Slot Attendants (stephen johns)

stephen johns

Slot Attendants

By Theo Fox

Nov 17, 2021 • 10:50 pm

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Don't get me wrong as I actually do like what Khaira offers to the Hawks as a strong forechecker who can bring size, physicality, and experience. But I would like him much better if he's slotted properly on the 4th line. He's neither a 2nd liner nor even a 3rd.

It's one thing to be forced to slot players above or below their water level due to extensive injuries and illnesses that decimate team depth. But it's another thing when there's sufficient personnel for proper slotting yet it's a conscious choice to improperly slot.

Forwards

To be more specific, the top 9 could easily be and should be any combination of the following healthy players (the lines denoted below are just suggestions so mix and match however you like):

DeBrincat - Dach - Kane Kurashev - Toews - Kubalik Gaudette - Strome - Borgstrom

The 4th line could then be any combination of these healthy players:

Khaira - Carpenter - Hardman Extra: R Johnson

Of course, the forward depth improves once Brandon Hagel, Tyler Johnson, and MacKenzie Entwistle are 100% again to dress for games. As a result, the lineup calculus gets more tricky as to who to start and who to scratch. Don't forget Dylan Strome is on the market, too.

Another consideration is whether Mike Hardman and Reese Johnson deserve to stay up with the Hawks. Or should they return to the AHL for more seasoning? Brett Connolly has been excellent for the IceHogs during his demotion so could his veteran presence be a boost for the parent club?

After Connolly, the most popular recall candidate is freshman phenom Lukas Reichel but he really should keep marinating in Rockford as long as possible if not the entire season. Alex Nylander is a logical choice once he feels fully comfortable with playing on his rehabbed knee.

One prospect who may earn a cup of coffee at some point is Josiah Slavin. While he may not necessarily have staying power and be a significant upgrade over Entwistle, Hardman, and Reese Johnson, it would be interesting to see how he fares in a brief NHL stint.

Defensemen

Due to the injuries to Caleb Jones and Wyatt Kalynuk as well as Riley Stillman being in COVID protocol for a spell, piecing together a blueline has been relatively tougher as there were slim pickings for options of not only who to dress for games but also who to pair up.

de Haan - S Jones McCabe - Murphy Gustafsson - Stillman

Caleb Jones' return allows for King to slot him in for Erik Gustafsson. What's stable is Seth Jones as the #1 D-man plus Jake McCabe and Connor Murphy as the 2nd pair. Seth Jones' partner and 3rd pair are then a mix of younger brother Caleb, Stillman, and Calvin de Haan.

Gustafsson would then sit in the press box as the spare rearguard or be sent through waivers to play in Rockford. While Kalynuk could be recalled, it wouldn't be wise to have him play intermittently. It would be better to log big minutes for the Hogs to maximize his development.

Would that be okay to retain Gustafsson as the 7th or cut bait with him as quickly as possible and either bring up Kalynuk or have a rotation of youngsters including him, Ian Mitchell, Nicolas Beaudin, and Jakub Galvas or even giving Chad Krys a look-see before his ELC expires?

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Next Game @ Kraken

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Roster Updates

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IceHogs Updates

When Nightingale played for the Hogs in 2013-14, teammates included the late Jimmy Hayes (may he rest in peace), Kyle Beach, and Maxim Shalunov. The now 28-year old prospect collected 4 apples in 20 games with the Hogs and amassed 34 points in 43 games for the Toledo Walleye.

Led by Ted Dent, the 2013-14 Hogs were laden with failed prospects like Adam Clendening, Mark McNeill, Jeremy Morin, Brandon Pirri, Drew LeBlanc, and Dylan Olsen. To be fair, Phillip Danault was on the team. Stephen Johns, Ryan Hartman, and Teuvo Teravainen also made their pro debuts.

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Marian Hossa & Doug Wilson

See you on the boards!

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