Sure seems like the blue line settled down with Dahlstrom and Murphy in the line up. They form a nice shutdown pair with their size and strength.
- z1990z

Very true, they’ve been a surprisingly effective duo. When Jokiharju returns from the WJC Stan and JC will have an interesting choice to make. There are still a lot of games to be played before then so we’ll see what happens. But if the team continues to play well, especially these two, I’d guess Forsling goes back to Rockford unless Stan finds a way to deal Manning.

Great 3 wins. Playoffs or not, I want to see good competition and progress, period. I have seen that so far so I am getting what I want. JC is perfectly deploying Seabrook in a third pairing minutes role. Seabrook's value at this point is playing uber safe, protect the house and get in shooting lanes, which he did wonderfully last night. Anything more is too much.

And how about Conner Murphy? I really think he has been WAY better than last year in early returns. He was 2nd on the team with 4 blocks and lead the team in PK time. NO, trading Hammer I still think was a bad move, but if Conner can keep making progress like this, that evaluation could be altered. Keep up the good work kid. Ditto for Dahlstrom.

That said I still hate the ice time distribution. How can you justify playing guys 5 or 6 minutes in a mid December game? Martineson had 6 hits in 5 minutes, Sikura was very noticeable in his paltry 7 minutes of ice time. I don't get why those guys didn't play more. Oh well.

And Anisimov? WoW. This is typical of him, he has periods where he is a player. Exepct him to go into a 10 game scoreless drought sometime in mid January. But right now he looks awesome, would be a pretty shrewd time to trade him at peak value, but I don't expect shrewd plus the Hawks probably still believe a Cup parade is possible this year, thus keeping the veteran middle center.

Hey it's fun right now at least. ROCK ON

Evan Barratt looking good to in US prelims.
- Justin Lowe

Heard he's got the number 1 line center role
ahead of the guy named Jack Hughes.

Shaw with tons more talent?

Blackhawks reassigned Johnson to Rockford and recalled Nilsson. Can’t say I’m too surprised. Johnson hasn’t been great but Nilsson has played very well in Rockford. It will be interesting to see how JC uses him.

Stan traded a future 70-80 point forward for a 30-40 point forward who can't skate and a 10-20 point forward with no hands. What's not to love?
- DarthKane

I will eat crow if he does, but Schmaltz will never score 70-80 points, does not like the high-traffic areas. Hell, Toews has only put up 70 once, and he plays a helluva lot tougher than Schmaltz!!

Very true, they’ve been a surprisingly effective duo. When Jokiharju returns from the WJC Stan and JC will have an interesting choice to make. There are still a lot of games to be played before then so we’ll see what happens. But if the team continues to play well, especially these two, I’d guess Forsling goes back to Rockford unless Stan finds a way to deal Manning.
- DarthKane

Can you buy out Manning in the same year you signed him? Honest question, I do not know.

Very true, they’ve been a surprisingly effective duo. When Jokiharju returns from the WJC Stan and JC will have an interesting choice to make. There are still a lot of games to be played before then so we’ll see what happens. But if the team continues to play well, especially these two, I’d guess Forsling goes back to Rockford unless Stan finds a way to deal Manning.
- DarthKane

My guess is Gustafsson is a fixture and so is Dahlstrom, so possibly something like:

Keith - Jokiharju
Dahlstrom - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Manning/Forsling

I can live with that 6 especially if Gustafsson has 3rd pair ES minutes + PP time. That also allows Seabrook to play sheltered minutes as well at ES + PK. I prefer he gets replaced by Jokiharju at the PP point.

Blackhawks reassigned Johnson to Rockford and recalled Nilsson. Can’t say I’m too surprised. Johnson hasn’t been great but Nilsson has played very well in Rockford. It will be interesting to see how JC uses him.
- DarthKane

So whats the book on Nilsson?

Blackhawks reassigned Johnson to Rockford and recalled Nilsson. Can’t say I’m too surprised. Johnson hasn’t been great but Nilsson has played very well in Rockford. It will be interesting to see how JC uses him.
- DarthKane

So is Nilsson the typical sandpaper Swede to play against?

