Definitely Nylander's worst performance of the preseason. He was floating a lot and not really moving his feet. He was not alone, a lot of the Hawks looked like they used the game last night to get into shape and did not want to be there.
- ChicagoHope

Really? I disagree, i saw effort from 92, using his legs, hustling on defense.

Really? I disagree, i saw effort from 92, using his legs, hustling on defense.
- BetweenTheDots

After the first period where I thought he looked ok, I really didn’t notice him much one way or the other. Not sure if that’s good or bad.

Really? I disagree, i saw effort from 92, using his legs, hustling on defense.
- BetweenTheDots

Agreed. He has been fine. Maybe the trade was the kick in the ass he needed. Still needs to work out his spacing with Kane and Toews. To be expected, tho.

Strome definitely looks much more fluid. Good on the kid for putting in the work. He has won me over.

Too bad Carpenter can't do much with the puck on his stick cause it sure finds him.

In my world, Kubalik would be with Dinky and Strome. Shaw would be with Saad.

Really? I disagree, i saw effort from 92, using his legs, hustling on defense.
- BetweenTheDots

Nylander: The new whipping boy.

Agreed. He has been fine. Maybe the trade was the kick in the ass he needed. Still needs to work out his spacing with Kane and Toews. To be expected, tho.

Strome definitely looks much more fluid. Good on the kid for putting in the work. He has won me over.

Too bad Carpenter can't do much with the puck on his stick cause it sure finds him.

In my world, Kubalik would be with Dinky and Strome. Shaw would be with Saad.
- Elbows15

Watched the 1st of the back to back leaf/sabre games. Joki was less than stellar. Stan may have pulled a rabbit out the hat with Nylander.

Agreed. He has been fine. Maybe the trade was the kick in the ass he needed. Still needs to work out his spacing with Kane and Toews. To be expected, tho.

Strome definitely looks much more fluid. Good on the kid for putting in the work. He has won me over.

Too bad Carpenter can't do much with the puck on his stick cause it sure finds him.

In my world, Kubalik would be with Dinky and Strome. Shaw would be with Saad.
- Elbows15

I don't know how Carpenter talked Stan into a 3 year deal but physical play is about the only thing he's going to bring to the table over 82 games.

It won't be long before one of Hagel, Johnson, Quenneville or a couple others replace him on the NHL roster.

Really? I disagree, i saw effort from 92, using his legs, hustling on defense.
- BetweenTheDots

Didn't see anything wrong with his play either. These games are look-sees. Which would explain, in part, giving Caggiula a little more ice time on that line.

Watched the 1st of the back to back leaf/sabre games. Joki was less than stellar. Stan may have pulled a rabbit out the hat with Nylander.
- Beaver-Warrior

For all those touting Boqvist in the NHL this year, please take the following as a word of caution. Joki is bigger, older, and has half a season of experience in the NHL. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but realism needs to win out here.

Jokiharju came to Buffalo in a July trade after playing 38 games for the Chicago Blackhawks last season. The 20 yr. old played next to future Hall of Famer Duncan Keith under three-time Stanley Cup-winning head coach Joel Quenneville before the Hawks made a coaching change. When Jeremy Colliton took over for Quenneville behind the bench, Jokiharju's minutes were eventually cut and he was sent to Rockford. The 6'0" 193 lb. Jokiharju has all the tools of a modern NHL defenseman but had a rough outing last night. The hype-train in Sabreland was in overdrive this summer with him not only making the team, but some also placing him alongside Dahlin in a top-pairing role. An injury to Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour furthered those notions, but as witnessed last night, Jokiharju may need a little more seasoning in the AHL as not only does need he to develop further, but the Sabres themselves have a new coach and a new system and it will take some time for them to work the bugs out.

Watched the 1st of the back to back leaf/sabre games. Joki was less than stellar. Stan may have pulled a rabbit out the hat with Nylander.
- Beaver-Warrior

Was he playing LD in that game? I know he played LD in one of the games.could be a factor.

I don't know how Carpenter talked Stan into a 3 year deal but physical play is about the only thing he's going to bring to the table over 82 games.

It won't be long before one of Hagel, Johnson, Quenneville or a couple others replace him on the NHL roster.
- RickJ

The good thing is his cap hit can be fully buried in the A. Maybe he is more effective as a winger cause I sure wasn't too fond of him at center.

Smith was pretty awful last night, too.

Nilsson and Holm were out on waivers, I’m assuming to be sent to Rockford.

CBJ put Gerbe on waivers today too, Stan needs to make a claim for sure.

For all those touting Boqvist in the NHL this year, please take the following as a word of caution. Joki is bigger, older, and has half a season of experience in the NHL. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but realism needs to win out here.

