We like Hobey Baker finalists!!!!
- glennjpawlak22

Drew Le won the hobie baker award, how'd that work out?

Johnnie's Italian Beef on North Avenue in Elmwood Park. Combo/dipped/hot. The man was the soup nazi before the soup nazi.
- Rota's Rooter

Was rather partial to Roma’s on Cicero Avenue just south of Montrose.

"The 5-foot-11, 174-pound Kahun played from 2012-14 with the Sudbury Wolves in the Ontario Hockey League. Kahun, a left-handed shot, scored 71 points (22 goals, 49 assists) in 101 OHL games for Sudbury. After his stint in North America, he moved overseas to Germany to play for Munchen."

Fits the Stan mold doesn't he.....maybe a little to tall.....
- TheTrob

Actually he was measured at 5’11” in his skates.

Lets play hypothetical. If everything works out with Sikura, Crow is good to go, and we bring in a reasonable top 4 D man via F/A, would people be confident in this lineup to make the playoffs next season? I know a lot hinges on which D man they can bring in, Corey's health and if Saad, Toews rebound and Seabs is a serviceable bottom pairing.

Saad Toews Kane
Cat Schmaltz Hayden
Sikura AA Vinny
Sharp Kampf Wingles

Keith F/A
Murphy Forsling
Rutta/Gus Seabrook

Crow
Forsberg
- SoftServe

I think that roster is what may realistically play out but also think it would be a competitive roster only if everyone is banging on all cylinders as you alluded to. Otherwise, it may be more of the same as what we're seeing now. A lot of ifs and wildcards to bank on so I'd rather see a little more new blood, to be honest.

Any new guys coming in need to be difference makers. Not necessarily elite all stars but blueliners who can play solid defense or bottom 6 forwards who can play physical and not hurt you defensively or a checking center who can win faceoffs.

Question is how to obtain these difference makers.

sharp will not be back...duclair is not a grinder 4th line type of player; he may be gone
- bogiedoc

My guess Sharp plays again as a 4th liner or 13th forward or goes the Campbell route and retires with the team that gave him so much.

And I would agree that Duclair either needs to play in the top 9 or else he's not really effective. One could argue that he's not even effective in a top 9 role so at that point you cut bait at season's end.

Murphy and Seabrook need to go to Skating boot camp this summer, both are too slow to keep up with most Top 6 NHL forwards. Toews should go to powerskating boot camp this summer, as well. It's clear to me that 2+19 aren't training well enough. They don't have the juice in their legs and that's accomplished in the offseason by busting your ass in the gym. Hawks need to have a full year training program for ALL players not just rookies. Even once a month over the long summer would be good for conditioning check-ins and team bonding for a roster that has large turnover annually.

Problem for me is that the Hawks, aside from 88 has nothing in the system considered top flight talent... CC is done, 2 and 7 which singlehandedly won the Cup against the Lightning, are spent, Toews talks a good game but hasn't been the same guy for four years now, and Saad without 81 lighting a fire under him shows up when he wants...

Could that guy be Schmaltz, Cat, Forsling, Sikura or even Jokiharju... I wish I can be optimistic but i'm not... 19 and 7's deals are going to kill this team.

Problem for me is that the Hawks, aside from 88 has nothing in the system considered top flight talent... CC is done, 2 and 7 which singlehandedly won the Cup against the Lightning, are spent, Toews talks a good game but hasn't been the same guy for four years now, and Saad without 81 lighting a fire under him shows up when he wants...

Could that guy be Schmaltz, Cat, Forsling, Sikura or even Jokiharju... I wish I can be optimistic but i'm not... 19 and 7's deals are going to kill this team.
- busmaster

Some draft lottery luck to get a 3-6 pick would drastically accelerate the rebuild. Look at what Matthew Tzchuck has done in Calgary?? Brady is reportedly bigger, meaner, and more skilled. He will play in the NHL and be an impact player next year IMO. Or they could take top flight Dman who may be ready in a year or 2. They are gunna be bad again next year but maybe in 2 years they can be a playoff contender if Jokiharju and Forsling are legit and they add a good defender from outside the organization.

In a relative sense, Sikura may have the upperhand as far as top shelf talent but Kahun and Edjsell are already under contract so they have the upperhand as far as eligibility to even make the team.

Wingels would be a good place to start to add in NHL veteran experience. He and a guy like Bouma would be nice to round out a 4th line with Kampf centering. Highmore is in the mix but still a rookie so I wouldn't count him as a veteran option.

If Sikura, Kahun, or Edjsell don't pan out, an experienced winger would be needed. Same with a center if Anisimov somehow gets shipped out this summer, ideally one who can play a checking role, win draws, and offer solid defense.
- AEL_Fox

Wingels and bouma are replacement level players. I’m indifferent to them taking up space.

Apex- the top or the highest point in something, especially one forming a point
the living room extends right up into the apex of the roof

Some of the so called third pair or depth defensemen were bound to reach the apex of their time here, or maybe not even reach that highly.

