Who is Rakell?
- EbonyRaptor

The jackass who boarded Caggiulla's head into the glass and gave him a concussion.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWg8qSfS1pM

There are decent charts over on Hockeyabstract, like this one that show the usage pretty well. This I think is up to the end of Feb for the Hawks season, D usage.



You can definitely see Murphy and Dahlstrom taking the defensive load, guys like Gus/Keith the offensive chances.
- breadbag

The chart in The Athletic wasn’t on zone starts, it was on deployment versus Line 1, Line 2 or Bottom 6 exclusively, without consideration of zone.

Hard to say, but I still think when they are seven points out of the last wild card spot and nine points out of the cellar in the Western conference, it is still in their long term best interests to NOT finish strong.

Like last year. When they played themselves out of the #4 pick

To miss the playoffs AND miss a chance at a high draft pick for the second year in a row qualifies the FO for the 2018-19 Dunce Cap Award.
- Return of the Roar

Agreed 100%. They made a nice little run but their blue print of trying to out gun teams simply won't work. They are on pace to give up over 300 goals against and I would love to know the last time that happened, not including the 80s and 90s.

Last year the blame fell on CCs injury, well this year each goalie is very close in each stat so isn't the goaltending at fault. CC=3.31 gaa, .893 sv, and facing 31.29 shots a game.....Ward=3.72 gaa, .893 sv, and facing 33.27 shots a game....Delia=3.48 gaa, .909 sv, and facing 34.4 shots a game.

Take away the 6.775 million you spend on Kruger, Kunitz, and Ward and then factor in RFA signings for Sikura, Kampf, Perlini, Forsling, Koekkoek, Dahlstrom and the increase to Delia starting next year....

They need at least 2, 1-4 D men, and probably another top 6 winger as Caggiula is nice but can he contribute over a course of 82 games?

Would be nice to see them trade Aa and either 2 or 7 this offseason. All 3 have done their part and watching Keith get walked is painful, because Im already use to seeing Seabrook get walked more often then not.

Who is Rakell?
- EbonyRaptor

https://www.eliteprospect...player/18334/robin-rakell

Swedish over-ager finally hitting his stride. Stan's on it.

Agreed 100%. They made a nice little run but their blue print of trying to out gun teams simply won't work. They are on pace to give up over 300 goals against and I would love to know the last time that happened, not including the 80s and 90s.

Last year the blame fell on CCs injury, well this year each goalie is very close in each stat so isn't the goaltending at fault. CC=3.31 gaa, .893 sv, and facing 31.29 shots a game.....Ward=3.72 gaa, .893 sv, and facing 33.27 shots a game....Delia=3.48 gaa, .909 sv, and facing 34.4 shots a game.

Take away the 6.775 million you spend on Kruger, Kunitz, and Ward and then factor in RFA signings for Sikura, Kampf, Perlini, Forsling, Koekkoek, Dahlstrom and the increase to Delia starting next year....

They need at least 2, 1-4 D men, and probably another top 6 winger as Caggiula is nice but can he contribute over a course of 82 games?

Would be nice to see them trade Aa and either 2 or 7 this offseason. All 3 have done their part and watching Keith get walked is painful, because Im already use to seeing Seabrook get walked more often then not.
- SteveRain

Trouble is that I think 2/7 are going nowhere, and perhaps AA still has value given today's market prices for centers playing 3/4C until expansion draft time.

The window for 19/88 making another run looks too far back in the mirror now given the cap constraints and the holes in the roster. Best to just ADMIT it and rebuild over the longer term.

Just like you don't get Cup run chances very often, you also don't get high draft pick chances very often either. And that is the best way to rebuild until they get real cap money. Any "room" they have is already spoken for just to re-sign the status quo, which is as you said, two top four D guys and at least three forwards short of being anything truly competitive.

I would agree that the Hawks seem set with at least 3 centers (Toews, Strome, Kampf) with the missing link being 3C. Anisimov is the default. Serviceable but not necessarily ideal. Could be fine depending on who his wingers are. A possibility is keeping tandems together for the top 9:

Toews + Kane
DeBrincat + Strome
Saad + Anisimov

A pivotal factor is who the other winger is on each line and that may dictate whether a 3C is acquired over the summer. Upgrading the 3C as well as 1-2 wingers would be ideal but tough given the team's pressing priority to strengthen the blueline.

