I'll be heckling the Rosemont Mutts, that's for sure.
- EKolb13

Regin has looked more comfortable the last few games. Decent pick up for peanuts
- mrpaulish

Low budget gamble that was worth it

IceHogs specialty sweater to be worn on the 30th.


- EKolb13

Good lord. I am not cheering for that.

Not sure about Smith long term at 2C, though he's been really good lately. As much as Elbows won't want to hear it, I could see Regin anchoring the 4th line next year.

19, 86, 16, 12 down the middle. If TT pans out next year at 2C, of course...big IF.
- Ogilthorpe2

truthfully, he has been a pleasant surprise. 4C is where he belongs. I much prefer someone in the system jump up and grab that role allowing Kruger to move up to 3C. But if he is cheap and can be an extra forward, fine by me.

The Entry Draft and Bowman's strategy is off topic right now so I am to be brief about this important issue going forward.

Issue? I believe the #2 center can be managed as it has been the past few seasons. I believe Saad, Bollig, Kreuger will improve and are capable of scoring more. That alone makes all the lines better. Scoring depth and rolling four lines is advantageous.

Perhaps Kesler really does come here. Perhaps a number two center becomes available and we have more prospects further along the developmental curve to offer. Just saying this is a likely development; this may or may not mean a trade is easier to consummate.

The draft,however, is not going to bring us a #2 center. We should look to draft the dman who is most likely to develop into a top pair guy. Specifically, my big point is that we really would benefit by having a big size dman who can battle and neutralize the large, pugnacious forwards like Backes.

This dman I aspire to would not have to be great in the offensive game, just competent. Must skate fairly well, can read plays, has a good stick and quick reactions, obviously gap control and can make a first pass. He does not have to be a great puck mover or distributor/puck carrier. Not even essential to be real nasty. Just big and willing to use his body to fend off the Backes type. I realize 6'3" large mobile blue liners are not plentiful but let us hope Bowman unearths some diamond in the rough dman first and a # 2 center after that.

As far as TT goes, if he is the player the brass thinks he is, he needs to play with shooters.

20-19-88
10-86-81
29-65-23
52-16-28
42, 11

It allows the wonder twins to play together where they are magical together. Gives you depth and experience on 1nd line to nurture TT. Who better to learn the 200 foot game from than Hoss?

The Entry Draft and Bowman's strategy is off topic right now so I am to be brief about this important issue going forward.

Issue? I believe the #2 center can be managed as it has been the past few seasons. I believe Saad, Bollig, Kreuger will improve and are capable of scoring more. That alone makes all the lines better. Scoring depth and rolling four lines is advantageous.

Perhaps Kesler really does come here. Perhaps a number two center becomes available and we have more prospects further along the developmental curve to offer. Just saying this is a likely development; this may or may not mean a trade is easier to consummate.

The draft,however, is not going to bring us a #2 center. We should look to draft the dman who is most likely to develop into a top pair guy. Specifically, my big point is that we really would benefit by having a big size dman who can battle and neutralize the large, pugnacious forwards like Backes.

This dman I aspire to would not have to be great in the offensive game, just competent. Must skate fairly well, can read plays, has a good stick and quick reactions, obviously gap control and can make a first pass. He does not have to be a great puck mover or distributor/puck carrier. Not even essential to be real nasty. Just big and willing to use his body to fend off the Backes type. I realize 6'3" large mobile blue liners are not plentiful but let us hope Bowman unearths some diamond in the rough dman first and a # 2 center after that.
- jhawk59

The 2Cdoesn't have to be great if the Hawks can roll 4 lines on a consistent basis. imo.

The Entry Draft and Bowman's strategy is off topic right now so I am to be brief about this important issue going forward.

Issue? I believe the #2 center can be managed as it has been the past few seasons. I believe Saad, Bollig, Kreuger will improve and are capable of scoring more. That alone makes all the lines better. Scoring depth and rolling four lines is advantageous.

Perhaps Kesler really does come here. Perhaps a number two center becomes available and we have more prospects further along the developmental curve to offer. Just saying this is a likely development; this may or may not mean a trade is easier to consummate.

The draft,however, is not going to bring us a #2 center. We should look to draft the dman who is most likely to develop into a top pair guy. Specifically, my big point is that we really would benefit by having a big size dman who can battle and neutralize the large, pugnacious forwards like Backes.

