Per the SecondCityHockey site, beginning Monday June 15 and for the following 15 evenings, NBC Sports Chicago will begin replaying all 16 Hawks victories from their run to the 2015 Cup. 1st series against Nashville, then Minnesota, Anaheim and TB. All games will be shown at 7 p.m.

Per the SecondCityHockey site, beginning Monday June 15 and for the following 15 evenings, NBC Sports Chicago will begin replaying all 16 Hawks victories from their run to the 2015 Cup. 1st series against Nashville, then Minnesota, Anaheim and TB. All games will be shown at 7 p.m.
- boilermaker100

Nice. I'm still on 2010. I'm trying to get through every game.

It's been fun to reminisce. Hopefully it's firing up the Blackhawks player new and old to fuel that winning spirit again.

Tired of worrying about, discussing the 12th-13th Forward on the team. If Nylander, Dach, Dinky and Strome don't take major steps next year it doesn't matter who 12-13 is.
- rpeters01

Who isn't? That said, this was a post about the guys in Rockford, and it is generally accepted that most of what we have down there is 3rd/4th line potential (with a couple that might play their way to 2nd).

Considering the Hawks cap situation (not to mention we don't know what the cap ceiling is going to be next year), What moves can be made to improve the team?

King signed a 2 year contract at the end of last year, so he is as interim as any coach that has a contract.
- LAHawk

I wasn't too impressed by King at first and was hoping he would just be an interim head coach but he's grown on me as he does develop the little things pretty well.

King stresses how to be a pro, how to play 200 feet, how to push the pace, how to contribute without the puck, etc. especially for players like Sikura, Hagel, Kurashev, Boqvist, and Beaudin who were supreme offensive talents in the NCAA and juniors.

Honestly, I like King a lot more as a coach than Brookbank. Not sure what results Brookbank has to show for at the AHL or NHL level. He's still young in his coaching career so more to come in his growth curve.

Who isn't? That said, this was a post about the guys in Rockford, and it is generally accepted that most of what we have down there is 3rd/4th line potential (with a couple that might play their way to 2nd).

Considering the Hawks cap situation (not to mention we don't know what the cap ceiling is going to be next year), What moves can be made to improve the team?
- Chunk

I want a Mulligan on Dinky's extension no way he gets those $'s under current circumstances. You are right it was a Rockford post but still beating a dead horse on Sikura subject.

I am pulling for Kurashev but, I am thinking he may not be one....
- wiz1901

A recent report I read on Kurashev mentioned how he needs to push the pace more at the pro level in order to advance. No argument here as he was playing a bit conservatively which I chalk up to getting used to the pro speed and also coming back from a head injury.

Yet I am also not worried about him in the long term, even if his water level is 3rd line. He showed in juniors and in world tournaments representing the Swiss team that he can be a reliable offensive contributor and clutch performer while not sacrificing defensive responsibility.

Kurashev never put up gaudy junior stats but did score at a PPG. Couple that with his defensive acumen and he likely ends up as a potential middle 6 forward who plays the full ice sheet and chips in as a 20/20 scorer.

I wasn't too impressed by King at first and was hoping he would just be an interim head coach but he's grown on me as he does develop the little things pretty well.

King stresses how to be a pro, how to play 200 feet, how to push the pace, how to contribute without the puck, etc. especially for players like Sikura, Hagel, Kurashev, Boqvist, and Beaudin who were supreme offensive talents in the NCAA and juniors.

Honestly, I like King a lot more as a coach than Brookbank. Not sure what results Brookbank has to show for at the AHL or NHL level. He's still young in his coaching career so more to come in his growth curve.
- AEL_Fox

So you're saying we now know who the replacement for Colliton will be?

In light of the considerable debate - at least last year - surrounding whom the Blackhawks should draft with their first round selection, I am hoping that Tyler might again have a poll question about whom Bowman should pick.

Since opinion may sway as we get closer to the draft - and as wiz says last minute rating changes frequently happens (his list anyway) maybe the poll should not be put out until one week before the Entry Draft.

Last year mrany were outspoken in favor of Byram, whom the Avalanche took with fourth overall.

