Ah....what the hell, it's Christmas time.

Fox-What interests me is how his offensive game seems to have come around. The book on him in the draft was exceptional in his own zone, extremely good understanding of gaps and defensive zone play.

The negatives were limited offensive upside and not overly physical. Not sure if that means soft? Hammer wasn't overly physical, but played "tough". I don't give a poop if Dahlstrom isn't laying hits, what I want to know is can he take them? And will he still get the puck on our sticks without the physical play.

In just his 2nd year in America playing in Rockford it appears he has really taken a step up. I agree with you, sounds like he could slide into a bottom pairing role given his consistency and stability.
- kwolf68

With his size (6ft 4 & 230+ lb), I am not worried about his physical play because he is not going to get knocked around.

With his size (6ft 4 & 230+ lb), I am not worried about his physical play because he is not going to get knocked around.
- 67hawks

Yea. What stands out for me is the offense. The kid has 15 points in 22 games. His previous high was 11 points in 70 games. That's a huge increase in production. Big kid, Swedish so you know he's smart, excellent in his own zone. I think there might be something there.

Fox-What interests me is how his offensive game seems to have come around. The book on him in the draft was exceptional in his own zone, extremely good understanding of gaps and defensive zone play.

The negatives were limited offensive upside and not overly physical. Not sure if that means soft? Hammer wasn't overly physical, but played "tough". I don't give a poop if Dahlstrom isn't laying hits, what I want to know is can he take them? And will he still get the puck on our sticks without the physical play.

In just his 2nd year in America playing in Rockford it appears he has really taken a step up. I agree with you, sounds like he could slide into a bottom pairing role given his consistency and stability.
- kwolf68

Thanks for the analysis. Always nice to read player evaluations whether from scouts, reporters, bloggers, or fans. Yeah, I agree that his marked improvement and offensive contributions are a nice surprise.

While it could be strictly coincidence that Ulf is the defense coach, Colliton has a strong track record of developing players after coaching in Sweden, and the Hawks have an affinity for Swedes especially blueliners, it is still great for the team to leverage these converging factors and try to build up a Swedish empire on D.

Forsling is a keeper, Dahlstrom is progressing well, Carlsson projects to be an NHLer. Then there are others like Norell, Press, Svedberg, Gustafson, etc. but I don't expect much from any of them. Still though, having half of the future D corps being Swedes could be a great foundation on the backend with say Murphy, Rutta, Seabrook, and Keith.

Even if some of those youngsters don't pan out, there are other prospects like Jokiharju, Tuulola, Snuggerud, Krys, and Mitchell.

IceHogs goalie Berube Reportedly Out For “Weeks”

https://www.the-rink.com/...-berube-reportedly-weeks/

IceHogs goalie Berube Reportedly Out For “Weeks”

https://www.the-rink.com/...-berube-reportedly-weeks/
- walleyeb1

crow...stay healthy...

crow...stay healthy...

- bogiedoc

Niemi is available...

Niemi is available...
- Slofire94

Don't forget the Hawks emergency backup goalie who suited up in Philadelphia last year. The Blues had their emergency backup in yesterday, a vending machine company employee and SLU alum.

Thanks for the analysis. Always nice to read player evaluations whether from scouts, reporters, bloggers, or fans. Yeah, I agree that his marked improvement and offensive contributions are a nice surprise.

While it could be strictly coincidence that Ulf is the defense coach, Colliton has a strong track record of developing players after coaching in Sweden, and the Hawks have an affinity for Swedes especially blueliners, it is still great for the team to leverage these converging factors and try to build up a Swedish empire on D.

Forsling is a keeper, Dahlstrom is progressing well, Carlsson projects to be an NHLer. Then there are others like Norell, Press, Svedberg, Gustafson, etc. but I don't expect much from any of them. Still though, having half of the future D corps being Swedes could be a great foundation on the backend with say Murphy, Rutta, and Keith.

Even if some of those youngsters don't pan out, there are other prospects like Jokiharju, Tuulola, Snuggerud, Krys, and Mitchell.
- AEL_Fox

Yea I like your second list lead by Jokiharju...those guys all have a chance, but it's still a wait and see.

Gustafson? Not sure what happened with him. When he first came up a couple years ago he looked loaded with potential. By the end, he was a shell. I don't think he'll ever play in Chicago again...I suspect he'll end up being part of some minor league type trade at some point.

Yea I like your second list lead by Jokiharju...those guys all have a chance, but it's still a wait and see.

Gustafson? Not sure what happened with him. When he first came up a couple years ago he looked loaded with potential. By the end, he was a shell. I don't think he'll ever play in Chicago again...I suspect he'll end up being part of some minor league type trade at some point.
- kwolf68

He was doing pretty well but went out with a shoulder injury back in November.

http://www.dailyherald.co...eeks-with-shoulder-injury

Ah....what the hell, it's Christmas time.