These foreign signings may just be meant as a way to resolve or push a decision on some longer standing rookies and slightly post rookie status time on the blue line.

So the Gustafsson, Kempny, Pokka were going to be brought up or un press boxed and played. Oesterle and Dahlstrom, too if they played.well enough to get a look. These guys have to show their wares this year and some were going to be moving on for draft picks. Bowman fully intended to cycle the players so you had the eight headed monster.

If Gustafsson has reached the apex of his Blackhawks career, certainly his offensive dimension had not this jump to Itself previously. He could pass and now he shoots it well too.

Pokka did go down the bunny slope awkwardly, or just was not able to seize a chunk of playing time. Oesterle, though had some nice early moments but has turned into a pumpkin or something not so good as his trial time came and was extended just to get a while longer to get untracked.

Dahlstrom earned his oppprtunity by showing improvement in the AHL whereas Forsling sort of slid into reverse mode after an initial good showing.

Rutta is the leftovers you go back to because it's like shucks, he isn't this bad, really. After all he had looked close to the real deal for the initial early part of the schedule. Hey, Q liked and was relying upon him.

By the time the Entry Draft ends it will be interesting to see whom is left. Maybe one of them hangs around next season whence Snuggerud skates into town
Then yet another dman leaves later as expansion team fodder.

All those players are in a sort of on going mass tryout. Sort of like an extended spring training. Bowman surely next signs or trades for someone too. The new kids after that include Jokiharju and maybe Carlsson. A few other names bandied on these pages are going to need to be converted to pro's although Mitchell can stay as a collegiate for a good while.

Do you have a favorite?

[quote=jhawk59]
Barring a big move or two, next year's Hawks won't be a playoff team either.

"The 5-foot-11, 174-pound Kahun played from 2012-14 with the Sudbury Wolves in the Ontario Hockey League. Kahun, a left-handed shot, scored 71 points (22 goals, 49 assists) in 101 OHL games for Sudbury. After his stint in North America, he moved overseas to Germany to play for Munchen."

Fits the Stan mold doesn't he.....maybe a little to tall.....
- TheTrob

Same size as Denis Savard. One can dream.

Some draft lottery luck to get a 3-6 pick would drastically accelerate the rebuild. Look at what Matthew Tzchuck has done in Calgary?? Brady is reportedly bigger, meaner, and more skilled. He will play in the NHL and be an impact player next year IMO. Or they could take top flight Dman who may be ready in a year or 2. They are gunna be bad again next year but maybe in 2 years they can be a playoff contender if Jokiharju and Forsling are legit and they add a good defender from outside the organization.
- EnzoD

Enzo I agree with you 100% , For me It's Tkachuk or bust, they need to do what the Bears did regarding Mitch Trubiskey, do what ever it takes to move up to draft Tkachuk.
This fricken GM comes off arrogant and bullheaded ,you see his manorisms on TV, I talked to a bunch of season tix holders in my section, a group of about 30,and the general consensus is, we're in for 1more, he screws up this draft if either Tkachuk or Bouchard fall into his lap and he opts for some overseas pigme instead and they stink next year, then it's addios after next year. It's a shame because some others like myself were trying to get to the 50 year milestone STH club. I'll be at 47 this year. Here is where someone has to sit McD and Rocky down and point them in the direction of those 2kids. Kinda like a grade schol nun holding a 3cornered ruler over Bowmans Knuckles and a good whack if he screws this up.

Enzo I agree with you 100% , For me It's Tkachuk or bust, they need to do what the Bears did regarding Mitch Trubiskey, do what ever it takes to move up to draft Tkachuk.
This fricken GM comes off arrogant and bullheaded ,you see his manorisms on TV, I talked to a bunch of season tix holders in my section, a group of about 30,and the general consensus is, we're in for 1more, he screws up this draft if either Tkachuk or Bouchard fall into his lap and he opts for some overseas pigme instead and they stink next year, then it's addios after next year. It's a shame because some others like myself were trying to get to the 50 year milestone STH club. I'll be at 47 this year. Here is where someone has to sit McD and Rocky down and point them in the direction of those 2kids. Kinda like a grade schol nun holding a 3cornered ruler over Bowmans Knuckles and a good whack if he screws this up.
- wonthecup10

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Any idea what happen to the swed they were intrested in any news on that
- Scott1977

Hey Scott, haven't heard the status on any players specific over there but I know they have a lot of scouts over there and are looking at more options.

Victor Edjsell among others have been keeping them in Sweden and in touch frequently with Mikael Samuelsson.

Sounds like they may be trying to get Edjsell over as soon as his season is over to skate with the big club.

My guess Sharp plays again as a 4th liner or 13th forward or goes the Campbell route and retires with the team that gave him so much.

