John Jaeckel: Bowman had a plan—what was it?

First time First.

Second time second

Third time.....nope....just can't do it.

Eklund put up some rumors last week that Montreal and NYR have been calling about AA. I also saw some crazy notion that the Hawks are talking to Sakic about Duchene. But Sakic wants a draft pick the Hawks don't have, so it would have to be a three way deal.

Personally, I think the only 2 things that have legs is some sort of Evander Kane deal or Hossa's contract going somewhere with a depth d-man coming back.

Eklund put up some rumors last week that Montreal and NYR have been calling about AA. I also saw some crazy notion that the Hawks are talking to Sakic about Duchene. But Sakic wants a draft pick the Hawks don't have, so it would have to be a three way deal.

Personally, I think the only 2 things that have legs is some sort of Evander Kane deal or Hossa's contract going somewhere with a depth d-man coming back.
- biskit67

Seems like the most logical path forward given what the what the Hawks need and what they have to trade that another team might want.

I believe Vincent Praplan even if he sets fire to Prospect's camp, cannot sign an NHL contract until he fulfills the final year of his Swiss team deal.

Last season, they started to very quickly give up a lot of PP goals.
It cost them.

And I agree the benefit of the stars not having long springs, and an early summer money grabbing tourney of "international teams" does provide lots of time for the big guns to be ready and rested and committed.

Let's hope the rest of the team and farm team and prospects come in hungry and ready to win at all costs.

As far as the younger guys climbing to the parent club look to who is left in the Traverse City tourney and still showing impact.

Believe me they are going to give Kempny and Forsling lots of chances in more crucial situations to see how they fare.
I can't see why you don't want them getting regular duties in camp as a pair on the PP. Forsling has lined up at RD top of the umbrella in most international tourneys through his development, and it is time to build his confidence in a long look-see in the bigs.


All this Duchene & Anisimov banter hurts my head because I don't see them as inter-changable.

If I thought I saw there was a big-sized centre capable of filling that 2nd line role on the Hawks or in the Hawks system RIGHT now, well then I could slightly buy into the idea of Duchene. (and with that, at this point Duchene is a player on the block as a disappointment, and one who has a locked in salary level that isn't going to suddenly plummet downward if he doesn't perk up and become the all-around pivot the Avs would like, and if he did he wouldn't be in any conversation, because there is no cap issue there.)
The only reason Avs Sakic even considers deals is if he feels he gets a more relaible piece, more prospect pieces and chances to improve long term also.
(all the press guys, with there..."when will Sakic do?---his window is closing..." well they are viewing it like it is a hammer that must fall.

Anisimov is a pretty good darn centre.
To dismiss his duties and how well he handles his defensive chores and focus on the face-offs doe shim a disservice

To think the hawks swap out AA for Duchene, well, that instantly puts more pressure on your backline and his line mates, because his inabililty to handle centre duties is what had him playing on wing much of the time (and that the team was looking to spark more scoring).

If the hawks had a ton of cap space and reached for a big centre capable of offensive end prowess to go along with being able to line up against the Johansen's Getzlafs, Benn's, etc. then I see Duchene in the picture but in a far different role.

So for all you AA detractors and Duchene lovers, do you really think he is the fit to expel AA?

and let's go back to the Evander Kane chubbies:
Let's assume jokster Buff WAS the one out of hand in Winnipeg.
We don't know do we?
But we do know that the kid's response was get me outta here.

We saw a couple months off good playing Kane shrink wrapped around inconsistent and bad judgements.
You think the guy kid truky reforms and stays long term for LESS $
B/c he certainly isn't a bargaim on both ends.

Get him to help him promote the rest of his career elsewhere?

Pass

Solid post JJ, thanks!

Seems to me the Hawks are at a tight spot now and until that Hossa money comes off the books, StanBo might be at a stand still right now because of the moves he could make with that settled.

As for Sharpie, huge fan of his presence back on the left side, regardless if he isn't the Sharp we all grew to appreciate in a Hawks uni. Having him brings a good versatility to the forward depth, and depending on the future moves the Hawks make, he will help fill gaps. It's moreso hoping he stays healthy.

At this point, I can't seem to believe (though possible,) that Sakic is waiting on Bowman to get the pick he wants so that way he can move Duchene to the Hawks. I think Sakic dug his grave with Duchene and eventually he will be the one getting low balled.

