John Jaeckel: Positional Evaluations: Coaches & GM

First. Nice write up JJ and i have faith that this team WILL be ready next year. I just hope somebody on Madison street is watching the preds style of play and restocks accordingly.

The central division is going to be rough and tumble next year harking back to the Chuck Norris division of old.

Great perspective JJ. At what point does Bowman also have to plan for Hossa eventual erosion? I am in the camp that that his skill set could take a serious fall in 17'-18'. Some liken Hossa to Jager, please do not forget Jager played 5 seasons overseas where he logged 20 less games per season, shorter playoffs, larger ice surface, hence fewer hits, and a huge drop in talent level. I'm a big Hossa fan but fear the day when...

the next six weeks will be very telling...

- vegas is already wheeling and dealing due to the expansion draft rules
- player transactions (ie darling) keep happening
- i'm going to the draft (super exited)
- between the expansion and player draft, then free agency opening, the fireworks should start early...
- i also believe McD is trying to keep some Hawks news in the papers every few days (or at least 1x week) to keep the media talking about BH hockey and not the other teams in the city.

IMO, Hossa is about 85-90% now of what he once was. But THAT at a $5 million annual cap hit is still a relative bargain.

This is just a hunch, but I think this upcoming season will be his last. And after a year in the AHL, deBrincat replaces him at one of the (actual) top 6 RW spots.

Oh and BTW, I have not seen deBrincat play a lot, but enough to say I don't think he is the elite speed winger the Hawks need right now, FWIW.

the next six weeks will be very telling...

- vegas is already wheeling and dealing due to the expansion draft rules
- player transactions (ie darling) keep happening
- i'm going to the draft (super exited)
- between the expansion and player draft, then free agency opening, the fireworks should start early...
- i also believe McD is trying to keep some Hawks news in the papers every few days (or at least 1x week) to keep the media talking about BH hockey and not the other teams in the city.
- jt19

Oh, he wants BIG and POSITIVE news ASAP, another reason I think this will be an active offseason with at least 1-2 surprising moves.

Trade fodder maybe? will Debrincat bring back anything useful in a trade?

JJ - I agree with the needs you outlined but as always, it will come down to the cap. I mean can the Hawks peddle Anisimov and a real good prospect for Duchesne? Not sure. If keeping the big three is important on D, what other contracts can you move?

He might, likely not by himself, but as part of a package, absolutely.

Would they deal him? Tough question. He's probably their best prospect. Bowman absolutely will have to give to get, however.

He might, likely not by himself, but as part of a package, absolutely.

Would they deal him? Tough question. He's probably their best prospect. Bowman absolutely will have to give to get, however.
- John Jaeckel

What do you know of Fortin? How does he fit in? (i have not seen him play)

Trade fodder maybe? will Debrincat bring back anything useful in a trade?
- dirt4949

The challenge I see with peddling Debrincat or any trade-able player is the return will be in the line of 1 for 1. So Dcat goes, and lets say it returns a 3-4 D man. One hole plugged, another open back up. Stan has to work magic this year and next for the Hawks to be relevant in the playoffs.

What do you know of Fortin? How does he fit in? (i have not seen him play)
- jt19

Of all the prospects vying for a spot with the Hawks next season Fortin intrigues me the most. I saw a couple of his games on TV and the didn't stand out, but that was the time when he was in a bit of a funk. Otherwise, most of what I read about Fortin was positive (Scott Powers had some good write ups).

The challenge I see with peddling Debrincat or any trade-able player is the return will be in the line of 1 for 1. So Dcat goes, and lets say it returns a 3-4 D man. One hole plugged, another open back up. Stan has to work magic this year and next for the Hawks to be relevant in the playoffs.
- riozzo

If trading Debrincat (or any other prospect) lands some immediate help I think that option has to be entertained. I would hope Stan you get somebody for more than just one season though.

Nice write up, JJ.

Like you, I'm in the Q camp, too.

I also think it's a shame that Kitch was under the axe. People want to blame him for the (brutal) PP, but I always wonder...how much of that is on the coach vs. the players--the guys actually on the ice making the decisions and not getting it done?

