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.
- hereismike1

This was my understanding as well, but wanted to see what other knowledge was out there, as I don't follow anything going on with the Hogs. I don't see him, as what I know, as a top line, or second line next year. Just testing thought process.

Building blocks? More like Lincoln Logs.....
- hereismike1

Hahahaha!!
But those bring hours of fun, this team d doesn't. Hours of disappointment. They are logs.....
Sticking with the game theme, how about Jenga?

Coaching aside, one of the major issues (IMO) is that the Hawks are simply too easy to play against.

The roster was de-constructed and rebuilt with under-sized players, many of which lack that "killer instinct" and edge that results in wins. Even a lot of the veterans don't have this.

We were talking about Shaw earlier and he is the quintessential player that embodied the above. He's small, but will do whatever is needed to win.

There's is a serious lack of emotion that starts in the front office and trickles down through the coaching staff and onto the ice.

People seem to love to live in the past and be content with it. This idea of, "Well, we won three cups, so at least we have that" is weak. Complacency is very dangerous.

Dan Hampton had some great insight when the Bears lost to the Giants. He said that's what happens when you think you're better than everyone and don't need to show up.

I think for a long time the players and fans thought this way. That we were somehow automatically guaranteed a winning season, the playoffs, etc., simply because we're the Chicago Blackhawks. Now we're seeing that's not quite the case.

What's perplexing is that even bad teams can win games. Hawks can't even do that right now.

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.
- hereismike1

I don't think anyone considers him a traditional 1RW at this point. When was the last time Toews played with two legit first line wingers? I mean, a few brief stints with Kane/Saad maybe, but Saad himself is more of a 2LW IMO. We see a lot of 4th line or 3rd line talent on Toews wings and that isn't likely to change in the short term.

Overall, I think you guys might be reading into it too much.

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

And when he goes to a team and becomes a servicable player, do you promise not to jump all over the GM?

Sikura went to learn the pro game in the AHL, EXACTLY what almost all players should do. Except for the absolute elite players almsot all players should serve a stint in the minors to learn the pro game.

Enzo will know. He's the resident expert.
- paulr

Ah yes I try to be civilized and have a discussion but you just can’t help yourself. Once a Troll always a Troll. How old are you? Old men with nothing better to do for entertainment than to troll on a comment board where people are trying to talk hockey. SAD!

Coaching aside, one of the major issues (IMO) is that the Hawks are simply too easy to play against.

The roster was de-constructed and rebuilt with under-sized players, many of which lack that "killer instinct" and edge that results in wins. Even a lot of the veterans don't have this.

We were talking about Shaw earlier and he is the quintessential player that embodied the above. He's small, but will do whatever is needed to win.

There's is a serious lack of emotion that starts in the front office and trickles down through the coaching staff and onto the ice.

People seem to love to live in the past and be content with it. This idea of, "Well, we won three cups, so at least we have that" is weak. Complacency is very dangerous.

Dan Hampton had some great insight when the Bears lost to the Giants. He said that's what happens when you think you're better than everyone and don't need to show up.

I think for a long time the players and fans thought this way. That we were somehow automatically guaranteed a winning season, the playoffs, etc., simply because we're the Chicago Blackhawks. Now we're seeing that's not quite the case.

What's perplexing is that even bad teams can win games. Hawks can't even do that right now.
- Hank3Henshaw

The 2 bolded paragraphs strike me as different ideas. 1-is complacency after years of achievement. 2-is playing down to the level of the team, but haven't achieved anything yet.

I do agree complacency is dangerous, but I think the team still has drive. It just doesn't "win" at the start of the game or actually win at the end of the game. Nothing is guaranteed in this league anymore.

The 2 bolded paragraphs strike me as different ideas. 1-is complacency after years of achievement. 2-is playing down to the level of the team, but haven't achieved anything yet.

I do agree complacency is dangerous, but I think the team still has drive. It just doesn't "win" at the start of the game or actually win at the end of the game. Nothing is guaranteed in this league anymore.
- I Am The Breadman

I see what you're saying. I was on auto-pilot and just rattling off my Hawks thoughts. Haha.

I see what you're saying. I was on auto-pilot and just rattling off my Hawks thoughts. Haha.
- Hank3Henshaw

Hahaha, they are problems that have hit the hawks at different times. Hawks can't play down to the level of anyone.

And when he goes to a team and becomes a servicable player, do you promise not to jump all over the GM?

Sikura went to learn the pro game in the AHL, EXACTLY what almost all players should do. Except for the absolute elite players almsot all players should serve a stint in the minors to learn the pro game.
- paulr

Yes there is no point to trading Sikura at this stage in his career. Let's see what we have first. That includes not rushing him into the NHL to be a part of a nightly poop show on defense.

On a team with little to no forward depth, in what world does it make sense to part with a cheap skilled guy that might be able to help? He is exactly the kind of player we need more of, young, smart, cheap, skilled.

Hahaha, they are problems that have hit the hawks at different times. Hawks can't play down to the level of anyone.
- I Am The Breadman

Very true.

I'm nervous about tonight. The Jets just put a beat down on the Flyers 7-1.

