This is said every year. It seems our top end talent are RFA from Europe and in college. The latest trend is if they have an inkling of NHL talent they go straight to the NHL
- BetweenTheDots

Not really a current trend, guys have been making the jump from the NCAA (or Euro/KHL) to the NHL for a long time. Toews, Kessel, Rob Blake, Brind'Amour, Broten, Keith Tkachuk, etc. List of guys who have gone from NCAA to NHL with little or no minor league time has been around forever. If you can play, you can play.

I see this board has the "Sikura Syndrome". Just give Hagel more ice time/play with Kane, and he will get off the schneid. Maybe if he would not try and go 5 hole on every breakaway and shoot it directly into the goalie's crest, he might have 3 or 4 by now. it isn't because of lack of chances, it is lack of finish.

He is not a top 6 forward. I sure hope JC doesn't plug him in a such.

I am like everyone else on the board, i like the guys grit and hustle, but lets not make him out to be what he is not.
- LAHawk

I think you're on track here. Sikura, unfortunately for him, played on teams where the expectation was to win, and maybe the expectations on him were to be an offensive contributor. Put Sikura on this current club, with the expectations being the same as Hagel, and maybe he would have succeeded.

Not really a current trend, guys have been making the jump from the NCAA (or Euro/KHL) to the NHL for a long time. Toews, Kessel, Rob Blake, Brind'Amour, Broten, Keith Tkachuk, etc. List of guys who have gone from NCAA to NHL with little or no minor league time has been around forever. If you can play, you can play.
- TheTrob

That's true but i was talking about someone like Cat, Jokiharu, Boqvist, guys signed at 18-19 and thrown into the NHL

YES ! absolutely Somebody with Strome's size, should be able to at least "nudge" for positioning in front of the other players. Guys smaller than Strome, on Hawks, watch them ...... they try like hell to at least come from the side and get in front of the opposition. Key is, you have to WANT IT ... to do it !!
- chuckdahammer

He's basically the same size as Toews, but his GAS meter is way lower. Toews fights for every puck. Toews fights for positioning on both offense and defense. Toews fights for faceoffs so his team doesn't start a shift chasing the puck. Why can't Strome?

Looking at that Rockford lineup there is not a whole lot of top end talent coming. There are some future NHL guys, but no-one that projects out to a top 6. Maybe someone surprises.

In terms of Jake Wise, you may want to tap the breaks on any expectations. Not that things can't change, but he is now a Jr. at BU and is a healthy scratch more often than not. Things have not played out as expected with Wise.
- TheTrob

Drag, but thanks for the update.

Your thoughts i echo. So Strome is here only until someone whom can do some of the things he doesn't do....replaces him. I do not know if Barret could step in; however, the replacement might be from a #1 draft choice.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...eleased-from-ahl-pto.html

Looks like it may be the end of the hockey career for Scott Darling.

Some quick hits from the morning (per Ben Pope):

Kevin Lankinen will start for the Blackhawks tonight vs Detroit.

Rest of lineup TBD, Colliton says.

Colliton on where he wants to see Hawks improve vs. Monday:

"It starts on the breakouts: being cleaner with the puck, finding a way to break pressure... [Monday], we turned a lot of pucks over, which allowed them to generate momentum and rush opportunities."

Colliton on Strome: "[He's] not been quite as good lately but I have no problems. He’s trying. The biggest thing for me is keeping his feet moving. That’ll allow him to get pucks back... Guys like Kuby and Hagel can help [Strome] have more possession in the offensive zone."

Kane singles out Kurashev unprompted as a young player who has impressed him.

"He's obviously very skilled but he's been playing some good hockey for us."

Kane on DeBrincat: "You guys see a nice kid who's smiling all the time, but he's really competitive. He's competitive in the gym. Even when we're playing golf, he's always checking the scorecard."

The #IceHogs have released goaltender Scott Darling from his PTO. #AHL #Blackhawks

Rockford now has three goalies: Matt Tomkins, Cale Morris and Tom Aubrun.

I see this board has the "Sikura Syndrome". Just give Hagel more ice time/play with Kane, and he will get off the schneid. Maybe if he would not try and go 5 hole on every breakaway and shoot it directly into the goalie's crest, he might have 3 or 4 by now. it isn't because of lack of chances, it is lack of finish.

He is not a top 6 forward. I sure hope JC doesn't plug him in a such.

I am like everyone else on the board, i like the guys grit and hustle, but lets not make him out to be what he is not.
- LAHawk

I never said he was top 6 talent, just give him sometime with higher end talent so he can get off the Schneid, his all out play has earned him that in my opinion. I don’t want him playing top 6 minutes all the time, just a few shifts in the next 2-3 games.

