Brings up an interesting question. Youth or experience in your bottom lines?

I feel like the 4th lines on a lot of top teams are not usually made up of the types that are auditioning to be top 6 contributors, but rather guys who understand what is needed/expected of them in that role and embrace it.

That’s why, I think sometimes it’s better to have veterans who’ve already realized they’re not gonna be stars in those roles...on the other hand the unbridled youth/enthusiasm of less proven guys can provide a contagious energy that the rest of the team feeds on.

Personally, I think I’d love to see a high energy 4th line made up of Kampf Caggiula and Highmore/Sikura. Smith and to lesser extent Carpenter are over IMO.
- Ogilthorpe2

Great post. What you described is Entwistle to a T. He's going to be a fan favorite of the Shaw ilk, IMO.

And I can really get behind that 4th line you outlined. Carpenter is fine as a placeholder but Smith's play is a reminder of why to question the Anisimov trade.

Alas, Smith is on the team and I'll root for him but he needs to hold up his end of the bargain and show a lot more.

Carolina 5-0 and playing the best hockey I’ve seen in the league this season. Of course, it’s easy to look terrific on a 5 game winning streak.

But they’re playing the way the game should be played - suffocating defense that doesn’t allow much, forecheck and possession game....

Protecting a lead tonite, they allowed only 2 SOG in the 3rd (altho they did give up 2 PP goals earlier).

Teuvo - points in all 5 games.

Exciting team, exciting atmosphere - jealous of the way they play.
- StLBravesFan

It's so much fun. And all without Aho's offense coming through yet.

I honestly don't know what to say about it. They're just relentless and Brind'amour has instilled a work ethic in them that everyone bought into immediately.

It's so much fun. And all without Aho's offense coming through yet.

I honestly don't know what to say about it. They're just relentless and Brind'amour has instilled a work ethic in them that everyone bought into immediately.
- BINGO!

So you are saying that we should can Colliton and hire Chelios as coach? Former player with outstanding work ethic and knowledge of how to play D?

So, Edzo, who do you recommend to replace Stan? You're a big hockey guy, so give us a name?
- mohel

Chris Chelios or Eddie Olczyk.If I am right, Chris Chelios worked under Ken Holland the last few years in Detroit. Not a bad guy to pick up a few pointers from.

I think Sikura would be either 1st or 2nd in line for a forward call-up from Rockford. Highmore would be the other option, IMO. It depends on team need.

If a middle 6 forward is needed, call up Sikura. But if a 4th liner is needed, call up Highmore.

Wedin is an option, too, given how long he fared in training camp (particularly if there is a bottom 6 need).

Way too early to call up Kurashev, Entwistle, Saarela, or Hagel. Give them more time to develop.
- AEL_Fox

Personally, I’d take Saarela, Wedin, and Highmore before Sikura as forwards but overall I’d add in Boq and Gilbert too. Perhaps I’m higher on Saarela than most but he’s got scorer written all over him with that NHL caliber shot of his.

It's time to trade Gus for some forward depth and call up Boqvist to pair with de Haan on the third unit.

Winnipeg needs a defenseman terribly... come on Stan, make it happen!
- DarthKane

Gus for Caufield?

Personally, I’d take Saarela, Wedin, and Highmore before Sikura as forwards but overall I’d add in Boq and Gilbert too. Perhaps I’m higher on Saarela than most but he’s got scorer written all over him with that NHL caliber shot of his.
- Assman22

Actually, you're right that Saarela is a lot closer to the NHL than prospects like Kurashev, Entwistle, and Hagel who are in their first full pro season. Saarela is in his third.

If the Hawks are starving for a goal scorer, then Saarela would be the one to call up. Just make sure his linemates are defensively sound and play well without the puck because that's not Saarela's strong suit. Hopefully he grows that part of his overall game.

And if Saarela can be more well rounded while Nylander shows he needs more seasoning, then I'd be perfectly fine swapping the two.

Chris Chelios or Eddie Olczyk.If I am right, Chris Chelios worked under Ken Holland the last few years in Detroit. Not a bad guy to pick up a few pointers from.
- wonthecup10

A guy I play hockey with said cheli was our next gm. I couldn't take it seriously but he does work with higher level people in the hockey world. I didn't think much about it except that I thought it was strange...but why would he say that

Looking at tonight's lineup is a complete joke. IMO JC is in over his head . It's one thing to shift and shakeup the lines but where 2 games in and we still haven't seen any real results or improvement in this team.

Cat toews and drake ?

The true problem with this team lies right at the feet of mc D and Stan bowman.

Coach Q might have had his issues but look at what Stan did to the team and the personnel he had to work with?

