More than half of the players on this team seem to have no idea how to play without the puck? And yet JC moves Perlini up and down the lines, while giving Gustafsson 1st pairing TOI? Go figure...
- Chief4Feathers

Its one thing to coach for a year in the AHL where your team is playing the Chicago Wolves or Milwaukee Admirals on weekends. Its another matter when a coach steps up to the NHL and has no knowledge of the other teams in the league, never been in any opposition rinks and worst of all knows only a few of the players on his own team. Colliton is set up to fail miserably as his record shows. And that is on Stan Bowman IMO.

That should be a top priority for Stan and Colliton to try and stabilize the lines say by the start of calendar year 2019. If a total overhaul is on the horizon, that likely won't start until the TDL then extend in to the summer around draft time and the free agency period.

Agree, the ideal player personnel may not be available now whether on the current roster or in Rockford so the Hawks have to make do with what is in the stable. I beat a dead horse with this but it would be a good start to roll 3 offensive lines and a shutdown line. Maybe something like:

Saad - Toews - Perlini
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Kahun - Anisimov - Sikura
Hayden - Kruger - Kampf

Not necessarily playoff caliber but perhaps enough to stabilize and demonstrate incremental growth toward improvement towards the future.

On the blueline (factoring in Murphy's return):

Keith - Jokiharju
Forsling - Seabrook
Gustafsson - Murphy

Once Murphy gets back into the groove, swap him with Seabrook so 7's minutes go down and 5's go up.

Relative to one another, Forsling > Gustafsson at playing defense so limit 56 to 3rd pair minutes and let 42 grow as a 2-way defender on the 2nd pair.
- AEL_Fox

Perlini needs to show something soon or take a trip to Rockford. I liked Kahun on that line better than Perlini

Rutta's contract is done at the end of the year. Manning has one more year. Why on earth would you take a bad contract back?

If you're taking a bad contract on, typically you're helping someone so there would be pick/prospects involved.

The Hawks can walk away from Rutta, Kruger, Ward, Davidson and they'll have like $18M in Cap Space next year without any major RFA's to sign.
- HawkintheD

A good GM could use this cap space effectively to accumulate picks/prospects along with a few bad contracts and excellerate a rebuild. I’d rather see the Hawks take this route as opposed to going big for a guy like Panarin. He’s a good player, no doubt, but having an even more top-heavy roster with no depth is not the path to success.

Just an idea
- Scott1977

Of course. I know you love trade proposals and getting feedback so just playing along. Keep it up and let's have some fun on these boards.

A good GM could use this cap space effectively to accumulate picks/prospects along with a few bad contracts and excellerate a rebuild. I’d rather see the Hawks take this route as opposed to going big for a guy like Panarin. He’s a good player, no doubt, but having an even more top-heavy roster with no depth is not the path to success.
- Chief4Feathers

I wouldn't have a problem with this path either. My point though was (which I think you get), taking on a bad contract should also include the Hawks taking advantage of someone else's Cap Hell. The Hawks aren't in Cap Hell anymore and shouldn't be taking on a bad contract to rid themselves of essentially two expiring contracts.

Perlini needs to show something soon or take a trip to Rockford. I liked Kahun on that line better than Perlini
- matt_ahrens

Same here. Perlini definitely needs to show more. I wouldn't mind putting Kahun back on the 1st line with Toews and Saad then Perlini on the 3rd line. LW is his natural position anyway.

Because (1) he claims to know more about line matchups than a paid professional - based on what - that he comments on a hockey message board? and (2) he implies he has some power to do more than a guy on a message board which is to sit back and do nothing other than make comments on the message board.

Colliton has been dealt (inherited) a losing hand. 15 games into his NHL coaching career is a little quick to determine some guy on a message board knows better on what to do than he does - don't ya think?

I'm not suggesting Colliton is or is not a good hockey coach - I don't have enough information to make that judgement call yet. I'm simply pointing out the ridiculous hubris of message board jockeys to think they know more than they really do.
- EbonyRaptor

Like the ones that claim Keith doesnt try/care? Or Q hates young players?

In pretty sure I've forgotten more about hockey than you've ever known.

A good GM could use this cap space effectively to accumulate picks/prospects along with a few bad contracts and excellerate a rebuild. I’d rather see the Hawks take this route as opposed to going big for a guy like Panarin. He’s a good player, no doubt, but having an even more top-heavy roster with no depth is not the path to success.
- Chief4Feathers

Hopefully the Hawks can get to a both/and situation rather than an either/or, i.e. clear more cap space to sign one marquee top 6 forward like Panarin or Stone in addition to having enough budget to solidify the blueline depth and bottom 6.

I haven't gone on to Capfriendly to use their Armchair GM tool to test out what that magic number would be in terms of ideal cap space needed to do this. Guessing that the potential rise in the salary cap next year will help some. Maybe not a lot but at least start chipping away. Every little bit counts.

