Hawks are starting to come together a bit. Many on here seem overly critical even when the boys seem to be turning a corner....

Last 3 games against a Rangers team on a SIX game win streak, the next against the Cup Champs Pens, and the third against a 15-3-2 league leading Lightning.

Hawks go 2-0-1 and grab 5 of 6 possible points.

Yet, all we hear about are the "warts" of the team. Now, I am not delusional....I see many areas to improve too. But,. seems there are many, many posters here who just want to nit-pick at every flaw of our guys.

I see a marked difference in the way the team is gelling over the last 2 weeks. I also see an improved play of Toews, Forsling and Schmaltz....three that stand out as getting their games back on the right track.

Look around the league...Habs are a mess....Oilers can't find answers (and came into the season as Cup favorites), Capitals struggling, Pens looking for answers....

The Hawks came into the season with a lot of youth, and additions of Saad, Sharp, etc. Obviously will be a roller-coaster first 30-40 games. I keep looking for how the team plays TOGETHER, and lately the "TEAM DEFENSE" has really began to mesh a little.

Are we THERE yet???...No!!!...are we trending the right direction??...I think so.

Let's see how the next set of games go coming out of this little Thankgiving break. I think we will see a team that plays a little more like a "TEAM".
- hawk35

Great post!! Totally agree - after all the cup is half full!

[quote=Scott1977]What centers on the bottom feeding teams would be a fit for the hawks?

We don't know yet whether we are one of those bottom feeder teams. Maybe we'll be making our players available to the elite teams.
- isu83boo

Fair point just thinking ahead that the hawks are going to be a playoff team. Need at least one center maybe 2 another solid d man and a top six forward, not going to get all of that but a center who be a pivot and win draws better than 50% or around that and solid d man would be on my x mas list for the hawks.

That could work with Panik going the other way. But if the Hawks were to deal with Vegas Haula would be my top choice.

What about Panik for Eller?
- DarthKane

Haula would be a very nice fit here. I could see Hayden as the pulling guard type for the Toews line.

The emergence of Forsling of late is huge for the Hawks going forward. If Forsling and Murphy can become top 4 material by season's end with one (or both) of Rutta and Kempny extended next season (hopefully Rutta if it can only be one of them) and Oesterle in the fold at $650,000, that's a very solid 6-7 defensemen going into next season.

Luc Snuggerud (22) and Joni Tuulola (21) have the upside to potentially help in the near future. With Henri Jokiharju (18), Chad Krys (19) and Ian Mitchell (18) all playing well at the moment, the future at the position looks fairly bright.

Now all Stan has to do is find a taker for Seabrook's contract...
- 4_in_7

Don't forget about 96 2015 3rd rd pick Dennis Gilbert now a junior at Notre Dame. I'm very intrigued by this 6ft 2in 220lb kid.

Saw him tryout for the Chicago Steel and the kid thought he was a 4th forward. Simply skated the puck end to end at will and jumped in on everything. Showed ++ skating. Made a huge clean open ice hit on the teams captain leaving the kid in a heap and was told to get off the ice by the coach.

Made the team but underestimated the league and how he could play in it. Got burned regularly thinking he could skate at will but maybe 10-15 games in learned to play his zone and was very effective by seasons end. Showed the ability to play nasty.

Went to ND the next season and from what I read was the top shutdown Dman as a sophomore. ........ My point is he has 3rd rd talent, showed elite skating in the USHL (ND has 18 rostered players out of the USHL and made the Frozen Four last yr), showed the ability to adapt his game, is listed at 220lb and when I saw him in jrs he was probably 180 at a legit 6ft 2in. ..... I'm very intrigued by this kid. Showed elite skating, adapted and gained 30-40 pounds at ND and is now a shutdown guy (+27 as a sophomore in their Frozen Four season).

I have tickets tonight behind the ND goal as #6 Minnesota invades #9 Notre Dame and will be zeroing in on the kid. The game by the way will be broadcast on NBCSN for those interested.

Gilbert: http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=267396

http://www.und.com/sports...ennis_gilbert_980339.html

Don't forget about 96 2015 3rd rd pick Dennis Gilbert now a junior at Notre Dame. I'm very intrigued by this 6ft 2in 220lb kid.