I liked Byram a lot too. But when wiz repeated that this kid may not develop into a strong player in his own end, I soured on his becoming a Blackhawk.

Currently I internally debate best player or take Drysdale (each team should look if another very good player would be more dynamic; hence Drysdale or a higher rated player).

In comparing furthermore I see Drysdale to be much better defensively and I absolutely am thrilled with his scouting report. Mitchell/Boqvist/Drysdale would be awesome - drives the offense. Beaudin could possibly fit too or once he established himself in the NHL, Beaudin could fetch a nice return

Another highly touted dman was D Nurse. His knock though is his common sense or poor choice in moving the puck. You hear this throughout the season. Oh sure he has some assets to really like. But just tuck this away: if Nurse was really good then Edmonton.would be a much bigger threat. They would definitely be a favorite against us in the return to play.

Byram. He could be the same way defensively as Nurse. Offensive good defense poor = Byram

But Drysdale will be better than both in most every way

If I had to wager on it, I would bet Hagel beats out Sikura for a roster spot.

By 2021-22 or 2022-23, the 4th line could be Entwistle centering Highmore and Hagel with Soderlund and Barratt in the mix, too. Hagel has potential to play 3rd line.

Also depends on what the Hawks do with Kampf and Carpenter. Simply don't re-sign Kampf after next year when he becomes an RFA in 2022. Carpenter has an extra year before becoming a UFA in 2023.
- AEL_Fox

Can't wait for Entwistle.

Hey thanks AEL for the updates .Really liked Soderlund when I seen him in WJC hope he can stay healthy next year .Think he could be a very versatile bottom six forward and excellent PK man .Had a knack for SH goals in the Jr. tournament ,
- oldduffman

Soderlund likely tops out at as a 4th liner but potentially a really energetic and effective one at that with his speed, hustle, fearlessness, and sandpaper. He thinks and executes the game fast. Agree, he would be great on the PK.

As a comparable, I'm thinking Haula, Faksa, or Fiala as far as style. Soderlund's style is also very similar to Arvidsson but will be really hard pressed to get anywhere close to that offensive output of his fellow Swede.

A recent report I read on Kurashev mentioned how he needs to push the pace more at the pro level in order to advance. No argument here as he was playing a bit conservatively which I chalk up to getting used to the pro speed and also coming back from a head injury.

Yet I am also not worried about him in the long term, even if his water level is 3rd line. He showed in juniors and in world tournaments representing the Swiss team that he can be a reliable offensive contributor and clutch performer while not sacrificing defensive responsibility.

Kurashev never put up gaudy junior stats but did score at a PPG. Couple that with his defensive acumen and he likely ends up as a potential middle 6 forward who plays the full ice sheet and chips in as a 20/20 scorer.
- AEL_Fox

They are obviously at different levels, but how would you compare Kurashev's game to Strome's style-wise? I keep having this feeling in the back of my mind that they are going to trade Strome's rights. To me it just doesn't seem like they are all that enamored with him (moved to wing for a stretch, and struggles with quickness.

I'm not saying that Kurashev would replace him next year. I'm just thinking that they have a lot of lower line centermen in the ranks and may look to move Strome instead of paying him.

I want a Mulligan on Dinky's extension no way he gets those $'s under current circumstances. You are right it was a Rockford post but still beating a dead horse on Sikura subject.
- rpeters01

You've been down on ADB for a while. Is that just because he is mostly offense, or is there something else?

At the end of the day, teams pay for point production, and for the first two years, he did exactly that. I'm not thrilled that he got $6+ (especially the way the contract was structured with a higher final year), but he scores a ton.

In the draft whom we might have fall to us at around #9 depends much on the very real possibility that Askarov is too good to last until our pick. But I am not suggesting to try for him. I believe both Askarov and Drysdale will go before we pick.
- jhawk59

Drysdale based on the position he plays, goes to New Jersey if the stay close to their current slotting and probably would take Sanderson equally.
I have seen the negatives on Sanderson, but it is difficult to drop him in slotting because even though are different in the qualities (except for the fact they both are terrific skaters), they both project as possible high nd line up defenseman, with Drysdale as an all involved part if his NHL team, but a guy who will need mass and strength but knows and does what he is supposed to in the defensive side (as opposed to Bowen Byram would still is unsure of the defensive end despite his clear dominance like an nhl centre-rover) and Sanderson is simply so fast at doing everything in three zones he gets things down based on speed and agility and he won't dips doodle in the attack like Byram can, or drive play in all phases of the attack zone, he simply is solid like an nhl defender is suppose to be with room to excel and projects as such.

