I won't be on the boards for a few days, so I'm going to say Merry Christmas to all you guys and girls! Be safe and enjoy this time with your families and friends! Slainte!

Merry Christmas to all. Have a safe and happy holiday !

Win or lose tonite, I don’t think - didn’t think - they could climb back into contention.

And I didn’t see the game.

But looked like - again - two quick second period GAs cost them the game - and the stats show them being dominated in the second, but pretty even the rest of the game.

Still - five against with a goalie in net is way too many.
- StLBravesFan

Hopefully Delia gets a shot against Minny on Thursday. If he plays well for a second game hopefully JC starts playing him a bit more.

I won't be on the boards for a few days, so I'm going to say Merry Christmas to all you guys and girls! Be safe and enjoy this time with your families and friends! Slainte!
- I Am The Breadman

Happy Holidays!

I won't be on the boards for a few days, so I'm going to say Merry Christmas to all you guys and girls! Be safe and enjoy this time with your families and friends! Slainte!
- I Am The Breadman

Thanks Breadman. Enjoy the Holidays! Try not too eat too many gingerbread men, because that might be considered cannibalism.

Happy Holidays!
- DarthKane

Merry Christmas Breadman! You're a welcome addition to the board. Talk to you soon.

I know we’re all used to it at this point, but that backhand pass from Kane to Strome through traffic for the tap in goal was absurd.

No matter the score of the game I will always love to watch Kane play. His vision and ability to slow down the game is unmatched.

What's their record when he doesn't dress?
- tvetter

with Kunitz in the line up: 7 - 12 - 4
without him: 6 - 8 - 2

(edit) but 4 games ago it was:

7 - 11 - 4
3 - 8 - 2

The Hawks could really get a nice piece since Toronto won't be able to sign everyone under the cap
- BetweenTheDots

Trading Keith NOW ....the parameters have maybe changed......somewhat. To be clear, there needs to be a leader among the dmen....someone respected whom the players and coach know is the best player when he is on his game. That player usually is the one with savvy with experience. That is Keith.

So now along comes Murphy and Dahlstrom is up Both are not flashy. Murphy is playing better than previously in his career. I would bet that he could suffice as a descent second pair. Big thing with him is that he has been playing with confidance. Both Dahlstrom and Murphy get the job done; they make good decisions. Murphy, is thought of a a muscle guy whose skating pushes him ultimately to third pair status.

You want to lean on those two in key situations while a plethora of young dmen rise up?

Trusting Gus is still no guarantee. We have the remainder of this season to see how well Gus but also Murphy and Dahlstrom perform. Each could bring draft choices. Think #2 round as renumeration. Hope you could get a #1 if you traded your #2 plus (for example) Gus.

Thing is. With so many dmen coming along it sort of shoots down drafting best player with really any first round piick.

We need top six forwards with grit. Not fancy fast but fast but somewhat ornery. It really..as is necessary to have size speed and skill even if the skill is not super great. . ...better than Perlini, better than Saad, not expecting a P Kane but would be nice a Schmaltz type who is not afraid of contact and has size.

The Penn State kid is a bonus if he actually is top six material. I think this kid and Sikura have second line or better than other third line offensive forward ceiling. We will see.

But trading Keith remains a gamble. Better to have him here for one more season while maybe one more kid develops on defense. Imho that kid is more likely Carlsson and or Mitchell. But we are going to be getting excited salivating at what we see from Boqvist, Beaudin next season as they inch closer. By trading deadline next season who knows what dmen are then shipped out.

Whi knows how strong is the game then for Jokiharju and Forsling. I would expect Keith might go no later than next deadline. Of course if the team is in playoff hunt maybe Keith lasts through next season. No rush to force kids to play NHL. But their talent and how close to taking someone else job, is going to be really exiting

Happy holidays everyone!!

I'll have a blog out today. I want to do another mailbag piece.

If you have any questions... ask away and I'll incorporate as many as I can into my article.

Happy holidays everyone!!

I'll have a blog out today. I want to do another mailbag piece.

If you have any questions... ask away and I'll incorporate as many as I can into my article.
- Justin Lowe

Merry Christmas! With many thanks for your insights on all things Blackhawk!!

