This Forsling/Rutta love affair is all Dirty Ulf. How these 2 D are playing ahead of other D I have no idea. They give up break-aways on Penalty Kills for heaven’s sake - from their own blue-line. They NEVER take the body. Not surprisingly they NEVER win a battle for the puck. They are out of position constantly. It is not just me saying these things now - have read elsewhere too. When other young D have played like this they were banished to Rockford. Want the Hawks to win? Start respecting Keith, Seabrook, Murphy and Kempny. Remember the recent game against the Jets - Seebs takes on Big Buff in front of the Hawks’ net and both go to the ice. Know what Rutta and Forsling do in this situation? - NOTHing! Too busy peeing themselves in fear and hiding. Rutta and Forsling can go whole games without initiating contact once.
- Z3Hawk

I understand and see with my own eyes. Apparently you do not read all the blogs. Or if you read most of the blogs then you would know why Forsling and Rutta play. The response to the blogs, the reader input is what i refer to. Samuelson's ideas are used around the league. Forsling is the best defenseman on this team at quick reaction, making a good play. He needs to improve here, not where he Doesn't improve as much in the AHL. Rutta might be the best dman overall once you review this season. Murphy cannot play the speed system all too well, he gets by and he will never or should never be more than a #5 depth third pair guy.

Tonight the NYI will throw lots of youth out on the ice. Some injuries for them. Last few games Barzal has been red hot. Beauvillier also like Barzal a rookie, has looked good. Pullock on defense, anither first round guy on a team chok full of them, has a bomb laser of a shot. Hickey name has been heard in trade but their team is hurting. Of all players you imagine Mayfield is actually plays ok and juzt guven new 5 yr contract

Trouba with the Hawks is a total pipe dream, they don't have the assets to give back to Winnipeg. Plus why would Chevy trade a player like Trouba within the Central Division. And he sure as hell isn't taking back Nick "I refuse to Shoot the Puck' Schmaltz for him when he already has a stud in Scheiffle and a better center in Bryan Little and more young guys on the farm ready soon to get their NHL shot.

Now if Chevy wants to move Trouba (which he doesn't), the team for him to call is the LV Golden Knights. They have 3 #1's in this year's draft and good kids they drafted last year.
- RickJ

Vegas is going to trade for Erik Karlsson, book it!

I understand and see with my own eyes. Apparently you do not read all the blogs. Or if you read most of the blogs then you would know why Forsling and Rutta play. The response to the blogs, the reader input is what i refer to. Samuelson's ideas are used around the league. Forsling is the best defenseman on this team at quick reaction, making a good play. He needs to improve here, not where he Doesn't improve as much in the AHL. Rutta might be the best dman overall once you review this season. Murphy cannot play the speed system all too well, he gets by and he will never or should never be more than a #5 depth third pair guy.

Tonight the NYI will throw lots of youth out on the ice. Some injuries for them. Last few games Barzal has been red hot. Beauvillier also like Barzal a rookie, has looked good. Pullock on defense, anither first round guy on a team chok full of them, has a bomb laser of a shot. Hickey name has been heard in trade but their team is hurting. Of all players you imagine Mayfield is actually plays ok and juzt guven new 5 yr contract
- jhawk59

Forsling has the highest upside of any defenseman on the team. If he progresses as he should, he will be a 25 minute per night Top Pair D that can play in EVERY situation (PP, PK, and match-up against top opposition lines 5v5). Forsling AND Murphy should be playing every night. Jan Rutta has been solid, but he is 27 years old, a UFA this summer, and plays pretty soft for a bigger guy. Murphy has improved throughout the year, brings physicality, and steadiness to the 3rd pair.

Vegas is going to trade for Erik Karlsson, book it!
- EnzoD

Might happen. Ottawa can't lose a guy like him for nothing as a UFA. Vegas is set up to be a dominant team long term in the West as is Winnipeg.

