Agreed on all points!! He will be paired in the future with a guy like Vlasic, deHaan, and even a guy like Beaudin. The Sharks play Karlsson with Vlasic because he is the best defensive defenseman they have, and that allows Karlsson to do his thing. Boqvist is going to be just fine.
- ChicagoHope

NOTE: I do not think Boqvist has even looked remotely lost on "D" this training camp either. He happens to play a style that we have not seen here, maybe ever.

He isn't ever going to run people through the boards with his size, but from what I have noticed, he does not shy away from the physical part of the game either. Again, I will repeat, he is 19 years old, it is not like we have been waiting on him to learn defense for the last 5 years. He is better than where he was a year ago, Hawks know he needs to improve it, he knows it too. Give the kid time, he will get there. Name me 3 nineteen year old defensemen that were polished all-around at that age. It is also the toughest position in the NHL to learn.
- ChicagoHope

No one is picking on him . I've stated before he has improved and still needs more time .
But since he is very talented offensively that could also be another path in his career .

Yes playing a defenseman in the nhl takes quite a bit of time some pick up faster others take longer to develop and improve.

I can't say or name 3 kids at 19 who made the jump
But 3 players at 20 I can subban, Roman Josi, Mattis eckholm would be 3 who did .

Does that count ?

Phil Housley was built about as slightly as Boqvist, maybe a bit taller, and he was the all time leading American scorer in the NHL for years until Modano finally blew by him.

Phil Housley was a defenseman.
- 6628

Your correct, but the game and how it's officiated and played now is much more different .

The 2 line pass has been eliminated , goalies and their equipment along with the net has changed and the players sizes , techniques.

I'm not against boqvist and I have said it before he needs more time , I'm just saying that I'm open to moving him to forward if that's where everyone decides he would excel.

That's all

No one is picking on him . I've stated before he has improved and still needs more time .
But since he is very talented offensively that could also be another path in his career .

Yes playing a defenseman in the nhl takes quite a bit of time some pick up faster others take longer to develop and improve.

I can't say or name 3 kids at 19 who made the jump
But 3 players at 20 I can subban, Roman Josi, Mattis eckholm would be 3 who did .
Does that count ?
- Taylorst1

Subban - Yes at 20, Josi 21, and Ekholm 23 - First full NHL seasons, not picking you apart either. What they all had in common is they spent a full year in the AHL before making the show. It is a possible career path change IMO, if he is still struggling 3 years from now.

Guess what folks we get another game tonight. I can't believe I'm looking forward to preseason games

Guess what folks we get another game tonight. I can't believe I'm looking forward to preseason games
- BetweenTheDots

Agreed!! I am even more pumped after I heard that Dach is skating again!!

Let me clarify things . When hammer was traded for murphy Stan went out and sold us on how murphy was the younger version of hammer.

That statement was nothing more than dishonest that's where my reference sold a clunker came from.

Regards to upgrade statement when you look at the hawks defense the past couple of years murphy is a upgrade over dalstrom and koekkoek and even Gus defensively.

The only reason right now I think everyone would to some degree with this statement,

Murphy on a well balanced team would be the 3rd pairing , here in chicago because of the overall situation murphy is our 2nd best pairing partner, which isn't truly saying much for murphy.

Seabrook is on the decline and if things where different he would easily be our 2nd or 1st best pairing D man.

I also said if the pairing ends up murphy and DE HAAN it's possible my opinion could change if the situation works in favor of both murphy and the teams defensive improvement .

Lots of reports mirror or compare DE HAAN to hammer, I'm holding judgement on those reports.


I hope this clarifies my opinion better
- Taylorst1

It does help clarify some things, Taylor. Always appreciate your posts. My only question involved an earlier statement you made about Murphy joining Dahlstrom and Special K heading to Rockford. Clearly, Murphy shouldn't be sent down, should he? May not be the very best D-man to ever wear a Hawks sweater, but he does play his heart out, and doesn't shy away from contact. Last year was such a clusterF it was almost impossible to sort through the wreckage. I'm more than okay with Murphy starting on this squad. Team him up with another NHL quality defender, and I think he'll blend in nicely.

Subban - Yes at 20, Josi 21, and Ekholm 23 - First full NHL seasons, not picking you apart either. What they all had in common is they spent a full year in the AHL before making the show. It is a possible career path change IMO, if he is still struggling 3 years from now.
- ChicagoHope

No I don't disagree with you and I respect your opinion . We both agree he does need more time and like I said if a different path is better for both sides I'm fine as well.

I'm just happy hockey is back

Hockey blogs are for discussions - some serious, some silly - discussing moving Boqvist from d-man to forward one month past his 19th birthday falls into the latter category.

No I don't disagree with you and I respect your opinion . We both agree he does need more time and like I said if a different path is better for both sides I'm fine as well.

I'm just happy hockey is back
- Taylorst1

Taylor, we are totally cool!! Respect everyone on this board and their opinions, I enjoy talking hockey with anybody.

