Justin Lowe: Will He Make the Team: Henri Jokiharju
In the 1st edition of "Will he make the team?", we examine Henri Jokiharju.

By definition of "will he make the team", I'm looking at players, like Henri, and if they will A) be on the Chicago Blackhawks opening night roster and/or B) be called up in the 1st half of the season and make an impact as an everyday player (whether it be in a top or depth role).

MY GUESS..IS...IF NO OTHER ADDITIONS BY STAN... (Damn Caps-lock)...

Jokiharju makes the big club.

And....stays there all year...out of necessity.

MY GUESS..IS...IF NO OTHER ADDITIONS BY STAN... (Damn Caps-lock)...

Jokiharju makes the big club.

And....stays there all year...out of necessity.
- hawk35

You may be right.

There is (I think) still time to make a move for Stan to bring in another D via trade.

There is also the PTO -> NHL contract route as well and I have heard Sbisa's name out there.

I'm very curious to see how Henri plays in the Rookie Tourney and Training Camp. It will be a big indicator of whether he's ready.

Great write up Justin

Great write up Justin
- riozzo

Thanks Riozzo.

What do you think? Henri plays this year or no?

training camp and preseason games will decide his fate.

You may be right.

There is (I think) still time to make a move for Stan to bring in another D via trade.

There is also the PTO -> NHL contract route as well and I have heard Sbisa's name out there.

I'm very curious to see how Henri plays in the Rookie Tourney and Training Camp. It will be a big indicator of whether he's ready.
- Justin Lowe

Have the Hawks announced their roster for the tournament yet? Canes are sending Andrei Svechnikov, Martin Necas, Julien Gauthier, Nicolas Roy, Aleksi Saarela, Michael Fora and Jake Bean.

He may already be the best Right Shot Defense option on the Powerplay after Seabrook. Whether this team is a Playoff Bubble team or a bottom 5 team in the league will primarily depend on the play of 19, 20, 2, + 7 , but also guys like Sikura, Kahun, Jokiharju, and Hayden being solid NHL contributors opposed to AHL level guys playing due to a lack of depth.

Although I have mixed feelings about whether he should develop one more year or get the experience "trial by fire" style in the NHL, my gut feeling is that Jokiharju makes the roster and will be paired up with Manning to have a veteran defensive defenseman protecting him in more ways than one.

Keith - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Manning - Jokiharju
Rutta

Murphy slides to LD if Rutta slots in for either Gustafsson or Manning.

Thanks Riozzo.

What do you think? Henri plays this year or no?
- Justin Lowe

I think so. I believe it will speed his development to play 50+ in the show even if its 3rd pair. Regardless of how good Colton may be, practicing with Keith - Seabs will speed his development up. ~ As long as Keith is not giving shooting tips....

My pick as a surprise player that will have an impact this season (I’m guessing a mid season call up) that will stick and never go back down is Jacob Nilsson.

Justin, this may be a spoiler for your next blog or two, but I have a feeling that Hillman will make the team as well. Like I do about Jokiharju making the team out of camp, I have mixed feelings about Hillman doing the same thinking that he should at least start the year in Rockford then be a call up later once he gets more pro experience at the AHL level. However, another stated in the last blog that Hillman may be this year's TVR (i.e. a prospect who Q loves and will want him in the lineup) and I kinda agree with that perspective.

For the first 9 games, yes. Then he changes the color of his feathers..

Random observation, but of all the recent draft picks not counting Russian prospects like Kayumov and Altybarmakyan who are under KHL contract which precludes them from participating in NHL camps, 2017 draft pick Parker Foo did not attend last month's prospect camp. Was he injured?

Foo is still Hawks property and I don't think they would've given up on him that quickly. I know the Hawks eventually let Roy Radke go, but that was after a few years.

Parker's older brother Spencer plays for the Flames and had a decent debut in the few games he played. Spencer may be a good 3rd liner for the Flames.

Have the Hawks announced their roster for the tournament yet? Canes are sending Andrei Svechnikov, Martin Necas, Julien Gauthier, Nicolas Roy, Aleksi Saarela, Michael Fora and Jake Bean.
- PepinoPamplemousse

I don’t think it’s been announced yet but just heard Colliton say Connor Moynihan will be going to Traverse City and will have a chance to prove himself. Also said he was not involved in the decision to sign him.

