Hawks are at 47/50 contracts so they could sign him as incentive for his brother.
- JRoenick97

Justin, thank you for the reminder that Tyler Sikura is only on an AHL contract. Forgot about that.

JRoenick, thank you for the status on how many NHL contracts the Hawks currently have. Do ELCs count as NHL contracts? I imagine they do, so one of the 3 remaining contracts is likely being saved for Dylan. Save one more of those for Tyler?

That would then leave one NHL contract left if the math is correct.

Justin and trade chatter how what the hawks direction the hawks looking at seeing the TDL is getting closer? Now that Crawford may not be coming back to the hawks become sellers or continue try and make the playoffs? What would you do?

Justin, thank you for the reminder that Tyler Sikura is only on an AHL contract. Forgot about that.

JRoenick, thank you for the status on how many NHL contracts the Hawks currently have. Do ELCs count as NHL contracts? I imagine they do, so one of the 3 remaining contracts is likely being saved for Dylan. Save one more of those for Tyler?

That would then leave one NHL contract left if the math is correct.
- AEL_Fox

They do count. Any NHL contract counts, even if the guy is in another league at the time.

You take the best player regardless of size. And with the NHL getting faster having players that forecheck tenaciously, are quick up the ice and have a bit of finish are good to have.

Tampa Bay has a lot of lil guys, so does Vegas, so did Pittsburgh when they won twice in a row.

Size is pretty irrelevant in today's NHL.
- fattybeef

Generally, I agree with you. Each position on the team no matter the line or pair should have the best person available regardless of size. Gazza mentioned in a few posts that having a bunch of non-physical players won't cut it either which I think is true as well. And another poster said push back when the going gets tough is needed, too.

DeBrincat is a good example of size not mattering because he does push back and is willing to get his nose dirty. Not constantly like a Marchand or Point or Trocheck but enough to show that he is willing to stick up for himself, bounce back without withering away, and not take crap from guys who want nothing else but to run him into next week.

Schmaltz on the other hand does not push back and that lack of fight could sadly catch up with him in the form of nagging injuries and/or serious injuries as well as growing fear of the rough stuff and areas that an NHLer needs to not be afraid of to be fully effective (I think we've seen this happen already in his young career). Rough up a guy like Schmaltz enough and its relatively easy for another team to render him useless for the rest of the game.

Don't know enough about whether Sikura has the toughness to push back when games get physical.

I would love another power forward on the team, especially in the top 6, but only if he can consistently do what power forwards should do: play physical, create space for linemates, crash the net, etc. But if said player isn't great at what they do, then I wouldn't want to sacrifice offensive talent that we have in guys like DeBrincat, Schmaltz, and Sikura.

Overall what matters more is having a team mentality of playing tough and smartly physical. Putting the onus on one or two players isn't enough. Right now and for some number of years, three just hasn't been a team culture of playing like this.

They do count. Any NHL contract counts, even if the guy is in another league at the time.
- JRoenick97

Cool, thanks for verifying!

Justin and trade chatter how what the hawks direction the hawks looking at seeing the TDL is getting closer? Now that Crawford may not be coming back to the hawks become sellers or continue try and make the playoffs? What would you do?
- Scott1977

The Winnipeg Jets hockeybuzz writer presents a case for Hutchison. I say, is he going to be how much better than Forsberg. So Hutchison would lead us to a playoff berth. I don't think we trade anything for a goaltender. Keep our assets. Even if Hutchison played as well as Crawford would, the consensus has to be highly unlikely still to make playoffs. You've seen the math! Like it or not, just enjoy the young guys here the rest of the season. Bigger question might be, what do we get from Crawford remainder of his career?

We need Blackhawks hockey back ASAP so we can stop rehashing old trades, speculating on injuries and complaining about Stan's continued incompetence.

The Winnipeg Jets hockeybuzz writer presents a case for Hutchison. I say, is he going to be how much better than Forsberg. So Hutchison would lead us to a playoff berth. I don't think we trade anything for a goaltender. Keep our assets. Even if Hutchison played as well as Crawford would, the consensus has to be highly unlikely still to make playoffs. You've seen the math! Like it or not, just enjoy the young guys here the rest of the season. Bigger question might be, what do we get from Crawford remainder of his career?
- jhawk59

I've suggested Hutchison a couple times over the past few blogs. I'd rather hold onto our assets and go with Forsberg, but if Stan is insistent on acquiring a goalie I would take a chance on Hutch, he'd be a good balance between cost and risk.