Might happen. Ottawa can't lose a guy like him for nothing as a UFA. Vegas is set up to be a dominant team long term in the West as is Winnipeg.
- RickJ

They have the assets Ottawa will demand, and the cap space to sign Karlsson for $10mil+ AAV. I'm really excited to see what Vegas can do THIS season. They will be a tough out in 7 games with the way they play. Can you imagine if an expansion team won the Cup in their first year......what would that say about the 30 other GMs and the way they run their teams??

They have the assets Ottawa will demand, and the cap space to sign Karlsson for $10mil+ AAV. I'm really excited to see what Vegas can do THIS season. They will be a tough out in 7 games with the way they play. Can you imagine if an expansion team won the Cup in their first year......what would that say about the 30 other GMs and the way they run their teams??
- EnzoD

I"d ssy whst Harry Carey used to say because what els4 can you say.

He would exclaim, "Holy Cow."

So it becomes Hjalmarsson and Panik for DuClair....
- StLBravesFan

So the Hawks are looking for a Dman...gee maybe Stan shouldn't have moved Hammer. But Stan vowed change and since he couldn't move the loadstone of a deal he handed #7. He gave away the Hawks best defenseman. Sure #4's been hurt this season, but here's the reality.

From David Haugh's column the other day in the Trib on Hammer. "Some things never change. Despite limited action, the player known as "Hammer" still ranks among the top 10 in blocked shots per game, averaging 2.5."

Yet here's the Caretaker looking for a Dman...you know there's dumb and then there's Bowman.

DuClair is the flavor of the month until he isn't. And the Hawks still can't find the net at the other end of the ice. And to top it off their PR dept. looks like a clown show with the Crawford situation. But that's a whole other issue.

They have the assets Ottawa will demand, and the cap space to sign Karlsson for $10mil+ AAV. I'm really excited to see what Vegas can do THIS season. They will be a tough out in 7 games with the way they play. Can you imagine if an expansion team won the Cup in their first year......what would that say about the 30 other GMs and the way they run their teams??
- EnzoD

Well to be fair about it, because of the expansion draft rules, Vegas got access to 30 real NHL players from other teams. Plus they got picks in the entry draft and thru trades wound up with 3 players out of the first 15 . No other expansion team ever got that much made available to them. It was a bonanza.

Could they win the Cup - I doubt it but they sure are very competitive. Should have beaten Nashville the other night and then went into Tampa and smoked them. Tough team to beat every night and well coached. Wonder what those analytics geniuses in Florida think of Gerrard Gallant now?

Well to be fair about it, because of the expansion draft rules, Vegas got access to 30 real NHL players from other teams. Plus they got picks in the entry draft and thru trades wound up with 3 players out of the first 15 . No other expansion team ever got that much made available to them. It was a bonanza.

Could they win the Cup - I doubt it but they sure are very competitive. Should have beaten Nashville the other night and then went into Tampa and smoked them. Tough team to beat every night and well coached. Wonder what those analytics geniuses in Florida think of Gerrard Gallant now?
- RickJ

McPhee played his cards exceptionally well, that's for sure.

McPhee played his cards exceptionally well, that's for sure.
- EnzoD

I was looking at Vegas' roster on D and they can let 3 UFA's walk after this year - Stoner, Sbisa and Garrison plus LTIR Grabovski comes off too. So if they want Erik K they certainly can afford to take the plunge.

I was looking at Vegas' roster on D and they can let 3 UFA's walk after this year - Stoner, Sbisa and Garrison plus LTIR Grabovski comes off too. So if they want Erik K they certainly can afford to take the plunge.
- RickJ

Dallas up early on Buffalo.....

Well to be fair about it, because of the expansion draft rules, Vegas got access to 30 real NHL players from other teams. Plus they got picks in the entry draft and thru trades wound up with 3 players out of the first 15 . No other expansion team ever got that much made available to them. It was a bonanza.

Could they win the Cup - I doubt it but they sure are very competitive. Should have beaten Nashville the other night and then went into Tampa and smoked them. Tough team to beat every night and well coached. Wonder what those analytics geniuses in Florida think of Gerrard Gallant now?
- RickJ

Gallant played it brilliantly with his bunch of misfit players. They didn’t want you, let’s show them they’re wrong. Team playing with a chip on its shoulders with something to prove.

