Pfffffffft......Saad. If he’s not scoring 35 goals, what good is he?
- Ogilthorpe2

To fight AA and Seabrook as the resident whipping boy...?

You don't have to be that physical to be a good checking line center, but just to note, physicality shows up in places other than like hits. For example, Kampf has really strong puck recovery numbers, which means he wins board and in-traffic battles regularly.

Kruger was an exceptional shutdown/checking center for years and he wasn't all grrr hitz physical. The two biggest areas to look for in a checking center is: can they transition the puck / flip the ice, puck recovery, and optimal shot suppression in key areas. Kampf is good for 2 of those, and while the team as a whole was poopty on general shot supp, Kampf was better at preventing slot shots than almost anyone else on the team (Kruger was actually still top, Saad was slightly better as well).
- L_B_R

Ok you make good points I just look at the playoffs that just finish and for some reason kampf leaves more to desire imo. I m not saying every player has to be physical if not their game then other parts need to be better. tanev kampf acciari I can live with that.

They have the most important piece to a checking line though - an extremely good defensive center who can transition well. Kampf has no hands so I'm not super fond on putting him with guys who are hopefully meant to score.

Last quarter of the season, the team had a 1-2a-2b-4 line rolling in terms of usage/deployment. Toews-Kane got traditional top line deployment/usage, Saad-Anisimov were 2A in terms of TOI and QOC (say 1-2L quality of comp), and Cat-Strome got optimized OZS against lower QOC (they were closer to the Bickell-Shaw-Stalberg 2013 line for usage/deployment but with more minutes). Kahun was an excellent compliment to Saad-AA because he is a playmaker who could feed shot volume players.

To at least start the season and with no idea who they might pick up, I'd have the lines setup pretty close to how they were last year. They only difference being I'd like to see if Kubalik, who plays a similar style as Sharp (though how effective, we don't know yet), could work with Toews-Kane. Caggiula did work well with them for a short time so he could go back there as well, but it's be pretty great to have Cagg-Kampf as the start to a good checking line because both are defensively responsible and transition well while having limited offense.

This gives Perlini the chance to see if he real or not, like you suggest, and if not, Kubalik could slide down there and Caggs back up. Or others rotate in, who knows. I'd love if they could find a legit 4th checking line and think they have some options to at least start.

Kubalik-Toews-Kane
Saad-Anisimov-Kahun
Debrincat-Strome-Perlini
Caggiula-Kampf-xx
- L_B_R

Until proven otherwise, I really hope a good off-season of workouts for Strome helps, Dinky and Strome need someone with them who is better defensively than Perlini. That is where Sikura could find himself.

Until proven otherwise, I really hope a good off-season of workouts for Strome helps, Dinky and Strome need someone with them who is better defensively than Perlini. That is where Sikura could find himself.
- Elbows15

I think he'll surprise people next season.

I would much rather the Hawks go after Bellmare from Vegas as UFA than Tanev

Bigger, can play wing or center(and is good on faceoffs). Very good character guy as well
- PatShart

He is also 34. I would rather they find someone younger.

I think he'll surprise people next season.
- DarthKane

Only people who weren't paying attention. The kid did a ton of good things on the ice and was generating chances. It was his first full professional season.

To fight AA and Seabrook as the resident whipping boy...?
- Chunk

Or Luke Johnson
- LAHawk

I like that kid. Don't think he has ever gotten a real chance in a defined role for him.
Skates, hits, good hockey sense, tough and has a ton of leadership qualities to him.

I think I saw that too.
- Lido_Shuffle

Only people who weren't paying attention. The kid did a ton of good things on the ice and was generating chances. It was his first full professional season.
- Elbows15

He did and I think his production will reflect that next season. Unfortunately, last season all people noticed was Sikura's lack of production.

Sikura played well in Chicago and in Rockford, there's no reason to think that won't continue.

That being said, Stan will likely trade Sikura for a 6th round pick.

He is also 34. I would rather they find someone younger.
- Elbows15

Tanev is the ideal UFA to fill the Hawks have. He averaged 2:08 on the PK (second only to Lowry among Jets forwards) and 14+ minutes per night overall on a stacked team. Tanev let the Jets in hits with 278 (Seabrook has the most on the Hawks with 124) and he averaged 1 blocked shot per game (1st among Jets forwards, Strome and Johnson led Hawks forwards with 0.6/game ).

I'm just curious if he might be the backup plan if Kampf is not going to sign or they trade him or something. I've noticed the each had similar AHL production and I seem to recall that Nilsson was the touted top forward or MVP for the Hogs last year. (unless I'm remembering wrong).

Personally, I'm not sure he is more than a 4th line guy, he didn't get much of a look when he was called up for a couple games.
- breadbag

I feel the same way......good analysis. Most likely Nilssom would be solid.reliable. The fact that he scorrd nearly 20 goals and.was named team MVP, that foes get some attention. It probably means Nilsson is a useful descent player.

You don't have to be that physical to be a good checking line center, but just to note, physicality shows up in places other than like hits. For example, Kampf has really strong puck recovery numbers, which means he wins board and in-traffic battles regularly.

Kruger was an exceptional shutdown/checking center for years and he wasn't all grrr hitz physical. The two biggest areas to look for in a checking center is: can they transition the puck / flip the ice, puck recovery, and optimal shot suppression in key areas. Kampf is good for 2 of those, and while the team as a whole was poopty on general shot supp, Kampf was better at preventing slot shots than almost anyone else on the team (Kruger was actually still top, Saad was slightly better as well).
- L_B_R

Assuming Kruger and Kunitz are both truly gone, I have to wonder if Kampf's offensive side will improve a bit. Kunitz I was hoping still had more in the tank last year and Kruger has never been much in the way of offense. I've not poured over the numbers with and without etc, but in general for the Hawks I have to wonder how much better the bottom of the roster might be if they start this next season without Kruger, Kunitz and Manning, who were all here out of camp last year. We all know Stan added a lot of placeholders last season, Kruger, Kunitz, Manning Davidson and Ward and while they have experience, it didn't really pan out. I'd like to think he will do better this time around.

