How is Kunitz still playing over Hayden?

I imagine Haydens gone over the summer
- gazza53

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.

Discipline.

It's a necessary ingredient in the recipe for good defense. It would be tempting for players to try to do more than their responsibility called for but that usually leads to undisciplined team defense. Do what you're supposed to do. Follow the plan.

It's also a necessary ingredient in the recipe to keep a hockey blog focused on hockey related topics. It would be tempting to respond to a comment you disagree with but that would only perpetuate the problem. Do what you're supposed to do. Follow the plan.
- EbonyRaptor

For the love of Hossa, please take your (frank)ing BS political garbage where it belongs.... on the comment sections of FoxNews.com, CNN.com, Huffington Post, Drudge Report, Ect


EDIT: Hawks go back to their Wild West shootout ways tonight in AZ...5-4 Hawks

I know this is kind of a "been there, done that" lineup but I think it's the best one. As JL pointed out it puts Cat in a better situation because he kind of got swallowed up playing with T&K where he didn't have the puck on his stick enough. Sikura has played well enough in the o-zone and appreciably better in the d-zone than Cat has so he makes that line better defensively. Saad plays better on the 3rd line than he does playing with Toews for some strange reason. The only change I wouldn't mind would be to switch Sikura and Kahun but it probably doesn't matter much because they're very similar players.
- EbonyRaptor

I'll admit is isn't the whole story or the only part of the equation, but part of what helps DeBrincat and Saad when not playing on line 1 is they get away from the top "shutdown" types on the opposing team more. When you have Kane/Toews rolling together the opposition is going to try to match up on that. DeBrincat on Line 2 and Saad on Line 3 gives them a chance to be that second or third wave against the guys who aren't top quality defensively. I don't hate DeBrincat on line 1, because he has scored some nice goals off feeds from Toews and Kane in his young career as well, but if Perlini has cool off, then Line 2 might need him, IMO.

Tonight's projected lineup posted on Second City Hockey. They didn't list DeBrincat but listed Sikura twice so I assume DeBrincat is 1st line and Sikura is 3rd. And they actually left off the Keith-Gustafsson pair. SCH apparently doesn't have an editor over there.

DeBrincat - Toews - Kane
Perlini - Strome - Kahun
Saad - Anisimov - Sikura
Kunitz - Kampf - Kruger

Keith - Gustafsson
Forsling - Seabrook
Koekkoek - Murphy

Crawford

First game in Arizona for Strome and Perlini since the trade. It's also Strome's 100th NHL game and Murphy's birthday today.
- AEL_Fox

Curious if Koekkoek is in there again. Two games back it didn't''t sound like Dahlstrom performef badly. Last game the defense was maybe bedt it has been all season. See how capable they can be.

In two years i expect Jokiharju, Carlsson, Mitchell, Beaudin arr NHL ready

Both Hillman and Gilbert too but probably only one plays IF the lineup features dmen whise strength is moving the puck. I want to suggest that Carlsson cannot be excluded because he complements the offensive guys AND he competes better + + a good skater.

By then we should see what decision made on Forsling Koekkoek and Dahlstrom. Who knows whether Galvas signed by then or how well Kyrs develops.

Keith, Seabrook, Murphy? By then each is older and well maybe Keith skates as well as the prosoects now having graduated or about to tske someone s job.

You can assign the defensemen #1 - #-7. I omitted Boqvist. He may be sent to Rockford a second season after junior next season. At lesst logjam is reduced.

I do expect a neay tital turnover on defense. Else some prospects are traded. It makes too much sense a dman prospect traded for a power firward prospect

Yeah, quit the economic/political talk.

How about Smollett?

For the love of Hossa, please take your (frank)ing BS political garbage where it belongs.... on the comment sections of FoxNews.com, CNN.com, Huffington Post, Drudge Report, Ect


EDIT: Hawks go back to their Wild West shootout ways tonight in AZ...5-4 Hawks
- EnzoD

Not sure why you quoted me because I've made no political comments and was essentially saying the same thing you posted.

Yeah, quit the economic/political talk.

How about Smollett?
- mohel

His female Lawyer is Hot ..!!!

I'll admit is isn't the whole story or the only part of the equation, but part of what helps DeBrincat and Saad when not playing on line 1 is they get away from the top "shutdown" types on the opposing team more. When you have Kane/Toews rolling together the opposition is going to try to match up on that. DeBrincat on Line 2 and Saad on Line 3 gives them a chance to be that second or third wave against the guys who aren't top quality defensively. I don't hate DeBrincat on line 1, because he has scored some nice goals off feeds from Toews and Kane in his young career as well, but if Perlini has cool off, then Line 2 might need him, IMO.
- breadbag

Yep, good point.

Tonight's projected lineup posted on Second City Hockey. They didn't list DeBrincat but listed Sikura twice so I assume DeBrincat is 1st line and Sikura is 3rd. And they actually left off the Keith-Gustafsson pair. SCH apparently doesn't have an editor over there.

DeBrincat - Toews - Kane
Perlini - Strome - Kahun
Saad - Anisimov - Sikura
Kunitz - Kampf - Kruger

Keith - Gustafsson
Forsling - Seabrook
Koekkoek - Murphy

Crawford

First game in Arizona for Strome and Perlini since the trade. It's also Strome's 100th NHL game and Murphy's birthday today.
- AEL_Fox

I really dont like 12 with 88 & 19. Keep the Cat with Strome and develop that 2cd line. Saad plays better on the 3rd line against weaker D, so move Sikura back until 91 comes back.
Also I think Kampf is going to be a solid 3rd line center for years to come. He has some sneaky talent at times and I think he is going to develop into a nice player.

