Too small! French and he smoked
- paulr

He didn’t look French....

Too small! French and he smoked
- paulr

So the Jets sliding a bit is all because of Ben Chariot
P L E A S E he fits the price range, otherwise you get another big long term contract ... something Hawks CANNOT do
- chuckdahammer

Don't think that's what Elbows was saying. Chiarot had to play up because of injuries. It's not blaming him for anything, just that he's not being slotted properly. That's the case with the Hawks defense currently: several players not slotted correctly. Get a top 4 defender this summer and it can help with the slotting.

The other thing about a younger UFA like Chiarot is that he'll likely want term on his next contract. I would be wary of giving a lot of term to a 4/5/6 blueliner or a bottom 6 forward.

You have to be kidding me reporters that follow the Ice hogs said that in Rockford he was too perimeter orientated and afraid to crash the net. I see the same thing up here with the Hawks. Best advice for Sikura in the off season, see a personal trainer and put on about ten pounds of muscle .... ONE HUNDRED SIXY LBS and HE PLAYS LIKE HIS WEIGHT ... unlike the similar in size Debrinkat
- chuckdahammer

I agree that he needs to get stronger and add some weight but I think your characterization of Sikura's play whether in Rockford or in Chicago is greatly exaggerated. He does engage physically and go to tough areas.

His sister is a cross fit athlete and personal trainer so maybe he can get some family workouts in plus whatever Paul Goodman can do with him (even the Seabrook cell phone workout routine) and any other personal regimens he does on his own.

I'm not sure how much weight to give to reports from Rockford when we have first hand evidence of how Sikura has played since rejoining the Hawks. What I have seen from Sikura is not a player afraid of contact nor a player who doesn't "go to the net" for any other reason than the play doesn't bring him there. Certainly he is a slight player incapable of winning many physical battles but he competes and doesn't shy away from the physical play other than to make a better play that doesn't require he get into a wrestling match with a bigger player. He has shown enough lately to be given more time to prove or disprove if he has a role on the team next season.
- EbonyRaptor

Very well put, ER. Like your analysis.

Right there with you, that's the same D line-up I've previously posted. The issue is, can Stan find that trade acquisition?
- scottak

I'm with you and Doh on the following being a possible starting point going in to the summer for the blueline:

Keith - Jokiharju
OPEN - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
7th: Koekkoek, Dahlstrom, or Forsling

Jokiharju isn't a lock but I like his chances. Murphy can play either side so that helps with not narrowing choices down to finding specifically a LHD or RHD.

For the 7th man, of that trio, it's been a merry-go-round of who has the upper hand. I liked Forsling at first, then Koekkoek, but now I think Dahlstrom may be it. Who knows. This also doesn't factor in current Hogs D like Carlsson, Gilbert, or Hillman. Of that trio, Carlsson has the edge IMHO.

Hmmm - there was another #3 pick at one time in this town - fell to a mediocre GM but was the obvious pick after two other teams passed on him....

I’ll think of it.
- StLBravesFan

Hint - his initials are MJ

Boland - Ladd - Versteeg was third line during the first cup run. Excellent third line and the last cup run had Vermette - Sharp - Terraveinen, pretty good too with Vermette being great on faceoffs but I prefer the "bite" that Boland-Ladd-Versteeg provided
- chuckdahammer

OMG - Vermette was unreal at the DOT in the SCF - felt like he was on autopilot - win, win, win....

I'm with you and Doh on the following being a possible starting point going in to the summer for the blueline:

Keith - Jokiharju
OPEN - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
7th: Koekkoek, Dahlstrom, or Forsling

Jokiharju isn't a lock but I like his chances. Murphy can play either side so that helps with not narrowing choices down to finding specifically a LHD or RHD.

For the 7th man, of that trio, it's been a merry-go-round of who has the upper hand. I liked Forsling at first, then Koekkoek, but now I think Dahlstrom may be it. Who knows. This also doesn't factor in current Hogs D like Carlsson, Gilbert, or Hillman. Of that trio, Carlsson has the edge IMHO.
- AEL_Fox

I read on a different site that Eakin and Miller are possible VGK cap casualties this summer. I've posted before that the Hawks swing a trade for these two or possibly McNabb. Either Miller or McNabb can fit into the 2nd pair opening. Eakin can fill the 3C and be a trade chip at next year's TDL if Hawks a seller at that time.

I'm glad Dale stuck to his guns and like I said earlier, I appreciate Dale and his contribute to the Hawk Cup(s).

Part of my point is Bowman rarely gets the same credit for picking players in lower slots: Saad (43), Teuvo (16), Dinky (57). None of them were locks for anything either and yet people tend to dismiss the picks as something Stan should have done because now we know those players were good and they fell to him at the time...if that makes sense?

Not that those guys are Toews and Kane but Stan also hasn't had a pick at one and three.
- HawkintheD

Stan 1st top 10 pick I think . Looks like he took a bit of a gamble going all in on Boqvist .I like the move swing for the fences

Too small! French and he smoked
- paulr

And smelled of elderberries.

I think after the team's success and after drafting later in the draft for so long a let down was to be expected. I think he's made some mistakes but he's also made some good moves too. I think after manovering the team past the cap for two more cups he deserves some time.
- paulr

Yeah Paul, part of me wants him held accountable for the recent disappointments, but he didn't know Crow was going to go through concussion hell.
And the successes do carry value.

I'm glad Dale stuck to his guns and like I said earlier, I appreciate Dale and his contribute to the Hawk Cup(s).

Part of my point is Bowman rarely gets the same credit for picking players in lower slots: Saad (43), Teuvo (16), Dinky (57). None of them were locks for anything either and yet people tend to dismiss the picks as something Stan should have done because now we know those players were good and they fell to him at the time...if that makes sense?

