I saw both Gilbert and Hillman play in college and I thought Gilbert was better overall. I think he has more upside and I thought he skated fine. Gilbert was on the ice a lot as a shut down pair with Wade, playing with an edge. The only downside is that sometime he'll have a brainfart during a game like an inexcusable turnover in the D zone and you scratch your head and say "Did he just do that and why?" As for Hillman, this is very strange I thought he looked better with the Hawks in the few games than when I saw him a DU. Nothing majorly wrong but just didn't seem like a good foundation to build on. I hope I am wrong on him.
- D2D

I took in a ND game last yr vs Minnesota, geez Mittlestadt looked incredibly dangerous every shift, and specifically honed in on Gilbert. He played for the Steel for a yr and I saw plenty of him including tryout camp that yr.

He came as a 6ft+ 170ish lb skinny kid (saw him leaving in shorts, he got kicked out for destroying the captain from the yr before in an open ice clean hit). During tryout camp the kid simply went end to end multiple times and joined as a 4th forward 70% of the time. Simply said he was a wild horse but that got fixed, or at least worked on, as the yr went on.

When he got to ND kid put on a lot of bulk and read his skating was in question. Having seen him as a Steel I can promise his skating was never a question so I wondered.

After seeing him live at ND no doubt his game changed from an offensive Dman to defensive and he really bulked up putting on 40ish pounds to 220+. That's where is skating changed but thought his balance was solid but would say his footwork is a tad slow, but would add Minnesota is always loaded and can make people look slow.

IIRC I read ND coach Jackson saying of his sophomore yr Gilbert was their #1 shutdown Dman and took the toughest matchups. Also mentioned he'd like to see him release and become more offensive. Jackson thinks he has that in him instead of being glued to the blueline, I'm sure he was thinking of how he played in jrs and has that back class, but watching him on tv and live he still prefers to play conservatively.

Would love to see him develop as the stout edgy stay at home Dman with size that clears the crease. He has that foundation.

He is undersized and not bad but now you have all the LH Swedes on D that don't really like to play D. I think it is more of Q liking experiences rather thatn the roller coaster of younger unproven players
- D2D

I don't think there is any doubt about this. That Q and the organIzation decided they need more sure NHL players in the lineup and is the reason they picked up Kunitz and Manning.

No not top 6 or 2nd pairing guys but known NHL players. Same with Ward. Not looking for home runs just sure singles or doubles.

Sikura looks like he has the potential to be a top 6 quality playmaker, but where he plays will depend on how quickly he can take on the highest comp in the NHL.
- L_B_R

One thing I try to keep in mind when watching Sikura is that he's 23 yrs old with 3 full yrs of Junior A and 4 yrs of NCAA experience. He's a mature player as far as prospects go.

But no doubt there is a lot in his game to be excited about and a proven track record

What’s he gonna say? I’d better get moving and make a few deals, or we are really going to suck?

He’s just giving the stock answers to the stock questions that only the die hards care about in mid-July.
- Ogilthorpe2

This!

He is totally sandbagging ahead of the convention when they announce they've traded for Malkin, Karlsson, Boedker, Wilson, Patches and Dutch!

Edit - Red Font

This!

He is totally sandbagging ahead of the convention when they announce they've traded for Malkin, Karlsson, Boedker, Wilson, Patches and Dutch!
- HawkintheD

Nice--until you realize that in order to get them he is trading away Kane, Toews. Saad. Keith, deBrincat, and Schmaltz, plus prospects and picks!

Here is an idea you might want to try, Scott: peruse other hockeybuzz team sites to get a feel for what even one particular writer is thinking about his team.

You often have ideas and some have more merit than others. I at least look at the headline of the other team sites and I have noticed there are a fair number of other here here who venture over.

As for your latest idea, I just point out that Bennett was a high choice and plays soft. At least when he first turned pro that was a big concern. Bennett is not someone going to come really cheap. I do not want to add another non physical center, anyway. Unless it is a great superlative talented player. And why would Calgary want AA?

Brick bats: from other posts
* Agreed now is definitely not the time to trade Crawford.

Rebuild is on going but staying competitive is very important. There is a correlation between being competitive to the point you entertain fans, they continue to come through turnstyles. Crawford can steal wins. He also is at peak value now ....meaning if he comes back strong ''now" is the trade deadline. If .....IF you trade him depends upon a few things: 1). What do you get for him; 2). How much do you like Forsberg/Dellia; and maybe the biggest impetus of all is; 3). How much does Rocky and or whomever else in the Blackhawks chain of command not like Crawford's issues.

I would consider trading him. I believe there could be a market for him. I am intrigued whether a good prospect or high draft choice could be squeezed out of certain teams for the battle playoff tested Crawford.

