SOME ACTUAL NEWS:

Blackhawks sign: Evan Barratt and Andrei Altybarmakyan to their entry-level deals.

Additionally, Matthew Highmore and Kevin Lankinen have signed 2-year deals. They are two-way deals in year one, one-way deals in year two (2021-22).
- Tyler Cameron

Hmm. Seems odd on the 2 way for Highmore. Hope it doesn't mean they plan on bringing Smith back.

Sox radio announcer Ed Farmer has passed away.

Sox radio announcer Ed Farmer has passed away.
- Elbows15

Wow! Did they say what he died from?

Wow! Did they say what he died from?
- Angotti

Complications from a previous illness is what I saw. Most likely related to his long time kidney problems would be my guess.

Complications from a previous illness is what I saw. Most likely related to his long time kidney problems would be my guess.
- Elbows15

Okay thanks

Okay thanks
- Angotti

NP. Really liked listening to him and Darrin Jackson when in the car.

SOME ACTUAL NEWS:

Blackhawks sign: Evan Barratt and Andrei Altybarmakyan to their entry-level deals.

Additionally, Matthew Highmore and Kevin Lankinen have signed 2-year deals. They are two-way deals in year one, one-way deals in year two (2021-22).
- Tyler Cameron

Excellent news especially when we could all use some "off season" chat fodder.

After Mitchell, Barratt and Altybarmakyan were the prospects who I am excited to watch as both can make electrifying plays offensively and aren't lazy on defense.

Teply is reportedly winning the WHL rookie of the year. Perhaps the Hawks sign him early to an ELC but I wouldn't mind if he stayed in juniors one more season.

Also look forward to seeing Shea, Regula, and likely Moberg start their pro careers in Rockford. McCoshen, Tuulola, and Brennan are as good as gone (free agents).

Possible Hogs blueline:

Beaudin - Krys
Gilbert - Regula
Shea - Moberg
Osipov (just signed to an AHL deal)

One of the best 2. Doughty is the only one who can be argued is better. I take Keith over all the rest.
- Elbows15

I would agree: Keith and Doughty are on a much higher plane than the rest.

Earlier in the week in their re-draft series, the Hockey News had this order for re-drafting in 2008:

1. Stamkos
2. Karlsson
3. Doughty

I would have selected Doughty first overall, hands down. He's the better all around player and a proven winner.

Sox radio announcer Ed Farmer has passed away.
- Elbows15

Very sad I enjoyed listening to him.

He was comparing to Morgan Reilly and claimed Reilly was better than Keith in their respective primes.
- HawkintheD

Keith in his prime was so fast he could steal a guy's lunch and come back for his milk money.

I would agree: Keith and Doughty are on a much higher plane than the rest.

Earlier in the week in their re-draft series, the Hockey News had this order for re-drafting in 2008:

1. Stamkos
2. Karlsson
3. Doughty

I would have selected Doughty first overall, hands down. He's the better all around player and a proven winner.
- AEL_Fox

Sutter no slouch.

I would agree: Keith and Doughty are on a much higher plane than the rest.

Earlier in the week in their re-draft series, the Hockey News had this order for re-drafting in 2008:

1. Stamkos
2. Karlsson
3. Doughty

I would have selected Doughty first overall, hands down. He's the better all around player and a proven winner.
- AEL_Fox

I watched both a lot during the past decade. What set them apart was their compete level (to go along with the talent) was higher than the rest. Doughty and Keith are still the same, both hate to lose, and express that fact even while playing for losing teams.

Sox radio announcer Ed Farmer has passed away.
- Elbows15

Aw - that sux. I liked ole Farmio. I don't listen to baseball on the radio much but I liked Ed and Darren together as a team.

By the way - NHL channel has been broadcasting "Classics" games and I watched some of a game from the 2008/09 season between the Hawks and Devils and the takeaway from watching that game was how fast Keith played and how mobile Seabrook was. That was a helluva top line d-pairing.

Excellent news especially when we could all use some "off season" chat fodder.

After Mitchell, Barratt and Altybarmakyan were the prospects who I am excited to watch as both can make electrifying plays offensively and aren't lazy on defense.

Teply is reportedly winning the WHL rookie of the year. Perhaps the Hawks sign him early to an ELC but I wouldn't mind if he stayed in juniors one more season.

