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

Adding to this, I don't think it helped that Hammer was Q's guy. Murphy was not at peak Hammer level upon arrival, and that made it even more of an uphill climb.

I expected that Murphy would be a downgrade out of the gate, and that the value was meant to be realized down the road. I gathered the back problems affected him last year, so it was hard to really judge the trade last year. I also think Hammer felt like it was time for a change of scenery. Nobody puts AZ on his list of approved teams otherwise.

I watch the game last night,and I really liked Dalstrom and Murphy and Keith.

Jake Wise out for season, injury undisclosed.

Jake Wise out for season, injury undisclosed.
- I Am The Breadman

Horrible news. He has potential of being a L2-Center down the road. Still has some work to do, but the talent is there. A year delayed now.

Adding to this, I don't think it helped that Hammer was Q's guy. Murphy was not at peak Hammer level upon arrival, and that made it even more of an uphill climb.

I expected that Murphy would be a downgrade out of the gate, and that the value was meant to be realized down the road. I gathered the back problems affected him last year, so it was hard to really judge the trade last year. I also think Hammer felt like it was time for a change of scenery. Nobody puts AZ on his list of approved teams otherwise.
- 333inthe3rd

I don't think Nick had a NTC

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

Prediction: Joki is the one going to screw city.

I don't think Nick had a NTC
- kwolf68

He had to list 10 teams. I think.

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

Yeah especially since he’s his player. I’d also say it looks like Colliton is starting to take ownership of this team.

He had to list 10 teams. I think.
- I Am The Breadman

That's how I remembered it, also.

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.
- kwolf68

If we are being honest, Hjalmarsson wasn't as good as Hjalmarsson was in his own zone. His play was pretty poopty the last season he was here and not much better the previous season. He was getting dummied a lot in the corners. It was time for him to go.

That's how I remembered it, also.
- 333inthe3rd

I remmeber Hammer also saying AZ was on his list in an interview, and that his wife had some input.

I remmeber Hammer also saying AZ was on his list in an interview, and that his wife had some input.
- 333inthe3rd

THAT worked out well....

Prediction: Joki is the one going to screw city.
- Beaver-Warrior

That would not surprise me.

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.
- AEL_Fox

you can but the buy out cost and saving i don't think are worth it...not happening; he gets traded, sits or gets waived...

That would not surprise me.
- DarthKane

Not a fan of the way Colliton is handling Jokesonyou. Let the kid play. Its all about the future.

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.
- kwolf68

On a SC contender, he's a 3rd pair guy. On this team, clearly 2nd pairing, for this season. We'll see when the kids start showing up.

And he's not even in the ball park with Hammer in his prime. THAT's what a 2nd pair D man on a SC winner looks like.

Would have to think that's the plan. Manning and Kunitz get you nothing at the TDL...maybe a conditional 7th. If so take it.

Finishing middle of the pack isn't optimal but disagree it doesn't help their future. Their future starts this season. For the most part, this is a really young team. Learning to close out close games, play defense, potentially work in a rookie goalie...all stuff that could help down the road.
- HawkintheD

Points taken but to me this is a transition developing what ever you want to call it. See who can play and is part of the future going forward win or lose. If the right stay then winning will come. And getting whatever they can get for manning and kunitz is a plus whether its a 6th or 7th round pick who knows with one of those picks find the next Zetterberg i could mistaken but was drafted in the 6th round. As a die hard hawks fan hate to see them lose but finishing in the bottom 5 of the league is not the worse thing going forward. Need top end talent at the forward position in the system.

Not a fan of the way Colliton is handling Jokesonyou. Let the kid play. Its all about the future.
- Elbows15

Joki is on the way to the World Juniors, on loan from the Blackhawks. Before he left, I believe he was playing 1st pair with Keith.

Forsling will stay. He was terrific last night.
- Elbows15

Agreed.....he needs to play a lot. Allow him to DEVELOP please. No need for Manning any longer, though I liked how he stood up for his teammates. Hopefully they learned from him.

Agreed.....he needs to play a lot. Allow him to DEVELOP please. No need for Manning any longer, though I liked how he stood up for his teammates. Hopefully they learned from him.
- Hawkytalk

Manning and Rutta can play together - in Rockford permanently.

Jake Wise out for season, injury undisclosed.
- I Am The Breadman

That sucks. I believe that Wise, Highmore and Barratt are similar players -the type we need to develop for the team. Too bad that 2 of them ended up with season ending injuries. Hopefully this will not affect their development.

Manning and Rutta can play together - in Rockford permanently.
- RickJ

Rutta , yes, but Manning should be kept around because we lack his size and push back on defence especially if one of the current ones goes down with injury. Rutta types can be picked up on the waiver wire.

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

More like traded a talented skilled player who is afraid to play in the NHL whose contract is going to be a burden for whichever team signs him, for a hockey player

Forsling will stay. He was terrific last night.
- Elbows15

He was but one of the things he needs to work on is keep his feet moving, has a tendency to hold and stop skating while engaging players along the boards

Tanner says Schmaltz is injured, he didn't give the details.
- I Am The Breadman

Called him their best player