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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Quick 5 Thoughts: 'Hogs, DiDo & Crawford
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breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

May 30 @ 10:42 AM ET
And how would he look in a Hawks jersey? 1st rd talent at 225lbs , skates on the 1st line with one of the top scorers ever to breath, will and does fight anyone, nobody fools with his linemates, hits like a train 5-6-7-8-9 times a game, parked in front of the net, can change the culture of a game/season/franchise on the ice, bench and in the locker room and pitched in 35 points which would be tied for 5th on the Hawk's club that missed the playoffs.
- Mr Ricochet


I'm not saying he bad at hockey, but he crosses the line rather than staying on the edge. He scored 35 points and that is some good secondary scoring, but honestly it doesn't impress me too much considering who he played with all season. If you put him on that top line and he gets you 50 points then I'd be a bit more excited. IMO, he is a contributor on their team and he also takes cheapshots at times. It is a bit of the nature of some of these guys who go out looking for hits rather than just taking the ones that you make as part of the flow of the play. I just personally prefer the tough guys to play tough but don't go too far overboard.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

May 30 @ 10:48 AM ET
None of us want a Torres type player but deep down I agree Wilson would give the Hawks what they haven’t had since Buff was dealt. It might also help the undersized power play.

Conclusion- if Wilson is an option I’m in. 😁🥅

- Colbyboy


If I was Bowman I would make a big push to get Wilson changes the complexion of your team skill players play bigger liberties on towes kane etc.. would decrease opens up space on the ice especially in o zone goes to the net and can move up and down the lineupplus can be used on the pk. Downside goes over the line loses his cool Q probably would neuter him and has been suspended a lot. 27th pick and a 3rd or hino/duclair.

Dcat towes Wilson
saad smaltz kane
duclair AA hayden
martinsin ? ? fill in the blanks
oldduffman
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.06.2013

May 30 @ 10:55 AM ET
Great question... 1) Bouchard 2) Wahlstrom 3) Dobson

.... but I wrote that out 3 different ways and it all looked good. Dobson impressed me in the memorial cup.

- Justin Lowe

I go with Bouchard ,as I feel he it the total package .Will he be NHL ready don't think so ,but how many are at the age . Dobson is a wild card ,and don't believe he has showed near what he could do .
HAWKS need to put Q on a Savard like lease ,he has been a train wreck for the last 4 years .He is driving talent away from the HAWKS ..
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

May 30 @ 11:02 AM ET
Hey Ek, when are you going to free the Wiz from his banishment. He is our guy for draft info. Not shaving him participate over something silly (and prevalent from everyone else) is disservice to the people you want to click on the ads on this page.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

May 30 @ 11:26 AM ET
You're still rolling, Mr Fox. Using this in the context of management isn't the saying, "if you have two #1 QB's you don't have any"?

Really, and I guess I'm being redundant, this isn't Q's, StanBow's or McD's fault anymore it's Rocky's.

- Mr Ricochet

Thanks! Great analogy.
BlazinMike
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 05.08.2013

May 30 @ 11:49 AM ET
You don't speak JHawk?
- riozzo


Ive been able to decipher his hieroglyphics in the past, but that was completely alien to me.
BINGO!
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK
Joined: 09.21.2009

May 30 @ 11:50 AM ET
Wahlstrom.
- TTtime


Yes.

He should be ahead of Tkachuk.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

May 30 @ 11:52 AM ET
I'm not saying he bad at hockey, but he crosses the line rather than staying on the edge. He scored 35 points and that is some good secondary scoring, but honestly it doesn't impress me too much considering who he played with all season. If you put him on that top line and he gets you 50 points then I'd be a bit more excited. IMO, he is a contributor on their team and he also takes cheapshots at times. It is a bit of the nature of some of these guys who go out looking for hits rather than just taking the ones that you make as part of the flow of the play. I just personally prefer the tough guys to play tough but don't go too far overboard.
- breadbag

Wilson isn't a bad guy to have but he's generally a subpar points producer for a former mid-1st round pick. He only averaged 17 primary points 5v5 for the past 3 seasons and this is the first season he topped 25 points (with an elevated for him sh%). For context, Hartman has averaged more primary points the last two seasons 5v5 and Hayden had pretty much the same PPG at 22 that Wilson did. Wilson might be able to continue to improve with production, but considering many of the Caps players had elevated sh% compared to their career averages, it's more likely that he'll remain a 30 point producer in the future, at least in the reg season.