Saw him tryout for the Chicago Steel and the kid thought he was a 4th forward. Simply skated the puck end to end at will and jumped in on everything. Showed ++ skating. Made a huge clean open ice hit on the teams captain leaving the kid in a heap and was told to get off the ice by the coach.

Made the team but underestimated the league and how he could play in it. Got burned regularly thinking he could skate at will but maybe 10-15 games in learned to play his zone and was very effective by seasons end. Showed the ability to play nasty.

Went to ND the next season and from what I read was the top shutdown Dman as a sophomore. ........ My point is he has 3rd rd talent, showed elite skating in the USHL (ND has 18 rostered players out of the USHL and made the Frozen Four last yr), showed the ability to adapt his game, is listed at 220lb and when I saw him in jrs he was probably 180 at a legit 6ft 2in. ..... I'm very intrigued by this kid. Showed elite skating, adapted and gained 30-40 pounds at ND and is now a shutdown guy (+27 as a sophomore in their Frozen Four season).

I have tickets tonight behind the ND goal as #6 Minnesota invades #9 Notre Dame and will be zeroing in on the kid. The game by the way will be broadcast on NBCSN for those interested.

Gilbert: http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=267396

http://www.und.com/sports...ennis_gilbert_980339.html
- Mr Ricochet

Since he's from Tonawanda, NY he's likely a good kid. So before the 2015 draft Central Scouting had him at #58 (NA skaters) and McKenzie had him at #74 and Hawks get him at #91 overall - might be a real good pick if he can really skate at his size like you say.

So with that skating ability why's he playing a shut down role?

#1-10 are all GUSTAV FORSLING! I watched Forsling match-up with Stamkos and Kucherov for much of the night and held the Top 2 Offensive players in the NHL in check for the entire night (both 5v5 and on the PK) minus OT 4v3 which is just not fair. Forsling-Rutta are the PK 1 with Toews-Saad and were lights out in regulation. almost 25 minutes a night against the best line in the NHL coming into the game....just awesome stuff from Forsling.

I really like Hayden-Wingels-Bouma when they stay out of the box (Hayden + Bouma) and dont make drop passes at the offensive blue line (Bouma). They are simply a pain in the ass to play against over all 200ft and I love it.

Anisimov had another strong game without getting on the scoresheet. I think the faceoff rules have allowed him to improve his faceoff win % this year and that's a good thing for both PP + 5v5.

Franson is a poor skater by NHL standards, but he has been getting the job done .

Overall an entertaining and encouraging game, but when you blow a 2-0 lead and are searching for silver linings, I think that shows how far expectations have fallen for the Chicago Blackhawks.
- EnzoD

Do the Hawks play at Rado again this yr? Watch this kid live, you'll be more a fan of him afterwards. Kid's at damn near full speed in a few strides and shows an awareness that you can't see on tv. The game looks slow for him and he has quiet feet. No panic to his game.

Indeed, the 4th line as hoped is a pain to play against in all 3 zones. Probably my favorite line to watch this yr. Like how they just push the thing to the net and create by crashing.......Soooooo very un-Blackhawk like and a real breath of fresh air.

Never thought of the rules changes helping AA at the dot. 320 faceoffs taken and he's at 49.7%. Beyond huge..... Very good observation, Zo.

Franson reminds me of Sopel in many ways. Experts would use words/phrases like garbage, trash, hard pass in their 1 word scouting reports but watch him live. Very good angles (a must for slowish players) engages in his slot and shows offensive awareness.

I guess when I post I'll be redundant but expectations at Game 25 should be lower than in Cup yrs. The sheer number of new bodies and 1st and 2nd yr players just can't be tight early in the yr. Not until game 60-70 can the group, coach and GM begin to be graded.

Since he's from Tonawanda, NY he's likely a good kid. So before the 2015 draft Central Scouting had him at #58 (NA skaters) and McKenzie had him at #74 and Hawks get him at #91 overall - might be a real good pick if he can really skate at his size like you say.

So with that skating ability why's he playing a shut down role?
- RickJ

That is what intrigues me so much. Firstly following jrs so much I really like to see a kid who is coachable therefore develops. I saw that first hand in a short time with Gilbert as a Steel. Kid was a 180 lb gunslinger and in 15 games learned to play his zone first. Had to or the league would eat him up.

