I'm always trying to find the silver lining in a situation. The draft is in Vancouver in 2019 and I will do my best to attend. It would be exciting to see the Hawks with another high draft pick (fully acknowledging it would suck to see them have another poor season in 18/19).
- DarthKane

Oh I agree but my expectations after coming off last year and the lack of improvement on the current roster and too many "need this guy to do a 180, need this guy to be 100% healthy".....it just doesn't seem likely.

More importantly just need the younger guys to continue to improve and hopefully find a young D man or two who isn't a complete dumpster fire on the back end.

I also would at the very least trade AA and Murphy at the deadline for whatever you can get. Both don't have NTCs and both at the pristine time to sell could land you a decent pick for the draft.

Justin why even bother mentioning any of these scraps? It's time to let the kids come up and put their big boy pants on and compete to make the team and prove their impact. We need to get young , skillful, fast .

Why waste cap money on non impact productive players. Either make a impactful trade or trade away useless players to free up more cap space and go with the youth movement to see how you can improve next July. Stan should be doing everything possible to move Seabrook , his contract is what will determine the future .
- Taylorst1

Fair enough, Taylor.

A main point I wanted to get across from this blog was exactly that - their isn't much left on the open market other than some spare parts and scraps... so what is Stan to do?

My perspective is, I think their could value of adding 1 or 2 of these vet/role players would be that the kids that you are referring to are not ready to wear big boy pants for an entire year. There is an art to developing players and tossing them into the NHL while they try to keep their head above water isn't typically the best.

It's one thing to be a young team, but the Hawks have guys like Highmore, Kampf, Kahun and Ejdsell all on people's list looking to make the team full-time this year and these are ALL UNDRAFTED players. That's not the best sign.

We know the Hawks haven't had the highest of picks in recent years so to expect undrafted or higher draft picks who are not quite ready yet to play a big role this year, is a recipe for disaster IMO.

Plus... there will be injuries. So that's when I would like to see players rewarded from Colliton's Rockford team make their appearance.

First...I agree 100% about Sbisa, hopefully Stan has enough good sense to pass on him.

I don't see the Hawks signing ant free agents at this point. I would expect a couple guys to get PTOs but that's about the extent of it. I don't think any of the UFA d-men are an upgrade over what we have today.

There are a couple decent bottom 6 forwards left but I think the Hawks will want to see what they have in their young guys before they make any moves. Further to D's point the Hawks need to play the long game here. I know the core is aging but I think they can transition from a leading role to more of a support role (with the exception of Kane).

I would expect the opening night roster to look like this, but the team will make in-season moves (trades or different call-ups) if these guys don't cut it:

Saad - Toews - DeBrincat
Kahun - Schmaltz - Kane
Ejdsell - Anisimov - Sikura
Hayden - Kruger - Kampf
Kunitz

Keith - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Manning - Jokiharju
Rutta

Ward
Forsberg

LTIR - Crawford

The line combinations and d-pairings will vary over game to game, period to period and shift to shift with Q.
- DarthKane

I think there could be issues if Saad-Toews-Debrincat are the top line simply because that's more of the same of Toews being surrounded by shooter-types that hasn't worked in the past. Debrincat is definitely an upgrade on Panik in terms of quality of shot, but that still means a majority of the playmaking is on Toews which hasn't worked for him so far. It's why a Kane, Schmaltz, Hossa, and Hinostroza (to a lesser extent obvs) has been needed in the past. Maybe Debrincat ends up being more like Hossa in terms of being a playmaker/shooter combo but I don't know about that yet.

That 3rd line would be one of the slowest in the league with both Edjsell and Anisimov lol.

Justin

All due respect, none of these UFA moves help this team LT. They just waste money and roster spots.

Time to embrace the tank....and use the word that is toxic at 1901 w Madison right now.....REBUILD

The only drama coming in the next 45 days is if 50 can take the ice....if he can't, if I were a media member, I'd be all over Bowman and Q about why not.....Time to press....he's been "close" for 8 months now.....or has he...….
- SteveRain

Hey Steve - just posted a response above with some thoughts.

These moves could help the team long-term if guys like Highmore, Ejdsell, etc. are slotted in their appropriate league (AHL) to develop vs. being tossed into the NHL because the Hawks have no other choice.

That's my thinking. Especially when Rockford had such a strong season last year and they really have a great coaching staff to help these guys be better pros long-term.

Oh I agree but my expectations after coming off last year and the lack of improvement on the current roster and too many "need this guy to do a 180, need this guy to be 100% healthy".....it just doesn't seem likely.

