When Murphy is down to 10 minutes a night early in the season somebody will give him Trevor Daley's cell number so he can be prepared for what's coming next.

But remember something, his old man Gord wasn't a lot better or different as a player. But he's a buddy of Kevin Dineen's.
- RickJ

Thanks Rick, saved me some time. There' always going to be players management wants to see make it, and 9 times out of 10 it's a retired player's son or some kid whose dad has friends in management.

#19 still doesn't look right.

Finally was able to watch an entire preseason game. Some conclusions:

These Adidas jerseys are FUGLY.

Bouma is not fit for any role with this team.

ADB will be a ROY finalist if he makes the team, and he SHOULD.

Other observations:

19 looks fine. He's always a bit slow in preseason and first 10 games. When he's hurt, he slows into traffic and plays a bit more east/west.

Hayden makes my team.

Q tipped his hand with Wingels and Kero . . . looks like they make his roster.

Pokka's not ready and may never be.

Franson is a good experienced vet for 5-7 role; I think he stays.

For all his flaws, Murphy actually is decent on PK.

There is one thing that really sticks out for me during these games is THE CAT always seems to have a knack to be in the position in front of the net for the kill. He is a gunslinger that does not miss often up close to the net. He shows a lot of poise for his age and his passing skills are quite good. IMO, DBC earned a shot to start the season on the Hawks squad. Give THE CAT 5 to 8 games at the start the season... If he struggles than send him down to the Hogs.

#19 still doesn't look right.
- tompo1015

Hasn't since the 2015 SCF

For a guy going into his fifth year he has been terrible. I also don't agree Hammer was this same type player in his fifth year. Hammer showed consistent marked progression from year to year. The two are not even close to being comparable. I am focusing on him because he was a key player coming into the year. Now I think Q needs to seriously think about demoting this guy to the third pair (or lower) until he shows he can confidentially control the puck in his own zone without tossing it to the other team multiple times each game.
- kwolf68

That comment was really meant to just be that young d-men make mistakes but now I feel compelled to dig deeper lol. Tl;dr ahead!

First, I think it's a bit disingenuous to say Murphy is going into his 5th year when he played limited games when he was 19, just like it'd be weird to count those first two seasons where Hjammer bounced between the AHL/NHL. Second, NHL experience is all well and good, but age most definitely plays a factor in the development curve of players, especially defenders who hit a peak later than forwards. So that's why I said Hjammer made mistakes when he was around Murphy's age because it was true.

Third, I don't know if it's fair to hold the fact that Murphy was rushed because the Yotes org sucks against him too much. Hjammer had his first full time season in the NHL when he was 22 while Murphy was pushed up at 20. That time in the AHL was way more beneficial than Murphy playing in the NHL before he was ready on a bad team. We say that all the time about rushing players. It's not an excuse but the adjustment for expectations on where a player is in their development curve should include such context.

Fourth, imo it's somewhat revisionist history to say Hjammer consistently improved. Or well, he did improve but he had some in-season inconsistencies in 2010-11 and 2011-12 (so when he was 23-24) that people female doged about constantly. Like, all the time. He and Oduya were whipping boys on defense in 2011-12. Tail end of 2012 and then into 2013 was when Hjammer got to an extremely consistent level. Pretty much a rock from then on out until this last season when his role shifted a bit too much imo. And tbf Murphy has actually also improved year-over-year, he's just got the same in-season inconsistency and prone to make weird mistake that a lot of younger defenders do. It's not that much a stretch comparison as you imply, though I don't think it's a straight up good one either.

So ultimately, I wasn't trying to claim Murphy is as good as Hjammer was at 24 or even at the same development level Hjammer was at around the same number NHL games played. I just also don't think it's inaccurate to say Hjammer went through some rough periods when younger and that it's possible Murphy is going through similar growing pains. I don't know if Murphy will level out like Hjammer did or if he's a bust, but I'll wait until he's got more than a few pre-season games under his belt before making either claim, personally. We can either be glass half-full or glass half-empty people and I'm typically the former, but to each their own.

