Yes. I'm here.

Shouldn't a "superstar", highest paid player play that way, for say 70-75gms versus one every few weeks?

Let's see if he can crack 60pts this year before being amazed by a 1 assist game he didn't fall down as much as usual
- PatShart

Lol agreed

One good game out of twenty for Toews (still see no fire in his belly or the old willingness to go to the dirty areas), and three or four for Schmaltz do not a corner turn define. At all.

And yes, the bottom six still needs an upgrade at center - my money is on David Kampf. Eventually. The dude just looks like the full package. Tenacity, wins draws, finds the smart plays...Just don't see Hinostroza (who IS better suited at wing) or Kero being...the guy.

There are a few enigmas in the bottom six - Bouma. You cannot discount his physical play or his willingness to stand up for his teammates. This kind of player stands out among a team of stick checkers and contact avoiders. But he has hands of stone.

Wingles - not a natural center, so hard to ding him too hard for his face off numbers, but he has the red ass, and can score.

Sharp - can play center, can still show some speed (if his minutes are limited), and still not afraid to mix it up on the boards. But clearly not the Sharp we got the best out of during his last tenure with the team.

On defense, Ive been a big critic of Forsling, but I hope what we are seeing is the result of good coaching, because if that keeps up, his confidence will only grow, and his timidity deep in his own zone (which I thought was his biggest problem) should begin to diminish.

Say what you want about Franson - the guy fills a role, plays within his limits, and as long as Q does not have him out there against the speed lines of other teams, he brings a calming and offense oriented influence to the ice when he is out there. ESPECIALLY on the PP.

Keith and Seabs both look tired. Maybe less PP time for Keith (for many reasons), and less minutes for Seabrook overall will keep them fresh for when their experience can serve the team best in certain situations.

Rutta - love this guy's game and he is only getting better.

Murphy.......grade A bust. Hard to make the argument that the team is worse off with Kempny out there instead of Murphy. I still think Kempny has more upside - just not understanding why Q hasn't put more faith in him.

Nearly 300 games in the NHL and Murphy still looks slow and lost.

2017-18 is likely to continue to be a work in progress right up until the playoffs. Let's hope Q doesn't burn out Crawford trying to stack points. At some point, Forsberg is going to have to play some games, if for no other reason than to rest CC.
- Return of the Roar

Agreed on all points with the exception of Murphy who has been a steady 15 minutes a night guy the last week+.

Thought some of my fellow old-timers might enjoy this article:

https://deadspin.com/in-u...oint-in-sports-1820556383
- Hank_Greenberg

Thanks, brings back the memories especially "it's to expensive to win a Cup"

Agreed on all points with the exception of Murphy who has been a steady 15 minutes a night guy the last week+.
- EnzoD

It will be interesting to see how he evolves with the Hawks. The team systems are different, his roles and usage is different, he is playing on his off side now.

He got tagged with some goals against while he was on the ice 5v5 but I think more so he is just unlucky so far. The Hawks SV% was not great while he was on the ice and the opposing teams aren't getting a high number of scoring chances against him.

As a penalty killer, he has been that 5th dman who fills in and hasn't been bad. In terms of chances, shots, goals against, he is well in line with the other defenders.

He adds that physical aspect that might be good for the playoffs and I hope as he gets comfortable he can add a bit of offense which he does have the ability to do. Nothing flashy, but if he can be that defender that doesn't hurt you and adds 15-20 points, he is a good 2nd pair option.

It will be interesting to see how he evolves with the Hawks. The team systems are different, his roles and usage is different, he is playing on his off side now.

He got tagged with some goals against while he was on the ice 5v5 but I think more so he is just unlucky so far. The Hawks SV% was not great while he was on the ice and the opposing teams aren't getting a high number of scoring chances against him.

As a penalty killer, he has been that 5th dman who fills in and hasn't been bad. In terms of chances, shots, goals against, he is well in line with the other defenders.

He adds that physical aspect that might be good for the playoffs and I hope as he gets comfortable he can add a bit of offense which he does have the ability to do. Nothing flashy, but if he can be that defender that doesn't hurt you and adds 15-20 points, he is a good 2nd pair option.
- breadbag

Exactly right. He is willing and able to be physical and clear the crease which, theoretically, will become even more valuable as the "playoff style" begins later this RS and if the Hawks make the top 8 in the West.

Don't worry dude. He is a fair weather hawks fan. HATES Mr Toews. Despises him actually. He goes on Ryan Wilson's Pittsburgh blog to co-bash Toew's all the time. Pretty embarrassing actually. Because points are all that matter right shartty? not guts and determination and leadership Do us a favor. Go root for the pens.
- Thoroldbhawks

Teravainen would look awfully good in the top 9 right about now. He's really blossomed in Carolina.
- DarthKane

If they had diagnosed Bickells MS sooner would TT still be a Hawk?