Looking back to game 1 vs Ottawa last year, these were the approx forward lines

DeBrincat - Toews - Kahun
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
Kunitz - AA - Kampf
Martinsen - Johnson - Kruger

Kubalik-Toews-Kane
Saad-Anisimov-Kahun
Debrincat-Strome-Perlini
Caggiula-Kampf-xx

Based on the lineup you posted previously, I'm thinking we are starting from a much better position up front. Stan Bowman has slowly been building up the depth up front. Obviously he hasn't proven anything at the NHL level yet, but I have a lot of confidence that Kubalik is top 9 material. Sikura might get there or maybe Perlini solidifies the job. I just like looking at a lineup that doesn't have a bottom 6 with Kunitz, Martinsen, Johnson, Kurger and Kampf, because while I tried to look at the bright side, it just didn't have enough spark.

I still remember the comment you made about the bottom 6 just before the season started last year about it being where offense goes to die.

The thing I'm not too sure about is the PK. When I look at the forwards, not sure there are enough guys killing penalties. I think they ideally need 6 guys who are forwards that can take the brunt of the PK. Right now I'd say we still have Toews,Saad,AA,Kampf in that 6, but then it becomes less clear. Caggiula was used some, maybe they expect Strome to start to take some of those shifts this year. Possibly Sikura or Kahun get more of a PK look. It would be really nice to have a good solid 2 way RW. To me, we still have a Hossa sized hole in terms of the two way ability on the right side.

I like that kid. Don't think he has ever gotten a real chance in a defined role for him.
Skates, hits, good hockey sense, tough and has a ton of leadership qualities to him.
- Elbows15

Taking too many penalties got him sent down. I wouldn't mind seeing him again, though.

I feel the same way......good analysis. Most likely Nilssom would be solid.reliable. The fact that he scorrd nearly 20 goals and.was named team MVP, that foes get some attention. It probably means Nilsson is a useful descent player.
- jhawk59

To be a bit more accurate Nilsson scored 15 goals last year at Rockford. But if he has a good camp and can contibute to the Hawks this upcoming season bring him up.

at the end of each playoff series, there is usually reports of someone who played with a serious injury.....anyone hear of such in the SCF?

Just to expand on what I had posted and then I'll shut up for now, but it makes me wonder how much it would cost to get Josh Anderson out of Columbus. He is going to need a new contract after this season as he will be RFA, but he is the kind of guy who can play the right side that I feel we need. Has a good mix of offense and defense.

Tanev is the ideal UFA to fill the Hawks have. He averaged 2:08 on the PK (second only to Lowry among Jets forwards) and 14+ minutes per night overall on a stacked team. Tanev let the Jets in hits with 278 (Seabrook has the most on the Hawks with 124) and he averaged 1 blocked shot per game (1st among Jets forwards, Strome and Johnson led Hawks forwards with 0.6/game ).
- DarthKane

Is it a foregone conclusion that Tanev will not be back with the Jets?

Tanev is the ideal UFA to fill the Hawks have. He averaged 2:08 on the PK (second only to Lowry among Jets forwards) and 14+ minutes per night overall on a stacked team. Tanev let the Jets in hits with 278 (Seabrook has the most on the Hawks with 124) and he averaged 1 blocked shot per game (1st among Jets forwards, Strome and Johnson led Hawks forwards with 0.6/game ).
- DarthKane

Tanev sounds like the ideal player then. So how much will he cost Stan? We have the cap space..

No way NO HOW do I ever EVER "cheer" for the St Louis Blues in a Stanley Cup final.
- Logan Reilly

Feeling is mutual!! Ha ha. I could never root for the Hawks.

Is it a foregone conclusion that Tanev will not be back with the Jets?
- glennjpawlak22

The Jets probably want to bring him back. However with their priorities to sign or resolve the Trouba, Laine, Connor, Copp contracts, his status is probably on hold for the time being. Come June 23 I believe other teams can reach out to UFAs and gauge their interest to signing elsewhere.

Is it a foregone conclusion that Tanev will not be back with the Jets?
- glennjpawlak22

I think odds are better that he'll leave, the Jets have too many RFAs to re-sign within the next couple of years - Roslovic, Laine, Copp, Connor, Morressey, Trouba (or pay for a replacement).

Maybe the Jets find a taker for Little or Perrault, but that will cost them.

Bellemare also played 2min a game in the PK (1:57) for the Vegas team.

And can also play center/win draws.

I'd rather have vets in that role with the ability to take draws (he was near 55% this past year).

Being that he is 34 may let the Hawks get him for a bit less money and term than overpaying a younger 4th liner only that is solely a winger.

Feeling is mutual!! Ha ha. I could never root for the Hawks.
- BluesDroogie

cmon boys...peace and

Just to expand on what I had posted and then I'll shut up for now, but it makes me wonder how much it would cost to get Josh Anderson out of Columbus. He is going to need a new contract after this season as he will be RFA, but he is the kind of guy who can play the right side that I feel we need. Has a good mix of offense and defense.
- breadbag

Assuming Panarin, Dzingel and Duchene don't reup with CBJ, they need all the young forwards they have. Don't see them moving him.

Columbus might be a good landing spot for Anisimov. He played for Torts with the NYR. Get a 2020 3rd for him after the Hawks pick up Cody Eakin.