Merry Christmas you weirdos.

I imagine being right around the top hundred ppg scorers is worth something the past 2 years, we'll soon find out

The funny thing is the agent knows they have cap room, they know the #3 pick is out. They just signed a 35 year old center. The agent just finished his 4.8 deal for Cirelli who scored less points per game, so...
- BetweenTheDots

Cirelli brings a whole more to the game than Strome. I am fine with Stan playing hardball with Strome. Strome is one dimensional and that dimension shows up far to infrequently.

who is this #10 guy QBing the Bears?

Best move Nagy made was giving up playcalling duties. Lazor calls a good game. Injuries may have helped them find an O-line. Whitehair has always been better at guard. Mustipher and Bars have history together and it shows. Ifredi has been far better at tackle than guard and Leino is playing like the guy who earned his contract again.

I imagine being right around the top hundred ppg scorers is worth something the past 2 years, we'll soon find out

The funny thing is the agent knows they have cap room, they know the #3 pick is out. They just signed a 35 year old center. The agent just finished his 4.8 deal for Cirelli who scored less points per game, so...
- BetweenTheDots

I don't like comparing a reliable two way player with good wheels like Cirelli to Strome . Cirelli is a great player, can kills penalties, play pp, can play wing or center, can skate and has a pulse. He is worth his contract whereas I have not seen any of this from Strome this past season, just the occasional nice set up. I wish he could lite it up since I own him in my keeper, lol but honestly he frustrates me.

Cirelli brings a whole more to the game than Strome. I am fine with Stan playing hardball with Strome. Strome is one dimensional and that dimension shows up far to infrequently.
- Elbows15

You nailed it, this is pretty much the way it is. The big concern is if Debrincat can bounce back with a big year, almost seems like Strome brought him down last year. For whatever reason The Cat was fanning on too many one timers he buried the previousl year. Hopefully he scores 40 again.

You nailed it, this is pretty much the way it is. The big concern is if Debrincat can bounce back with a big year, almost seems like Strome brought him down last year. For whatever reason The Cat was fanning on too many one timers he buried the previousl year. Hopefully he scores 40 again.
- joegreif17

Isn't Kubalik one dimensional? Isn't Debrincat? You guys are making arguments for an organization that pays 1 dimensional players well

who is this #10 guy QBing the Bears?

Best move Nagy made was giving up playcalling duties. Lazor calls a good game. Injuries may have helped them find an O-line. Whitehair has always been better at guard. Mustipher and Bars have history together and it shows. Ifredi has been far better at tackle than guard and Leino is playing like the guy who earned his contract again.
- Elbows15

Nice game by the oline, 32 and 10. It's not the prettiest but 4 games in a row over 30 points. Since Coward was replaced is been a pleasure to watch them. Tough game next week since we can't count on our defensive playcaller

Just a reminder of last year's opening night lineup (by position by TOI)

Crow (gone)

Dmen
Gus (26 minutes - gone)
Keith
Maatta (gone)
Seabs (???)
Gilbert (may not see ice in NHL this year)
K4 (gone)

Forwards
Toews
Kane
Strome
ADB
Nylander (LTIR)
Shaw (???)
Kubalik (14 minutes)
Kampf
Saad (gone)
Caggiula (gone)
Carp (10 minutes)
Smith (???)

I do not see our opening night lineup this year being worse, with the exception of in goal.

Isn't Kubalik one dimensional? Isn't Debrincat? You guys are making arguments for an organization that pays 1 dimensional players well
- BetweenTheDots

Although Kubalik is not great in all zones, I do not think he is one dimensional. He played a good part of the year on a weak 3rd line as a rookie. He was a plus 2 and improved in all zones as the year went on. I would expect him to improve a little in our zone this week, especially if he plays on Toews line. I would like to see a healthy Shaw with Toews and Kubalik. It would be a pretty good 200' line.

Although Kubalik is not great in all zones, I do not think he is one dimensional. He played a good part of the year on a weak 3rd line as a rookie. He was a plus 2 and improved in all zones as the year went on. I would expect him to improve a little in our zone this week, especially if he plays on Toews line. I would like to see a healthy Shaw with Toews and Kubalik. It would be a pretty good 200' line.
- -Doh-

Agree, Kubalik is generally reliable in all zones as in he won't kill you defensively. Yet, he could prove to impact the game more when the puck isn't on his blade so he can be more of a force at all times.