Exactly right. He is willing and able to be physical and clear the crease which, theoretically, will become even more valuable as the "playoff style" begins later this RS and if the Hawks make the top 8 in the West.
- EnzoD

Ideally I want Murphy to be the muscle on third pair. He actually could be the veteran with Franson or other prospects, eventually, to vie for a spot next to him on this third pair.

Sorry if this was "toasted" already (ugh), the Toews-ter

https://www.giveatoast.ca...athan-toews-the-toews-ter

If they had diagnosed Bickells MS sooner would TT still be a Hawk?
- eagle50

Probably

Thought some of my fellow old-timers might enjoy this article:

https://deadspin.com/in-u...oint-in-sports-1820556383
- Hank_Greenberg

It makes sense. If you're a Richard... lol

My house was rockin in 92!

Yes. I'm here.

Shouldn't a "superstar", highest paid player play that way, for say 70-75gms versus one every few weeks?

Let's see if he can crack 60pts this year before being amazed by a 1 assist game he didn't fall down as much as usual
- PatShart

Not getting overwhelmed physically like he has been and moving through the neutral zone with pace would be more encouraging than points IMO.

Funny, and I have not heard this specifically from a trusted source (though someone said it to me this summer), what if it turns out Seabrook has some kind of degenerative condition, not necessarily MS like Bickell, but something? I heard it was a knee thing over the summer then someone else I trust told me no, that wasn't the case. Dunno. But yeah, I think Seabrook has become a bit of a whipping boy, though clearly he has scuffled a lot this year. Some nights, he's fine, but people still pile on.
- John Jaeckel

If it is his back the Hawks should have seen it coming and not paid him. Knee, hip, whatever.

If it is his brain then he shouldn't be playing hockey.

1st star of the week for last week. Last night he had 2 goals and an assist. I believe he is a PPG player now, maybe slightly better than 1.00.

Someone mentioned that Brind'amour took him under his wing, so maybe that's playing a role in his growth. Brind'amour was a physical specimen so maybe he's even getting Teravainen to work out more and fill out with more muscle.
- AEL_Fox

Getting the chance to adjust to the NA ice on a team that doesn't have the same type of expectations was probably helpful.

Some of these guys just need time.

Shocking that a 5'11, 175 lb 20 year old might not handle the physicality of the NHL all that well over his first full season.
- BINGO!

Chicago sports fans ftw

Matt Read on waivers. Just under 2.8 mil left on his cap hit. I think pass.

I missed this tidbit form the 17th:

If NHL revenues are as robust as Bettman said today, the salary cap will go way up next summer. Plausibly $80- to $82-million. Pretty interesting.
- JRoenick97

lock up Jurco with new found cap room. get we done Stash

It is my very string belief - as nd I wish wiz would chip in oin this - that perhaps the biggest boost this team can receive in the next two years is for one, ideally two of at least three defensemen, drafted already, to make the parent roster and to develop with Samuelson tutelage helping them out.

In the NHL today a team needs dmen who can really skate, and if they can skate the puck out, this is a decided advantage over other dmen lacking this ability. Now if one if those prospect guys can carry the mail (Krys) this is what all teams are looking for.

Heck, even a team with strong defense (Minny) takes a flyer in R Murphy, a former early #1 by Carolina, because if his offensive skating, etc.

I am most hopeful that Carlsson and Tuulola are the newcomers, soon, say possibly next season. C Murphy, Franson, Snuggerud are strictly long term usage on third pair. I like Murphy there as the muscle and let the others compete to complete that pair.

A WILD CARD is Kempny. I am just about at the point if accepting that Q is not going to allow him a stretch if go and therefore no real opportunity to win a job. Is it his tendency to have brain farts with or without the puck OCCASIONALLY which upsets Q? Thus us a player who us big, has some experience, skates well and us willing to show a nasty side. In short, a player you want to see make it in the NHL. I will surmise that he has a clause preventing AHL assignment. I hate to loose Kempny and see him develop elsewhere.

In your AHL notes, Justin, Raydish is not listed. He has played often. There nay be an odd man out rotation among dmen. Press is apparently not good enough to force someone out of lineup; he is in the ECHL - Indy.
- jhawk59

They have some good competition down there with their D. He has played well (actually leading the team with +7).

Colliton is giving ice time/games to different guys as he searches for the right mix.

I have been a big Toews booster (some, like my buddy Shart, might say a "Toews apologist").

All that said, he looks better this year consistently than he has the last couple of years, but I would still say he's like 85-90% of the "Old Toews" versus say 65-70% the last couple of years.

I like Saad-Toews-Panik as a line and I think, IF the Hawks make the playoffs, that line becomes all the more valuable because they play big boy hockey as a style.

Also, you have to love what AA is bringing on L2.

Keep up the good work, Justin.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks JJ!