Also look forward to seeing Shea, Regula, and likely Moberg start their pro careers in Rockford. McCoshen, Tuulola, and Brennan are as good as gone (free agents).

Possible Hogs blueline:

Beaudin - Krys
Gilbert - Regula
Shea - Moberg
Osipov (just signed to an AHL deal)
- AEL_Fox

I am excited for that Regula kid watch him in a game against our hometown team ,granted the opponent was not great and I was under the influence but thought he was the best player on the ice ..

Highmore takes a pay cut from 776k to 725k.
Lankinen takes a pay cut too from 925k to 800k. Hawks now have him and Delia as goalies signed that can be exposed in the expansion draft. Wonder if one of them will be traded eventually to someone who needs an exposable goalie.
- boilermaker100

Prudent moves by Bowman yet they were expected. There is a long period - of - time until next season and probably even a longer amount if pages off the calendar until the expansion draft.

There has been some talk here on this site about the 2021-'22 season with next season being a preparation or stepping stone fir several young dmen to gain a critical season if experience

I look at next season also as a stepping stone fir some forwards. I doubt either Entwhistle or Barret is ready for the show in a regular role next season.. Anyway first I would ike to see Hagel and Kurasaev get a look and maybe they could be taking a regular NHL shift by the conclusion of next season.

Starting next season but hopefully a more ideal "workability" the following season is my desire to see strategically formed five man units which can employ the proper amount of checkers, physicality, grit and speed . The graduation from Rockford of some forwards and dmen is key

To be sure the skill and physicality of several young dmen is put to the test in the NHL. To ensure their greater opportunity to succeed I envision the best support possible from their dman mate pairing as well as the forward line combination

If course Colliton (or whomever the coach) needs the defensive responsibility to be consistent from players and the system itself has to be sustainable. Often we have questioned the logical system Colliton has told the players to abide

I foresee just enough ability in the third and fourth line candidates to blend well with the speed and grit - and hooefully, toughness - when there is a large presence of Rockford graduates

I am rooting for Entwhistle without too much concern whether he makes the grade - NHL grade. I am confidant Hagel will be fine. Highmore is good enough now. Sikura is a mystery; where is his landing spot although he has the brains, speed, skill, determination to succeed. The question is how well he can transition to a greater emphasis on checking and still contribute offensively

Soderlund needs fair opportunity to step up and earn a job. I see both Soderlund and Fortin as insurance. Fortin has made strides in development according to AEL_FOX. He may yet turn out to be a strong combatant for a bottom line job

All these kids are going to be hungry, ready for NHL and improving. Kampf traded, fodder for expansion is fine

Barret is so interesting. Does he have enough ability to force his way into a role sliding from lines #2 -#4? Will he improve his skating/is it going to be a hindrance or not too much a handicap given his defensive effort.

I would prefer to see if we make a decision eventually to retain only one between Strome/Barret and the reason why is skating speed. We can have a roster with but one poor skater.

Bottom line forwards and these prospects on defense can combine to win puck control. Proper support within the five man units provides toughness/grit, physicality and skates well can be a real boost. Five man units together can match or take away the star power from another team. Just enough skill with those other attributes and we could just have it when Rockford players graduate

Might their energy, their drive and their responsibility influence or motivate too line players to perform often with the same amount if energy, drive and responsibility?

Excellent news especially when we could all use some "off season" chat fodder.

After Mitchell, Barratt and Altybarmakyan were the prospects who I am excited to watch as both can make electrifying plays offensively and aren't lazy on defense.

Teply is reportedly winning the WHL rookie of the year. Perhaps the Hawks sign him early to an ELC but I wouldn't mind if he stayed in juniors one more season.

Also look forward to seeing Shea, Regula, and likely Moberg start their pro careers in Rockford. McCoshen, Tuulola, and Brennan are as good as gone (free agents).

Possible Hogs blueline:

Beaudin - Krys
Gilbert - Regula
Shea - Moberg
Osipov (just signed to an AHL deal)
- AEL_Fox

Who the heck is this Osipov guy, and how does he keep sticking around? Any good? All I hear about him is that he is still here.

I would agree: Keith and Doughty are on a much higher plane than the rest.

