You want to know whom might be closer to an opening night or opening on the nhl roster beside the ballyhooed Jokiharju?

Is there Powers videos on Carlsson and Tuulola.
The former is right side and the later is left side dmen

They both have been duly noted as having take strides improving and their league's are comparable to the AHL. About as good, that is.

You've seen them chronicled. So far on this site No one cares to give their AHL impression on Tuulola, whom might have drawn in on an effective pairing. Colliton elected to keep him in the lineup the last three AHL playoff games despite no AHL experience. Hmm....what conclusion here

None forthcoming from Justin, despite asking numerous times. May be too small a sample size.

My recollection was that Buff was a wing with the Blackhawks in 2010.
- scottak

I think Buff played both "d" and wing at different times in the 09/10 season. But also recall that Sharp played center part of the 09/10 season too.

Saad-Toews-Hossa
Byfuglien-Sharp-Kane
Ladd-Bolland-Versteeg
Brouwer-Kruger-Shaw

Keith-Seabrook
Oduya-Hjalmarsson
Leddy-Campbell

Crawford
Niemi

You want to know whom might be closer to an opening night or opening on the nhl roster beside the ballyhooed Jokiharju?

Is there Powers videos on Carlsson and Tuulola.
The former is right side and the later is left side dmen

They both have been duly noted as having take strides improving and their league's are comparable to the AHL. About as good, that is.

You've seen them chronicled. So far on this site No one cares to give their AHL impression on Tuulola, whom might have drawn in on an effective pairing. Colliton elected to keep him in the lineup the last three AHL playoff games despite no AHL experience. Hmm....what conclusion here

None forthcoming from Justin, despite asking numerous times. May be too small a sample size.
- jhawk59

Maybe no one saw him play and that there hasn't been a discussion about him should maybe tell you that?

Yes, the assumption is Joki was "loaned" to Portland the season the Hawks drafted him meaning he was drafted while property of a Euro team and not subject to The Indentured Servitude Clause. All that means is the kid can play AHL at 19 which is huuuuuge for his development.

Not much left in Major Junior for him except a wasted yr.
- Mr Ricochet

Absolutely WHL would be a waste next year. Hope that AHL argument applies to Jokiharju and also to Boqvist next year.

Really like the idea of Jokiharju marinating at Rockford until ready. Sign a 7th d-man for Chicago (someone who is not Rosival). Go with something like:
Keith-Seabrook
Manning-Murphy
Gustafsson - Rutta
New #7

That could leave Forsling-Jokiharju for the top pair in Rockford and being first callups. Unfortunately, that also leaves at least 10 guys that need playing time in the AHL:

Forsling-Jokiharju and
Gilbert, Hillman, Snuggerud, Norell, Carlsson, Raddysh, Dahlstrom, Tuulola

and then Campbell and McArdle are there too. Some have to go to Indy.

It's going to be up or out (or traded) this year with some of these guys as Boqvist, Mitchell, Krys, and Beaudin are coming soon, and maybe Shea, Laavainen, and Galvas too.

Maybe no one saw him play and that there hasn't been a discussion about him should maybe tell you that?
- GPHawksfan

Maybe. I have been hoping some fans watched the Icehogs playoffs and might comment.

There remains an abundance of LD prospects. But if you carefully analyze their advancement, you can assign certain prospects into certain roles. At least initially the reasoning is sound but NHL moves and accelerated development can change the reasoning.

Krys has fallen just short on making WJC teams. Look at why so, then at his improvement last year. What more might he improve. But at first glance you have Snuggerud and Tuulola as third pair offensive guys to compete with Kryz

Gilbert and Hillman are more the stay at home and will be willing to play a physical brand of hockey, though maybe Gilbert is not a big tough yet both skate ok (better than Murphy).

The idea that Jokiharju, Mitchell, Carlsson might be second pair able? Yeah, but not right away.

With all these prospects - and I didn't name all of them - we are only at the very beginning. Yet I totally believe there are at least two more current dmen in the NHL roster who will get jettisoned maybe by trade deadline or after next season. And what becomes if Dahlgren and Forsling?

In Stan, Joel and Ulfie we do (not ?) trust.

The idea that Jokiharju, Mitchell, Carlsson might be second pair able? Yeah, but not right away.

