Justin Lowe: Hopefully This Team Doesn’t Look Too Similar Next Year The Blackhawks continue their 3-game road trip against Arizona tonight. This is the first of back-to-backs as they are off to Vegas tomorrow.

Great job Justin!

Great job Justin!
- rickboardman

Thanks Rick.

What do you think the Hawks need to do this trade deadline / off-season?

Nice article Justin
Question for you and others , did not see Minny game how did Carl D look on defense? Thanks !

Before they make trades or additions they need to decide on a direction and stick to it. It makes no sense to acquire players and then not play them or play them on their opposite side. This team needs scoring but with young players and different lines combinations nightly, how can they build consistency? They are clearly writing this season off but really need to have a plan before next year.

That's what I think anyway.

I do strongly feel the evidence has become so strong that Bowman must add both size and grit/toughness and checking throughout the lineup. Failure to do so will only set the team back from achieving success.

That being said, Bowman needs a core projection player from this 2018 draft. I would seriously identify the top couple forwards and dmen and try very hard to move up. There is going to be team success first and foremost when we have an offensive line which has some size and skill to complement a Kane line. This two lines both being able to create and sustain pressure will be of greater need and importance than any if our young skill forwards developing into star players.

The team needs a defenceman who will play with an edge so that has to be the course if you draft or (far less likely) trade for such. The team needs a forward who is both tough and skilled. Again much easier to draft than trade for.

Under the auspices of give to get, most likely scenario is to surrender one of our top skill young forwards to obtain the dman or forward from a high draft slot. Where else do you get the pieces we need. It is going to be more than likely drafting than a hockey trade.

My mistake on Ulfie son joining Rockford. He is reportedly on a Pto but I am told still Arizona property. The best of Ulfie sons is in this year's draft btw.

The time to add a core piece is now ftom this draft and not after you get to see Sikura develop for a year. Trade a slill young guy and hope Sikura is the real deal.

I am not sold on Duclair..we need a reliable two way player on top forward lines. Will Duclair sacrifice and play both ways..would mean a lot to his job security.

Q needs less options to work with. 13 forwards and 7 D men, 2 goalies. The less options he has to (frank) around with the better.

Defense definitely needs some help, but i think if the younger forwards can buy-in and properly execute the 5-man defense system/rotation, then you probably get by with a similar looking D corps next season.

how did Dahlstrom look? I missed the game.

Thanks Rick.

What do you think the Hawks need to do this trade deadline / off-season?
- Justin Lowe

I do not think he is projected to be more than a third pair if he can stick. Being non physical means he has to be extremely good. While he did garner an AHL all star berth, he will be one of many to challenge for a third pair job. Some of those type are here now and some if not each of them gets moved by latest this off season. Gustafsson may be among the cast offs and you know Kempny goes

But if Dahlstrom gets a few NHL games, maybe we are surprised how good he is. I would bet AGAINST that. Has very good size but plays like a pacifist.

Before they make trades or additions they need to decide on a direction and stick to it. It makes no sense to acquire players and then not play them or play them on their opposite side. This team needs scoring but with young players and different lines combinations nightly, how can they build consistency? They are clearly writing this season off but really need to have a plan before next year.

That's what I think anyway.
- rickboardman

I second that opinion. Q MOST ASSUREDLY will be gone. If Bowman does not add toughness and grit throughout lineup then we have perhaps an even worse season.

Q needs less options to work with. 13 forwards and 7 D men, 2 goalies. The less options he has to (frank) around with the better.

Defense definitely needs some help, but i think if the younger forwards can buy-in and properly execute the 5-man defense system/rotation, then you probably get by with a similar looking D corps next season.

how did Dahlstrom look? I missed the game.
- BlazinMike

He looked like Klefbom. Big Swedish defenceman who doesn't hit.

I do strongly feel the evidence has become so strong that Bowman must add both size and grit/toughness and checking throughout the lineup. Failure to do so will only set the team back from achieving success.


