Yes. Get them as much experience as possible to prepare them for the playoffs. Sure, they sometimes make bad turnovers and bad decisions, but so do veteran core players (last night Keith, Kane and Seebs.)

I think John Hayden is emerging as another leader of the team and one who (like Sharp) will help bridge the gap between the older and younger players. I recall a quote by his Yale coach saying that he was the best leader he had come across in his many years in the game. The determination/take no prisoners attitude he showed from Day 1 in training camp to make the Hawks, his recognition that the Hawks badly needed a hard hitting body checker/tough guy to prevent other teams from running the Hawks' stars and his willingness and ability to fulfill that role, has/will earn him the respect of ALL of his teammates and makes the Hawks a different team than the one that was run out of the rink by the Preds last year.

Saturday's game should be exciting. I hope Schmaltz (another "kid") is back, as he makes the Hawks a much faster, more balanced and dangerous team.
- BMWChiFan

Unless playing them keeps you out of the playoffs.

I will also add, there is a time in a guy's career when he is ready to learn at the NHL level, and a time he is not.

Your post seems to assume ALL guys are always ready to step in and learn at the NHL level. They're not. You can say ADB is ready to learn at the NHL level, or osmeone else (including me) can theoretically say he's not. Doesn't matter. The coaches and GM will make that determination one way or the other.

That's why some guys get sent down, like Schmaltz did last year. And when they come back, the light goes on.

I don't get how the world stops and we all die, if a young guy spends time in Rockford. Conversely, if he shows he belongs in enough facts of the game, it's great that he stays.

It's all about the right ways to develop prospects. Not someone betting their "credibility" on someone playing in Chicago or Rockford.

YThis may sound counterintuitive, but when Bouma and Wingels are outht there with 88, it's not just double-shifting Kane (I mean with those guys why bother?), and it's not just Q pulling names out of a hat. There is a reason. There was a lot of dirty and rough stuff and a lot of chatter last night and . . .

Kane.

Gets.

Targeted.

I will also add that Burish's comments about the Hayden fight were bang on, in spite of the genius blogger(s) at other sites who say that fights are stupid and don't matter.

Sometimes, though not always, they do. Marcus Foligno is in a world of pain this morning. getting punched in the face by him or a guy Hayden's size HURTS. So having a guy like Hayden who can skate a regular shift and join the play AND take care of business. HUGE. Because having him on the ice or even dressed and on the bench, gives guys second thoughts.

Hey, rule fighting out of the game completely Different story. but as the rules stand, while fighting is not the "on-ice" immediate deterrent it was before the instigator rule, it still can be a deterrent to a large extent.
- John Jaeckel

This post is PORN for Vandermeer23.

This post is PORN for Vandermeer23.
- kwolf68

Ha, indeed.

I will just tell you, in answer to the original post and I have this from someone in hockey ops, Kane likes having a guy riding shotgun who can take care of business.

Ha, indeed.

I will just tell you, in answer to the original post and I have this from someone in hockey ops, Kane likes having a guy riding shotgun who can take care of business.
- John Jaeckel

#38?

Maybe #40 is insinuating himself into that role

Because Duchene fits a NEED (center, fast, can win draws) although I still would rather have a Top 4 D-man. IF we got Dutch then AA could move to wing so it would not only bolster our speed and faceoff game we'd bolser our wing position by moving a big solid player out there. I am done with it, but wanted to clarify because you called into question why I was reacting a certain way in different situations. Hope I cleared it up.
- kwolf68

Yep, cleared up.

YThis may sound counterintuitive, but when Bouma and Wingels are outht there with 88, it's not just double-shifting Kane (I mean with those guys why bother?), and it's not just Q pulling names out of a hat. There is a reason. There was a lot of dirty and rough stuff and a lot of chatter last night and . . .

Kane.

Gets.

Targeted.

I will also add that Burish's comments about the Hayden fight were bang on, in spite of the genius blogger(s) at other sites who say that fights are stupid and don't matter.

Sometimes, though not always, they do. Marcus Foligno is in a world of pain this morning. getting punched in the face by him or a guy Hayden's size HURTS. So having a guy like Hayden who can skate a regular shift and join the play AND take care of business. HUGE. Because having him on the ice or even dressed and on the bench, gives guys second thoughts.

