His ripping of Debrincat also another thing JJ did far too much.
- kwolf68

The guy needs to spend time in Rockford...NEVERMIND the 25 goals or however many he's scoring

I think Kempny is under rated. With 8 Dmen this year it probably took playing time from all 3. Plus the fact that because of the 8 Dmen they were always playing with a different partner. Usually the partner they were playing with had very little experience in the NHL. They were still learning. It would have been much better to go with 7 Dmen with the 7th being an experienced shut down type mainly sitting in the press box (like Brookbank, Sopel, Rosival of a few years ago). Maybe that was their plan for Franson. Then they could have let the younger or less experienced Dmen figure it out in Rockford with Colliton.

My prediction is that Kempny signs somewhere in the offseason for about $1.5 mil per year for 2 years and he turns into a decent 2nd pair defender. Whoever he signs with will be very happy with the value he brings to the team.
- -Doh-

Kempny played last year too and had the same mistakes. He's an okay puck mover and can get physical, but he's not great in the neutral zone and got lost a lot. He also probably didn't want to re-sign here. Someone might be able to use him better, but I wouldn't put money on it.

His ripping of Debrincat also another thing JJ did far too much.
- kwolf68

When and how did he rip Debrincat?

I'd hate to see Hino go. I feel like him, Osterle, Cat and Hayden are who you work to keep.

Ideally, I'd like to see Wingels and Bouma back next season, too--they provide the grit and simplified game.
- Hank3Henshaw

Hinostroza is scoring at a 53 point pace (over 82 games). Debrincat scoring at a 54 point pace. Toews at a 56 point pace. Saad at 38 point pace. I don't understand why some guys seem to be in a big hurry to trade Hinostroza, one guy who has ramped up his game so successfully on a team that needs scoring.

When and how did he rip Debrincat?
- Chunk

I didn't think he "ripped him" necessarily, but he did excessively set expectations low. Not really a terrible way to approach a 5'7 19 year old though.

Hinostroza is scoring at a 53 point pace (over 82 games). Debrincat scoring at a 54 point pace. Toews at a 56 point pace. Saad at 38 point pace. I don't understand why some guys seem to be in a big hurry to trade Hinostroza, one guy who has ramped up his game so successfully on a team that needs scoring.
- Savoy

I don't see Hino being moved. He's done nothing but make the team better. Isn't he a local kid too?

Hinostroza is scoring at a 53 point pace (over 82 games). Debrincat scoring at a 54 point pace. Toews at a 56 point pace. Saad at 38 point pace. I don't understand why some guys seem to be in a big hurry to trade Hinostroza, one guy who has ramped up his game so successfully on a team that needs scoring.
- Savoy

Exactly correct. If you can trade Vinny+ for a Top 4 D prospect, sure thing. Otherwise, he is a great depth scorer with high end speed.

I don't see Hino being moved. He's done nothing but make the team better. Isn't he a local kid too?
- JRoenick97

Schmaltz, Hartman and Vinny all played together for Chicago Mission AAA IIRC

I assume you want to add Schmaltz in there.

But - you're building around a bunch of so-far-proven-bottom-sixers with only 2 somewhat proven top liners and a college player, and two or three so-far-proven-to-be bottom pairing defensemen.
- StLBravesFan

Sorry, Schmaltz was left off by accident.

I see what you're saying about which youth to build around, i.e. top-6 vs bottom-6, proven vs unproven, etc. What I'm sharing is based on my fan goggles and based on what I think may be realistic given team circumstances. Building out a possible roster for next season with anticipated openings to fill:

Saad - Toews - Sikura (RW if he's not ready yet)
DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Kane
Hinostroza - C - Hartman
Hayden - Kampf - Wingels

Keith - RD
Forsling - Seabrook
LD/Oesterle - Murphy

Maybe a guy like Jenner to play 3C? Maybe give Hayden a shot at RW with Toews and Saad?

Overall, the Hawks need a 3C assuming Anisimov is gone at the TDL, otherwise he slots there if still here. A top-6 winger is a need as well as an RD and LD, preferably one that can play top 4 and 3rd pair respectively.

Twitter here’s a couple I follow Mark Easson @myNHLTradeRumor and Lyle Richardson @SpectorsHockey not sure about AHL.
- walleyeb1

Thanks to you and PDX for the Twitter referrals.

Kempny played last year too and had the same mistakes. He's an okay puck mover and can get physical, but he's not great in the neutral zone and got lost a lot. He also probably didn't want to re-sign here. Someone might be able to use him better, but I wouldn't put money on it.
- JRoenick97

Granted. But between last year and this year he has only played 81 games in the NHL. About 15 minutes per game. That is not that much time for a dman. He was in the Q blender last year too with inconsistent playing time and playing partners. I think if you paired him with a solid, experienced, stay at home, #3 dman and played them game in and game out you would have a pretty good 2nd pairing (and at a bargain price).

