Double shift Sikura on lines 1 & 2....problem solved.
- Beaver-Warrior

How is he going to do that and play goalie?

Caggulia-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Saad-Dach-Shaw
Smith-Kampf-Carpenter

Reserves: Choose from Quenneville, Kubalik and Sikura

This looks like a professional lineup, not one with a bunch of hopes and prayers for unknowns and youngsters to come in and play better than they have shown so far at the NHL level, with the exception of the #3 pick in the draft playing on the third line anchored by seasoned pros on each side. Some scoring and/or grit throughout four lines. This should be a competitive NHL team when you take the additions on the blue line and in the net into consideration too.

You mention Bickell as some success story? Bickell had his 1 playoff season successful run that was his illustrious career wrapped up into those few moments.

Hossa played a different game he was more of a power forward who enjoyed playing down low while cycling due to his size and strength.

Kane isn't a aggressive type player to go into the corners , he has to control the game or have another partner who plays a similar game to be successful.

Toews is more of a corner , grinder net front player, toews won't wow you with his fancy skating , passing or unbelievable goals.

I wouldn't dismiss the possibility of Nylander earning a spot.

I'm just not sold on the notion you have to put a low skill grinder on the top wing to make it affective.
- Taylorst1

Toews was pretty fancy game 7 in Anaheim 2015 playoffs.

Nylander Toews Kane
Cat Strome Kubalik
Saad Dach Shaw
Caggiula Kampf Smith/Carpenter
Perlini
- SoftServe

Quenneville or Sikura. Perlini is gathering carts and stocking shelves at the Jewels this season.

Caggulia-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Saad-Dach-Shaw
Smith-Kampf-Carpenter

Reserves: Choose from Quenneville, Kubalik and Sikura

This looks like a professional lineup, not one with a bunch of hopes and prayers for unknowns and youngsters to come in and play better than they have shown so far at the NHL level, with the exception of the #3 pick in the draft playing on the third line anchored by seasoned pros on each side. Some scoring and/or grit throughout four lines. This should be a competitive NHL team when you take the additions on the blue line and in the net into consideration too.
- ChiTownHawkFan

Add Nylander to the mix and I think you have it.

On Kurashev, from what I’ve gathered on and seen of him, he’d likely start as a winger in the pros but does have the skill set to be a center.

Potential as a very good 200 foot offensively gifted 3C and possibly a decent 2C. Middle 6 forward, IMO, even if he pans out as just a winger.

He’s sneaky good. Won’t stand out like a Nylander or Dach but uber effective as an impact player.

Hello, Rick. Does he look like a bottom six guy, or top six?
- mohel

I think he can play 3C or as a winger to start. He is capable of doing some of the things Kruger did for the Hawks. He is going to surprise people and push hard for an NHL job out pf camp.

Your wrong . Dead wrong. I don't live in a fantasy world of using my emotions over facts.

In his illustrious career 395 games played only 136 total points? That's not even 50 percent.

Your argument is based on opinion at best.

This has nothing to do with his MS either , it's solely based on numbers and where he played most of his games at 4th line , bench warmer.

Bryan Bickell was not a true top 6 power forward.

I think he can play 3C or as a winger to start. He is capable of doing some of the things Kruger did for the Hawks. He is going to surprise people and push hard for an NHL job out pf camp.
- RickJ

Agree. Kurashev is a dark horse to make the team. If cut, which is likely, he’ll be one of the last forwards to be cut. Then he’ll be amongst the top recall options later in the season.

I think he can play 3C or as a winger to start. He is capable of doing some of the things Kruger did for the Hawks. He is going to surprise people and push hard for an NHL job out pf camp.
- RickJ

Thanks, Rick. Agree with a post above - depth is fun.

Toews was pretty fancy game 7 in Anaheim 2015 playoffs.
- rpeters01

That was what's seems like a lifetime ago, he also had hossa as his wingman.

Toews hasn't been the same player productive wise in points since then with the exception to last year.

Toews would certainly be a steady player , but I'm not taking the over that he repeats last year's numbers next year.

Toews, Kane , Keith and Seabrook are all much older , played a lot of intense hockey and games . The team just needs them to play at a better than level maybe not above and beyond, but that would be great also.


If we all recall toews use to take the puck hard to the net in the past a lot, haven't seen that in a long time from him.

Your wrong . Dead wrong. I don't live in a fantasy world of using my emotions over facts.

In his illustrious career 395 games played only 136 total points? That's not even 50 percent.

Your argument is based on opinion at best.

This has nothing to do with his MS either , it's solely based on numbers and where he played most of his games at 4th line , bench warmer.