Bickell is a good comparison ultimately - meh points production in the regular season but can shift up the lineup in the playoffs, which is fine with me honestly.

If people here want a Wilson type of player who can throw in 25-30 points in the regular season, play hard, go to the front of the net, can fight if need be, etc etc then Hayden has the potential to do that but without the predatory nature. Wilson is a better skater than Hayden, but Hayden is smarter imo. Hopefully he'd be like Bickell as well - better in the playoffs. I too would rather have a tough player who doesn't cross the line as much as Wilson.
Stan_Bowman
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.27.2017

May 30 @ 11:53 AM ET
There are rumours out there that Kovalchuk is negotiating with a few NHL team. Stan needs to get on this immediately and lock him up. Give him a Radulov type deal and the Hawks will have a top 6 LW locked up long term.
- DarthKane


At least let the hangover wear off first.
Mr Ricochet
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Joliet, IL
Joined: 04.19.2009

May 30 @ 11:59 AM ET
I love his physical brand of hockey, my only issue is he's a predator on the ice, the other night when he hammered Marchessault was a bit late and he knew he had a free shot since his head was facing the other direction and didn't let up at all. Was it a coincidence it was one of the best forwards for the Knights? Typically players like this escalate their tactics, i see a Raffi Torres kind of future for him.
- BetweenTheDots


No doubt the kid, 25 yrs old with 5 NHL seasons!!, can go overboard. And IMO when he hits a guy that is vulnerable with his strength and balance he could near kill him, so I do think he let up, or didn't try to mutilate, on Marchessault.

And Torres and Wilson are no hacks as far as skill. I'm not advocating for Wilson cuz he ain't going nowhere. WSH ain't stupid and have been working this kid along for yrs to play top 6, or at least top 9. ........ My point is he is the kind of player the Hawks need even though there are only 20ish (a guess) like him on earth.
Mr Ricochet
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Joliet, IL
Joined: 04.19.2009

May 30 @ 12:09 PM ET
Wilson isn't a bad guy to have but he's generally a subpar points producer for a former mid-1st round pick. He only averaged 17 primary points 5v5 for the past 3 seasons and this is the first season he topped 25 points (with an elevated for him sh%). For context, Hartman has averaged more primary points the last two seasons 5v5 and Hayden had pretty much the same PPG at 22 that Wilson did. Wilson might be able to continue to improve with production, but considering many of the Caps players had elevated sh% compared to their career averages, it's more likely that he'll remain a 30 point producer in the future, at least in the reg season.

Bickell is a good comparison ultimately - meh points production in the regular season but can shift up the lineup in the playoffs, which is fine with me honestly.

If people here want a Wilson type of player who can throw in 25-30 points in the regular season, play hard, go to the front of the net, can fight if need be, etc etc then Hayden has the potential to do that but without the predatory nature. Wilson is a better skater than Hayden, but Hayden is smarter imo. Hopefully he'd be like Bickell as well - better in the playoffs. I too would rather have a tough player who doesn't cross the line as much as Wilson.

- L_B_R



I'm positive you have this at your fingertips, what line (linemates) did Wilson skate until this yr? He was a bottom 6 guy. And while your there how many points did Johansson have, minus his 58 point season in TT style, skating top 6 with PP time for 4-5 yrs with the Caps? .... And Hartman isn't in Wilson's league in most every way.

And I'd add the fancy stats, as Florida has found out laughingly, could never measure the value of a Wilson type.

