The Rink has some detailed analyses of prospects who are standing out whether in good or bad ways.

https://www.the-rink.com/...awks-prospect-camp-day-1/
https://www.the-rink.com/...awks-prospect-camp-day-2/


- AEL_Fox

Thanks for posting those links. I thought this note from the Day 2 was interesting:

John Dahlstrom stood out again with his size and offensive ability. Though only listed as being 6’0” and 189 pounds, Dahlstrom played bigger, using his frame to cause havoc in the small-area games. He also showed off his shot, cleanly beating goaltenders with his wrist shot on a few occasions.

Was wondering about this guy. He was the last pick in the draft in 2015. Had a pretty good year as The Cat in The Hat (Medicine Hat), 59 pts in 63 gms in 16-17. Went back to Sweden last year and kind of disappeared, so I though he was basically gone. Clearly has a big mountain to climb to get a shot at the NHL.

I think vabeachbear noticed him too and was wondering about his future/path. We all like our longshots but if Dahlstrom makes it back to NA I will be rooting for him.

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.
- Scott1977

Hey Scott, not going to lie... I'm a little confused too...as are the last 2 contacts I checked in with last.

To be completely honest, I don't see the Hawks trading away any of their younger, "baby core" at this time. Stan appears to be sticking to that and I honestly think he should as well just vecause the Hawks are a little stuck right now.

So what that means is, unless you deal high draft picks, then they ain't landing a Faulk, Skinner or Panarin.

The only way you get those calibre of players is by dealing a combination Schmaltz/Debrincat/Jokiharju/etc.

So where does that leave them? I think in the middle, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with a renewed core and up-and-coming youngsters.

I heard Stan last resort on the trade market is hoping he waits someone out for a deal (maybe... just maybe Carolina deals Faulk closer to training camp and comes down in asking price).

If that doesn't come to fruition though, he's setting himself up in advance with his "I don't know if we make another move" type narrative.

I was also told to keep an eye on the PTO market where Stan could possibly go dumpster diving with Sbisa, Enstrom, Pouliot, Chiasson, Wingels type invites.

I will have more tomorrow with a fresh blog.

Thanks for posting those links. I thought this note from the Day 2 was interesting:

John Dahlstrom stood out again with his size and offensive ability. Though only listed as being 6’0” and 189 pounds, Dahlstrom played bigger, using his frame to cause havoc in the small-area games. He also showed off his shot, cleanly beating goaltenders with his wrist shot on a few occasions.

Was wondering about this guy. He was the last pick in the draft in 2015. Had a pretty good year as The Cat in The Hat (Medicine Hat), 59 pts in 63 gms in 16-17. Went back to Sweden last year and kind of disappeared, so I though he was basically gone. Clearly has a big mountain to climb to get a shot at the NHL.

I think vabeachbear noticed him too and was wondering about his future/path. We all like our longshots but if Dahlstrom makes it back to NA I will be rooting for him.
- totem

Weird...it's almost like someone predicted he would have a strong camp... hmmmm... who was that again?


"John Dahlstrom is my selection for the 2nd team RW. His numbers in the Swedish Jr league last year may not jump out but his path has been an interesting one. After being selected with the last pick of the draft in 2015, Dahlstrom has played in multiple levels in Sweden, included stints in the SHL. Then in 2016-17 he came over to the WHL and scored 30 goals as a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers. However, after just one successful season, he opted to go back to Sweden to play in their Jr. league. This will be his 4th prospects camp and it's with that, along with his familiarity with the NA ice, that I feel he will stand out this year amongst the rest of the group."

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...t_id=93904&blogger_id=253

Chicago Blackhawks
‏Verified account @NHLBlackhawks
4h4 hours ago

Breakfast with #Blackhawks prospects!

We're streaming the final scrimmage of Development Camp LIVE on Friday at 9:30 a.m.

Weird...it's almost like someone predicted he would have a strong camp... hmmmm... who was that again?


"John Dahlstrom is my selection for the 2nd team RW. His numbers in the Swedish Jr league last year may not jump out but his path has been an interesting one. After being selected with the last pick of the draft in 2015, Dahlstrom has played in multiple levels in Sweden, included stints in the SHL. Then in 2016-17 he came over to the WHL and scored 30 goals as a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers. However, after just one successful season, he opted to go back to Sweden to play in their Jr. league. This will be his 4th prospects camp and it's with that, along with his familiarity with the NA ice, that I feel he will stand out this year amongst the rest of the group."