- jhawk59

What evidence? It's not like we were losing games because we were being outmuscled. We are losing game s because we give up high danger chances and can't score to put teams away when it matters (and no Crawford). "Grit" doens'tt get you much. Hartman, Bouma, Wingels, and Hayden all have "grit." Hayden and Hartman also happen to have offensive skills which is what you really need. Sure, size is nice, but it's not making or breaking anyone in the league. Speed is.

the 2018-2019 season has to start with bowman being gone. who in their right mind would trust the guy who authored the seabrook contract to be able to make any sane hockey personnel decision? this is also the guy who gained contract certainty with third pairing, AT BEST, d-man connor murphy. contract certainty at almost $4 million a year, which is generally enough to pay for the entire third pairing. if you know anything about hockey and you are viewing the hawks d-man situation through rational eyes you know that, again AT BEST, seabrook and murphy are both third pairing d-men. that is in the neighborhood of $10 million invested in long term contracts on the third d-man pairing. and both of them are lousy skaters. how does that work in today's nhl when even fourth line forwards can skate well?

What evidence? It's not like we were losing games because we were being outmuscled. We are losing game s because we give up high danger chances and can't score to put teams away when it matters (and no Crawford). "Grit" doens'tt get you much. Hartman, Bouma, Wingels, and Hayden all have "grit." Hayden and Hartman also happen to have offensive skills which is what you really need. Sure, size is nice, but it's not making or breaking anyone in the league. Speed is.
- JRoenick97

The only 4 who will drive to the net. Hayden is in Rockford and Hartman and Wingels get rag dolled when they go in that area.

What evidence? It's not like we were losing games because we were being outmuscled. We are losing game s because we give up high danger chances and can't score to put teams away when it matters (and no Crawford). "Grit" doens'tt get you much. Hartman, Bouma, Wingels, and Hayden all have "grit." Hayden and Hartman also happen to have offensive skills which is what you really need. Sure, size is nice, but it's not making or breaking anyone in the league. Speed is.
- JRoenick97

I agree with this. But I feel one of the top two offensive lines needs one newbie who is going to bring a consistent checking and toughness. Hartman is ideal for third line and if he is tuned in with a new coach, he can be moved to a top line for a few shifts or few games. The size thing is more about being able to dominate or control the boards. As far as defense, I do not want two non aggressive defensemen paired. We liked Rutta ability early in season. So did Q. But as he regressed he also coincidently often was paired with Forsling. We need at minimum two regulars whom have this toughness. One a forward, the other a dman. And we need both Toews and Seabrook to be humbled and accept a compliance buyout. It happens after one more year..Neither Seabrook going to improve his skating with incredible off season training nor is Toews wanting or willing to bulk up much in the future.

He looked like Klefbom. Big Swedish defenceman who doesn't hit.
- 67hawks

I don't know why but i, for the longest time, thought Klefbom was Russian for some reason.

Yes this team needs defense but i think we need a couple of centers maybe a number 1 and down3 drop #19 in the second slot.

The only 4 who will drive to the net. Hayden is in Rockford and Hartman and Wingels get rag dolled when they go in that area.
- 67hawks

Anisimov drives the net and parks in it quite often. Teams that win the cup aren't big, gritty teams. Tampa is dominating right now and they aren't big or gritty. Sure, a good sized winger to drive the net is never a bad thing, but that's not even scratching the surface of what this team needs. This team needs a top 4 d-man (or 2 even). A good defensive d-man to keep guys to the outside. Oesterle isn't it, Keith isn't that style d-man. Hammer was, Murphy is, but needs to get consistent. Seabrook is... something. We need a guy who can do what Seabs used to.

the 2018-2019 season has to start with bowman being gone. who in their right mind would trust the guy who authored the seabrook contract to be able to make any sane hockey personnel decision? this is also the guy who gained contract certainty with third pairing, AT BEST, d-man connor murphy. contract certainty at almost $4 million a year, which is generally enough to pay for the entire third pairing. if you know anything about hockey and you are viewing the hawks d-man situation through rational eyes you know that, again AT BEST, seabrook and murphy are both third pairing d-men. that is in the neighborhood of $10 million invested in long term contracts on the third d-man pairing. and both of them are lousy skaters. how does that work in today's nhl when even fourth line forwards can skate well?
- hawks29

I cannot say you are wrong about Bowman and certainly he has enough mistakes to not warrant returning. Do you think McDonough stays with him and just points to the collapse of the team was inevitable. I would not be surprised if Bowman drafts well. Very "iffy" on trading. He has hopefully seen enough to know what he has to do to improve the team.