I agree with your comparison to Hayden although to lay big clean hits consistently you need at least average skating that Wilson has. But I'd add Hayden has better puck skills and hands.
Mr Ricochet
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Joliet, IL
Joined: 04.19.2009

May 30 @ 12:14 PM ET
I'm not saying he bad at hockey, but he crosses the line rather than staying on the edge. He scored 35 points and that is some good secondary scoring, but honestly it doesn't impress me too much considering who he played with all season. If you put him on that top line and he gets you 50 points then I'd be a bit more excited. IMO, he is a contributor on their team and he also takes cheapshots at times. It is a bit of the nature of some of these guys who go out looking for hits rather than just taking the ones that you make as part of the flow of the play. I just personally prefer the tough guys to play tough but don't go too far overboard.
- breadbag


How many points did Lucic put up with McDavid? And if a 24 yr old Wilson put up 50 points with all else he brings to the table he is a top 10 power forward in the world, a core guy and would command 7-8 mil per.

Kid wants to win this Stanley Cup and yes he's a bit of a live wire and the other club knows that too.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

May 30 @ 12:19 PM ET
Hey Ek, when are you going to free the Wiz from his banishment. He is our guy for draft info. Not shaving him participate over something silly (and prevalent from everyone else) is disservice to the people you want to click on the ads on this page.
- riozzo

Wiz suspension is over. I think yesterday or today. He said so in an email. He added that he will have comments on his suspension.

As far as the Entry Draft, upon an inquiry I made..

Wiz responded that the elite defensemen group at the tops minus Dahlin and Hughes, may be dropping one spot as a forward sneaks up. I read this as Walstrom goes earlier.

Among dmen likely available at #8, if there is someone who slips down but also if Bowman decides the most NHL ready then that reportedly Dobson.

And btw the wiz #8 forecast is whom he thinks the 8th best talented player, not necessarily whom he predicts we nab.

The intrigue for this draft is killing me.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

May 30 @ 12:35 PM ET
I'm positive you have this at your fingertips, what line (linemates) did Wilson skate until this yr? He was a bottom 6 guy. And while your there how many points did Johansson have, minus his 58 point season in TT style, skating top 6 with PP time for 4-5 yrs with the Caps? .... And Hartman isn't in Wilson's league in most every way.

And I'd add the fancy stats, as Florida has found out laughingly, could never measure the value of a Wilson type.

I agree with your comparison to Hayden although to lay big clean hits consistently you need at least average skating that Wilson has. But I'd add Hayden has better puck skills and hands.

- Mr Ricochet

Wilson and Hartman are quite comparable in terms of points production - they both score more with top 6 players, shocking I know, but neither have reached top 6 production themselves. Hartman's numbers were not as inflated by secondary assists as Wilson, though Wilson plays on the PK and does it pretty well and is more physical. I wasn't comparing them as player styles or anything, simply that their usage and top level results in the regular season have been pretty damn similar.

Also, using Florida as an anti-stat perspective is kind of silly - every team that has won the cup in the last decade has been deep in analytics to help them, even the Kings and Bruins who both had many players of Wilson's ilk. Stats are only as good as the people who are there to apply them, though, which is why there will always be teams like Florida.

Edit to add: My comment was not to knock Wilson but to just to note that 50 points is quite a jump for a player with his development trajectory, even while playing with some of the most gifted offensive players on his team this past season. Not impossible but it's more likely he'll be like Bickell was - 30-35 point reg season but who can step it up in the playoffs, which, as I said above, is good enough for me if he would tone down the predatory nature of his play.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

May 30 @ 12:35 PM ET
New comments in our English language as an idiom perhaps

I went to Vegas.....and saw a hockey game

What happened in Vegas......surely never happened
......guess what comes next
In NHL venues since hockey has been played.

What did you see in Vegas Any special moments. Yes, the Golden Knights are a unique blend of players just having waited for their opportunity. I can see this may need a bit of explaining to the non sports fan
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

May 30 @ 12:35 PM ET
New comments in our English language as an idiom perhaps

I went to Vegas.....and saw a hockey game

What happened in Vegas......surely never happened
......guess what comes next
In NHL venues since hockey has been played.

What did you see in Vegas Any special moments. Yes, the Golden Knights are a unique blend of players just having waited for their opportunity. I can see this may need a bit of explaining to the non sports fan
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

May 30 @ 12:45 PM ET
Wilson isn't a bad guy to have but he's generally a subpar points producer for a former mid-1st round pick. He only averaged 17 primary points 5v5 for the past 3 seasons and this is the first season he topped 25 points (with an elevated for him sh%). For context, Hartman has averaged more primary points the last two seasons 5v5 and Hayden had pretty much the same PPG at 22 that Wilson did. Wilson might be able to continue to improve with production, but considering many of the Caps players had elevated sh% compared to their career averages, it's more likely that he'll remain a 30 point producer in the future, at least in the reg season.

