Justin Lowe: Will He Make the Team: Luke Johnson So far, it’s been nothing but sunshine and rainbows in this series. I have EVERYONE making the Hawks next year.

Well, let’s add a little controversy into that by evaluating soon-to-be 24-year old, Luke Johnson.

FIRST !

I checked out his fights on youtube. I would suggest that he take that aspect out of his game in the NHL.

So when did "Fighting Sioux" morph into "Fighting Hawks"?

So when did "Fighting Sioux" morph into "Fighting Hawks"?
- Beaver-Warrior

2-3 years ago UND changed their name.

It's hard to comment on a player sight unseen. From your description it sounds like he may have the same challenge to make the team as Highmore, Kampf and Kahun - they're somewhat redundant. Maybe Johnson is a little more feisty than the other three and that should be an advantage for him. So, like my comment on Highmore - I doubt more than two of those guys are on the Hawks at any one time.

Justin Lowe: Will He Make the Team: Luke Johnson
So far, it’s been nothing but sunshine and rainbows in this series. I have EVERYONE making the Hawks next year.

Well, let’s add a little controversy into that by evaluating soon-to-be 24-year old, Luke Johnson.
- Justin Lowe

As usual JL, great blog!

However, I will respectfully disagree and state that Johnson will make the team out of training camp. As I mentioned in the message board of the previous blog, this team needs quality defensive-minded bottom 6 forwards - enter Luke Johnson. Hopefully Kruger's health is 100%, but if not then the case for Johnson only gets stronger.

Plus, and most importantly of all, Johnson (along with Hayden) is a by-product of the Frolik trade with Winnipeg so that makes him all the more awesome.

Johnson makes the team.

Fighting Hawks was selected Nov 2015...was put into play in 2016. As a lifelong Sioux fan (no F'n Hawks for me) I'm really hoping LJ gets his shot this year. He was a catalyst for us during his 3 years, and would think he'd do the same for Chicago. Like the article said, if he doesn't make the team out of camp he'll be up sometime during the year.

I agree 100%. I think he is a good prospect who probably hasn't reached his chance yet. My expectation is that he won't be read to play ahead of Kruger or Kampf.

Could be a similar arc to Danault or Crow where he bides his time in Rockford and comes out a legitimately NHL ready player they don't need to have "learn on the job".

Fighting Hawks was selected Nov 2015...was put into play in 2016. As a lifelong Sioux fan (no F'n Hawks for me) I'm really hoping LJ gets his shot this year. He was a catalyst for us during his 3 years, and would think he'd do the same for Chicago. Like the article said, if he doesn't make the team out of camp he'll be up sometime during the year.
- Sojudaddy

Isn't Sioux, Pawnee for enemy? So from that tack it makes sense to change the name.

if he makes the team we are even worse then what I was thinking. NHL players tend to dominate at lower levels and while I think he is a solid AHL player. He did not dominate in college or the AHL. IMO. He also does not seem to have a NHL skill that is AVG or above. Effort is not really a skill. Debrinct has a NHL above AVG shot, Nick has speed and passing. ETC.

A rare Seabrook interview on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast (w/Bissonette aka Biz Nasty). Starts at around 47:00.

https://itunes.apple.com/...5552?i=1000418852561&mt=2

Didn't realize how deep that 2003 draft was.

Not exactly an intimidating lineup is it?

I think Crawford goes on LTIR day one. It's going to be Ward and the Rockford Shuffle for the #2 goalie.

I have not seen Luke Johnson play, so can't really make a fair assessment. But I think if Krueger is healthy and maybe Kahun can play some center, he probably won't make the team ... but not for lack of talent but quite simply, the "numbers game". He does sound a bit like former Hawk, Dave Bolland. That third line is so over looked to the success of a team. Hawks had great third line at one time of Bolland - Ladd - Versteeg and the last cup team had a third line of Vermette - Sharp - Terraveinen. A good third line could be a top line on a bad team

we are gunning for Hughs, that Forward lineup only has 6 guys that would foe sure make a Stanley cup contender.