When does camp open? When do we hear camp invites? Seems like a lot of UFAs still out there

That's pretty much it. Combined with Kenny finally letting Hahn do his job it's been a fun summer so far.

Not sure how they can be worse than last spring. Or last year. Embarrassing first round exit and an anemic (though they put up points) regular season. If they lose now at least they lose trying to do something rather than maintain the status quo and that in it's self is a more exciting prospect.

Plus they still have time for one or two surprises so we'll see.

I for one hope SB can make these moves in the OS, including the LTIR. It would appear he has more trading partners than after the start of the season.. I would be concerned that many teams feel they're in it come Jan, limiting moves.

I, for two, am excited.

Thanks Jj

The plan was to make changes for the sake of change. Traded only two logical choices without no movement clauses. The main problem is dallas , St. Louis got better and Winnipeg got a reasonably competent goalie.

Did JJ ever hear back from his sources regarding EK's reported Duchene to Hawks rumor?

Sorry from the end of the last blog;

Was reading where Blackhawks draft pick John Dahlstrom signed a two year contract with Almtuna IS.

That is a team in the second division Swedish league.

He had a good year at Medicine Hat last year.

Question, is that a normal move for a player. Seems a step back to me.

Wouldn't they normally go from from there to Rockford.

Was just curious why someone who had a real good year in the WHL, would go back to Sweden, instead of Rockford, or at least if you were going back to Sweden after a year like that, wouldn't you at least be able to play in the SEL?

Did JJ ever hear back from his sources regarding EK's reported Duchene to Hawks rumor?
- FourOrr

Have not (yet), all I DO know (and heard in great detail) is the Hawks went HARD after him in Jan./Feb. which was under the "media radar" then.

I believe Vincent Praplan even if he sets fire to Prospect's camp, cannot sign an NHL contract until he fulfills the final year of his Swiss team deal.

Last season, they started to very quickly give up a lot of PP goals.
It cost them.

And I agree the benefit of the stars not having long springs, and an early summer money grabbing tourney of "international teams" does provide lots of time for the big guns to be ready and rested and committed.

Let's hope the rest of the team and farm team and prospects come in hungry and ready to win at all costs.

As far as the younger guys climbing to the parent club look to who is left in the Traverse City tourney and still showing impact.

Believe me they are going to give Kempny and Forsling lots of chances in more crucial situations to see how they fare.
I can't see why you don't want them getting regular duties in camp as a pair on the PP. Forsling has lined up at RD top of the umbrella in most international tourneys through his development, and it is time to build his confidence in a long look-see in the bigs.
- wiz1901

I hope you are right about this. I also hope Q doesn't micro manage the defense but instead gives Samuelsson a lot of freedom to construct and manage the defense and the PK. Let him develop a system that best utilizes the young talent we have, let them play through and learn from their mistakes, even let Ulf determine the most effective pairings and ice time.

This is what I would like to see but I'm doubtful it will happen. As soon as Forsling has a giveaway that leads to a goal I expect to see him stapled to the bench and Roszival replace him in the next game. God I hate that.

The plan was to make changes for the sake of change. Traded only two logical choices without no movement clauses. The main problem is dallas , St. Louis got better and Winnipeg got a reasonably competent goalie.
- Newgod77

Completely disagree.

Plan was to get younger, faster, bigger and change the cap paradigm. Clearly. Literally every move he made goes in those directions.

He also was hoping to get better. THAT remains to be seen—but I also think he's playing a slightly longer game there than worrying about what the roster looks like on July 20.

Good blog JJ.

One thing to keep in mind on the getting better, getting worse to get better debate that doesn't seem to get enough focus to me;

We all say they had two first round exits, but I think its naive to group them together.

The first round exit two years ago to Blows, and the first round exit this year to the Preds were two completely different animals.

Make no mistake about, they got dramatically worse.

Changes had to be made, and honestly, think Stan did fairly well with the position he was in.

When some may not work out, we'll all blast him (myself, I'll never get over the Danault trade) but changes had to be made. Argue if he should pull a Sox deal right now, but short of that, the changes happening now are about all that is realistically possible.

I hope you are right about this. I also hope Q doesn't micro manage the defense but instead gives Samuelsson a lot of freedom to construct and manage the defense and the PP. Let him develop a system that best utilizes the young talent we have, let them play through and learn from their mistakes, even let Ulf determine the most effective pairings and ice time.