Not that those guys are Toews and Kane but Stan also hasn't had a pick at one and three.
- HawkintheD

Bravissimo points all around D !!! And love the trade with 'Zona even if Perlini hadn't come alive and his doing so is a huge bonus. Great vision by Stan to snare Strome and reunite him with The Cat.

Bows, i'm not putting Tallon on any pedestal.
Simply saying Stanbeans had twice as many drafts to get/develop a top 4 D-Man and hasn't got it done yet.

BTW, re: Sikura, his dad is a friend and I asked him what he sees in his boy since being up with the big club. He said the main adjustments were

a) playing fewer minutes than he did in college, which is to be expected for a young player breaking in.

And b) moving the puck quicker instead of carrying it as much and being more of a focal point like he was at Northeastern.

He also conceded the lad needs to bulk up.
I was at the game in Toronto and was impressed with Sikura.
He's got NHL wheels and good puck sense. Think Colliton likes him too, so he should have more time to prove he belongs.
- philco28

Really wasn't aimed at you, Phil. I get what you are saying but I think, just think, their focus was to try to churn in young forwards on ELCs that could step in quicker and help with the Cup chases during those ten years.

Regarding Sikura. I know some get caught up on his age but last year at this time he was the big deal playing in the NCAA. He is still a first year pro who is learning how to be a professional. He does need to gain strength but I think having access to professional trainers will help.

The rest I agree with. I can see the improvements just from the last time he was called up.

Bravissimo points all around D !!! And love the trade with 'Zona even if Perlini hadn't come alive and his doing so is a huge bonus. Great vision by Stan to snare Strome and reunite him with The Cat.
- philco28

Maybe some deja vu if Kabulik signs and reunites with Kahun. They played a couple of years together in the OHL also.

I read on a different site that Eakin and Miller are possible VGK cap casualties this summer. I've posted before that the Hawks swing a trade for these two or possibly McNabb. Either Miller or McNabb can fit into the 2nd pair opening. Eakin can fill the 3C and be a trade chip at next year's TDL if Hawks a seller at that time.
- boilermaker100

Some good ideas there. I remember you posting about that in earlier blogs and thinking that could be viable options to explore this summer. Do like Miller and McNabb.

In addition to favorable contract terms and cap compliance as far as the entire team payroll, being able to eat minutes and play consistent defense are critical traits. Any offense is icing in the cake, IMO. Should not be the other way around.

https://www.secondcityhoc...igns-seth-rollins-ambrose

For any WWE fans out there: article about DeBrincat, Strome, and Perlini being the Shield with their triple fist bump on the bench.

https://www.chicagotribun...-goal-20190314-story.html

Chicago Tribune article about Sikura's approach to his rookie season and support from teammates despite his elusive first goal. Interesting tidbit about Kunitz taking 2 years and 26 days to get his first goal.

Dale would never have allowed ...

Yeh ... I know what this team needs now ... it's more Aucoin.

I got a fever and the only cure is .... more cowbell ... I mean Aucoin.

Yeh ... I know what this team needs now ... it's more Aucoin.

I got a fever and the only cure is .... more cowbell ... I mean Aucoin.
- SC116

I don’t need no doctor - cause I know what’s ailing me....

I haven’t done much research into this, but just looking at scores this season - and doing one piece of research - it seems to me that with the increase in scoring - goals per game are up almost 10% over two seasons ago - there have been fewer close games played - more three + winning margins than in the past.

There have been 235 games go beyond regulation this season in 1092 games through yesterday - that’s about 21.5% of all games - in past years that number was consistently approaching 25%.

So more goals (which the league wants) but fewer close games coming down to the last minute.

I prefer the lower scoring closer games.

Does anyone know if the hawks are in on the strum kid looks like big center 6 3 close to 190lb heard could play now in the nhl but most likely in the ahl.

The Columbus BJ's are hoping to bar the door shut as they lead, 3-0, against the Carolina Hurricane. This is no small fete; Carolina has fashioned a remarkable, deep offense this season- one which generates plenty of shots and good scoring opportunities

Sometimes a team struggles after they have altered their lineup through trades. To some extent Duchesne needs to fit in and to some extent a descent dman in R Murray is missed (Inj).

I wonder whom readers like better in the post season: is it 1) a revamped Columbus team which could come together as late as during round one - let's see how serious Panarin is - maybe more than some want to believe.

Or do you go with 2). NYI have turned into a top team due to their new coach, Trotz. He has been able to bring together this team despite the loss of Tavarez. The shrewd Lamoriello, a savvy GM, has also guided this ship. Do they sail farther than Columbus in the post season? Two contrasting teams with shall we say different engineering prior to and at the trade.deadline.

Does anyone know if the hawks are in on the strum kid looks like big center 6 3 close to 190lb heard could play now in the nhl but most likely in the ahl.
- Scott1977

He better not be one dimensional like Edjsell

Entwistle with 2 goals and 2 assists in the 5-2 win for Guelph tonight. Reese Johnson with a hat trick through 2 periods for Red Deer with Hagel picking up an assist on one of the goals. Boqvist got an assist in London't loss tonight so he reaches 60 points for the season with one regular season game to play.

Entwistle with 2 goals and 2 assists in the 5-2 win for Guelph tonight. Reese Johnson with a hat trick through 2 periods for Red Deer with Hagel picking up an assist on one of the goals. Boqvist got an assist in London't loss tonight so he reaches 60 points for the season with one regular season game to play.
- EbonyRaptor

Entwhistle a coachable kid, right. Would he be willing to park in front of net like Big Buf. Vs Luongo?