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...t_id=93904&blogger_id=253
- Justin Lowe

Excellent call, I did read that but had forgotten.

A while back I was trying to think of a Hawks player who might be a comp - at least physically. I'm sure there are more realistic ones but I came up with this:

https://www.eliteprospect...yer/212530/john-dahlstrom
https://www.eliteprospect...player/30687/steve-thomas

Dahlstrom: 6-0, 190, RW, Shoots L
Thomas: 5-10, 185, RW, Shoots L

He probably won't be anywhere near that good, but in hockey being a "Poor Man's Stumpy" would be a good thing.

The Jets have $20m in cap space - they can afford to keep both Trouba and Myers.

The separation between player and club in arbitration is also not unusual - player goes way high, club goes way low, and they'll eventually meet in the middle.
- L_B_R

Would love to get Trouba if the price and package was right? One of the best R-H D man in the league who has all the tools to be successful in today's game

The Jets have $20m in cap space - they can afford to keep both Trouba and Myers.

The separation between player and club in arbitration is also not unusual - player goes way high, club goes way low, and they'll eventually meet in the middle.
- L_B_R

With the Jets it’s about hard dollars and not just cap dollars.

Hey Scott, not going to lie... I'm a little confused too...as are the last 2 contacts I checked in with last.

To be completely honest, I don't see the Hawks trading away any of their younger, "baby core" at this time. Stan appears to be sticking to that and I honestly think he should as well just vecause the Hawks are a little stuck right now.

So what that means is, unless you deal high draft picks, then they ain't landing a Faulk, Skinner or Panarin.

The only way you get those calibre of players is by dealing a combination Schmaltz/Debrincat/Jokiharju/etc.

So where does that leave them? I think in the middle, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with a renewed core and up-and-coming youngsters.

I heard Stan last resort on the trade market is hoping he waits someone out for a deal (maybe... just maybe Carolina deals Faulk closer to training camp and comes down in asking price).

If that doesn't come to fruition though, he's setting himself up in advance with his "I don't know if we make another move" type narrative.

I was also told to keep an eye on the PTO market where Stan could possibly go dumpster diving with Sbisa, Enstrom, Pouliot, Chiasson, Wingels type invites.

I will have more tomorrow with a fresh blog.
- Justin Lowe

I might be the only one but I like what Stan is and isn’t doing this off-season.

It’s too early to full on rebuild. You’d be selling low on the vets that had down seasons - and trying to dump them with NMCs, not easy. Then you risk them having bounce back seasons with other teams and looking like a fool.

But we all saw the decline over the past few years. This is not a team you mortgage the future for either, that could lead to no present or future.

So you wait and see. See what the vets have left, see what the young guys can bring, see if you can add some pieces that don’t require giving up the future or making a risky long term commitment.

I could see AA or Murphy or some marginal prospects getting moved (fwiw, I like them to keep Murphy) - guys that have some term on their contracts but aren’t “ core.”

The most likely outcome is a clearer vision for the future a year from now. That would either come after a bounce-back season with the Hawks buying at the TDL or another down season with the Hawks being sellers at the TDL.

It’s not a great narrative for this coming season but at least there is some room for optimism. The promise is a better narrative in a year. It’s probably the best they can do given what they have and where they’re at.

I might be the only one but I like what Stan is and isn’t doing this off-season.

It’s too early to full on rebuild. You’d be selling low on the vets that had down seasons - and trying to dump them with NMCs, not easy. Then you risk them having bounce back seasons with other teams and looking like a fool.

But we all saw the decline over the past few years. This is not a team you mortgage the future for either, that could lead to no present or future.

So you wait and see. See what the vets have left, see what the young guys can bring, see if you can add some pieces that don’t require giving up the future or making a risky long term commitment.

I could see AA or Murphy or some marginal prospects getting moved (fwiw, I like them to keep Murphy) - guys that have some term on their contracts but aren’t “ core.”

The most likely outcome is a clearer vision for the future a year from now. That would either come after a bounce-back season with the Hawks buying at the TDL or another down season with the Hawks being sellers at the TDL.

It’s not a great narrative for this coming season but at least there is some room for optimism. The promise is a better narrative in a year. It’s probably the best they can do given what they have and where they’re at.
- matt_ahrens

I agree with pretty much all of that. There is a new window for a Cup run in 2019-22 (hoping no lost season due to labor talks). This is a "see what you have" year and hope for the best, then have an aggressive offseason next summer.

