Checks in to Hockey Buzz to see Hawks talk. Fighting for a playoff spot, young D-man just signed.

Nope.. let's talk politics and other dumb $hit.

I'll check back in the offseason, should be fun to paint more gloom and doom and talk about 2020 election, looking forward to it!
- HawksHype

What do you think of the Krys signing? Noticed his ELC doesn't start til next season. Do you think Mitchell will sign once Denver's season is over?

What do you think of the Krys signing? Noticed his ELC doesn't start til next season. Do you think Mitchell will sign once Denver's season is over?
- boilermaker100

He gone

What do you think of the Krys signing? Noticed his ELC doesn't start til next season. Do you think Mitchell will sign once Denver's season is over?
- boilermaker100

I like that we locked in one of our hopeful future blue liners. I always get nervous with the whole commitment to a player in college who can keep playing and then test FA, especially when his stock continues to rise. I think we continue to see a trend with our D prospects being very offensively focused and powerful. To me, it's not a bad thing if you can have one of those prospects as a defensive minded player and then adding in a FA to help in the d-zone. We can see the power of a Karlsson, puck moving defenseman. And if you can pair him with a defensive minded D-man, I think you can have a few really dangerous lines. He still is a good deal away, imo, from being in the NHL. He could be the second or third group of guys making it to the show, or potentially make another prospect expendable.

I hope Mitchell and Barratt both sign this offseason.

Boqvist, Joker, Beaudin, Krys, and Mitchell create a "stacked" prospect pool. With Keith, Seabs, and Murphy in the fold, I see a prospect and Gus/Forsling being moved.

What's your thoughts?

While I don't mind Kunitz in the lineup because he could be the more reliable option for this final playoff push, I do wonder like you what Hayden's role will be with the team next season.

General logic would have it that Kunitz is gone this summer and Hayden slides in his spot on the 4th line. I personally would like to see what other options are out on the market first for a 4th line winger before settling on in-house options like Hayden and Highmore.
- AEL_Fox

I think the Hawks will look out there for better 4th line options than Hayden.

I think they want to see more speed and skill from that line (which doesn't explain why Kunitz is there) and Hayden has been working on that.

I think Hayden will be here in October as the 13th/14th forward or packaged in a deal over the summer.

Remember, he's 750k for another year and the Hawks could have moved him at the deadline (there was interest from multiple teams) but they decided to keep him.

Misonygist
- boilermaker100

disregard the below sorry. it hit a sore spot.

the only way Chicago and Illinois is fixed Is to declare bankruptcy and break pensions. they should actually do it sooner then later. be a quicker fix and it sucks that people who have worked 20 some years might get nothing or very little so people that retired at 50 for 15 years ago can collect 35 years of there whole salary after working 25 years. I have uncles that are retired police officers. and roughly they get 75% of the AVg of his last 2 years salary but in the last 2 years they threw him all the OT so its basically his full salary for life.
- kmw4631

They tried. Courts bounced it.

He gone
- Ogilthorpe2

Mitchell? Nah. Keith is the guy he has model his game after. He has stated a couple of times recently he is excited to be a Hawk.

“Share the Road!”

And don’t forget to “Start Seeing Motorcyles”...if your eyes can focus that fast.
- Ogilthorpe2

Do you ride OGI?

I like that we locked in one of our hopeful future blue liners. I always get nervous with the whole commitment to a player in college who can keep playing and then test FA, especially when his stock continues to rise. I think we continue to see a trend with our D prospects being very offensively focused and powerful. To me, it's not a bad thing if you can have one of those prospects as a defensive minded player and then adding in a FA to help in the d-zone. We can see the power of a Karlsson, puck moving defenseman. And if you can pair him with a defensive minded D-man, I think you can have a few really dangerous lines. He still is a good deal away, imo, from being in the NHL. He could be the second or third group of guys making it to the show, or potentially make another prospect expendable.

I hope Mitchell and Barratt both sign this offseason.

Boqvist, Joker, Beaudin, Krys, and Mitchell create a "stacked" prospect pool. With Keith, Seabs, and Murphy in the fold, I see a prospect and Gus/Forsling being moved.

What's your thoughts?
- HawksHype

Mitchell is a couple of years away. He is still a sophomore. IMO, if the Hawks offer him a contract after his season ends, I think the odds are in favor of him signing.

Do you ride OGI?
- paulr

Uhhmmm.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

I think the Hawks will look out there for better 4th line options than Hayden.

I think they want to see more speed and skill from that line (which doesn't explain why Kunitz is there) and Hayden has been working on that.

I think Hayden will be here in October as the 13th/14th forward or packaged in a deal over the summer.

Remember, he's 750k for another year and the Hawks could have moved him at the deadline (there was interest from multiple teams) but they decided to keep him.
- Justin Lowe

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Hayden. I was thinking something similar. Don't think the Hawks want to settle on him but his contract is really favorable so retaining him as the extra forward isn't a bad thing. Don't know what that does to his psyche, though.

Personally I prefer an upgrade on 4th line wing. Start with Kampf and build out from there. Caggiula is a great option as one of the wingers. A speedy, gritty, and tough as nails forward would be nice.

I think the Hawks will look out there for better 4th line options than Hayden.

I think they want to see more speed and skill from that line (which doesn't explain why Kunitz is there) and Hayden has been working on that.

I think Hayden will be here in October as the 13th/14th forward or packaged in a deal over the summer.