- jhawk59

Obviously a lot of things can and probably will change over the next 3-4 years but if I had to guess what the d-corps will be in 3 or 4 seasons using only the players currently in the system (also assuming Keith and Seabrook have faded into retirement by then).

Beaudin-Boqvist
Forsling-Jokiharju
Carlsson-Mitchell

You want to know whom might be closer to an opening night or opening on the nhl roster beside the ballyhooed Jokiharju?

Is there Powers videos on Carlsson and Tuulola.
The former is right side and the later is left side dmen

They both have been duly noted as having take strides improving and their league's are comparable to the AHL. About as good, that is.

You've seen them chronicled. So far on this site No one cares to give their AHL impression on Tuulola, whom might have drawn in on an effective pairing. Colliton elected to keep him in the lineup the last three AHL playoff games despite no AHL experience. Hmm....what conclusion here

None forthcoming from Justin, despite asking numerous times. May be too small a sample size.
- jhawk59

No vid on Carlsson but there was a snipet on the Finn. All the vid Powers has is on his Twitter: https://twitter.com/ByScottPowers Powers also had a bit on him pre-camp:

Joni Tuulola caught the eye of a number of people in the organization with his play in the playoffs for the IceHogs.

Maybe. I have been hoping some fans watched the Icehogs playoffs and might comment.

There remains an abundance of LD prospects. But if you carefully analyze their advancement, you can assign certain prospects into certain roles. At least initially the reasoning is sound but NHL moves and accelerated development can change the reasoning.

Krys has fallen just short on making WJC teams. Look at why so, then at his improvement last year. What more might he improve. But at first glance you have Snuggerud and Tuulola as third pair offensive guys to compete with Kryz

Gilbert and Hillman are more the stay at home and will be willing to play a physical brand of hockey, though maybe Gilbert is not a big tough yet both skate ok (better than Murphy).

The idea that Jokiharju, Mitchell, Carlsson might be second pair able? Yeah, but not right away.

With all these prospects - and I didn't name all of them - we are only at the very beginning. Yet I totally believe there are at least two more current dmen in the NHL roster who will get jettisoned maybe by trade deadline or after next season. And what becomes if Dahlgren and Forsling?

In Stan, Joel and Ulfie we do (not ?) trust.
- jhawk59

The Athletic:

2. The Blackhawks’ defense pipeline is as loaded as it’s been in more than a decade.

Now the Blackhawks are trying to repeat that. The end result is still unknown, but they selected Dennis Gilbert and Ryan Shea in the first four rounds in 2015, Chad Krys and Lucas Carlsson in the first four rounds in 2016, Jokiharju, Ian Mitchell and Roope Laavainen in the first four rounds in 2017 and Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin in the first round in 2018. Altogether, the Blackhawks have drafted three defensemen in the first round, two in the second round, one in the third round and three in the fourth round in the past three years. Plus, the Blackhawks like the development of some of their other defenseman prospects.

Absolutely WHL would be a waste next year. Hope that AHL argument applies to Jokiharju and also to Boqvist next year.

Really like the idea of Jokiharju marinating at Rockford until ready. Sign a 7th d-man for Chicago (someone who is not Rosival). Go with something like:
Keith-Seabrook
Manning-Murphy
Gustafsson - Rutta
New #7

That could leave Forsling-Jokiharju for the top pair in Rockford and being first callups. Unfortunately, that also leaves at least 10 guys that need playing time in the AHL:

Forsling-Jokiharju and
Gilbert, Hillman, Snuggerud, Norell, Carlsson, Raddysh, Dahlstrom, Tuulola

and then Campbell and McArdle are there too. Some have to go to Indy.

It's going to be up or out (or traded) this year with some of these guys as Boqvist, Mitchell, Krys, and Beaudin are coming soon, and maybe Shea, Laavainen, and Galvas too.
- totem

There is absolutely no doubt Bovquist can play in the AHL this yr let alone next. No wondering about him as he was drafted out of the SHL/Super Elit league. As long as you aren't drafted out of Major Junior (OHL/WHL/QMJHL) you are eligible for the AHL as long as you are 18 yrs old.

