You think Vesey is liking his decision to not sign with Nashville now?
- powerenforcer

He might not get any ice time with Predators so you never know?

I don't get why anyone thinks Sikura won't sign with the Hawks. Vesey and Butcher felt disrespected by Nashville and Colorado, respectively. By all accounts, Sikura and Bowman have a great relationship. Plus, Sikura's plan was to play 4 years in college all along. I kind of hope they get picked as an at large team for the NCAA's, and he can't burn a year off his ELC. I believe that he will still sign with the Hawks, and we have him for two years.

ETA: I believe that if they don't get a bid tomorrow, he signs with the Hawks on Monday.

I believe Scott Powers who interviewed Sikura and thinks he´ll sign with Hawks. Either way I´m not expecting him to be a different maker in NHL. This team has bigger issues than whether he´ll sign or not.
- MjulQvist

How well do you expect Tulollo would adjust to AHL if next season? How physical is he willing to play? I am assuming that he is a good skater. What are his strength and weaknesses?

Let's see if Sekura attends rookies prospect camp this July

One strategy Bowman could try: sign a pacage deal, both Sekura and Gaudette, his linematte whom Vancouver wants. Tell them they will have opportunity to develop and replace others. You have seen top nine projections. What keeps Toews ftom dropping down is a lack of qualified skill replacements. Now there is an incentive

The truth hurts. You cannot handle the truth: Bowman, Q, Rocky, Toews himself

forsberg has some significant positioning and technical issues...this could and should get fixed with coaching, practice and playing time. However would have expected the improvement to come as he got more of the net.




- bogiedoc

Guys who are 21-22-23 can have technical issues at the NHL level, positioning and depth, but Forsberg is 25 with 250ish pro games. Unless the Hawks tried to change or tweak his style as far as depth in the crease he shouldn't have positioning issues.

So as far as next yr the Hawks know if they have tried to change him and use that as a reason to give him more time. I watched him I think twice with CLB and wasn't impressed and that was the yr he won a cup in the AHL. He was scrambly and pretty much just reacted to what went on instead of relying solid positioning. ..... He showed in CLB, as he does here, he isn't in rythem often enough to be consistent.

I believe Scott Powers who interviewed Sikura and thinks he´ll sign with Hawks. Either way I´m not expecting him to be a different maker in NHL. This team has bigger issues than whether he´ll sign or not.
- MjulQvist

MORE issues but not necessarily BIGGER issues.

This is an important signing for Stan and the franchise, however Sikura winds up as a player. Stan and the organization had been wooing him hard for four years, presumably building a relationship and selling the collegian on the values of being a Blackhawk.

If he spurns them, I think it it is slap in the face and could have repercussions on other future FA (for Sikura is effectively a UFA now) signings.

MORE issues but not necessarily BIGGER issues.

This is an important signing for Stan and the franchise, however Sikura winds up as a player. Stan and the organization had been wooing him hard for four years, presumably building a relationship and selling the collegian on the values of being a Blackhawk.

If he spurns them, I think it it is slap in the face and could have repercussions on other future FA (for Sikura is effectively a UFA now) signings.
- StLBravesFan

For sure

Powers has another prospect rundown in The Athletic today: https://theathletic.com/2...ckhawks-top-25-prospects/

Quick blurb on Sikura:

Quotable: “In my opinion, he's been the best player in the NCAA this season,” The Athletic NHL prospects senior writer Corey Pronman said. “His skating, hands, IQ and shot all get above-average grades or better. I don't see him as a game-breaker in the NHL, nor is he likely going to be a great two-way forward, but he has the skills to be a top-six forward in the NHL and a useful contributor on Chicago's power play.

I am curious how Justin and the board feel about packaging both first round picks for a top three pick. Believe it or not, might have to include something else.

If we sign our college boy, then you have two top young forwards. You could then trade a current top young forward for a top young defenseman not named Barrie. But Stan probably is adament about grabbing another smurf with the late first. An opportunity to select difference makers, physical, fast, point producers and he will screw it up. If he does not draft to my satisfaction, then i jump onto the fire Stan and Q boat

Would make a statement if a smaller boat moved near the Blackhawk yacht and held up a fire Q and Bowman. Take a picture and put on social media.

Jesus (frank)ing christ you're a moron.
- GPHawksfan

duff is just talking about a Q and a goalie - no need to get personal or bring in serious language - even if you disagree with his opinion - it is just a game at the end of the day.

Jesus (frank)ing christ you're a moron.
- GPHawksfan

C'mon. Watch the language and name calling.

