Team full of UFA's that didn't intend on signing there anyway.

They're not a contender even at full speed, and the players all know it. Imagine being a depth guy on the team knowing that the top tier guys you have don't want to be there and won't be there next year.

Gonna be pretty tough to give yourself that extra push you need.
- BINGO!

Another way of looking at it would be that it would incentivize the players currently assembled. Most folks live in the moment, don't they? Hard to determine the cause of the current situation. But to focus on one player? Think there were systemic problems before Duchene laced 'em up in Ohio.

I was brainstorming around this as well if Perlini has turned the corner and showing what he is truly capable of assuming he can do this over a full season. He won't score at DeBrincat's clip but could still contribute as at least a 25-goal scorer and 50 points.

Based on your projected lineup, I would keep Saad away from Toews and Kane to spread out the offense across 3 lines. As much as Caggiula isn't a true top 6 forward, he does complement Toews and Kane well by making smart plays, playing aggressive, and opening up space for his mates.

Caggiula - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - Anisimov - Kahun
LW - Kampf - RW

Like you, I don't mind if Anisimov stays and assuming he does, the leaves the bottom 6 open for 2 spots.

If Caggiula is moved down to bottom 6, then that would mean a top 6 forward and a bottom 6 forward unless Saad or even Anisimov plays on the 1st line which would result in needing 2 bottom 6 forwards.

I'm in the minority that is patient with Sikura and see talent as a top 9 forward so I see him in the mix.
- AEL_Fox

In your scenario, I wouldn't mind them bringing back Kreuger at $1.5 M max

I was brainstorming around this as well if Perlini has turned the corner and showing what he is truly capable of assuming he can do this over a full season. He won't score at DeBrincat's clip but could still contribute as at least a 25-goal scorer and 50 points.

Based on your projected lineup, I would keep Saad away from Toews and Kane to spread out the offense across 3 lines. As much as Caggiula isn't a true top 6 forward, he does complement Toews and Kane well by making smart plays, playing aggressive, and opening up space for his mates.

Caggiula - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - Anisimov - Kahun
LW - Kampf - RW

Like you, I don't mind if Anisimov stays and assuming he does, the leaves the bottom 6 open for 2 spots.

If Caggiula is moved down to bottom 6, then that would mean a top 6 forward and a bottom 6 forward unless Saad or even Anisimov plays on the 1st line which would result in needing 2 bottom 6 forwards.

I'm in the minority that is patient with Sikura and see talent as a top 9 forward so I see him in the mix.
- AEL_Fox

I am not. I recall all of those that were so worried that DS would pull a Hayes. I wish he had...

Or Kahun can play 3rd line center also. Wonder if Kubalik can make the jump like Kahun did.
- LAHawk

Interested in seeing what Kubalik can bring, too. He's a wild card: could end up flopping, being a bottom 6 forward who contributes but not in a significant way, or thriving as a 20/20 power forward with some grit. Not sure yet if he will negotiate a clause to let him go back to Europe if he gets cut rather report to Rockford. He's technically not under contract yet, IIRC.

Another way of looking at it would be that it would incentivize the players currently assembled. Most folks live in the moment, don't they? Hard to determine the cause of the current situation. But to focus on one player? Think there were systemic problems before Duchene laced 'em up in Ohio.
- gabriel

Oh for sure. They were very inconsistent from day one, and I don't think they had a lot of faith in themselves from the very beginning.

It's a team full of guys who were all like "Yeah, okay, I guess I'll play in Columbus."

Yep - things look a lot better IF Perlini can consistently be the player he's been the last 4-5 games. The good news if there are still 13 games left in the season to get a bigger sample size. I've been advocating for Stan to somehow acquire Kapanen to fill the missing top-6 winger role but if Perlini proves to be the player we've seen lately - he essentially is our version of Kapanen and he'll be much cheaper to re-sign than Kapanen will be.

I don't think Saad plays a game best suited to be the "other" winger with Kane. Kane thrives in the east/west game when his line mates can play that style and Saad is a north/south guy. I think Kahun can be that guy. He has looked pretty good these last few games playing with Kane. I'd like to see how Kahun-Toews-Kane would work.
- EbonyRaptor

Saad seemed to be thriving with his "own" line when he was on the 3rd. Now with him on the 1st and Kane on the 3rd, both of their production has dropped off.

Combination of things, I think. Torts has a reputation for sure, but consider...

You're in a city about the size of Calgary, but without the overly passionate fanbase. You have most of the things you're really looking for in a city, but none of the extra flavour you get from living next to the mountains, or the ocean, or anything.

There's no notoriety to the franchise. There's no real notoriety to the city. It's white bread.

Virtually all of the star (or borderline star) players the team has are pending UFA's, so it's unlikely they'll be overly competitive going forward, and you don't want to be the one guy left tying yourself to a franchise that's going to tread water for the next 5+ years.
- BINGO!

Nice response, thanks. Every Jackets game I watch, at least, finds a lot of folks in the seats. I just hope for their sake that the city isn't receiving an undeserved bad rap.

Combination of things, I think. Torts has a reputation for sure, but consider...

