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.
- Chunk

This is why I would lean towards constructing the forward ranks with 3 lines that can score (and play respectable defense) and a 4th line that can shutdown and agitate. Working with pairs on each line then build out from there:

LW - Toew - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - RW
Saad - Anisimov - RW
Caggiula - Kampf - RW

In-house wing candidates: Sikura, Kahun, Perlini

There is also the possibility of upgrading over Anisimov at 3C. While I don't mind him, there are better options out there and should be pursued if the opportunity arises.

I think this is the system JC is trying to introduce, notice it is dependent on good skaters, and the high forward being aware of the pinching defenseman to cover.

Hockey 2-1-2 with a Pinch on a Wide Rim

PLAYING AN AGGRESSIVE 2-1-2 FORECHECK WITH A STRONG SIDE PINCH
The only change from the 2-1-2 with a pinch on a rim is that the third forechecker mirrors the play from the high slot area and fills for the strong side defenseman when he pinches. Number two usually becomes the third man in the high triangle.
This is a more high risk style and is used when you need a goal. The risk is that forwards are the last defenders back. If a team is going to play
this style the forwards must be good at defensive one on one's.

Backchecking Forwards
* Lock (skate through) the centre up to red line and create back pressure by pursuing the puck carrier. If you have a good angle on the puck carrier then finish the play, if you cannot catch him then play a 2 on 2 with the strong side defenseman.
* Communicate and be sure of who is covering who by the red line.
* If the first back checker is pursuing the puck carrier then the weak side defenseman cover wide winger.
* When the back checker is behind the attacker by more than a stick length then leave the puck carrier for the defense and pick up a trailer. Don't check from behind.
* If the first forward is caught up ice giving up a 3-2 then back check to the middle (slot) area, otherwise cover the trailer.
* The last two forwards pick up points; the second forward to the mid slot area and the third forward the puck side point.
* Defenseman read the rush and call out coverage by the red line. On a three on three, if the forward is covering the weak side winger then the weak side defenseman slide to the middle and play a two on two with his defensive partner.
* If the forward is covering the wide winger on a shoot in, hold up the winger then go high on boards for a possible rim.
* Defense try to avoid backing in, if you fear the attackers speed give room on the outside rather than back in and give up the blue line.

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

When has he ever been given consistent minutes in a defined role?

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

Ewww...gross!

When has he ever been given consistent minutes in a defined role?
- Ogilthorpe2

Colliton had him for a third of last season and the playoffs in Rockford, he probably feels he has seen him enough to make an evaluation.

When has he ever been given consistent minutes in a defined role?
- Ogilthorpe2

To interrupt the chicken/egg thing.... Seems some young guys have received a legit shot. Why hasn't Hayden?

I'm not in favor of trading Saad, because he is still one of the most effective 2 way players we have up front. Too many of the forwards are good at one end but not the other. Sikura seems to be fitting into that 2 way mold as he matures in the NHL here. Really happy with his progress.

I would like to see guys like Strome and Perlini improve away from the puck. I think most of us agree the key area needing improvement is line 3. Adding one or 2 solid 3rd line players would help bump a little bit more talent down to line 4 or keep a bit more offensive talent up in the top 6. I don't think the top 4 D will change dramatically and will probably be some combination of Keith, Gus, Murphy, Seabrook, Joki, unless they can unload a contract on the backend.

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.
- I Am The Breadman

ehh, so you be jokin my jokin, eer ye?

No problems at all with the signing. Guy was playing his first full season in the NHL. Personally thought he has shown enough to warrant a further look. He moves well. Has a good stick. Needs to build up some strength but so do most of the Hawks. In fact, I would get rid of the strength coach cause I think there is some room for improvement in that department pretty much across the whole roster.
- Elbows15

Same guy who helped DBC bulk up over the summer?

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

Besides Martinsen-Kruger-Hayden line?
Besides any time he played with Kunitz because they gelled together? It's great a veteran presence rubbed off on a young guy, both on and off the bench. I'm not a Kunitz guy, he'll be gone. I'm not a Hayden's biggest fan, but why give up on a young, cost-controlled, effective 4th liner who hits, battles the boards, pk time, and can chip in a goal every so often?

He was consistent before Perlini's flash in a pan of scoring occurred and Sikura's emergence. I don't think playing Hayden will hurt our playoff chances these 6 games. Give him a defined role.

He probably will be gone, I'm just not in favor of it.

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

Hahahaha!!! That's good and bad at the same time. Pun quality, I mean.

To interrupt the chicken/egg thing.... Seems some young guys have received a legit shot. Why hasn't Hayden?
- mohel

New narrative in the making? JC hates kids.

ehh, so you be jokin my jokin, eer ye?
- EbonyRaptor

Yessir.

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 don't get the Duchene love. He has done nothing but be a major part of a bunch of losing teams. he is yet another guy who is on the ice for more SAT against than SAT for. There is no way I want the Hawks to be paying him 7+M. Not to mention you would signing him to play most of his deal in his 30's. He just isn't that good. Also, he has his best seasons on the wing. FOs aren't that important to me as something I would use to sign a guy.

