Honest question looking at your next years lineup; Is Sikura slotted to be better than Debrincat? I wouldn't mind that at all, having some pop 3 lines deep, but what is the consensus ceiling on where Sikura goes? Or is Debrincat slotted at 3 because of his connected to Strome?

EDIT: Sorry if this was discussed... but 290 comments in, tough to find.

Honest question looking at your next years lineup; Is Sikura slotted to be better than Debrincat? I wouldn't mind that at all, having some pop 3 lines deep, but what is the consensus ceiling on where Sikura goes? Or is Debrincat slotted at 3 because of his connected to Strome?

EDIT: Sorry if this was discussed... but 290 comments in, tough to find.
- HawksHype

I don't think anyone anywhere anticipates Sikura will be better than or as good as Debrincat.

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.
- Z3Hawk

I would rather have a coach who is giving his players a realistic assessment of his players skills than just filling them with bs about how good and ready they are.

Sounds like the coach you want would tell you and I that we’re ready for the show. Kind of think we would both fail under the circumstances.

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

Agreed...the incentive to allowing Q to coach somewhere else is to get out from under the contract. Only reason to hold on to him would be for spite, and that would be pretty expensive.

Yep. Shaw was versatile. Can slot him anywhere from the 1st to 4th line and he performed his role with heart and pride.
- 93Joe

Great points... I would only charge it to read “performed his role with heart and pride every second he was on the ice”

But you got Toews, Mark Messier Leadership Award winner, Top 100 player of All-Time

Can't he lead behind the scenes and throw up a fiery speech to get this team motivated every now and then?
- RoloTahmasee

Toews has always been a lead by example type, never the fiery speech giver.

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

This should have been priority #1 after they fired Q...

Not giving Colliton the job

I don't think anyone anywhere anticipates Sikura will be better than or as good as Debrincat.
- hereismike1

DeBrincat was 50 point player not old enough to buy a beer. Probably the best release on the team and one of the better ones in the NHL.

Sikura is an older player with less of a pedigree who wasn't good enough to make a terrible team. Id move Sikura now and sell high on him while they can.

For all fans of the coulda, woulda, shoulda on here re: Bowman's decisions, you'll love this:

https://theathletic.com/7...the-benefit-of-hindsight/

There are zillions of scenarios that might spin off of each of these decisions so beware the rabbit hole.

ETA: this is the roster that he settles on with his revisionist history :


Saad ($6M) – Toews ($10.5M) – DeBrincat ($778.3K)
Panarin ($6M) – Teravainen ($2.86M) – Kane ($10.5M)
Schmaltz ($925K) – Danault ($3.083M) – Duclair ($1.25M)
Hartman ($875K) – Kampf ($925K) – Hinostroza ($1.5M)
Extras: Kahun ($925K), Hayden ($750K)
Keith ($5.538M) – Jokiharju ($925K)
Kempny ($2.5M) – Hjalmarsson ($4.1M)
Gustafsson ($1.2M) – Seabrook ($6.875M)
Extra: Johns ($2.35M)
Crawford ($6M)
Ward ($3M)
Total cap hit: $79.4 million.

Skip to the 26 min mark about a Patrick kane trade:

https://thehockeynews.com...lberta-teams-are-for-real


It may be the most one sided trade idea I have ever heard.

DeBrincat was 50 point player not old enough to buy a beer. Probably the best release on the team and one of the better ones in the NHL.

Sikura is an older player with less of a pedigree who wasn't good enough to make a terrible team. Id move Sikura now and sell high on him while they can.
- fattybeef

While I agree that Sikura is not nearly as good as Debrincat, I completely disagree on selling Sikura.

Less than a year ago we were all dying to have him sign here. While that was born of desperation, we know that the number 1 problem on this team for years has been selling young talent on entry level deals or their first new contract (Saad, Terravainen, Panarin, Danault, Shaw, Leddy, Johns, Schmaltz, etc.).

Honest question looking at your next years lineup; Is Sikura slotted to be better than Debrincat? I wouldn't mind that at all, having some pop 3 lines deep, but what is the consensus ceiling on where Sikura goes? Or is Debrincat slotted at 3 because of his connected to Strome?

EDIT: Sorry if this was discussed... but 290 comments in, tough to find.
- HawksHype

I assume the slotting wasn't about who is the better player but who might have chemistry and fit together. To me, Sikura is more of a playmaker to DeBrincat being a sniper.

I've noticed over the past couple of weeks the articles being written by news papers, sports journalist are coming out in droves about how awful this team is and even saying stans days are numbered.

Imo I really don't get a sense of urgency from the coach, players, front office or even Rocky to have a plan to fix this entire mess.


I'm thankful for the 3 Stanley cups, however hockey is a entertainment industry and the product on the ice as well as the minor league teams product is not inspiring .

The front office made the decisions to secure and pay players for their past performance without any thought about those contracts and how it will affect this teams future financial viability as well as living up to their marketing motto ONE GOAL.

The real question now is
#1 when will Stan be fired and mc D
#2 who from the remaining core will be traded

For all fans of the coulda, woulda, shoulda on here re: Bowman's decisions, you'll love this:

https://theathletic.com/7...the-benefit-of-hindsight/

There are zillions of scenarios that might spin off of each of these decisions so beware the rabbit hole.