Now a "lottery win move-up" to the top three probably complicates taking a defenseman which they really hoping they sit at six, with little reaching.
I recently said that New Jersey very well was interested in Askarov but since they have openly praises the progress on M. Blackwood that I don't think they are smoke screening...they like him.
But what happens with the lottery, really determines the interest in Askarov.
If there is jump from behind into the top three slots that drops Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Buffalo back a slot, I think k they all would be very comfortable solving their long term needs at goal because I can't believe they see better answers currently inside their organizations.

We don't need another defencemen in the 1st round,this team needs scoring.We will probably loose Saad after next year or sooner.

I wasn't too impressed by King at first and was hoping he would just be an interim head coach but he's grown on me as he does develop the little things pretty well.

King stresses how to be a pro, how to play 200 feet, how to push the pace, how to contribute without the puck, etc. especially for players like Sikura, Hagel, Kurashev, Boqvist, and Beaudin who were supreme offensive talents in the NCAA and juniors.

Honestly, I like King a lot more as a coach than Brookbank. Not sure what results Brookbank has to show for at the AHL or NHL level. He's still young in his coaching career so more to come in his growth curve.
- AEL_Fox

King was a solid pro for 10+ years, and has coached for about as long at all levels. I think that is a pretty good resume for a coach to develop players into pros. I think he also understands at the level he is coaching, winning is nice, but developing the players is paramount. That is why you sometimes question why or why not a certain player is scratched, or is playing on a line that you don't think it maximizes the players talent. Ted Dent was an utter failure at that. Not that he had the pedegree of talent that King has, but I don't think I can remember one player when Dent was head coach that actually improved while at the Rock.

We don't need another defencemen in the 1st round,this team needs scoring.We will probably loose Saad after next year or sooner.
- Tatoo

You draft the best player available regardless of position. If you have a strength at one position, you can always use that to trade, and improve a weakness.

You've been down on ADB for a while. Is that just because he is mostly offense, or is there something else?

At the end of the day, teams pay for point production, and for the first two years, he did exactly that. I'm not thrilled that he got $6+ (especially the way the contract was structured with a higher final year), but he scores a ton.
- Chunk

If ADB would have converted on his chances like he did in years 1 and 2, we would not be having this discussion. I would be more worried if ADB was not getting his chances. I also think by trying to round out his game (he carried the puck this year way more than the first 2), and his lack of finish, it made his year look worse than it really was.

They are obviously at different levels, but how would you compare Kurashev's game to Strome's style-wise? I keep having this feeling in the back of my mind that they are going to trade Strome's rights. To me it just doesn't seem like they are all that enamored with him (moved to wing for a stretch, and struggles with quickness.

I'm not saying that Kurashev would replace him next year. I'm just thinking that they have a lot of lower line centermen in the ranks and may look to move Strome instead of paying him.
- Chunk

Good question. As much as I still like his offensive potential, Strome is a head scratcher as far as where he fits as you pointed out.

If Toews and Dach are to be the top 6 centers for the next several years, can Strome lock it down defensively to be a more effective 3C? Some of it depends on his linemates, too.

The looming cap number and financial impact of the pandemic could also spell the end of Strome's time in Chicago as it could be difficult to re-sign all 3 of him, Kubalik, and Crawford.

Kurashev in a year or so could be in the running to snag the 3C role.

So could Barratt if he remains a pivot and translates his college success to being an impact NHL forward.

Wise is a long shot at this point and at least 3 years away.

There's also the upcoming draft where Lundell is being regarded as the safest pick as there is with 3C as his floor. He could jump to the NHL sooner than most. Also, he is defensively wired almost to a fault but does have offense talent if he just asserted himself more.

Or if they're willing to wait a bit, there are other centers like Zary and Bourque who could be worth considering.

You've been down on ADB for a while. Is that just because he is mostly offense, or is there something else?