* On Hillman.
Ironic you said that he played better here than maybe he did as a collegiate. I thought that might be true, too. I suspect that Bowman wants to see how good Hillman is for a half season, minimum, and not rush anyone on defense. Gilbert and Hillman sounds like a law firm but could be two ex collegiate patrolling blueline and match well with some elite skill dmen we have drafted. How is Bowman going to give all the dmen playing time somewhere and not send anyone to the not really helpful ECHL?
- jhawk59

good point I ll do that just trying to see how the hawks can get better and just spitballing with some ideas some are good most are what am I thinking. To me hawks need balance throughout their line up a good mix of size physical players speed and skill right now that do not have that. Bowman has a lot of work to do from now until the start of the season. Sikrua brothers Edjsell and any upcoming prospect should be in Rockford developing unless the coaches and management are forced to bring them up, stop rushing players to fill an hole on nhl roster.

This!

He is totally sandbagging ahead of the convention when they announce they've traded for Malkin, Karlsson, Boedker, Wilson, Patches and Dutch!

Edit -
- HawkintheDRed Font

Really?

Really?
- Beaver-Warrior

I didn't think it needed explaining either. But, I was wrong.

I took in a ND game last yr vs Minnesota, geez Mittlestadt looked incredibly dangerous every shift, and specifically honed in on Gilbert. He played for the Steel for a yr and I saw plenty of him including tryout camp that yr.

He came as a 6ft+ 170ish lb skinny kid (saw him leaving in shorts, he got kicked out for destroying the captain from the yr before in an open ice clean hit). During tryout camp the kid simply went end to end multiple times and joined as a 4th forward 70% of the time. Simply said he was a wild horse but that got fixed, or at least worked on, as the yr went on.

When he got to ND kid put on a lot of bulk and read his skating was in question. Having seen him as a Steel I can promise his skating was never a question so I wondered.

After seeing him live at ND no doubt his game changed from an offensive Dman to defensive and he really bulked up putting on 40ish pounds to 220+. That's where is skating changed but thought his balance was solid but would say his footwork is a tad slow, but would add Minnesota is always loaded and can make people look slow.

IIRC I read ND coach Jackson saying of his sophomore yr Gilbert was their #1 shutdown Dman and took the toughest matchups. Also mentioned he'd like to see him release and become more offensive. Jackson thinks he has that in him instead of being glued to the blueline, I'm sure he was thinking of how he played in jrs and has that back class, but watching him on tv and live he still prefers to play conservatively.

Would love to see him develop as the stout edgy stay at home Dman with size that clears the crease. He has that foundation.
- Mr Ricochet

Agreed 100%! Gilbert has to learn to simplify his game that's exactly what's needed from him at the Big Show...first pass out or clear d zone and stay at home stout D man. Less is more with him and I like your wording for him..."harness him"

I didn't think it needed explaining either. But, I was wrong.
- HawkintheD

You haven’t mastered the art of sarcasm....I will teach you, my young Padawan.

I find Lazerus and some of these other "plants" to be the mouthpieces for the Hawks organization. This is the first time I can remember the tone being a bit accusatory of Bowman as far as the lack of offseason progress on helping a team that missed the playoffs.

Does anyone else think this is a bit of a different message than we've heard from Lazerus in the past?

https://chicago.suntimes....ay-for-the-blackhawks/amp

I find Lazerus and some of these other "plants" to be the mouthpieces for the Hawks organization. This is the first time I can remember the tone being a bit accusatory of Bowman as far as the lack of offseason progress on helping a team that missed the playoffs.

Does anyone else think this is a bit of a different message than we've heard from Lazerus in the past?

https://chicago.suntimes....ay-for-the-blackhawks/amp
- phantasmo

Yes, Lazerus has changed his tone in recent articles. He's not the only beat reporter that's done so.

I think the lack of direction is frustrating to many around. Either that or they haven't made a blockbuster trade and he's mad he has nothing to write about.

I think one thing is certain...the Hawks have a few Dmen and will likely be able to deal some if they feel they need more help.

Below I've got probably got a couple guys on the wrong side and not meant to be a prediction of who will make the team/pairs, but just to demonstrate where pieces could land based on their contracts/age and visualize just how many Dmen they have "in the system" so to speak.

If some of the young guys force the issue for the Hawks to include them on the roster it will be interesting. From Forsling down, guys are waiver exempt, so we could see some shuffling if guys like Jokiharju get a shot for the first 9 games. Will be interesting to see too if the Hawks do indeed have another NHL experienced dman coming in. We really could see them carry 8 again.