I've suggested Hutchison a couple times over the past few blogs. I'd rather hold onto our assets and go with Forsberg, but if Stan is insistent on acquiring a goalie I would take a chance on Hutch, he'd be a good balance between cost and risk.
- DarthKane

I like Hutch, but not that much more than Forsberg. If we are giving up assets, top 4 D is much more important.

I like Hutch, but not that much more than Forsberg. If we are giving up assets, top 4 D is much more important.
- JRoenick97

Agreed. 100%. Although the cost to acquire Hutch, who is a pending UFA, would be minimal.

Forsberg was acquired for a reason, I say let him play.

Absolutely. Just a bad situation for everyone involved.
- Hawks_49

The question that no one is asking, is could he even have gotten anything better...I mean we have no idea what conversations were going on with which teams, etc, but then we criticize the moves...completely out of context.

The question that no one is asking, is could he even have gotten anything better...I mean we have no idea what conversations were going on with which teams, etc, but then we criticize the moves...completely out of context.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

No matter that trade Stan makes he could have always done better, he's totally inept. Just as every signing was for too much, too long, contained a NTC/NMC and was done at the wrong time.

We need Blackhawks hockey back ASAP so we can stop rehashing old trades, speculating on injuries and complaining about Stan's continued incompetence.
- DarthKane

Amen!

Oskar Lindblom (PHI) and both Matthew Highmore and Carl Dahlstrom (CHI) added to the AHL all star game as replacements.

— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) January 18, 2018

Generally, I agree with you. Each position on the team no matter the line or pair should have the best person available regardless of size. Gazza mentioned in a few posts that having a bunch of non-physical players won't cut it either which I think is true as well. And another poster said push back when the going gets tough is needed, too.

DeBrincat is a good example of size not mattering because he does push back and is willing to get his nose dirty. Not constantly like a Marchand or Point or Trocheck but enough to show that he is willing to stick up for himself, bounce back without withering away, and not take crap from guys who want nothing else but to run him into next week.

Schmaltz on the other hand does not push back and that lack of fight could sadly catch up with him in the form of nagging injuries and/or serious injuries as well as growing fear of the rough stuff and areas that an NHLer needs to not be afraid of to be fully effective (I think we've seen this happen already in his young career). Rough up a guy like Schmaltz enough and its relatively easy for another team to render him useless for the rest of the game.

Don't know enough about whether Sikura has the toughness to push back when games get physical.

I would love another power forward on the team, especially in the top 6, but only if he can consistently do what power forwards should do: play physical, create space for linemates, crash the net, etc. But if said player isn't great at what they do, then I wouldn't want to sacrifice offensive talent that we have in guys like DeBrincat, Schmaltz, and Sikura.

Overall what matters more is having a team mentality of playing tough and smartly physical. Putting the onus on one or two players isn't enough. Right now and for some number of years, three just hasn't been a team culture of playing like this.
- AEL_Fox

You really spell it out 100% correct about the type of players you need. I have been almost hyperventilating about the need for power forwards.

Actually if only one true power forward joined the team, you just need most - not all -players who will push back. You cannot let teams run over you. Nothing to do with payback. All about compete. When I mention how many smallish players - skill guys in top six or top nine and you have another joining soon.....well too many of them are not push back and are not above average skaters then we are left along the ice in their shadow. Especially playoff hockey.

Now I suggested they even use Hartman if they can extract a younger dman who skates well and can play at least certain things at high speed. You see I want someone to replace the TOI Seabrook used to get but this mystery guy has to be able to skate (If Hartman ships out then maybe we would trade and draft two forwards. Hartman represents an asset some teams want).

Beyond Sikura there isn't any top end forwards in our system, not really. See Fortin: next year. Highmore is an interesting talent, good motor, scouts still guessing as to his ability

So I want to trade and draft compete guys. Would really love if one had big size frame and didn't mind being nasty once in a while.

We have a lot of dmen & you've seen their names bandied about here in this board. Fine, great bring them in and let's see if they can take someone else job. The exciting guys are the ones whom we read and hear bits and pieces about, because they might be able to become more than third pair guys. They can skate, too

Just anxious to see whom is in camp in the fall

Agreed. 100%. Although the cost to acquire Hutch, who is a pending UFA, would be minimal.

Forsberg was acquired for a reason, I say let him play.
- DarthKane

Totally agree. Maybe the CORE will have to play intense hockey for 60 minutes now versus saving themselves for the playoffs. Let's see what they got.

NO more goalie wins !! The top dogs have to kick it into gear immediately and Q has to play the right people in all situations. If that means Keith and Toews off the 1st PP unit, so be it. Same for the PK.