At the end of the day, teams pay for point production, and for the first two years, he did exactly that. I'm not thrilled that he got $6+ (especially the way the contract was structured with a higher final year), but he scores a ton.
- Chunk

I'm not too worried about DeBrincat. LAHawk had a good perspective replying to your post.

Worst case scenario is DeBrincat is the next Cheechoo but don't think that will be the case.

If DeBrincat can average around 30-35 goals a year with 55-60 points with the occasional 40 goal outbursts, then that would be worth it.

King was a solid pro for 10+ years, and has coached for about as long at all levels. I think that is a pretty good resume for a coach to develop players into pros. I think he also understands at the level he is coaching, winning is nice, but developing the players is paramount. That is why you sometimes question why or why not a certain player is scratched, or is playing on a line that you don't think it maximizes the players talent. Ted Dent was an utter failure at that. Not that he had the pedegree of talent that King has, but I don't think I can remember one player when Dent was head coach that actually improved while at the Rock.
- LAHawk

Very good post. What you described is exactly what I've observed King to be for the Hawk hopefuls.

In an interview during the season, King himself mentioned how it's not about the wins, losses, and stats but more so about rounding out each prospect's game to be solid contributors up and down the ice.

A recent report I read on Kurashev mentioned how he needs to push the pace more at the pro level in order to advance. No argument here as he was playing a bit conservatively which I chalk up to getting used to the pro speed and also coming back from a head injury.

Yet I am also not worried about him in the long term, even if his water level is 3rd line. He showed in juniors and in world tournaments representing the Swiss team that he can be a reliable offensive contributor and clutch performer while not sacrificing defensive responsibility.

Kurashev never put up gaudy junior stats but did score at a PPG. Couple that with his defensive acumen and he likely ends up as a potential middle 6 forward who plays the full ice sheet and chips in as a 20/20 scorer.
- AEL_Fox

In context Kurashev's numbers were pretty gaudy. He was pretty much the whole team's offense. He was by far his team's best offensive player and the focus of every team they played.
I think he is going to turn out to be a huge steal in that draft.

Good question. As much as I still like his offensive potential, Strome is a head scratcher as far as where he fits as you pointed out.

If Toews and Dach are to be the top 6 centers for the next several years, can Strome lock it down defensively to be a more effective 3C? Some of it depends on his linemates, too.

The looming cap number and financial impact of the pandemic could also spell the end of Strome's time in Chicago as it could be difficult to re-sign all 3 of him, Kubalik, and Crawford.

Kurashev in a year or so could be in the running to snag the 3C role.

So could Barratt if he remains a pivot and translates his college success to being an impact NHL forward.

Wise is a long shot at this point and at least 3 years away.

There's also the upcoming draft where Lundell is being regarded as the safest pick as there is with 3C as his floor. He could jump to the NHL sooner than most. Also, he is defensively wired almost to a fault but does have offense talent if he just asserted himself more.

Or if they're willing to wait a bit, there are other centers like Zary and Bourque who could be worth considering.
- AEL_Fox

Strome is going to have to improve tremendously to be good enough defensively. He was one of the worst forwards defensively in the whole league according to metrics. Like bottom 15 bad.

I think we all thought that strome trade was a win. Starting to look like it was not. Perlini bombed other then 1 week and we got a fringe NHL prospect. all in all probably would rather have Nick back, faster and better on D.

You've been down on ADB for a while. Is that just because he is mostly offense, or is there something else?

At the end of the day, teams pay for point production, and for the first two years, he did exactly that. I'm not thrilled that he got $6+ (especially the way the contract was structured with a higher final year), but he scores a ton.
- Chunk

My only point is with Covid19 I think all new contracts are going to either take a significant drop or be shorter with a significant drop? Who really knows but no way Stan signs that contract in today's world.

I think we all thought that strome trade was a win. Starting to look like it was not. Perlini bombed other then 1 week and we got a fringe NHL prospect. all in all probably would rather have Nick back, faster and better on D.
- kmw4631

I hate to admit it (simply because it means the Hawks got worse), but I think you are right. Schmaltz, despite the groans about him going into the corners, is a better overall player than Strome at this point.