The thing is, I think Dylan Sikura will be an NHLer. I just don't think it'll be in Chicago.

Haha. Touche RE: Little Q.
- Tyler Cameron

I have to agree on Sikura. He seems like a guy who could turn into a Versteeg type. Not going to blow anyone away, but could be a useful depth piece. It does appear that several other forwards have passed him by. I guess we will get an idea of how they view him if there are a couple injuries.

I have to agree on Sikura. He seems like a guy who could turn into a Versteeg type. Not going to blow anyone away, but could be a useful depth piece. It does appear that several other forwards have passed him by. I guess we will get an idea of how they view him if there are a couple injuries.
- Chunk

I hope Sikura ends up like Barclay Goodrow, traded for a first round pick primarily because Tampa Bay liked his low AAV and cost certainty of his salary.

I hope Sikura ends up like Barclay Goodrow, traded for a first round pick primarily because Tampa Bay liked his low AAV and cost certainty of his salary.
- LAHawk

Well played. Unfortunately, I don't think Sikura has quite the resume that Goodrow does. I thought for sure he would be gone at the TDL. Maybe they do actually like him (or they didn't get an offer they thought was good enough).

Well played. Unfortunately, I don't think Sikura has quite the resume that Goodrow does. I thought for sure he would be gone at the TDL. Maybe they do actually like him (or they didn't get an offer they thought was good enough).
- Chunk

Agree with the resume, plus Goodrow is a different type of player, more a Andrew Desjardins type. I can see Sikura as a throw in in a deal, some team could use him as a depth forward.

Agree with the resume, plus Goodrow is a different type of player, more a Andrew Desjardins type. I can see Sikura as a throw in in a deal, some team could use him as a depth forward.
- LAHawk

The Hawks have forward depth to spare?

Has the league said that Mitchell and his ilk are eligible to play in this tournament?
- StLBravesFan

Boiler replied to your post. I haven't read any news on this front of a decision either way yet.

If I'm not mistaken, it's still a two-phase decision, though. The NHL and NHLPA need to decide on whether prospects recently signed to ELCs are eligible, then each team deciding whether they want their respective prospects added to the playoff roster.

So even if the league and PA come to terms, each team could decide differently.

The Hawks have forward depth to spare?
- tvetter

Enough that Sikura would only be a regular if multiple injuries occur next year. I think Sikura is destined to be the Rockford Captain next year.

Enough that Sikura would only be a regular if multiple injuries occur next year. I think Sikura is destined to be the Rockford Captain next year.
- LAHawk

Where are all the posters who were clamoring for him to be a mainstay on one of the middle line to start last year? Claiming he was an NHL player and had proven himself worthy. He is 25 at this point and what you see is what you get. A fringe guy who really doesn't have a role at the NHL level.

He is also nothing like Versteeg and never will be.

Yes I think Kubalik was a great pick up . I like that he not afraid to use the body . Hagel could be a real steal big numbers in WHL, and good numbers in the playoff hockey . Hagel also has some grit to his game .
- oldduffman

Agree with both of these. Tyler called it on Kubalik pre-season. I want to see more Hagel even if it means sitting Nylander or Kampf for a stint later. But for now with Sikura, I feel a Black Ace.

Gravel not to happy with the HAWKS by the sound of it . I though they were going to sign him ,maybe they are making room to pick Askarov .That be ok with me .
Nylander and Murphy most underrated HAWKS this season .Both seem like good candidates to me .They both seem to get a lot of flack for who they were traded for,more then their play .

Agree with both of these. Tyler called it on Kubalik pre-season. I want to see more Hagel even if it means sitting Nylander or Kampf for a stint later. But for now with Sikura, I feel a Black Ace.
- Popsghostly

Why would you sit Nylander for Hagel? Kampf yes all day he has no value to the future of the Hawks organization.

You need Nylander to develop into a top 6 wing. Sitting him for a guy that will likely be nothing more than a mid tier 3rd liner, at best, makes little sense.

Where are all the posters who were clamoring for him to be a mainstay on one of the middle line to start last year? Claiming he was an NHL player and had proven himself worthy. He is 25 at this point and what you see is what you get. A fringe guy who really doesn't have a role at the NHL level.