While I am giving Stan credit for an on balance positive off season so far (frm a cap perspective anyway), I really hope this phrase “baby core” goes away really quick.

Not ONE of those guys in that list resembles, nor has upside near the level the “aging core” had at their apex. Maybe a few will be above average pieces of a new puzzle, but until we have the next Toews, Keith and Kane in the pipeline, I think it is prudent to see these new guys for who they are and likely may be, and nothing more. Certainly not “core players” in the sense we have known that to mean since 2010.

Certainly more cause for hope in the pipeline, but as nearly everyone has said, it wil be at least a year and probably two before we know who has what it takes to be somebody significant. League parity ensures that dynastys will go the way of the dodo bird just like the center line.

I might be the only one but I like what Stan is and isn’t doing this off-season.

It’s too early to full on rebuild. You’d be selling low on the vets that had down seasons - and trying to dump them with NMCs, not easy. Then you risk them having bounce back seasons with other teams and looking like a fool.

But we all saw the decline over the past few years. This is not a team you mortgage the future for either, that could lead to no present or future.

So you wait and see. See what the vets have left, see what the young guys can bring, see if you can add some pieces that don’t require giving up the future or making a risky long term commitment.

I could see AA or Murphy or some marginal prospects getting moved (fwiw, I like them to keep Murphy) - guys that have some term on their contracts but aren’t “ core.”

The most likely outcome is a clearer vision for the future a year from now. That would either come after a bounce-back season with the Hawks buying at the TDL or another down season with the Hawks being sellers at the TDL.

It’s not a great narrative for this coming season but at least there is some room for optimism. The promise is a better narrative in a year. It’s probably the best they can do given what they have and where they’re at.
- matt_ahrens

I’m not quite sure what people were expecting Stan to do (or more to the point, be able to do). Half the remaining vets from the end of last year have NMCs, the remaining players either played poorly or are so young you barely know what you have. If you trade away a bunch of pieces to get one or two “big” ones, you are back to having no depth.

Personally, I think the smart play is to keep building slowly. I don’t care what Stan says To the press. It’s all placating bs anyway. NO one likes the truth, which is that we are not as good as we were, And it will take time to get back to that level (regardless of who the coach or GM are).

I might be the only one but I like what Stan is and isn’t doing this off-season.

It’s too early to full on rebuild. You’d be selling low on the vets that had down seasons - and trying to dump them with NMCs, not easy. Then you risk them having bounce back seasons with other teams and looking like a fool.

But we all saw the decline over the past few years. This is not a team you mortgage the future for either, that could lead to no present or future.

So you wait and see. See what the vets have left, see what the young guys can bring, see if you can add some pieces that don’t require giving up the future or making a risky long term commitment.

I could see AA or Murphy or some marginal prospects getting moved (fwiw, I like them to keep Murphy) - guys that have some term on their contracts but aren’t “ core.”

The most likely outcome is a clearer vision for the future a year from now. That would either come after a bounce-back season with the Hawks buying at the TDL or another down season with the Hawks being sellers at the TDL.

It’s not a great narrative for this coming season but at least there is some room for optimism. The promise is a better narrative in a year. It’s probably the best they can do given what they have and where they’re at.
- matt_ahrens

This.

Went to the CPHL games tonight. On the 10th anniversary of his being appointed Captain, Mr. Toews was in the house. He dealt with the media before the game. Some quotes:

“It’s not only motivating, just to see how fast that play was, and to have missed out on playoff hockey this year and to have the drive to get back there,” Toews said. “But knowing that if you do sneak into the playoffs, it doesn’t really matter — you can go a long way. Us thinking, ‘Oh, we’re going to go back and win a Stanley Cup this year,’ it sounds like a long shot. But as always, our No. 1 goal is just getting back to the playoffs and being ready to hit our stride the right way when we get there.”

“Getting that skill and that creativity back in my game is a big thing I want to focus on,” he said. “You watch a lot of these young guys that are coming up and getting the opportunity to play right away — they all have the skill, they all have the skating. And it’s days like this, where they’re out there working on stuff and playing around and just being loose and creative. It’s going to be fun to get that back into my game.”

“It definitely sneaks up on you,” Toews said of turning 30. “You don’t see it coming. For me, it’s [about] recapturing that energy, that motivation, that excitement and that mindset of a young player that just takes nothing for granted, that you had in your younger days. But also carrying that experience with you.”