2nd he put on 40 lbs at ND. I saw him and his pops leave that Steel tryout, it was summer and he was wearing shorts, and the kid was skinny but tall. I wanna focus on his skating with the extra weight, 40 lbs is a lot, when I see him live tonight. Add he played physical and showed some nasty to go along with + skating in jrs as a 180 lb kid.

You know the types. Kids from Major Junior who score but at the NHL level accept a 3rd line role but have that back class to score or have offensive instincts. These types if found and developed are solid but usually late rd picks but it does happen with early picks too with guys like Berglund.

That is what intrigues me so much. Firstly following jrs so much I really like to see a kid who is coachable therefore develops. I saw that first hand in a short time with Gilbert as a Steel. Kid was a 180 lb gunslinger and in 15 games learned to play his zone first. Had to or the league would eat him up.

2nd he put on 40 lbs at ND. I saw him and his pops leave that Steel tryout, it was summer and he was wearing shorts, and the kid was skinny but tall. I wanna focus on his skating with the extra weight, 40 lbs is a lot, when I see him live tonight. Add he played physical and showed some nasty to go along with + skating in jrs as a 180 lb kid.

You know the types. Kids from Major Junior who score but at the NHL level accept a 3rd line role but have that back class to score or have offensive instincts. These types if found and developed are solid but usually late rd picks but it does happen with early picks too with guys like Berglund.
- Mr Ricochet

Other than the can't miss kids, young defenceman are really hard to project as pros. Did the Hawks ever think Hammer would develop like he did as a 4th rounder, or M-E Vlasic like he has with San Jose? And I remember watching Bryan Campbell play for Brian Kilrea and the Ottawa 67's and although he was really good I just figured way too small for the NHL - so he winds up playing about 15 years and making a zillion $.

And then there are the high draft picks like Jarred Tinordi and Jamie Oleksiak - really struggle and don't make it - have size but don't move and skate well. And on the opposite side of that the best 8th rounder of all - Big Buff.

Agree, that is a decently growing pipeline on defense. I'd also add Lucas Carlsson into that blueline prospect mix.
- AEL_Fox

Unless MyQuist (sorry I do not recall exactly your blog name) provides an update, we compare the level of play among junior, collegiate, AHL, oversea primarily Sweden, Finland/less from Czechoslovakia and Russia.

Then we also consider the player in how strong and how weak each part of his game. Overall strength or needs work in the gym/weights. The collegiate guys may finish school - could be a long wait since collegiate usually play for at least one year AHL.

Whomever can skate really well, makes fewest mistakes, has a good feel and decision making in other words does not have to be the big scorer: this is whom Samuelson should and is more likely to help quickest. My guess is Carllsson and Tuolola. Or Gus gets an opportunity if they are too green. I suggest that Snuggerud and Jokiharju are slight build and therefore have to be very good AHL before their game is ready for NHL ....The land of the giants for them.

Other than the can't miss kids, young defenceman are really hard to project as pros. Did the Hawks ever think Hammer would develop like he did as a 4th rounder, or M-E Vlasic like he has with San Jose? And I remember watching Bryan Campbell play for Brian Kilrea and the Ottawa 67's and although he was really good I just figured way too small for the NHL - so he winds up playing about 15 years and making a zillion $.

And then there are the high draft picks like Jarred Tinordi and Jamie Oleksiak - really struggle and don't make it - have size but don't move and skate well. And on the opposite side of that the best 8th rounder of all - Big Buff.
- RickJ

Oleksiak was a Steel for a yr and a half. IMO a huge reach in the 1st round even at the time. His old man is still the biggest human I ever saw live. Played pro rugby in South Africa for a living. A beast...... Sister was an Olympic swimmer.

Indeed Dmen are so hard to project and develop especially these days with a premium on skating and puck moving. So many can do it at the jr level but it doesn't translate to the bigs. .......As Al always says just a few have the gift to see the end of the movie 1/2 way thru. You watch enough yrs of jrs and you realize that as with the names you mention.

Like goalies, another position hard to project, collect a bunch of them, develop them and hope 1 or 2 out of 20 make the NHL.

Unless MyQuist (sorry I do not recall exactly your blog name) provides an update, we compare the level of play among junior, collegiate, AHL, oversea primarily Sweden, Finland/less from Czechoslovakia and Russia.

