Off-topic, but if Kunitz retires could you see him possibly joining the Hawk's coaching staff?

I can't see them signing Panarin because of his cap hit and because Panarin is an older version of ADB. However if Bowman gets creative and needs to move ADB as part of a deal to get back a defenseman then maybe Panarin becomes someone the team looks at?
- paulr

Also Panarin is gonna ask for big money. ADB might oi but he is an RFA and has less leverage

Well someone with half a brain and common sense would say no chance. That leaves you out I guess.
- GPHawksfan

Thank's for the compliment

We'll see what happens buddy ol pal

I think he'd move other pieces before ADB since scoring goals in the NHL is the hardest part about playing in the league and ADB has blown away any season goal totals Panarin has had.
- GPHawksfan

True but "to get something, you have to give something" and as much as I'd hate to see ADB go would I like to see him moved for a youngish top pairing defenseman? I'd have to say yes to that one. But what I don't want to see is a Taylor Hall like deal for a third pairing guy.

Gotta hand it to you Ty, your blogs are always enjoyable and constructive. You're not overly negative or positive. You've made this board fun again, it lost some of that a while ago.

There seems to be a few solid options to fill the voids in the roster. I think there is another void though, I don't think Hayden returns. Q wasn't a fan of his and neither is JC. The Drake plays the physical role they wanted out of Hayden. My guess is that #40 is gone at the draft.

I could see Carlsson making the team out of camp, depending on any other D moves they make in the off season. He might not stick with the team long-term but he could be given a shot.

Guys like Kuraschev and Entwistle are exciting prospects, but they'll spend a season or two in Rockford. Same with Beaudin.

Sikura will likely be given a shot. He finished his stint in Chicago well, even if he wasn't scoring. He finished even stronger in Rockford.

Um no on all those 5 highmore was up and showed very little i m not high on him or kampf as other are. Leave them all in the rock and devlop more. Hawks need pk players and physical pushback players non of those players Tyler you mentioned have that. I like Sikrua but i think one more year in Rockford to get physically stronger and work on some things will help for the following year.

Question for the board:

Is Bowen Byram NHL ready?
If so, does Stan grab him?
Finally, if that’s the case which Hawks defensemen would you be most willing to move to fetch another asset that they need?
- Bjm84

No one but Hughes and Kakko are going to play next year.

Can I answer tomorrow because after his team scored ONE goal tonight and Prince Albert score EIGHT, I want to know how many he was on for...


St. Albert 8 - Vancouver Giants 1. game three
- wiz1901

Gifman:
Byram was on for 1 of the 7 goals in first period, the last one. He finished -1 with 1 assist during a PP. Also of note, the CBH had a large group watching the game led by Scotty Bowman.

St. Albert scored four PP goals os no minus available on them.

Wiz:
Byram did take a slashing penalty that lead to the 4th St. Albert goal.

so minus one and brain fart down 3 -0

Also Panarin is gonna ask for big money. ADB might oi but he is an RFA and has less leverage
- GPHawksfan

Maybe Breadman's agent is talking crap, but he said they will be realistic for a good fit....

Panarin Toews Kane
Cat Strome Caufield
Saad Kahun Kubilik
Caggiula Kampf Perlini/Sikura/Enwhistle

Keith Gus
FA Joki
Murphy Seabrook
- SoftServe

1st round exit with that line and if they make to the 2nd round they physically beat up just my opinion.

I just want to say call-up are done, many times with purpose.

You are gauging the kid and his ability, but it is more a eye-opening event for each and every Mark Giordano to take away with them and get to work, or not....

Maybe Breadman's agent is talking crap, but he said they will be realistic for a good fit....
- wiz1901

Yesterday, one of the talking heads on the NHL channel on Sirius/XM thought Panarin would want 10M.

So no to a one year deal for Koekkoek while they figure out which prospects are going to make it at D? I wasn't crazy about what I saw, but wondered if he needed more time in this system before they would cut bait for good.

Do they get Strome and Debrincat locked up this summer? Is Gus going to get extended, or will he be trade bait until the end?

1st round exit with that line and if they make to the 2nd round they physically beat up just my opinion.
- Scott1977

Stan needs to go shopping in the UFA market as well as Toronto and Vegas to add a physical/defensive element to the bottom 6.

Tanev - UFA
Brown - Toronto
Eakin - Vegas

Then I would jettison the likes of Hayden, Kruger and Kunitz from this season's bottom 6. I think AA will likely be gone too.

Stan needs to go shopping in the UFA market as well as Toronto and Vegas to add a physical/defensive element to the bottom 6.

Tanev - UFA
Brown - Toronto
Eakin - Vegas

Then I would jettison the likes of Hayden, Kruger and Kunitz from this season's bottom 6. I think AA will likely be gone too.
- DarthKane

I would rather go after UFA"s Riley Sheehan or Derek Grant from ANA than Connor Brown. Each would be cheaper than the $2.1M brown gets next year and would serve the same purpose just as well.