You're in a city about the size of Calgary, but without the overly passionate fanbase. You have most of the things you're really looking for in a city, but none of the extra flavour you get from living next to the mountains, or the ocean, or anything.

There's no notoriety to the franchise. There's no real notoriety to the city. It's white bread.

Virtually all of the star (or borderline star) players the team has are pending UFA's, so it's unlikely they'll be overly competitive going forward, and you don't want to be the one guy left tying yourself to a franchise that's going to tread water for the next 5+ years.
- BINGO!

I lived in Columbus for 4 years as an undergrad at Ohio State. If you’re looking for the “Big City” life, Columbus isn’t your pick. OSU Campus is great though and OSU hockey is growing into a great program, go Bucks!

Yep - things look a lot better IF Perlini can consistently be the player he's been the last 4-5 games. The good news if there are still 13 games left in the season to get a bigger sample size. I've been advocating for Stan to somehow acquire Kapanen to fill the missing top-6 winger role but if Perlini proves to be the player we've seen lately - he essentially is our version of Kapanen and he'll be much cheaper to re-sign than Kapanen will be.

I don't think Saad plays a game best suited to be the "other" winger with Kane. Kane thrives in the east/west game when his line mates can play that style and Saad is a north/south guy. I think Kahun can be that guy. He has looked pretty good these last few games playing with Kane. I'd like to see how Kahun-Toews-Kane would work.
- EbonyRaptor

Good point about the 13 games left in the season. I meant to include that in my post.

I think just about anyone can play LW with Kane. Saad? Caggiula? ADB? AA? If Martinsen or Hayden played LW with Kane they would score 20 goals. lol Kane would find them.

I think Kahun has almost exclusively been used on the RW. He is a natural center, but I do not see him on LW. Hawks have more quality LW's than C's or RW's.

Yep - things look a lot better IF Perlini can consistently be the player he's been the last 4-5 games. The good news if there are still 13 games left in the season to get a bigger sample size. I've been advocating for Stan to somehow acquire Kapanen to fill the missing top-6 winger role but if Perlini proves to be the player we've seen lately - he essentially is our version of Kapanen and he'll be much cheaper to re-sign than Kapanen will be.

I don't think Saad plays a game best suited to be the "other" winger with Kane. Kane thrives in the east/west game when his line mates can play that style and Saad is a north/south guy. I think Kahun can be that guy. He has looked pretty good these last few games playing with Kane. I'd like to see how Kahun-Toews-Kane would work.
- EbonyRaptor

In a very quiet way Kahun has impressed. He makes some really nice smart plays, He skates well, he doesn't shy away from the tough areas and he doesn't seem to do anything wrong. I can only recall a few glaring mistakes and that's pretty good for a rookie. I hope any trades or free agent signings in the off season are for defensemen.

Latest Hawks Talk podcast with Boyle, Mayers, et al.

Mayers met with Colliton specifically to challenge and try to understand the thinking behind the D scheme.

https://www.nbcsports.com...blackhawks-arent-done-yet

I am not. I recall all of those that were so worried that DS would pull a Hayes. I wish he had...
- riozzo

No worries, to each their own.

In a very quiet way Kahun has impressed. He makes some really nice smart plays, He skates well, he doesn't shy away from the tough areas and he doesn't seem to do anything wrong. I can only recall a few glaring mistakes and that's pretty good for a rookie. I hope any trades or free agent signings in the off season are for defensemen.
- paulr

Last night there was a discussion of Perlini possibly becoming another Frolik, I think Kahun is a better comparison to Frolik.

Good point about the 13 games left in the season. I meant to include that in my post.

I think just about anyone can play LW with Kane. Saad? Caggiula? ADB? AA? If Martinsen or Hayden played LW with Kane they would score 20 goals. lol Kane would find them.

I think Kahun has almost exclusively been used on the RW. He is a natural center, but I do not see him on LW. Hawks have more quality LW's than C's or RW's.
- -Doh-

Martinson score 20 goals .................In a beer league he sucks. Sakura Is this years Drew LeBlanc,Good enough to play in the A or overseas but definitely not the NHL. I think Bowman and the coaching staff quietly reassessing that whole situation also.Hayden is another story I think they should be patient with him. If anybody seen Kap on the pregame, I would not be surprised if there is a move or two that no one expected them to make over the summer,Agree with most, two solid defenseman first.

In your scenario, I wouldn't mind them bringing back Kreuger at $1.5 M max
- LAHawk

Like you and Doh, I would keep that as an option as well. See what else is on the market but Kruger could prove to be one of the better options especially if he signs at an AAV of $1-1.5M.

I lived in Columbus for 4 years as an undergrad at Ohio State. If you’re looking for the “Big City” life, Columbus isn’t your pick. OSU Campus is great though and OSU hockey is growing into a great program, go Bucks!
- EnzoD

That's kind of what I'm getting at, I guess. It's a perfectly fine city, but if you're a pro athlete there isn't much there to make you go "Hey, this is cool. I should stay here."

Like you and Doh, I would keep that as an option as well. See what else is on the market but Kruger could prove to be one of the better options especially if he signs at an AAV of $1-1.5M.
- AEL_Fox

So glad we got Martinook for Kruger. What a steal.