Granted. But between last year and this year he has only played 81 games in the NHL. About 15 minutes per game. That is not that much time for a dman. He was in the Q blender last year too with inconsistent playing time and playing partners. I think if you paired him with a solid, experienced, stay at home, #3 dman and played them game in and game out you would have a pretty good 2nd pairing (and at a bargain price).
- -Doh-

He's also 27 so it's hard to know if he's going to actually make those needed changes to his game.

I don't see Hino being moved. He's done nothing but make the team better. Isn't he a local kid too?
- JRoenick97

I would hope not.

To me, Vinny is in the JR mold--minus the ferocity that Roenick had.

He has the wheels and can always find the next gear. He has good vision, can set guys up, but also has a scoring touch.

Doesn't shy away from board battles and tough areas.

The guy needs to spend time in Rockford...NEVERMIND the 25 goals or however many he's scoring
- BlazinMike

Only 22 goals/39 points in 59 games. 30 Hits, 37.5% at the dot. Sad.

Looking forward to the personnel changes week of April 9th.

Sorry, Schmaltz was left off by accident.

I see what you're saying about which youth to build around, i.e. top-6 vs bottom-6, proven vs unproven, etc. What I'm sharing is based on my fan goggles and based on what I think may be realistic given team circumstances. Building out a possible roster for next season with anticipated openings to fill:

Saad - Toews - Sikura (RW if he's not ready yet)
DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Kane
Hinostroza - C - Hartman
Hayden - Kampf - Wingels

Keith - RD
Forsling - Seabrook
LD/Oesterle - Murphy

Maybe a guy like Jenner to play 3C? Maybe give Hayden a shot at RW with Toews and Saad?

Overall, the Hawks need a 3C assuming Anisimov is gone at the TDL, otherwise he slots there if still here. A top-6 winger is a need as well as an RD and LD, preferably one that can play top 4 and 3rd pair respectively.
- AEL_Fox

That's gotta be the worst Dcore in the NHL come next season, another year added on to the regression of 2 and 7.

Looking forward to the personnel changes week of April 9th.
- 17SEC

I wouldn't hold my breath.

That's gotta be the worst Dcore in the NHL come next season, another year added on to the regression of 2 and 7.
- SimpleJack

Hard to judge them when 30% of them aren't even named.

I didn't think he "ripped him" necessarily, but he did excessively set expectations low. Not really a terrible way to approach a 5'7 19 year old though.
- JRoenick97

I don't know. I don't recall much of what he wrote about Dinky is what you'd call complimentary or even neutral for that that matter.

Schmaltz, Hartman and Vinny all played together for Chicago Mission AAA IIRC
- EnzoD

Yes, as did Anthony Louis who is at Rockford.

I wouldn't hold my breath.
- JRoenick97

Sadly I know....but I can still dream!!!!

Looking forward to the personnel changes week of April 9th.
- 17SEC

I think you will be disappointed.

Granted "+/-" is a fairly meaningless stat....... But does anyone else find it interesting that Kempny was +13. The next best were Toews at +6, Murphy +4, Hartman Hino and Seabs at +3. Kane and Keith are each -11.

Granted "+/-" is a fairly meaningless stat....... But does anyone else find it interesting that Kempny was +13. The next best were Toews at +6, Murphy +4, Hartman Hino and Seabs at +3. Kane and Keith are each -11.
- -Doh-

Sheltered starts probably. 3rd pair offensive zone play would be my guess

Sorry, Schmaltz was left off by accident.

I see what you're saying about which youth to build around, i.e. top-6 vs bottom-6, proven vs unproven, etc. What I'm sharing is based on my fan goggles and based on what I think may be realistic given team circumstances. Building out a possible roster for next season with anticipated openings to fill:

Saad - Toews - Sikura (RW if he's not ready yet)
DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Kane
Hinostroza - C - Hartman
Hayden - Kampf - Wingels

Keith - RD
Forsling - Seabrook
LD/Oesterle - Murphy

Maybe a guy like Jenner to play 3C? Maybe give Hayden a shot at RW with Toews and Saad?

Overall, the Hawks need a 3C assuming Anisimov is gone at the TDL, otherwise he slots there if still here. A top-6 winger is a need as well as an RD and LD, preferably one that can play top 4 and 3rd pair respectively.
- AEL_Fox

Doubt that lineup gets the team into the top 3 in the Central.