No goals but I'll take him over Morin, Pirri or Jimmy Hayes any day. I recognize those are all low bars, but still.
- HawkintheD

Talk about a trio of players who believed their own bullpoop...

#freesikura
- DarthKane

He can bring Highmore with him. That guy is a pest.

I bet Dach sees action with reunited DeBrincat and Strome...on wing, with Kane double shifting extra shifts there beside playing with Kane & Toews.

3rd Line intact

Carpenter Smith and who ever they feel helps defy Capitals of Alex Nylander and Drake Caggiula...I think we all have preferences for who should be the 12th forward there, as does Jeremy C.

Yesterday was the first game that I watched fully of the season - I was pretty impressed with some of the new faces

1) Kubalik - this guy is big, strong on the puck, aggressive, and smart. I have no doubt that he’s a very good middle 6 nhl player, great pickup by Stan and that 3rd line does look impressive. Having said that, I’m not sure how necessary Kampf is to that lines success, I would try Dach in that spot if they are going to play him

2) Maatta - as another poster said, this guy just looks like a damn solid defenseman, good positioning and good plays whenever the puck is on his stick, love the consistency

3) Nylander - I didn’t see the laziness that seems to be his shortcoming, so maybe this was just an inspired effort from him. What I saw was a guy who was backchecking like a fiend wvwry chance he got, and who made a number of good plays with the puck. I think he just needs to work on moving his feet at the play in the o and d zone. Seems like he gets himself to the right spot offensively and defensively, but just needs to finish plays at that last moment, I think keeping his feet churning would help
- LaheysBRandy

The bit about Nylander not moving his feet sometimes is actually really accurate. He tends to just reach on D instead of moving his feet and sticking wiht the puck carrier. He’s looks much better thought than the 1st game.

I know of the perfect fitness plan... the “JJ 20lbs of muscle guaranteed” plan. It’s cornerstone is eating pizzas in a weight room while doing heavy squats and deadlifts.

Marcus Kruger swears by it.
- Chief4Feathers

Totally forgot he used to talk about strength training on here.... and his perceived expertise... I think I might have partaken in a few of those too. Def ordering some pizza now for dinner.

I thought it was Teuvo?
- mohel

Not sure of meaning of wink, but in case you were serious...

Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus
Dylan Sikura worked with Connor McDavid, Steve Stamkos and others under Gary Roberts in Aurora, Ont., this summer.

"It’s pretty cool to surround yourself with those kind of guys and eat what they eat, work out like they do, skate like they do."

Not sure of meaning of wink, but in case you were serious...

Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus
Dylan Sikura worked with Connor McDavid, Steve Stamkos and others under Gary Roberts in Aurora, Ont., this summer.

"It’s pretty cool to surround yourself with those kind of guys and eat what they eat, work out like they do, skate like they do."
- pdx2ord

Nope, just an anti-Sikura joke that I'd heard he worked out with TT (rumored to be allergic to training).

Edit - I'm a Sikura supporter.

Not sure of meaning of wink, but in case you were serious...

Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus
Dylan Sikura worked with Connor McDavid, Steve Stamkos and others under Gary Roberts in Aurora, Ont., this summer.

"It’s pretty cool to surround yourself with those kind of guys and eat what they eat, work out like they do, skate like they do."
- pdx2ord

Stamkos hasn’t had a carb since 2004

Wayne is still better than Jim.

Not sure of meaning of wink, but in case you were serious...

Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus
Dylan Sikura worked with Connor McDavid, Steve Stamkos and others under Gary Roberts in Aurora, Ont., this summer.

"It’s pretty cool to surround yourself with those kind of guys and eat what they eat, work out like they do, skate like they do."
- pdx2ord

That is supposed be one tough program ,heard lot of different players speak of it like it holy grail of training .Good for Sikura stepping up

2-1 IceHogs in the 3rd.

Tyler Sikura and Holm with the goals.

2-1 IceHogs in the 3rd.

Tyler Sikura and Holm with the goals.
- Tyler Cameron

Dylan with an assist on Tyler’s goal.

2-1 IceHogs in the 3rd.

Tyler Sikura and Holm with the goals.
- Tyler Cameron

I’m at the game... thought it would be more entertaining.

Sloppy play for the most part. Hogs had a 4-minute power play and really didn’t even get it set up. The Sikura goal was a rebound and deflection off of a defenseman’s skates - more like an own-goal than a score.

Dylan with an assist on Tyler’s goal.
- DarthKane

Yes, they skate on the same line - #15 and #16 - not easy telling them apart during play.

OT was actually entertaining. Tyler Sikura with the breakaway winner.

I’m at the game... thought it would be more entertaining.

Sloppy play for the most part. Hogs had a 4-minute power play and really didn’t even get it set up. The Sikura goal was a rebound and deflection off of a defenseman’s skates - more like an own-goal than a score.
- Chief4Feathers

I am aware that AEL_FOX does not feel that Tuulola is a legitimate nhl.prospect but more likely could be a career AHL. Tuuola actually will throw a check and does everything fairly well. I would like to suggest he.cpuld play nhl with some team. Tuuola is maybe playing in place of Boqvist .

OT was actually entertaining. Tyler Sikura with the breakaway winner.
- Chief4Feathers

The brother's Sikura looking good to start the year.