Hey, rule fighting out of the game completely Different story. but as the rules stand, while fighting is not the "on-ice" immediate deterrent it was before the instigator rule, it still can be a deterrent to a large extent.
- John Jaeckel

All day long. If you are playing serious hockey you always want the baddest guy in the game on your side. Not saying Hayden is going to scare anyone, but when guys look at Foligno they don't want to be him this morning. And it makes them think twice.

Ha, indeed.

I will just tell you, in answer to the original post and I have this from someone in hockey ops, Kane likes having a guy riding shotgun who can take care of business.
- John Jaeckel

Oh I totally get it and agree. I think Kane has been pretty good about taking cheap hits. I think Tazer has taken far more. Still, if you run our guys, I don't mind 'dealing with it'.

Ha, indeed.

I will just tell you, in answer to the original post and I have this from someone in hockey ops, Kane likes having a guy riding shotgun who can take care of business.
- John Jaeckel

I don't mind a guy who can drop 'em as long as they can skate and score too, like Hayden has shown he can.

I don't mind a guy who can drop 'em as long as they can skate and score too, like Hayden has shown he can.
- JRoenick97

I still wouldn't classify Hayden as an enforcer. I don't want him fighting goons, but he can certainly patrol the ice for the rats that will come out the woodwork.

That is exactly what I said. Their plans will be dictated simply by how well they do this year. If they are in the race he's not going to be traded. Thus, at this time he is NOT on the vine, he has NOT been marketed and NO ONE in the Vegas organization has told ANYONE he is being moved. Logic tells me this. His face is all over that franchise, a brand new franchise who is starting strong with some good vibes going there. You do NOT market that player at this time, EVER. YES, as I SAID if they tank before the deadline McPhee will shop him and likely ask for a King's ransom, because he's McPhee and what will happen is no one will pay his price and he'll lose him anyway.

The moral of this story is this is a NON issue to discuss (Neal being traded here) and I don't think we need a winger anyway given our question marks elsewhere so it's even LESS of a pressing issue, but some people love to do XBOX LIVE Blackhawks management....

Lets put our heads together and come up with the most unrealistic trade scenarios we can come up with
- kwolf68

Unrealistic trade scenario numero uno: Center Duchene for StanBo's first born, a Tommy Hawk bobblehead and Q's blender full of frozen margarita

I still wouldn't classify Hayden as an enforcer. I don't want him fighting goons, but he can certainly patrol the ice for the rats that will come out the woodwork.
- kwolf68

I agree. he can back a teammate up against a questionable hit, but I like that he turned down douche reaves offer to fight on the face off the other night.

I know we all lement the Danult trade: But the Habs GM other then that trade has been brutal:

2 2nds for shaw and a 5 year 3.9 contract for a grinder.
giving a goalie 10.5 mil.
Trading weber who is signed till 40 for a guy whos contract expires at 31.
Giving droiun 5.5 mil when he has scored 29 goals in in 164 games.
Trading Sven Andrigeto for Andreas M (now a hawk) who in 23 games has 8 goals 12 assists since the trade to Colorado. and was 3-4 years younger.

They need to blow up that team but Weber and Price are not really tradable.

John Jaeckel: Time to worry?
- John Jaeckel

Not sure why everyone thinks a top 4D is a greater need than a 2C when we've seen what happens to the second line with Schmaltz out. Toews, Duchene, Schmaltz, Anisimov would make 4 VERY solid lines. Don't think one D man makes up for negating a whole line. This team windows closes in 2 years, maybe 3 at best.
I'd trade every draft pick to land Duchene.

YThis may sound counterintuitive, but when Bouma and Wingels are outht there with 88, it's not just double-shifting Kane (I mean with those guys why bother?), and it's not just Q pulling names out of a hat. There is a reason. There was a lot of dirty and rough stuff and a lot of chatter last night and . . .

Kane.

Gets.

Targeted.

I will also add that Burish's comments about the Hayden fight were bang on, in spite of the genius blogger(s) at other sites who say that fights are stupid and don't matter.

