Dahlstrom and Murphy seem to be forming an effective duo, I don't know if Dahlstrom will be the odd man out.

The easy answer would be to send Forsling to Rockford. He's playing the least among the d-men, he's waiver exempt and Manning can sit in the press box without hurting the team's development.

However, based on play Manning should go to Rockford but it would be difficult for JC to find playing time for all 7 remaining d-men. I would certainly keep Jokiharju in Chicago and play him 20 minutes per game. Ride the kid's confidence from the WJC experience.

Keith - Jokiharju
Dahlstrom - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Forsling
- DarthKane

I would roll with those pairs as well but as another poster stated, do a rotation between Seabrook and Forsling. The other 5 have proven they should be playing consistently. If any of those 5 slip, sans Keith, then sit him in in the press box in place of 7 or 42.

I will admit that Gustafsson has grown on me. Can't doubt his offensive skills. He is by far the best weapon on offense especially the PP yet his defense has gradually improved including some physicality. Love how he wheels and deals.

Manning would of course need to be traded and I believe the Hawks will do so given he is open to one (not requested but open as reported in the media). Even if the return is minimal, the Hawks should still do it to do Manning right and relieve the glut.

Rutta and Davidson can stay in Rockford.

It might be time to start putting Seabrook, Forsling, Dahlstrom and Gustafsson into some kind of press box rotation. At the very least Seabrook & Forsling.

Gustafsson is starting to really show signs that he is "getting it", and there is no denying that he is the best offensively of the 7. Dahlstrom has been pretty steady and really no use breaking up him and Murphy at this point as they have been effective.

The more Seabrook plays the more it becomes obvious that he just can't do it anymore. It all honesty, it is becoming very, very difficult to watch what he has become. Its almost like they are playing shorthanded when he is out there. He can't get to pucks, when he does his turnover rate is high even when unpressured, he seems to have more and more trouble staying upright and his lack of foot speed means he really can't even catch or hit anyone effectively anymore. He wears an A, and has been a warrior as well as a leader for this team for a long time and because of that he gets the benefit of the doubt, otherwise he would have been sat a long time ago. Even protected minutes at this point are tough for him. You really have to start wondering if there is something else wrong with him, because this decline has been precipitous.
- TheTrob

Agree with this. His only move is to throw the pucks out of the zone up the boards which are almost always kept in by the defender at the blue line.

Once Joki comes back I'd rotate Seabrook and Forsling.

Total tinfoil hat question, but the second I read that I thought that this is the "nice" way of sitting Seabrook without actually healthy scratching him. maybe they give him a game off to see things from above?

... I'll go back to my Kool-Aid now..
- Chunk

It was great to see Kurashev play a leading role for the Swiss, this kid loves to shoot and he's uber-talented. He did not look out of place playing against the Canadians.

On the other end of the spectrum Entwistle has accepted a defense-specialist role with team Canada and he's embracing it. It's nice to see a guy accept his role and put the team first. Hopefully this rounds out his experience and makes him a better playing in the long run.
- DarthKane

The reports on Entwistle as well as Barratt and Slavin are that they are very coachable. They are humble, listen to feedback, and accept the role they are given.

Entwistle and Slavin are projected to be bottom 6 forwards with size and jam to play effectively in the rough areas so all this bodes well for them.

While he's a super pest with skill to back up his mouth and actions, Barratt is a really modest kid off the ice. He could be just as good or maybe even better than Shaw as far as a forward who can play all 4 lines. If he somehow proves to be top 6, then Gallagher could be a possible comparable.

I like Burrish's post game comments last night. Something to the effect that the team has studied more film in the last few weeks than in the last 8 years under Q. Maybe the film sessions are paying off.
- -Doh-

Burish could be speaking in hyperbole but I find that somewhat sad and frustrating that Q and his staff didn't spend a lot of time studying tape. Maybe as a team they didn't watch tape together but individual players watched on their own or at least with video coach Matt Meachem?

IMHO, studying tape is an important part of training and between-game learning and prep. You don't need to view tape religiously but at timely points throughout the season to make necessary improvements in your game.

Think the players understand now. Middle is clogged up more often with more shot blocks (or so it seems).

