Regarding the recent discussion about Shaw - Hartman in many respects was that guy - at least in role - and brought some more offensive skills sets. Sure, Hartman had the propensity to commit the occasional boneheaded penalty, but Shaw did too.

When is AA contact expire? this may be an add by subtraction as it would clear up $4MM of cap space in 2019 which should be our ultimate goal - clear CAP space.
- glennjpawlak22

2 more seasons after this. A modified NTC kicked in where he can list 10 teams he'd be willing to go to.

I'm sure someone else has said it before, but I've been crying for this since I started posting here.

The team has role players with no roles. Back when we were competing you knew which guys where the to kill penalties, provide energy, grind it out, bring speed, etc. and they played on lines that complemented one another so that they were able to maximize the talent that they had and roll out with three very good lines and power checking fourth line. Now this is a team that has a collection of talent. I want guys to be developed or signed for specific roles on this team not trying to stretch them out to be something more than they ARE (not can be but realistic expectations; I.E. Manning Top 4 D-man, Kunitz Top 6, etc.). That's what this team needs.

When to the game Sunday and the team did look a lot better than they did when JC first took over. One thing I noticed and feel would be a HUGE help to this team (as it seems everyone has already been discussing) is having Andrew Shaw still on this team. Man would he be perfect for what this team needs right now. Shame that he ended up being another cap casualty for this team. I think a lot of people would have rather kept him and Saad than Seabrook...but we're not going down the rabbit hole lol
- Savetheembers33

I wonder if there is no role or mistaken roles because of line-up rotating and/or coaching system changes? Another thought to cross my mind is that JC might be evaluating players on who can do what, who can't do what, who gels with who, who to keep, and who to trade/let walk.

That 4th line better not see more then 3 minutes total of 5v5.
- Rota's Rooter

JC will deploy them during the last minute of the game - because that’s his thing.

Are the marketing-conscious Hawks waiting until after Keith and Seabs play their 1,000th game together tonight to make a major move involving one of them ? ? ?

Are the marketing-conscious Hawks waiting until after Keith and Seabs play their 1,000th game together tonight to make a major move involving one of them ? ? ?
- gmurban

Yes

Lines today

Saad-Toews-Hayden
Kahun-Kampf-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Fortin-Kruger-Kunitz

Keith-Jokiharju
Seabrook-Manning
Murphy/Gustafsson/Rutta

Anisimov (concussion) didn't make the trip.

Shouldn’t we be giving Kane best chance to continue scoring now that he’s found his shot again? Head scratcher.
- pdx2ord

So again we get a guy who should be in the AHL on line 1. Line 2 featuring a 3rd liner and a 4th liner.

Line 3 is okay

Line 4 Kruger and two guys that shouldn't be playing NHL minutes.

Regarding the recent discussion about Shaw - Hartman in many respects was that guy - at least in role - and brought some more offensive skills sets. Sure, Hartman had the propensity to commit the occasional boneheaded penalty, but Shaw did too.
- Chief4Feathers

Drop the mitts with Hartman, who picked his spots, and never think twice. But Shaw, you never knew what was going to happen. He wasn't big but he could chuck em despite his size. And he was no spot pickin chichenpoop.

So again we get a guy who should be in the AHL on line 1. Line 2 featuring a 3rd liner and a 4th liner.

Line 3 is okay

Line 4 Kruger and two guys that shouldn't be playing NHL minutes.


- breadbag

My sentiments exactly!

I was gonna see look no further than 2010 with Niemi lol

That's why I've said for years, as much as I love Crow and he will go down as one of the best goalies in Hawks history, one of the best things they could have done for themselves would have been to trade him away and ride it out with Darling and another goalie to build up the defense. Never happened and Darling hasn't played well BUT that model is better for success than paying a lot of money for a goalie (see Price, King Henry, etc.)
- Savetheembers33

Only $6 million isn't a lot of money for a goalie anymore. (See Price, King Henry, etc.)

So again we get a guy who should be in the AHL on line 1. Line 2 featuring a 3rd liner and a 4th liner.

Line 3 is okay

Line 4 Kruger and two guys that shouldn't be playing NHL minutes.


- breadbag

Exactly. Horrible lineup. That Kane line is his "second line" when he's double shifting in a game. It should never be his first or primary line.

Really don't understand Colliton's desire to slot Kampf as a 2C. He should slot no higher than 3rd line. Colliton, just because Kampf played top 6 in Rockford for you last year doesn't mean he is anything close to that at the NHL. It doesn't take a pro scout or player personnel person to see that.

And agree on Hayden: not a top 6 winger. He's a 4th liner, IMHO, so grossly over slotted. Even when he plays bottom 6, Hayden is wildly inconsistent.

Sometimes I feel that Colliton plays favorites, i.e. giving more ice time and prime slots to players who he coached in Rockford versus say DeBrincat and Jokiharju who never played for him after making the jump from juniors to the NHL.

Drop the mitts with Hartman, who picked his spots, and never think twice. But Shaw, you never knew what was going to happen. He wasn't big but he could chuck em despite his size. And he was no spot pickin chichenpoop.
- 6628

Shawsie was the underdog’s underdog. Passed over in his first draft year, then worked his but off over other higher picks to make the club.