Jokiharju came to Buffalo in a July trade after playing 38 games for the Chicago Blackhawks last season. The 20 yr. old played next to future Hall of Famer Duncan Keith under three-time Stanley Cup-winning head coach Joel Quenneville before the Hawks made a coaching change. When Jeremy Colliton took over for Quenneville behind the bench, Jokiharju's minutes were eventually cut and he was sent to Rockford. The 6'0" 193 lb. Jokiharju has all the tools of a modern NHL defenseman but had a rough outing last night. The hype-train in Sabreland was in overdrive this summer with him not only making the team, but some also placing him alongside Dahlin in a top-pairing role. An injury to Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour furthered those notions, but as witnessed last night, Jokiharju may need a little more seasoning in the AHL as not only does need he to develop further, but the Sabres themselves have a new coach and a new system and it will take some time for them to work the bugs out.
- Chunk

I personally think Boqvist is going to be a star in this league. With that being said, I'm fine with whatever the Hawks think is the best development avenue for him. Sooner or later, probably later he will be in the NHL.

The good thing is his cap hit can be fully buried in the A. Maybe he is more effective as a winger cause I sure wasn't too fond of him at center.

Smith was pretty awful last night, too.
- Elbows15

Konroyd was gushing about that 4th line all night...I know how much you respect his analysis.

Was he playing LD in that game? I know he played LD in one of the games.could be a factor.
- Elbows15

He was playing LD last night, and his partner was Casey Nelson so that had something to do with it too.

Agreed. He has been fine. Maybe the trade was the kick in the ass he needed. Still needs to work out his spacing with Kane and Toews. To be expected, tho.

Strome definitely looks much more fluid. Good on the kid for putting in the work. He has won me over.

Too bad Carpenter can't do much with the puck on his stick cause it sure finds him.

In my world, Kubalik would be with Dinky and Strome. Shaw would be with Saad.
- Elbows15

I'd like those lines.

Nilsson and Holm were out on waivers, I’m assuming to be sent to Rockford.

CBJ put Gerbe on waivers today too, Stan needs to make a claim for sure.
- DarthKane

Just saw this.

Hope no one picks up Holm. I really liked his game.

I have more thoughts by tomorrow.

I personally think Boqvist is going to be a star in this league. With that being said, I'm fine with whatever the Hawks think is the best development avenue for him. Sooner or later, probably later he will be in the NHL.
- BetweenTheDots

Prolly later given our current options. Dahl and Special K will probably get the nod given their experience and performance. Ugh! Was it Elbows who first tagged Koekoek with that moniker? I'm using it now if you don't object. Should have asked permission. Ha!

Just saw this.

Hope no one picks up Holm. I really liked his game.

I have more thoughts by tomorrow.
- Tyler Cameron

Tyler, I liked Holm too. Not a huge sample size, but he did bring some assets to the table.

Tyler, I liked Holm too. Not a huge sample size, but he did bring some assets to the table.
- gabriel

Definitely. Would be a great asset in Rockford and nice for the Hawks to have in case of injury.

Prolly later given our current options. Dahl and Special K will probably get the nod given their experience and performance. Ugh! Was it Elbows who first tagged Koekoek with that moniker? I'm using it now if you don't object. Should have asked permission. Ha!
- gabriel

Based on more work, i can argue that Dahlstrom, Holm, Koekkoek, Gusto all need more work than Boqvist, but then again i think they are all a finished product except for Holm, to bad.

Based on more work, i can argue that Dahlstrom, Holm, Koekkoek, Gusto all need more work than Boqvist, but then again i think they are all a finished product except for Holm, to bad.
- BetweenTheDots

They're all finished products, alright. Let's just keep trotting them out there to see when the lights click on. It will eventually happen, won't it?

Having a hard time with this post...way too much logic and reason.

I've already folded the tent and am looking forward to next season's team.
- HawkintheD

Trying to think of a catchy phrase meaning tank for Lafreniere ...

Trying to think of a catchy phrase meaning tank for Lafreniere ...
- EbonyRaptor

"Despair for Lafreniere" for starters, someone will think of a better one

Based on more work, i can argue that Dahlstrom, Holm, Koekkoek, Gusto all need more work than Boqvist, but then again i think they are all a finished product except for Holm, to bad.
- BetweenTheDots

Good afternoon BetweenThedots. I agree with your point.
Their is a article just put out today in second city which really broke down some players and areas as well as the concerns still amongst the defense surprisingly Keith Gus murphy and koekkoek.

Just from the sample size of games played in I thought boqvist playing alongside Keith looked better and Holm looked better alongside murphy.

What JC sees or loves in Gus, koekkoek and dalstrom is baffling

What's your take on your assessment of those pairings

I think this whole “Colliton’s system” thing is way overblown!
- walleyeb1

Yeah, they know what they are suppose to do.

The driver is a high octane scoring machine from 4 lines contributing something so that they play with leads.

I, for one, am excited like I am an Icehog, because they start their training camp knowing next Saturday they get to play against a Bruins roster that will be very close to one that went to the Stanley Cup Finals.

If that isn't enough to to each player in Rockford a reason to get to practice all next week, I don't know what is!