Is it time yet to suggest again that they convert Gustafsson to forward? And he can still play point on the PP if need be. Hope that helps somebody's Hockeybuzz bingo card.

AGAIN.....that is totally incorrect . Please STOP giving out WRONG information. The Funeral Panozzo families are NOT related to John (RIP) and Chuck Panozzo from Styx. I was born and raised in Roseland and am close friends with the family.
- Hawkytalk

My bad on that one, that aside, great band, great neighborhood back in the day, we were prolly neighbors, loved 111 th & Michigan ave. Gateleys, Vets barber shop 1$ haircuts, Paseventos, etc. heard your buddies band many times at Mendel and other high schools back in the day.

Is it time yet to suggest again that they convert Gustafsson to forward? And he can still play point on the PP if need be. Hope that helps somebody's Hockeybuzz bingo card.
- 333inthe3rd

Thanks, but I needed a "Trade Toews to Winnipeg for Trouba" to hit Bingo.

Thanks, but I needed a "Trade Toews to Winnipeg for Trouba" to hit Bingo.
- Dieselhead

Are you using Bingo chips, or did you borrow some of Bowman's "chips?"

Are you using Bingo chips, or did you borrow some of Bowman's "chips?"
- I Am The Breadman

Nah, too greasy. Besides, little Stanley doesn't like to share.

Why are the Hawks adding a sweetener? Especially for a guy with 32 points in 89 games? And on a team that has some cap trouble looming.

Also, I highly doubt anyone would sign him for 6.5 at this point of his career.
- Elbows15

For me at least, it's not just adding a sweetener but why does Sikura seem to be the sweetener in this and other proposed deals? The Hawks need more youngsters of his skill set and ceiling given that you can count on less than one hand how many top 6 forward talent there are in the pipeline. If you're going to trade for another forward prospect, why not give the other team one of the D prospects that the Hawks have a collection of and can afford to give up.

Plus it wouldn't be good to suddenly trade a college player who could have gone the route that Hayes, Vesey, Butcher, etc. took by forgoing a contract with the team that drafted them to pursue signing on with a team that may have been a better opportunity to not only make the team out of camp but also be a playoff team. It wouldn't set a good precedent for current NCAA players like Mitchell, Krys, Barratt, Wise, Krys, etc.

Anything can happen with Sikura's development but I am optimistic that he will be part of the solution to help the Hawks evolve back into a contender.

One thing I have noticed in Sikura's 4 games this season and 5 games last season is that he is quite similar to Schmaltz in that he's very good at stripping the puck away from the other team. Unlike Schmaltz, though, Sikura can generate takeaways in any zone not just in easy areas of the rink.

Also, unlike Schmaltz, Sikura doesn't bail on plays. Sikura isn't going to throw his weight around (he's only 160 something anyway) and he will side step certain hits if he can (all players do that to some degree or other) but he isn't shy to fight along the boards, go to rough areas, and take a hit to make a play.

One thing I have noticed in Sikura's 4 games this season and 5 games last season is that he is quite similar to Schmaltz in that he's very good at stripping the puck away from the other team. Unlike Schmaltz, though, Sikura can generate takeaways in any zone not just in easy areas of the rink.

Also, unlike Schmaltz, Sikura doesn't bail on plays. Sikura isn't going to throw his weight around (he's only 160 something anyway) and he will side step certain hits if he can (all players do that to some degree or other) but he isn't shy to fight along the boards, go to rough areas, and take a hit to make a play.
- AEL_Fox

Unfortunately, Sikura has a Schmalz-like allergy to going to the net. Just what we need -- another small perimeter player.

Does anyone know much about or even watched Blackhawks D prospect Jake Ryczek? The Rink seems to be talking him up quite a bit in their weekly prospect reports.

He was selected in the last round of the 2016 draft out of the USHL (played for Sioux City then Waterloo). He's in his second season with Halifax in the Q.