I'm more impressed in Kurashev 200 foot game, wonder if we are watching our future 3rd line center?
- BetweenTheDots

With you and hoping for the same...as well as hoping Toews comes back to make that more of a possibility.

Some quick hits from the morning (per Ben Pope):

Kevin Lankinen will start for the Blackhawks tonight vs Detroit.

Rest of lineup TBD, Colliton says.

Colliton on where he wants to see Hawks improve vs. Monday:

"It starts on the breakouts: being cleaner with the puck, finding a way to break pressure...
- Chunk[Monday], we turned a lot of pucks over, which allowed them to generate momentum and rush opportunities."

Colliton on Strome: "[He's] not been quite as good lately but I have no problems. He’s trying. The biggest thing for me is keeping his feet moving. That’ll allow him to get pucks back... Guys like Kuby and Hagel can help [Strome] have more possession in the offensive zone."

Kane singles out Kurashev unprompted as a young player who has impressed him.

"He's obviously very skilled but he's been playing some good hockey for us."

Kane on DeBrincat: "You guys see a nice kid who's smiling all the time, but he's really competitive. He's competitive in the gym. Even when we're playing golf, he's always checking the scorecard."

The #IceHogs have released goaltender Scott Darling from his PTO. #AHL #Blackhawks

Rockford now has three goalies: Matt Tomkins, Cale Morris and Tom Aubrun.

I know coach Collie won't admit it, but I believe he put Hagel on Strome's wing to help try and get him going. Think about it ... sure good possibility

He's basically the same size as Toews, but his GAS meter is way lower. Toews fights for every puck. Toews fights for positioning on both offense and defense. Toews fights for faceoffs so his team doesn't start a shift chasing the puck. Why can't Strome?
- tvetter

Good point ! agree with you all the way. Hell, at least if Stromer would put forth some of Toews effort. I do see him at least attempting to skate back defensively and get into position, but since offense is his game, he needs to "get his nose dirty" a lot more

They're still pretty bad at defending and haven't won a lot in regulation.

That being said at least they are entertaining enough to not completely lose your mind watching them.
- fattybeef

The Hawks have given up 51 goals. 20 in the first four games. In the following 13 games they have given up 31 goals; which is 2.38 per game. That's bad defending?

I see this board has the "Sikura Syndrome". Just give Hagel more ice time/play with Kane, and he will get off the schneid. Maybe if he would not try and go 5 hole on every breakaway and shoot it directly into the goalie's crest, he might have 3 or 4 by now. it isn't because of lack of chances, it is lack of finish.

He is not a top 6 forward. I sure hope JC doesn't plug him in a such.

I am like everyone else on the board, i like the guys grit and hustle, but lets not make him out to be what he is not.
- LAHawk

Aggression, being an irritant and trying to make something positive happen always appeals to fans. There is nothing not to like about the kid's effort and he has propelled himself into an NHL job and a jersey every night. Something like the path Shaw took when he came up. But as you say, finishing isn't a strength at this point.

If he could replicate what Zach Hyman does for the Leafs, the Hawks will have a valuable forward at a very manageable price tag.

Hagel is the type of player the Hawks really need. High energy. Great wheels. Tough on the wall. And some offense. Taylor made for that 3rd/4th line role.

I never said he was top 6 talent, just give him sometime with higher end talent so he can get off the Schneid, his all out play has earned him that in my opinion. I don’t want him playing top 6 minutes all the time, just a few shifts in the next 2-3 games.
- Angotti

He could get the most unbelievable pass from Kane and have a wide open net, and he still might bif the shot. So does that now make Kane frustrated because he is now playing with someone that can't finish his play's?. He is just as apt to break the bagel playing where he is as with Kane. He will finish one of those breakaways at some point.

Hagel is the type of player the Hawks really need. High energy. Great wheels. Tough on the wall. And some offense. Taylor made for that 3rd/4th line role.
- z1990z

In my mind Hagel is a guy where any points that he produces is gravy. He generates so many chances that he will be involved in a lot of goals, but not necessarily get any credit for them (points). Board battles, defense, forecheck, forcing turnovers, takeaways, etc. Obviously, everyone wants to see the numbers, but until he does, he is still an extremely valuable player for this team.