I.e.
N = NHL Contract
A = AHL Contract
U = Unsigned


NHL
Keith(N) - Seabrook(N)
Gustafsson(N) - Rutta(N)
Manning(N) - Murphy(N)
Forsling(N) -

AHL/ECHL
Hillman(N) - Gilbert(N)
Dahlstrom(N) - Raddysh(N)
Carlsson(N)- Tuulola(N)
Snuggerud(N) - Norell(N)
Campbell(N) - McArdie(A)

Jr/Europe/NCAA
Krys(U) - Jokiharju(N)
Beaudin(U) - Boqvist(N)
Shea(U) - Mitchell(U)
Massie(U) - Laavainen(U)
Ess(U) - Ryczek(U)
Galvas(U)

Stopped after the blackened, Z. Enjoy your day.......
- Mr Ricochet

Mr R, enjoyed you post as always. And it is always up to me to decide whether I like or dislike whatever it is you are posting. Keep ‘me coming!

I think one thing is certain...the Hawks have a few Dmen and will likely be able to deal some if they feel they need more help.

Below I've got probably got a couple guys on the wrong side and not meant to be a prediction of who will make the team/pairs, but just to demonstrate where pieces could land based on their contracts/age and visualize just how many Dmen they have "in the system" so to speak.

If some of the young guys force the issue for the Hawks to include them on the roster it will be interesting. From Forsling down, guys are waiver exempt, so we could see some shuffling if guys like Jokiharju get a shot for the first 9 games. Will be interesting to see too if the Hawks do indeed have another NHL experienced dman coming in. We really could see them carry 8 again.

I.e.
N = NHL Contract
A = AHL Contract
U = Unsigned


NHL
Keith(N) - Seabrook(N)
Gustafsson(N) - Rutta(N)
Manning(N) - Murphy(N)
Forsling(N) -

AHL/ECHL
Hillman(N) - Gilbert(N)
Dahlstrom(N) - Raddysh(N)
Carlsson(N)- Tuulola(N)
Snuggerud(N) - Norell(N)
Campbell(N) - McArdie(A)

Jr/Europe/NCAA
Krys(U) - Jokiharju(N)
Beaudin(U) - Boqvist(N)
Shea(U) - Mitchell(U)
Massie(U) - Laavainen(U)
Ess(U) - Ryczek(U)
Galvas(U)
- breadbag

I hope they don't carry 8 again. It's been proven to be a bad strategy for most teams, not just the Hawks, but esp it hasn't help the last few years with the players needing more consistency.

Though yeah, everyone in that AHL/ECHL group plays on the left /shoots left except Raddysh. I think if Jokiharju plays in the AHL too. Someone mentioned that Powers wrote that the Winterhawks wouldn't fight the Hawks if they thought he should play in the AHL and he's pretty much learned everything he can from juniors imo.

I think one thing is certain...the Hawks have a few Dmen and will likely be able to deal some if they feel they need more help.

Below I've got probably got a couple guys on the wrong side and not meant to be a prediction of who will make the team/pairs, but just to demonstrate where pieces could land based on their contracts/age and visualize just how many Dmen they have "in the system" so to speak.

If some of the young guys force the issue for the Hawks to include them on the roster it will be interesting. From Forsling down, guys are waiver exempt, so we could see some shuffling if guys like Jokiharju get a shot for the first 9 games. Will be interesting to see too if the Hawks do indeed have another NHL experienced dman coming in. We really could see them carry 8 again.

I.e.
N = NHL Contract
A = AHL Contract
U = Unsigned


NHL
Keith(N) - Seabrook(N)
Gustafsson(N) - Rutta(N)
Manning(N) - Murphy(N)
Forsling(N) -

AHL/ECHL
Hillman(N) - Gilbert(N)
Dahlstrom(N) - Raddysh(N)
Carlsson(N)- Tuulola(N)
Snuggerud(N) - Norell(N)
Campbell(N) - McArdie(A)

Jr/Europe/NCAA
Krys(U) - Jokiharju(N)
Beaudin(U) - Boqvist(N)
Shea(U) - Mitchell(U)
Massie(U) - Laavainen(U)
Ess(U) - Ryczek(U)
Galvas(U)
- breadbag

The defense pipeline is better now than in past years giving the Hawks options that many of them may make the NHL and have staying power to be a reliable regular whether as an offensive puck mover or stay at home type. Who knows, the future blueline could have all 6-7 defenders be our own draft picks.

Some can be trade chips to improve depth at other positions, i.e. center, power winger, goalie. Others will simply fill out the minor league roster to give the Hogs depth and experience.

Good spot to be in and exciting time. At least the farm is trending in the right direction.

I hope they don't carry 8 again. It's been proven to be a bad strategy for most teams, not just the Hawks, but esp it hasn't help the last few years with the players needing more consistency.

Though yeah, everyone in that AHL/ECHL group plays on the left /shoots left except Raddysh. I think if Jokiharju plays in the AHL too. Someone mentioned that Powers wrote that the Winterhawks wouldn't fight the Hawks if they thought he should play in the AHL and he's pretty much learned everything he can from juniors imo.
- L_B_R

I doubt they’ll carry 8 defensemen, largely because they’ll be carrying 3 goalies.

