Fair deal, he can be buried in Rockford if/when the D is upgraded or can be the #7.

I thought that of Koekkoek, Forsling and Dahlstrom that Dahlstrom would be the last one re-signed.
- DarthKane

Wow. Everybody loves the Dahlstrom trade because he can be buried in Rockford. I hope that poor guy doesn't read this blog.

Paging Patrick Kane, Alex Debrincat, and Dylan Strome!?!?! Hawks had a damn good chance to be in the playoffs and 3 of their 4 top scorers all dried up like the Sahara Desert in the most important 2 weeks of the season. Kane looks way off, he's about to get passed by Draisaitl in the scoring race, and might not even pass his career best total from the Hart Trophy year.
- EnzoD

for 6 weeks they led the way as the hawks rallied off the bottom; its called the inevitable regression after averaging combine 3-4 pts/game...simply not going to keep up that pace...

they had alot of pretty hits on those one-timers; now they can't even get those on net; also the goalies have adjusted to that

kane looks dinged up; everything is off with his game

Wow. Everybody loves the Dahlstrom trade because he can be buried in Rockford. I hope that poor guy doesn't read this blog.
- Dieselhead

Yeah, that's what everyone is saying. I guess reading is a skill.

Is it damning with faint praise to say this is a good deal because it won’t cost any cap space to bury him in Rockford?

This team looks gassed, especially Toews and Kane. Biggest thing going for them momentum wise is that they have really clamped down on D. Still need to work on shot suppression, but overall they have come a long way this year. Next year might not be much better but help is on the way.. Boqvist, Beaudin, Kurashev, Entwhistle. Perhaps Shalunov. Biggest summer job is to find another legit top 4 D who knows how to protect the net. We have enough puck movers. We need some anchor back there. Let the season end and go rest. Then Stan is REALLY on the clock now to make something happen to help this team.
- z1990z

I agree that they have come a long way. Wondering if Kane has nagging injury that he is not talking about. Not only is he lacking jump ... could be fatigue
but he has not been himself characterisically. Wiffing on shots .... falling on ice without being touched. If he does not go to represent the US at the tournament after the season, we know there is fatigue and / or injury. Personally, I think he should just rest. Might do him some good in the long run

Is it damning with faint praise to say this is a good deal because it won’t cost any cap space to bury him in Rockford?
- EbonyRaptor

I don't think so. It means it is a no-risk deal. It is a pretty fair deal given where he is in his career. I believe at some point next year he'll no longer be waiver exempt.

Is it damning with faint praise to say this is a good deal because it won’t cost any cap space to bury him in Rockford?
- EbonyRaptor

I, like you, take the glass half full approach and look at it as a safe way for the Hawks to sign him and hopefully it's incentive to play for a better contract and doesn't allow himself to be buried in Rockford.

Only if they aren't lavender sniffers though.
- paulr

Is it damning with faint praise to say this is a good deal because it won’t cost any cap space to bury him in Rockford?
- EbonyRaptor

I don't think it was said he's going to be buried, he can be, idk if he's waiver exempt. He's gotta fight for a roster spot like the others. Why so cynical?

for 6 weeks they led the way as the hawks rallied off the bottom; its called the inevitable regression after averaging combine 3-4 pts/game...simply not going to keep up that pace...

they had alot of pretty hits on those one-timers; now they can't even get those on net; also the goalies have adjusted to that

kane looks dinged up; everything is off with his game
- bogiedoc

Yep, and if so, he shouldn't be "gutting it out" or playing through an injury given their now meaningless remaning games. Sit him down, and don't play him until he's healthy. No speed or explosion in his skating, even his hands/puck skills look off.

I, like you, take the glass half full approach and look at it as a safe way for the Hawks to sign him and hopefully it's incentive to play for a better contract and doesn't allow himself to be buried in Rockford.
- paulr

Look, Pallie, the glass ain't half full until it's about to overflow. Take your positive thoughts to places that are more welcoming of that stuff, like pessimists,com.

I don't think it was said he's going to be buried, he can be, idk if he's waiver exempt. He's gotta fight for a roster spot like the others. Why so cynical?
- I Am The Breadman

I meant it as a joke - hence the laughing emoji.

- Beaver-Warrior

Let me take you down
cause I'm going to, Lavender fields
nothing too real
nothing there to fight about
Lavender fields forever

I don't think it was said he's going to be buried, he can be, idk if he's waiver exempt. He's gotta fight for a roster spot like the others. Why so cynical?
- I Am The Breadman

If we take this year as his baseline, I'm optimistic for his future. He has been "average" this year. Not great, not bad, good defensively with some room to improve. If he actually improves from here it will be a big win to get a defensive D-man.

I meant it as a joke - hence the laughing emoji.
- EbonyRaptor

I know. I undetstand emojis. Why so cynical is close to why so serious ... you might not be a Joker fan? Batman Joker, not Jokiharju joker.