ETA: this is the roster that he settles on with his revisionist history :


Saad ($6M) – Toews ($10.5M) – DeBrincat ($778.3K)
Panarin ($6M) – Teravainen ($2.86M) – Kane ($10.5M)
Schmaltz ($925K) – Danault ($3.083M) – Duclair ($1.25M)
Hartman ($875K) – Kampf ($925K) – Hinostroza ($1.5M)
Extras: Kahun ($925K), Hayden ($750K)
Keith ($5.538M) – Jokiharju ($925K)
Kempny ($2.5M) – Hjalmarsson ($4.1M)
Gustafsson ($1.2M) – Seabrook ($6.875M)
Extra: Johns ($2.35M)
Crawford ($6M)
Ward ($3M)
Total cap hit: $79.4 million.
- pdx2ord

I disagree on the Hossa deal and think Stan was honoring an agreement to Kruger for taking less money the summer before, but overall, even with hindsight being used, I think it's a pretty fair assessment.

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

Some risk with Ferland and uncertainty if Ferland will be that guy in the future, dealing with another concussion at the moment.

From TSN - Ferland on concussions: 'I'm very concerned'

"The 26-year-old leads the Hurricanes with 11 goals this season and has 15 points through 24 games. He also leads the team with 81 hits this season and Ferland recognizes his physical style could lead to more head injuries.

"A hundred percent, you have to be concerned," Ferland said. "I’m very concerned.”"

Some risk with Ferland and uncertainty if Ferland will be that guy in the future, dealing with another concussion at the moment.

From TSN - Ferland on concussions: 'I'm very concerned'

"The 26-year-old leads the Hurricanes with 11 goals this season and has 15 points through 24 games. He also leads the team with 81 hits this season and Ferland recognizes his physical style could lead to more head injuries.

"A hundred percent, you have to be concerned," Ferland said. "I’m very concerned.”"
- breadbag

We'll see what he does. He's back in the lineup tonight. Does he change his game at all or is he still going to be a bull on skates out there?

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 would love Shaw back! He was one of my all-time favorite hawks.

I do understand your point in 2 more than serviceable players over Panarin. I thought I heard Simmonds say he was or wanted to stay. That doesn't mean he will. He's also injury prone, but more importantly, as we are rebuilding, will he be core? Panarin is my instant go-to, but if there are options, even better ones, and help fill more of the flaws we have. Panarin will too, but too much money. I agree, forwards are where the money should go this summer.

While I agree that Sikura is not nearly as good as Debrincat, I completely disagree on selling Sikura.

Less than a year ago we were all dying to have him sign here. While that was born of desperation, we know that the number 1 problem on this team for years has been selling young talent on entry level deals or their first new contract (Saad, Terravainen, Panarin, Danault, Shaw, Leddy, Johns, Schmaltz, etc.).
- ObeseOprah

Not only that but what kind of message does it send to other college kids in terms of them honoring any sort of commitment to the Hawks for drafting them.

Sikura signed with the Hawks instead of going somewhere else only to get traded. May not be the right message to send.

We'll see what he does. He's back in the lineup tonight. Does he change his game at all or is he still going to be a bull on skates out there?
- BINGO!

He might not change at this point, but always gotta wonder when that next concussion could come. Head injuries have taken too many players from the game. Glad he is smart enough to acknowledge he needs to be mindful of his life/future.

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

Hahaha, then you are of no use. Jk.

I don't like to talk about hands or feet as it makes me feel........inferior.

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

Well at least two of them, Rutta and Manning, he's having second thoughts about. I don't think they were building blocks, just placeholders. If our d in Rockford needs more time, then I think more of the same (those exact players) or different, but similar to previous players, placeholders d.

DeBrincat was 50 point player not old enough to buy a beer. Probably the best release on the team and one of the better ones in the NHL.

Sikura is an older player with less of a pedigree who wasn't good enough to make a terrible team. Id move Sikura now and sell high on him while they can.
- fattybeef

Which goes back to my original question (which may have already been discussed). Why would, in a very forward looking lineup, have Sikura slotted as first line LW. Is it because he has shown something? Or Debrincat's familiarity with Strome? Or, as has been mentioned, does Sikura get packaged and instead of Sikura as 1LW, we can slot in $FA$?

Well at least two of them, Rutta and Manning, he's having second thoughts about. I don't think they were building blocks, just placeholders. If our d in Rockford needs more time, then I think more of the same (those exact players) or different, but similar to previous players, placeholders d.
- I Am The Breadman

Building blocks? More like Lincoln Logs.....

Which goes back to my original question (which may have already been discussed). Why would, in a very forward looking lineup, have Sikura slotted as first line LW. Is it because he has shown something? Or Debrincat's familiarity with Strome? Or, as has been mentioned, does Sikura get packaged and instead of Sikura as 1LW, we can slot in $FA$?
- HawksHype

Anyone slotting Sikura as a number one line winger in the NHL at this point is engaging in what is known as very wishful thinking. Something our front office has made us become experts at given the lack of solid alternatives, so we hope and pray that the only guy sort of that profile will exceed all expectations and be that guy.

Sort of like what we are doing with the future blueline with every guy drafted in the last couple years being top 4 NHL quality.

While I agree that Sikura is not nearly as good as Debrincat, I completely disagree on selling Sikura.

Less than a year ago we were all dying to have him sign here. While that was born of desperation, we know that the number 1 problem on this team for years has been selling young talent on entry level deals or their first new contract (Saad, Terravainen, Panarin, Danault, Shaw, Leddy, Johns, Schmaltz, etc.).
- ObeseOprah

Totally agree, good but not a high ceiling.

To the question HawksHype posed, why was he slotted on the top line with 19 and 20? I think because he's a playmaker, and he needs to be put on the best line to succeed but also he can carry his weight. I think he would have a Hossa year, like when he racked up a crap ton of assists and still chipped in big goals here and there. Schmaltz was also slotted with Kane to succeed, as he could carry the puck, drive play, create chances, and needed to score when called upon. This year, he couldn't put any of that together. He left a lot to be desired.