No vid on Carlsson but there was a snipet on the Finn. All the vid he has is on his Twitter: https://twitter.com/ByScottPowers Powers also had a a bit on him pre-camp:

Joni Tuulola caught the eye of a number of people in the organization with his play in the playoffs for the IceHogs.
- Mr Ricochet

Here are the wo from Powers specifically on Tuulola

https://twitter.com/BySco...tatus/1018962117477707777

https://twitter.com/BySco...tatus/1018961428013834245

Roumeliiotis has a bunch, particularly of the D-men, on his Twitter, too

https://twitter.com/CRoumeliotis

For those interested the Hawks' site has a lot of interviews with the prospects. Was under the impression Entwistle was a wing but here he says he's a natural centerman. Doubt he projects there in the NHL but like hearing that none the less. https://www.nhl.com/black...hi/t-277437096/c-60787003

Absolutely WHL would be a waste next year. Hope that AHL argument applies to Jokiharju and also to Boqvist next year.

Really like the idea of Jokiharju marinating at Rockford until ready. Sign a 7th d-man for Chicago (someone who is not Rosival). Go with something like:
Keith-Seabrook
Manning-Murphy
Gustafsson - Rutta
New #7

That could leave Forsling-Jokiharju for the top pair in Rockford and being first callups. Unfortunately, that also leaves at least 10 guys that need playing time in the AHL:

Forsling-Jokiharju and
Gilbert, Hillman, Snuggerud, Norell, Carlsson, Raddysh, Dahlstrom, Tuulola

and then Campbell and McArdle are there too. Some have to go to Indy.

It's going to be up or out (or traded) this year with some of these guys as Boqvist, Mitchell, Krys, and Beaudin are coming soon, and maybe Shea, Laavainen, and Galvas too.
- totem

Boqvist (I believe) has committed to the London Knights for next year on advice of team. Worked for Kane when he came out of there, so let's hope for a similar boost.

ETA: Yep, found it

Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus

Adam Boqvist on the benefits of playing for the London Knights this year: "Know how I can play on the smaller ice and read the play better and hopefully can be ready for the NHL quickly."

Here are the wo from Powers specifically on Tuulola

https://twitter.com/BySco...tatus/1018962117477707777

https://twitter.com/BySco...tatus/1018961428013834245

Roumeliiotis has a bunch, particularly of the D-men, on his Twitter, too

https://twitter.com/CRoumeliotis
- pdx2ord

Thank you, Pd. Did not know this Roumeliiotis guy. Found a new follow......

Glad he caught the 1 on 1 between Beaudin and Soderland. Soderland is a real waterbug and he's showing better puck skills than I saw last yr at the WJSS but Beaudin kept up with him nicely. All I could find on Beaudin on You Tube what jumped out to me was borderline elite vision but his skating was ++. Beautiful skater.

That leggy 18 yr old Entwistle shows a few gears. Good couple first steps and a little burst while moving.

Obviously a lot of things can and probably will change over the next 3-4 years but if I had to guess what the d-corps will be in 3 or 4 seasons using only the players currently in the system (also assuming Keith and Seabrook have faded into retirement by then).

Beaudin-Boqvist
Forsling-Jokiharju
Carlsson-Mitchell
- EbonyRaptor

Can say this is how it shakes out yet as you say lots can happen in next 3-4 years.

I am curious how Kryz turns out. He is an elite puck carrier and all teams wish to have players who can carry and deliver the mail. Forsling has to develop into a sound dman. With much offensive capability in potentially each pair you might consider if one prospect who contests or gets more involved physically (although still not a guy who throws checks).....maybe he sticks over another prospect. Also to what extent do you try to balance pairs with a Gilbert or Hillman.

Powers or someone else had not rated Hillman as a sure fire NHL. I personally like the can skate and has nasty combo plus he appears to be a smart dman who will get some goals/his shot is good. Let's see how he does probably at Rockford.

You wonder if Bowman gets creative and loans a player to another AHL team. Could Forsling also go back to Sweden on loan for one year? Too many capable AHL dmen not to mention even Norell has been descent in the AHL.

It might be a good idea to even trade a dman whom you project as possibly nothing special if he makes NHL. Raydsh might offer a nice balance offensively and defensively but if you think he is behind all these extraordinary talented high draft picks, maybe he is dealt for a tweener who is good in face offs. Because even if this guy had to be recalled, it is good to have him available. Toews and Kruger remaining healthy is not likely, and they are the only above average face off guys. Just my two cents.

I noticed that about Wise, too. He uses his body well to get positioning and uses his lower center of gravity to his advantage. He's 5'10" or 11" but stocky and built.