Bryan Bickell was not a true top 6 power forward.
- Taylorst1

You accuse others of that a lot.

Where could Kurashev fit best if he surprises in camp?
- RaleighHawk

Anything is possible, but unless Kuraschev is one of the top players in camp I'd send him to Rockford to get top 6 minutes. Kuraschev doesn't need to be rushed and I'd like the Hawks to develop him properly.

You accuse others of that a lot.
- mohel

That's your argument? When you can not argue or challenge facts your arguement is to attack the person and not the facts. Come on take the L on this one you simply look foolish doubling down on emotions instead of facts.

Quenneville or Sikura. Perlini is gathering carts and stocking shelves at the Jewels this season.
- Rota's Rooter

Sign Perlini to a PTO.

Thanks, Rick. Agree with a post above - depth is fun.
- mohel

And fortunate teams become deep when 4th round picks or undrafted guys turn into solid NHL players. Hawks look to have a couple of those potentially.

Sign Perlini to a PTO.
- DarthKane

That would be a safe and smart move.

That's your argument? When you can not argue or challenge facts your arguement is to attack the person and not the facts. Come on take the L on this one you simply look foolish doubling down on emotions instead of facts.
- Taylorst1

Who is arguing? Simply pointing out that your (incorret, imo) thoughts on Bickell during the Cup years are opinions, not facts. Are you 14? Or 15?

Dach can't go to Rockford, it's either the NHL or WHL.

Sikura - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Kubalik
Saad - Dach - Shaw
Smith - Kampf - Cagguila
Carpenter
- DarthKane

Not to start the Sikura bickering again (hehehe) but he can play either wing and could work well at either 1LW or 2RW. I think he would work especially well with Cat/Strome because he brings a solid defensive game that is sorely needed on that line without sacrificing offensive playmaking ability. We all know "he didn't score goals" but he is a pretty nifty playmaker who will be able to find Cat for him to score goals.

Shaw-Toews-Kane
Cat-Strome-Sikura
Saad-Dach-Kubalik
Smith-Kampf-Caggiula
Carpenter

Nylander in Rockford learning how to give effort all the time - not just on offense.
Perlini - holding out till the cows come home.

Anything is possible, but unless Kuraschev is one of the top players in camp I'd send him to Rockford to get top 6 minutes. Kuraschev doesn't need to be rushed and I'd like the Hawks to develop him properly.
- DarthKane

Yes, it would be best for Kurashev to get a full season in the AHL first save for a cup of coffee. Let him develop at an appropriate pace as you said.

Other forwards in the mix this fall are farther along on the development curve like Sikura, Nylander, and Kubalik.

Perlini is interesting in that he should have played a while in the minors before being an NHL regular so his development curve is not necessarily ruined but pretty wonky.

The great thing about this quagmire is that no matter who gets to be on the "top" two lines the next two lines will benefit from the quality players left over. Just make sure each line is defensively responsible. Last year was embarrassing on that front and it cost us dearly.

And fortunate teams become deep when 4th round picks or undrafted guys turn into solid NHL players. Hawks look to have a couple of those potentially.
- RickJ

And the Hawks seem to have picked up a few first round picks who couldn't make it on other teams. These could be true gems in the long run.

The great thing about this quagmire is that no matter who gets to be on the "top" two lines the next two lines will benefit from the quality players left over. Just make sure each line is defensively responsible. Last year was embarrassing on that front and it cost us dearly.
- Garn.

This guy gets it.

Minimizing the impact Bickell had is silly.
- mohel

No cup without Bickell in '13, only player they had hitting anybody in '15. Not his fault he has MS and no doctor found it until he was sent to Rockford and dealt with Tevo...

Dach can't go to Rockford, it's either the NHL or WHL.

Sikura - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Kubalik
Saad - Dach - Shaw
Smith - Kampf - Cagguila
Carpenter
- DarthKane

My projected forward lines match yours with the possibility of flip-flopping Sikura and Kubalik.

Why Sikura over Nylander? To me, it comes down to who is reliable across the entire ice sheet and has a strong compete level. That's Sikura.

Kubalik has fanfare around his offense but he's decent on defense, too. IIRC, he was playing 4th line (at least bottom 6) for the Czech team in the World Championships. Toews is more offensively talented than Kubalik but even our captain has played a checking role in world tourneys without sacrificing his play with the puck.

For Colliton to succeed with having forwards supporting the blueliners defensively, he needs guys like Sikura and Kubalik.

While Nylander and even Saarela are tempting offensively, they need to get a clue when the puck isn't on their blade and show consistent effort all over the ice.