In addition to Ryczek, the Rink has also been focusing a lot on his Halifax teammate Alexis Gravel. After two so-so seasons, Gravel seems to have elevated his game in net for the Mooseheads.

Unfortunately, Sikura has a Schmalz-like allergy to going to the net. Just what we need -- another small perimeter player.
- BMWChiFan

I see a little bit of that, too, and Colliton has called him out in that regard. Hopefully he will learn to play on the inside more.

Do you not get it would be incredibly dumb to waste time and any cap space on a guy who quit on his team because he pouted?

And if the team was only competitive you still would be clamoring over poopty players cause, well, you know, its what you have done for years EVEN when the team was in Cup contention.
- Elbows15

Like Keith then, right?

Likely there are other issues none of us will ever know about in Berglund’s case. Again, you don’t read well. You look at anyone who might be available, do your due diligence, and if a deal makes your team better, you make it happen.

While this team was in cup contention, highly questionable moves were made, which in many ways brought the team to where they are at today.

It all points back to my earliest concerns about the competency of this front office. How, during all of that success, have they failed to draft and develop ANY measurable talent from their pipeline?

Patton lacked only gasoline to win the big one a year sooner. If your strategy is to burn all of your gas to serve the short term, the long term always suffers.

In the end, students of the sport will come to understand the three cup run was courtesy of the work of Dale Tallon and Mike Smith. Their successors have given us what we have today.

Unfortunately, Sikura has a Schmalz-like allergy to going to the net. Just what we need -- another small perimeter player.
- BMWChiFan

Except the Perlini goal he created he drove straight to the net with two defenders draped all over him..... He has some willingness, he just has to do it consistently.

Anyone follow the Hogs this year? Just curious how Ejdsell has been playing and if he's NHL caliber?

Like Keith then, right?

Likely there are other issues none of us will ever know about in Berglund’s case. Again, you don’t read well. You look at anyone who might be available, do your due diligence, and if a deal makes your team better, you make it happen.

While this team was in cup contention, highly questionable moves were made, which in many ways brought the team to where they are at today.

It all points back to my earliest concerns about the competency of this front office. How, during all of that success, have they failed to draft and develop ANY measurable talent from their pipeline?

Patton lacked only gasoline to win the big one a year sooner. If your strategy is to burn all of your gas to serve the short term, the long term always suffers.

In the end, students of the sport will come to understand the three cup run was courtesy of the work of Dale Tallon and Mike Smith. Their successors have given us what we have today.
- Return of the Roar

In large part...but according to you and a bunch of other "students of the sport" on here at the time, Bowman should have started selling off Kane, Keith, Crawford etc. after the second 1st round playoff exit in 2012, because the Hawks were a team that wasn't tough enough to compete in the playoffs, and no Hawk team would ever win with Crawford in net.

The fact that he didn't and actually rebuilt around the Core after having to sell off all the complementary talent because of Cap issues is full marks to him.

He may have inherited the Core but correctly identified who they were, rebuilt around them and won two more Cups while you and other "students of the sport" were howling that they trade some of those players for more redass.

Yes, Tallon and Smith were responsible for providing the foundation but Bowman provided the depth necessary to win two more Cups. Those two championship runs, now viewed through the eyes of revisionist history, were pretty much guaranteed to this team and really only won because of the players Tallon supplied, which is the false narrative often floated here.

Any "student of the sport" worth their salt would actually give credit to all three GM's...but a guy who's avi used to be a picture of Stanbo with the word "FAIL" stamped across it, apparently can never let some things go.

Like Keith then, right?

Likely there are other issues none of us will ever know about in Berglund’s case. Again, you don’t read well. You look at anyone who might be available, do your due diligence, and if a deal makes your team better, you make it happen.

While this team was in cup contention, highly questionable moves were made, which in many ways brought the team to where they are at today.

It all points back to my earliest concerns about the competency of this front office. How, during all of that success, have they failed to draft and develop ANY measurable talent from their pipeline?

