Boqvist to Rockford is the right move...for now. It's purely a numbers game situation as he's looked very solid in the NHL to this point. Unless one of Gus, Murphy, Seabrook, Maatta, or de Haan are getting shipped out there just isn't a fit for him on this roster right now.

I would be exploring a deal for Gus and jump at the first team that bites at him and offers a decent haul. As much as he can bring offensively to this team or any team, his defensive short comings are something that this team cannot afford to continue to have when they've been giving up 40+ a night pretty regularly to start the year. Not to mention he's a FA at the end of the year and will likely not be re-signing with the team. If they find the right deal for him then I would and call Boqvist back up into the fold.

Let's hope the Hawks can finish the week with 4 to 6 points and continue to crawl back into the Central standings

Maybe Gus had no trade value over the summer either. How long was it that Jake Gardiner waas available before he signed with Carolina? You would think there would be several other clubs that needed defensive help that would of been interested. I know Gardiner had back troubles, but I have come to the conclusion that all that would of been offered for Gus was a mid-level prospect, and a mid-level draft pick.
- LAHawk

Sold.

What I was getting at is that if he doesn’t play, then there’s no hope of him rekindling his 60pt form of last season. That’s really our only hope that we could potentially get something useful for him.
- Ogilthorpe2

I get it Ogi, but there is no value there, and if we give him ice time to gain some value, it’s only going to decrease our effectiveness on defense. We need to cut our ties ASAP, whether we get an early pick or late pick, we need to move on from Gus, JMHO.

Hey Tyler.

As much as I want the 2 points. And dang it, we need em. But, my main focus these next two games is HOW they play. Vegas has owned the hawks since inception (even though that's not eons)...still, I want to see the Hawks clean up their defense abit. 57 shots vs the Leafs was brutal. 26 in the third alone, I believe. There is "sitting on a lead" and then there is falling right to sleep!!!

I want to see the Hawks limit Vegas to 35 or less shots. 12 a period would be OK. And still generate 30 or more shots themselves, with some nice scoring opportunities. That is a starting point. We have enough skill up front...and good enough goaltending that we don't NEED to outshoot every team. But, we DO have to keep it somewhat close. If the Hawks stay close in shots, stay out of stupid penalty trouble, and bury a couple early...we just might be able to BEAT THE ODDS, and get 2 points vs Vegas!

Go Hawks!

I get it Ogi, but there is no value there, and if we give him ice time to gain some value, it’s only going to decrease our effectiveness on defense. We need to cut our ties ASAP, whether we get an early pick or late pick, we need to move on from Gus, JMHO.
- Angotti

At this point I would wait till the TDL, you never know what injuries occur to other teams or to the Hawks, you aren't going to get more or less if you trade him now or then. i would put KK on waivers, he is no better than #7 on this team, if he gets claimed, good luck to him.

Hawks are at 16 points. The Kings, Wild and Sens are at the bottom with 13.
- mohel

So????...You are saying the bottom is still attainable???!!!!!

Boqvist has provided a speed element to the Hawks that they did not have on the blueline. Yes, the team has come together some, but Boqvist has provided a nice piece that the Hawks needed. Can Rockford help him? Of course, but I feel like he can help the Hawks too.
- ChicagoHope

Not only speed, decision making and the ability to actually get a very good first pass out of the zone or to forward who isn't being crashed on,
Cough cough Gus and Murphy doesn't just blindly dump it up the boards because a forecheck is coming. I appreciate Koekkoek but he is what he is and the way JC is monitoring the kids minutes and games i can see Bo staying with the big club

Hawks are 13th in the conference. Have to pass 4 teams but only 5 points from 8th with a couple of games in hand. They have to begin beating some of the teams above them and can start with wins over VGN and NSH this week. It's a tough chore but if the Hawks want to make the playoffs they have to do it.
- boilermaker100

Of course i want them to win but the other part of me recognizes they have much to learn. The best part of this season they are much more competitive this year then last year.

Hoping to see the kids develop and the great effort this team is giving most nights

Oh and Tyler no such thing as a game they should win, teams most nights lose to a team they should beat.

At this point I would wait till the TDL, you never know what injuries occur to other teams or to the Hawks, you aren't going to get more or less if you trade him now or then. i would put KK on waivers, he is no better than #7 on this team, if he gets claimed, good luck to him.
- LAHawk

I’m sure that Stan is getting feelers on both KK and Gus, we’ll see what happens. Either way our defense will be better when we get Murphy back. Per SCH, with Murphy on ice Hawks were 29-20-9, without Murphy 12-21-6. I do understand that there were other variables, so not all due to Murphy, but still there could be something there. Looking back at the trade for Murphy, I now believe that it was win for Stan. Hammer had a great career here and I loved his play, but he’s not the same player anymore, too many hits and blocks have taken a toll, we got younger and cheaper.

So????...You are saying the bottom is still attainable???!!!!!


- hawk35

The bottom is attainable. The playoffs are attainable. Personally, I'm taking a long view either way.

It's an interesting question on what's best for Boqvist, 25 minutes on the Rock in all situations v. 12-15 minutes in the Show getting fed situations as he develops. I'll take the option where he's best prepared for next year. Just not sure which it is....

Edit - another consideration is that Boqvist has played 5 games. If he plays 5 more, his ELC won't slide, meaning he'll only have two left instead of three.
- mohel

Yeah - that is a factor. I think he's played well enough to stay but I have no problem with him going back to Rockford given the "who would be the 7th d-man?" issue. The one thing I hope doesn't happen though is to bring him back up later in the season to fill in for injuries and have him blow through the 10-game threshold as an injury replacement with a few games here and a few games there. If he's going to play 10+ games - then he should play 60+ games.