Happy holidays everyone!!

I'll have a blog out today. I want to do another mailbag piece.

If you have any questions... ask away and I'll incorporate as many as I can into my article.
- Justin Lowe

Happy Holidays JL!

Appreciate all the blogs and insight you provide.

Merry Christmas! With many thanks for your insights on all things Blackhawk!!
- 35Tony0

Merry Christmas Tony O! Thanks for contributing to the best hockey board around. It hasn't been a "fun" year but you guys and gals make it enjoyable on here!

Happy Holidays JL!

Appreciate all the blogs and insight you provide.
- HawkintheD

You too HawkintheD!

Thank you for continuing to come back and be a part of the family here!

Merry Christmas Tony O! Thanks for contributing to the best hockey board around. It hasn't been a "fun" year but you guys and gals make it enjoyable on here!
- Justin Lowe

It has been a “fun” year, Justin - IT’S HOCKEY - better to be winning, but even if losing, still better than (pick another sport).

Happy holidays to you and to all of our associates in the US, Canada, Europe, and Mexico (if he’s still secretly around).

Merry Christmas Tony O! Thanks for contributing to the best hockey board around. It hasn't been a "fun" year but you guys and gals make it enjoyable on here!
- Justin Lowe

It has been a “fun” year, Justin - IT’S HOCKEY - better to be winning, but even if losing, still better than (pick another sport).

Happy holidays to you and to all of our associates in the US, Canada, Europe, and Mexico (if he’s still secretly around).
- StLBravesFan

The 2017 draft class is starting to look awfully good. The kind that makes rebuild happen a lot quicker if Mitchell and Barratt hit their ceilings. Joki at 19 has already shown he can likely be a top 4 NHL defenseman.

Barratt is the exact type of forward the Hawks need. Hopefully, his offensive game translates to the NHL.

The 2017 draft class is starting to look awfully good. The kind that makes rebuild happen a lot quicker if Mitchell and Barratt hit their ceilings. Joki at 19 has already shown he can likely be a top 4 NHL defenseman.

Barratt is the exact type of forward the Hawks need. Hopefully, his offensive game translates to the NHL.
- bhawks2241

Don't forget about Soderlund. There are predictions that he could be Arvidsson light. I'm also rooting for Parker Foo, but only because I like the name.

Don't forget about Soderlund. There are predictions that he could be Arvidsson light. I'm also rooting for Parker Foo, but only because I like the name.
- tvetter

I went to draftsite, and looked at redrafts for 5he last few years.
2014: Wiz has Chicago drafting Perlini two spots after Schmaltz.
2015: no pick
2016: no pick, but he has ADB going 5th overall.
2017: he has Joki at 15

Don't forget about Soderlund. There are predictions that he could be Arvidsson light. I'm also rooting for Parker Foo, but only because I like the name.
- tvetter

I was going to say the same thing about Soderlund. Spot on with that comparison. High bar to meet, so if anything, he could end up being a great 3rd liner with fearlessness, endless motor, and some offensive flash.

A dark horse in the 2017 draft could very well be Foo. He had a fairly weak freshman year but is on pace to triple his offense at Union College. Sikura started slow but then had a stronger sophomore season before taking off junior and senior years. Don't think Foo has the same upside as Sikura but he could still be a viable bottom 6 wing prospect with speed, tenacity, and offensive flair.

Galvas could really surprise as a blueline prospect. He had a strong WJC last year and is the Czech Republic captain for this year's tourney. He's one to watch amongst the more heralded prospects in Boqvist, Barratt, Mitchell, and of course Jokiharju. Don't think he's an offensive specialist, which can be a good thing in the Hawks system, but a few reports say he actually plays physical for his size.

I won't be on the boards for a few days, so I'm going to say Merry Christmas to all you guys and girls! Be safe and enjoy this time with your families and friends! Slainte!
- I Am The Breadman

Merry Christmas Breadman!

Enjoy the holidays.

- DarthKane

Thanks DK.

I'm heading your way tomorrow. You catching any WJHC games?

I’m going to put in a new water heater for Christmas!

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=96759