Exactly hopefully he can get one into the back of net and get it out of the way. Then score in bunches!!
- BGKarras

Sikura not being able to buy a goal isn't for lack of effort or skill. He gets his shots off quickly and is willing to shoot from anywhere including from in close which shows his willingness to drive the net and not stay on the perimeter.

VAN in a position to tie with the Hawks tonight playing lowly OTT, but Hawks will have two games in hand.

Hawks need to go 7-3 minimum in their last ten for a shot, while most of the rest of the pack needs only to play .400-.500 hockey.

Tough tough mountain to climb. Frankly, I don't see them winning back to backs against COL. Most likely a split. That means they need to win two o ftheir last four games.
- Return of the Roar

Need 3 out of 4 points vs Aves...hopefully 4. Have a hard time thinking Arizona wins next 3 on the road. In fact, expect them to lose 2 of those.

Flyers fighting flu bug and are basically out, Hawks need to take advantage.

Need 3 out of 4 points vs Aves...hopefully 4. Have a hard time thinking Arizona wins next 3 on the road. In fact, expect them to lose 2 of those.

Flyers fighting flu bug and are basically out, Hawks need to take advantage.
- TrueGrit

If AZ wins four of their last nine games they are basically in unless the Hawks win seven of the final ten. That's not happening.

Looking at the 6 new forwards this season, all of who could be starters next season if they continue their current development:

A 6th rounder in Sikura who rose from being a lightweight nobody to one of the best in the NCAA to the top forward prospect (albeit still as a lightweight).

Two former 1st rounders in Strome (3rd) and Perlini (12th) acquired for a higher 1st rounder in Schmaltz (20th).

An undrafted collegian in Caggiula who was once sought by the Hawks before they were able to eventually obtain him for a sub-par D man who wasn't in the team's future plans.

Also two Euro free agents in Kampf and Kahun. I know Kampf isn't "new" this year but it is his first full season.

Then on defense there's former 1st rounder in Koekkoek who, like Caggiula, was received for another sub-par D man who wasn't in the team's future plans.
- AEL_Fox

I don't know if Keokoek was considered sub-par as much as there was no room for him in the foreseeable future with Tampa with a left side of Hedman and McDonough signed for the next 7 years and a stud they got in a trade (Sergachev)

If AZ wins four of their last nine games they are basically in unless the Hawks win seven of the final ten. That's not happening.
- Return of the Roar

How? The Hawks have a game in hand and play AZ. Win those two and they are all square.

That puts both teams at 8 remaining games. (not sure who has the tie breaker)

Pffft. He's the cut from the same bolt of cloth as Fortin, but with out the speed.
- Beaver-Warrior

Sikura is Viktor Stalberg 2.0

If I'm not mistaken he's been playing in the bottom 6 in Rockford. Makes you wonder why he was up with the big club earlier in the year.... he doesn't have NHL skill except for straight line skating speed.
- bhawks2241

yeah, he can out skate a bullet, but when he gets past the dots, he really has no idea what to do next

Question: If Q is still under contract, can they bring him in next year during training camp as a defensive consultant?

Sikura is Viktor Stalberg 2.0
- scottak

Not at all. Nothing about their games is even remotely similar. Stalhberg had stone hands.

Sikura has very good hands, is a skilled passer, and has good hockey IQ. The biggest issue for him is strength. He goes to the tough areas but is usually easily overpowered.

yeah, he can out skate a bullet, but when he gets past the dots, he really has no idea what to do next
- glennjpawlak22

And had problems coming to a stop and staying on his skates!

I don't know if Keokoek was considered sub-par as much as there was no room for him in the foreseeable future with Tampa with a left side of Hedman and McDonough signed for the next 7 years and a stud they got in a trade (Sergachev)
- LAHawk

Clarification: my comment about a sup-par D man was in reference to Rutta, not Koekkoek.

Your point still stands, though, about Koekkoek's status with the Lightning before getting traded. He was the odd one out and needed a change of scenery where he could get a shot.