I notice that Hawks players, especially D, don't go chase the puck and opposing player along the boards. Instead they pull up and just take the middle of the ice and wait for a forward to cover the puck carrier.

If the puck carrier makes a move toward the middle of the ice then the D men will engage.

I think the Hawks players are realizing they don't have to cover man on man and take themselves way out of position.

Maybe the system has been tweaked too? Don't know enough about hockey to tell.
- bhawks2241

I've had similar observations with the team defense. More blocked shots. Playing less man to man and instead not giving up the middle of the ice.

More physicality from more than just Seabrook and Murphy even if just bodying a player off the puck instead of more hitting. I enjoy seeing Dahlstrom use his size and Gustafsson exerting himself more on defense.

Watching the replay, Delia really impressive on the PK, 7 SMH he's even slow with his stick

I would put Joker to the minors if he is allowed to go there or back to Juniors. The Hawks know they have a good one with him. Play Gus, Forsling, and Dahlstrom to see if they are regular every game players going forward.
- HamiltonHawk

Except he may be the Hawks future #1 defenseman, has the best underlying stats of all the Blackhawk D this season, and badly needs reps to accelerate his development.

He needs to play on the first pair with Keith.

The reports on Entwistle as well as Barratt and Slavin are that they are very coachable. They are humble, listen to feedback, and accept the role they are given.

Entwistle and Slavin are projected to be bottom 6 forwards with size and jam to play effectively in the rough areas so all this bodes well for them.

While he's a super pest with skill to back up his mouth and actions, Barratt is a really modest kid off the ice. He could be just as good or maybe even better than Shaw as far as a forward who can play all 4 lines. If he somehow proves to be top 6, then Gallagher could be a possible comparable.
- AEL_Fox

All great stuff to hear ... well, read I guess. Haha.

I've had similar observations with the team defense. More blocked shots. Playing less man to man and instead not giving up the middle of the ice.

More physicality from more than just Seabrook and Murphy even if just bodying a player off the puck instead of more hitting. I enjoy seeing Dahlstrom use his size and Gustafsson exerting himself more on defense.
- AEL_Fox

I've been really impressed with Dahlstrom using his size so well. Like you mentioned, not necessarily laying a hit on someone, but simply taking away any options for the opponent be it skating or passing. Reminds me a little of the way Chara uses (used) his size. Another thing that seems to stand out is that Dahlstrom doesn't really get that flustered if forecheckers come straight at him.

It is really neat to see the development though the season.

I've been really impressed with Dahlstrom using his size so well. Like you mentioned, not necessarily laying a hit on someone, but simply taking away any options for the opponent be it skating or passing. Reminds me a little of the way Chara uses (used) his size. Another thing that seems to stand out is that Dahlstrom doesn't really get that flustered if forecheckers come straight at him.

It is really neat to see the development though the season.
- Chunk

Remember a couple years ago when someone reported that Hawks were very disappointed with Dahlstrom, and considered him timid, afraid to get hit, a bust and waste of a 3rd rounder, and they sent him back to Sweden.

Just shows Dmen develop later in most cases. Something to think about over the next few years.

Kruger activated - Nilsson sent back to Rockford

Kruger activated - Nilsson sent back to Rockford
- pdx2ord

That's good, thanks, pd. I wasn't really impressed with Nilsson. Limited minutes and 4th line. Nothing really special.

That's good, thanks, pd. I wasn't really impressed with Nilsson. Limited minutes and 4th line. Nothing really special.
- I Am The Breadman

Yeah, glad to see Kruger back. Nilsson was just meh. Not horrible but not going to move the needle either. Same with Johnson when he was up.

I was surprised Nilsson got PK time, actually. I would have Toews, Saad, Kampf, and Perlini as the forward killers. Maybe even Kahun or Sikura ahead of Nilsson. With Kruger back, he goes back on the kill. Something like:

Toews + Saad
Kruger + Perlini
Kampf + Kahun/Sikura

Burish could be speaking in hyperbole but I find that somewhat sad and frustrating that Q and his staff didn't spend a lot of time studying tape. Maybe as a team they didn't watch tape together but individual players watched on their own or at least with video coach Matt Meachem?