He is also nothing like Versteeg and never will be.
- bhawks2241

I’m here - and like Tyler - I think he will have a useful NHL career.

Maybe not in Chicago, but somewhere.

I’m here - and like Tyler - I think he will have a useful NHL career.

Maybe not in Chicago, but somewhere.
- StLBravesFan

In what roll? He has some nice parts to his game but really doesn't excel at anything and brings no size/strength or physicality. I don't see him becoming a shutdown specialist or 4th line guy.

He just seems like a tweener to me. Has he really shown any improvements over the last year in the A?

AEL Fox any input on his progress?

Why would you sit Nylander for Hagel? Kampf yes all day he has no value to the future of the Hawks organization.

You need Nylander to develop into a top 6 wing. Sitting him for a guy that will likely be nothing more than a mid tier 3rd liner, at best, makes little sense.
- bhawks2241

Sweet! Sikura and Hagel done, do Strome next. What's his ceiling?

Sorry, that was Richard-ish, but I never like sweeping proclamations of what a player or coach will or won't be. ADB was too small... until he wasn't. Trotz and Q couldn't win the Cup... until they did.

The Hawks don't need Nylander to develop into a top 6 wing. They need someone to develop into a top 6 wing. If it happens to be Nylander, great. They unearthed Kubalik for a 5th rounder. Signed Panarin as a FA. I'm sure they are scouring all areas to find more talent.

Sikura may well turn out exactly as you say, but when he was playing he generated a lot of chances, was one of the most willing forecheckers, and was responsible defensively. He didn't put up many points, but its not like he was useless.

In what roll? He has some nice parts to his game but really doesn't excel at anything and brings no size/strength or physicality. I don't see him becoming a shutdown specialist or 4th line guy.

He just seems like a tweener to me. Has he really shown any improvements over the last year in the A?

AEL Fox any input on his progress?
- bhawks2241

Tyler last blog was AEL-FOX handing out Rockford awards and Sikura was MVP with a glowing scouting report .So there is that and a good chance the kid takes the next step maybe in the up coming tournament or next season when ever that is . I think Sikura needs to produce points goals !! if he is to stick .Hawks have more efficient 4th line player in the system.

Sweet! Sikura and Hagel done, do Strome next. What's his ceiling?

Sorry, that was Richard-ish, but I never like sweeping proclamations of what a player or coach will or won't be. ADB was too small... until he wasn't. Trotz and Q couldn't win the Cup... until they did.

The Hawks don't need Nylander to develop into a top 6 wing. They need someone to develop into a top 6 wing. If it happens to be Nylander, great. They unearthed Kubalik for a 5th rounder. Signed Panarin as a FA. I'm sure they are scouring all areas to find more talent.

Sikura may well turn out exactly as you say, but when he was playing he generated a lot of chances, was one of the most willing forecheckers, and was responsible defensively. He didn't put up many points, but its not like he was useless.
- Chunk

I mean I guess no team needs top prospects to develop because they can find hidden gems...I still think the Hawks need Nylander to become a legit top 6 scoring wing. Just like Dach needs to become a top line center and Boqvist and Mitchell need to develop into top 4 d-men.

You always need to find a couple hidden gems too but the top prospects need to develop. Period.

Sikura is 25 not sure he is going to develop a whole lot more but maybe he does?Does he belong on a playoff caliber roster? NO. I just think he is what he is at this point. Saying he is the Hogs MVP isn't saying much considering their roster and overall team success this year. Brando Pirri was an Icehog MVP.

I like Hagel a lot but I haven't seen any scouting report saying he is anything more than a bottom 6 guy. I'd sit Kampf for Hagel in a heart beat. We know what Kampf is at the NHL level and it isn't anything to write home about.

Hagel is the type of bottom 6 player the Hawks need. Tough to play against, plus speed, and a bit of an offensive threat.

Enough that Sikura would only be a regular if multiple injuries occur next year. I think Sikura is destined to be the Rockford Captain next year.
- LAHawk

He already is captain.

He already is captain.
- Elbows15

Well, one of them is.