In my mind Hagel is a guy where any points that he produces is gravy. He generates so many chances that he will be involved in a lot of goals, but not necessarily get any credit for them (points). Board battles, defense, forecheck, forcing turnovers, takeaways, etc. Obviously, everyone wants to see the numbers, but until he does, he is still an extremely valuable player for this team.
- Chunk

This current team now has an element that was missing the last couple years. The ability to slug it out in the corners. They can also play the fast chip/chase game. Surprisingly they have good balance and appear to be buying in to the JC system. It has been a pleasant surprise. The biggest thing to cheer about has been the goaltending. I did not think it was going to hold up. Lankinen looks to be rounding in to a decent starting net minder.

https://www.bing.com/vide...Zhafyarov%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

https://www.bing.com/vide...Zhafyarov%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

https://www.eliteprospect...er/123117/damir-zhafyarov

Your thoughts i echo. So Strome is here only until someone whom can do some of the things he doesn't do....replaces him. I do not know if Barret could step in; however, the replacement might be from a #1 draft choice.
- jhawk59

Well to offer a positive outlook, he's being exposed this year, playing against top 6 centers and for the most part holding serve?

Some quick hits from the morning (per Ben Pope):

Kevin Lankinen will start for the Blackhawks tonight vs Detroit.

Rest of lineup TBD, Colliton says.

Colliton on where he wants to see Hawks improve vs. Monday:

"It starts on the breakouts: being cleaner with the puck, finding a way to break pressure...
- Chunk[Monday], we turned a lot of pucks over, which allowed them to generate momentum and rush opportunities."

Colliton on Strome: "[He's] not been quite as good lately but I have no problems. He’s trying. The biggest thing for me is keeping his feet moving. That’ll allow him to get pucks back... Guys like Kuby and Hagel can help [Strome] have more possession in the offensive zone."

Kane singles out Kurashev unprompted as a young player who has impressed him.

"He's obviously very skilled but he's been playing some good hockey for us."

Kane on DeBrincat: "You guys see a nice kid who's smiling all the time, but he's really competitive. He's competitive in the gym. Even when we're playing golf, he's always checking the scorecard."

The #IceHogs have released goaltender Scott Darling from his PTO. #AHL #Blackhawks

Rockford now has three goalies: Matt Tomkins, Cale Morris and Tom Aubrun.

That is Colliton in his other Blackhawk role of being Under Secretary for Diplomacy. Q would have just said 'we need more from Strome' or he would have just scratched him regularly while he tried to find a more competitive player.

With his top 2 centers out of the lineup JC has no choice but to put some sunshine and hope on the Strome situation. If those guys were playing, Strome would be watching from the pressbox most nights.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Damir+Zhafyarov&&view=detail&mid=23C1DF6DA44C0F190D0123C1DF6DA44C0F190D01&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DDamir%2BZhafyarov%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

https://www.bing.com/vide...Zhafyarov%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

https://www.eliteprospect...er/123117/damir-zhafyarov
- kmw4631

Hmmmm.

A 5'9ish, 170-180lbish, left-hand shooting, right winger who wears number 88.

According to SE expert Nikolai Lemtyugov, the third KHL scorer, Torpedo forward Damir Zhafyarov received offers from Chicago and Detroit.

“There is information that Zhafyarov is determined to go to North America. He has offers from "Chicago" and "Detroit" - said Lemtyugov on the air on the YouTube channel "SE".

Zhafyarov's contract with the Nizhny Novgorod club ends on April 30 this year. In 54 matches of the KHL regular championship, he scored 58 (20 goals, 38 assists) with a +6 usefulness rating.

In the NHL, the 26-year-old has not been drafted by any club.

2020-21 team NIZHNY NOVGOROD KHL GP54 G20 A38 PTS58 PIM26 +6
- -Doh-

I wonder what many NHL players usefulness rating would be if that were a stat? lol

Aggression, being an irritant and trying to make something positive happen always appeals to fans. There is nothing not to like about the kid's effort and he has propelled himself into an NHL job and a jersey every night. Something like the path Shaw took when he came up. But as you say, finishing isn't a strength at this point.

If he could replicate what Zach Hyman does for the Leafs, the Hawks will have a valuable forward at a very manageable price tag.
- RickJ

You get what you pay for. You get less than an ideal player to get the puck and make a play when Strome and his limitations is involved. What good is it that he has some skills if he can't win the puck. Strome then is here until someone better comes along. Just be careful what we style center is his replacement if we draft a center from a very top heavy rated centers and dmen in the first half of round one 2021 NHL Entry Draft

That is Colliton in his other Blackhawk role of being Under Secretary for Diplomacy. Q would have just said 'we need more from Strome' or he would have just scratched him regularly while he tried to find a more competitive player.

With his top 2 centers out of the lineup JC has no choice but to put some sunshine and hope on the Strome situation. If those guys were playing, Strome would be watching from the pressbox most nights.
- RickJ

If JC had his top two centers, my guess is Soderberg and/or Wallmark wouldn't be on the team. Strome would be the 3C like he was (ultimately) last year.