Bowman should have been fired 2 years ago .

JC IMO is in over his head and doesn't have the teams respect or attention.

I was so looking forward to this season and seeing preseason and the carry over into the first 2 games of a team that at more times than not looks lost, confused and no energy, utter sloppy play.

Looking at tonight's lineup is a complete joke. IMO JC is in over his head . It's one thing to shift and shakeup the lines but where 2 games in and we still haven't seen any real results or improvement in this team.

Cat toews and drake ?

The true problem with this team lies right at the feet of mc D and Stan bowman.

Coach Q might have had his issues but look at what Stan did to the team and the personnel he had to work with?

Bowman should have been fired 2 years ago .

JC IMO is in over his head and doesn't have the teams respect or attention.

I was so looking forward to this season and seeing preseason and the carry over into the first 2 games of a team that at more times than not looks lost, confused and no energy, utter sloppy play.
- Taylorst1

So after 50+ games worth of playoff pt% hockey and vast improvement last season JC suddenly can’t coach and doesn’t have the teams attention or respect after 2 (frank)ing games?!?!

I‘ve seriously had it with the lack of patience and logic with the vast majority of posters here. Use your brains and stop whining like little female doges. It’s embarrassing. Give it time ffs we’re dealing with a massive roster reconstruction, and many of those key pieces haven’t even played a single game yet(Lehner, de Haan, Dach) while others have played TWO GAMES. 2!!!!!

Chilllllllll

R.E.L.A.X.

I didn't include it, but this Nylander saga should be interesting all season.

Two games in and he's headed to scratch-ville.

Meanwhile, over in Buffalo, Jokiharju is 7th on the team with a 57.0 CF%.

Sorry... a comment like that will incite a riot on here. Let's not think about that Jokiharju for Nylander trade ever again.
- Tyler Cameron

JJ would be proud of you! Wonderful bit of click bait.

So after 50+ games worth of playoff pt% hockey and vast improvement last season JC suddenly can’t coach and doesn’t have the teams attention or respect after 2 (frank)ing games?!?!

I‘ve seriously had it with the lack of patience and logic with the vast majority of posters here. Use your brains and stop whining like little female doges. It’s embarrassing. Give it time ffs we’re dealing with a massive roster reconstruction, and many of those key pieces haven’t even played a single game yet(Lehner, de Haan, Dach) while others have played TWO GAMES. 2!!!!!

Chilllllllll

R.E.L.A.X.
- SimpleJack

I didn't include it, but this Nylander saga should be interesting all season.

Two games in and he's headed to scratch-ville.

Meanwhile, over in Buffalo, Jokiharju is 7th on the team with a 57.0 CF%.

Sorry... a comment like that will incite a riot on here. Let's not think about that Jokiharju for Nylander trade ever again.
- Tyler Cameron

Jokiharju - no goals no assists in 17:07 ATOI over 4 games with 54.8% ozone starts.

The Hawks needed (still are looking for) a top-6 compliment for the Toews line - there is potential defensive future if Rockford, there isn’t much good top-6 potential in the system.

Nylander and Perlini - it would be nice if one or both could figure it out.

Jokiharju - no goals no assists in 17:07 ATOI over 4 games with 54.8% ozone starts.

The Hawks needed (still are looking for) a top-6 compliment for the Toews line - there is potential defensive future if Rockford, there isn’t much good top-6 potential in the system.

Nylander and Perlini - it would be nice if one or both could figure it out.
- StLBravesFan

Well said.

So after 50+ games worth of playoff pt% hockey and vast improvement last season JC suddenly can’t coach and doesn’t have the teams attention or respect after 2 (frank)ing games?!?!

I‘ve seriously had it with the lack of patience and logic with the vast majority of posters here. Use your brains and stop whining like little female doges. It’s embarrassing. Give it time ffs we’re dealing with a massive roster reconstruction, and many of those key pieces haven’t even played a single game yet(Lehner, de Haan, Dach) while others have played TWO GAMES. 2!!!!!

Chilllllllll

R.E.L.A.X.
- SimpleJack

You may not agree with my opinion . But to tell us to use our brains.
50 games is a strong number of games to gauge a coach or players ability.

So the excuses by many of us hawks fans will no longer be accepted. And we sure as heck are not willing to allow this guy any more time or patience .

The bottom line your either head coaching material and ready or not.

We where told just give him a full preseason and things will be fine.
Preseason was a disaster and then it became a excuse that those games didn't count.

Game 1 the excuse afterwards was the team was away
Game 2 home opener they all said we are ready the score and play begs to differ

JC looked lost as a coach and his decision during the game to breakup his only productive line shows he has no clue and his post game interview was like watching a monotone zombie .