I have not seen Luke Johnson play, so can't really make a fair assessment. But I think if Krueger is healthy and maybe Kahun can play some center, he probably won't make the team ... but not for lack of talent but quite simply, the "numbers game". He does sound a bit like former Hawk, Dave Bolland. That third line is so over looked to the success of a team. Hawks had great third line at one time of Bolland - Ladd - Versteeg and the last cup team had a third line of Vermette - Sharp - Terraveinen. A good third line could be a top line on a bad team
- chuckdahammer

I mentioned in the previous blog that the third line seems to be questionable for me. At least 5 of the top 6 forwards are set. The 4th line is ok too with at least Kruger and Kampf, Kunitz would be fine too but it would be great to see Johnson make the team and Kunitz fill out the roster as the 13th forward.

I'm expecting AA to centre the 3rd line, if he doesn't that makes the situation worse. There's not a lot of NHL experience available to play wing on that line. I think guys like Kahun, Sikura, Hayden are options. Likely one of those three fills the vacancy in the top 6. Q might (and likely will) even rotate some of these guys in the top 6. We all know the importance of depth and a solid 3rd line. I wonder that Stan's plan will be if Kahun-Anisimov-Sikura/Hayden can't cut the mustard?

I think hawks should go another direction and take a bad player/salary Dump like Bickell ETC and get a good player as part of the package, has to be 1 year deals is the problem. They could really take 2. one now to get close to the cap and one after season open and Craw goes on LTIR. On paper which team is worse then the hawks with ward and Forsberg in goal? DET, Rangers? Buff are the only ones that I think you could say are in the conversation. what teams are having some trouble with the cap? anybody? OR teams that are over there internal cap. what RFA's are not signed yet?

- DarthKane

I'd bump Sikura down to play with AA and Kahun, move ADB up with Toews and Saad, and try Hayden with Schmaltz and Kane. While I love the potential of ADB, Schmaltz and Kane, I think they could use a little size and pick retrieval.

I think hawks should go another direction and take a bad player/salary Dump like Bickell ETC and get a good player as part of the package, has to be 1 year deals is the problem. They could really take 2. one now to get close to the cap and one after season open and Craw goes on LTIR. On paper which team is worse then the hawks with ward and Forsberg in goal? DET, Rangers? Buff are the only ones that I think you could say are in the conversation. what teams are having some trouble with the cap? anybody? OR teams that are over there internal cap. what RFA's are not signed yet?
- kmw4631

I like that idea, but they'd have to be sure Crow won't be able to play all year.

Fighting Hawks was selected Nov 2015...was put into play in 2016. As a lifelong Sioux fan (no F'n Hawks for me) I'm really hoping LJ gets his shot this year. He was a catalyst for us during his 3 years, and would think he'd do the same for Chicago. Like the article said, if he doesn't make the team out of camp he'll be up sometime during the year.
- Sojudaddy

I forget , what were the other choices ? (frank)ing madness. Fighting Sioux was a badass name and fantastic logo. Now it just looks like against all odds that the made the old Hartford Whalers jerseys worse. So lame.

I like that idea, but they'd have to be sure Crow won't be able to play all year.
- tvetter

Crow may be done. Like retired done.

What if they went public with "Its a concussion." but he still isnt practicing , you'd think he was done right ? Well there you go.

I'd bump Sikura down to play with AA and Kahun, move ADB up with Toews and Saad, and try Hayden with Schmaltz and Kane. While I love the potential of ADB, Schmaltz and Kane, I think they could use a little size and pick retrieval.
- tvetter

That roster is the worst. Destined for the 8th over all pick next June.

I think a dilemma regarding how Johnson/Highmore/Kampf/Kahun fit into the roster is affected by where Anisimov plays. To me, Anisimov is maximized by playing between Kane and a LW shooter like Panarin (DeBrincat) where his size and style of play complements the creativity/perimeter play of his wingers. With Kane's playmaking it doesn't matter that Anisimov is not fast - in fact Anisimov's lack of speed helps facilitate Kane pulling up and looking for trailers as Anisimov clears a path through the center of the o-zone. Therefore, it is my opinion that using Anisimov at 3C is not the best use of resouces - he doesn't win faceoffs, he isn't great defensively. The best thing he's good at is standing in front of the net and chipping in rebounds.

If Anisimov isn't playing 3C - it opens that spot up for Johnson/Highmore/Kampf/Kahun.

Saad-Toews-Schmaltz
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Kane
Kahun-Johnson-Sikura
Highmore-Kampf-Hayden