I missed this tidbit form the 17th:

If NHL revenues are as robust as Bettman said today, the salary cap will go way up next summer. Plausibly $80- to $82-million. Pretty interesting.
- JRoenick97

Yep, could be very good news for a team like the Hawks.

I have a blog coming up breaking down what that could mean moving forward. Stay tuned.

Exactly right. He is willing and able to be physical and clear the crease which, theoretically, will become even more valuable as the "playoff style" begins later this RS and if the Hawks make the top 8 in the West.
- EnzoD

Murphy has had a rocky start and has really entered unfamiliar territory since he started in the NHL.

He's now playing his off-side and looking over his shoulder more than he should, just hoping to get regular playing time. You get the sense from his interviews that he's just "hanging in there" and "workin' hard every day to get better".

I think once he gains a some confidence back, learns the system and puts in his time with Ulfie, he will become a valuable 4-5th defenceman.

Confidence is the key for me; he looks very unsure out there for most of the year (although last few games has looked much better).

It is my very string belief - as nd I wish wiz would chip in oin this - that perhaps the biggest boost this team can receive in the next two years is for one, ideally two of at least three defensemen, drafted already, to make the parent roster and to develop with Samuelson tutelage helping them out.

In the NHL today a team needs dmen who can really skate, and if they can skate the puck out, this is a decided advantage over other dmen lacking this ability. Now if one if those prospect guys can carry the mail (Krys) this is what all teams are looking for.

Heck, even a team with strong defense (Minny) takes a flyer in R Murphy, a former early #1 by Carolina, because if his offensive skating, etc.

I am most hopeful that Carlsson and Tuulola are the newcomers, soon, say possibly next season. C Murphy, Franson, Snuggerud are strictly long term usage on third pair. I like Murphy there as the muscle and let the others compete to complete that pair.

A WILD CARD is Kempny. I am just about at the point if accepting that Q is not going to allow him a stretch if go and therefore no real opportunity to win a job. Is it his tendency to have brain farts with or without the puck OCCASIONALLY which upsets Q? Thus us a player who us big, has some experience, skates well and us willing to show a nasty side. In short, a player you want to see make it in the NHL. I will surmise that he has a clause preventing AHL assignment. I hate to loose Kempny and see him develop elsewhere.

In your AHL notes, Justin, Raydish is not listed. He has played often. There nay be an odd man out rotation among dmen. Press is apparently not good enough to force someone out of lineup; he is in the ECHL - Indy.
- jhawk59

Going off of what you shared, I feel Gustafsson and Snuggerud (in that order) are the closest to making the jump from Rockford within the next year to play RD on the 3rd pair with either Murphy or Seabrook (if #7's playing time is sheltered more and more over time).

Of the prospects on D, I see Carlsson, Jokiharju, Krys, and Mitchell as leading the pack of possible players to eventually fight for a roster spot -- along with Gustafsson and Snuggerud -- if the current 4-5 to build around are Keith, Forsling, Rutta, Murphy, and Seabrook (eventual CBA buyout?). From the reports I've read, Jokiharju, Krys, and Mitchell can carry the mail while Carlsson is a prototypical Swedish defensive specialist.

Not all of these prospects will make it -- but as you stated -- it would be nice if ideally 2 of them do within the next few years. With Ulf and Colliton on staff, the grooming of prospects should be much better than in the past.

Makes sense.

There's a price to pay for success, I suppose. Though there's a bigger price to pay when you try to hang on long term to an aging core in hopes of clinging to that success.
- BINGO!

Very true.
I do not blame Bowman for gambling he could get something more for Sharp - not at Sharp's age & salary at the time. I do not have a dissent over Hjalmarsson. He had taken a beating due to his style and his market value may go down if kept. Trending and better = fast skaters who can move or carry puck which Hjalmarsson is not..Murphy may yet be ok, even good useage on a third pair.

The Panarin swap had to be made. The team needed to change its identity and Saad would work well on a certain style offensive line which could be different than the other top offensive line. Forsberg is the real deal but of course will not blossom as a back up.

Those are the good moves Bowman made in relationship with the core. It would mean another blog entry to discuss the questiinablle or poor transactions. Most GM's do not score 100% through their GM tenure.

Agreed on all points with the exception of Murphy who has been a steady 15 minutes a night guy the last week+.
- EnzoD

Regarding all that Enzo covered, I concur bit for the Mutphy comment. I too see Murphy has played well lately

lock up Jurco with new found cap room. get we done Stash
- glennjpawlak22

I heard he has been playing well at Rockford. I suspect that if you do not expect too much from him, then he might surprise you and perform better than you thought he could. I foresee a complete player solid on a third line with occasional surprise streak of goals and points. I would spend to have him as an extra. With injuries commonplace here is a fair value who might just prove better than he had shown so far in the NHL