Not going to back read cuz i'm tired. I was flipping channels watching the numerous games tonight. A couple of thoughts. Some here have said Gilbert will see some games in the show this year. Small sample I know, but from what i saw Gilbert should be in Indy.
And Tyler Sikura has some hands, especially on the last goal roofing a puck under pressure on a breakaway with a puck that wasn't trying to cooperate.
Holm doesn't look bad at that level.
Good night.

I am aware that AEL_FOX does not feel that Tuulola is a legitimate nhl.prospect but more likely could be a career AHL. Tuuola actually will throw a check and does everything fairly well. I would like to suggest he.cpuld play nhl with some team. Tuuola is maybe playing in place of Boqvist .
- jhawk59

This was the first time I saw him play live, I think Tuulola has some legitimate upside - hard to say whether it’s NHL-level yet. He made a nice play and pass to spring Sikura for the OT winner.

The brother's Sikura looking good to start the year.
- Tyler Cameron

Do you know anything about the goalie Tomkins?

Do you know anything about the goalie Tomkins?
- Chief4Feathers

He was a 7th rd pick of the Hawks back in 2012.

He played all 4 years in college (Ohio St) and ended up back in the organization.

I believe he didn't originally sign with Chicago but they kept him on an AHL deal the last few years.

He was one of the better goalies in the ECHL last year.

A nice depth goalie now to be able to fill in at the AHL level when needed. Not sure if he'll amount to anything else.

Well, watching the NHL on the fly, and I guess fighting is still part of the game, saw a good scrap with the kid on Ottawa against Ryan Reeves. Kid has some guts , The Hawks play Washington and Las Vegas the next two games. Anybody with a set of nuts to step up against Tom Wilson or Ryan Reeves on this team? You guys all totally disagree with guys like myself and Vandermeer and a few others when it comes to that element. But this team sorely needs a couple of those type of players that can play the game like those two and hold court. Last I looked there is no one on the hawks could handle either of these two guys.
I know our defense is a train wreck and a good tough stay at home defenseman would be what we can use. That’s why I’ve been pining for Josh Manson.He had a good fight against Joel Edmonson the other night. And I’m sure that Bob Murray would listen if Bowman would pick up the phone and ask.

Not going to back read cuz i'm tired. I was flipping channels watching the numerous games tonight. A couple of thoughts. Some here have said Gilbert will see some games in the show this year. Small sample I know, but from what i saw Gilbert should be in Indy.
And Tyler Sikura has some hands, especially on the last goal roofing a puck under pressure on a breakaway with a puck that wasn't trying to cooperate.
Holm doesn't look bad at that level.
Good night.
- 6628

I watched a lot of the game last night and the same tonight. I agree on Gilbert - he didn't look very good these two games ... but he looks better than Krys who is awful.

The ice was terrible with the puck bouncing all game long. Fortin had a breakaway and the puck looked like a rubber ball ... now, being that it was Fortin it probably wouldn't have resulted in a goal anyway but he had no chance to do anything with it.

No Boqvist again tonight - missing 2 games because of a puck to the mouth seems a little odd. Hopefully it's not a concussion.

Beaudin plays a very nice steady game. Solid in the d-zone and makes good decisions in the o-zone. Not flashy but I like his chances to be a solid NHL d-man within a year or two.

I bet Dach sees action with reunited DeBrincat and Strome...on wing, with Kane double shifting extra shifts there beside playing with Kane & Toews.

3rd Line intact

Carpenter Smith and who ever they feel helps defy Capitals of Alex Nylander and Drake Caggiula...I think we all have preferences for who should be the 12th forward there, as does Jeremy C.
- wiz1901

I am thinking for his first game or two let Dach play 4C with Smith and Carpenter as wings. Would be able to limit his faceoffs especially in the DZone. Having the vets there will help with the adjustment, then after 1-2 games move Dach around.

That does start the line blender and maybe means Nylander and Perlini are out. Wouldn't want to change the third line right now.

I am thinking for his first game or two let Dach play 4C with Smith and Carpenter as wings. Would be able to limit his faceoffs especially in the DZone. Having the vets there will help with the adjustment, then after 1-2 games move Dach around.

That does start the line blender and maybe means Nylander and Perlini are out. Wouldn't want to change the third line right now.
- totem

Not changing the 3rd line seems to be a common thought on this board and in the press I’ve read. However, the 3rd line point total after five games is Saad 2/1/3, Kampf 0/1/1, Kubalik 1/1/2 for a total of 3/3/6. They’re also a combined -5 for those who still look at +/-. Also, one of Saad’s goals was an empty netter, and... Kampf is barely over 40% at the dot.

While I acknowledge they’ve played some quality shifts shutting down opposing lines, it appears I’m in the minority in not viewing that line as untouchable. IMO, if JC determines Dach or anyone else can perhaps provide an offensive spark to the 3rd line, he shouldn’t hesitate to try them out. Ideally, Dach would eventually slot in at 3C and Kampf moves to 4C. Nylander is most likely the odd-man out if Dach is inserted into the line up, but he needs to earn a spot in the top 9 somewhere - or go to RFD to work it out. His game is not really suited for 4th-line play.