Sometimes, though not always, they do. Marcus Foligno is in a world of pain this morning. getting punched in the face by him or a guy Hayden's size HURTS. So having a guy like Hayden who can skate a regular shift and join the play AND take care of business. HUGE. Because having him on the ice or even dressed and on the bench, gives guys second thoughts.

Hey, rule fighting out of the game completely Different story. but as the rules stand, while fighting is not the "on-ice" immediate deterrent it was before the instigator rule, it still can be a deterrent to a large extent.
- John Jaeckel

And - what if - Hayden busted his hand up with that punch - fair trade, Foligno for Hayden?

I know - he didn’t get his hand busted up - so it’s OK, I guess.

I may be wrong - but my guess is (quoting my words of wisdom at the end of the last blog) - hard, but legal and appropriate, hits have more of a deterrent effect than fights between fighters who will not back off from a fight.

I still wouldn't classify Hayden as an enforcer. I don't want him fighting goons, but he can certainly patrol the ice for the rats that will come out the woodwork.
- kwolf68

You won’t deter a rat from future bad acts, no matter how often you fight him.

Not sure why everyone thinks a top 4D is a greater need than a 2C when we've seen what happens to the second line with Schmaltz out. Toews, Duchene, Schmaltz, Anisimov would make 4 VERY solid lines. Don't think one D man makes up for negating a whole line. This team windows closes in 2 years, maybe 3 at best.
I'd trade every draft pick to land Duchene.
- Kewl1

Queue the moaning about a "4th line center" making 4.55M

I'm fairly certain JJ told us in a previous thread that AA was part of the proposed return for Duchene
IIRC it was AA, ADB, Fortin + or something?

Are we still certain it will be Hartman playing with 8 and 88 when 8 returns to the lineup?
- SimpleJack

Put Hayden on it......MORE REDASS

>A few things I see that cause the Hawks to struggle:
>Forwards attacking opponent blueline all at same depth -- need more "layering" when attacking -- especially when the puck is turned over = odd man break the other way
>Power Play: making the puck travel too far when in the OZ -- too many passes by a Hawks player wind up 50/50 pucks Hawks lose -- need much more player movement without the puck in the OZ, better support, much quicker, shorter passes
>Young Hawks assuming they've "won" the puck battle -- NHL players give a more determined, sustained effort than any league in the world -- some young Hawks win an initial puck battle only to lose it by relaxing a bit thinking the opponent "gave up"
>Tempo, tempo, tempo -- Hawks DZ D to D passes, shuttles, or chips -- when on time and on target -- get everything going in the right direction -- when done mindlessly -- all hell breaks loose
>Less aircraft carriers skating turns to change direction, more "stop and start"
>NHL is a pretty even league -- many games will be decided by one team missing a scoring chance, the other finishing theirs
>If #12 scores on his wide open look, and #15 bunts his into an open net, it's likely a Hawk win

I know we all lement the Danult trade: But the Habs GM other then that trade has been brutal:

2 2nds for shaw and a 5 year 3.9 contract for a grinder.
giving a goalie 10.5 mil.
Trading weber who is signed till 40 for a guy whos contract expires at 31.
Giving droiun 5.5 mil when he has scored 29 goals in in 164 games.
Trading Sven Andrigeto for Andreas M (now a hawk) who in 23 games has 8 goals 12 assists since the trade to Colorado. and was 3-4 years younger.

They need to blow up that team but Weber and Price are not really tradable.
- kmw4631

I really hope he retires with one or two years left on his contract. Nashville would be hit with a HUGE recapture penalty since they paid him almost $25M than his cap hit for the first 4 years of his contract.

Why didn't the Hawks do a paper transaction and send Schmaltz to Rockford while he was injured and call up Hino or Kampf?

Not sure why everyone thinks a top 4D is a greater need than a 2C when we've seen what happens to the second line with Schmaltz out. Toews, Duchene, Schmaltz, Anisimov would make 4 VERY solid lines. Don't think one D man makes up for negating a whole line. This team windows closes in 2 years, maybe 3 at best.
I'd trade every draft pick to land Duchene.
- Kewl1

I believe this is why Bowman is in a "wait and see" mode with any potential acquisitions. See how the current roster and top Hogs pan out first and let water reach its level, then see where the true hole(s) is.