Krys was good as well with using body positioning during 1:1 drills. I think he may surprise and possibly leap frog his way up the blueline depth chart. One way to stand out amongst the glut of offensive d-men is to play solid defense. He may separate himself from the pack if he builds off of his sophomore year at BU where coaches praised his marked improvement with play away from the puck.
- AEL_Fox

He sure did. Looked mature at 20 in that he was very efficient in his movements and stride. Powerful balanced stride too. ...... Looked like a coached up player to me. Not surprising playing for the NTDP and then BU for 2 seasons.

Agree Mr Fox, this kid looks very interesting.

He sure did. Looked mature at 20 in that he was very efficient in his movements and stride. Powerful balanced stride too. ...... Looked like a coached up player to me. Not surprising playing for the NTDP and then BU for 2 seasons.

Agree Mr Fox, this kid looks very interesting.
- Mr Ricochet

Would he leave college early? Will he be in training camp, playing in the exhibition season? Chicago has always told kids to stay in school, no rush to jump ship early for the NHL.

But if you like some prospect to surprise and could make the team, does this time Bowman get a veteran to play alongside? Hamhuis?

Jan Rutta told his story to bezfrazi.cz, Czech website which does great job emulating The Player’s Tribune. The article is out today and it is a nice read. Nothing really surprising and I am not sure how will the story hold up if you use Google Translate to translate into English. But still worth sharing IMO.

https://www.bezfrazi.cz/odpadlik/

Summary: Rutta talks about being left behind in juniors in Plzeň and later being stuck in minor league system after switch to Chomutov. It was partially his own doing – he was always in the middle of every mischief – and partially bad timing. When he saw his former teammates advance in their careers and less talented players being promoted, he was initially disheartened, half-assed his way around and thought about quitting. (Another) coaching change in Chomutov helped him, he finally got a fair chance and real guidance, which in turn made him focus more on conditioning, nutrition etc.

When he got called up to the national team, he switched agents and rejected good offer from unnamed KHL team before World Championship. He didn't know if he was even going to play in the tournament yet, but postponed any decisions for after the season ended. Then he received offers from five NHL teams and chose Chicago, which gave him the least amount of bonus money (base salary was the same everywhere), but after looking at the roster, he figured it would give him the best chance to succeed.

Would he leave college early? Will he be in training camp, playing in the exhibition season? Chicago has always told kids to stay in school, no rush to jump ship early for the NHL.

But if you like some prospect to surprise and could make the team, does this time Bowman get a veteran to play alongside? Hamhuis?
- jhawk59

Thought I read somewhere that he would be one that would probably play all 4 years making everyone nervous.

It said he is making strides, and while probably the smoothest skater and fastest guy in the system skating hte puck out of his own zone, his strength and D work in his own zone need work, but he is improving in these areas.

You would say isn't it better to do that in Rockford and not risk that 4th year, but would he be in Rockford? He plays at BU right, maybe they all agree its better for him to be at BU and not Indy??

Jan Rutta told his story to bezfrazi.cz, Czech website which does great job emulating The Player’s Tribune. The article is out today and it is a nice read. Nothing really surprising and I am not sure how will the story hold up if you use Google Translate to translate into English. But still worth sharing IMO.

https://www.bezfrazi.cz/odpadlik/

Summary: Rutta talks about being left behind in juniors in Plzeň and later being stuck in minor league system after switch to Chomutov. It was partially his own doing – he was always in the middle of every mischief – and partially bad timing. When he saw his former teammates advance in their careers and less talented players being promoted, he was initially disheartened, half-assed his way around and thought about quitting. (Another) coaching change in Chomutov helped him, he finally got a fair chance and real guidance, which in turn made him focus more on conditioning, nutrition etc.

When he got called up to the national team, he switched agents and rejected good offer from unnamed KHL team before World Championship. He didn't know if he was even going to play in the tournament yet, but postponed any decisions for after the season ended. Then he received offers from five NHL teams and chose Chicago, which gave him the least amount of bonus money (base salary was the same everywhere), but after looking at the roster, he figured it would give him the best chance to succeed.
- stonefire

Good for the guy, good to hear he's changed his ways. Always good when we grow up, for some of us, it was just later than others..............