What I was getting at is that if he doesn’t play, then there’s no hope of him rekindling his 60pt form of last season. That’s really our only hope that we could potentially get something useful for him.
- Ogilthorpe2

I think 60pt. Gus has left the building.

The best thing JC can do is continue to scrap whatever defence he thought he was implementing and go back to taking the reins off and just let them continue to try to outscore teams.

It would help if he would play his best offensive players together/more but that's on him to continue playing 4th liners in top 6 minutes

While they may not ay/win many 1-0 games..the individual points may increase and gain value for some players again (and at least be watchable/entertaining)

I’m sure that Stan is getting feelers on both KK and Gus, we’ll see what happens. Either way our defense will be better when we get Murphy back. Per SCH, with Murphy on ice Hawks were 29-20-9, without Murphy 12-21-6. I do understand that there were other variables, so not all due to Murphy, but still there could be something there. Looking back at the trade for Murphy, I now believe that it was win for Stan. Hammer had a great career here and I loved his play, but he’s not the same player anymore, too many hits and blocks have taken a toll, we got younger and cheaper.
- Angotti

I feel uneasy about moving any our defencemen right now. The reason for that is because I am worried about Murphy becoming injury prone.

What's up with all the hate for Koekkoek? He's better than many of the defensemen in the league, and certainly on this team.

CF 53.05%; SCF 49.06%; HDCF 45.10%; OffZnStarts 38.89%; xGF 53.43%

As I recall, his underlying numbers were above water last season too, in limited playing time. He's better than some 3rd pair guys that played on the Hawk Stanley Cup teams.

What's up with all the hate for Koekkoek? He's better than many of the defensemen in the league, and certainly on this team.

CF 53.05%; SCF 49.06%; HDCF 45.10%; OffZnStarts 38.89%; xGF 53.43%

As I recall, his underlying numbers were above water last season too, in limited playing time. He's better than some 3rd pair guys that played on the Hawk Stanley Cup teams.
- scottak

Likely because he was involved in the two goals against Pitt. Recency bias.

What's up with all the hate for Koekkoek? He's better than many of the defensemen in the league, and certainly on this team.

CF 53.05%; SCF 49.06%; HDCF 45.10%; OffZnStarts 38.89%; xGF 53.43%

As I recall, his underlying numbers were above water last season too, in limited playing time. He's better than some 3rd pair guys that played on the Hawk Stanley Cup teams.
- scottak

Numbers game. If you keep Boquist, you either have to launch Gus or KK, and I am sure they are going to give Mitchell a good shot at making the team either after his season is over or next year.

The best thing JC can do is continue to scrap whatever defence he thought he was implementing and go back to taking the reins off and just let them continue to try to outscore teams.

It would help if he would play his best offensive players together/more but that's on him to continue playing 4th liners in top 6 minutes

While they may not ay/win many 1-0 games..the individual points may increase and gain value for some players again (and at least be watchable/entertaining)
- PatShart

I understand people saying they are more concerned with "how" they are playing than the actual results. A few years back the Hawks had 100+ points and were quickly beaten by Nashville. That said, I'm more in your boat right now. I don't really care about style points as long as we are getting points. Get this team to build some confidence in being able to beat good teams and the game tends to slow down a bit, which ultimately leads to better overall play.

Numbers game. If you keep Boquist, you either have to launch Gus or KK, and I am sure they are going to give Mitchell a good shot at making the team either after his season is over or next year.
- LAHawk

With Murphy coming back, I don't see any way that Boqvist stays unless someone else is moved. I can't see Stan losing another asset the same way he did Dahlstrom.

I understand people saying they are more concerned with "how" they are playing than the actual results. A few years back the Hawks had 100+ points and were quickly beaten by Nashville. That said, I'm more in your boat right now. I don't really care about style points as long as we are getting points. Get this team to build some confidence in being able to beat good teams and the game tends to slow down a bit, which ultimately leads to better overall play.
- Chunk

My understanding is that JC did adjust the defensive scheme a few games ago, and that the Hawks are back to the high-risk hockey they played last year.

With Murphy coming back, I don't see any way that Boqvist stays unless someone else is moved. I can't see Stan losing another asset the same way he did Dahlstrom.
- Chunk

Could very well be. Maybe he goes down for a few weeks until a trade occurs and then comes back up.

What's up with all the hate for Koekkoek? He's better than many of the defensemen in the league, and certainly on this team.

CF 53.05%; SCF 49.06%; HDCF 45.10%; OffZnStarts 38.89%; xGF 53.43%

As I recall, his underlying numbers were above water last season too, in limited playing time. He's better than some 3rd pair guys that played on the Hawk Stanley Cup teams.
- scottak

He’s better than Seabrook that’s for sure. And so is Boqvist. It’s a shame that Seabrook contract is going to continue to prevent us from icing the best team possible, and force a promising young talent back to the AHL. Worst contract in the NHL.

My understanding is that JC did adjust the defensive scheme a few games ago, and that the Hawks are back to the high-risk hockey they played last year.
- mohel

The disappointing thing is they looked good with the new scheme in the Washington and Vegas games before falling apart against Nashville and the Sharks...

He’s better than Seabrook that’s for sure. And so is Boqvist. It’s a shame that Seabrook contract is going to continue to prevent us from icing the best team possible, and force a promising young talent back to the AHL. Worst contract in the NHL.
- SimpleJack

No, actually Kovalchuk's is,


Elliotte Friedman
✔
@FriedgeHNIC
There is word this afternoon that LA has informed Ilya Kovalchuk he will be out of the lineup for the foreseeable future. He is welcome to practice with the club, but he will not be playing. Obviously, more details as they occur.