Justin Lowe: How Amazing Do These Guys Feel Right Now?
The title of this blog could be alluding to the entire 2018-19 Chicago Blackhawks right now.

They are coming off of their 7th straight win as they took down the Detroit Red Wings in a Sunday matinee by a score of 5-2.

It could be referring to the entire team but I actually wanted to take a different approach and "these guys" are actually the newcomers who joined the Blackhawks at some point this year.

Great early morning blog!

All the players you mentioned have greatly exceeded my expectations except Perlini. Like you, I was excited about his game. His size, speed and shot were all supposed to be pluses, but it seems his hockey IQ is just awful. That said, I think he could be a useful player on our bottom 6, and would like to see what he could do after a summer of training with our coaching staff.

Oh, and first!

I wonder if Tanner still thinks the Yotes won that deal huge?

with my team basically out of it (for the foreseeable future) the hawks are always one of the teams I enjoy cheering for....always been a huge Toews fan. hopefully you guys can sneak in

I read a KHL interview the other day where Viktor Svedberg was comparing himself to Zdeno Chara ... I thought that was pretty generous of him... he mustn't have ever seen himself play.

Good stuff JL/TC!
One thing I particularly like about this team since the trades is the boys have developed some snarlback. Other teams don't know how to handle that from a 'Hawk team.

Justin Lowe: How Amazing Do These Guys Feel Right Now?

The title of this blog could be alluding to the entire 2018-19 Chicago Blackhawks right now.

They are coming off of their 7th straight win as they took down the Detroit Red Wings in a Sunday matinee by a score of 5-2.

It could be referring to the entire team but I actually wanted to take a different approach and "these guys" are actually the newcomers who joined the Blackhawks at some point this year.
- Justin Lowe

Great blog, TC.

I'm happy for all the guys, except for Perlini, sorry. Koekkoek had a great game. I don't dislike, I just don't see his future with us as we have Murphy, but if he plays all games like that, I won't be against resigning him. Hopefully the contract year performance isn't a fluke for these guys. They are really gelling on this team, contributing, playing good minutes against some big names in the league. A 7 game win streak has me excited to watch these guys again. Keep it up!

Nice blog, i really don't know if they are a top draft pick away from being a SC contender? More like 2 or 3 top 4 dmen away.

Murphy has definitely impressed me this year, Keith has been solid, Dahlstrom, Koekoek, Gusto show promise. Seabrook didn't have a terrible game against the Wings which was nice to see.

I also believe the bottom 6 need a couple of better forwards.

Definitely though this team is trending in a good direction.

If they could play defense like they did in the 1st period, they will compete against anyone.

I just want to reiterate that Bowman does not want to trade his #1 and most of his young players are hands off. So do not expect a second pair dman or a better center to be dropped out off by any GM.

The draft is where you get help and where you get players whom develop into our scheme. Now you can argue Bowman has shown signs of wanting to get bigger and "meaner" but until his team gets their nose rubbed into the glass repeatedly - can this happen once some prospects settle in - only then might Biwman get tougher

In fact u think he is bent on drafting all for skill early pcks and hopes later round picks bring along Shaw type. Perhaps he is looking at Barrett and a couple forwards AHL to run amok - sort of.

Newsflash: Caggiliula and Strome have fit nicely but if you want to win in playoffs....well just look at what Nashville geared up last week.......Stan may get the axe one year down the road when his team is not willing to be tough enough. You think Stan thinks his players will just step up and be tough enough when forced to in playoffs.

That is when he fails. I doubt he makes mistakes with early draft choices.....Kelly and Stan can identify skill and speed. But that is not enough. In the meantime i do like to think about a fast skilled defense, each pair is possible. But mix and match style and loose this scared to.be hit ...

It is a process we will watch to develop.

Nice write up JL agree with you on your analysis of the new players . Think Kookoo will end up being a steal. Don't want to get ahead of this but you are right about Toews and Kane with the way they are playing they may have to try and accelerate this rebuild to make another run. I dont mean this year of coarse. That dosnt mean adding 10 million long term contracts. Maybe a couple forwards , defence not sure would like to see how the young guys finish off the year.

KoekKoek is not a Murphy type d man. Slater is a plus skater with plus offensive skills. Like Duncan Keith, on PK and other situations, he uses his speed to dart in and disrupt plays. He has been given a chance to finally play here. I expect him to take advantage of opportunity.

While I realize actual playoff hockey as a series is a bit different, for the last month, the Hawks and most teams in NHL have been playing playoff hockey. Meaning, big games for points. Boston game will be the same as the Bruins also are fighting for their playoff lives.

