could maybe see the Hawks and Toronto work out a deal for Kap around Forsling, and another cheap forward like Hayden or a draft pick. Makes sense for both sides but we're one of probably a dozen teams that will be shooting for Kap this offseason through trade or even an Offer sheet

If Boudreau is canned by the Wild this summer, he will become the new Ducks coach. Just to continue the pattern.

Dunkin Donuts too?

How are you Savvy?

I am enjoying the team again. Fun and fast paced, and undeniably in an uptrend.
- TrueGrit

I am good TG, hope you are as well.
Assuming you are still playing (they will have to be throwing the dirt on me 1st before I hang them up).

I'm enjoying the "resurgence" but still very skeptical of JC's defensive "scheme."
For me, that's GOT to change -- 'cause right now, it blows chunks.

All you have to do is take a look at Trotz's group and what he's done there. He's gotten a group, less Tavares, to buy in to what's he's selling. And while there has been a clamor from the fanbase for more goals (from articles I've read), they are (and have been) playing playoff-type hockey all year -- where the scoring disappears and the ability to control play and shut other teams down is almost a must.

I would really like to see a similar scheme employed here -- it could and would likely be very effective. I hate when I see guys like Dahlstrom getting pulled out to the point to cover in a man-to-man scheme. There are only a few guys with the speed/skating chops to be able to pull this off. The rest? No.

Also, I am liking what I'm seeing from CooCoo! Has some great wheels and is a big boy not afraid to engage. Certainly in my mind, he is a far bit better already over Forsling (who also seems to be hurt often and easily based on his history). Still not sold on Gus either but no one can dispute the impact offensively he's had.

I should have waited to put this blog out... so many things happening.
- Justin Lowe

If you way to stay current before you post, you would never post. Always go with what you’ve got and deal with the news later.

I don't see them trading Kap in season. I think they realize this year is likely going to be their best year, collection of talent wise, to win a Cup and won't give up any pieces for their long term cap concerns.

Now, after the season before the draft I could maybe see the Hawks and Toronto work out a deal for Kap around Forsling, and another cheap forward like Hayden or a draft pick. Makes sense for both sides but we're one of probably a dozen teams that will be shooting for Kap this offseason through trade or even an Offer sheet
- Savetheembers33

Loafs better pray they don't get Boston again in Round 1 because they will get beat in 6/7 games in Round 1 if they do.

I'm thinking Kunitz will sit out the game against Boston so he can play his 1,000th game in front of the home crowd.

A re-sign, a recall, and contract termination (yesterday) does SB make a trade today?
- I Am The Breadman

Well, since the hawks have made some recent trades picking up people that haven’t worked out for their original teams, think they should target that McDavid guy in Edmonton; that team hasn’t accomplished anything with him. Think Gus plus 50 percent retained for McD with Edmonton retaining 50 percent also would be a good trade. If nothing else, Gus will help their PP. McD would make a nice 3c here and could slot upwards occasionally.

I am good TG, hope you are as well.
Assuming you are still playing (they will have to be throwing the dirt on me 1st before I hang them up).

I'm enjoying the "resurgence" but still very skeptical of JC's defensive "scheme."
For me, that's GOT to change -- 'cause right now, it blows chunks.

All you have to do is take a look at Trotz's group and what he's done there. He's gotten a group, less Tavares, to buy in to what's he's selling. And while there has been a clamor from the fanbase for more goals (from articles I've read), they are (and have been) playing playoff-type hockey all year -- where the scoring disappears and the ability to control play and shut other teams down is almost a must.

I would really like to see a similar scheme employed here -- it could and would likely be very effective. I hate when I see guys like Dahlstrom getting pulled out to the point to cover in a man-to-man scheme. There are only a few guys with the speed/skating chops to be able to pull this off. The rest? No.

Also, I am liking what I'm seeing from CooCoo! Has some great wheels and is a big boy not afraid to engage. Certainly in my mind, he is a far bit better already over Forsling (who also seems to be hurt often and easily based on his history). Still not sold on Gus either but no one can dispute the impact offensively he's had.
- savvyone-1

Yes, I understan$ some think JC is the next coming of Toe Blake, but that man on man in the D zone sucks. Murphy chased a guy around the back of the net, up the sideboards, all the way out to the blue line. Not surprisingly, DET generated a scoring chance, and the slot was left exposed.

Despite the streak, young JC is in over his head.

Some are wondering why Delia would sign such a team friendly deal for 3 years - rather than for 1 or 2 years. Check my facts - but doesn't this move him into UFA position after 3 years whereas he would still be RFA after 1 or 2 years? If yes - maybe that's the answer. Either way it's a great deal for the Hawks.

Same. Forsling for Kapanen would be nice then pair Jok/Keith for the stretch with Kookoo Puffs as the 7th d-man.
- Assman22

It would take a lot more than Forsling to get Kapanen. The asking price would probably start with the Hawks 1st round pick and then add from there. And actually I would be OK with trading the 1st round pick for Kapanen providing the Hawks pick isn't in the top-5.

If they make the playoffs, they need to get some stronger guys for the first round. I know Nash, WPG or Vegas would likely be a first round opp. Ferland is a guy that I think would be great for this team. He can keep the shenanigans at a minimum and still be a good third line contributor.

Sikura, 3rd Rd Pick for Ferland?

Here's to hoping Dahlstrom has the same agent as Delia. Same deal for Dahlstrom?!
- Assman22

Delia’s agent is Jerome Buckley.

Different agent for Dahlstrom Claude Lemieux.