PS. I thought Murphy was good on the PK and like 95% of the game at 5v5. Yeah, that 5% was brutal but he's still a work in progress. May never progress fully but who knows that right now lol.

Hasn't since the 2015 SCF
- SimpleJack

When did toews big contract kick in?

Hasn't since the 2015 SCF
- SimpleJack

He was about a PPG in the latter half of last season.

Fair enough. I am glad you are glass half full. I will go either or depending on what I see. The fact is the guy has looked like consistent crap each and every game since getting to Chicago. We can debate how good this guy or that guy was, but I remember when San Jose signed Hammer to that offer sheet...FEW were saying let him walk. We knew early on Nik was gonna be solid.

That said, my synopsis of Murphy is just a feel watching him. I absolutely expect some mistakes here and there, but I rank him among our worst defensemen I've seen so far. I trust Osterle more than him for crying out loud

There is one thing that really sticks out for me during these games is THE CAT always seems to have a knack to be in the position in front of the net for the kill. He is a gunslinger that does not miss often up close to the net. He shows a lot of poise for his age and his passing skills are quite good. IMO, DBC earned a shot to start the season on the Hawks squad. Give THE CAT 5 to 8 games at the start the season... If he struggles than send him down to the Hogs.
- spanky

A hockey sniper's hands are always quicker than the goalies eyes and if left alone in front of the net even for a half second there is usually a faceoff at center right after that.

Who knows how many goals this kid can score, I keep thinking Mike Bossy. He isn't going to Rockford any time soon.

I think the D corp will be Keith, Seabs, Kempny, Murphy, Rutta, Forsling and Franson. F's will be Saad, Towes, Panik, Cat, Schmaltz, Kane, Sharp, AA, Hartman, Kero, Hayden, Bouma, Wingels and ????. G's-Crawford and Forsberg. I don't think Bouma and Wingels deserve a spot....but Bowman invested in them and will want to save face. Maybe they are the 13th and 14th forwards.
- onehundredlevel

Osterle instead of Forsling to start. Osterle didn't look half bad out there today. Forsling is waiver exempt, has a higher ceiling and would benefit much more from playing 1st pairing minutes in Rockford for at least half a season

Toews* cmon...

Tootoo, he fills the "tough guy" role so he'll always be the 13/14th forward
Hopefully Stan lets the Jurco experiment go

Holy cow Murphy with another disaster play. Osterle bails him out. Hate to say this one, I think Tanner was right on this guy. Dude looks awful.
- kwolf68

SSSSssssshhhhhh

SSSSssssshhhhhh
- Slofire94

I know it. Early returns are terrible. But whatever happens he's gonna get his chance. No chance he isn't in the starting lineup opening night, despite his obvious questionable ability.

Technically, Connor Murphy is "an established young d-man".

Murphy for Duchene, anyone?

- 4_in_7

In a heartbeat.

But reports also imply they want a Left D
Murphy plays the right side, so he'd slot behind Johnson and Barrie

Fair enough. I am glad you are glass half full. I will go either or depending on what I see. The fact is the guy has looked like consistent crap each and every game since getting to Chicago. We can debate how good this guy or that guy was, but I remember when San Jose signed Hammer to that offer sheet...FEW were saying let him walk. We knew early on Nik was gonna be solid.

That said, my synopsis of Murphy is just a feel watching him. I absolutely expect some mistakes here and there, but I rank him among our worst defensemen I've seen so far. I trust Osterle more than him for crying out loud
- kwolf68

That's reasonable. I'm not seeing what you're seeing exactly - like I saw the two major yips tonight and he had one the other game too, but he's been fine the rest of the time to me. Not impressive or anything, just fine. PK work was pretty good, though. Maybe he seems disappointing to some because expectations were high while for guys like Osterle they were really low?