Bickell is a good comparison ultimately - meh points production in the regular season but can shift up the lineup in the playoffs, which is fine with me honestly.

If people here want a Wilson type of player who can throw in 25-30 points in the regular season, play hard, go to the front of the net, can fight if need be, etc etc then Hayden has the potential to do that but without the predatory nature. Wilson is a better skater than Hayden, but Hayden is smarter imo. Hopefully he'd be like Bickell as well - better in the playoffs. I too would rather have a tough player who doesn't cross the line as much as Wilson.

- L_B_R

Welcome back, LBR. Your insights and knowledge of advanced stats were greatly missed. Although I will admit my comprehension of advanced stats is pretty basic, it is greatly appreciated how you inject your insights with objective data to help people like me who rely more on gross observations, whatever I read online and in hockey journals, gut feelings, and magic 8 balls.

Two of your most recent posts have been spot on, with this one about Wilson and Hayden being one of them. Couldn't agree more and you articulate things so fluently. The Capitals aren't going to give up Wilson so I wouldn't fret as a Hawks fan because we could very well have our own version with Hayden.
PatShart
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Vegas, NV
Joined: 06.25.2015

May 30 @ 12:48 PM ET
I wonder how many people love/want Wilson cried and whined over Bickell's "huge" 4mil cal hit.

Bickell was as physical - did it clean.
Bickell was twice the goal scorer Wilson is
Playoff production isn't even close

Yet pay the hack Tom Wilson FA money?

Good luck to the sucker team that does that and I hope it isnt Chicago
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

May 30 @ 12:51 PM ET
Bless you.

If there are no signings or trades, I think the defense starts out the same as it ended last season, pretty much, if only because of waivers. Seabrook, Murphy, Oesterle, and Rutta on the right.; Keith, Gustafsson, and Forsling on the left. Honestly, though, they need to decide who out of Gus and Oesterle they want to keep and then move on from the other because they're a bit too similar in style and mistakes. Hopefully Forsling has the season he's shown flashes of having the potential, ala Hjammer at a similar age in 2010.

The issue with the Hawks d-prospects is that they have too many LD and most of them are on ELCs so the Hawks will probably start out with as many waiver exempt guys down as possible, unless they have TVR-like camps and just impress.

Gilbert and Dahlström are intriguing because of their size, and you have to think the latter is at the point where he either needs to move up or out (at 23) but the left is just so full up. Hillman has average size but he's one of the few defensive d-men they have but it'd probably be good for him to spend some time in the AHL. I think Gilbert-Hillman would be a good pairing in the AHL for the next season, and then eventually one of them pairs with Murphy in a shutdown role? Would be nice.

Raddysh might be a wild-card as he's the only signed prospect that plays on the right. I think it's asking a lot for Jokiharju to step right into the NHL at 19 - it's not that common for guys that are top 10/15 picks and the worst thing they could do is rush and then stunt him (which I think they maybe did a bit with Forsling).

- L_B_R

This is your other post that I felt was bang on, i.e. who are likely the starting defensemen based on current players. According to contracts and such, it will be the same as last year just as you pointed out. Possible projected pairings:

Keith - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Forsling - Oesterle/Rutta
BMWChiFan
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: St Louis, MO
Joined: 04.12.2016

May 30 @ 12:55 PM ET
If I was Bowman I would make a big push to get Wilson changes the complexion of your team skill players play bigger liberties on towes kane etc.. would decrease opens up space on the ice especially in o zone goes to the net and can move up and down the lineupplus can be used on the pk. Downside goes over the line loses his cool Q probably would neuter him and has been suspended a lot. 27th pick and a 3rd or hino/duclair.

