Bowman does have Cap space now and will get additional space via expiring contracts (Kunitz, Ward, Kruger ) and by the League's upper limit increasing by $3-4M. So there will be room to sign players hopefully to short term deals.

I notice that Strome and Kahun have high bonus clauses which hopefully do not lead to bonus overage charges which have hampered us in the past. Anyone know if those bonuses are achievable by them?
- 67hawks

They have enough cap room to handle it this year without a carryover.

Elbows is always pissed...that’s what we love about him.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hahaha! I think that is a small we.

No question about what you guys are saying, there isn't much to get excited about at forward in Rockford. Their best forwards are pretty much career AHL guys and there are just a few maybes with limited upside.

The only thing is that the Hawks can maybe fill a bit of the depth void from UFA, since there can be some okay bottom 6 options on the UFA market, but I wouldn't discount Bowman moving more D-men from the system to open a spot or two or young D and maybe gain a little more forward depth.
- breadbag

I think our top 6 is coming along well, we aren't perfect up top. Bottom 6, we aren't bad either, especially with Kampf back, but I wouldn't mind some plug players over the summer for bottom 6 and defense. Filling defensive needs are trickier/more costly.

feel free to win at the wrong time, again, tonight against us

feel free to win at the wrong time, again, tonight against us
- Codes1087

Times have certainly changed for these teams, eh?

feel free to win at the wrong time, again, tonight against us
- Codes1087

Well it could be an interesting race to the end of the regular season!

Times have certainly changed for these teams, eh?
- mohel

back in the days when we had a rivalry due to the fact that both teams were actually good lol

Well it could be an interesting race to the end of the regular season!








- walleyeb1

you guys are heating up at the wrong time lol

I really like what Bowman did with Perlini and Strome. I think you guys fleeced Arizona. Debricant is going to be a good one. Boqvist is going to be another good one. A couple more years of being mediocre and i think you guys will be back on top again.

Well it could be an interesting race to the end of the regular season!








- walleyeb1

Looking at the current playoff situation, I think the Hawks have at least as good of a chance to make the playoffs as the teams they're chasing. They have at least 1 game in hand over everyone above them, 2 games against the Avs, and a game against the Yotes. I predict they will be WC2 going into their last 4 games against the Jets, Blues, Stars and Preds. If they get 4 points in those last 4 games, I think they'll be in.

Well it could be an interesting race to the end of the regular season!








- walleyeb1

The Wild have a bit of a tough schedule.

I think hawks just miss the playoffs but get the 6th overall pick(just my prediction) then hawks would have to decide trade that pick for defense help or pick a player at 6. This back to back with Colorado will determine for both teams if they make the playoffs or not. Justin any college players hawks are looking to maybe sign when the ncaa hockey season is over for teams that did not make the frozen four or any European free agents?

Looking at the current playoff situation, I think the Hawks have at least as good of a chance to make the playoffs as the teams they're chasing. They have at least 1 game in hand over everyone above them, 2 games against the Avs, and a game against the Yotes. I predict they will be WC2 going into their last 4 games against the Jets, Blues, Stars and Preds. If they get 4 points in those last 4 games, I think they'll be in.
- tvetter

I also think the last playoff spot will be us or AZ.

I think hawks just miss the playoffs but get the 6th overall pick(just my prediction) then hawks would have to decide trade that pick for defense help or pick a player at 6. This back to back with Colorado will determine for both teams if they make the playoffs or not. Justin any college players hawks are looking to maybe sign when the ncaa hockey season is over for teams that did not make the frozen four or any European free agents?
- Scott1977

You're predicting they trade pick 12-15 plus what to move up to pick 6? They can't get the 6th pick any other way besides a trade.

The Wild have a bit of a tough schedule.
- breadbag

I think the Avalanche do too.

I also think the last playoff spot will be us or AZ.
- tvetter

Yeah thinking the same thing and it could come down to one or two points.

Good morning Ty. Thanks for the morning write up!

So say the Hawks do fall short in the playoff race and end up with a middle of the pack pick in the 12-15 range...anyone you like that you think will be there’?

While a top 5 pick would have been nice and who knows, maybe the Hawks pull a CAR, but, watching the team competing and playing meaningful games has been great...for this fan anyway.