Then we also consider the player in how strong and how weak each part of his game. Overall strength or needs work in the gym/weights. The collegiate guys may finish school - could be a long wait since collegiate usually play for at least one year AHL.

Whomever can skate really well, makes fewest mistakes, has a good feel and decision making in other words does not have to be the big scorer: this is whom Samuelson should and is more likely to help quickest. My guess is Carllsson and Tuolola. Or Gus gets an opportunity if they are too green. I suggest that Snuggerud and Jokiharju are slight build and therefore have to be very good AHL before their game is ready for NHL ....The land of the giants for them.
- jhawk59

There is a formula for that that escapes me right now. Taking numbers accrued from leagues around the world and projecting them to the bigs.

But it is pretty much agreed around NHL offices that NCAA guys are most ready to play in the NHL. You're done with jrs at 20 yrs old but most come out of the NCAA at 21-22-23 and are much more physically mature.

I guess each organIzation is different but for me weighing numbers of prospects too much is the wrong way to go. Remember when the Hawks announced they were putting a premium on drafting IQ, the Detroilet model? Along with speed smarts don't have slumps.

Find hockey players, period. Get enough of them and you have a deep system.

Hayden deserved a suspension for that swing - not just a fine.

Unless someone is swinging at Corey Perry or Raffi Torres, there is no place for that in hockey.
- dahawks8819

I’d really need to see the high sticking incident again. Anyone have a link?

[quote=Mr Ricochet]Do the Hawks play at Rado again this yr? Watch this kid live, you'll be more a fan of him afterwards. Kid's at damn near full speed in a few strides and shows an awareness that you can't see on tv. The game looks slow for him and he has quiet feet. No panic to his game.

Indeed, the 4th line as hoped is a pain to play against in all 3 zones. Probably my favorite line to watch this yr. Like how they just push the thing to the net and create by crashing.......Soooooo very un-Blackhawk like and a real breath of fresh air.

Never thought of the rules changes helping AA at the dot. 320 faceoffs taken and he's at 49.7%. Beyond huge..... Very good observation, Zo.

Franson reminds me of Sopel in many ways. Experts would use words/phrases like garbage, trash, hard pass in their 1 word scouting reports but watch him live. Very good angles (a must for slowish players) engages in his slot and shows offensive awareness.

I guess when I post I'll be redundant but expectations at Game 25 should be lower than in Cup yrs. The sheer number of new bodies and 1st and 2nd yr players just can't be tight early in the yr. Not until game 60-70 can the group, coach and GM begin

What you said about all the new faces and the team needs until game 60-70 to come together....that is true ONLY to some extent. Some veterans decide to not show up in some games. This Hartman kid is like a soap opera. Is he stuck between the way he wants to play and the way he should play? A coach needs to tell him, you not o my sit out, you are demoted to Rockford if you do not play the way we expect.

For all the good points about Q as a coach, he has some bad ideas and he is stubborn although appears more open to change this season. He has two dmen who can be the good, top player in the first two pairings. Yet he puts Ruuta on his wrong side where he is not as good. I dk how this play out.

Then too last night was the only time in memory that the power play moved the puck and frustrated their opponent. This pp for years needed someone to make the players do as told. Easier said than done. Won three Cups despite this albatross of a power play. Bowman is not completely without blame in this btw. He could get even some lug like McShinter to stand in front of net

GILBERT check about his skating. Able to skate end to end rush, but is he a tad slow skating in all the different ways, situations a defenseman needs to do. Perhaps this is why I have heard that his skating is an issue.

There is a formula for that that escapes me right now. Taking numbers accrued from leagues around the world and projecting them to the bigs.

But it is pretty much agreed around NHL offices that NCAA guys are most ready to play in the NHL. You're done with jrs at 20 yrs old but most come out of the NCAA at 21-22-23 and are much more physically mature.

I guess each organIzation is different but for me weighing numbers of prospects too much is the wrong way to go. Remember when the Hawks announced they were putting a premium on drafting IQ, the Detroilet model? Along with speed smarts don't have slumps.

