Starting with the premise the primary objective for this season is to make improvements to be better next season eventually getting back to Cup contending status - then playing Sikura on the top line makes sense because it gives Stan an opportunity to determine whether or not Sikura is good enough to play a role on the team when the team is good enough to contend for the Cup in a couple years. It's better he determines that now before he decides what to do this summer. If Stan determines that he can pencil Sikura into the lineup moving forward - that's one less hole he needs to fill in the lineup and that will help determine the course of action Stan takes this summer.
- EbonyRaptor

Your post is on point with how many on these boards was hoping would play out during the last phase of the season, i.e. see what the team has in-house from rookies, recent trade acquisitions, and prospects to see if any can play a significant role next year. Sikura is a good example as you outlined.

Focusing out a little more and other moves have strengthened the team either by adding better forwards or subtracting sub-par blueliners to open doors for better personnel.

- Trading Schmaltz for Strome and Perlini
- Trading Manning for Caggiula
- Trading Rutta for Koekkoek
- Signing Kahun as a Euro free agent
- Recalling Sikura (twice)
- Playing Kampf in key roles and situations

That's 6 forwards to go along with givens in Toews, Kane, Saad, and DeBrincat. Anisimov is a maybe as he can still be an asset to the team if he stays but can be a valuable trade chip if needed. For argument sake, let's say Anisimov stays. That's 11 forward spots filled with one more starting role and the 13th spot up for grabs. Way better position to be in than earlier in the season.

If 1-2 of these 6 new forwards doesn't stick and/or Anisimov gets traded, that's 4-5 spots to fill. Youngsters like Hayden and Highmore could be in-house options but I'd be interested to see what the market has to offer this summer, too.

Talk of trading Anisimov rarely includes talk of how to replace him in the lineup. The Hawks don't have a middle-6 center waiting in the wings to take over that role. It isn't Kampf or anyone in Rockford. Maybe Kahun because he's played center before but he's kind of slight physically to be put up against the centers he would face.
- EbonyRaptor

Kubalik

Your post is on point with how many on these boards was hoping would play out during the last phase of the season, i.e. see what the team has in-house from rookies, recent trade acquisitions, and prospects to see if any can play a significant role next year. Sikura is a good example as you outlined.

Focusing out a little more and other moves have strengthened the team either by adding better forwards or subtracting sub-par blueliners to open doors for better personnel.

- Trading Schmaltz for Strome and Perlini
- Trading Manning for Caggiula
- Trading Rutta for Koekkoek
- Signing Kahun as a Euro free agent
- Recalling Sikura (twice)
- Playing Kampf in key roles and situations

That's 6 forwards to go along with givens in Toews, Kane, Saad, and DeBrincat. Anisimov is a maybe as he can still be an asset to the team if he stays but can be a valuable trade chip if needed. For argument sake, let's say Anisimov stays. That's 11 forward spots filled with one more starting role and the 13th spot up for grabs. Way better position to be in than earlier in the season.

If 1-2 of these 6 new forwards doesn't stick and/or Anisimov gets traded, that's 4-5 spots to fill. Youngsters like Hayden and Highmore could be in-house options but I'd interested to see what the market has to offer this summer, too.
- AEL_Fox

The blueline is obviously a lot tougher to round out as it is the biggest team weakness as far as positions. Right now there's an auditioning amongst Dahlstrom, Koekkoek, and Forsling. Guessing at least one is retained next season as the 6th or 7th man. Tough to say who has the upperhand because none of them is really taking the bull by the horns to be a runaway winner.

Is there opportunity to audition any Hog defenders? Would like to see Carlsson, Hillman, and/or Gilbert get a few games to get a glimpse of what they could possibly provide next year or at the very least see where each of their growth curve is so they know exactly where they need to develop more in Rockford.

However, with the Hogs in the AHL playoff hunt (currently in the 8th spot), they really can't afford to have players recalled to the Hawks. That said, I don't think any of their D-men get a call-up this season.

The blueline is obviously a lot tougher to round out as it is the biggest team weakness as far as positions. Right now there's an auditioning amongst Dahlstrom, Koekkoek, and Forsling. Guessing at least one is retained next season as the 6th or 7th man. Tough to say who has the upperhand because none of them is really taking the bull by the horns to be a runaway winner.

Is there opportunity to audition any Hog defenders? Would like to see Carlsson, Hillman, and/or Gilbert get a few games to get a glimpse of what they could possibly provide next year or at the very least see where each of their growth curve is so they know exactly where they need to develop more in Rockford.

However, with the Hogs in the AHL playoff hunt (currently in the 8th spot), they really can't afford to have players recalled to the Hawks. That said, I don't think any of their D-men get a call-up this season.
- AEL_Fox

How there could be a call up:

* Blackhawks miss playoffs.
* Icehogs make or miss playoffs. If their spot is cemented with a couple games remaining, then a call up is possible

Kubalik
- DarthKane

I see him listed as a wing but it would be great if he could add to the forward depth for next season.

If AA does go, 3C is one area I could see them possibly dipping into the FA market for.

That said, he might be able to be part of a decent 3rd line with Saad and Kahun when Caggiula comes back.

Murphy + AA + Saad for Draisaitl
- EnzoD

No way Edmonton could be that stupid.....could they ???
In a Heartbeat man !!

When the going get tough the tough get going . Was it over when the Germans bomb Pearl Harbor ,
Really hope they come out with more jump then the last game .
- oldduffman

It wasn't the Germans that bomb Pearl Harbor it was Japan

It wasn't the Germans that bomb Pearl Harbor it was Japan
- BGKarras

Wrong, based on today's logic it was the Bombs that attacked Pearl Harbor. We need to stop the Bomb violence.

Wrong, based on today's logic it was the Bombs that attacked Pearl Harbor. We need to stop the Bomb violence.
- powerenforcer

What does that mean?

It wasn't the Germans that bomb Pearl Harbor it was Japan
- BGKarras

Let him go, he's on a roll.

It wasn't the Germans that bomb Pearl Harbor it was Japan
- BGKarras

Movie reference. Stripes, I believe.

When the going get tough the tough get going . Was it over when the Germans bomb Pearl Harbor ,
Really hope they come out with more jump then the last game .
- oldduffman

Duffy, you need to pick up a history book.

Just saw Mo's post, haha.

Movie reference. Stripes, I believe.
- mohel

Animal House

Duffy, you need to pick up a history book.
- I Am The Breadman

Famous quote from the movie Animal House.

Famous quote from the movie Animal House.
- ChicagoHope

Thanks, when Mo said a movie, then I started thinking differently. Haha!

Animal House
- ChicagoHope

Yep. Serious brain freeze this morning.

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=98426

It wasn't the Germans that bomb Pearl Harbor it was Japan
- BGKarras

Hello obvious Animal house reference