Of all the prospects vying for a spot with the Hawks next season Fortin intrigues me the most. I saw a couple of his games on TV and the didn't stand out, but that was the time when he was in a bit of a funk. Otherwise, most of what I read about Fortin was positive (Scott Powers had some good write ups).
- DarthKane

Power's write ups is all that i have seen (well worth the cost of subscribing)

Many have expressed how the Hawks need to get bigger and more physical. Bigger would not hurt, as long as they don't get slower. I have been looking at some stats lately, and I realize that sometimes you have to "read between the number", when it comes to stats. Hawks dead last in hits this year and not in the top ten in corsi / possession stats. Really surprised that the Penguins, were around eigth in hits and bit lower in possession stats than Hawks. What I am getting at is, it is foolish to go out of your way to make hits, but sometimes you have to, to gain possession. Team needs to "make a hit" ..... to "make a play". I'm hoping Quenville can get the guys to at least finish their checks, and not hitting the boards themselves, as I have seen them miss their checks totally. You don't need to put another player into the fourth row, but at the same time, don't be afraid to get bit greasy. Also, the defensemen are big on stick checking, and for the most part, do a pretty good job. But there are times where you need to "box out" your opponent in front of the net and the Hawks fail to do that. I blame this on Quenville, but at the same time, Bowman needs to find few more guys with size to help in this regard. Edmonton is another example .. top ten in hits and around the Hawks in possession stats. Hawks don't have to lead the league in hits, but certainly not be dead last

IMO, Hossa is about 85-90% now of what he once was. But THAT at a $5 million annual cap hit is still a relative bargain.

This is just a hunch, but I think this upcoming season will be his last. And after a year in the AHL, deBrincat replaces him at one of the (actual) top 6 RW spots.

Oh and BTW, I have not seen deBrincat play a lot, but enough to say I don't think he is the elite speed winger the Hawks need right now, FWIW.
- John Jaeckel

If this is Hossa's last season then the Hawks absolutely have to go all in for 17/18. That would in all likelihood close the window on the Hawks chances due to the recapture of Hossa's contract.

Power's write ups is all that i have seen (well worth the cost of subscribing)
- jt19

Agreed, 100%.

If this is Hossa's last season then the Hawks absolutely have to go all in for 17/18. That would in all likelihood close the window on the Hawks chances due to the recapture of Hossa's contract.
- DarthKane

bigtime... those recapture penalties will not be nice to deal with.

The GM deserves a lower grade.

We can speculate all we want about who Bowman should trade but it's really going to come down who he CAN trade. He's painted himself in a corner with all the NTC/NMC contracts and if it was true that Crawford did not want to be moved it just illustrates that players with those type of contracts exercise their option. If Bowman can make the moves he has to more power to him I just don't see how he's going to do it.

bigtime... those recapture penalties will not be nice to deal with.
- jt19

Is there no way they could LTIR him like Pronger or something?

If trading Debrincat (or any other prospect) lands some immediate help I think that option has to be entertained. I would hope Stan you get somebody for more than just one season though.
- DarthKane

Good point, my mid was stuck in short term hell...

Many have expressed how the Hawks need to get bigger and more physical. Bigger would not hurt, as long as they don't get slower. I have been looking at some stats lately, and I realize that sometimes you have to "read between the number", when it comes to stats. Hawks dead last in hits this year and not in the top ten in corsi / possession stats. Really surprised that the Penguins, were around eigth in hits and bit lower in possession stats than Hawks. What I am getting at is, it is foolish to go out of your way to make hits, but sometimes you have to, to gain possession. Team needs to "make a hit" ..... to "make a play". I'm hoping Quenville can get the guys to at least finish their checks, and not hitting the boards themselves, as I have seen them miss their checks totally. You don't need to put another player into the fourth row, but at the same time, don't be afraid to get bit greasy. Also, the defensemen are big on stick checking, and for the most part, do a pretty good job. But there are times where you need to "box out" your opponent in front of the net and the Hawks fail to do that. I blame this on Quenville, but at the same time, Bowman needs to find few more guys with size to help in this regard. Edmonton is another example .. top ten in hits and around the Hawks in possession stats. Hawks don't have to lead the league in hits, but certainly not be dead last
- chuckdahammer

I agree in that its not just hits, its an overall game and system that is needed that will be competitive and sustainable in the PLAYOFF'S. Over many playoff runs the Blues as an example have hit super hard but lost gas in the playoffs. And Reeves does belong in the WWE.