- DarthKane

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What's Panik's contract look like?

I guessing Bowman jumped the gun as usual and overpaid him and probably threw in a NMC just for the heck of it.

What's Panik's contract look like?

I guessing Bowman jumped the gun as usual and overpaid him and probably threw in a NMC just for the heck of it.


- Hank3Henshaw

2.8 for 2 years. No NTCs attached to it I think. It's a movable deal I think.

Panik said he was surprised at the offer and jumped on it, but for a guy who played hard with 20+ goals I have no issue with the offer from Stan. Right now Panik looks terribly lost. Not sure what his problem is.

What's Panik's contract look like?

I guessing Bowman jumped the gun as usual and overpaid him and probably threw in a NMC just for the heck of it.


- Hank3Henshaw

I think it looks like this...

2.8 for 2 years. No NTCs attached to it I think. It's a movable deal I think.

Panik said he was surprised at the offer and jumped on it, but for a guy who played hard with 20+ goals I have no issue with the offer from Stan. Right now Panik looks terribly lost. Not sure what his problem is.
- kwolf68

No, I know. I don't either. Just having some fun because you know how Stan is with his contracts...

He's the invisible man out there right now.

McKenzie believes the Senators are looking to make a move and that Mike Hoffman and Jean-Gabriel Pageau have come up. They are looking to make a “hockey deal” and not for draft picks.

Pacioretti, Danault for? A LOT
Hoffman and Smith for? TONS

These trades would cost multiple top prospects + a top pick.

It would cost something like Forsling, Debrincat + a #1

Hawks are NOT going to be involved in ANYTHING like this, because they just don't have the farm to get it done. Teams with multiple prospects are the only game in town.

Unless you think a package of Pokka + Eric Gustaffson and Mark Iacopelli is enough.
- kwolf68

Of course you are right, fairly obvious read.
How often do teams rip off their trade partner when it is nhl players the major part. Not too often, but it does occur.

Here is what we should be concerned about: Bowman trades someone and Queeneville doesn't want to PLlug into lineup, at least not much anyway. Example. DALE WEISS,

2.8 for 2 years. No NTCs attached to it I think. It's a movable deal I think.

Panik said he was surprised at the offer and jumped on it, but for a guy who played hard with 20+ goals I have no issue with the offer from Stan. Right now Panik looks terribly lost. Not sure what his problem is.
- kwolf68

His problem is that he has reverted to his former self after getting contract security. I can take the lack of goals, but lack of effort and hitting I cannot.
You cannot jump the gun with big contracts for guys who have shown a history for inconsistency. There was a reason for his bouncing from team to team.

McKenzie believes the Senators are looking to make a move and that Mike Hoffman and Jean-Gabriel Pageau have come up. They are looking to make a “hockey deal” and not for draft picks.
- walleyeb1

Yes please. Third line center who can win some faceoffs. And he should not be too terribly expensive either.

Yes please. Third line center who can win some faceoffs. And he should not be too terribly expensive either.
- kwolf68

Then what role would Toews play???

Then what role would Toews play???
- Slofire94

Yes please. Third line center who can win some faceoffs. And he should not be too terribly expensive either.
- kwolf68

He's just the right size for Stan too....5'10" and 180lbs (both are probably grossly overstated).


Panik for Pageau?

That one was close to making my top 2 as well.

Versteeg was a steal and love 'em or hate 'em... he was good for this Hawks team.

any news on Laurent Dauphin and how he is performing in Rockford.
- glennjpawlak22

He's been solid.

Currently, he's playing banged up a bit.

He's been used at C and W and was immediately put into a leadership role by Colliton; he's one of the Assistant Captains.

I've heard he's working on his 200 foot game and working on faceoffs (when he plays C). They have plans for him to get a full year in Rockford, unless his play (or injuries) dictate otherwise. There, he will learn under Colliton and challenge for a bottom 6 role in 2018-19.

Look at Carl Dahlstrom's trajectory...

2016-17 Rockford IceHogs AHL 70 6 5 11 16 -12 |
2017-18 Rockford IceHogs AHL 24 2 13 15 12 10

In 1/3 the games in his 2nd year in Rock he has already passed his point totals and has greatly improved his plus minus. In fact, in looking at his numbers, he has already set career highs in total points in just 24 games this year. Dude never even scored 15 in U16

Big, lefty, stay at home D-man from Sweden (LOVE my Swedish D-men), high IQ, excellent positioning, almost never takes penalties. Could he be Hammer V2.0?
- kwolf68

He's been lighting it up lately (8 points in December I believe).

Offense is not his game, but nice to see.

If he emerges as a big, steady, stay-at-home Dman option for the Hawks, that's a huge bonus.