Blackhawks reassigned Johnson to Rockford and recalled Nilsson. Can’t say I’m too surprised. Johnson hasn’t been great but Nilsson has played very well in Rockford. It will be interesting to see how JC uses him.
- DarthKane

I thought he was effective after the recall, 2 games, but still. Not taking penalties. What's the word on Nilsson?

So whats the book on Nilsson?
- kwolf68

From what I recall, Swede, not a big guy but plays bigger, kind of a pain to play against...kind of similar to Johnson really.

I think he and Colliton have familiarity with each other from the Swedish league. Pretty sure Nilsson played for him at one time or another.

Blackhawks reassigned Johnson to Rockford and recalled Nilsson. Can’t say I’m too surprised. Johnson hasn’t been great but Nilsson has played very well in Rockford. It will be interesting to see how JC uses him.
- DarthKane

Johnson was okay in his 2nd stint but still not overly effective. Nilsson has a tad less skill than Johnson but just as much grit. I don't mind the swap and not surprised either given his history with Colliton.

Colliton not only coached Nilsson in Sweden but played him on the top line in Rockford with Sikura and Highmore before the latter got injured. Sikura stayed on the 1st line while Nilsson remained in the top 6.

From what I recall, Swede, not a big guy but plays bigger, kind of a pain to play against...kind of similar to Johnson really.

I think he and Colliton have familiarity with each other from the Swedish league. Pretty sure Nilsson played for him at one time or another.
- HawkintheD

You're on point with all of that.

Great 3 wins. Playoffs or not, I want to see good competition and progress, period. I have seen that so far so I am getting what I want. JC is perfectly deploying Seabrook in a third pairing minutes role. Seabrook's value at this point is playing uber safe, protect the house and get in shooting lanes, which he did wonderfully last night. Anything more is too much.

And how about Conner Murphy? I really think he has been WAY better than last year in early returns. He was 2nd on the team with 4 blocks and lead the team in PK time. NO, trading Hammer I still think was a bad move, but if Conner can keep making progress like this, that evaluation could be altered. Keep up the good work kid. Ditto for Dahlstrom.

That said I still hate the ice time distribution. How can you justify playing guys 5 or 6 minutes in a mid December game? Martineson had 6 hits in 5 minutes, Sikura was very noticeable in his paltry 7 minutes of ice time. I don't get why those guys didn't play more. Oh well.

And Anisimov? WoW. This is typical of him, he has periods where he is a player. Exepct him to go into a 10 game scoreless drought sometime in mid January. But right now he looks awesome, would be a pretty shrewd time to trade him at peak value, but I don't expect shrewd plus the Hawks probably still believe a Cup parade is possible this year, thus keeping the veteran middle center.

Hey it's fun right now at least. ROCK ON
- kwolf68

Couldn't agree more with your analysis of Seabrook and Murphy.

I know you didn't state this at all and this could be a lightning rod for debate, but I think while there are some players who didn't respond well after Q's departure, namely some of the core players, there are some players who did. Even before his first game back from IR, I had a hunch Murphy's game would be better under a new coach. So far so good. Obviously, I don't have proof that the coaching difference is the key factor yet Murphy's play is markedly improved from last season.

Forsling will stay. He was terrific last night.

Couldn't agree more with your analysis of Seabrook and Murphy.

I know you didn't state this at all and this could be a lightning rod for debate, but I think while there are some players who didn't respond well after Q's departure, namely some of the core players, there are some players who did. Even before his first game back from IR, I had a hunch Murphy's game would be better under a new coach. So far so good. Obviously, I don't have proof that the coaching difference is the key factor yet Murphy's play is markedly improved from last season.
- AEL_Fox

I don't think Murphy is playing better. i don't think he should have been benched at all last season. If anything, he is playing without the fear of being benched. JMo

Couldn't agree more with your analysis of Seabrook and Murphy.