Yes, it's not very often a guy comes to the NHL with an understanding and desire to play a two way game. The other thing you may like is that he plays a heavy game, he's not necessarily a banger but he plays hard along the boards, in the corners and in front of the net. He's also a pretty smart player and has decent on ice vision.
- paulr

Everything I have read on him excites me. Could be a diamond in the rough for this organization moving forward.

1st round exit with that line and if they make to the 2nd round they physically beat up just my opinion.
- Scott1977

If, and a big IF, the Hawks were to get Panarin again, they should pair toews/sadd together, kane/panarin together, and strome/debrincat together. fill in those lines with players who will compliment them. Have 3 good lines who can score and spread out the wealth. I don't like going nuclear with Kane/Panarin/Toews. Again, that is saying if they were to get Panarin again, which I do not think that they will.

Everything I have read on him excites me. Could be a diamond in the rough for this organization moving forward.
- frafra

I've been watching him during the playoffs and he is always one of the top players on the ice. What I really like is he is played in all situations, top line 5 on 5, 1st PP, 1st PK and he's on the ice in the last minutes of close games.

Everything I have read on him excites me. Could be a diamond in the rough for this organization moving forward.
- frafra

Kind of reminds me of Bolland.

Question for the board:

Is Bowen Byram NHL ready?
If so, does Stan grab him?
Finally, if that’s the case which Hawks defensemen would you be most willing to move to fetch another asset that they need?
- Bjm84

No one but Hughes and Kakko are going to play next year.

Can I answer tomorrow because after his team scored ONE goal tonight and Prince Albert score EIGHT, I want to know how many he was on for...


St. Albert 8 - Vancouver Giants 1. game three
- wiz1901

Gifman:
Byram was on for 1 of the 7 goals in first period, the last one. He finished -1 with 1 assist during a PP. Also of note, the CBH had a large group watching the game led by Scotty Bowman.

St. Albert scored four PP goals os no minus available on them.

Wiz:
Byram did take a slashing penalty that lead to the 4th St. Albert goal.

so minus one and brain fart down 3 -0
- wiz1901

I read a article today on the athletic with 4-5 scouts and they mostly felt 3-9 was a toss up. Cozens, Bowen, Turcotte, Zegras, dach mentioned, Pods mentioned but sounded like he was moving down. a few felt Bowen had #1 potential and felt hawks prospects are not #1 now. some felt he could play next year and some not.
they play again tonight.

I read a article today on the athletic with 4-5 scouts and they mostly felt 3-9 was a toss up. Cozens, Bowen, Turcotte, Zegras, dach mentioned, Pods mentioned but sounded like he was moving down. a few felt Bowen had #1 potential and felt hawks prospects are not #1 now. some felt he could play next year and some not.
they play again tonight.
- kmw4631

The more I read on Byram, the more I am starting to lean towards hoping the Hawks take him. I know they have taken 3 D in the first round the last two years, but keep stock piling. At some point when these guys are all ready to come up, they could have a nasty blue line.

I've been watching him during the playoffs and he is always one of the top players on the ice. What I really like is he is played in all situations, top line 5 on 5, 1st PP, 1st PK and he's on the ice in the last minutes of close games.
- paulr

Feels like they stole him from Arizona. I hope he pans out to be as good as projected. Makes me wonder why Arizona gave him up.

Kind of reminds me of Bolland.
- LAHawk

Loved Dave Bolland.

Stan needs to go shopping in the UFA market as well as Toronto and Vegas to add a physical/defensive element to the bottom 6.

Tanev - UFA
Brown - Toronto
Eakin - Vegas

Then I would jettison the likes of Hayden, Kruger and Kunitz from this season's bottom 6. I think AA will likely be gone too.
- DarthKane

I keep hayden low cost plays physical i think just needs to play more. Just watching the playoffs physicality and physical players still matter just look at marroon in st louis big body goes to the net gets the ot goal. Just because the league is changing physical players are still important especially in the playoffs. Bowman needs to construct a playoff team not a regular season team.

Feels like they stole him from Arizona. I hope he pans out to be as good as projected. Makes me wonder why Arizona gave him up.
- frafra

Late bloomer? Arizona's GM is an analytics guy, maybe Entwhistles numbers weren't where they'd hoped?

Temper all the good I've said about him and factor in the biggest and most difficult step in any sport is to get to the big leagues. Lots of guys look great but the NHL is the great equalizer.

If, and a big IF, the Hawks were to get Panarin again, they should pair toews/sadd together, kane/panarin together, and strome/debrincat together. fill in those lines with players who will compliment them. Have 3 good lines who can score and spread out the wealth. I don't like going nuclear with Kane/Panarin/Toews. Again, that is saying if they were to get Panarin again, which I do not think that they will.
- frafra

Panarin is not coming to the hawks plus hawks cannot afford and how do the hawks sign dcat and strome hawks just got out of cap hell lets not get back into cap hell. Unless Panarin is willing to sign for 8 million or less than no he is not what hawks need.