The Goalie wins can not be counted on any longer boys. They should all be well rested for maximum effort every shift.

Oskar Lindblom (PHI) and both Matthew Highmore and Carl Dahlstrom (CHI) added to the AHL all star game as replacements.

— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) January 18, 2018

- DarthKane

Nice to hear, maybe they have something developing in this Dahlstrom kid

No matter that trade Stan makes he could have always done better, he's totally inept. Just as every signing was for too much, too long, contained a NTC/NMC and was done at the wrong time.
- DarthKane

Yes, I totally agree, and Wingels/Bouma aren't the guys doing it, if anyone it was
Hayden who was standing up for the lads.
- gazza53

Speaking of Hayden....... wouldn't we rather have Hayden in the lineup versus Bouma ? I know Bouma has done his job on that 4th line all year but since the acquisition of Duclair, there's one less spot. I think Hayden brings more offense than Bouma and we definitely need to score more.

Speaking of Hayden....... wouldn't we rather have Hayden in the lineup versus Bouma ? I know Bouma has done his job on that 4th line all year but since the acquisition of Duclair, there's one less spot. I think Hayden brings more offense than Bouma and we definitely need to score more.
- Hawkytalk

And Hayden has also fought more (and more effectively) than Bouma this year. No reason for Bouma to be in over Hayden as Big John has already shown to be a more effective "enforcer" both with his fists and with the puck on his stick.

EDIT: I still think the "Bangers" line of Bouma-Wingels-Hayden should never have been broken up just so Sharp can stay in the lineup. That line was physical, all 3 have killed penalties at times during the year, and they also produced a few goals here and there. Hopefully Hayden plays well enough in Rockford to force a call up soon.

Speaking of Hayden....... wouldn't we rather have Hayden in the lineup versus Bouma ? I know Bouma has done his job on that 4th line all year but since the acquisition of Duclair, there's one less spot. I think Hayden brings more offense than Bouma and we definitely need to score more.
- Hawkytalk

He does, but I think a little time in Rockford playing 20 minutes a game across all situations will be good for Hayden. Let Bouma play 10 minutes per game until Hayden is ready to come back.

Speaking of Hayden....... wouldn't we rather have Hayden in the lineup versus Bouma ? I know Bouma has done his job on that 4th line all year but since the acquisition of Duclair, there's one less spot. I think Hayden brings more offense than Bouma and we definitely need to score more.
- Hawkytalk

I think they want Hayden to get more minutes and experience in his development. It doesn't seem like playing Hayden over Bouma for 10 minutes a game will really affect the overall offense.

He does, but I think a little time in Rockford playing 20 minutes a game across all situations will be good for Hayden. Let Bouma play 10 minutes per game until Hayden is ready to come back.
- DarthKane

And Hayden is waiver exempt. Bouma is not.

I think they want Hayden to get more minutes and experience in his development. It doesn't seem like playing Hayden over Bouma for 10 minutes a game will really affect the overall offense.
- breadbag

True..... but this team needs net front presence on the PP and I'd like to see Hayden park that big frame in front of the net. Any kind of an upgrade on the PP would be welcome.......... however I'm betting that Q sticks with his usual cast of non performers that have been on that 1st unit for years. The PP is KEY to any success that this team might accomplish for the remainder of the season. Just think of what 1 Power Play goal a game could do for this team !!

Beyond Sikura there isn't any top end forwards in our system, not really. See Fortin: next year. Highmore is an interesting talent, good motor, scouts still guessing as to his ability

So I want to trade and draft compete guys. Would really love if one had big size frame and didn't mind being nasty once in a while.

We have a lot of dmen & you've seen their names bandied about here in this board. Fine, great bring them in and let's see if they can take someone else job. The exciting guys are the ones whom we read and hear bits and pieces about, because they might be able to become more than third pair guys. They can skate, too
- jhawk59

Agree, Sikura seems to be the only prospect who has top 6 potential. Not sure what to think of Fortin anymore. Highmore is trending toward being a future Hawk but as a bottom 6 forward, maybe he and Kampf battling it out for 3C and 4C duties.

Acquiring players with strong compete level via trade, free agency, or draft should be a priority. Skill is always a premium to seek but often tough to get. Regardless, if a guy can work his tail off for a full 60 and play sound defensively, then that's what matters more than his size. This goes for the 1st liners down to the 4th liners and 1st pair down to the 3rd pair.

And yes, most of the blueline prospects are great skaters and many are good at carrying the mail. The things that will elevate their game are a solid compete level and commitment to defense which many of them are still developing. Some will get to the level the Hawks expect, some will not.