Jokiharju - no goals no assists in 17:07 ATOI over 4 games with 54.8% ozone starts.

The Hawks needed (still are looking for) a top-6 compliment for the Toews line - there is potential defensive future if Rockford, there isn’t much good top-6 potential in the system.

Nylander and Perlini - it would be nice if one or both could figure it out.
- StLBravesFan

Didn't Joki start out last season like hell on wheels then slowly faded away?

Didn't Joki start out last season like hell on wheels then slowly faded away?
- Beaver-Warrior

Yes he did. Wasn't it right around the time JC showed up? Hmmmmmm........

Yes he did. Wasn't it right around the time JC showed up? Hmmmmmm........
- mohel

Quenneville fired November 6, 2018 after a 6-6-2 start.

Savard fired October 16, 2008 after a 1-2-1 start.

You may not agree with my opinion . But to tell us to use our brains.
50 games is a strong number of games to gauge a coach or players ability.

So the excuses by many of us hawks fans will no longer be accepted. And we sure as heck are not willing to allow this guy any more time or patience .

The bottom line your either head coaching material and ready or not.

We where told just give him a full preseason and things will be fine.
Preseason was a disaster and then it became a excuse that those games didn't count.

Game 1 the excuse afterwards was the team was away
Game 2 home opener they all said we are ready the score and play begs to differ

JC looked lost as a coach and his decision during the game to breakup his only productive line shows he has no clue and his post game interview was like watching a monotone zombie .
- Taylorst1

By the same token, you can't really discount how the team played in the latter half of last season simply because of the performance in the first two RS games this season. Yes, the D was still a disaster last year, but this board couldn't seem to decide if it was personnel or coaching or both.

We'll hopefully find out definitively which is the larger problem over the next 10 or so games, assuming the roster is complete (Calvin deHaan c'mon down!!).

All I know is that the addition of the new coaching staff has not seemed to move the needle forward in either of the problem areas.

Didn't Joki start out last season like hell on wheels then slowly faded away?
- Beaver-Warrior

Once Brandon Montour comes back from injury, Joki becomes the 7th defenseman or back in Rochester.

So after 50+ games worth of playoff pt% hockey and vast improvement last season JC suddenly can’t coach and doesn’t have the teams attention or respect after 2 (frank)ing games?!?!

I‘ve seriously had it with the lack of patience and logic with the vast majority of posters here. Use your brains and stop whining like little female doges. It’s embarrassing. Give it time ffs we’re dealing with a massive roster reconstruction, and many of those key pieces haven’t even played a single game yet(Lehner, de Haan, Dach) while others have played TWO GAMES. 2!!!!!

Chilllllllll

R.E.L.A.X.
- SimpleJack

this board?? when does a winsock ever relax.

this team is flawed and so were the blues last year...hope spring eternal

the schedule is a huge concern: they biff these 8 of 9 @ home that means they have to become big time road warriors the rest of the season with 20% of their home game behind them in the 1st month. Their travel schedule the rest of the year is just brutal.

Once Brandon Montour comes back from injury, Joki becomes the 7th defenseman or back in Rochester.
- LAHawk

Could be, could be. My take on the Joki/Nylander deal is that a trade can't be fairly called a bust or a steal after 2 regular season games. Just not enough data points.

this board?? when does a winsock ever relax.

this team is flawed and so were the blues last year...hope spring eternal

the schedule is a huge concern: they biff these 8 of 9 @ home that means they have to become big time road warriors the rest of the season with 20% of their home game behind them in the 1st month. Their travel schedule the rest of the year is just brutal.
- bogiedoc

IIRC (and there's a good chance I don't), we were a better road team last year. Blame Cornelison.

Yes he did. Wasn't it right around the time JC showed up? Hmmmmmm........
- mohel

38 games in Chicago last season - most under Q - again, good possession stats while playing protected minutes (60% ozone starts) with 0 goals 12 assists.

Small sample size and he does have good 3-4 (maybe 2) slotting potential.

Considering the defensive possibilities in the system - and the lack of them for the top-6 forward slots - a “stretch trade” and gamble for sure, but not a bad one.

And way too early to judge.

38 games in Chicago last season - most under Q - again, good possession stats while playing protected minutes (60% ozone starts) with 0 goals 12 assists.

Small sample size and he does have good 3-4 (maybe 2) slotting potential.

Considering the defensive possibilities in the system - and the lack of them for the top-6 forward slots - a “stretch trade” and gamble for sure, but not a bad one.

And way too early to judge.
- StLBravesFan

a hint of rationality still lives here....