Being able to take a hit while calmly making the right play is the ultimate in physical and mental toughness IMO.
- Ogilthorpe2

I always viewed a guy like Hjalmersson to be one of the toughest players I have ever seen. The beating he would take from hits, blocking shots etc. and he played through them, seldom made mistakes and hardly missed a shift. Some see tough only if the player hits or beats up people,

The problem Chicago has is it's defense , last year it got worse. Their is no way Stan can just add a subpar or aged defenseman via free agency and expect different results , especially with 2 aging core defenseman who are locked in for 5 more years and have each lost multiple steps.



Gustafson has a cheap cap hit , his offensive numbers last year where outstanding. Murphy is the odd man out , he hasn't really improved his game since coming here , moving him makes the most sense ..

If moving saad and murphy means Chicago frees up almost 10 million in cap space it can be used to sign a top 4 defenseman.
- Taylorst1

Yeah the Blackhawks biggest problem last season was defense, but I don’t put that solely on our Dmen. Watching the playoffs really has made me more convinced than ever that our defense problem is more of a forward problem than a Dman problem.

Not that we don’t have a a Dman problem or can’t improve our Dmen group as a whole by adding another top four Dman, we can. But that’s not getting to the root of the defensive problem.

Colliton quote via Scott Powers with the Athletic:

“If you just kind of mail it in for two-thirds of the ice, well, then it’s not very fun because you’re going to end up in your own end defending hard and you’re going to give up chances. Whereas if as a team, five guys working together all the way up the ice, we’re going to have the puck more, we’re going to be in the offensive zone more, we’re going to give up less chances, we’re going to create more offensively.”

I always viewed a guy like Hjalmersson to be one of the toughest players I have ever seen. The beating he would take from hits, blocking shots etc. and he played through them, seldom made mistakes and hardly missed a shift. Some see tough only if the player hits or beats up people,
- paulr

Agreed. I should’ve added the part about repetition to my previous statement. Anyone can take a hit once, but it’s the courage to hang in there time and again and repeatedly take a beating like Hjalmarsson did that separates the men from the Barker’s.

I don't get the Panarin hate, his playoff resume is pretty darn good, even if he can't carry his team every game. He is putting up points and his team is leaning on him hard. It is a team game and he is doing his part. I don't think he comes back to the Hawks, but if they found a way for the right price, it wouldn't hurt the team. The guy does his job.
- breadbag

I don’t think anyone “hates” Panarin. IMO some folks point out the limitations to his game in response to another group that tends to overvalue his impact on the ice. This was a simmering debate while he was here with the Hawks - but then went up a notch in response to his trade for Saad. Also, some people point out (rightfully so IMO) that the Hawks roster/cap concerns don’t really lend themselves to courting Panarin as an UFA this off-season.

So, while I agree with you that in a perfect world the Hawks should sign Panarin, still be able to address their defensive concerns AND manage their cap space. However, I don’t believe there is a realistic scenario where all of those three concerns can be addressed.

I always viewed a guy like Hjalmersson to be one of the toughest players I have ever seen. The beating he would take from hits, blocking shots etc. and he played through them, seldom made mistakes and hardly missed a shift. Some see tough only if the player hits or beats up people,
- paulr

Pound-for-pound, Kruger is one the toughest players the Hawks have had in years. I’ve lost count of how many times he took a hit where I thought he was not maybe, but definitely injured, and yet he got up and kept skating.

Bolland had that similar quality too, perhaps to a lesser extent.

You're right, look at Jay Bouwmeester, 6'4" 220 and he's not physical at all. I agree with Rick you need balance of skill and physical defensemen .... or you have what the Hawks did in their cup years, skilled defenders who weren't mean and physical but they also didn't shay away from the rough stuff and could play through hits that "no human could withstand".
- paulr

And then you have ADB (obviously not a dman) who plays tough despite his size.

Being able to take a hit while calmly making the right play is the ultimate in physical and mental toughness IMO.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yep - that's a worthy litmus test for pretty much every hockey player but especially d-men who either make the play or don't, regardless of how big or small they are.

