If Gusev is as good as people say he may be worth a 1st.
You wouldn’t trade Perlini and Nylander for two 2nd round picks? It would clean up excess forwards. They can play Perlini and Nylander or they can stash them in the minors.
- -Doh-

Trade two firsts for two low seconds, no. Stan is banking forwards on purpose. I suspect one of the two if not both will become better than second round picks. For every Saad and Debrinkat there are 100 seconds who never put on an NHL jersey.

I think we need to take a wait-and-see approach with Nylander. Sometimes players fit with some organizations/systems better than others. It's not guarantee that Nylander will hit with the Hawks, but let's wait until he's had the opportunity to prove himself before judging him.
- DarthKane

Agreed. Drouin is flourishing up north.

Agreed. Drouin is flourishing up north.
- Assman22

Tyler Seguin was supposedly a bad apple also.

Judging who is good/isnt based on a mid summer thrown together week of drills.....I mean, really?
- PatShart

Pretty sure ADB didn’t show too well in those same drills then stormed onto the scene in the tournament/training camp. Anyone else recall this? Some guys are gamers and tge extra juice flowing takes them to another level.

Or you can just quote someone with red font, or any other color, and the method becomes obvious
- Ogilthorpe2

Tyler Seguin was supposedly a bad apple also.
- LAHawk

Put Nylander up with Toews/Kane like Dallas did for Seguin with Benn. Leave him up there for a few weeks and see what happens.

Nylander/Toews/Kane
Perlini or Kubalik/Strome/ADB
Saad/Smith/Shaw
Caggs/Carpenter/Kampf

Put Nylander up with Toews/Kane like Dallas did for Seguin with Benn. Leave him up there for a few weeks and see what happens.

Nylander/Toews/Kane
Perlini or Kubalik/Strome/ADB
Saad/Smith/Shaw
Caggs/Carpenter/Kampf
- Assman22

I think Nylander would be better on the second line and move Shaw up to the first line for some net front presence.

Shaw/Toews/Kane
Nylander/Strome/ADB

Tyler Seguin was supposedly a bad apple also.
- LAHawk

Patty Kane was such a bad seed, he shooda been traded for Ryan Miller years and years ago...

Shaw-Toews-Kane
Cat-Strome-Kubalik
Saad-Dach-Sikura
Caggiula-Kampf-Smith/Capenter

That should Roy Rogers' horse a few.

Regarding Perlini, signing him for one year accomplishes nothing. If he's good, they will never resign him so what good was that? I suspect Stan wants him 2-3 years - cheap. He has more NHL games than Gus or Forsling had who both signed about $1.25 AAV. Stan is likely looking at $1.5 AAV and Perlini's agent $2.5 AAV. I wish they would get this done already!

Put Nylander up with Toews/Kane like Dallas did for Seguin with Benn. Leave him up there for a few weeks and see what happens.

Nylander/Toews/Kane
Perlini or Kubalik/Strome/ADB
Saad/Smith/Shaw
Caggs/Carpenter/Kampf
- Assman22

Agree!!!

We really do nit-pick around here. All teams have flaws, and major ones at times. When you look at our forward group we have THREE great duos to make up the first 3 lines. If coaches can find a 3rd piece, not necessarily a perfect piece or STAR piece, but one that can at least compliment the other TWO stars.

Toews/ Kane
Strome/ D-Cat
Shaw/Saad

all are 2/3 of very solid lines. coaches now have to find the 3rd wheel to make these lines turn.

Really like the 3rd line....especially if Dach can fill it out. If he is not ready...there are several others who can make that line a match-up problem and add some very nice aggitation to our forward group. The grinding we have been missing the last year or two...

You have summed up the rants.
- riozzo

After the exhibition season we should have a good idea where Nylander and Jokiharju stand. Has their reported shortcoming been evident? Where has their respective NHL team decided to position them - NHL or AHL.

There may come minor injury or a late wake up call but certainly after the first nhl game or a few games in, we will have seen enough of both Nylander and Jokiharju. We should then realize absolutely whether they can play nhl now or need SOMETHING to jump start their career. I am doubtful either gets NHL pressbox as a wake up message. If they did, however, not beyond a short duration and back in line up the same old same old is not going to be tolerated.

The issues both players have must be overcome if they are to play regularly ever in the NHL.

Their respective NHL teams will not accept a floater or a dman skating scared. So the players need to figure it out now or their demotion will give them time to work on their shortcoming.

Agree!!!

We really do nit-pick around here. All teams have flaws, and major ones at times. When you look at our forward group we have THREE great duos to make up the first 3 lines. If coaches can find a 3rd piece, not necessarily a perfect piece or STAR piece, but one that can at least compliment the other TWO stars.

Toews/ Kane
Strome/ D-Cat
Shaw/Saad

all are 2/3 of very solid lines. coaches now have to find the 3rd wheel to make these lines turn.