Agreed!! I am even more pumped after I heard that Dach is skating again!!
- ChicagoHope

I don't think Dach has been cleared to play yet, him being on the ice means he's that much closer unless he has a set back, probably Wednesday's game if all goes well

Hockey blogs are for discussions - some serious, some silly - discussing moving Boqvist from d-man to forward one month past his 19th birthday falls into the latter category.
- EbonyRaptor

I do believe their was a recent article in second city mentioning a possibility of boqvist moving to forward. Now maybe it's a bit premature or maybe their is something to that point of view. I plan on being respectful to anyone's point of view only because each side has a valid argument and neither side would be wrong or silly.

Your correct, but the game and how it's officiated and played now is much more different .

The 2 line pass has been eliminated , goalies and their equipment along with the net has changed and the players sizes , techniques.

I'm not against boqvist and I have said it before he needs more time , I'm just saying that I'm open to moving him to forward if that's where everyone decides he would excel.

That's all
- Taylorst1

I hear ya. I just disagree is all. No worries.

Guess what folks we get another game tonight. I can't believe I'm looking forward to preseason games
- BetweenTheDots

Funny as all get out. Pulling up my chair in the addiction circle, alongside you. Hockey is back!

I hear ya. I just disagree is all. No worries.
- 6628

Good morning, 66. Moving Boqvist to forward is silly talk, imo. He's developing as a defenseman at a nice pace.

Hope you're well, look out for the lavender sniffers, eh.

I don't think Dach has been cleared to play yet, him being on the ice means he's that much closer unless he has a set back, probably Wednesday's game if all goes well
- BetweenTheDots

Ok don't take this wrong maybe someone could clarify things better. If he is skating again would that mean he is cleared to play or is it just limited to being eligible to skate only ?

Just curious if their is a difference that's all I'm asking.

But I'm in concurrence that it's great news Dach is closer to playing.

I hear ya. I just disagree is all. No worries.
- 6628

Your points are well received and respected . It's always fun to talk hockey and I enjoyed the chat with you 66

This is the first time in years I've been excited to watch a preseason game.

I do believe their was a recent article in second city mentioning a possibility of boqvist moving to forward. Now maybe it's a bit premature or maybe their is something to that point of view. I plan on being respectful to anyone's point of view only because each side has a valid argument and neither side would be wrong or silly.
- Taylorst1

My comment wasn't an attack on you or others discussing Boqvist being moved to forward - it was an attack on the seriousness of the proposition. The proposition isn't based on the belief that an elite forward is more valuable to the team than an elite d-man - it's rooted in impatience and impatience is an unserious position to have.

Good morning, 66. Moving Boqvist to forward is silly talk, imo. He's developing as a defenseman at a nice pace.

Hope you're well, look out for the lavender sniffers, eh.
- mohel

Good morning. Would you even remotely consider starting Boqvist for 9 games, if Bo himself was willing to give it a shot?

Ok don't take this wrong maybe someone could clarify things better. If he is skating again would that mean he is cleared to play or is it just limited to being eligible to skate only ?

Just curious if their is a difference that's all I'm asking.

But I'm in concurrence that it's great news Dach is closer to playing.
- Taylorst1

Concussion symptoms can come back or doesn't completely heal from the injury. The protocol is if all signs are healthy then they over exert themselves for a half hour or so and see if the symptoms are gone. In high school it's at least 3 days of exerting yourself and if no symptoms occur your cleared to play.

Good morning. Would you even remotely consider starting Boqvist for 9 games, if Bo himself was willing to give it a shot?
- gabriel

I would but not til later in the season. We have 9 d-men vying for 7 spots as is. Let Boq pair with Beaudin and Gilbert on a bigger sheet of ice. Let him develop. No rush.

Read an article earlier about if Sikura is on the outside looking in for a roster spot. I’d say he’s not even on the bubble and firmly planted in Rockford to start 100%.

Ok don't take this wrong maybe someone could clarify things better. If he is skating again would that mean he is cleared to play or is it just limited to being eligible to skate only ?

Just curious if their is a difference that's all I'm asking.

But I'm in concurrence that it's great news Dach is closer to playing.
- Taylorst1

It is great he is on the ice. He still needs to get approved for a full contact. Once he does, then he can play. Once that happens, hopefully we can end the absolutely horrible idea of playing Kampf at 3rd line center, or even at all. I don't see any reason why Kampf isn't an extra forward or at Rockford if Dach is healthy. He just isn't any good at anything and a 4th line of Carpenter, Caggulia, and Smith is much more appealing than Kampf playing anywhere

Read an article earlier about if Sikura is on the outside looking in for a roster spot. I’d say he’s not even on the bubble and firmly planted in Rockford to start 100%.
- Assman22

Agree. Dude is 24 and a 6th round pick. There is a reason they gave him a 2 way deal. He just happened to be the best "so called prospect" they had at the time. He has been passed by many players that are just better. He has zero shot of making the team. And I don't think he will ever amount to more than a career minor leaguer

I would but not til later in the season. We have 9 d-men vying for 7 spots as is. Let Boq pair with Beaudin and Gilbert on a bigger sheet of ice. Let him develop. No rush.
- Assman22

Agree. Let him start the year at Rockford and grow some more. If there are any injuries as the year goes on on D then call him up. Gus is gone after this year and Boq will take his place next year