Trade to Detroit?
- powerenforcer

$900k.

It appears to me that the Hawks are maxing out their abilities. That's a good thing - says good things about the coach and the attitude/work ethic of the players. It might also be a bad thing - it means they might not have another gear. Other teams will have another gear.

I think there will be a wall soon for the kids, and I'm curious to see how the kids respond.
- mohel

Very good point Mo. The Hawks are unlikely to have that gear especially without Toews, Dach and with such a young defense corps. Without experience to draw on can the Hagels, Kurashevs, Sutters, Mitchell’s, Beaudins and Boqvists figure out how to find it? And will Hawk fans be able to take a deep breath and understand if or when they can’t.

Very good point Mo. The Hawks are unlikely to have that gear especially without Toews, Dach and with such a young defense corps. Without experience to draw on can the Hagels, Kurashevs, Sutters, Mitchell’s, Beaudins and Boqvists figure out how to find it? And will Hawk fans be able to take a deep breath and understand if or when they can’t.
- paulr

That's rhetorical right?

Just wondering why Kubalik is not on the first pp unit? He seems to get the last 40 seconds or so of each pp. He is imo the teams most legit sniper besides the obvious Kane. He racks up decent points and plays only 13 mins a game. Just my opinion. I think he needs to play with a strong playmaker because he can finish better than anyone on the team.

Just wondering why Kubalik is not on the first pp unit? He seems to get the last 40 seconds or so of each pp. He is imo the teams most legit sniper besides the obvious Kane. He racks up decent points and plays only 13 mins a game. Just my opinion. I think he needs to play with a strong playmaker because he can finish better than anyone on the team.
- joegreif17

DeBrincat may edge him out there, but he’s really good no doubt.

The way this team is playing with their compete and work ethic, Nylander can be expendable for sure. If he returns, he was compete or be gone. Nylnader's body of work away from the puck is like the total opposite of Hagel. Careful who we get rid of, until health issues with Toews and Dach are cleared up. Another key this year is the play of the third and fourth line. We don't even have key players from the top six, but doing ok, because the drop off between the lines is not that much. Anybody know how Jokiharju has been in Buffalo ? I know some people that still complain about him being gone, but geeez, there are so many defensemen in the stable, don't think it matters

DeBrincat may edge him out there, but he’s really good no doubt.
- Ogilthorpe2

I agree but Debrincat took last year off for some reason and Kubalik was the big sniper. Glad to see the Cat back on track but Kubalik should be on the first pp unit whether it be on rw or on the point.

Just wondering why Kubalik is not on the first pp unit? He seems to get the last 40 seconds or so of each pp. He is imo the teams most legit sniper besides the obvious Kane. He racks up decent points and plays only 13 mins a game. Just my opinion. I think he needs to play with a strong playmaker because he can finish better than anyone on the team.
- joegreif17

I would guess that it is because Kane usually likes that spot on the right. They've also found a few more guys that can distribute the puck to him on that side, so you don't need Kane and Kubalik on the same unit. End of the day it doesn't really matter too much. Both units have been generating and producing points quite well.

The way this team is playing with their compete and work ethic, Nylander can be expendable for sure. If he returns, he was compete or be gone. Nylnader's body of work away from the puck is like the total opposite of Hagel. Careful who we get rid of, until health issues with Toews and Dach are cleared up. Another key this year is the play of the third and fourth line. We don't even have key players from the top six, but doing ok, because the drop off between the lines is not that much. Anybody know how Jokiharju has been in Buffalo ? I know some people that still complain about him being gone, but geeez, there are so many defensemen in the stable, don't think it matters
- chuckdahammer

I would be really concerned about Nylander. He has skill for sure but at his age he still lacks consistency, is not strong on the forecheck, does not take the body and I feel he is on the soft side and the potential for injury has to be considered. He is cap friendly at .863 but that is all he is worth.

The way this team is playing with their compete and work ethic, Nylander can be expendable for sure. If he returns, he was compete or be gone. Nylnader's body of work away from the puck is like the total opposite of Hagel. Careful who we get rid of, until health issues with Toews and Dach are cleared up. Another key this year is the play of the third and fourth line. We don't even have key players from the top six, but doing ok, because the drop off between the lines is not that much. Anybody know how Jokiharju has been in Buffalo ? I know some people that still complain about him being gone, but geeez, there are so many defensemen in the stable, don't think it matters
- chuckdahammer

He's been about the same as he was here. He's playing 2nd pair with decent results. He's kind of like Murphy lite. He is pretty solid defensively, but doesn't do much for the offense. He still gets a little squirrelly under a heavy forecheck (like most younger d-men do). I maintain that the Hawks dealt from a position of depth (if not strength) for a possible top six lottery ticket. I don't think it is as big of a loss as some say.

I would be really concerned about Nylander. He has skill for sure but at his age he still lacks consistency, is not strong on the forecheck, does not take the body and I feel he is on the soft side and the potential for injury has to be considered. He is cap friendly at .863 but that is all he is worth.
- joegreif17

It's a darn shame because he has size and very good hands. He just can't seem to put it all together.

I would guess that it is because Kane usually likes that spot on the right. They've also found a few more guys that can distribute the puck to him on that side, so you don't need Kane and Kubalik on the same unit. End of the day it doesn't really matter too much. Both units have been generating and producing points quite well.
- Chunk

Yes, there is nobody taking Kane's spot, lol. Kubalik could be used at the right point on the pp though. He is a natural sniper. I have really enjoyed watching the Hawks the last couple weeks. Lankinen seems to have lit a fire under Subban, good news.