And yeah, no one wanted to lose Hjammer after 2010, but the time period I'm talking about was just after that - sophomore year and such. There was a lot of female doging and moaning about how inconsistencies, especially into the early half of 2012 (though how valid they were is another story). I think anyone with a brain knew Hjammer was going to even out and be great, but sports fans are often irrational with their in-the-moment hot-takes. Where the comparison breaks down the most (which is why I said it wasn't exact) is that with Hjammer, we could always point back to 2010 as proof he'd be solid or there would be absolute flashes of great defensive prowess while Murphy hasn't had that breakout year yet.

A hockey sniper's hands are always quicker than the goalies eyes and if left alone in front of the net even for a half second there is usually a faceoff at center right after that.

Who knows how many goals this kid can score, I keep thinking Mike Bossy. He isn't going to Rockford any time soon.
- RickJ

If he gets a half second more than a small percentage of the time, it will be because the defense is slacking off.

Most of the time he will need to take a one-timer in the slot.

Will he be able to bury a decent percentage of those?

That's reasonable. I'm not seeing what you're seeing exactly - like I saw the two major yips tonight and he had one the other game too, but he's been fine the rest of the time to me. Not impressive or anything, just fine. PK work was pretty good, though. Maybe he seems disappointing to some because expectations were high while for guys like Osterle they were really low?

And yeah, no one wanted to lose Hjammer after 2010, but the time period I'm talking about was just after that - sophomore year and such. There was a lot of female doging and moaning about how inconsistencies, especially into the early half of 2012 (though how valid they were is another story). I think anyone with a brain knew Hjammer was going to even out and be great, but sports fans are often irrational with their in-the-moment hot-takes. Where the comparison breaks down the most (which is why I said it wasn't exact) is that with Hjammer, we could always point back to 2010 as proof he'd be solid or there would be absolute flashes of great defensive prowess while Murphy hasn't had that breakout year yet.
- L_B_R

Yes I have higher expectations for a guy we traded Hammer for, but honestly Osterle has given me more confidence than Murphy. Osterle has gotten overpowered a couple times in pre season but he moves the puck with much more poise and confidence than Murphy. If Murphy flings it up the boards without giving it away in the middle of the ice in front of goal I consider that a success. All I see from Murphy in the positive he does seem to do OK blocking shots and he does appear confident on the PowerPlay, I didn't really notice him on the PK, which I suppose chalks up as a positive.

I have serious worries about this player given what I've seen. He's botching the game against AHLers, fringe NHL guys...he gets to play against Sidney Crosby in a little over a week.

Yes I have higher expectations for a guy we traded Hammer for, but honestly Osterle has given me more confidence than Murphy. Osterle has gotten overpowered a couple times in pre season but he moves the puck with much more poise and confidence than Murphy. If Murphy flings it up the boards without giving it away in the middle of the ice in front of goal I consider that a success. All I see from Murphy in the positive he does seem to do OK blocking shots and he does appear confident on the PowerPlay, I didn't really notice him on the PK, which I suppose chalks up as a positive.

I have serious worries about this player given what I've seen. He's botching the game against AHLers, fringe NHL guys...he gets to play against Sidney Crosby in a little over a week.
- kwolf68

See, it's not really fair to raise the expectation of a player based on who he was traded for - they got a package for Hjammer for a reason, because he was the best player in the deal. It's understandable, but we have to disconnect those things or we'll always be comparing the two in our minds and try to view Murphy as just another player.

Though Murphy is not know as a puck mover, so it's not surprising a puck moving d-man like Osterle would looked more poised. Murphy has always been a low-event, stay-at-home defender. I'd have to really track the game to know for sure, but I'd bet Murphy's entry break-up rate was decent this game. He's got to calm down when he's got the puck, but he's been fine away from it most of the time. Not all, but most.

And honestly, if Crosby makes him look like a pylon, I'm not really going to hold it against him too much lol. Crosby has twisted around Norris caliber guys.

A hockey sniper's hands are always quicker than the goalies eyes and if left alone in front of the net even for a half second there is usually a faceoff at center right after that.

Who knows how many goals this kid can score, I keep thinking Mike Bossy. He isn't going to Rockford any time soon.
- RickJ

Precisely. Bossy is the guy I think of too while watching DeBrincat. He seems to slide in to open space where no space seems open. Wouldn't notice Bossy until after the puck hit the back of the net. We'll see...