the 2018-2019 season has to start with bowman being gone. who in their right mind would trust the guy who authored the seabrook contract to be able to make any sane hockey personnel decision? this is also the guy who gained contract certainty with third pairing, AT BEST, d-man connor murphy. contract certainty at almost $4 million a year, which is generally enough to pay for the entire third pairing. if you know anything about hockey and you are viewing the hawks d-man situation through rational eyes you know that, again AT BEST, seabrook and murphy are both third pairing d-men. that is in the neighborhood of $10 million invested in long term contracts on the third d-man pairing. and both of them are lousy skaters. how does that work in today's nhl when even fourth line forwards can skate well?
- hawks29

You beat me to it - I was going to ask Justin what he saw in Connor Murphy that I don't. He's OK - playing on the 3rd pairing. I would move him at the TDL if the return was 'reasonable' , whatever that is. A 2nd round pick from an EC team would do it for me.

Anisimov drives the net and parks in it quite often. Teams that win the cup aren't big, gritty teams. Tampa is dominating right now and they aren't big or gritty. Sure, a good sized winger to drive the net is never a bad thing, but that's not even scratching the surface of what this team needs. This team needs a top 4 d-man (or 2 even). A good defensive d-man to keep guys to the outside. Oesterle isn't it, Keith isn't that style d-man. Hammer was, Murphy is, but needs to get consistent. Seabrook is... something. We need a guy who can do what Seabs used to.
- JRoenick97

Yeah you're right BUT we just do not have barely anyone who had grit or checks hard. Would like just one big size wing.

About AA: I like what he brings. But does a team probably two years away from playoff contention trade an asset now while AA has higher value. Two years from today his skating might be a hindrance to playing a lot.

About Hjalmarsson: it is a valid concern how well he holds up to to his style of play. I sort of understood that trade but due to skating I just envision Murphy as the tough takes care of rough stuff third pair.

I see that the Icehogs have signed Henrik Samuelsson (Ulf's son) to a PTO. Big forward and a former first round pick.
I wonder if this is a Hawks back door look at a potential winger with a bit of snarl to his game.

I see that the Icehogs have signed Henrik Samuelsson (Ulf's son) to a PTO. Big forward and a former first round pick.
I wonder if this is a Hawks back door look at a potential winger with a bit of snarl to his game.
- 67hawks

Reportedly just on loan from Phoenix though technically it was a PTO he signed.

We complain about our dismal team performance being linked to poor production from our core.
Interestingly when Crosby scored his 400th the other night, it was only his first goal in 11 games (according to Tracey Mayers tweet) yet Pittsburgh keeps winning.

Yeah you're right BUT we just do not have barely anyone who had grit or checks hard. Would like just one big size wing.

About AA: I like what he brings. But does a team probably two years away from playoff contention trade an asset now while AA has higher value. Two years from today his skating might be a hindrance to playing a lot.

About Hjalmarsson: it is a valid concern how well he holds up to to his style of play. I sort of understood that trade but due to skating I just envision Murphy as the tough takes care of rough stuff third pair.
- jhawk59

I agree on AA and Hammer. Hammers game style is likely going to lead to a Seabs like decline. AA is 29 now, so moving him makes sense. We just need some d-cor help with a little bit of snarl behind them, Maybe a power forward style player, unless Hayden can develop his skills to a top 6 kinda guy.

If I were Bowman I'd be wheeling and dealing anyone not named Kane, Keith, Schmaltz, Saad for picks and prospects.

Duclair still has a ton of name value to people who remember his mini-streak with NYR and decent season with ARI years ago. He has his moments but it might be a good chance to sell high on him.

Too many 'potential' players on this team. Oesterle, Forsling, Hinostroza, Kempny, Duclair, Hayden, Hartman. None have solidified an everyday spot, few would play on the 2013 roster.

Then there's the in-betweeners: Ruutta, Wingels, Bouma, Kampf, Murphy. These guys are all mostly past the age of development, and are about replacement level players. None of them can buy a goal.

You know a team is bad when Patrick Kane is snake-bitten for more than a handful of games. The team has no goalie, no Power Play, no #1 center, and no shutdown pairing. The first two are fixable with a Crawford return and new PP coach. The #1 center and shutdown pairing require actual roster moves.

This team reminds me of the 2011 team that lost to Vancouver: Skille, Dowell, Pisani, Stalberg, Hendry, Boynton... too many bums. Even that team still had a ton of depth compared to this one.