Let's be honest - it is a low bar for entry to make this Hawk D squad. Trouble is the prospects and players coming in from slots 4-6 to date have not been decent enough to slot above Murphy, and on this team, with what he has been asked to do, Murphy is no #3 either.

Let's all hope this translates to a possibility anyway. I am just encouraged to hear this guy can actually play defense, and is not 5'8" 165 soaking wet.

Let's be honest - it is a low bar for entry to make this Hawk D squad. Trouble is the prospects and players coming in from slots 4-6 to date have not been decent enough to slot above Murphy, and on this team, with what he has been asked to do, Murphy is no #3 either.

Let's all hope this translates to a possibility anyway. I am just encouraged to hear this guy can actually play defense, and is not 5'8" 165 soaking wet.
- Return of the Roar

Great point. I get the same feeling about other D prospects like Krys, Beaudin, and Mitchell: they're really focusing on strengthening their defensive game so they're not defensive liabilities which will help them remain high on the blueline depth chart.

Then there are purely defensive defensemen like Hillman, Gilbert, and Carlsson. You know they at least prioritize defense first, so the question for them at that point is consistency and compete level. Consistency and compete level are crucial for all prospects no matter what roles they play or what they bring (or don't bring) to the ice in terms of talent.

Great point. I get the same feeling about other D prospects like Krys, Beaudin, and Mitchell: they're really focusing on strengthening their defensive game so they're not defensive liabilities which will help them remain high on the blueline depth chart.
- AEL_Fox

To me, they could have an all world blue line corps top to bottom, but if they don't fix the lack of physical play from the top six to keep the play alive in the O zone and win NZ battles, it is still going to be odd man break-a-palooza.

To me, they could have an all world blue line corps top to bottom, but if they don't fix the lack of physical play from the top six to keep the play alive in the O zone and win NZ battles, it is still going to be odd man break-a-palooza.
- Return of the Roar

No argument here. Agree with your perspective on that.

Justin Lowe: Will He Make the Team: Henri Jokiharju

In the 1st edition of "Will he make the team?", we examine Henri Jokiharju.

By definition of "will he make the team", I'm looking at players, like Henri, and if they will A) be on the Chicago Blackhawks opening night roster and/or B) be called up in the 1st half of the season and make an impact as an everyday player (whether it be in a top or depth role).
- Justin Lowe

I say Jokiharju, Sikrua and Kahun all make the team out of the gate and stick with the big club the entire season (based on good play, not necessity). Hayden and Ejdsell will start the season in Rockford but get called up at some point in the season.

I say Jokiharju, Sikrua and Kahun all make the team out of the gate and stick with the big club the entire season (based on good play, not necessity). Hayden and Ejdsell will start the season in Rockford but get called up at some point in the season.
- DarthKane

I'm thinking similarly with who will make the team and who will be amongst the first call ups as the season rolls along. Putting aside the blueline and in net, as the roster stands today, there are 5 openings at forward:

DeBrincat - Toews - RW
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
LW - Anisimov - RW
Kunitz - Kruger - RW
13th forward

Like you, I think Sikura and Kahun make the team as forwards. IMHO, frontrunners to be in the mix for the other 3 spots would be Hayden, Edjsell, Nilsson, Kampf, Highmore, and Johnson. Possibly Fortin and Martinsen.

Initial guess at a starting lineup if no more trades or signings and all spots need to be filled by youngsters:

DeBrincat - Toews - Sikura
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
Kahun- Anisimov - Kampf
Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden
Martinsen or Nilsson

Yeah, not the best on paper and likely not on the ice either but you never know.

One of the writers at nhlprospectreport.ca wrote an article on Adam Boqvist and it's really good. Definitely worth a read! I could see him and Henri Jokiharju becoming the teams top pair once Keith retires.

Any forwards mention that you heard of that the hawks be looking to bring in on a PTO. Hopefully a center!!!

I say Jokiharju, Sikrua and Kahun all make the team out of the gate and stick with the big club the entire season (based on good play, not necessity). Hayden and Ejdsell will start the season in Rockford but get called up at some point in the season.
- DarthKane

I believe Hayden is on 1 way contract so he be with the big club, might be wrong.

One of the writers at nhlprospectreport.ca wrote an article on Adam Boqvist and it's really good. Definitely worth a read! I could see him and Henri Jokiharju becoming the teams top pair once Keith retires.
- FlamesfaninLA

Nice. I will check it out.

Unlikely those 2 are paired together though... they are both RHD.