Patton lacked only gasoline to win the big one a year sooner. If your strategy is to burn all of your gas to serve the short term, the long term always suffers.

In the end, students of the sport will come to understand the three cup run was courtesy of the work of Dale Tallon and Mike Smith. Their successors have given us what we have today.
- Return of the Roar

Yes Tallon and Smith had a large part in drafting many good and great players for the hawks. I'd argue a blind man with no understanding of hockey would have drafted the most important pieces Toews and Kane. Many of the players drafted in later rounds while attributed to the GM were pure luck. Just like Bowman selecting Shaw late in the draft was good luck over good Management. Tallon's trade for Sharp was brilliant.

Bowman didn't have the clean slate Tallon and Smith had. He had to retool on the fly with his hands tied with salary cap issues from day one. He made a brilliant move in keeping Oduya over a younger Leddy ensuring a cup win, There is no chance the Hawks win with a defensively inept Leddy making high risk passes and offensive zone forays.

Yes the Hawks are in a mess today. Yes Bowman has to take some blame. And yes Bowman has made some questionable moves. But where is your lord Smith today? He bounced around all over the place and his genius never amounted to him staying anywhere for long. I guess you are a fan of Anton Babchuck, Alexander Karpotsev or ALEXI Zhamnov? Or how about the great Tallon? His Florida team flop between decent and mediocrity each season. How do you like Kyle Beach, Jack Skille or Cam Barker all Tallon chosen first round flops? I would think a "student of the game" would look at the accomplishments of everything a GM has done, not just cherry pick to further their narrative.

Not to mention that Patton got denied the fuel because strangely enough it was still an objective to get rid of the V-1 launch sites along the coast.

It is a pretty tough sell to just tell people to ignore buzz bombs dropping in their neigh bourhood, that if they just man up and deal with it, it would all be over sooner.

Mind you the entire Patton thing was pretty much limited to Patton himself, and not Bradley or Eisenhower, not to mention the other armies (like the 1st). Read Andy Rooney's book - he wasn't a George Patton fan.

Pretty much like selling a rebuilding hockey team by dealing all of their players and trying to sell people on that a gaggle of lower end draft choices will actually make a viable team. (I had to get it back to hockey some way...).

Not to mention that Patton got denied the fuel because strangely enough it was still an objective to get rid of the V-1 launch sites along the coast.

It is a pretty tough sell to just tell people to ignore buzz bombs dropping in their neigh bourhood, that if they just man up and deal with it, it would all be over sooner.

Mind you the entire Patton thing was pretty much limited to Patton himself, and not Bradley or Eisenhower, not to mention the other armies (like the 1st). Read Andy Rooney's book - he wasn't a George Patton fan.

Pretty much like selling a rebuilding hockey team by dealing all of their players and trying to sell people on that a gaggle of lower end draft choices will actually make a viable team. (I had to get it back to hockey some way...).
- steve-hist-sdc

Nicely done on the hockey segue and kudos on the historical perspective.

Yes Tallon and Smith had a large part in drafting many good and great players for the hawks. I'd argue a blind man with no understanding of hockey would have drafted the most important pieces Toews and Kane. Many of the players drafted in later rounds while attributed to the GM were pure luck. Just like Bowman selecting Shaw late in the draft was good luck over good Management. Tallon's trade for Sharp was brilliant.

Bowman didn't have the clean slate Tallon and Smith had. He had to retool on the fly with his hands tied with salary cap issues from day one. He made a brilliant move in keeping Oduya over a younger Leddy ensuring a cup win, There is no chance the Hawks win with a defensively inept Leddy making high risk passes and offensive zone forays.

Yes the Hawks are in a mess today. Yes Bowman has to take some blame. And yes Bowman has made some questionable moves. But where is your lord Smith today? He bounced around all over the place and his genius never amounted to him staying anywhere for long. I guess you are a fan of Anton Babchuck, Alexander Karpotsev or ALEXI Zhamnov? Or how about the great Tallon? His Florida team flop between decent and mediocrity each season. How do you like Kyle Beach, Jack Skille or Cam Barker all Tallon chosen first round flops? I would think a "student of the game" would look at the accomplishments of everything a GM has done, not just cherry pick to further their narrative.
- paulr

This! Tbf though, pretty sure Mike Smith isn’t bouncing around anywhere and if he is, it’s inside his casket where he was apparently accidentally buried alive.