Really like the 3rd line....especially if Dach can fill it out. If he is not ready...there are several others who can make that line a match-up problem and add some very nice aggitation to our forward group. The grinding we have been missing the last year or two...
- hawk35

I agree with this perspective of having duos on each line then mixing and matching from there given the depth of forwards who are versatile positionally and many can also slot up and down. The duos you listed are spot on and I would add a 4th duo:

LW - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - RW
Saad - C - Shaw
LW - Kampf - Carpenter

Options to fill those variable spots: Caggiula, Smith, Sikura, Kubalik, Perlini, Nylander, and of course Dach.

Saad and Shaw are really close so I see a huge season from Saad with a rejuvenation with Shaw possibly riding the opposite wing with him. They complement each other. Pair them with Dach and that could be a killer 3rd line that can give the other team matchup problems.

Why the red font?
- mohel

Blackhawks red of course!!!

I've said this (observation/analysis) below previously but i mention again as to reinforce some promising news and because of the timeliness.

This is the best set of prospects both quantity and quality ever in the pipeline. While there may only be two or a few core players arising from the ranks, there is a logjam of prospects to compete for bottom line roles. Some of those prospects are probably talented enough to deserve some consideration for a greater offensive role. Many of them have a particular strength.or calling card which could make them.stand outs in their role.

Altogether the prospects should produce an enrire set of dmen and the forwards not only should outperform the opponent; moreover, we can roll four lines. Likely four lines not merely grinders but with as much or more ability and good skating compared to their ooponents.

You'/ve read scouting reports on the prospects although a couple haven't attended at least the just concluded camp. That would be Barrett and Soderlund. Both could provide value and perhaps exceptional value if their game turns out to be what is merely conjecture at this time.

Barrett may prove talented enough to play on a second line. But he has a mouth on him and could be a real agitator.

Soderlund has outstanding speed and is a persistent checker..His scoring or offensive contribution may ultimately develop into something more than Kruger was for us.

I won"t dive into a review of the defensrnen. But i am curious if Galvas could become a really solid underated type and whether Tuulola might prove to become a late bloomer whom is solid in all phases of the game.

Tuulola is maybe in a numbers gsme behind heralded prospects here. Might he suddenly pop up on an expansion roster. AEL_FOX you so far see him as minor league material. But give him e regular turn and peg him an underdog. He could gain some confidance and.improve just by getting the full.opportunity. Or maybe he really is just AHL calibre.
- jhawk59

Good summary.

On the bolded part, that is generally correct that Tuulola may never get a call up based on where he is on the D depth chart. Too many players he'd have to leapfrog. He may be okay as an NHL 3rd pair or 7th defender on another team that lacks prospect depth on the blueline.

Galvas signed a 2-year deal to play with Jokerit in Finland's top league. The earliest we'd see him in North America is 2021-22. At least he's getting pro experience. Give him a season or two at Rockford after his Jokerit tour of duty then he could be a dark horse as a 3rd pair defensive specialist. Small in stature but he has sound fundamentals that can only get better.

Put Nylander up with Toews/Kane like Dallas did for Seguin with Benn. Leave him up there for a few weeks and see what happens.

Nylander/Toews/Kane
Perlini or Kubalik/Strome/ADB
Saad/Smith/Shaw
Caggs/Carpenter/Kampf
- Assman22

Guys, this isnt an attack on anyone who has submitted a projected line-up, but how do we know that Kubalik is a top 6 guy?

Love the analysis Tyler.

While, I too was disappointed not to see more effort put forward by Nylander, can't say I am too surprised considering all the reports thus far.

Was really hoping he showed enough to put with Kane and Toews on Line 1....and in turn making the next 2 lines fall together much better.

But, such a small sample...much more to come before October Game 1. Maybe he will still show more effort as we get closer.

My biggest excitement comes from what MAY lie down the road as far as our defense goes. 2-3 years ago, we had squat...less than squat...as far as internal D-men possibilities. Now, it is hard not to picture 3-4 of these young guys panning out to make up half or more of our future defense.

Watching 2-3 of them grow in Rockford this year will be interesting. And having them grow together may even help their transition to the BIG club, whether this year or next.

We even have some variance on skill sets as we have a couple offensive guys, like Boqvist....some 2-way guys like Mitchell and maybe a bigger net presense stud like Vlasic. Just hope they all keep progressing, maturing, and we are not too far from have a few of them making a mark in the NHL.
- hawk35

Having the D prospects grow together would be ideal. This year that group include at least Beaudin, Krys, and hopefully Boqvist along with prospects like Carlsson who have a year at Rockford already.

Would've been nice to see Mitchell with them, too, but I respect his loyalty to Denver as team captain as well as his humility to acknowledge himself that he still is not quite there yet to compete at the pro level.

Guys, this isnt an attack on anyone who has submitted a projected line-up, but how do we know that Kubalik is a top 6 guy?
- nickmo2699

We don’t. Just as we don’t with Nylander, Dach, Perlini, Sikura, etc.

