Quote from Hogs interim head coach Derek King on Dylan Sikura and why it's best for him to be patient with his development and wait for the right time to get to the NHL. Good reminder for impatient fans like me to develop prospects on an appropriate timeline so they don't yo-yo between the NHL and AHL (as King states it).

“I think he’s finding his game in the AHL. I still think he puts a little too much pressure on himself to be the best player on the ice every night. There’s nothing wrong with that, but he’s got to realize this is a pretty good hockey league. At the next step, it’s pretty big. I try to explain to him not to be in such a rush to get to the NHL because when you do get there, you want to stay there. You don’t want to be up and down like a yo-yo. He’s a talented hockey player. He’s going to play in the NHL eventually. But I tell him, ‘Don’t be in a rush. Take your time because this isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.’ If he takes those steps, in a year from now or, who knows maybe it takes two years from now, but he’ll be a complete hockey player and when he goes back up, he’ll be there for good.”
- AEL_Fox

Whew - a year from now, two years from now? Coach King way to build up your players. Under this analysis Fortin is 5 years away - and he is in the NHL. Same for Hayden. Martinsen might as well just retire. So it seems that the Hawks also have a Head Coach at Rockford who should not be a Head Coach.

It sure does — from article cited above:

It seems unlikely that Quenneville would walk away from what’s left of the hefty $6 million a season that he’d get by not working over the next two years to sign for less money with another team. The Blackhawks could save themselves some of that payout by carrying a portion if he signed a somewhat smaller ticket elsewhere.

Article says: (1) he gets full payment if he doesn’t work or (b) hawks would not have to pay full payment but only a portion of he signs at a lower contract with someone else.

Q has first choice: (1) don’t work and make hawks pay full price of contract or (2) seek a position somewhere else and have Hawks pay difference between their contractual obligation and what the new team will pay.

Only thing that is not clear to me is whether he can unilaterally decide to take another position without Hawks consent — and thus void the hawks’ contract — which puts the hawks off the hook.
- Spec41971

If the Hawks would have to approve a new deal for Q before his contract here expires - I would th8nk Rocky would readily approve to any team - (a) to same some pretty good money, and (b) if he ever wants to hire an experienced quality coach in the future.....

He’s got 7” and 45lbs on Shaw but I’d bet it’s a close fight.
- EnzoD

How would you know he has 7" on him?

How would you know he has 7" on him?
- paulr

It's his thing. He's kind of an aficionado on player physiques.

If the Hawks would have to approve a new deal for Q before his contract here expires - I would th8nk Rocky would readily approve to any team - (a) to same some pretty good money, and (b) if he ever wants to hire an experienced quality coach in the future.....
- StLBravesFan

Don't see why Rocky wouldn't. Q's taken the high road and doesn't appear to have burned any bridges on his way out.

Don't see why Rocky wouldn't. Q's taken the high road and doesn't appear to have burned any bridges on his way out.
- HawkintheD

Rocky might but you know McD would meddle.

If the Hawks would have to approve a new deal for Q before his contract here expires - I would th8nk Rocky would readily approve to any team - (a) to same some pretty good money, and (b) if he ever wants to hire an experienced quality coach in the future.....
- StLBravesFan

I agree that Rocky won't block him and I think the Q compensation angle from the Hawks' perspective is pretty much a moot point. He's a proud guy and I can't see him taking a pay cut on his new deal or signing with a budget team that couldn't afford him. That said, I don't see Rocky picking up any significant portion of his new deal to save money. It would be particularly galling to have Q come in with his new team and kick the Hawks' ass and pay him for the privilege.

Rocky might but you know McD would meddle.
- paulr

Article about Shaw's return to Chicago. Man, we miss his tenacity and his versatility.

https://www.dailyherald.c...lvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

"Still, it's players like Shaw that most teams need to be successful over the long haul. A guy who can score 12 to 18 goals a season. Who can play on any line, in any role. Deliver a hit to fire up a bench. Be a leader behind the scenes. Get a team out of a slump with a fiery speech or two.

Tangibles, intangibles -- Shaw has both in spades.

"We always say it's not always the best players that make the best teams -- it's the best group of players," Julien said. "You need a little bit of everything -- whether it's highly skilled players, grinders, penalty killers and guys like Shawzie … that you can put on the fourth line (or) the first line and they'll always do the job.

"Those are players that are not always easy to find, but when you have them you want to take advantage of it and that's what we've done with Andrew Shaw so far.""
- pdx2ord

Hawks need 1-2 Shaws on their team at all time IMO.

Everyone wants Panarin to sign here in the offseason (heck, I do too, but not sure it's happening) and I'm almost leaning more towards Simmonds and Ferland, which both could combine to Panarin's AAV.

Hawks need 1-2 Shaws on their team at all time IMO.