Remember, he's 750k for another year and the Hawks could have moved him at the deadline (there was interest from multiple teams) but they decided to keep him.
- Justin Lowe

In my earlier post where I suggested a 4th line of Caggiula-Kampf-Hayden - I meant for the remainder of this season - not for next season. My rationale is to not play Kunitz and Kruger which leaves only Hayden to play with 91-64 because I doubt they want to take someone off Rockford when the Hogs are battling for the playoffs. I really don't see Hayden having a future role with the Hawks but he would add an interesting dynamic as the 3rd guy on the line with Caggiula and Kampf. More so than Kunitz and Kruger anyway.

Uhhmmm.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.
- Elbows15

I guess motorcycle should have been specified

In my earlier post where I suggested a 4th line of Caggiula-Kampf-Hayden - I meant for the remainder of this season - not for next season. My rationale is to not play Kunitz and Kruger which leaves only Hayden to play with 91-64 because I doubt they want to take someone off Rockford when the Hogs are battling for the playoffs. I really don't see Hayden having a future role with the Hawks but he would add an interesting dynamic as the 3rd guy on the line with Caggiula and Kampf. More so than Kunitz and Kruger anyway.
- EbonyRaptor

I agree that it would be preferred if the 4th line ended this season with Caggiula, Kampf, and Hayden. Of course, Caggiula is injured so that's unfortunate yet he has a future with the team.

As for Kunitz over Hayden, my guesses as to why are because Kunitz is more experienced and reliable during this playoff push and because this could very well be Kunitz's last season (he hasn't publicly stated so but who knows if management already knows) so playing him is out of respect. Just a guess. Could be totally wrong, too.

Does Chicago also have those electric scooter sharing services, too? Those add to the traffic, create dangerous situations, and tons of clutter since people can just leave them wherever they want. At least with the bike share services, they need to be docked at kiosk. At least that's my understanding.

The scooters are crazy out here in the California bay area. A majority of riders don't protect their heads either with helmets.
- AEL_Fox

I am in Santa Monica, the origin of the scooters, they are like rabbits, all they do is multiply, bird, lime, lyft, etc. Rules are you are not supposed to ride on the sidewalk, have to wear a helmet, and be at least 21. 80% of the riders do not do 1 of the 3, and act like skateboarders on the road with no regards for traffic.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Hayden. I was thinking something similar. Don't think the Hawks want to settle on him but his contract is really favorable so retaining him as the extra forward isn't a bad thing. Don't know what that does to his psyche, though.

Personally I prefer an upgrade on 4th line wing. Start with Kampf and build out from there. Caggiula is a great option as one of the wingers. A speedy, gritty, and tough as nails forward would be nice.
- AEL_Fox

I'm not convinced that Hayden will ever be more than a 13th forward in the NHL. I know he's still young, and he does show the occasional flash of NHL skill, but he doesn't seem to be able to do it consistently.

I guess motorcycle should have been specified
- paulr

around here today? Definitely.

Do you ride OGI?
- paulr

Donorcycles? Nah, those things scare me. I ride a bicycle, on a trail, where they belong.

I agree that it would be preferred if the 4th line ended this season with Caggiula, Kampf, and Hayden. Of course, Caggiula is injured so that's unfortunate yet he has a future with the team.

As for Kunitz over Hayden, my guesses as to why are because Kunitz is more experienced and reliable during this playoff push and because this could very well be Kunitz's last season (he hasn't publicly stated so but who knows if management already knows) so playing him is out of respect. Just a guess. Could be totally wrong, too.
- AEL_Fox

There's been a series of posts regarding Caggiula, starting with the report from Powers that he was skating with the team at practice this morning but is not yet ready to return to game action. That led me to think he may be getting close and gets back in there before he season ends.

Uhhmmm.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.
- Elbows15

Commas are important.

I agree that it would be preferred if the 4th line ended this season with Caggiula, Kampf, and Hayden. Of course, Caggiula is injured so that's unfortunate yet he has a future with the team.

As for Kunitz over Hayden, my guesses as to why are because Kunitz is more experienced and reliable during this playoff push and because this could very well be Kunitz's last season (he hasn't publicly stated so but who knows if management already knows) so playing him is out of respect. Just a guess. Could be totally wrong, too.
- AEL_Fox

Think you may be on to something there.

Powers reported Caggiula at morning practice but not ready to play yet - no lineup changes.
- EbonyRaptor

Anything about him taking the last concussion test? If he did, does this mean he failed it or just needs to confirm he's game-ready?

I'd really like to see the Hawks play well enough over these next 7 games to make the playoffs. Not only from a selfish perspective because then I would get to see more Hawks game before their season ends - but more importantly to provide the invaluable experience for the young players and the team building that would carry into next season.

But ... there's also a part of me that would like to see a little more experimentation than we'll see if there's still a mathematical chance to make the playoffs. Nothing too crazy and it would probably not include Rockford players as they are in a fight to make the playoffs. But something like the 4th line idea in my last post - Caggiula-Kampf-Hayden, and maybe give Kahun a try at 3C to see how he handles the defensive aspect of playing center. Maybe try Cat with Toews but someone other than Kane. And so on.
- EbonyRaptor

Id put Gato back with Strome. But it's really up to Kane getting two per night and Crow playing out of his mind at this point.

With players being as tired as they are, Crow coming back from half a season missed (bound to be tired), Toews being frustrated, Kane struggling or injured or just checked out, I think this Gif sums it all up

Anything about him taking the last concussion test? If he did, does this mean he failed it or just needs to confirm he's game-ready?
- pdx2ord

Not that I saw reported.