My point about Hartman was that he was viewed as a Shaw-type when the Hawks traded Shaw. Then the Hawks trade Hartman without anyone on the roster to play that pest role.

Exactly. Horrible lineup. That Kane line is what his "second line" when he's double shifting in a game. It should never be his first or primary line.

Really don't understand Colliton's desire to slot Kampf as a 2C. He should slot no higher than 3rd line. Colliton, just because Kampf played top 6 in Rockford for you last year doesn't mean he is anything close to that at the NHL. It doesn't take a pro scout player personnel person to see that.

And agree on Hayden: not a top 6 winger. He's a 4th liner, IMHO, so grossly over slotted.

Sometimes I feel that Colliton plays favorites, i.e. giving more ice time and prime slots to players who he coached in Rockford versus say DeBrincat and Jokiharju who never played for him after making the jump from juniors to the NHL.
- AEL_Fox

I'm seeing it that way, too. Either that or he's an "E for Effort" grader and the guys who put in the effort are rewarded with higher placement, even if it's not the best for the team. JC is, after all, part of the "everyone gets a blue ribbon" generation (and, yes, I know I'm stereotyping).

Good post. Nice term about "collection of talent" rather than developing and slotting everyone in appropriate roles.

One line of thinking that another poster or two suggested in the past is thinking of the forwards as sets of 2 then build around them where the 3rd person on their line could be someone stable or at least someone who is flexible to play up or down a line depending on opponent, game situation, etc. Example of sets or pairs:

Toews+Saad
Kane+
- AEL_Fox[Panarin]
Strome+DeBrincat

Of course, this assumes the Hawks reacquire Panarin or another forward of his offensive stature like Duchene (not a fan but can't doubt his top-shelf skill).

Although I would love Stone, he wouldn't work with Kane since he's also a RW. He'd be great with one of the other duos, though, but then that leaves Kane getting scraps and expecting him to carry his line.

For the 4th line, I suggest starting with Kampf as the center. Not sure if there is any particular player who should hands down be paired with him.

Thanks. I've been saying it for awhile that we have a collection of talents here and not an actual team and that is why we've fallen off as a team so quickly.

I agree, if you have a team that has lines with Toews-Saad, Panarin-Kane, and Strome-Cat, and I would say Kampf-Kahun anchoring the 4th line you have stability throughout the lineup and a balanced attack. The next thing would be to find out where/or IF any of Perlini, Hayden, Sikura, Ejdsell, Fortin, Johnson, etc. fit into those four (or six if you count the two guys in the press box) remaining spots to complement all of those players to round out the team.

If they can somehow (most likely not going to be able to be done; unless Murphy goes but we need to ADD better defensemen not subtract them) keep AA while being able to sign Panarin to reunite the PAK line and then be able to draft in the Top 3 for a guy who can step into the lineup on their the Toews-Saad line or the Strome-Cat line. Then you'd have at least in theory two set lines where guys can kind of rotate those other spots. At least then you have a balanced group of guys who can put some pucks in the back of the net. Then you hope they defensive kids can develop and step in sooner than later to retool the team.

I wonder if there is no role or mistaken roles because of line-up rotating and/or coaching system changes? Another thought to cross my mind is that JC might be evaluating players on who can do what, who can't do what, who gels with who, who to keep, and who to trade/let walk.
- I Am The Breadman

I think its a combo of both. Guys are still trying to figure out the system exactly and what is expected out of them. You see the improvements there from when he first started, but it's no where near what any of us would like for it to be. I think JC is looking at guys in different spots to get a feel for what the excel at and where they lack so he can put them in positions to succeed. Fitting the pieces he has into a puzzle that is missing pieces. You hope you can walk away at the end of this year and say you know what we can expect out of guys like Kampf, Kahun, maybe Sikura so when we pencil them in the lineup we actually have an idea of what they can do and the team can then add in a piece or two around them to improve the depth and areas the team lacks in

All the talk about big Buff, his poor skating, propensity to fall down, switching from defense (what he played in juniors) to forward back to defense and back to forward again, got me to thinking about Seabrook.

If we can't move him, maybe put him on the wing? When he rushes in the O zone, I like how he protects the puck and looks for options. Something tells me he wouldn't be a bad player on the wing.

At some point is lack of speed will make playing defense a non starter as guys like McDavid come flying up the neutral zone. Plus he is smart. Maybe we would have a wing that actually covers the point in our defensive zone for once.

So again we get a guy who should be in the AHL on line 1. Line 2 featuring a 3rd liner and a 4th liner.

Line 3 is okay

Line 4 Kruger and two guys that shouldn't be playing NHL minutes.


- breadbag

For all those aching to get rid of AA's cap hit for some type of middling draft pick, he's still the second best center on the roster. Tonight's roster looks like the Chicago Black Hogs

Exactly. Horrible lineup. That Kane line is his "second line" when he's double shifting in a game. It should never be his first or primary line.