Yeah the Blackhawks biggest problem last season was defense, but I don’t put that solely on our Dmen. Watching the playoffs really has made me more convinced than ever that our defense problem is more of a forward problem than a Dman problem.

Not that we don’t have a a Dman problem or can’t improve our Dmen group as a whole by adding another top four Dman, we can. But that’s not getting to the root of the defensive problem.

Colliton quote via Scott Powers with the Athletic:

“If you just kind of mail it in for two-thirds of the ice, well, then it’s not very fun because you’re going to end up in your own end defending hard and you’re going to give up chances. Whereas if as a team, five guys working together all the way up the ice, we’re going to have the puck more, we’re going to be in the offensive zone more, we’re going to give up less chances, we’re going to create more offensively.”
- walleyeb1

Good points. This is why I’m interested to see the Hawks play after a full camp and preseason with JC. While we can debate what system is more effective than another, just seeing the Hawks coherently playing ANY system should be an improvement to what we saw last season.

You're right, look at Jay Bouwmeester, 6'4" 220 and he's not physical at all. I agree with Rick you need balance of skill and physical defensemen .... or you have what the Hawks did in their cup years, skilled defenders who weren't mean and physical but they also didn't shay away from the rough stuff and could play through hits that "no human could withstand".
- paulr

When the Blue were sitting at the bottom of the standings in January and the subject on here was what Dmen would be very good pickups at the trade deadline for a contender I said Bouwmeester and most totally disagreed saying he was finished, washed up, no F'n good. The genius Mike Yeo had even started to healthy scratch him.

And then Doug Armstrong decided he had seen enough of Yeo's coaching act and fired him. Craig Berube apparently saw some value in having a big, experienced veteran Dman who knew how to play in his own end and brought the corpse back from the cemetery.

Utilized properly and with the correct amount of ice time, guys like Bouwmeester never hurt an team. But the flavour of the day is the puck mover on the back end - guys like Jake Gardner, Karlsson, Gustaffson etc. Unfortunately those guys don't know how to play defence very well.

When the Blue were sitting at the bottom of the standings in January and the subject on here was what Dmen would be very good pickups at the trade deadline for a contender I said Bouwmeester and most totally disagreed saying he was finished, washed up, no F'n good. The genius Mike Yeo had even started to healthy scratch him.

And then Doug Armstrong decided he had seen enough of Yeo's coaching act and fired him. Craig Berube apparently saw some value in having a big, experienced veteran Dman who knew how to play in his own end and brought the corpse back from the cemetery.

Utilized properly and with the correct amount of ice time, guys like Bouwmeester never hurt an team. But the flavour of the day is the puck mover on the back end - guys like Jake Gardner, Karlsson, Gustaffson etc. Unfortunately those guys don't know how to play defence very well.
- RickJ

E Karlsson -2 last night -

When the Blue were sitting at the bottom of the standings in January and the subject on here was what Dmen would be very good pickups at the trade deadline for a contender I said Bouwmeester and most totally disagreed saying he was finished, washed up, no F'n good. The genius Mike Yeo had even started to healthy scratch him.

And then Doug Armstrong decided he had seen enough of Yeo's coaching act and fired him. Craig Berube apparently saw some value in having a big, experienced veteran Dman who knew how to play in his own end and brought the corpse back from the cemetery.

Utilized properly and with the correct amount of ice time, guys like Bouwmeester never hurt an team. But the flavour of the day is the puck mover on the back end - guys like Jake Gardner, Karlsson, Gustaffson etc. Unfortunately those guys don't know how to play defence very well.
- RickJ

It isn't always the case where it's either defensive d-man or offensive d-man - some players do both very well. I've already cited Doughty but there are others such as Josi who are very good both defensively and offensively.

Turcotte and family want him start on a degree.

It is part of Turcotte's development; except for the top two guys all these guys are kids, and all need time strength and need to get more refined.
college gives Turcotte bigger men to play against and a higher compete level, just like when so many thought Toews was gonna come right in, but went to North Dakota.

Those 3 - 9 picks will all have a chance to be impact NHL forwards but slower is better than an NHL early introduction that becomes an overload.