This dman I aspire to would not have to be great in the offensive game, just competent. Must skate fairly well, can read plays, has a good stick and quick reactions, obviously gap control and can make a first pass. He does not have to be a great puck mover or distributor/puck carrier. Not even essential to be real nasty. Just big and willing to use his body to fend off the Backes type. I realize 6'3" large mobile blue liners are not plentiful but let us hope Bowman unearths some diamond in the rough dman first and a # 2 center after that.
- jhawk59

Wiz addressed this (maybe last thread?) already. That player does not exist in this draft anywhere after the top half of the first round. The Hawks won't have that chance. It's better to work with Johns and hope he can become that guy in a few years.

As far as TT goes, if he is the player the brass thinks he is, he needs to play with shooters.

20-19-88
10-86-81
29-65-23
52-16-28
42, 11

It allows the wonder twins to play together where they are magical together. Gives you depth and experience on 1nd line to nurture TT. Who better to learn the 200 foot game from than Hoss?
- Elbows15

I would swap Saad and Sharp. Give the undersized TT some size on both sides.

Cars ?


BMW or Mercedes ?
- mrpaulish

Way too snobbish. Here's the only way to go.

This could be the start of a beautiful friendship Savvy.
- Elbows15

Cheers Savvy...but Seabs was a leader long before this season.

Way too snobbish. Here's the only way to go.


- Beaver-Warrior

I knew you would Beav !! Lol. How is the weather on the west coast ?

Way too snobbish. Here's the only way to go.


- Beaver-Warrior

Yeah, I would have figured you'd post a VW bus.

Good lord. I am not cheering for that.
- Elbows15

I knew you would Beav !! Lol. How is the weather on the west coast ?
- mrpaulish

Bright and clear with a high in the 60's for today.

truthfully, he has been a pleasant surprise
- Elbows15. 4C is where he belongs. I much prefer someone in the system jump up and grab that role allowing Kruger to move up to 3C. But if he is cheap and can be an extra forward, fine by me.

Nobody can withstand the Reginator's Danish charm. I knew you'd come around eventually

Bright and clear with a high in the 60's for today.
- Beaver-Warrior

Yeah, I would have figured you'd post a VW bus.
- EKolb13

Funny thing is that this bus would fetch darn near six figures..

Wiz addressed this (maybe last thread?) already. That player does not exist in this draft anywhere after the top half of the first round. The Hawks won't have that chance. It's better to work with Johns and hope he can become that guy in a few years.
- NewToHockey

Agreed.

Funny thing is that this bus would fetch darn near six figures..
- Beaver-Warrior

I'm not surprised by this.

Not a "nice problem" yet - neither has proven 2C ready-for-next-year yet.
- StLBravesFan

Didn't say it was a nice problem "now". Cited Smith's small sample size there and if TT pans out there would be a good thing. Was saying it's potentially a nice problem to have. S'all.

Way too snobbish. Here's the only way to go.


- Beaver-Warrior

No, thanks man...I gave up hallucinogens a long time ago.

This could be the start of a beautiful friendship Savvy.
- Elbows15

Definitely something we CAN agree on -- IMO, Seabs is the anchor of our D (and this coming from someone that wanted to trade #7 away because of his sleepwalking ways the year before last).

Elbows, you've commented MANY times about Keith leaving Seabs high and dry to cover for his gaffes.

**** I don't think Keith puts up those numbers this year if he had to skate every game with a different D partner every night ****

Would love to see Leddy paired with THIS YEAR'S Seabrook (not from 2 seasons ago when they did pair for a bit).

Didn't say it was a nice problem "now". Cited Smith's small sample size there and if TT pans out there would be a good thing. Was saying it's potentially a nice problem to have. S'all.
- HawkintheD

One point that really hasn't been mentioned is this: Teravainen getting a few games now can really give the organization some idea of if he could be ready to fit in next season, or if they do indeed need to go out and make a move for another candidate for the #2C spot - whether by trade, or if there is enough cap room - by free agency.

One point that really hasn't been mentioned is this: Teravainen getting a few games now can really give the organization some idea of if he could be ready to fit in next season, or if they do indeed need to go out and make a move for another candidate for the #2C spot - whether by trade, or if there is enough cap room - by free agency.
- EKolb13

If the Hawks win the cup Hossa will probably retire.