Before the season started, I felt the biggest need was at defense. However, I am trending towards more confidence in Kempny, Rutta, Forsling, and Murphy now that the season has started. Are they there yet? No, still quite some development to go but they do seem to be trending in the right direction.

Now, I would lean towards a top-9 center being the priority. Then again, let's see how things play out with Schmaltz's return and see if that returns that 2nd line magic to make this a 2-line offensive threat again.

Wait and see.

Not sure why everyone thinks a top 4D is a greater need than a 2C when we've seen what happens to the second line with Schmaltz out. Toews, Duchene, Schmaltz, Anisimov would make 4 VERY solid lines. Don't think one D man makes up for negating a whole line. This team windows closes in 2 years, maybe 3 at best.
I'd trade every draft pick to land Duchene.
- Kewl1

Pretty sure Avs want a LEGIT D prospect in any deal involving Duchene. And the Hawks just don't have the top D to get it done. Other teams can offer way more than the Hawks, including the top D spec stud. Oh yea, those teams are also NOT in Colorado's division. Oh my, I'm with you on Duchene, but I can't see this deal materializing. I still think Duchene would go East and I wouldn't be shocked to see Lanche try to get half of the Metropolitan Division (Pittsburgh, Wash, CBJ, Carolina, Islanders, hell maybe others) bidding against each other to get him + to keep him off the competition. I think the Hawks are way out of this.

You won’t deter a rat from future bad acts, no matter how often you fight him.
- StLBravesFan

Antoine Roussel?

Lovely sarcasm. Here is the thing you did NOT start a conversation about potential additions. Because Neal is NOT one. You started a conversation about well NOTHING, because a trade of Neal to Chicago is not happening at this time for a MULTITUDE of reasons. Look at that team, their situation, their potential, where they may/hope to be, how they are marketing their team, then look at what the Hawks actually need, the situation with their weakness, the cap, analyze it, think about it and decide if this is in ANY WAY a "potential" move. Last I heard about Neal is he has yet to transition to either Defense (our #1 weakness) or center (our #2 weakness).

I get it, you love to bring up fairy land trades and sometimes they are fun to discuss, but this one is a complete waste of time for all the reason I stated above. If you still believe Neal to Chicago is worthy of discussion I'll politely bow out now, and start my own little discussions about trading for Erik Karlson.
- kwolf68

IF the Hawks are in the Stanley Cup contender pool by the trade deadline, James Neal is a perfect rental forward to add to the hawks Top 9 forward group. You can disagree, but you don't need to be offended or make a mockery of the post. Again, like JJ always says, "Did Stan Bowman tell you that himself??". The Hawks have some good prospects and picks to send to Vegas or anyone else who is looking to sell assets before/at the trade deadline. Forsling had a really solid game last night with the exception of a brutal and costly turnover to finish the 3rd period. IF Forsling and Rutta can play 20 minutes a night against the opponent's 2nd line (as they have to start the season), then Kempny-Murphy are a more than adequate 3rd pairing at 15 minutes a night. The real issue is the rapid decline in play from Seabrook and Keith (neither of whom are going anywhere). I'm a big fan of Nick Schmaltz, as well as Ryan Hartman. However, adding a proven NHL player like Duchene or Neal would be a huge boost to the 2nd line and slot Hartman or Anisimov on a very responsible and offensively capable 3rd line with Sharp. Again, I'm trying to start a dialogue on an off day, I'm not sorry if you don't agree with my post. You can either have an educated and civil debate, or you can mock me, your choice but we both know which choice is the most productive and beneficial to the blog.

Why didn't the Hawks do a paper transaction and send Schmaltz to Rockford while he was injured and call up Hino or Kampf?
- tvetter

Because they wanted to roll with the guys they had.

They also have to be careful with Hinostroza because his waiver eligibility end in a little over 20 games. They might actually need him later in the season if someone goes down for more games and they can't risk him losing eligibility and then being in a bad place roster-wise.