Obviously a lot of things can and probably will change over the next 3-4 years but if I had to guess what the d-corps will be in 3 or 4 seasons using only the players currently in the system (also assuming Keith and Seabrook have faded into retirement by then).

Beaudin-Boqvist
Forsling-Jokiharju
Carlsson-Mitchell
- EbonyRaptor

I think you see one of Hillman or Gilbert emerge as well as that stay-at-home d.

It's nice to have the history of Carlsson/Boqvist and Hillman/Mitchell who have played together as pairings in the past.

Thank you, Pd. Did not know this Roumeliiotis guy. Found a new follow......

Glad he caught the 1 on 1 between Beaudin and Soderland. Soderland is a real waterbug and he's showing better puck skills than I saw last yr at the WJSS but Beaudin kept up with him nicely. All I could find on Beaudin on You Tube what jumped out to me was borderline elite vision but his skating was ++. Beautiful skater.

That leggy 18 yr old Entwistle shows a few gears. Good couple first steps and a little burst while moving.
- Mr Ricochet

I suspect Soderlund will be over in Rockford by the end of his SHL season in the spring.

He will be 21 at that time and have 3 seasons/130+ games of SHL under his belt playing against men.

Maybe no one saw him play and that there hasn't been a discussion about him should maybe tell you that?
- GPHawksfan

i went to game 4 in Rockford against the stars(the 1st win of the series). Unlike recent blackhawk games, the game was far from a snoozefest. end to end action, and pretty physical. Two things that stood out was what a mean hombre Martinsen was(had some crushing hits), and how solid Tuulola was. i think it was only Tuulola 2nd game for Rockford. seemed to fit right in and was slightly noticeable, in a good way.

I think you see one of Hillman or Gilbert emerge as well as that stay-at-home d.

It's nice to have the history of Carlsson/Boqvist and Hillman/Mitchell who have played together as pairings in the past.
- Justin Lowe

I was predicting pretty much the same thing:

Carlsson - Boqvist
Gilbert - Jokiharju
Hillman - Mitchell
Krys, Beaudin

More balanced with an offensively gifted RHD paired with a more defensively sound LHD. And as you stated familiarity with partners on the 1st and 3rd pairs.

Is this realistic to have all draftees form the blueline from all 3 pairs down to the 7th and 8th spot? Maybe, maybe not, given other factors like future drafts, free agency, and trades. But if our blueline prospect is that deep -- which currently includes Forsling, Tuulola, Laavainen, Galvas, Ess, Raddysh, Snuggerud, etc. as well as the above -- then the Hawks can trade from a place of strength to acquire players who can fill positions where depth is sorely lacking like center, power forward, and goalie.

I suspect Soderlund will be over in Rockford by the end of his SHL season in the spring.

He will be 21 at that time and have 3 seasons/130+ games of SHL under his belt playing against men.
- Justin Lowe

I had the opportunity to watch ND several times last season as well as the year before and I focused on Gilbert. I like the edge he plays with but it seems to me the biggest issue with him is he is not a very good skater. He's not short burst fast nor does he have lateral quickness. If my assessment is wrong or if he makes improvement from what I witnessed - GREAT - otherwise he looks to be a 5/6/7 guy at best.

Edit: oops - I quoted the wrong post from Justin - I meant to quote the post where he mentions Gilbert.

I was predicting pretty much the same thing:

Carlsson - Boqvist
Gilbert - Jokiharju
Hillman - Mitchell
Krys, Beaudin

More balanced with an offensively gifted RHD paired with a more defensively sound LHD. And as you stated familiarity with partners on the 1st and 3rd pairs.

Is this realistic to have all draftees form the blueline from all 3 pairs down to the 7th and 8th spot? Maybe, maybe not, given other factors like future drafts, free agency, and trades. But if our blueline prospect is that deep -- which currently includes Forsling, Tuulola, Laavainen, Galvas, Ess, etc. as well as the above -- then the Hawks can trade from a place of strength to acquire players who can fill positions where depth is sorely lacking like center, power forward, and goalie.
- AEL_Fox

I'm hoping the Hawks can do what Carolina did with their d-man prospects over the past 3-4 years. They had 4-5 NHL caliber d-prospects matriculate to the NHL over a 2-3 year period and now they have one of the best young d-corps in the league, even to the point where they're looking to move Faulk and recently traded one of those young d-men (Hanifan) to improve their team.