So, this was supposedly only the 2nd time he has been on the ice since the end of the season, so I have to cut him a bit of slack, but he honestly didn't stand out against a bunch of college kids,AHLers, former pros, and a few current NHLers. He was winded, floated up top, outside of action quite a bit, and he was still bobbling on a number of passes (which appeared to be eye-hand issues more than anything else). He did score one, but that was really it.

I know, I know, these games don't count and are just for fun, but his hyper-competitiveness was legendary for most of his career. He did get fired up at the refs from the bench, but otherwise, that competitive fire really wasn't there.

Was for me as I love the guy and really want him to get some of his mojo back, both for himself and for the team.

Thanks for posting those links. I thought this note from the Day 2 was interesting:

John Dahlstrom stood out again with his size and offensive ability. Though only listed as being 6’0” and 189 pounds, Dahlstrom played bigger, using his frame to cause havoc in the small-area games. He also showed off his shot, cleanly beating goaltenders with his wrist shot on a few occasions.

Was wondering about this guy. He was the last pick in the draft in 2015. Had a pretty good year as The Cat in The Hat (Medicine Hat), 59 pts in 63 gms in 16-17. Went back to Sweden last year and kind of disappeared, so I though he was basically gone. Clearly has a big mountain to climb to get a shot at the NHL.

I think vabeachbear noticed him too and was wondering about his future/path. We all like our longshots but if Dahlstrom makes it back to NA I will be rooting for him.
- totem

I thought I remember reading (memory not what it used to be..........) that he went back to Sweden but wasn't playing in the top league, which at the time, I found as weird that he wouldn't play in Rockford (maybe he couldn't, I'll never study it hard enough to understand who can and cannot play there), or at least play it the top league, as he did put up big numbers at MH.

I thought I remember reading (memory not what it used to be..........) that he went back to Sweden but wasn't playing in the top league, which at the time, I found as weird that he wouldn't play in Rockford (maybe he couldn't, I'll never study it hard enough to understand who can and cannot play there), or at least play it the top league, as he did put up big numbers at MH.
- vabeachbear

On this point, this is one that drives me crazy (not as much as the Danault trade though for a frame of reference).

I cannot understand why teams can't put their prospects where they want to in the system.
I'm not a soccer guy, but they get these players when they are in their teens, and put them in their system and move them where they want to.
Baseball basically does the same thing. If a guy is 17 or 18 is good enough to play in Rockford, you are paying them, I don't care what country they were born in or where they played before, they should be able to play there.

If the Hawks want Bovquist or any other draft pick to play for 3 years in Rockford before coming up, they should be able to do it.

Went to the CPHL games tonight. On the 10th anniversary of his being appointed Captain, Mr. Toews was in the house. He dealt with the media before the game. Some quotes:





So, this was supposedly only the 2nd time he has been on the ice since the end of the season, so I have to cut him a bit of slack, but he honestly didn't stand out against a bunch of college kids,AHLers, former pros, and a few current NHLers. He was winded, floated up top, outside of action quite a bit, and he was still bobbling on a number of passes (which appeared to be eye-hand issues more than anything else). He did score one, but that was really it.

I know, I know, these games don't count and are just for fun, but his hyper-competitiveness was legendary for most of his career. He did get fired up at the refs from the bench, but otherwise, that competitive fire really wasn't there.

Was for me as I love the guy and really want him to get some of his mojo back, both for himself and for the team.
- pdx2ord

See I read his quote, and I hear someone who is never going to be that Captain Serious again.

Will always love what he did as the leader of the core to bring 3 cups, but reading that quote, that's not the same guy.

Maybe its just me

See I read his quote, and I hear someone who is never going to be that Captain Serious again.

Will always love what he did as the leader of the core to bring 3 cups, but reading that quote, that's not the same guy.

Maybe its just me
- vabeachbear

Honestly the comment where he says 30 sneaks up on you, sounds like a guy who took a step back and thought all I've done is train and play hockey?

Who knows how young he started playing. Maybe watching the playoffs will motivate him, i hope so.

Considering though that he's there playing hockey, because I'm sure he could of skipped it if he wanted to, is a really good sign.

With the Jets it’s about hard dollars and not just cap dollars.
- DarthKane

...and the exchange rate.

“it’s not the worst thing to stop and smell the roses”

“Our no 1 goal is to make the playoffs”

Let those sink in a moment. Really.

Now come back to today, knowing this is the guy who is your on ice leader, and will earn $10.5MM a year for many more years going forward. For smelling the roses and lowered expectations....

Does this sound like a guy with any fire left in his belly?

So much for any meaningful elevation in his play.

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=94004