It's hockey guys.

duff is just talking about a Q and a goalie - no need to get personal or bring in serious language - even if you disagree with his opinion - it is just a game at the end of the day.
- Z3Hawk

I know what he's talking about

duff is just talking about a Q and a goalie - no need to get personal or bring in serious language - even if you disagree with his opinion - it is just a game at the end of the day.
- Z3Hawk

Actually, in the middle of the day today.

Get it out of the way early, still leaves most of the day to get sonething secular done.

pred s and rinne are on roll...they might hit 120 pts...

knights have a chance at 112-155...

my choices for WC finals

mean time on lottery watch:

oil vs panthers: who knows maybe the oil can find a win
habs at leafs: probably a loser here
range at blues: blues have really hit the skids; cmon blue shirts..

and the who cares game of the day: hawks vs sabres

pred s and rinne are on roll...they might hit 120 pts...

knights have a chance at 112-155...

my choices for WC finals

mean time on lottery watch:

oil vs panthers: who knows maybe the oil can find a win
habs at leafs: probably a loser here
range at blues: blues have really hit the skids; cmon blue shirts..

and the who cares game of the day: hawks vs sabres
- bogiedoc

I'm betting Vegas loses round 1. They've been a .500 team for a few weeks now. Hoping for a Trashville round 1 loss to boost the Hawks acquired draft pick.

I'm betting Vegas loses round 1. They've been a .500 team for a few weeks now. Hoping for a Trashville round 1 loss to boost the Hawks acquired draft pick.
- EnzoD

Could be right about that one. They're finishing like the hawks did last year. Not that the hawks were a a real contender last year though either

Could be right about that one. They're finishing like the hawks did last year. Not that the hawks were a a real contender last year though either
- GPHawksfan

Tomas Tatar for Vegas' 1st, 2nd, & 3rd round picks was a baffling move.....

Tomas Tatar for Vegas' 1st, 2nd, & 3rd round picks was a baffling move.....
- EnzoD

Seemed to break up whatever mojo they had working too. Well I guess Smith being injured might have something to do with that, but it seemed a steep price to pay regardless.

How well do you expect Tulollo would adjust to AHL if next season? How physical is he willing to play? I am assuming that he is a good skater. What are his strength and weaknesses?
- jhawk59

To be honest I haven´t seen him playing this year at all. I know he had his best season in FEL by points. He was plus player even he played for worst team in FEL. He is still under contract for next year with Sport and I think it would be best for him to play there next year too.

Can´t give you updated info from him but his skating is good and he has decent size. Good passer but don´t know about his decision making ability. Not that physical and shoot is average at best. He might get a look someday but if I had to predict his future I would say that he will spend his career at Europe or AHL.

***

The other Finnish dman prospect Henri Jokiharju was second star yesterday in Portland 8-3 win over Spokane. Jokiharju had 1+1 and was +5. He has now 11+59=70 in 61 games.

Tomas Tatar for Vegas' 1st, 2nd, & 3rd round picks was a baffling move.....
- EnzoD

It was a move born out of the luxury of stockpiling many future #1 picks. Adding Tatar means Vegad is a tad closer to surprising in the playoffs too.

Could be right about that one. They're finishing like the hawks did last year. Not that the hawks were a a real contender last year though either
- GPHawksfan

Key is mental preparation and not physicaly burned out from the incredible first season. I figured they had to experience a leveling off of performance..

story of saads year; gets stoned, misses the net or just can't finish

I'm betting Vegas loses round 1. They've been a .500 team for a few weeks now. Hoping for a Trashville round 1 loss to boost the Hawks acquired draft pick.
- EnzoD

i don't think any WC team: blues, ducks, etc can beat either of those teams in 7

i don't think any WC team: blues, ducks, etc can beat either of those teams in 7
- bogiedoc

Nashville, I'd agree, but Vegas has been sputtering. They are 4-5-1 in their last 10. Hawks D-Zone coverage continues to be a clown show.....

story of saads year; gets stoned, misses the net or just can't finish
- bogiedoc

Hopefully he gets all these muffs and misses out of his system this year.

Nashville, I'd agree, but Vegas has been sputtering. They are 4-5-1 in their last 10. Hawks D-Zone coverage continues to be a clown show.....
- EnzoD

Vegas will be fine

Hawks not so much.....

SAAD aka stone hands TERRIBLE

Murphy AHL at bets HORRID

Forsberg IHL at best AWFUL

Great moves STANLEY