Here were the lines in practice today:

Saad-Toews-Hayden
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Kahun-Anisimov-Kane
Kunitz-Kampf-Kruger

W-T-F ! I don't have a problem with Hayden on Toews' line - who cares it's basically garbage time anyway. I don't have a problem with Kane moved down to play with Kahun and Anisimov although I think it will not help Kane's attempt to better his best scoring totals. What I do have a problem with is Kunitz playing over Sikura. Is Colliton still thinking they have a shot at the playoffs and Kunitz over Sikura gives them a better chance to win? Even if that were true - is the slight advantage Kunitz gives them more important than giving Sikura every chance to prove for better or worse what the Hawks should do with him after this season.

I'm probably missing some hockey savant nuance that Kunitz over Sikura makes some sense - if true, can someone help me out with this one.
- EbonyRaptor

It's almost the end of the year and he's just rotating everyone likely. It's not a big deal Sikura isn't that good anyway.

Or that he realizes the ice is 200 feet long.
- mohel

And can skate well enough to get there in time.

Here were the lines in practice today:

Saad-Toews-Hayden
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Kahun-Anisimov-Kane
Kunitz-Kampf-Kruger

W-T-F ! I don't have a problem with Hayden on Toews' line - who cares it's basically garbage time anyway. I don't have a problem with Kane moved down to play with Kahun and Anisimov although I think it will not help Kane's attempt to better his best scoring totals. What I do have a problem with is Kunitz playing over Sikura. Is Colliton still thinking they have a shot at the playoffs and Kunitz over Sikura gives them a better chance to win? Even if that were true - is the slight advantage Kunitz gives them more important than giving Sikura every chance to prove for better or worse what the Hawks should do with him after this season.

I'm probably missing some hockey savant nuance that Kunitz over Sikura makes some sense - if true, can someone help me out with this one.
- EbonyRaptor

It will make it interesting, I guess. Is Kunitz close to some milestone we don't know about?

Beaudin may actually be further along defensively than Keith was at the same age. Remains to be seen if he has that same desire as Keith.
- Elbows15

I have a good feeling about Beaudin. I don't know if he will make it, but he just seems to be a well rounded dman.

Here were the lines in practice today:

Saad-Toews-Hayden
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Kahun-Anisimov-Kane
Kunitz-Kampf-Kruger

W-T-F ! I don't have a problem with Hayden on Toews' line - who cares it's basically garbage time anyway. I don't have a problem with Kane moved down to play with Kahun and Anisimov although I think it will not help Kane's attempt to better his best scoring totals. What I do have a problem with is Kunitz playing over Sikura. Is Colliton still thinking they have a shot at the playoffs and Kunitz over Sikura gives them a better chance to win? Even if that were true - is the slight advantage Kunitz gives them more important than giving Sikura every chance to prove for better or worse what the Hawks should do with him after this season.

I'm probably missing some hockey savant nuance that Kunitz over Sikura makes some sense - if true, can someone help me out with this one.
- EbonyRaptor

Actually haven't seen anything from Sikura that says he should not be in Rockford, maybe a call up his coming and Sikura is going back down?

Exactly. Rockford is battling for a playoff spot and could use him if he isn't busy in Chicago.
- EbonyRaptor

I was more interested in his sating ability because scoring only 45 points in 61 games as a 20 year old in Juniors pretty much indicates he is not going to make the NHL on his scoring prowess so he better have something else going for him like being able to skate at a better than average level.
- EbonyRaptor

I get it. I'm just wondering if maybe he is just one of those guys who's scoring is just going to be pretty consistent at each level.

It's almost the end of the year and he's just rotating everyone likely. It's not a big deal Sikura isn't that good anyway.
- GPHawksfan

If that's the case I strongly disagree with the approach - everyone getting participation awards usually doesn't get you much.

Beaudin may actually be further along defensively than Keith was at the same age. Remains to be seen if he has that same desire as Keith.
- Elbows15

Have you seen Mitchell play and how does he look? I see Boqvist on TV quite a bit I have seen Beaudin a few times but I only saw Mitchell during the WJC.

Here were the lines in practice today:

Saad-Toews-Hayden
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Kahun-Anisimov-Kane
Kunitz-Kampf-Kruger

W-T-F ! I don't have a problem with Hayden on Toews' line - who cares it's basically garbage time anyway. I don't have a problem with Kane moved down to play with Kahun and Anisimov although I think it will not help Kane's attempt to better his best scoring totals. What I do have a problem with is Kunitz playing over Sikura. Is Colliton still thinking they have a shot at the playoffs and Kunitz over Sikura gives them a better chance to win? Even if that were true - is the slight advantage Kunitz gives them more important than giving Sikura every chance to prove for better or worse what the Hawks should do with him after this season.