Let me take you down
cause I'm going to, Lavender fields
nothing too real
nothing there to fight about
Lavender fields forever
- paulr

Beautiful, Paulr, did you help John write that? Or get him to change his name from Lennon to Lavender?

The problem is 5 or 6 players cannot carry a team, they did a pretty good job the last few months but their efforts and production were unsustainable. Defense and additional depth ie: secondary scoring are needed for the team take the net step.

As for Kane's scoring totals, who cares? Being 2nd or 5th in scoring on a non playoff team for a player who isn't playing for a contract is irrelevant.
- paulr

I'll be very interested to see how they shape the roster this offseason, and how the lines look to start the year. I don't think it is sustainable to have the top 4-5 players relied upon so heavily (especially on the power play). You have four lines for a reason. I'm giving this year a bit of a pass since he came in mid-year and had several moving pieces.

If we take this year as his baseline, I'm optimistic for his future. He has been "average" this year. Not great, not bad, good defensively with some room to improve. If he actually improves from here it will be a big win to get a defensive D-man.
- Chunk

Agree with you, truffle shuffle.

Let me take you down
cause I'm going to, Lavender fields
nothing too real
nothing there to fight about
Lavender fields forever
- paulr

No doubt. Lots of prime sniffing to be done in that field.

If you wondering where to sniff... http://oregonlavenderdest...nations.com/destinations/

I like Hayden too. I'd hate for him to go when he was playing consistently. I really like Kampf's game and agree with you. If he chips in offensively, added bonus.
- I Am The Breadman

When has Hayden ever played a consistent game? That's why he's likely gonna be gone.

Agree with you, truffle shuffle.
- I Am The Breadman

Easy there, "don't Bread on me"....

I would really really like input on this blog entry and especially the first point about the forwards supporting the defense.

You would be totally missing the point if you cannot see that Bowman intends to transform the blueline crew into a unit heavy with puck movers each whom skates st least average to very fast and or nimble. The defensemen hopefully could win race to puck, be a puck control CAPABLE group.

It would be a great help for this sort of defense to have proper support - even depend on a very strong support - from forwards in position and no fly by. When Colliton had the playoff run with Rockford, I believe there were many forwards who were not top line capable but more grinders or just willing to backcheck.

The thing here is, the future blueline coukd be comprised of average to somewhat slight not physically strong dmen. Can you see help from forwards making a difference?

Let me use both Mitchell and Beaudin as examples. Assuming neither is traded. Mitchell is DcKeith light.Beaudin reportedly knows and undetstands/ plays good defense. They can succeed NHL with proper support from their pairing mate and forwards

I will add this: dmen who have AHL experience should play before rushing Boqvist

Therefore I am guessing despite his offensive ability so great that he commands a second pair slot - Boqvist will spend the better part of one season in Rockford.

I would be content if the three headed depth type dmen - at least they appear categorized as such.- Koekkoek, Forsling, Dahlstrom - each returned until it was decided one of the highly publicized prospects shows enough to take one or more of those jobs.

Lastly I want to see if there is any support for keeping Koekkoek around. Of the three depth dmen Colliton rotated, he alone shows willingness to check or hit. I feel like that would be an especially welcome dman among a group not overly physical

No to Trouba. Mainly because the salary he would command isn't worth it to me. Not to mention he has only played one full season. The plus would be giving up asset a rebuilding team shouldn't be spending.

And you want to pay Duchene 7M+? I sure don't.
- Elbows15

Paying a 1st for a legit top defender is a fair price. Especially if it's a 9-14 pick. I wouldn't trade a top pick.

I just don't get the Duchene hate. He's had pretty good production years (besides 2016-17). He has ~60 points while playing on the Sen dumpsterfire this year. He wins faceoffs and can play center. I think paying him 7-8 million is very reasonable. Especially if we can move Saad or AA.

Paying a 1st for a legit top defender is a fair price. Especially if it's a 9-14 pick. I wouldn't trade a top pick.

I just don't get the Duchene hate. He's had pretty good production years (besides 2016-17). He has ~60 points while playing on the Sen dumpsterfire this year. He wins faceoffs and can play center. I think paying him 7-8 million is very reasonable. Especially if we can move Saad or AA.
- RedRevenge

I think we may have seen the blueprint for how Stan is going to handle this summer with the Strome/Perlini and Caggiula trade. Even the Koekkoek trade. High pick draftees that are either blocked or need a change of scenery. I don't know who those players are on every team, but I'm sure there are more. Maybe one big trade and the rest like the previous ones.

1. Without Gus, they have close to zero goals the last half dozen games.

2. Gus does not "hang low" he, like all d men jumping in, never stop moving.
- TrueGrit

1) I love the offense Gustafsson brings so my comments were not an indictment of his offensive game.

2) Yes, he does move around a lot in the O zone but of all the D men, he abandons his post the most because he loves creating offense more than defending. He has gotten better with cycling back to the point but it doesn't change his desire to venture low.