Martinson score 20 goals .................In a beer league he sucks. Sakura Is this years Drew LeBlanc,Good enough to play in the A or overseas but definitely not the NHL. I think Bowman and the coaching staff quietly reassessing that whole situation also.Hayden is another story I think they should be patient with him. If anybody seen Kap on the pregame, I would not be surprised if there is a move or two that no one expected them to make over the summer,Agree with most, two solid defenseman first.
- wonthecup10

I agree we need 2 solid defenseman, to me the sticking point is term (and of course NMC, NTC's), because you gotta believe (hope) that within the next 2-3 years Joki and Bovquist are fixtures, and you are still going to have Keith and Seabrook, let alone if 1 or 2 more of the D prospects make it. (That's assuming you trade Murphy).

I was brainstorming around this as well if Perlini has turned the corner and showing what he is truly capable of assuming he can do this over a full season. He won't score at DeBrincat's clip but could still contribute as at least a 25-goal scorer and 50 points.

Based on your projected lineup, I would keep Saad away from Toews and Kane to spread out the offense across 3 lines. As much as Caggiula isn't a true top 6 forward, he does complement Toews and Kane well by making smart plays, playing aggressive, and opening up space for his mates.

Caggiula - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - Anisimov - Kahun
LW - Kampf - RW

Like you, I don't mind if Anisimov stays and assuming he does, the leaves the bottom 6 open for 2 spots.

If Caggiula is moved down to bottom 6, then that would mean a top 6 forward and a bottom 6 forward unless Saad or even Anisimov plays on the 1st line which would result in needing 2 bottom 6 forwards.

I'm in the minority that is patient with Sikura and see talent as a top 9 forward so I see him in the mix.
- AEL_Fox

OR using your lineup move AA to 4LW with Kampf and get a 3C, a really good 2c/3C. I would like the 3C to be better at the dot and have a little more speed than AA.

Caggiula - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - 3C - Kahun
AA - Kampf - RW

Another option would be moving Kampf to 3C.I think Kampf has some upside offensive potetial if he is playing with the same wingers that have decent offensive skills game in and game out.
Caggiula - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - Kampf - Kahun
AA - C - RW

I lived in Columbus for 4 years as an undergrad at Ohio State. If you’re looking for the “Big City” life, Columbus isn’t your pick. OSU Campus is great though and OSU hockey is growing into a great program, go Bucks!
- EnzoD

I'm not an apologist (neither are you from what you stated) for CBJ. That said, they fully supported the NHL and I give them credit. I live 45 minutes away from Indianapolis and I don't think that city could have pulled it off.

So glad we got Martinook for Kruger. What a steal.
- BINGO!

Good on the Canes. I like Martinook and how he plays the game. Would be a solid bottom sixer on any team.

So glad we got Martinook for Kruger. What a steal.
- BINGO!

.

meh so he is having a career year. He couldn't crack our top 9 now anyway.

OR using your lineup move AA to 4LW with Kampf and get a 3C, a really good 2c/3C. I would like the 3C to be better at the dot and have a little more speed than AA.

Caggiula - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - 3C - Kahun
AA - Kampf - RW

Another option would be moving Kampf to 3C.I think Kampf has some upside offensive potetial if he is playing with the same wingers that have decent offensive skills game in and game out.
Caggiula - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - Kampf - Kahun
AA - C - RW
- -Doh-

I like a variation of your 1st set of lines:

Anisimov - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - C - Kahun
Caggiula - Kampf - RW

Anisimov has proven he can play top 6 and complement players like Kane. Playing him up also helps to showcase him for a possible trade later next season.

Caggiula can play any line, much like Shaw, and contribute wherever he is. If he does have a long-term water level, it's bottom 6 rather than top 6.

I do like what you said about acquiring an upgraded 3C. Someone like Nelson would be super.

Then finding a 4th line winger shouldn't be too difficult whether in house or on the market. Same with the 13th forward.

In a very quiet way Kahun has impressed. He makes some really nice smart plays, He skates well, he doesn't shy away from the tough areas and he doesn't seem to do anything wrong. I can only recall a few glaring mistakes and that's pretty good for a rookie. I hope any trades or free agent signings in the off season are for defensemen.
- paulr

You bring up a very good point. Kahun and Sikura are about the same age, height, weight and size. But Kahun goes into the tough areas and I never feel he is avoiding contact or pulling up. He will take the man. That would be a big sign of progress if Sikura was as tough or physical as Kahun. Not a very high bar, one that is reachable. Posters might warm up to Sikura if he just showed a little more toughness. He needs to take that next step.

Martinson score 20 goals .................In a beer league he sucks. Sakura Is this years Drew LeBlanc,Good enough to play in the A or overseas but definitely not the NHL. I think Bowman and the coaching staff quietly reassessing that whole situation also.Hayden is another story I think they should be patient with him. If anybody seen Kap on the pregame, I would not be surprised if there is a move or two that no one expected them to make over the summer,Agree with most, two solid defenseman first.
- wonthecup10

Leblanc was sooooo slow though, if it were up to me i would give Sikura more time, at least he can skate