More importantly just need the younger guys to continue to improve and hopefully find a young D man or two who isn't a complete dumpster fire on the back end.

I also would at the very least trade AA and Murphy at the deadline for whatever you can get. Both don't have NTCs and both at the pristine time to sell could land you a decent pick for the draft.
- SteveRain

I don't see the value in trading Anisimov and/or Murphy the for the sake of trading them. The depth of NHL talent is shallow on this team, if you trade AA then Schmaltz or Toews gets hurt the team is screwed. If trading Anisimov and/or Murphy is part of a larger plan then I'm ok with it. neither contract is cumbersome, and since Hossa's contract was dealt the Hawks aren't up against the cap and forced to make any moves.

I think there could be issues if Saad-Toews-Debrincat are the top line simply because that's more of the same of Toews being surrounded by shooter-types that hasn't worked in the past. Debrincat is definitely an upgrade on Panik in terms of quality of shot, but that still means a majority of the playmaking is on Toews which hasn't worked for him so far. It's why a Kane, Schmaltz, Hossa, and Hinostroza (to a lesser extent obvs) has been needed in the past. Maybe Debrincat ends up being more like Hossa in terms of being a playmaker/shooter combo but I don't know about that yet.

That 3rd line would be one of the slowest in the league with both Edjsell and Anisimov lol.
- L_B_R

Oh I know. Sadly the options for the bottom 6 are limited.

Hey Steve - just posted a response above with some thoughts.

These moves could help the team long-term if guys like Highmore, Ejdsell, etc. are slotted in their appropriate league (AHL) to develop vs. being tossed into the NHL because the Hawks have no other choice.

That's my thinking. Especially when Rockford had such a strong season last year and they really have a great coaching staff to help these guys be better pros long-term.
- Justin Lowe

I know you were referencing Highmore as an example, but I wonder where he fits into the Hawks plans this season. Will he be able to steal a roster spot from Ejdsell or Hayden?

I would take a nibble at Nash, only on a one-year contract without a NTC. It would be a no-lose proposition; if he does well and the Hawks are out of contention then he would be a trade bait rental with draft picks coming from it. I would put him on this line: Nash / Schmaltzy / Kaner

I would do the same with Sbisa. However, he should not impede the progress and development of the younger D core. This band-aid would buy a year. And I agree with you, I thought he hasn't looked bad all these year, maybe 4-6 D man.

Wow on Shore. I never that he possessed all those qualities. When I saw him at LA I saw a lot of energy and willingness to forecheck and grind in the corners. Sounds like a more refined (offensive skill and instinct) and better skater than Hayden
- D2D

Marchand would love to take a nibble and a lick too.

I think these players are pretty much locks.
Forwards: Saad - Toews - DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Kane - Anisimov - Sikura - Hayden - Kruger - Kunitz

Defenders: Keith - Murphy - Gustafsson - Seabrook - Manning - Jokiharju -Rutta

Forwards on the bubble (need a good camp to win a roster spot) Kampf - Edjsell - Kahun - Highmore - Martinsen (maybe others)

Brouwer - Would have to be dirt cheap for me to be interested.
Sbisa - Pass.
Shore - Would not mind signing if cheap. But he would be a bubble player that would need to earn a spot.
Wingels - Would not mind the signing if he was healthy and cheap. He can play either forward position or center. As the 13th forward I would rather have him in the press box some nights than a younger player who could be playing a regular shift on a top line in Rockford every night.

I could see Stan with one move left and I would guess that could be Anisimov.

I know you were referencing Highmore as an example, but I wonder where he fits into the Hawks plans this season. Will he be able to steal a roster spot from Ejdsell or Hayden?
- DarthKane

I think they like him but he really needs to work on just being as consistent as possible.

Will be be a guy that can turn his offensive production in the AHL and translate that into NHL success?

Or will be turn more into a bottom 6 guy who is deployed more in the defensive role?

The benefit to the Hawks would be that he has the skillset for both but I think they would love to see those offensive skills shine on the big stage!

Nice read Justin
I vote Shore , with Kruger, Kahun, Kampf, Nilsson, Highmore let the best men win bottom 2 spots,
I am hoping AA gets traded for picks , 3rd and 5th? Free up more cap for silent rebuild
Just my opinion Thanks

If they are stupid enough not to trade for and sign Panarin now, they or somebody else will have pay him a lot more next summer.