Eventually, the Hawks have to win some games here, I just don't know when that will be

Pierre McGuire's morning podcast: 'Duncan Keith is a proud man, I'm not going to make stuff up about him. But man is he a hard worker. He's one of the hardest workers in the league'.

Yeah I know it's Pierre, but he honestly talks with actual players more than anyone else on the planet. He's a total dweeb but he is an almanac of hockey stuff.

I'm glad to see someone still thinks Keith is a top-quality guy.

Ah yes I try to be civilized and have a discussion but you just can’t help yourself. Once a Troll always a Troll. How old are you? Old men with nothing better to do for entertainment than to troll on a comment board where people are trying to talk hockey. SAD!
- EnzoD

Yes I'm old but how tall am I and how much do I weigh?

Very true.

I'm nervous about tonight. The Jets just put a beat down on the Flyers 7-1.

Eventually, the Hawks have to win some games here, I just don't know when that will be
- Hank3Henshaw

I've got all the time in the world, haha.

Yes I'm old but how tall am I and how much do I weigh?
- paulr

To people who read this often but rarely post, it's this stuff that really turns people off from participating. It's not just you, trust me. But I am going to use your post as evidence of this. Do you want to get more people engaged and get different opinions? Or do you want a board of people who either 100% agree or 100% disagree with you? We all need to cut the annoying bull. It gets tiring.

I've got all the time in the world, haha.
- I Am The Breadman

Haha. hey, let's hope it doesn't take too much longer!

As tough as it is to watch, I d have a weird feeling that they'll snap off some W's here once they can get the initial one down.

Couple good trades (hopefully) and they'll be cruising

Haha. hey, let's hope it doesn't take too much longer!

As tough as it is to watch, I d have a weird feeling that they'll snap off some W's here once they can get the initial one down.

Couple good trades (hopefully) and they'll be cruising
- Hank3Henshaw

Crossed fingers.

Not to be all doom and gloom, but the Rockford situation looks pretty grim from a points perspective: https://www.eliteprospect...ehogs/2018-2019?tab=stats

Dylan Sikura is first on the team with 18 points in 26 games. Next is Raddysh with 15 points, he's a defenseman.

Can none of the other forwards put up points? Louis has 13 points. Schroeder and Tyler Sikura have 11 and 10 points, and I don't think either of these guys will ever make the NHL. Edjsell has 11 points and probably still can't skate.

How is there supposed to be hope for our dismal forward group if the Rockford pipeline has Sikura and nothing else? Are we that hopeful for European and College prospects?

Wise and Barrat could round out to be solid middle 6 or bottom 6 guys, but I don't know of any guys who seem like they'll be top 6 talent.

I hope the team shows up tonight. Things have been generally trending in a better direction recently despite the continued trailing in the first and losing. More won battles and the compete level has been improved.

In the last game, Kane scored that first goal and I thought that looked like a big one for him to maybe get going again. I think this team needs that emotion, drive to win and find a way to have fun in the process. I miss the early days of this generation when they had swagger. They need to build up some of that confidence in their play.

To people who read this often but rarely post, it's this stuff that really turns people off from participating. It's not just you, trust me. But I am going to use your post as evidence of this. Do you want to get more people engaged and get different opinions? Or do you want a board of people who either 100% agree or 100% disagree with you? We all need to cut the annoying bull. It gets tiring.
- HawksHype

Read my other posts I contribute with some insight and am fully cognizant my opinion is my opinion and will happily engage with other opinions . I too am tired of posters who whine and complain non stop and rarely contribute anything of substance.

I hope the team shows up tonight. Things have been generally trending in a better direction recently despite the continued trailing in the first and losing. More won battles and the compete level has been improved.

In the last game, Kane scored that first goal and I thought that looked like a big one for him to maybe get going again. I think this team needs that emotion, drive to win and find a way to have fun in the process. I miss the early days of this generation when they had swagger. They need to build up some of that confidence in their play.
- breadbag

Is Big Buff back in? We couldn't beat them with him not in the line-up, it will be sweeter if he is in and we beat him. Our guys need to be glued to Laine...and Ehlers for that matter.

And when he goes to a team and becomes a servicable player, do you promise not to jump all over the GM?

Sikura went to learn the pro game in the AHL, EXACTLY what almost all players should do. Except for the absolute elite players almsot all players should serve a stint in the minors to learn the pro game.
- paulr

Don't disagree there but I don't think he will be that good of a NHL player or even a NHL player.

Don't disagree there but I don't think he will be that good of a NHL player or even a NHL player.
- fattybeef

I have no idea one way or the other how good he will or won't be. But he has some skill and the Hawks need that. The Hawks need lots of prospects to rebuild.

Someone please explain to me while this team is so bad . Why isn't there one rumor of any players being traded away ? Everyone should be rumored at this point !!!

The great headbutt....a thing of beauty!
I also love when he was handed the cup in 13 and yelled, "F'ing a right!"
- I Am The Breadman

I loved when he got hit in the face with the puck and was out for a little bit on the ice. Some reporter stuck a microphone in his dad's face and asked what he thought seeing his son laying there on the ice. His dad said " if he doesn't get up he better be dead". It was funny at that point cuz his son was up and around and seemingly ok, but I can relate having been raised by a caveman myself.