Win 3 of next 4 and it will get real interesting.

Good stuff JL/TC!
One thing I particularly like about this team since the trades is the boys have developed some snarlback. Other teams don't know how to handle that from a 'Hawk team.
- 35Tony0

Have noticed that as well. They are hitting opposing players in front of our net and really seem more aggressive in all three zones.

Agree with TC about Caggiula. He brings a bit of grit and skill reminiscent of Shaw and I'd gladly take a couple more like him to flesh out the other lines. He's been great keeping plays alive in the O zone and doing some of the gritty board work on that line, helping Kane and Toews do what they do.

Like someone said, not sure how anyone can be lamenting the loss of Schmaltz at this point and not declaring that trade a win for Stan. While Perlini hasn't been the icing on the cake from that deal, Strome has become almost a point a game player and has given the Hawks a big 2C between Dinky and Kahun.

Speaking of Kahun...was reading this morning he had 4 goals in the first 41 games and 7 since Jan 1. He's looking like another nice gimme from the Euro leagues.

Still work to do on D, but like many have said, the games are actually fun to watch again.

KoekKoek is not a Murphy type d man. Slater is a plus skater with plus offensive skills. Like Duncan Keith, on PK and other situations, he uses his speed to dart in and disrupt plays. He has been given a chance to finally play here. I expect him to take advantage of opportunity.

While I realize actual playoff hockey as a series is a bit different, for the last month, the Hawks and most teams in NHL have been playing playoff hockey. Meaning, big games for points. Boston game will be the same as the Bruins also are fighting for their playoff lives.

Win 3 of next 4 and it will get real interesting.
- TrueGrit

Agreed on Koekkoek. His skill set almost like the Canadian version of Michal Kempny. Maybe a bit more offfensive although we haven't fully seen that yet.

Justin Lowe: How Amazing Do These Guys Feel Right Now?

The title of this blog could be alluding to the entire 2018-19 Chicago Blackhawks right now.

They are coming off of their 7th straight win as they took down the Detroit Red Wings in a Sunday matinee by a score of 5-2.

It could be referring to the entire team but I actually wanted to take a different approach and "these guys" are actually the newcomers who joined the Blackhawks at some point this year.
- Justin Lowe

Whats weird, at least for me, i keep anticipating a complete melt down by the team, easily could've happened in 4 of the 5 wins, but it hasn't, earlier this year teams would come back or take an early lead and things go from bad to worse.

Now when they have a team on the ropes they need to start learning how to finish it out.

This winning thing is getting to be fun. Keep it going boys.

Whats weird, at least for me, i keep anticipating a complete melt down by the team, easily could've happened in 4 of the 5 wins, but it hasn't, earlier this year teams would come back or take an early lead and things go from bad to worse.

Now when they have a team on the ropes they need to start learning how to finish it out.
- BetweenTheDots

You make a good point

But with erratic play by two dmen in particular, we may expect to see a bonehead play by Keith or poor effort defending by Gus. Next, though, maybe Gus wins it with a blast

I am wondering about coaching psychology by Colliton regarding another player; namely, Perlini.

I do not know his development as it pertains to his success as he grew up. Perhaps he was always a big fast noticable among players at each level yet was he ever a big scorer or all star? What buttons does Colliton need to press. Far for me to know but I have an idea and perhaps someone can comment whether it is even one alternative to employ.

I see Knott is a big kid, skates well for a big kid and is reportedly NHL capable....getting better
......would love a big body checking wing on a bottom line. Perhaps next season recall and or rotate Knott with Perlini. Play well, focused and does what coach asks......one of these two would sit. There is this for motivation.

Perlini has had some awful shifts. But you can see some flashes of promise. I would like to keep him in the lineup with regular linemates taking a regular shift and see if he progresses.

Kunitz is at the end of his career. But he has been a regular in the lineup recently and you can see a little more energy and some veteran smarts. They may move him. But he has been a class act in Chicago.

It's hard to believe Kruger is only 28. He still has some speed, is a little feisty, wins faceoffs and gives his all. I do not think he is worth $2.75mil. But I would resign him for another year at something less than $2mil (especially when our center depth up down the organization is so very thin). He could be the kind of guy you trade at the deadline for a 5th or 6th round pick and then resign in offseason.

A note to the grit and physicality. There were some good hits yesterday. But the one that stood out was Murphy leveling Abdelkader in the crease late in the 3rd period. That may have been the first time he has been crushed in the crease in 10 years of standing there against the Hawks.

Bruins are going to be really tough at home. Should be a good test.

Couple of weeks ago I was in the thought of mind of losing and getting a top 3 pick but now I am rejuvenated and want the kids to win and get in the playoffs. Whose to say that momentum can't win us a series in the playoffs?