Earlier in the week in their re-draft series, the Hockey News had this order for re-drafting in 2008:

1. Stamkos
2. Karlsson
3. Doughty

I would have selected Doughty first overall, hands down. He's the better all around player and a proven winner.
- AEL_Fox

Was there any rationalization on why Karlsson was taken ahead of Doughty, or was the list just posted? I get he puts up points (and that is important), but I can't stand the way he plays.

NP. Really liked listening to him and Darrin Jackson when in the car.
- Elbows15

Will miss his acumen and personality. Sad news and a bit of a shock. I often have Cubs and White Sox game on the radio/phone in the background and his voice will be missed. We have list Santo, T Sasoone (sic) now Farmer. Going way back Harry Carry too but sort of expected he would not be around real long with his drinking and age. I thought Santo had his diabetes under control. Farmer gone. Darn it.

Who the heck is this Osipov guy, and how does he keep sticking around? Any good? All I hear about him is that he is still here.
- Chunk

Big body physicsl Russian whom is debatable AHL worthy but had seemingly settled in at ECHL level. He has been around a few years. Not an NHL projection. Provides muscle for mix and match for skill dmen in Rockford. Additionally he is not a bad option in the physical AHL league

Keith in his prime was so fast he could steal a guy's lunch and come back for his milk money.
- rpeters01

Yeah, but he didn't skate purdy

Was there any rationalization on why Karlsson was taken ahead of Doughty, or was the list just posted? I get he puts up points (and that is important), but I can't stand the way he plays.
- Chunk

In the article, the Hockey News didn't discuss why they selected Karlsson over Doughty. The only mention of Karlsson in the article besides the lists are saying how the top 10 was dominated by D-men.

The original top 10:
1. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay
2. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles
3. Zach Bogosian, Atlanta
4. Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis
5. Luke Schenn, Toronto
6. Nikita Filatov, Columbus
7. Colin Wilson, Nashville
8. Mikkel Boedker, Phoenix
9. Josh Bailey, NY Islanders
10. Cody Hodgson, Vancouver

The top 10 do-over:
1. Steven Stamkos (1st, Tampa Bay)
2. Erik Karlsson (15th, Ottawa)
3. Drew Doughty (2nd, Los Angeles)
4. Roman Josi (38th, Nashville)
5. John Carlson (27th, Washington)
6. Alex Pietrangelo (4th, St. Louis)
7. Braden Holtby (93rd, Washington)
8. Jordan Eberle (22nd, Edmonton)
9. Tyler Myers (12th, Buffalo)
10. Derek Stepan (51st, NY Rangers)

Honorable mentions: Cam Atkinson (157th, Columbus); Adam Henrique (82nd, New Jersey); Josh Bailey (9th, NY Islanders); Jacob Markstrom (31st, Florida); Jared Spurgeon (156th, NY Islanders).

Checking in, hoping everyone and their families are well and everyone is being smart out there.
I simply loved the article in the Athletic about
His talk on the draft and how kids make it are so grounded.

With that I was happy to see the hawks re-signed the finn goalie, and Highmore and added the Russian kid and Evan Barrett.
When they drafted Barrett they knew he was a warrior, high ticking battler and these guys with the knocks abut their feet always seem (if they are true fighters) be able to improve, because they challenge themselves to do so.

Nothing is carved in stone for the hawks to think they are building towards their next runs, but I like this kid and I have seen that Altybarmakyan was always asked as a Russian all star junior "lesser-light" to kill penalties and play in tough match ups...he was never "given" anything their systems so this will also be a very enlightening reveal as a nhl pro...I dunno...we could be fortifying the attack and the grit and the special teams adding these two forwards...

Who the heck is this Osipov guy, and how does he keep sticking around? Any good? All I hear about him is that he is still here.
- Chunk

Jhawk descried Osipov fairly accurately. Depth minor league defender who skates decently, can move the puck, but most of all plays a really heavy, physical style.

Osipov will also easily drop the gloves to protect his mates. Not an exciting player and definitely no NHL future but seems to be a fan favorite. He loves getting the crowd into the game.

Sutter no slouch.
- rpeters01

Very good point. Wonder how Karlsson would've fared under Sutter. Stamkos, too.