I like Trouba. You would be not only giving up assets plus probably paying 8M/AAV. He has had injury issues his whole career. He really doesn't produce points. About the same rate as Murphy. My issue with Trouba is this..is he really worth paying twice as much as Murphy for what he brings? IDK about that. The 1st would be okay. Its the plus I don't think the Hawks should be parting with at this point.

Same guy who helped DBC bulk up over the summer?
- pdx2ord

I have no idea who he is. I am just tired of the Hawks always being the weaker team on the ice.

Lavender aside from smelling nice also repels insects when dry or in oil form. Tastes pretty good in tea. Still missing the whole negative connotation there.

Anyway, the power play went dry, teams collapsed on Kane and they stopped winning. Not a lot of surprise there. The last 10 games don't change what the group is or isn't.

Hopefully it's an interesting off season.

I'm not in favor of trading Saad, because he is still one of the most effective 2 way players we have up front. Too many of the forwards are good at one end but not the other. Sikura seems to be fitting into that 2 way mold as he matures in the NHL here. Really happy with his progress.

I would like to see guys like Strome and Perlini improve away from the puck. I think most of us agree the key area needing improvement is line 3. Adding one or 2 solid 3rd line players would help bump a little bit more talent down to line 4 or keep a bit more offensive talent up in the top 6. I don't think the top 4 D will change dramatically and will probably be some combination of Keith, Gus, Murphy, Seabrook, Joki, unless they can unload a contract on the backend.
- breadbag

I would prefer to retain Saad as well for the reason you stated. Similarly, resign Sikura to say a 2-year $1.5-$2.0M deal.

If the team can roll 3 lines that can score + a shutdown line as the 4th, then the team could get away with having one of those top 3 lines being so-so on defense (for example: DeBrincat, Strome, Perlini). Get Toews a defensively responsible winger to go along with Kane and that line should be fine in their own end. Same with Saad and Anisimov.

Overall, the whole roster needs to improve team defense and individual contributions. Some players may improve greatly while others marginally. With that, and say there are 2 scoring lines with solid defense and one that is below average, then it's up to Colliton and staff to get the in-game match-ups that minimize any defense deficiencies of a certain line.

I have no idea who he is. I am just tired of the Hawks always being the weaker team on the ice.
- Elbows15

Hawks are smaller than most teams. It's amazing when at the game watching warmups how much bigger some teams are than the blackhawks. Goodman does a good job, but it takes buy in from the athlete as well. A bit of mean streak in the player wouldn't hurt either.

To interrupt the chicken/egg thing.... Seems some young guys have received a legit shot. Why hasn't Hayden?
- mohel

Because he sucks

Besides Martinsen-Kruger-Hayden line?
Besides any time he played with Kunitz because they gelled together? It's great a veteran presence rubbed off on a young guy, both on and off the bench. I'm not a Kunitz guy, he'll be gone. I'm not a Hayden's biggest fan, but why give up on a young, cost-controlled, effective 4th liner who hits, battles the boards, pk time, and can chip in a goal every so often?

He was consistent before Perlini's flash in a pan of scoring occurred and Sikura's emergence. I don't think playing Hayden will hurt our playoff chances these 6 games. Give him a defined role.

He probably will be gone, I'm just not in favor of it.
- I Am The Breadman

Ya my mistake. He's awesome when he spins in a circle in the corner and loses the puck or falls down. Or when he can't complete a simple pass. Or when he's too slow to actually throw a hit that does something. Yup he's worth keeping alright.

I would prefer to retain Saad as well for the reason you stated. Similarly, resign Sikura to say a 2-year $1.5-$2.0M deal.

If the team can roll 3 lines that can score + a shutdown line as the 4th, then the team could get away with having one of those top 3 lines being so-so on defense (for example: DeBrincat, Strome, Perlini). Get Toews a defensively responsible winger to go along with Kane and that line should be fine in their own end. Same with Saad and Anisimov.

Overall, the whole roster needs to improve team defense and individual contributions. Some players may improve greatly while others marginally. With that, and say there are 2 scoring lines with solid defense and one that is below average, then it's up to Colliton and staff to get the in-game match-ups that minimize any defense deficiencies of a certain line.
- AEL_Fox

Why would Sikura get 1.5-2 million per season?

Hawks are smaller than most teams. It's amazing when at the game watching warmups how much bigger some teams are than the blackhawks. Goodman does a good job, but it takes buy in from the athlete as well. A bit of mean streak in the player wouldn't hurt either.
- 6628

Just a thought: if DeBrincat can have pushback to his game and Sikura can show a consistent effort to engage physically in the tough areas, then anyone can. Agree, it takes buy in from each individual player.

That's the more difficult part as anyone can get stronger as far as muscle and core power (with natural limits due to body type/frame).

Why would Sikura get 1.5-2 million per season?
- GPHawksfan

I was just throwing out a ballpark estimate. What do you suggest?

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

Correct, they are at least 4-6 players from being a good
playoff team, at least 2 forwards, maybe 4 and 2 D away
from becoming good.

Next year 2-7 have more wear on the tires

Can 12-17 take the next step?

Can any of the young D take the next step?

I was just throwing out a ballpark estimate. What do you suggest?
- AEL_Fox

You don't want to know.