I say go for it.

Perlini has had some awful shifts. But you can see some flashes of promise. I would like to keep him in the lineup with regular linemates taking a regular shift and see if he progresses.

Kunitz is at the end of his career. But he has been a regular in the lineup recently and you can see a little more energy and some veteran smarts. They may move him. But he has been a class act in Chicago.

It's hard to believe Kruger is only 28. He still has some speed, is a little feisty, wins faceoffs and gives his all. I do not think he is worth $2.75mil. But I would resign him for another year at something less than $2mil (especially when our center depth up down the organization is so very thin). He could be the kind of guy you trade at the deadline for a 5th or 6th round pick and then resign in offseason.

A note to the grit and physicality. There were some good hits yesterday. But the one that stood out was Murphy leveling Abdelkader in the crease late in the 3rd period. That may have been the first time he has been crushed in the crease in 10 years of standing there against the Hawks.

Bruins are going to be really tough at home. Should be a good test.
- -Doh-

I am with you on the thoughts about Kruger.

However I am curious if a Colliton guy, J Nilsson, is the Kruger replacement in light of a cost saving. If Bowman signs a free agent how does he come up with more money - Kruger out? I know there is also L Johnson.

Great blog Justin, your subjects and analysis makes for great discussion.

After some questionable moves the last few trades by Bowman have been forward thinking.

Strome has really fit in. While he's an average skater he gets to where he needs to be and he thinks the game at a high level. He has been excellent on the power play and he has a great chemistry with ADB. If he can improve his defensive game he becomes a solid second line centerman.

Caggiula is is the kind of guy who always has his nose over the puck, hopefully he can find the back of the net more often. If he can't be a top six player he still can play on most team's bottom six. And to think the Hawk's got him for Manning, one of Bowman's worst moves.

I like the raw skills Koekkoek has, but can he play at the NHL level? I expect we'll find out next season after a full training camp as well as a summer of preparation knowing he has a shot at an NHL job.

Perlini is the most interesting guy for me. So far he hasn't shown much, in fact it can be argued his exceptional skating and shooting skills are overshadowed by a questionable hockey IQ, laziness and indifference. If he's eligible, I'd like to see him go to Rockford with a list of things to work on. Instead of hooking when he's checking his man, use his exceptional speed and size to bump his opponent off the puck. Get more involved in the play. Penaltykilling time and ....... STAYING ON HIS FEET. I'd hate to give up on a guy so young and with his skating ability.

Justin Lowe: How Amazing Do These Guys Feel Right Now?

The title of this blog could be alluding to the entire 2018-19 Chicago Blackhawks right now.

They are coming off of their 7th straight win as they took down the Detroit Red Wings in a Sunday matinee by a score of 5-2.

It could be referring to the entire team but I actually wanted to take a different approach and "these guys" are actually the newcomers who joined the Blackhawks at some point this year.
- Justin Lowe

I think, as Lazerus said yesterday, the way to look at it is that they basically already got their top 3 pick when they acquired Strome. No need to worry about “blowing” their chance at a top pick. Just keep trying to get better as a team, and let the draft pick fall where it may.

I am with you on the thoughts about Kruger.

However I am curious if a Colliton guy, J Nilsson, is the Kruger replacement in light of a cost saving. If Bowman signs a free agent how does he come up with more money - Kruger out? I know there is also L Johnson.
- jhawk59

I agree with you, but I think Nilsson or Johnson or anyone should earn the position and not have it handed to them.

As far as the money let's say they can sign Kruger for 1 year at $1.75mil. That is only $1 mil more than Johnson, Nilsson, or Highmore. We probably will have the cap room.

The key to cap room next year is moving AA.

3 years; $1M AAV extension for Delia...

Quite the team-friendly deal for the Hawks there. Depending on what happens with Crow, that is major savings for the Hawks.

I think, as Lazerus said yesterday, the way to look at it is that they basically already got their top 3 pick when they acquired Strome. No need to worry about “blowing” their chance at a top pick. Just keep trying to get better as a team, and let the draft pick fall where it may.
- Ogilthorpe2

Do these sports writers read these blogs? I said that before Laz ever said that (about looking at the trades as a high draft pick this season). But in truth, there are always points brought up by the posters here that eventually end up in the media.

" I do like to think about a fast skilled defense, each pair is possible."

Isn't that Joki, Boqvist and Gus? I guess less so Gus, but as a third pair guy, that's not awful.

Best wishes to Scott Darling, who has taken a leave of absence from Carolina's AHL team. I hope it isn't related to previous demons.