This Forsling/Rutta love affair is all Dirty Ulf. How these 2 D are playing ahead of other D I have no idea. They give up break-aways on Penalty Kills for heaven’s sake - from their own blue-line. They NEVER take the body. Not surprisingly they NEVER win a battle for the puck. They are out of position constantly. It is not just me saying these things now - have read elsewhere too. When other young D have played like this they were banished to Rockford. Want the Hawks to win? Start respecting Keith, Seabrook, Murphy and Kempny. Remember the recent game against the Jets - Seebs takes on Big Buff in front of the Hawks’ net and both go to the ice. Know what Rutta and Forsling do in this situation? - NOTHing! Too busy peeing themselves in fear and hiding. Rutta and Forsling can go whole games without initiating contact once.
- Z3Hawk

We get it you don’t like Ulf, get over it. How long have people complained about Q not playing young players and letting them develop. I for one am glad to see it. I’m not sure what the deal is with Murphy, but Seabrook appears to have lost a step, how much of that is age and how much is bad conditioning/physical training I’m not sure. But it’s his mental lapses that bothers me the most. He deserves to be on the third paring.

http://www.chicagotribune...haugh-20180120-story.html

"Marian Hossa has proved to be irreplaceable, underscoring everything he meant for all those years. Of the remaining stars, only Patrick Kane has lived up to his reputation. Jonathan Toews lacks offensive potency. Duncan Keith, who hasn’t scored a goal in almost a year, finally has begun looking 34. Brent Seabrook, with one of the worst contracts in town, shows signs of decline. It’s as sad as it is inevitable."

The whole Duclair at 1RW was pretty easy to see coming, considering that Hinostroza didn't do much in the last few games and his defensive effort was a bit lacking. The question will be does Duclair gel there and stick or how much rope does he get.

The D, you can make a case for any of the 8 to be playing today. Rutta and Forsling haven't been too bad lately. It might come down to trade options and not wanting any one of the D sitting too much.

The whole Duclair at 1RW was pretty easy to see coming, considering that Hinostroza didn't do much in the last few games and his defensive effort was a bit lacking. The question will be does Duclair gel there and stick or how much rope does he get.

The D, you can make a case for any of the 8 to be playing today. Rutta and Forsling haven't been too bad lately. It might come down to trade options and not wanting any one of the D sitting too much.
- breadbag

Q is really looking for another finisher on that line. Saad has struggled mightily at times and Toews has been very up and down and it's evident he needs more help than just Saad moving forward.

Even though this would be too good to be true for Chicago, If Chevy gives up Trouba for anything less than say a package surrounding Schmaltz per say( I will pay for his way to the Peg), Chevy will be looking for a new job.......eeeeeeemmediatley!
I keep Murphy,he has upside, there is a reason that a few of those other D man that the Hawks have weren't originally drafted by other teams first, probably aren't good enough.

Back to Trouba , seriously , does Chicago have what the Peg wants? Hey didn't they call up Hutchinson yesterday? Now 3goalies are up? What do you give up for both Trouba and Hutchinson?........ No, Toews isn't part of either. I wonder if Bowman??........ Nah, forget it.
Hopefully this Break and the Detroit game last Sunday has some of these guys looking in the mirror , maybe need another Jason Heyward type speech to kick them in the ASS and get it going!
- wonthecup10

I put on my thinking cap and immediately I came up with one point of contention Chevy could have, a legitimate concern
It is a pro vs con arguement. It is all about how Chevy views his team winning vs maybe there is an impediment that could make winning in playoffs harder
I set this up in this way so you will get the full impact of one point Chevy may or may not admit to.
The player: Big Buff. The issue: despite his size and tenacity/intimidation due to size, he is a third pair fair even below average defender.

But he could be dynamite on an offensive line, a #2 line which has shown glimpse of doing just that. Perreault, Byfuglien + someone else.

Maybe Chevy just wants a very good defensive guy on the third pair because Enstrom is prone to injury. Or to use in a series game to game or period by period irregardless of Buff traded or kept. Maybe he would think that Rutta could come relatively cheap. Now or in a year or year + if Chicago brings in more new young guys.