I love baseless Millennial blame game and resentment!

https://www.vox.com/2017/...millennials-congress-debt

"The boomers, according to Gibney, have committed “generational plunder,” pillaging the nation’s economy, repeatedly cutting their own taxes, financing two wars with deficits, ignoring climate change, presiding over the death of America’s manufacturing core, and leaving future generations to clean up the mess they created."

https://www.npr.org/2018/...llennials-and-the-economy

"Healthcare, housing and education are more than five times more expensive than they were for our parents. There are fewer steady jobs. Wages have stagnated since the 1970s. "

Also, there is no "Planet B". The destruction of the Earth via Fossil Fuel consumption is the single greatest crime of the Baby Boomer Generation. Let's not forget the Drug War on Marijuana (with alcohol being statistically and scientifically proven to be deadly and more hazardous for your health). This had led to the highest incarceration rates (primarily of minorities) for small possession of cannabis.


https://www.marketwatch.c...climate-change-2016-12-20

"“Without substantial and sustained global mitigation and regional adaptation efforts, climate change is expected to cause growing losses to American infrastructure and property and impede the rate of economic growth over this century,”

But blaming those entitled youngsters is much easier, right?
- EnzoD

Climate change is the biggest fraud of all time. Nothing wastes more human potential then investing one destiny then surrendering their God Given gifts to the alter of the Globalist Cabal.

Climate change is the biggest fraud of all time. Nothing wastes more human potential then investing one destiny then surrendering their God Given gifts to the alter of the Globalist Cabal.
- TrueGrit

Dennis Miller said, "I like it a little bit warmer."

Like the ones that claim Keith doesnt try/care? Or Q hates young players?

In pretty sure I've forgotten more about hockey than you've ever known.
- PatShart

No doubt, you're a legend in your own mind.

Of course. I know you love trade proposals and getting feedback so just playing along. Keep it up and let's have some fun on these boards.
- AEL_Fox

Sounds good who is going to take those contracts without suggesting taking a contract back. Personally i would hold on to manning is he a good d man. No average at best but brings character heart physical play stuff the hawks lack. Rutta never liked so a 7th fine. Also be leary of moving keith or seabrook with all those young d men coming up be nice to keep one or borh to show those young d how play and be a pro. When joki doesn t play with keith he is not as good and vice versa with keith.

Keith joki
Murphy seabrook
Gus manning
Forsling

Maybe rutta + fortin for muzzin l.a. needs to shed salary and needs speed or Detroit dykesyer is out maybe something there could happen.

Build around Toews (who I thought was a beast last night), Kane, Saad, Joki, Strome, Debrincat, Boquist, Mitchell, Kampf.

Add: Hughes/Kappo/Cozens/Podkolzin/Dach/Broberg who will likely make the team out of camp

Add: Panarin + Tyler Myers


Addition by Subtraction: Kruger, Kunitz, Rutta, Gustafson, Seabrook, Ward

Development/Improvement From: Perlini, Murphy, Forsling, Kahun, Sikura,
- EnzoD

Fancy that, some Toews love, the nerve...

Sounds good who is going to take those contracts without suggesting taking a contract back. Personally i would hold on to manning is he a good d man. No average at best but brings character heart physical play stuff the hawks lack. Rutta never liked so a 7th fine. Also be leary of moving keith or seabrook with all those young d men coming up be nice to keep one or borh to show those young d how play and be a pro. When joki doesn t play with keith he is not as good and vice versa with keith.

Keith joki
Murphy seabrook
Gus manning
Forsling

Maybe rutta + fortin for muzzin l.a. needs to shed salary and needs speed or Detroit dykesyer is out maybe something there could happen.
- Scott1977

I know he has defensive shortcomings but I like what Manning brings to the ice with his physicality and push back against other teams that want to play tough and even bush league. He's been one of the few Blackhawks player that has given a (frank) this season and sticks up for his mates. Limit his minutes to 3rd pair or as the 6/7 man and strengthen the rest of the blueline then he fits in much better.

If a deal is to be had with the Kings, I do like Muzzin or Martinez for the blueline. Toffoli would be worth kicking the tires on as well.

I know he has defensive shortcomings but I like what Manning brings to the ice with his physicality and push back against other teams that want to play tough and even bush league. He's been one of the few Blackhawks player that has given a (frank) this season and sticks up for his mates. Limit his minutes to 3rd pair or as the 6/7 man and strengthen the rest of the blueline then he fits in much better.

If a deal is to be had with the Kings, I do like Muzzin or Martinez for the blueline. Toffoli would be worth kicking the tires on as well.
- AEL_Fox

Agree

In other news, the IceHogs play the Griffins tonight.

Game just started. Maybe they can win a game.
- Justin Lowe

D Sikura his #8 goal, a ppg tally with Schroeder and Carlsson the helpers has knotted the score 2-2 in period three. Forsberg is tending the net.

Climate change is the biggest fraud of all time. Nothing wastes more human potential then investing one destiny then surrendering their God Given gifts to the alter of the Globalist Cabal.
- TrueGrit

How do you know climate change is a fraud? Do you disbelieve the polar ice caps are melting? Do you not believe science? Do you not believe your own scientists, including NASA who spell out scientifically that climate change is real and is and will affect the earth? Other than conspiracy theories ie: globalist cabal, energy executives and theocratic nonsense, please provide a peer reviewed link that proves climate change is a hoax.