In what roll? He has some nice parts to his game but really doesn't excel at anything and brings no size/strength or physicality. I don't see him becoming a shutdown specialist or 4th line guy.

He just seems like a tweener to me. Has he really shown any improvements over the last year in the A?

AEL Fox any input on his progress?
- bhawks2241

I agree with others that Sikura is likely going to have to earn a spot with another team as other prospects are leapfrogging him.

The primary way I see him locking down a spot on the Blackhawks roster next season is if Caggiula is not re-signed, Shaw remains on LTIR, and perhaps even Strome is shipped out as well.

Otherwise, I see Hagel beating him out for a bottom 6 role. Highmore is a lock at this point. And much to my chagrin at least, Kampf is a lock, too.

To me, comparables for Sikura are Paul Byron and David Desharnais. Both slight of build but still effective middle 6 forwards with offensive skill and pushback when it comes to physicality.

Sikura may well turn out exactly as you say, but when he was playing he generated a lot of chances, was one of the most willing forecheckers, and was responsible defensively. He didn't put up many points, but its not like he was useless.
- Chunk

Exactly as you described, Chunk. Yes, many want to see a lot more from him but Sikura actually brings a lot to the ice.

While I think Hagel beats out for a spot, I also think Sikura has it within him to turn the tables and be the one to earn the spot instead.

Tyler last blog was AEL-FOX handing out Rockford awards and Sikura was MVP with a glowing scouting report .So there is that and a good chance the kid takes the next step maybe in the up coming tournament or next season when ever that is . I think Sikura needs to produce points goals !! if he is to stick .Hawks have more efficient 4th line player in the system.
- oldduffman

If Sikura is to earn a role, it will have to be as a 3rd liner who can also do spot duty in the top 6 whenever needed. He's not a 4th liner by virtue of his skill set. And as you mentioned, there are plenty of candidates (better ones at that) to fill out the 4th line.

I like Hagel a lot but I haven't seen any scouting report saying he is anything more than a bottom 6 guy. I'd sit Kampf for Hagel in a heart beat. We know what Kampf is at the NHL level and it isn't anything to write home about.

Hagel is the type of bottom 6 player the Hawks need. Tough to play against, plus speed, and a bit of an offensive threat.
- bhawks2241

I like your outlook on Hagel as it's pretty accurate as you described.

While I love his fearlessness and his keen ability to snuff out pucks, one thing that I do fear about Hagel is that he does play somewhat of a kamikaze style throwing his body around with reckless abandon.

He's not that much bigger than Sikura. If he's not careful, Hagel could head down the path of Shaw and Caggiula amassing injuries and being one hit away from landing on LTIR.

In comparison, Sikura is more elusive while also showing this past season in the AHL that he's not afraid to mix it up physically.

He already is captain.
- Elbows15

His brother was, who I don't think will be resigned by the organ-i-zation next year.

His brother was, who I don't think will be resigned by the organ-i-zation next year.
- LAHawk

Tyler has mentioned this a few times but the Hogs like any other farm club will need veteran leadership. Veterans who are likely gone or are already gone:

Likely Gone:
Brennan, Cramarossa, McCoshen

Already Gone:
Nilsson, Wedin

I would retain Tyler Sikura and keep him as captain. He leads the right way on and off the ice. Before Versteeg joined the team and was named captain then eventually parted ways, Tyler was the top choice to have that role.

The Hogs can also gain veteran experience from career minor leaguers Gagne, (Garrett) Mitchell, and Moutrey. Gagne and Mitchell signed AHL deals to stay with the Hogs so they're coming back.

I love how Moutrey plays. He keeps the other team honest and stands up for his mates.

Dylan Sikura, Quenneville, and Fortin as well as Carlsson and Gilbert could be considered veterans as they would be in at least their 3rd year of pro hockey.

Where are all the posters who were clamoring for him to be a mainstay on one of the middle line to start last year? Claiming he was an NHL player and had proven himself worthy. He is 25 at this point and what you see is what you get. A fringe guy who really doesn't have a role at the NHL level.

He is also nothing like Versteeg and never will be.
- bhawks2241