Not to mention that Patton got denied the fuel because strangely enough it was still an objective to get rid of the V-1 launch sites along the coast.

It is a pretty tough sell to just tell people to ignore buzz bombs dropping in their neigh bourhood, that if they just man up and deal with it, it would all be over sooner.

Mind you the entire Patton thing was pretty much limited to Patton himself, and not Bradley or Eisenhower, not to mention the other armies (like the 1st). Read Andy Rooney's book - he wasn't a George Patton fan.

Pretty much like selling a rebuilding hockey team by dealing all of their players and trying to sell people on that a gaggle of lower end draft choices will actually make a viable team. (I had to get it back to hockey some way...).
- steve-hist-sdc

Great post but unfortunately it will be lost on many posters who think the Hawks can magically make 4 trades, get rid of washed up players and wind up with McDavid, Matthews, Hedman and Taylor Hall with their old teams eating 80% of their contracts and the Hawk will win the next 10 cups in a row.

This! Tbf though, pretty sure Mike Smith isn’t bouncing around anywhere and if he is, it’s inside his casket where he was apparently accidentally buried alive.
- HawkintheD

The way he dressed and looked I didn't realize he was ever alive.

Is it time yet to suggest again that they convert Gustafsson to forward? And he can still play point on the PP if need be. Hope that helps somebody's Hockeybuzz bingo card.
- 333inthe3rd

While converting may seem like the obvious thing with Gus, I'm not so sure. He's a D man first and has no clue where to be without the puck. But the good thing about him playing D if there is one is that the puck comes to him. If he plays up and has to figure out where to be without the puck or figure out where to go to get the puck how does that happen? He has shown nothing in the way of figuring anything out. Yet anyway, and he's not young. Another guy who is probably better off in Europe.

Are you using Bingo chips, or did you borrow some of Bowman's "chips?"
- I Am The Breadman

I thought he likes Buffalo chips?

While converting may seem like the obvious thing with Gus, I'm not so sure. He's a D man first and has no clue where to be without the puck. But the good thing about him playing D if there is one is that the puck comes to him. If he plays up and has to figure out where to be without the puck or figure out where to go to get the puck how does that happen? He has shown nothing in the way of figuring anything out. Yet anyway, and he's not young. Another guy who is probably better off in Europe.
- 6628

Unfortunately there are so many defensemen today who aren't good in their own zone. Nick Leddy comes to mind, Gardiner in Toronto stands around in front of the net in his own zone with one hand on his stick with no clue what to do. Karlsson is brutal defensively. There are lots of these "new age" defensemen who are good with the puck and awful without it. Unfortunately Gus is not as good offensively as the aforementioned guys so his defensive defiencies are all the more glaring.

Unfortunately there are so many defensemen today who aren't good in their own zone. Nick Leddy comes to mind, Gardiner in Toronto stands around in front of the net in his own zone with one hand on his stick with no clue what to do. Karlsson is brutal defensively. There are lots of these "new age" defensemen who are good with the puck and awful without it. Unfortunately Gus is not as good offensively as the aforementioned guys so his defensive defiencies are all the more glaring.
- paulr

He’s a guy though that someone may like at the TDL if they are looking for some O on their D line.

The corpse of Kimmo got 2 seconds from Stan. Gusto should fetch 3 first rounders...or maybe just straight up for Dutch.

He’s a guy though that someone may like at the TDL if they are looking for some O on their D line.

The corpse of Kimmo got 2 seconds from Stan. Gusto should fetch 3 first rounders...or maybe just straight up for Dutch.
- HawkintheD

You're sounding more and more like a student of the game!