In one name (or two)
Nolan Patrick (dub)
Nico Hirscher (Q)

Sure, bring em up let em play, but it sometimes is better to let them taste and then see what they need and go somewhere and ADD those tools to be impact guys eventually.

Don't rush these kids.

E Karlsson -2 last night -
- glennjpawlak22

Bowen Byrån minus on in the 4-0 white wash on the weekend from St. Albert's Raiders...

Bowen Byrån minus on in the 4-0 white wash on the weekend from St. Albert's Raiders...
- wiz1901

P.A. dominated the game, doubled the shots on goal and basically bottled up Vancouver all game long ... and yes, Byram was -1.

Game-3 of the series is tonight.

BTW - Enwistle with 2 goals in Guelph's 7-2 victory last night.

Hawks would have to trade for a top 4 d-man.
- Rota's Rooter

I love it that each team's sportswriter's and the fans of each and every NHL team seem to think it is this easy acquisition: a TRUE top four defenseman.

Remember all summer how the Hurricanes supposedly were gonna trade one of their defenders form that top four core ( Slavin or Faulk or Pesce...not DeHaan or Hamilton) but you see that seemed to never really be something they were going to do, because those guys were a huge part of the puck push and anchor...so everyone wants to speculate about these true top four all around solid defenders getting traded but in reality teams with true solid top fours aren't letting them go away unless they get Cap trapped.

So nice thought but too many teams are interested in that very same want...

I love it that each team's sportswriter's and the fans of each and every NHL team seem to think it is this easy acquisition: a TRUE top four defenseman.

Remember all summer how the Hurricanes supposedly were gonna trade one of their defenders form that top four core ( Slavin or Faulk or Pesce...not DeHaan or Hamilton) but you see that seemed to never really be something they were going to do, because those guys were a huge part of the puck push and anchor...so everyone wants to speculate about these true top four all around solid defenders getting traded but in reality teams with true solid top fours aren't letting them go away unless they get Cap trapped.

So nice thought but too many teams are interested in that very same want...
- wiz1901

Which is exactly why the Hawks should continue to seriously look at Bowen at 3.

You figure out what to do with the surplus of talent later when you’re hopefully dealing from a position of strength.

I understand that you’re not as high on him as many of the other NHL pundits are, but as you said, teams are always looking for these top-4 d-men which are almost never readily available. Hoping that at least 3 of Bowen, Boqvist, Joker, Beaudin, Mitchell pan out will go quite a long way in accelerating the Hawks quest back into contention.

I love it that each team's sportswriter's and the fans of each and every NHL team seem to think it is this easy acquisition: a TRUE top four defenseman.

Remember all summer how the Hurricanes supposedly were gonna trade one of their defenders form that top four core ( Slavin or Faulk or Pesce...not DeHaan or Hamilton) but you see that seemed to never really be something they were going to do, because those guys were a huge part of the puck push and anchor...so everyone wants to speculate about these true top four all around solid defenders getting traded but in reality teams with true solid top fours aren't letting them go away unless they get Cap trapped.

So nice thought but too many teams are interested in that very same want...
- wiz1901

I know. My point was to the original poster that defense-wise there is really nothing out there in a UFA that isn't going to be either too old, expensive or just not good enough.

Hawks would have to trade to get a top 4 which probably means creating another hole and as you point out, teams just are not willing to give up good d-man.

So unless someone in the pipeline makes some outstanding progress next season or the Euro scouts can find another hidden gem in The Carpathian Mountains it needs to be a focus on team defense next season.

Hitchcock out as Oilers coach.

https://thesportsdaily.co...-hitchcock-as-head-coach/

Maybe he can head to Philly to round out the 4 horsemen there.

https://www.courierposton...gneault-staff/1114352001/

Which is exactly why the Hawks should continue to seriously look at Bowen at 3.

You figure out what to do with the surplus of talent later when you’re hopefully dealing from a position of strength.

I understand that you’re not as high on him as many of the other NHL pundits are, but as you said, teams are always looking for these top-4 d-men which are almost never readily available. Hoping that at least 3 of Bowen, Boqvist, Joker, Beaudin, Mitchell pan out will go quite a long way in accelerating the Hawks quest back into contention.
- TommyHawk

Have you seen how those "pundits" have done over the years on highly ranked d-men? Not good.