Dcat towes Wilson
saad smaltz kane
duclair AA hayden
martinsin ? ? fill in the blanks

- Scott1977


What makes any of you think the Hawks have any chance whatsoever to get Wilson? He's hugely popular in D.C. with the fans, the coach, and his teammates. He's playing on the top line of a team that is in the Stanley Cup Final, with an all-time great, Ovechkin, as one of his line mates. Wow, I'm a huge Hawks fan, but so many on this board are delusional.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

May 30 @ 12:58 PM ET
This is your other post that I felt was bang on, i.e. who are likely the starting defensemen based on current players. According to contracts and such, it will be the same as last year just as you pointed out. Possible projected pairings:

Keith - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Forsling - Oesterle/Rutta

- AEL_Fox

I personally would rather have only one of Gustafsson, Oesterle. and Rutta starting and replace them with defenders such as ideally 2 of players like deHaan, Moore, Martinez, Severson, Brodie, or Stone.

Hillman, Gilbert, and Carlsson are intriguing but need at least a year of AHL experience first. I like these 3 prospects because they are defensive defensemen and are needed to complement the glut of puck movers.

Whenever he signs. Jokiharju could impress right away and earn a spot but I feel he shouldn't be rushed like the rest of them and develop under Colliton's staff and system.

Raddysh is a dark horse, IMHO. He could emerge in the next year or so as an unheralded prospect who provides size, strength, and steady defense.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

May 30 @ 1:23 PM ET
What makes any of you think the Hawks have any chance whatsoever to get Wilson? He's hugely popular in D.C. with the fans, the coach, and his teammates. He's playing on the top line of a team that is in the Stanley Cup Final, with an all-time great, Ovechkin, as one of his line mates. Wow, I'm a huge Hawks fan, but so many on this board are delusional.
- BMWChiFan

They have to pay carlson backstrom after next year vrana depends how much Washington values wilson and how much they have to pay him plus other rfa's coming up. Bic was a better offensive player Wilson is a better physical player. I don't see the hawks getting him but anything can happen but since the hawks need more pushback throughout the line wilson would help if not wilson then player like him.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

May 30 @ 1:29 PM ET
Welcome back, LBR. Your insights and knowledge of advanced stats were greatly missed. Although I will admit my comprehension of advanced stats is pretty basic, it is greatly appreciated how you inject your insights with objective data to help people like me who rely more on gross observations, whatever I read online and in hockey journals, gut feelings, and magic 8 balls.

Two of your most recent posts have been spot on, with this one about Wilson and Hayden being one of them. Couldn't agree more and you articulate things so fluently. The Capitals aren't going to give up Wilson so I wouldn't fret as a Hawks fan because we could very well have our own version with Hayden.

- AEL_Fox

Y'all sure know how to make a girl feel nice

I'm hopeful that Hayden can take the next step - his hockey IQ is one of the things I've likely most about him. Skating still needs a bit of work, but it's not so out of place that he couldn't be regularly skating at least 3rd line minutes imo. I'd worry about him slide up too much right now, simply because Schmaltz-Kane are so much quicker and Saad-Toews really need more of a playmaker with them, but it could be possible. He's just a generally decent option if a Bickell type is what the team needs.
vandymeer23
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IA
Joined: 10.11.2014

May 30 @ 1:32 PM ET
And how would he look in a Hawks jersey? 1st rd talent at 225lbs , skates on the 1st line with one of the top scorers ever to breath, will and does fight anyone, nobody fools with his linemates, hits like a train 5-6-7-8-9 times a game, parked in front of the net, can change the culture of a game/season/franchise on the ice, bench and in the locker room and pitched in 35 points which would be tied for 5th on the Hawk's club that missed the playoffs.
- Mr Ricochet

I wouldn't mind Wilson but he wont fight everyone. He was scared to fight old man Eric Boulton Jamie Oleksiak and many others
vandymeer23
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IA
Joined: 10.11.2014

May 30 @ 1:35 PM ET
I love his physical brand of hockey, my only issue is he's a predator on the ice, the other night when he hammered Marchessault was a bit late and he knew he had a free shot since his head was facing the other direction and didn't let up at all. Was it a coincidence it was one of the best forwards for the Knights? Typically players like this escalate their tactics, i see a Raffi Torres kind of future for him.
- BetweenTheDots

That's some players game not all are like raffi Torres and cheap. Tootoo in his prime Matt Martin and others constantly look for hits that's there game.
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