Curious if Koekkoek is in there again. Two games back it didn't''t sound like Dahlstrom performef badly. Last game the defense was maybe bedt it has been all season. See how capable they can be.

In two years i expect Jokiharju, Carlsson, Mitchell, Beaudin arr NHL ready

Both Hillman and Gilbert too but probably only one plays IF the lineup features dmen whise strength is moving the puck. I want to suggest that Carlsson cannot be excluded because he complements the offensive guys AND he competes better + + a good skater.

By then we should see what decision made on Forsling Koekkoek and Dahlstrom. Who knows whether Galvas signed by then or how well Kyrs develops.

Keith, Seabrook, Murphy? By then each is older and well maybe Keith skates as well as the prosoects now having graduated or about to tske someone s job.

You can assign the defensemen #1 - #-7. I omitted Boqvist. He may be sent to Rockford a second season after junior next season. At lesst logjam is reduced.

I do expect a neay tital turnover on defense. Else some prospects are traded. It makes too much sense a dman prospect traded for a power firward prospect
- jhawk59

I agree that it seems likely that the Hawks will at some point move one or more D prospects for more F prospects, but the question will be who is going to be considered expendable. I hope Stan Bowman is doing what he can to sell high on a prospect to help patch more holes.

We could maybe see a call up shortly if the team loses tonight. I know their playoff hopes are slim, but I think they will keep going while there is at least any hope, but another loss to a team ahead of them in the same race and they'd have to be close to audition time.

If we do lose tonight, our ceiling in terms of maximum points is 88 (if they won the remaining 6 games after), while Colorado can still hit 93, Arizona could possibly get to 91. Minny could reach 89 potentially.

Interesting to note, Arizona's next 3 games are Chicago, Colorado, Minnesota. They will be very motivated to win all 3 and help themselves in the race. I think the Hawks "best case" scenario would probably be beating Arizona today, followed by Arizona beating Colorado and then Arizona losing to Minnesota.

The Wild are facing Vegas, Winnipeg, Boston, and Dallas in their other games, so the Hawks are probably better off if they got points vs Arizona.

Anyway, my point was, the Hawks are too close to probably just audition anyone until they lose one or two more games. If that happens, I'd like to see someone new get a shot to show what they can do at an NHL level.

https://swisshockeynews.c...n-the-czech-national-team

I did post one thing not hockey related so I had to add this. I wonder if we got any offers for Hayden or forsling? I would have moved them at the trade deadline if it was me. Feel like people over pay. Jurco, runblad etc even for prospects. they get trigger happy. hayden because I just don't see 4th line talent. forsling because I like Dahlstrom and koeke better due to size. we have a ton of small d coming up. need to keep the bigger ones to offset a bit.. Ie I Like Koek or Dahlstrom paired with Joki or Mitchell more then forsling.

Yeah, quit the economic/political talk.

How about Smollett?
- mohel

What a disaster. When the chief police and mayor are about to lose their minds you know its' beyond shady. I give up. I need to get the hell out of Illinois and fast. State is a disaster, and hope it continues...…

Must win tonight for the Hawks. Dallas is pulling away, so its' a regulation win or bust.

Yeah, quit the economic/political talk.

How about Smollett?
- mohel

Chicago must lead the league in bizarre legal proceedings.

Cam e over today to get away from the political non-sense, picked a bad day to read this page. Oh well.... at least its a civil discourse.
- riozzo

Your avatar is perfect for today!

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

For the love of Hossa, please take your (frank)ing BS political garbage where it belongs.... on the comment sections of FoxNews.com, CNN.com, Huffington Post, Drudge Report, Ect


EDIT: Hawks go back to their Wild West shootout ways tonight in AZ...5-4 Hawks
- EnzoD

I reread EbonyRaptors post several times to determine where he stated "political garbage". I am puzzled by your response which ironically is quite political.

Chicago must lead the league in bizarre legal proceedings.
- StLBravesFan

Apparently you’re not aware of the “Florida Man” Challenge?

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

Good. Let's get him into some games before the end of the season in place of the Kruger's and Kunitz's who are not part of our future.

Not sure why you quoted me because I've made no political comments and was essentially saying the same thing you posted.
- EbonyRaptor

i am with you....

I reread EbonyRaptors post several times to determine where he stated "political garbage". I am puzzled by your response which ironically is quite political.
- 67hawks

I thought it was odd that of all the posts, he chose ERs to respond to, but nothing Enzo said was political.

Apparently you’re not aware of the “Florida Man” Challenge?
- Ogilthorpe2

Mine was pretty good...anyone else try it?

Good. Let's get him into some games before the end of the season in place of the Kruger's and Kunitz's who are not part of our future.
- 67hawks

Caggiula is kind of a Swiss Army Knife type of player who showed he can mesh well with T&K but I think ultimately he will be best used with Kampf on the 4th line so hopefully he gets in some games before the season ends and we can see how he does with Kampf. In fact - why not get Hayden back in lineup and go with Caggiula-Kampf-Hayden for a few games.

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

Until 91 comes back, they should put Perlini with Toews and Kane. He could play the energy role on that line, plus he has a better shot than Caggiula.

Mine was pretty good...anyone else try it?
- tvetter

Florida man killed in standoff shot BB gun at deputies

Apparently you’re not aware of the “Florida Man” Challenge?
- Ogilthorpe2

Try the Chicago Man Challange...