And I would agree that Duclair either needs to play in the top 9 or else he's not really effective. One could argue that he's not even effective in a top 9 role so at that point you cut bait at season's end.
- AEL_Fox

I would argue they are not wasting a space on a 36 year old 12-13 forward. Sharpie gave what he had this year and he has nothing left. They will give his spot to younger player for similar $$

Enzo I agree with you 100% , For me It's Tkachuk or bust, they need to do what the Bears did regarding Mitch Trubiskey, do what ever it takes to move up to draft Tkachuk.
This fricken GM comes off arrogant and bullheaded ,you see his manorisms on TV, I talked to a bunch of season tix holders in my section, a group of about 30,and the general consensus is, we're in for 1more, he screws up this draft if either Tkachuk or Bouchard fall into his lap and he opts for some overseas pigme instead and they stink next year, then it's addios after next year. It's a shame because some others like myself were trying to get to the 50 year milestone STH club. I'll be at 47 this year. Here is where someone has to sit McD and Rocky down and point them in the direction of those 2kids. Kinda like a grade schol nun holding a 3cornered ruler over Bowmans Knuckles and a good whack if he screws this up.
- wonthecup10

I think if they held their season tickets through the terrible dollar bill years they can give this management a bit of leeway after missing the playoffs once in 10 years...

As far as the draft, that’s one place I really trust this management group, not sure why everyone on here gives Stan flak for drafting acumen. Look through all of his round 1 picks. They are all successful NHL players with the exception of I think McNeil in his first year as GM. ThTs pretty impressive considering he has been drafting near the back of round 1 every year.

I think if they held their season tickets through the terrible dollar bill years they can give this management a bit of leeway after missing the playoffs once in 10 years...

As far as the draft, that’s one place I really trust this management group, not sure why everyone on here gives Stan flak for drafting acumen. Look through all of his round 1 picks. They are all successful NHL players with the exception of I think McNeil in his first year as GM. ThTs pretty impressive considering he has been drafting near the back of round 1 every year.
- LaheysBRandy

Aren’t ticket prices up substantially since the $Bill days?

Makes a difference in how you make your decision.

Any major moves/trades this summer or at the draft will be based on the status of CC. Since it is likely nobody on the outside will know his status, it's impossible to guess what might happen. There's a huge difference in plans if they expect no CC going forward.

Any major moves/trades this summer or at the draft will be based on the status of CC. Since it is likely nobody on the outside will know his status, it's impossible to guess what might happen. There's a huge difference in plans if they expect no CC going forward.
- RaleighHawk

I bet McD is already working on this deal if Crow is not in their future:

Hossa to Ott for Anderson.

Aren’t ticket prices up substantially since the $Bill days?

Makes a difference in how you make your decision.
- StLBravesFan

Sure does. I renewed cuz I thought it was the least I could do after such a run. Of course I made sure the ticket partners are still in before I did. But it's a good thing for them I did it friday before that game in Boston. Might have been a different story had I waited.

Murphy and Seabrook need to go to Skating boot camp this summer, both are too slow to keep up with most Top 6 NHL forwards. Toews should go to powerskating boot camp this summer, as well. It's clear to me that 2+19 aren't training well enough. They don't have the juice in their legs and that's accomplished in the offseason by busting your ass in the gym. Hawks need to have a full year training program for ALL players not just rookies. Even once a month over the long summer would be good for conditioning check-ins and team bonding for a roster that has large turnover annually.
- EnzoD

In a perfect world I would agree with you. But in that perfect world the season would be 70 games, not 82. Having spent so much time during the season together I'm not sure a one month interruption to the summer would be the team building thing you imagine. Maybe a week. Or maybe a weekend where their level of fitness is checked. If not proper, then the month you suggest makes sense. The threat of a boot camp for a month should give them the motivation to do the daily work prior to that weekend checkup.

I bet McD is already working on this deal if Crow is not in their future:

Hossa to Ott for Anderson.
- powerenforcer

We'll truly be back in the dark days if our goalie platoon includes a scratched Crawford and Craig Anderson. I remember seeing both of them during the couple seasons before Kane+Toews, warming up like they were about to storm the beaches at Normandy.

Maybe we should also kick the tires on Mark Bell, Antropov, Barnaby, Todd MVP Simpson, David Koci, Auccoin, and Calder.

We'll truly be back in the dark days if our goalie platoon includes a scratched Crawford and Craig Anderson. I remember seeing both of them during the couple seasons before Kane+Toews, warming up like they were about to storm the beaches at Normandy.

Maybe we should also kick the tires on Mark Bell, Antropov, Barnaby, Todd MVP Simpson, David Koci, Auccoin, and Calder.
- ObeseOprah

How can you mention Bell and Calder without Tyler Arnason?

I would argue they are not wasting a space on a 36 year old 12-13 forward. Sharpie gave what he had this year and he has nothing left. They will give his spot to younger player for similar $$
- bogiedoc

As they should.
As much as I like Sharp and what he has contributed, it is time to move on. This team is not in a position now to take on older vets to fill out their lineup. It is time to look for long term solutions for this team.