So would it be okay to retain Anisimov as 3C as long as he is flanked by solid wingers? Or a related question: is it easier to acquire a winger than a center?
- AEL_Fox

Another possibility is Toews, Strome, Kampf and acquired a 3C/4C over the summer. If you cannot move AA keep him at LW. He is not a bad 3LW.

I skipped the game and went to Geneva to see the Steel take on the USA U17 team.

I think you’re going to like Hawk draftee Josiah Slavin. He’s off to Colorado College next year. Not sure how/why Stan’s scouts found him, as he doesn’t fit the typical Blackhawk profile. He’s 6’ 3” 190, hits and goes to the net.
- scottak

I like Slavin as a favorable prospect who could really help out in the bottom 6, ideally 3rd line. He and Perlini are quite similar in stature: big, strong skater just not as fast as #11 but quick enough.

Could Slavin make a name for himself if he can bring it consistently, leveraging his size and skating to his advantage? As you alluded to, he goes to the net and plays physical. He has a nose for the corners, boards, and other tough areas.

Here's a nice play from last summer's prospect camp that puts his offensive package on display (albeit against other prospects, not NHLers) where he battles along the boards to beat both Mitchell then Beaudin as he drives hard to the net for the goal:

https://twitter.com/NHLBl...tatus/1020339505843367936

A little off topic

Are STH renewing or bailing for next season again?
They keep sending bribes to renew to "have a chance" to win:
Duncan Keith autograph
A pair of Skybox seat
A pair of Front row seats
Zamboni ride

Sounds like bailing to me.

A little off topic

Are STH renewing or bailing for next season again?
They keep sending bribes to renew to "have a chance" to win:
Duncan Keith autograph
A pair of Skybox seat
A pair of Front row seats
Zamboni ride

Sounds like bailing to me.
- stan-ley-cups

From my small sample size the ones I know who did hold on for this year are all bailing out after this season.

I’ll take John Henry. Geldings keep their head in the game. Stallions are busy trying to line things up after the game.
- scottak

Bonham? I would take ANY memeber of Led Zeppelin in the draft regardless of round.

A little off topic

Are STH renewing or bailing for next season again?
They keep sending bribes to renew to "have a chance" to win:
Duncan Keith autograph
A pair of Skybox seat
A pair of Front row seats
Zamboni ride

Sounds like bailing to me.
- stan-ley-cups

Could be....lost a lot last year, and not making the playoffs and probably finishing in last in the division for 2nd year in a row isn't good.

But remember, Stan and McDonough told us this was a playoff team......

Another possibility is Toews, Strome, Kampf and acquired a 3C/4C over the summer. If you cannot move AA keep him at LW. He is not a bad 3LW.
- -Doh-

Agree, that is a viable option, too. That decision on whether to retain Anisimov as a center or winger may depend on what type of forward(s) can be acquired this summer. Wingers are generally more easily to get than centers but you never know who may be available at an affordable price whether that is contract terms and/or assets given up.

Looking at the standings, it seems like OTT(Avs), Wings, Kings, and Devils are going to lock down the Top(last?) 4 spots. With the amount of games left and with how mediocre ALL the teams in range 5-14 are, Hawks could end up anywhere as good (Bad?) as 5th in the lottery to 14th. I see Tankathon also now has a Dman Bowen Byram at #5. Everything I have read and watched, I dream of adding the skilled, strong, nasty, and versatile Dylan Cozens to the Hawks top 6 forward group.


Does Pick #7-10 and Gustafson get the Hawks to #4 overall??
- EnzoD

Other than Hughes/Kakko - what player do you want to move up to #4 to get - Cozens? If yes - who do you think is going #3?

The jackass who boarded Caggiulla's head into the glass and gave him a concussion.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWg8qSfS1pM
- EnzoD

Oh, that Rakell. I misunderstood the comment "Rakell says he's concussed" to be from a reporter commenting on Caggiula's status.

Other than Hughes/Kakko - what player do you want to move up to #4 to get - Cozens? If yes - who do you think is going #3?
- EbonyRaptor

Most mock drafts have the Russian Podkolzin at #3. Cozens seems like the perfect complement to our top 6. He plays with an edge, has good size, and skill.

I would be pleasantly surprised if Turcotte was still available when the Hawks draft. I would put him as the next guy to draft after Hughes/Kakko.
- EbonyRaptor

Turcotte is all over the place. Seen him as high as 3 and in the early teens. Byram seems like the high riser of the moment. Zegras is picking up a lot steam is the last few list I viewed. The kid just is producing no matter where is in the line-up.