Blues just beat the Jets and now have 24 points vs 23 for the Hawks. STL also has 3 games in hand. Hawks now have 2nd worst record in the league ahead of only LA, and sit 9 points out of a wild card spot with 5 other teams to overtake.

D Sikura his #8 goal, a ppg tally with Schroeder and Carlsson the helpers has knotted the score 2-2 in period three. Forsberg is tending the net.
- jhawk59

Update

Icehogs beat GR can i say in grand rapids fashion

D Sikura scored again. Brother -ly help as his brother andTuulola with assists

Climate change is the biggest fraud of all time. Nothing wastes more human potential then investing one destiny then surrendering their God Given gifts to the alter of the Globalist Cabal.
- TrueGrit

And he's not sure about gravity, either.

Blues just beat the Jets and now have 24 points vs 23 for the Hawks. STL also has 3 games in hand. Hawks now have 2nd worst record in the league ahead of only LA, and sit 9 points out of a wild card spot with 5 other teams to overtake.
- boilermaker100

Really

I think everyone on this board is aware of where the Hawks are in the standings-
How the rebuild is structured- who leads the rebuild & what the team looks like in 5 years is the discussion

Seriously Iook at the major accomplishments and expectation going forward. You will see the current circumstances differently vis-a- vis the tenure continues for Bowman.

He guided them through three Cups. He kept the core together and it worked. He held on to Sharp maybe one extra year before trading him. He tried to milk playing runs by patchwork after the Cup run. Some moves were not good and the extra $ paid out will continue to haunt us

For this Rocky says thank you. Now the painful rebuild - which could be less a few horrendous teams if Bowman had not tried to stay as competitive the last couple years

Tell me how not remaining as competitive would have gone over with ticket sales/season ticket holder moreover.

I am not attempting to be a Bownan apologist. Just looking at reality of Bowman trying to please his boss . You have to be accountable same way in your job?

I will add this cavaet: usually there is a weak area or last concern each GM faces in the building process.

I want to see Bowman looks to draft or trade for a power forward (second option - trade - less fathomable even if it is more for a rugged type like Toews was and not really a true power forward).

What you are beginning to witness is selling the farm for a new model. It will feature three sets of mobile highly skilled skilled dmen. Each will be slightly above to very good skaters

Up front is the big mystery. Bowman appears to be fixated upon a big center. But unless Enstwhile or Edgsell can become a #2 center, the search continues from the offensive aspect of a big center residing on the roster

I could imagine, though, how Enstwhile could succeed as a solid two way third line center

And as I have been saying in posts dating back for a while now, I strongly believe Bowman plan includes giving dmen like Oesterle, Gus an opportunity to play and establish themselves. Just so he can fill in a roster spot temporarily until these prospects come along. Bowman merely wants draft choices for the Oesterle and Gus (although it may happen he completes a trade where Oesterle was included).

Furthermore, I suggest that
Bowman expected either Rutta or Kempny would show better. Perhaps he thought one of them would fill the roster void longer.

Because Seabrook makes so much coin, Murphy will get dealt away too. Crawford would be a great tandem partner for a Stanley Cup run. Seabrook for sure and possibly Toews will be considered for complpiance buyout or traded the summer before Seattle starts up.

Toews still does a lot of good things but if you watch or listen carefully he isn't always one of the best players and he makes wrong decisions. I have heard this wrong decisions mentioned countless times this season on the radio broadcast...I heard it, I am not imagining it. Get over your love affair with Johnny B Good Toews.

He scores all goals in close and his linemattes are not scoring much. Toews is a different version....not terrible but yes, terribly overpaid. I expect that he will soak up Rocky's money until his play deteriorates and he humbly retires. A big maybe if he is let go through trade or compliance buy out once Seattle is aboard.

Keith, on the other hand, once the dmen are better he is gone. One more year Keith here. Toews I am hedging on...cannot convince myself how he finishes his career
- jhawk59

Huh? Oesterle was traded to the Yotes along Hino in the Hossa salary cap dump deal.

Blues just beat the Jets and now have 24 points vs 23 for the Hawks. STL also has 3 games in hand. Hawks now have 2nd worst record in the league ahead of only LA, and sit 9 points out of a wild card spot with 5 other teams to overtake.
- boilermaker100

thanks for the info. Not sure why someone else seems to be busting you n##s over this

thanks for the info. Not sure why someone else seems to be busting you n##s over this
- BobP.

Back to the good old days - Hawks vs Kings competition. Guess its for Hughes this time. Lets have some fun.

How do you know climate change is a fraud? Do you disbelieve the polar ice caps are melting? Do you not believe science? Do you not believe your own scientists, including NASA who spell out scientifically that climate change is real and is and will affect the earth? Other than conspiracy theories ie: globalist cabal, energy executives and theocratic nonsense, please provide a peer reviewed link that proves climate change is a hoax.
- paulr

As a lover of all things Literature and English, I don't trust science. It doesn't even follow the i before e except after c rule.