Safe to say, forwards look like this opening night?
Saad Toews Panik
Cat Schmaltz Kane
Sharp AA Hartman
Wingles Kero Hayden
Tootoo ?

See, it's not really fair to raise the expectation of a player based on who he was traded for - they got a package for Hjammer for a reason, because he was the best player in the deal. It's understandable, but we have to disconnect those things or we'll always be comparing the two in our minds and try to view Murphy as just another player.

Though Murphy is not know as a puck mover, so it's not surprising a puck moving d-man like Osterle would looked more poised. Murphy has always been a low-event, stay-at-home defender. I'd have to really track the game to know for sure, but I'd bet Murphy's entry break-up rate was decent this game. He's got to calm down when he's got the puck, but he's been fine away from it most of the time. Not all, but most.

And honestly, if Crosby makes him look like a pylon, I'm not really going to hold it against him too much lol. Crosby has twisted around Norris caliber guys.
- L_B_R

I think sometimes people see what they wish to see. I have nothing but hopes this guy can turn it on, but each and every game he screws up, in royal fashion most of the time. What concerns me is not just he can't move the puck worth a damn, but he also is LOSING the puck on the boards in his own zone against other players and if he wins a puck he tosses it aimlessly to nomans land. I can't remember a single "good play" he has made...yes, quite a bit of the time he isn't (frank)ing up, but generally that's because the puck ends up on his stick in "safe" areas. The moment the play is challenging the guy absolutely tanks.

I actually DO like him on the PowerPlay. Seems to have a heavy shot and has been OK when I've seen him there, but the PowerPlay is fools gold also. And I'd much rather have Kempy or even Forsling on the PP than Murphy. Murphy has bottom pairing D-man written all over him, but I am sure Keith will be saddled with him this year. As good as Keith is, maybe that can work.

Safe to say, forwards look like this opening night?
Saad Toews Panik
Cat Schmaltz Kane
Sharp AA Hartman
Wingles Kero Hayden
Tootoo ?
- SoftServe

Dauphin and Vinnie deserve to make the team in my view, but then who doesn't? . Hawks are loaded with wingers.

murphy is not going to be as good as hammer at 25 the question is at 24 -29 can he be as good as hammer 30-35. i'm not sure this year but i do think its a maybe,

if hayden does not make this team over tootoo what bowman said this off season was a lie. hino should as well debrinct i go both ways on. i think he will be good but i wuold be fine down as well.

i thought pokka looked not bad

murphy is not going to be as good as hammer at 25 the question is at 24 -29 can he be as good as hammer 30-35. i'm not sure this year but i do think its a maybe,

if hayden does not make this team over tootoo what bowman said this off season was a lie. hino should as well debrinct i go both ways on. i think he will be good but i wuold be fine down as well.

i thought pokka looked not bad
- kmw4631

I think unless they plan on Hayden to move to line 2, ADB will make this team. The guy is electric and the Hawks are going to have to somewhat follow the Pens model, by overcoming suspect Defense with waves of elite forwards dominating puck possession. Players like Jurco (who after a nice first game has not impressed), Bouma, and Tutu fail in that model. A fourth line that includes Hino and/or Hayden with Kero could not only be a good defensive line, but they should be a real threat to score. Much as I like Kampf I think he goes down to the Rock.

I don't know what Q is going to do, lots of hard choices.

Line 1 is set
Line 3 is set
Line 2 is set save Left Wing, which WILL be either DeBrincat or Hayden

If Hayden gets it, I think ADB goes to rockford.

If ADB gets it I think Hayden goes to Line 4.

Leave TWO spots for:
Wingles, Jurco, Kero, Bouma, Tutu, Vinnie, Dauphin, Kampf

Assume Kampf goes down, that means Kero likely your fourth line center. Who plays and who doesnt? If Hayden slides to line 4 with Kero there is 1 spot for 7 players, 5 of them legitimate NHL talent.

Hawks have way too much wing depth.