Yes, there is nobody taking Kane's spot, lol. Kubalik could be used at the right point on the pp though. He is a natural sniper. I have really enjoyed watching the Hawks the last couple weeks. Lankinen seems to have lit a fire under Subban, good news.
- joegreif17

It seems as though the Hawks are using more of a 1-3-1 set-up. That right "point" on both units kind of plays down the wall a bit. It seems to create more seams and movement. It does leave the d-man a bit vulnerable, but they have been pretty good at rotating and getting back if needed.

It's a darn shame because he has size and very good hands. He just can't seem to put it all together.
- Chunk

Agreed, how long can you wait? It would be heartbreaking to trade him or let him walk and have him break out somewhere else. It happens. Sometimes it is a blessing to not be able to trade a guy or get rid of him. Example, Vegas tried so hard to mover Fleury and right now it looks like he is stealing it and has to be considered a Vezina candidate at this point of the season. Edmonton, Montreal waived Dubnyk years ago and he became a top sensational goalie for Minnesota, you never know.

It seems as though the Hawks are using more of a 1-3-1 set-up. That right "point" on both units kind of plays down the wall a bit. It seems to create more seams and movement. It does leave the d-man a bit vulnerable, but they have been pretty good at rotating and getting back if needed.
- Chunk

They are playing way beyond the expectations I had for them after losing Toews and Dach. No goalie in site at the time and all of a sudden Lankinen comes on strong, the addition if Janmark and Soderstrom are great, Suter looks like he belongs. Hey, not bad and for us fans great exciting games.

He's been about the same as he was here. He's playing 2nd pair with decent results. He's kind of like Murphy lite. He is pretty solid defensively, but doesn't do much for the offense. He still gets a little squirrelly under a heavy forecheck (like most younger d-men do). I maintain that the Hawks dealt from a position of depth (if not strength) for a possible top six lottery ticket. I don't think it is as big of a loss as some say.
- Chunk

Agree and on your other comment, I say give him one more kick at the can in case he can figure it out. He's an RFA out with an injury so his next deal should be pretty cheap.

Very good point Mo. The Hawks are unlikely to have that gear especially without Toews, Dach and with such a young defense corps. Without experience to draw on can the Hagels, Kurashevs, Sutters, Mitchell’s, Beaudins and Boqvists figure out how to find it? And will Hawk fans be able to take a deep breath and understand if or when they can’t.
- paulr

Negatory on that!

Agree and on your other comment, I say give him one more kick at the can in case he can figure it out. He's an RFA out with an injury so his next deal should be pretty cheap.
- HawkintheD

It is really weird. I'm completely apathetic about Nylander right now. I don't care at all if they resign him, trade him or let him walk for nothing (and I hate losing assets!).

He just is kind of there right now. I was in hopeful anticipation of what he could bring this year considering he got benched in the Vegas series and I thought he would come back with a chip on his shoulder. Now we just have so many guys that bring it almost every shift that it doesn't really matter... even though it really does.

Might be the funniest follow up tweet I've seen.

Blackhawks doing some special teams practice now.

PP1: Beaudin, DeBrincat, Kane, Strome and Boqvist (!) in the middle of the 1-3-1 in Shaw's old spot

PP2: Keith, Kurashev, Kubalik, Suter, Janmark

Follow up:

Boqvist could just be a meaningless practice fill-in, it must be said.
- Chunk

Get the big "Z" and his fat butt in the middle on the PP!

Boy, JC is so out of his league.

Get the big "Z" and his fat butt in the middle on the PP!

Boy, JC is so out of his league.
- Rota's Rooter

JC actually said before the season that he wanted to get Z on the ice during 6 on 5 and plant him in front.

It is really weird. I'm completely apathetic about Nylander right now. I don't care at all if they resign him, trade him or let him walk for nothing (and I hate losing assets!).

He just is kind of there right now. I was in hopeful anticipation of what he could bring this year considering he got benched in the Vegas series and I thought he would come back with a chip on his shoulder. Now we just have so many guys that bring it almost every shift that it doesn't really matter... even though it really does.
- Chunk

Not defending his overall compete level but it did come out he was injured in the Vegas series.

I would be really concerned about Nylander. He has skill for sure but at his age he still lacks consistency, is not strong on the forecheck, does not take the body and I feel he is on the soft side and the potential for injury has to be considered. He is cap friendly at .863 but that is all he is worth.
- joegreif17

No need to be concerned about Nylander. He’s an afterthought at this point. Not likely to ever materialize into anything of value, and if he does, it’s just a bonus.

Agreed, how long can you wait? It would be heartbreaking to trade him or let him walk and have him break out somewhere else. It happens. Sometimes it is a blessing to not be able to trade a guy or get rid of him. Example, Vegas tried so hard to mover Fleury and right now it looks like he is stealing it and has to be considered a Vezina candidate at this point of the season. Edmonton, Montreal waived Dubnyk years ago and he became a top sensational goalie for Minnesota, you never know.
- joegreif17

GOOD POINTS !!!!

It appears to me that the Hawks are maxing out their abilities. That's a good thing - says good things about the coach and the attitude/work ethic of the players. It might also be a bad thing - it means they might not have another gear. Other teams will have another gear.

I think there will be a wall soon for the kids, and I'm curious to see how the kids respond.
- mohel

I also think that the young ones will hit a wall, but probably at different intervals.

De Haan and Hagel not practicing today for maintenance reasons.

Didn't think I'd see that news this year (re: Hagel).
- Chunk

Not sure it was mentioned here, but De Haan played a good game last night, I thought he was our steadiest defenseman. Mitchell also had a decent game, but Keith did not, too many tricky passes that were not going to get them out of trouble in their own zone.