I like Rutta. I prefer to keep him now. But is this a sort of sneaky move Stan might have. To bring Buff back.

I put on my thinking cap and immediately I came up with one point of contention Chevy could have, a legitimate concern
It is a pro vs con arguement. It is all about how Chevy views his team winning vs maybe there is an impediment that could make winning in playoffs harder
I set this up in this way so you will get the full impact of one point Chevy may or may not admit to.
The player: Big Buff. The issue: despite his size and tenacity/intimidation due to size, he is a third pair fair even below average defender.

But he could be dynamite on an offensive line, a #2 line which has shown glimpse of doing just that. Perreault, Byfuglien + someone else.

Maybe Chevy just wants a very good defensive guy on the third pair because Enstrom is prone to injury. Or to use in a series game to game or period by period irregardless of Buff traded or kept. Maybe he would think that Rutta could come relatively cheap. Now or in a year or year + if Chicago brings in more new young guys.

I like Rutta. I prefer to keep him now. But is this a sort of sneaky move Stan might have. To bring Buff back.
- jhawk59

Sign me up!

Sign me up!
- EnzoD

I would live to have Buff back , but his price tag is to high for the Hawks. That contract would put them back into cap hell.

http://www.chicagotribune...haugh-20180120-story.html

"Marian Hossa has proved to be irreplaceable, underscoring everything he meant for all those years. Of the remaining stars, only Patrick Kane has lived up to his reputation. Jonathan Toews lacks offensive potency. Duncan Keith, who hasn’t scored a goal in almost a year, finally has begun looking 34. Brent Seabrook, with one of the worst contracts in town, shows signs of decline. It’s as sad as it is inevitable."
- EnzoD

Bang on article which addresses the true reality of where this team is going which is nowhere. Head in the sand syndrome will only last so long, and major changes will be required unless missing the playoffs for the next 5 years is something the owners want. The combination of the core in regards to greatness is officially over and only Kane remains elite and relevant. What we are left with are under producing core players with bloated contracts with NMC and a coach that may or may not have lost the room.

This the Chicago Blackhawks as it stands.

What will be done to turn around this team will be interesting and how bad will the team have to get before these changes occur is really the only question left.

I would live to have Buff back , but his price tag is to high for the Hawks. That contract would put them back into cap hell.
- scott.jackson[/q

buff for Seabs? Buff contract ends at 35 Seabs at 38. I would happily pay the extra $700K per Season.

Gallant played it brilliantly with his bunch of misfit players. They didn’t want you, let’s show them they’re wrong. Team playing with a chip on its shoulders with something to prove.
- walleyeb1

Shows what a good coach can do . I can see this team doing what LA Pit and Boston have done .A new coach some young players and most of the core finding there way ..But 1st the origination must make the tough call on the coach , sooner the better ..

Bang on article which addresses the true reality of where this team is going which is nowhere. Head in the sand syndrome will only last so long, and major changes will be required unless missing the playoffs for the next 5 years is something the owners want. The combination of the core in regards to greatness is officially over and only Kane remains elite and relevant. What we are left with are under producing core players with bloated contracts with NMC and a coach that may or may not have lost the room.

This the Chicago Blackhawks as it stands.

What will be done to turn around this team will be interesting and how bad will the team have to get before these changes occur is really the only question left.
- Hawkster

LA Kings have laid the blueprint for what McDonagh needs to do this summer. Bowman and Q should both be gone so an objective and unbiased leadership group can do what is necessary to get the Hawks out of mediocrity and back to Cup Contention.

Shows what a good coach can do . I can see this team doing what LA Pit and Boston have done .A new coach some young players and most of the core finding there way ..But 1st the origination must make the tough call on the coach , sooner the better ..
- oldduffman

All three of those teams replaced not only the coach, but the GM as well. That is what McDonagh should do if/when this team is golfing in early April.

All three of those teams replaced not only the coach, but the GM as well. That is what McDonagh should do if/when this team is golfing in early April.
- EnzoD

What does everybody think if Lombardi took over as the Hawks GM?