I'm probably missing some hockey savant nuance that Kunitz over Sikura makes some sense - if true, can someone help me out with this one.
- EbonyRaptor

There's a shocker.

Edit - a shot at all of us, ER.

If they're written off Sikura, just send him back to Rockford. If he's on the team, he's going to learn more from playing than watching.
- matt_ahrens

While many on here have written off Sikura, I don't think the Hawks have reached that point, yet. He could be sick for all we know.

It will make it interesting, I guess. Is Kunitz close to some milestone we don't know about?
- Elbows15

The bottom 6 looks better with Kane

I have a good feeling about Beaudin. I don't know if he will make it, but he just seems to be a well rounded dman.
- breadbag

Me too. I don't have more than a few snippets of visual evidence to go on but from the limited views I have he looks very sound defensively. Granted, many of the players he's playing against will never sniff the NHL but he is good defensively because he makes good decisions, not because he is physical gifts are superior to the opposing players.

Have you seen Mitchell play and how does he look? I see Boqvist on TV quite a bit I have seen Beaudin a few times but I only saw Mitchell during the WJC.
- paulr

What is your take on Boqvist? From what I have seen he is electric on offense but he really looks far away from the NHL trying to defend in his own zone.

While many on here have written off Sikura, I don't think the Hawks have reached that point, yet. He could be sick for all we know.
- Elbows15

Physically? Certainly not skills-wise....

So, Perlini is my guy now...thanks.

While many on here have written off Sikura, I don't think the Hawks have reached that point, yet. He could be sick for all we know.
- Elbows15

yes, I think you are right. He just isn't 100% NHL ready, but I doubt they are done with him. There could be a dozen different reasons. He could be sick or banged up. The coaches could have set expectations in practice that he didn't meet, so playing time was not rewarded. The lineup could even still change by game time. It could be that they are just experimenting and playing time will rotate.

There's a shocker.

Edit - a shot at all of us, ER.
- mohel

I meant it more as a shot at myself as I have a tendency to get a little out over my skis with my supposed hockey acumen.

If that's the case I strongly disagree with the approach - everyone getting participation awards usually doesn't get you much.
- EbonyRaptor

What's the difference? Sikura isn't gonna become a scoring superstar in the last 17 game or how ever many they have. None of there prospects are ready or good enough it seems.

I meant it more as a shot at myself as I have a tendency to get a little out over my skis with my supposed hockey acumen.
- EbonyRaptor

It's maddening sometimes trying to figure out the logic in moves. I know they have a real reason, and more info than us, but......

I get it. I'm just wondering if maybe he is just one of those guys who's scoring is just going to be pretty consistent at each level.
- breadbag

I guess there are not any unsigned college seniors that Stan is impressed with?

It will make it interesting, I guess. Is Kunitz close to some milestone we don't know about?
- Elbows15

Yeah maybe ... is he getting close to that 1,007th game milestone?

Tounge in cheek, LA. I've been asking for days for the identity of the stud top pair defenseman, and a method to attain this guy, for a reasonable contract. So far.......
- mohel

Not sure you need the stud #1 guy through top end free agency, because, hopefully, at least 1 guy already in the system can be that guy.

What they need is a solid, 2nd pairing guy, to stabilize the sh*t show that's going on now. Either through trade or FA. From last year, a guy LIKE deHann. Reliable, 2nd pair minutes.

A guy like that allows everyone to slot more appropriately. You can let Gus drop down to 3rd pair, play 15 or so minutes with Seabrook 5 v 5, and all the PP minutes. Murphy can be a 4 if you bring in a 3. Keith slots in the 1st pair with the guy they already have. Let's say for argument, that's Joki next year.

Keith - Jokiharju
FA/Trade - Murphy
Gustafsson- Seabrook

Then as the remainder of the young guys show that they're ready, the replace someone on the list. If someone is ready in 20-21, maybe they replace Murphy and you trade him off to a team needing a D. In 21-22, maybe Boqvist replaces Gus, and you flip Gus for something else you need.

The issue now is they don't have enough NHL quality D, and everyone is slotting above their ceiling.

I guess there are not any unsigned college seniors that Stan is impressed with?
- LAHawk

We should be getting the announcement soon where Stan has signed some obscure 27 year old d-man from Uzbekistan.

I guess there are not any unsigned college seniors that Stan is impressed with?
- LAHawk

Look at the Hobey Baker finalists....

Have you seen Mitchell play and how does he look? I see Boqvist on TV quite a bit I have seen Beaudin a few times but I only saw Mitchell during the WJC.
- paulr

What was your impression of Beaudin?