The defense pipeline is better now than in past years giving the Hawks options that many of them may make the NHL and have staying power to be a reliable regular whether as an offensive puck mover or stay at home type. Who knows, the future blueline could have all 6-7 defenders be our own draft picks.

Some can be trade chips to improve depth at other positions, i.e. center, power winger, goalie. Others will simply fill out the minor league roster to give the Hogs depth and experience.

Good spot to be in and exciting time. At least the farm is trending in the right direction.
- AEL_Fox

I'm starting to think that maybe the Hawks think that it is too hard to bring in free agent defensemen to learn the system they employ. Only one worked out since 2011 (Oduya). This may be the reason they haven't been trying to bring in a top 4 defemseman through free agency and are home growing these players.

I'm starting to think that maybe the Hawks think that it is too hard to bring in free agent defensemen to learn the system they employ. Only one worked out since 2011 (Oduya). This may be the reason they haven't been trying to bring in a top 4 defemseman through free agency and are home growing these players.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Plausible perspective so could be the case or at least partially. Some of it is also due to not locking up any free agents or trade acquisitions to expensive contracts with term.

See how the youngsters like DeBrincat, Schmaltz, Sikura, etc as well as the prospects pan out while also keeping an eye on affordable one year signees like PTOs. Wait to commit lucrative contracts with term for players who are still young, in their prime or on the cusp, and have the capacity to move the needle significantly as far as vastly improving the Hawks.

Definitely helps that several of the D prospects are high end talent while others may not be elegant but some could simply be reliable and defensively sound to play in the 4-7 spots.

I'm starting to think that maybe the Hawks think that it is too hard to bring in free agent defensemen to learn the system they employ. Only one worked out since 2011 (Oduya). This may be the reason they haven't been trying to bring in a top 4 defemseman through free agency and are home growing these players.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Fair assumption.

Hopefully Stan is keeping a close eye on the Trouba situation. The Jets are offering $4 million and he wants $7 million. Trouba is one of the guys I’d be willing to part with one of the Hawks’ young forwards for.

More likely, the Jets pay Trouba and deal Myers.

Yes, Lazerus has changed his tone in recent articles. He's not the only beat reporter that's done so.

I think the lack of direction is frustrating to many around. Either that or they haven't made a blockbuster trade and he's mad he has nothing to write about.


- Justin Lowe

Justin what direction are the hawks taking I m just little confused on what they are doing. They go and sign couple older players and bottom pairing d man then trade youth away in the hossa's deal. Then there are reports of faulk skinner patch panirin that hawks are pursuing as trade options and speculations of Crawford might being shopped around the league. So what gives are they going for last run at it or going with the retooling and youth movement. If they are trying both it won't work. Maybe you shed some light on what is going on and from your sources what is the plan.

With all the new exciting fast skill dmen gravitating closer to the NHL roster, what might be a new game plan on the Pp?

How might Q "relentless" affect the powerplay. Relentless to change or can the powers that decide how the PP is run....are they going to trot out the same old plays and same old Keith? It's your job on the line this year, Joel

How does Joel expect his troops to respond to relentless hockey?

I've seen Stan Bowman on this site. Like the old game show, will the real Stan Bowman speak up. Unless you think the other versions of SB have a better answer.

Interesting take on the the top 4 d-men drafted in the 2018 1st round.

Interesting re-tweet by JJ:

@evanfmiller
More Evan Miller Retweeted Rockford IceHogs

Hey @Chicago_Wolves, heard you were looking for an affiliate. The @IndyFuel are now currently looking for a new one...

----

I didn't know the Hawks severed ties with Indy Fuel. Or is there more to this story?

I'm starting to think that maybe the Hawks think that it is too hard to bring in free agent defensemen to learn the system they employ. Only one worked out since 2011 (Oduya). This may be the reason they haven't been trying to bring in a top 4 defemseman through free agency and are home growing these players.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Fair assessment. Tbf the Hawks haven't had a top 4 opening from 2012-2015 thanks to Keith, Seabrook, Hjammer, and Oduya just being the best. These last 3 seasons have seen the entire roster in a larger overhaul not seen since post the 2010 cup, not just the defense.

And technically Oduya wasn't a free agent, he was acquired in a trade. Rozsival, Brookbank, and TVR are the only FA d-man that have come in and worked the system pretty instantly but they all played 5/6/7 roles for the most part. We'll have to wait to see how the current crop of FA signings of Gus, Rutta, and Manning work out this season.

When you look at the defense as of now, only two are Hawks drafted and/or developed (not including Forsling in this though I'd count him as a Hawks guy like Leddy since most of his development has been in the Hawks org). The future looks like it could go back to being a bit more balanced or even mostly home-grown.