Outside of Hughes and Kakko, are there any draft eligible forwards that possibly can be NHL ready?
- LAHawk

Boldy seems to be the consensus. He is physically more mature than the rest in his tier. Fearless. Good 2 way game. Excellent skater. Doesn't mind the physical stuff at all.

Definitely a winger. Whereas a guy like Zegras has some growing to do but plays both wing and center.

Most mock drafts have the Russian Podkolzin at #3. Cozens seems like the perfect complement to our top 6. He plays with an edge, has good size, and skill.
- EnzoD

Well from a Hawks perspective I hope Podkolzin is picked before the Hawks pick because it pushes the rest of the players down. Same with the d-man Byram. If those 4 (Hughes/Kakko/Podkolzin/Byram) are selected before the Hawks pick, and if the Hawks have the #8 pick - then at least one of the centers will be available for the Hawks to select. My order of preference is Turcotte, Krebs, Cozens, Dach.

Most mock drafts have the Russian Podkolzin at #3. Cozens seems like the perfect complement to our top 6. He plays with an edge, has good size, and skill.
- EnzoD

The Russian may not come over for two more years. The word is he doesn't want to come over until he ready for the NHL. That could scare a lot of teams away from him.

Depending on Lottery Results and how the Scouting Dept views the guys ranked 3-10, I like JHawks proposal to try and move up in the draft. Though, looking at Tankathon.com it looks like StanBo can get his little man at #7 with the 5'11" 159lb Trevor Zegras
- EnzoD

Bowman will select who the scouts and he rate as the best available prospect, regardless of size.

Well from a Hawks perspective I hope Podkolzin is picked before the Hawks pick because it pushes the rest of the players down. Same with the d-man Bowan. If those 4 (Hughes/Kakko/Podkolzin/Bowan) are selected before the Hawks pick, and if the Hawks have the #8 pick - then at least one of the centers will be available for the Hawks to select. My order of preference is Turcotte, Krebs, Cozens, Dach.
- EbonyRaptor

I need to watch more of Cozens. The scouting reports are good for him. I have only seen one game of his.

If the attitude and mindset is as positive as some say it is in that locker room, here’s hoping Brendan Perlini dedicate himself to the same workout regimen that some of his teammates did last year, and probably will do this summer. It would probably benefit him by staying in Chicago all summer. He is definitely a Darkhorse with all The makings of a decent second or third line left winger.

Depending on Lottery Results and how the Scouting Dept views the guys ranked 3-10, I like JHawks proposal to try and move up in the draft. Though, looking at Tankathon.com it looks like StanBo can get his little man at #7 with the 5'11" 159lb Trevor Zegras
- EnzoD

Old info. Dobbers has him listed at 6' 168. He is 17. Turns 18 in a few days.

How big is Brayden Point?

I need to watch more of Cozens. The scouting reports are good for him. I have only seen one game of his.
- Elbows15

Ultimately, the odds are very low that whoever they select (barring a miracle Lottery ball) will be NHL ready next season. So, I think we can all expect a pretty similar team next fall. It will be interesting to see what types of Signings and/or trades Bowman can make this summer. He will have a lot of Cap Room next season before Cat and Strome's new deals are effective 2020/21.


A few big questions I have....

1) Will StanBo want (or be able to) extend Debrincat and/or Strome this summer?

2) What RFAs come back?

3) What does he do at the goalie position?

4) Does StanBo go big name UFA shopping? Jeff Skinner, Anders Lee, Brock Nelson are all young enough.

5) What low-cost Depth UFAs does he pursue?

6) Any Panarin/Kampf/Kahun/Kempny/Rutta Euro Signings??

7) Does Stan have another Strome/Panik "buy-low" trade up his sleeves?



Should be an interesting summer....or potentially very uneventful. Time will tell but you hope for Jokiharju to truly emerge as a Top Pairing Dman next season.

I need to watch more of Cozens. The scouting reports are good for him. I have only seen one game of his.
- Elbows15

My preferences are not based on any first hand observations - only the accumulation of dozens of reports from draft analysis guys. Turcotte seems like a more complete 200' player than the other guys and I've seen Toews used as a comp. He may be closer to NHL ready than the other guys too, although probably not 2019/20.