John Matisz
‏
Verified account

@MatiszJohn
12s13 seconds ago

Chicago Blackhawks announce Stan Mikita has died. He was 78.

I don't get the urge to trade Anisimov as a salary dump. The guy is a 6'4" center who has scored 20+ goals in each of his last 4 seasons and led the team in PPG last year. It's not like he is useless. So we trade him for picks to get cap space and do what, exactly, with said cap space? You're going to have to go out and fill the hole you just created with the money you just saved.

I don't get the urge to trade Anisimov as a salary dump. The guy is a 6'4" center who has scored 20+ goals in each of his last 4 seasons and led the team in PPG last year. It's not like he is useless. So we trade him for picks to get cap space and do what, exactly, with said cap space? You're going to have to go out and fill the hole you just created with the money you just saved.
- Larmer

You’ll get no where around here with sound logic like that.

The mob has spoken, and AA must go.

He was always a favorite of mine growing up.....R.I.P. #21.

R.I.P Stan Mikita.

Nice! You and I were thinking the same thing on Shore than it sounds like.

Lineup makes sense although sounds like Saad-Schmaltz-Kane might be a line that starts the season (if no major moves are made).

Overall though, you would be close I think and I like Shore in that bottom 6 (or 13th forward spot) as a depth option.
- Justin Lowe

Justin and tvetter, agree with you both. A bottom 6 center like Shore would fill out the 3C and 4C spots along with Kruger and, if needed, Anisimov who can slide over to wing otherwise.

Solidifying the bottom 6 pivots who can take D zone draws allow as tvetter said for Toews to take more O zone draws. If this happens, and a Saad, Schmaltz, Kane line could be a thing as you've been reporting, then I could see the top 6 as:

DeBrincat - Toews - Sikura
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane

As LBR has said, Toews tends to thrive with a volume shooter and a playmaker as his wings. DeBrincat could be that volume shooter and Sikura could be that playmaker. Starting more in the O zone then allows 12 and 95 to put their offensive talents on display as a default rather than constantly thinking defense and winning the puck back.

John Matisz
‏
Verified account

@MatiszJohn
12s13 seconds ago

Chicago Blackhawks announce Stan Mikita has died. He was 78.
- jimbro83

That's sad to hear my favorite player as a young boy .

Nice read Justin
I vote Shore , with Kruger, Kahun, Kampf, Nilsson, Highmore let the best men win bottom 2 spots,
I am hoping AA gets traded for picks , 3rd and 5th? Free up more cap for silent rebuild
Just my opinion Thanks
- CTblackhawkfan

I forgot to mention that I think Shore's contract would be able to be buried in Rockford.

"Where should Jonathan Toews rank among NHL’s top centers?"

https://nhl.nbcsports.com...k-among-nhls-top-centers/

I think they like him but he really needs to work on just being as consistent as possible.

Will be be a guy that can turn his offensive production in the AHL and translate that into NHL success?

Or will be turn more into a bottom 6 guy who is deployed more in the defensive role?

The benefit to the Hawks would be that he has the skillset for both but I think they would love to see those offensive skills shine on the big stage!
- Justin Lowe

I see Highmore as very similar to Kero. Defensively sound, good skater, agile, great hockey sense, decent but limited offense. Kampf and Johnson are similar, too. I see all of them being best as a 4C. Spot duty as 3C is fine but not long term on the 3rd line.

So that redundancy (i.e. prospect depth) is good in that it creates a battle for that 4C spot. Taking the best one is better than being forced to slot the lone option in the starting lineup.

John Matisz
‏
Verified account

@MatiszJohn
12s13 seconds ago

Chicago Blackhawks announce Stan Mikita has died. He was 78.
- jimbro83

God rest his soul.

My condolences to the Stan Mikita family, the Blackhawks organization, their media, & their fans, over the passing of the great Chicago playing legend as per his 22 years played as a Hawk.
R.I.P. Stan Mikita.

I don't get the urge to trade Anisimov as a salary dump. The guy is a 6'4" center who has scored 20+ goals in each of his last 4 seasons and led the team in PPG last year. It's not like he is useless. So we trade him for picks to get cap space and do what, exactly, with said cap space? You're going to have to go out and fill the hole you just created with the money you just saved.
- Larmer

Bang on. Unless there is a replacement or more help at centre that is acquired, AA shouldn't be going anywhere.

Best case scenario is he plays really well and os healthy all year so it A) helps this team win games first-and-foremost and B) ups his trade value for trade deadline or next offseason.