I know you didn't state this at all and this could be a lightning rod for debate, but I think while there are some players who didn't respond well after Q's departure, namely some of the core players, there are some players who did. Even before his first game back from IR, I had a hunch Murphy's game would be better under a new coach. So far so good. Obviously, I don't have proof that the coaching difference is the key factor yet Murphy's play is markedly improved from last season.
- AEL_Fox

Yea maybe so. It is well known Q really hated moving Hammer, so it's possible he took his frustrations out on Murphy, again who knows. All I know is the Conner Murphy I've been watching over the last week looks like a truly solid hockey player.

It's also pleasing to see the improvement in the team. Think about it, HALF the defense is different than 3 weeks ago (Gus, Conner and Dahlstrom are now in) and the defense has looked much better. Couldn't have been worse, safe bets would have been little would change, but it appears those additions to the D core has actually improved this team markedly. Beating Nashville, @ Dallas and @ Colorado in 3 straight games is not something you'd expect to see from a bottom feeder team. Hope. Springs. Eternal.

So whats the book on Nilsson?
- kwolf68

“Everybody’s Talkin’ At Me”

Can you buy out Manning in the same year you signed him? Honest question, I do not know.
- ChicagoHope

Why bother? He can be sent to Rockford . Only half of his salary will count against the cap and the Hawks have the cap space for it not be an issue. Why extend the mistake.

“Everybody’s Talkin’ At Me”
- StLBravesFan

Midnight Cowboy was just referenced yesterday.
"Can't hear a word they're saying."

I don't think Murphy is playing better. i don't think he should have been benched at all last season. If anything, he is playing without the fear of being benched. JMo
- Elbows15

Totally agree, Bows, same with Forsling. There are errors here and there, what player doesn't? They have been welcome additions to this defense.

I don't think Murphy is playing better. i don't think he should have been benched at all last season. If anything, he is playing without the fear of being benched. JMo
- Elbows15

I don't agree. Murphy looked slow and cumbersome last year, and slow reacting in his own zone. He also fell down more than 1 time. He absolutely looks more confident and controlled this year. Is that because he's no longer "afraid" of being benched as you state? Perhaps, even if conjecture, but there is no question in my mind at least that he IS playing better this year. I HATED seeing him on the ice last year, because I knew an attack was coming on our goalie. This year? I feel good with him out there. Dahlstrom too.

I don't agree. Murphy looked slow and cumbersome last year, and slow reacting in his own zone. He also fell down more than 1 time. He absolutely looks more confident and controlled this year. Is that because he's no longer "afraid" of being benched as you state? Perhaps, even if conjecture, but there is no question in my mind at least that he IS playing better this year. I HATED seeing him on the ice last year, because I knew an attack was coming on our goalie. This year? I feel good with him out there. Dahlstrom too.
- kwolf68

I think everyone was comparing him to Hjalmarsson in my opinion. Probably skewed their perception.

Whateves, tho. He is better than Manning, Rutta and Davidson. That much is sure.

I think everyone was comparing him to Hjalmarsson in my opinion. Probably skewed their perception.

Whateves, tho. He is better than Manning, Rutta and Davidson. That much is sure.
- Elbows15

Yea absolutely and whether right or wrong I think he will continued to be compared to Hammer. I don't think it's likely he'll ever be as good as Hammer blue line back (not many D men are that good), but I think Conner has more offensive upside, he is willing to move and skate the puck more. Murphy also plays with a bit more edge/nasty than Hammer and goodness knows we need someone who can deliver a solid body check.

If Murphy realizes his potential and the trajectory continues in this path, he'll be a very productive player after Hammer's useful days are over in my view. That is not to disparage Nick, because you will find few players in Blackhawks history who sacrificed the way he did, the courage he showed should be revered.

I think its plausible to appreciate Nick while also appreciating Conner as well. It doesn't have to be "he sucks, he's great" argument.

Tanner says Schmaltz is injured, he didn't give the details.