Find hockey players, period. Get enough of them and you have a deep system.
- Mr Ricochet

Thanks for all your input on Gilbert. He, Hillman at Denver (where Mitchell is), and Shea at Northeastern (where Sikura is) may be possible candidates to challenge for defensive defenseman spots with the Hawks down the line. As non-elite talent, it would serve them well to play out their college years and get their degrees then make the jump to the pros.

I agree, getting experience (albeit against other college students) and simply maturing physically and mentally as a young 20-something is a benefit of the NCAA. Playing a smart, steady game would be welcome additions to 4-7 spots on the blueline.

Fair point just thinking ahead that the hawks are going to be a playoff team. Need at least one center maybe 2 another solid d man and a top six forward, not going to get all of that but a center who be a pivot and win draws better than 50% or around that and solid d man would be on my x mas list for the hawks.
- Scott1977

I wonder if there are advanced stats being generated to track how the new faceoff rules are impacting faceoff % whether as a benefit or as a detriment. Some on this board have noted how the new rules may be boosting Anisimov's faceoff % so far this season.

hawks look pretty decent vs teams like the bolts who want play high speed-high stakes hockey...

but that is not their division or WC....hawks need to show they can beat their division foes who play slog it out structured defensive game...
oh BTW they will say the preds next week.

Trade proposal: since the Hawks aren't playing Kempny, how about Kempny to the Canes for Kruger with the Canes retaining some salary?

Trade proposal: since the Hawks aren't playing Kempny, how about Kempny to the Canes for Kruger with the Canes retaining some salary?
- tvetter

Kruger is playing good in carolina they like him and what he brings. Kempney for a different center who we ll see how things play out throughout the league its a shame with kempney because he has all rhe tools to be a solid top 4 d man Q screwing with another good talent like leddy

Trade proposal: since the Hawks aren't playing Kempny, how about Kempny to the Canes for Kruger with the Canes retaining some salary?
- tvetter

A player of Kruger's caliber is definitely needed and I see Kempny being trade bait assuming he likely won't re-sign this summer (I wouldn't if I were him and it's best if the Hawks got something for him rather than lose him for nothing) but I can't see the Canes trading for a defenseman when they have a good blueline corps already. Kempny may not be an upgrade over what they have currently.

What about Kempny to Vegas for Karlsson? Surprisingly Karlsson has 18 points in 20 games so far; not sustainable but may be enough for Vegas to want more than just Kempny in a trade.

Anybody watch Senator games? Has Duchene really regressed or is he just snake bitten like Saad? Duchene is pointless in 6 games and a -8 since the trade.

Turris has 5 points in 6 games with the Predators. Girard and Kamenev have already played games with the Avalanche, too.

And although he's a Hawk killer, glad to see MacKinnon finally lighting it up.

A player of Kruger's caliber is definitely needed and I see Kempny being trade bait assuming he likely won't re-sign this summer (I wouldn't if I were him and it's best if the Hawks got something for him rather than lose him for nothing) but I can't see the Canes trading for a defenseman when they have a good blueline corps already. Kempny may not be an upgrade over what they have currently.

What about Kempny to Vegas for Karlsson? Surprisingly Karlsson has 18 points in 20 games so far; not sustainable but may be enough for Vegas to want more than just Kempny in a trade.
- AEL_Fox

Good point. I wasn't thinking about the Canes' defensive depth.

Bs interference call against Hertl at the end of regulation vs Vegas. I'm glad SJS were able to kill the penalty.

Bs interference call against Hertl at the end of regulation vs Vegas. I'm glad SJS were able to kill the penalty.
- tvetter

Vegas won their 9th game out of ten at home. Are opposing players going out on the town the night before?

Anybody watch Senator games? Has Duchene really regressed or is he just snake bitten like Saad? Duchene is pointless in 6 games and a -8 since the trade.

Turris has 5 points in 6 games with the Predators. Girard and Kamenev have already played games with the Avalanche, too.

And although he's a Hawk killer, glad to see MacKinnon finally lighting it up.
- AEL_Fox

Was 2nd row off the glass at the Avs game last week and Mackinnon was BY FAR the most explosive player on the ice. Dynamic speed, agility, puck control and playmaking. He had a 6-7% shooting % the last two years but he's finishing at a higher rate this year....always been a stud and a player you enjoy watching.

Vegas won their 9th game out of ten at home. Are opposing players going out on the town the night before?
- tvetter

"Vegas flu" - it's a thing!