Agree, Kubalik is generally reliable in all zones as in he won't kill you defensively. Yet, he could prove to impact the game more when the puck isn't on his blade so he can be more of a force at all times.
- Theo Fox

I guess i don't see the same thing. His eye hand coordination is amazing, pretty good passer especially in the o zone, but defensively....

Goalie prospect tidbits:

Dominic Basse seems to have supplanted Colorado College starter Matt Vernon (son of Flames great Mike Vernon). In 5 starts and one relief appearence: 2-2-1, 2.21, .914. Not bad for a freshman.

Tom Aubrun is getting his first pro start in Indy today. He's on an AHL deal as a free agent signee (NCAA-D3). Basse was drafted in 2019.

The Rockford goalies will likely be one of Kevin Lankinen or Matt Tomkins as starter and Cale Morris as backup.

I guess i don't see the same thing. His eye hand coordination is amazing, pretty good passer especially in the o zone, but defensively....
- BetweenTheDots

Kubalik is no defensive rock but I don't see him as a major liability either. He definitely could get stronger in his own end.

Although Kubalik is not great in all zones, I do not think he is one dimensional. He played a good part of the year on a weak 3rd line as a rookie. He was a plus 2 and improved in all zones as the year went on. I would expect him to improve a little in our zone this week, especially if he plays on Toews line. I would like to see a healthy Shaw with Toews and Kubalik. It would be a pretty good 200' line.
- -Doh-

Wasn’t Saad on the third line to start last year also? I also specifically remember JC putting Kubalik with Toews early in the year and it was a disaster. Also, this board went apoplectic that JC broke up Kampf, Saad, Kubalik because at the beginning of the year they were our best line.

Kubalik is no defensive rock but I don't see him as a major liability either. He definitely could get stronger in his own end.
- Theo Fox

The way the Hawks have played defensively the last couple of years, I don’t think you can say any player is reliable defensively, except for the goalies.

I would like to see Wallmark supplant Kampf so I love that idea of having Toews, Dach, Strome, and Wallmark down the middle.

Wallmark has more offensive jam than Kampf and is more versatile and intelligent to play PP2 if needed.

Both Wallmark and Kampf will be free agents this summer.

Another option at 4C after this season is Entwistle. He should be NHL ready next year. Entwistle centering a line with Highmore and Hagel would be killer.

Hagel does have the potential to play higher, though, say 3rd line with spot duty on the 2nd.
- Theo Fox

Where do you get this idea that Walmark is so good offensively? He's better than Kampf for sure but he's hardly shown to be worthy of pp2 time. He's a journeyman NHL player. Slow as (frank) too

Where do you get this idea that Walmark is so good offensively? He's better than Kampf for sure but he's hardly shown to be worthy of pp2 time. He's a journeyman NHL player. Slow as (frank) too
- GPHawksfan

Scouting reports, commentary from his past coaches, and observation. He's still young in his NHL career so he has time to reach new levels.

Maybe he never reaches them and is on par or slightly better with Kampf. I'm fine if thats his water level but bonus if he becomes more.

Panthers sign Darling to a PTO.

Panthers sign Darling to a PTO.
- Theo Fox

That’s good for Darling, hopefully he can land on Florida’s taxi squad.

The Blues signed Hoffman to a PTO.

The Blues signed Hoffman to a PTO.
- DarthKane

Must still be working on a contract. Feels weird that I don t care as much what St. Louis does cause they aren’t in the Hawks division..

Although I doubt he is ready yet and would even get invited to training camp but Teply would be a good option to consider on Kane's opposite wing. Teply is a rightie and a volume shooter with underrated playmaking ability.
- Theo Fox

Can he get to the middle of the ice because I see DeBrinkat and Kane getting ridden outside against good teams?

TRADE

To Ottawa
- Paquette
- Coburn
- 2nd round pick (2022)

To Tampa Bay
- Gaborik
- Nilsson

You nailed it, this is pretty much the way it is. The big concern is if Debrincat can bounce back with a big year, almost seems like Strome brought him down last year. For whatever reason The Cat was fanning on too many one timers he buried the previousl year. Hopefully he scores 40 again.
- joegreif17

Don't feed his ego...

Isn't Kubalik one dimensional? Isn't Debrincat? You guys are making arguments for an organization that pays 1 dimensional players well
- BetweenTheDots

Not really.