Wiz ..... Turcotte at 3?

Injury plagued player, going to Wisconsin for at least 2 years. Doesn't help us much. Wouldn't Cozens be a better fit? He could step in at L3 center to start the year.
- gifman

I was in fsvir of selecting Cozens but am wary now after his poor showing in the recent World Tournanent. He did not play a physical brand of hockey and i read where he may take a break from that sort of play. I do not know what wiz knows aboit this and whether Cozens can be pegged to be a physical force alll the time or if hr just picks his spots. The cspdule evaluation on drsftsite.com sure makes him out to be exactly what Chicago needd.

What we do not want to draft with the #3 or if traded down, is a Perlini type. Inconsisteny not acceptable. Draft someone else if it is too difficult to determine what kind of player Cozens is exoected to become.

I was in fsvir of selecting Cozens but am wary now after his poor showing in the recent World Tournanent. He did not play a physical brand of hockey and i read where he may take a break from that sort of play. I do not know what wiz knows aboit this and whether Cozens can be pegged to be a physical force alll the time or if hr just picks his spots. The cspdule evaluation on drsftsite.com sure makes him out to be exactly what Chicago needd.

What we do not want to draft with the #3 or if traded down, is a Perlini type. Inconsisteny not acceptable. Draft someone else if it is too difficult to determine what kind of player Cozens is exoected to become.
- jhawk59

You're over thinking this. How did Cozens suddenly become a lazy player who wants to "take a break from that sort of play"? I hope the Hawks don't read too much into one tournament no matter who they are looking at. We don't know if cozens was injured, had difficulties with the size of the ice surface, was on a bad team, or if he indeed isn't very good.

Have you seen how those "pundits" have done over the years on highly ranked d-men? Not good.
- mohel

D-men as a whole are difficult to project as draft prospects because most of them need multiple years of seasoning before they start realizing their potential.

With that being said, Kelley himself in that interview with NBC Sports that was posted yesterday IIRC said that while they have their own rankings that these draft guys’ rankings often have a say as well, so they’re not completely worthless.

Ultimately whoever they select is their decision because they know best. We can only trust their judgement, which has been pretty good in regards to the early picks.

Watching the livefeed of the USA v Germany "practice" game. Starting the 2nd period with Germany up 2-1. DeBrincat assisted on the USA goal and Kahun scored one of the Germany goals.

https://www.magentasport....nt/deutschland-usa/443611

Yeah the Blackhawks biggest problem last season was defense, but I don’t put that solely on our Dmen. Watching the playoffs really has made me more convinced than ever that our defense problem is more of a forward problem than a Dman problem.

Not that we don’t have a a Dman problem or can’t improve our Dmen group as a whole by adding another top four Dman, we can. But that’s not getting to the root of the defensive problem.

Colliton quote via Scott Powers with the Athletic:

“If you just kind of mail it in for two-thirds of the ice, well, then it’s not very fun because you’re going to end up in your own end defending hard and you’re going to give up chances. Whereas if as a team, five guys working together all the way up the ice, we’re going to have the puck more, we’re going to be in the offensive zone more, we’re going to give up less chances, we’re going to create more offensively.”
- walleyeb1

I think you are right. The defensive issues include the dmen but the buck doesn't stop there IMO. Some of the best defensive game the Hawks had included some decent back pressure and disruption (stick checking) from the forwards. Some of the worst games I remember forwards losing their coverage when the attacking team was forcing the Hawks D to move to cover down low. The D can do their part, but if the forwards can't cover the 3rd or 4th guy into the play, then guys can end up wide open in dangerous areas.

It's still a bit tough to find rosters for the World Championships but here's one site that listed a few teams:

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/1759800

Euro free agents Kubalik and Wedin both made the Czech Republic and Sweden teams, respectively. Kubalik is expected to sign with Chicago afterward. Wedin is expected to decide between the Hawks and Coyotes.

Not big news: Nordgren didn't make the Finnish team but Powers confirmed that he will play another year in Finland.