Blackhawks lines in practice
Sikura-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Saad-Anisimov-Kahun
Kunitz-Kampf-Kruger

Question: If Q is still under contract, can they bring him in next year during training camp as a defensive consultant?
- LAHawk

OMG

Sikura is Viktor Stalberg 2.0
- scottak

OMG

Besides better dmen its pretty obvious what else the team needs.

Lunchpail type players. The kind that are loud in the dressing room and even louder on the ice.

The team constantly has slow starts. It tells me its too quiet in the dressing room and therefore no pre game energy firing up the troops.

Heres a quote by Saad when Seabs was injured:
"Some days it can be quiet around here, especially when we're not having success. But he's a guy that always brings that positive attitude and energy. He's a great guy to have on your team."

Thats pretty revealing.

The team misses yappers like Andrew Shaw and Kris Versteeg. Those guys never shut up and were underrated in keeping the teams energy at a good level. They were also versatile in being able to play wherever and charge up a line.

I know there's one in the system (hello Evan Barratt) but they need to go find one or two thats ready now this summer.

This should be a priority this summer.

Sikura is Viktor Stalberg 2.0
- scottak

I think he can be a top 9 guy while providing the secondary scoring and depth the Hawks deperately need.

Many fans jumped all over Sikura for that 2 on 1 miss with Perlini. What those same posters don't acknowledge was the great pass Sikura fed to Perlini for what should have been a tap in and the fact he made that pass instead of forcing a shot at the net to try to get his first goal.
- paulr

If he eventually can find a way to contribute offensively and not be a total defensive liability then he is a helluva 6th rounder who will not be overpaid (hopefully).

Not at all. Nothing about their games is even remotely similar. Stalhberg had stone hands.

Sikura has very good hands, is a skilled passer, and has good hockey IQ. The biggest issue for him is strength. He goes to the tough areas but is usually easily overpowered.
- bhawks2241

As does Sikura.

Blackhawks lines in practice
Sikura-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Saad-Anisimov-Kahun
Kunitz-Kampf-Kruger
- EbonyRaptor

Kane back with Toews!!

Respectfully, getting in, no matter how, in this league is a full kudos accomplishment. There are no style points or moral victories. If they made it, from where they were in December, that is enough of a confidence boost...
- TrueGrit

Good point, although you could also make the argument that half the league gets in...

I just get a little irritated when I hear people say that they hope there is an easy path to get in (or to the Stanley Cup for that matter). I want to see hard fought games regardless.

Two more things:

-A better comparison...Fortin is Jack Skille 2.0

-With the success of reclamation 1st rounders dont be surprised if Hawks brass are looking at Nail Yakupov again. Just sayin'.

If he eventually can find a way to contribute offensively and not be a total defensive liability then he is a helluva 6th rounder who will not be overpaid (hopefully).
- RickJ

I don't necessarily want to be the guy leading the Sikura parade because he still needs to prove he can consistently produce at the NHL level over a longer stretch than 5 or 6 games - but from what we've seen over these past 5 or 6 games he seems like he will not be a liability on the defensive side of the puck. He seems to be as involved in the d-zone as he is in the o-zone, which is to say he knows what to do and gives a good effort but will be limited physically in some situations.

Good point, although you could also make the argument that half the league gets in...

I just get a little irritated when I hear people say that they hope there is an easy path to get in (or to the Stanley Cup for that matter). I want to see hard fought games regardless.
- Chunk

Again, respectfully, the way the nhl is and with all the parity, the playoffs start in October.

You can watch games in January and February and they are big games. This is not the NBA or MLB.

Making the playoffs is a cumulative effort of gathering points for 6 months....when and how you get them does not matter. None of them were easy points.

Half the league, EARNS their way in...nothing given...

If AZ wins four of their last nine games they are basically in unless the Hawks win seven of the final ten. That's not happening.
- Return of the Roar

Well, 8 more points for AZ gets them to 86. Hawks go 6-4 in their last 10, they get to 86. But it's not that easy, with 3 point games likely.

Here's a sunnier way to look at, on the off chance you'd like to.... Hawks win the game in hand and beat AZ in regulation and they're tied. Just have to out-play them in the rest of the games.

Sikura is Viktor Stalberg 2.0
- scottak