This is what I would like to see but I'm doubtful it will happen. As soon as Forsling has a giveaway that leads to a goal I expect to see him stapled to the bench and Roszival replace him in the next game. God I hate that.
- garacat

I think they will give those two both the opportunity to do more this year.

Just my .02, but Kempny's game was more bug-free than Forsling's—which is why he got way more TOI in the NHL.

Forsling has talent but every time he holds on to the puck in his end, which is a lot, he is like a human no-pest strip, attracting forecheckers with ill intent and risking turnovers.

He just needs to learn to get the puck off his blade in the right way to the right guy at the right time.

It could shake out differently, but I think you will see Murphy with Keith and Seabrook with Kempny as your top 4, with the hope being that Kempny—with basically a full year under his belt—will be more bug-free mentally (because physically he has all the tools) and become sort of a Johnny Oduya-like left side guy for them.

It was asking a lot of him last year, in his first season in NA, to do that. Oduya himself had to take many seasons to become the player Hawk fans remember.

Another possibility is they could have Seabrook babysit Forsling and Kempny with one of countrymen Rozy or Rutta, but I think that is less likely. I also feel like the door is not shut yet on Campbell either.

Good blog JJ.

One thing to keep in mind on the getting better, getting worse to get better debate that doesn't seem to get enough focus to me;

We all say they had two first round exits, but I think its naive to group them together.

The first round exit two years ago to Blows, and the first round exit this year to the Preds were two completely different animals.

Make no mistake about, they got dramatically worse.

Changes had to be made, and honestly, think Stan did fairly well with the position he was in.

When some may not work out, we'll all blast him (myself, I'll never get over the Danault trade) but changes had to be made. Argue if he should pull a Sox deal right now, but short of that, the changes happening now are about all that is realistically possible.
- vabeachbear

I completely agree.

I think they will give those two both the opportunity to do more this year.

Just my .02, but Kempny's game was more bug-free than Forsling's—which is why he got way more TOI in the NHL.

Forsling has talent but every time he holds on to the puck in his end, which is a lot, he is like a human no-pest strip, attracting forecheckers with ill intent and risking turnovers.

He just needs to learn to get the puck off his blade in the right way to the right guy at the right time.

It could shake out differently, but I think you will see Murphy with Keith and Seabrook with Kempny as your top 4, with the hope being that Kempny—with basically a full year under his belt—will be more bug-free mentally (because physically he has all the tools) and become sort of a Johnny Oduya-like left side guy for them.

It was asking a lot of him last year, in his first season in NA, to do that. Oduya himself had to take many seasons to become the player Hawk fans remember.

Another possibility is they could have Seabrook babysit Forsling and Kempny with one of countrymen Rozy or Rutta, but I think that is less likely. I also feel like the door is not shut yet on Campbell either.
- John Jaeckel

Well, if they are going to keep a 3 wheel shopping cart, I'd rather have Campbell or even Oduya before Rozy

Completely disagree.

Plan was to get younger, faster, bigger and change the cap paradigm. Clearly. Literally every move he made goes in those directions.

He also was hoping to get better. THAT remains to be seen—but I also think he's playing a slightly longer game there than worrying about what the roster looks like on July 20.
- John Jaeckel

Agree - looking ahead past 2 years out (obviously looking at least at Panarin and Hammer contracts which will be up for renegotiation in 2) as well as changing the team personality (for lack of a better way to put it) - which clearly wasn't working at the level the Hawks expect/need it to.

IMO, can't judge what Stan is doing / has done until he is done. Which I think will take a while. Lots of changes in personnel (players and coaches) means time required to come together, figure things out, adjust to all of it (players, systems, coaches etc).

Toews and Keith aren't the same players they used to be 5 years ago. Still good players, but no longer elite IMO.

A lot of people still think along the lines of "hey if you've got Kane, Toews, and Keith anything is possible". Unfortunately that's no longer the case.

Completely disagree.

Plan was to get younger, faster, bigger and change the cap paradigm. Clearly. Literally every move he made goes in those directions.

He also was hoping to get better. THAT remains to be seen—but I also think he's playing a slightly longer game there than worrying about what the roster looks like on July 20.
- John Jaeckel

Question is - will Rocky-McD be ok with a team that is building for next year and beyond - and maybe/possibly/probably doesn't get any more than 2 or 3 play-off games next spring?

We have to still see if that winds up being the case, but there is certainly a decent chance...