For me the Schmaltz trade has turned into it’s own draft lottery of sorts. Strome looks to be a legit 2C for this team headed forward and this guy who snatched Perlini’s body should be a keeper as well.
- HawkintheD

Hey pal - haven't fully dove into a prospect but would love to see them take a C if it's the best player available - guys like Turcotte and Newhook might be there when they pick depending on when they finish.

The Hawks are the 8th highest scoring team in the league (7th best 5v5). Everyone acknowledges the goals against needs to be reduced - by a lot. Defensive improvement can be accomplished by better personnel and/or better team defense, including goaltending. But what about the offense, specifically the forward lineup - does it also need to be improved or is it good enough now to win with provided the goals against improves?

That's not to say we shouldn't improve the forward lineup where/when possible - but is it a necessity to get back to being a Cup contender?

Hey pal - haven't fully dove into a prospect but would love to see them take a C if it's the best player available - guys like Turcotte and Newhook might be there when they pick depending on when they finish.
- Justin Lowe

I doubt Turcotte falls out of the top-10, maybe not even the top-5.

I’m no prospects expert, but based on what I’ve read - from you and others mostly here and another place or two - there doesn’t seem to be much in your Rockford lineup that will be much help in Chicago in the future.

Of the forwards, I’m seeing maybe (MAYBE) Johnson, Fortin, Ejdsell would be more than Black Aces. Maybe Holland? Doesn’t look like anyone possibly top-9 here

Blueliners? Certainly Jokiharju, maybe Carlson....

The future is either already here, or in juniors, college, or Europe.

Am I missing anyone?
- StLBravesFan

Nilsson played for Colliton in Sweden. He has close to 20 goals as a North America rookie AHL without much help on the forward lines. So how does he score 20 - maybe a useful player particularly if he could become a better offensive version yet pattern himself aftet Kruger. What do you see with Nilsson, AEL_FOX?

Edjsell is someone you figure Bowman wants to at some point in time give serious look at the NHL. It is all about his shot. It should be all about him offering more than just the shot. Languishing in the AHL might motivate him to use his body more or something to make him more worthy.

To use a Crib analogy- hope you finish in the Sh%thole. Love the fact you are playing yourself out of a good draft pick. Let the decades of Mediocrity begin

Nilsson played for Colliton in Sweden. He has close to 20 goals as a morth America rookie AHL without much help on the forward lines. So how does he score 20 - maybe a useful player particularly if he could become a better offensive version yet pattern himself aftet Kruger. What do you see with Nilsdon, AEL_FOX?

Edjsell is someone you figure Bowman wants to at some point in time give serious look at the NHL. It is all about his shot. It should be all about him offering more than just the shot. Languishing in the AHL might motivate him to use his body more or something to make him more worthy.


- jhawk59

We have Kubalik, Barrat, Kurashev, Entwhistle as forward prospects, maybe Stan signs a couple of Kunitz types for a year (another year of Kruger??) as fill in until these prospects marinate.

You're predicting they trade pick 12-15 plus what to move up to pick 6? They can't get the 6th pick any other way besides a trade.
- tvetter

The top five or six choices will not be traded or if they are..........it is a sellers market.

Top young player coming to your team but you trade that? What seriously makes your team significantly better to trade that pick. Not getting anywhere the impact player - just a good player - with the later first. So what could you give them just to exchange slots?

To use a Crib analogy- hope you finish in the Sh%thole. Love the fact you are playing yourself out of a good draft pick. Let the decades of Mediocrity begin
- VopatsRash

How does Mediocrity feel? You should be able to tell us, oh wait one Conference banner in 20 years

We have Kubalik, Barrat, Kurashev, Entwhistle as forward prospects, maybe Stan signs a couple of Kunitz types for a year (another year of Kruger??) as fill in until these prospects marinate.
- LAHawk

Yes. Probably so

To use a Crib analogy- hope you finish in the Sh%thole. Love the fact you are playing yourself out of a good draft pick. Let the decades of Mediocrity begin
- VopatsRash

Trashville has 20 years of "mediocrity", 0 Cups, Plenty of Participation Trophies.