Still just one guy’s opinion, but he does address this...


- Ogilthorpe2

Jokiharju on the list too.


"26. Henri Jokiharju, RHD, 20 (Buffalo Sabres — 29th overall, 2017)
“He loves me, he loves me not.”

That’s the gist of Jokiharju’s rookie season. And regardless of how his head coach in Chicago felt about him, Jokiharju makes a lot of sense for the Sabres and they ought to be excited about what they’re getting because he’s got the chance to be a good No. 2 or No. 3 defenceman, even if there isn’t enough talent there to be a No. 1 guy. And while it won’t happen immediately, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jokiharju is Dahlin’s wingman in a year or two’s time. His poise under pressure is enviable and it should, in time, make him a possession-driving, modern NHL defenceman who can play in transition or slow things down to his tempo."

https://theathletic.com/1...cts-ranking-2019-edition/

How do you figure? Capfriendly has us at $62M next year with only 13 players, and no goalies. If we sign ADB and Strome from less than $13 combined, I'll count that as a win. Lehner(?) Will be $7M more. That only leaves the increase in the cap. Some players may hit their bonuses, which could put us over this year's cap depending on in season trades, so we may have to use that against next year's cap. Plus we would still need 2 dmen, a backup goalie, and 3 to 4 forwards.
Next summer, I see Bowman being busier than this summer.
- tvetter

While I haven't run the numbers on Capfriendly to see how this would work out as far as staying cap compliant, but could these be possibilities to round out the positional needs you identified?

Backup Goalie: Delia or Lankinen
2 D-men: Boqvist, Mitchell
3-4 Forwards: Entwistle, Kurashev, Hagel (Sikura and Dach, too, assuming they don't make the team this year)

All would be on ELC deals (or similar cheap contracts) so affordable individually at least. Collectively, though, even ELC salaries add up since every dollar counts so that's where an actual salary calculation would see exactly what nets out in terms of cap space.

After the exhibition season we should have a good idea where Nylander and Jokiharju stand. Has their reported shortcoming been evident? Where has their respective NHL team decided to position them - NHL or AHL.

There may come minor injury or a late wake up call but certainly after the first nhl game or a few games in, we will have seen enough of both Nylander and Jokiharju. We should then realize absolutely whether they can play nhl now or need SOMETHING to jump start their career. I am doubtful either gets NHL pressbox as a wake up message. If they did, however, not beyond a short duration and back in line up the same old same old is not going to be tolerated.

The issues both players have must be overcome if they are to play regularly ever in the NHL.

Their respective NHL teams will not accept a floater or a dman skating scared. So the players need to figure it out now or their demotion will give them time to work on their shortcoming.
- jhawk59

I, for one, won't care where Jakiharju stands - I will only be concerned about Nylander.

He's the Blackhawk.

Jokiharju isn't.

While I haven't run the numbers on Capfriendly to see how this would work out as far as staying cap compliant, but could these be possibilities to round out the positional needs you identified?

Backup Goalie: Delia or Lankinen
2 D-men: Boqvist, Mitchell
3-4 Forwards: Entwistle, Kurashev, Hagel (Sikura and Dach, too, assuming they don't make the team this year)

All would be on ELC deals (or similar cheap contracts) so affordable individually at least. Collectively, though, even ELC salaries add up since every dollar counts so that's where an actual salary calculation would see exactly what nets out in terms of cap space.
- AEL_Fox

I fully expect the remaining players to be ELC players, but in my scenario, the Hawks are at $82 after signing ADB, Strome and Lehner. Since they still need 6 more players, add another $4.5-5.5 for that.

ETA: if they extend Strome now, they could probably get him much cheaper than next year. Not that I'm advocating that, but playing well for half a season vs a season and a half should make a big difference come signing time.

Also, my scenario includes signing Lehner, which may or may not be Bowman's plan.

I fully expect the remaining players to be ELC players, but in my scenario, the Hawks are at $82 after signing ADB, Strome and Lehner. Since they still need 6 more players, add another $4.5-5.5 for that.

ETA: if they extend Strome now, they could probably get him much cheaper than next year. Not that I'm advocating that, but playing well for half a season vs a season and a half should make a big difference come signing time.

Also, my scenario includes signing Lehner, which may or may not be Bowman's plan.
- tvetter

6 ELC players means you are in cap hell and have a problem...

I, for one, won't care where Jakiharju stands - I will only be concerned about Nylander.

He's the Blackhawk.

Jokiharju isn't.
- StLBravesFan

DITTO!

Guys, this isnt an attack on anyone who has submitted a projected line-up, but how do we know that Kubalik is a top 6 guy?
- nickmo2699

Didn't you see the video clips Tyler posted?

He looks like Ovie on the one timer.

Hell, Toews is going to get like 100 assists feeding Kubi and Kane