Everyone wants Panarin to sign here in the offseason (heck, I do too, but not sure it's happening) and I'm almost leaning more towards Simmonds and Ferland, which both could combine to Panarin's AAV.
- Justin Lowe

I'd like players like these two but I don't want to see the Hawks sign any more players who aren't going to be part of the future.

Hawks need 1-2 Shaws on their team at all time IMO.

Everyone wants Panarin to sign here in the offseason (heck, I do too, but not sure it's happening) and I'm almost leaning more towards Simmonds and Ferland, which both could combine to Panarin's AAV.
- Justin Lowe

Justin,

I have said the same thing the past few years.

It's funny how in the past the players with speed/quickness and hands were the hot commodities and "diamonds in the rough." The game has changed so much that there's way more skilled players and the Shaw-type players are now the hidden gems. Those are the guys teams really need now.

Also...would love to get Simmonds here.

Hawks need 1-2 Shaws on their team at all time IMO.

Everyone wants Panarin to sign here in the offseason (heck, I do too, but not sure it's happening) and I'm almost leaning more towards Simmonds and Ferland, which both could combine to Panarin's AAV.
- Justin Lowe

Panarin cannot save this team anymore. The damage is now too great and that's without any major injuries yet. At this point in order to be competitive they not only need a Panarin but also need at least a half dozen others. Depending on how much more damage is done to the team first healing will likely require many years.

I'd like players like these two but I don't want to see the Hawks sign any more players who aren't going to be part of the future.
- paulr

Depends if they can get them on shorter deals. Simmons is 30’ish, so this is likely his last shot at a big payday.

Agree though. Pretty much everything they do from here on out should be with the eye firmly on the future.

Panarin cannot save this team anymore. The damage is now too great and that's without any major injuries yet. At this point in order to be competitive they not only need a Panarin but also need at least a half dozen others. Depending on how much more damage is done to the team first healing will likely require many years.
- Savoy

While there are many reasons for the sharp decline of the Hawks I think the biggest is how poor the defense is. The forwards, with or without, Panarin can't do a whole lot when the Hawks can't get the puck out of their end, transition the puck through the neutral zone or keep the puck in the offensive zone. And it appears, based on his drafting, Bowman is building the team from the back end out.

Depends if they can get them on shorter deals. Simmons is 30’ish, so this is likely his last shot at a big payday.

Agree though. Pretty much everything they do from here on out should be with the eye firmly on the future.
- HawkintheD

But how tall and heavy is Simmons and more importantly how big are his feet and hands?

But how tall and heavy is Simmons and more importantly how big are his feet and hands?
- paulr

All fair questions but not my area of expertise.

While there are many reasons for the sharp decline of the Hawks I think the biggest is how poor the defense is. The forwards, with or without, Panarin can't do a whole lot when the Hawks can't get the puck out of their end, transition the puck through the neutral zone or keep the puck in the offensive zone. And it appears, based on his drafting, Bowman is building the team from the back end out.
- paulr

Major major issue.. Apparently nobody who gets paid for managing these things saw this coming.

All fair questions but not my area of expertise.
- HawkintheD

Enzo will know. He's the resident expert.

when shaw left...Q called him irreplaceable...so far he is right
- bogiedoc

Yep. Shaw was versatile. Can slot him anywhere from the 1st to 4th line and he performed his role with heart and pride.

But how tall and heavy is Simmons and more importantly how big are his feet and hands?
- paulr

He isn’t small. One thing about him is he stands in front of the net and doesn’t move. Would be a nice add to the PP so the captain can take a break from the beatings

While there are many reasons for the sharp decline of the Hawks I think the biggest is how poor the defense is. The forwards, with or without, Panarin can't do a whole lot when the Hawks can't get the puck out of their end, transition the puck through the neutral zone or keep the puck in the offensive zone. And it appears, based on his drafting, Bowman is building the team from the back end out.
- paulr

I guess that means Stan considered Manning, Gus, Rutta and Davidson as 'building blocks.'

He isn’t small. One thing about him is he stands in front of the net and doesn’t move. Would be a nice add to the PP so the captain can take a break from the beatings
- 93Joe

One thing I will say so far in what has transpired under Colliton is I’ve seen more guys go to the front of the net than what was the norm. Gotta start somewhere.

I guess that means Stan considered Manning, Gus, Rutta and Davidson as 'building blocks.'
- RickJ

Quite the foundation!

I guess that means Stan considered Manning, Gus, Rutta and Davidson as 'building blocks.'
- RickJ

My guess is more like placeholders. I wouldn’t be surprised if 3 or all aren’t gone next year.

Jokiharju is something to build on and possibly Forsling. He can also be a trade chip if all of the smaller skill guys work out on the right side.

One thing I will say so far in what has transpired under Colliton is I’ve seen more guys go to the front of the net than what was the norm. Gotta start somewhere.
- HawkintheD

And, even though it was largely fruitless last game, I am seeing way more shots during the PP, with a presence (like you say) at the net.