Really don't understand Colliton's desire to slot Kampf as a 2C. He should slot no higher than 3rd line. Colliton, just because Kampf played top 6 in Rockford for you last year doesn't mean he is anything close to that at the NHL. It doesn't take a pro scout or player personnel person to see that.

And agree on Hayden: not a top 6 winger. He's a 4th liner, IMHO, so grossly over slotted.

Sometimes I feel that Colliton plays favorites, i.e. giving more ice time and prime slots to players who he coached in Rockford versus say DeBrincat and Jokiharju who never played for him after making the jump from juniors to the NHL.
- AEL_Fox

While I'm not a huge fan of the lineup, I'd say part of the reason you see Kampf get the play that he does is because of the fact that almost every time he's out on the ice he's one of the few guys you see giving their full effort like winning that game actually matters to him so JC rewards him for doing so.

I'd rather see Kane play with Strome and Cat for another full game but I think they are trying to find some sort of balance on this team and don't wanna go too top heavy.

I'm not a huge fan of Hayden either, but think they wanna add another big body guy with Toews and Saad so they can perhaps be a little bit more free to use their skill.

Thanks. I've been saying it for awhile that we have a collection of talents here and not an actual team and that is why we've fallen off as a team so quickly.

I agree, if you have a team that has lines with Toews-Saad, Panarin-Kane, and Strome-Cat, and I would say Kampf-Kahun anchoring the 4th line you have stability throughout the lineup and a balanced attack. The next thing would be to find out where/or IF any of Perlini, Hayden, Sikura, Ejdsell, Fortin, Johnson, etc. fit into those four (or six if you count the two guys in the press box) remaining spots to complement all of those players to round out the team.


- Savetheembers33

I really like the pairs you are proposing. That would be a plan I think a lot of people could get behind. Then with time as the young D mature we would get improvement on the back end too.

Yes
- BlackhawkMike

trade announced 10 minutes after the plaque is awarded

Lines today

Saad-Toews-Hayden
Kahun-Kampf-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Perlini
Fortin-Kruger-Kunitz

Keith-Jokiharju
Seabrook-Manning
Murphy/Gustafsson/Rutta

Anisimov (concussion) didn't make the trip.

Shouldn’t we be giving Kane best chance to continue scoring now that he’s found his shot again? Head scratcher.
- pdx2ord

Hard to give him top-6 linemates when there are only 3 proven top-6 skaters on the squad.

Hayden, Kahun, Kampf - not a top-6er there.

Debrincat - I throw him into the "not yet proven" category - good promise and potential, but a ways to go. Strome - looks like a 3C potential; Perlini - who knows.

I was thinking this morning about the best way to describe the Blackhawks first periods lately to someone who doesn't watch the team. It boils down to "Raiders of the lost Ark"

You either watch...



or you "don't look"

Only $6 million isn't a lot of money for a goalie anymore. (See Price, King Henry, etc.)
- hereismike1

I don't disagree but on a team that is as cap strapped as the Hawks have been paying 6M for a goalie is a luxury. It's better, if possible, to have a starting goalie in the 3-4M range and use the remaining cap space you have to fill out the rest of the roster.

I wanted the Hawks to keep Darling before last year and trade Crow to try and save about 3M to resign Darling at 3M to be our starter and then use that money to add another defensemen to Keith, Seabrook, and Hammer since we needed at least one more to improve our backend. Oh well.

6M is a great deal for a goalie who's probably Top 10 in the league, but when you have more holes than the Titanic it's a luxury and the money could be spread out elsewhere

So again we get a guy who should be in the AHL on line 1. Line 2 featuring a 3rd liner and a 4th liner.

Line 3 is okay

Line 4 Kruger and two guys that shouldn't be playing NHL minutes.


- breadbag

Hayden - please enough already. Fortin - how is he in the NHL? How does Fortin slot ahead of anyone? Both should be Hogs. Kampf to the rescue - so much faith based on so little - another Magic Gus.

All the talk about big Buff, his poor skating, propensity to fall down, switching from defense (what he played in juniors) to forward back to defense and back to forward again, got me to thinking about Seabrook.

If we can't move him, maybe put him on the wing? When he rushes in the O zone, I like how he protects the puck and looks for options. Something tells me he wouldn't be a bad player on the wing.

At some point is lack of speed will make playing defense a non starter as guys like McDavid come flying up the neutral zone. Plus he is smart. Maybe we would have a wing that actually covers the point in our defensive zone for once.
- hereismike1

Huh...now that's an interesting thought. Idk how willing he would be to make that move this far into his career though or how well it would work. It's possible it could. I'm sure someone would argue "then why not try and trade him to EDM for Lucic and call it a day since Lucic is at least an actual forward" lol

Regarding the recent discussion about Shaw - Hartman in many respects was that guy - at least in role - and brought some more offensive skills sets. Sure, Hartman had the propensity to commit the occasional boneheaded penalty, but Shaw did too.
- Chief4Feathers

I wonder if the Shaw comparison was a curse for Hartman. He never was nor will he be that level of grit that Shaw is. Hartman can do some good, and that can be valuable to a team, but he is what he is and he isn't Shaw.