IMHO, studying tape is an important part of training and between-game learning and prep. You don't need to view tape religiously but at timely points throughout the season to make necessary improvements in your game.
- AEL_Fox

Maybe that is why they were making the same mistakes over and over with Q at the helm. Breaking down game mistakes and scouting other teams' tendencies via tapes is the modern way. Other teams do it to us and maybe this is one good reason why our PK and PP have been ineffective the past couple years.

What a good game, Hawks stil sloppy in their own end

When Joki comes back i would send Forsling back to Rockford he needs minutes

Delia looked great, steady, confident, great at catching the puck, liked how he came out on the breakaways

Maybe that is why they were making the same mistakes over and over with Q at the helm. Breaking down game mistakes and scouting other teams' tendencies via tapes is the modern way. Other teams do it to us and maybe this is one good reason why our PK and PP have been ineffective the past couple years.
- 67hawks

Could be a plausible reason. I imagine that since Q didn't hold many practices, that meant not meeting either on ice (i.e. for drills, practicing this or that) or off ice (i.e. to view tape).

And I would think that at least Goodman still works on strength and conditioning with certain players while others have their own personal regimen they can do on their own.

The NHL Network has those series where they follow a team and what individual players do between games. Many of them seem to work out at home or with personal trainers. Goalies seem to work out with yoga instructors or other types of coaches who help with flexibility.

I like how the young D men are engaging the forwards standing in front of Delia, don't see that from Keith or Seabrook, like how the centers and Kahun are coming back on defense and covering the far side forward. Young defenseman heads are on a swivel looking for forwards sneaking to the front of the net while one is staying at home in front of the net, at one point Gusto gestures to a forward to come down low so he can help at the boards

Yeah, glad to see Kruger back. Nilsson was just meh. Not horrible but not going to move the needle either. Same with Johnson when he was up.

I was surprised Nilsson got PK time, actually. I would have Toews, Saad, Kampf, and Perlini as the forward killers. Maybe even Kahun or Sikura ahead of Nilsson. With Kruger back, he goes back on the kill. Something like:

Toews + Saad
Kruger + Perlini
Kampf + Kahun/Sikura
- AEL_Fox

My guess is we'll see

Toews + Saad
Kruger + AA
Kampf + (Hayden/Kunitz/filler depending on who is rotating in and out of the lineup)

Delia looked great, steady, confident, great at catching the puck, liked how he came out on the breakaways
- BetweenTheDots

Good observations. Other posters have also used these terms to describe Delia's game but the best words I've heard so far are compact and efficient.

My only hesitation in giving up on Seabs is by looking at Toews and Eric Staal. How many people gave up on Toews the last two years. How many people said Staal was toast after the 15'/16' season. Totally wrote them off only to see them more or less return to form. Seabs is only 33. Not that old for a defenseman. Same ages as Ryan Suter and Shea Weber.
- -Doh-

Difference is that while people may have been female doging about Toews, his salary and his reduced production, his advanced stats told a completely different story. Most of the complaining had more to do with his salary and perceived lack of value. In addition during those times Toews still showed stretches of his old self. Seabrook is the opposite, the more he plays the more you realize he is done, and his advanced stats fully back up what your eyes are telling you in that he has been horrible. I put absolutely no faith in the concept that Seabrook may bounce back. Hope for buyouts in the new CBA.

Good observations. Other posters have also used these terms to describe Delia's game but the best words I've heard so far are compact and efficient.
- AEL_Fox

With a young team it's consistency they are going to have to work on, but i have to admit the needle is pointing up for this. Maybe not this year but this rebuild might not be as painful as i first thought

Difference is that while people may have been female doging about Toews, his salary and his reduced production, his advanced stats told a completely different story. Most of the complaining had more to do with his salary and perceived lack of value. In addition during those times Toews still showed stretches of his old self. Seabrook is the opposite, the more he plays the more you realize he is done, and his advanced stats fully back up what your eyes are telling you in that he has been horrible. I put absolutely no faith in the concept that Seabrook may bounce back. Hope for buyouts in the new CBA.
- TheTrob

As much as i hate to admit it, he's become a glacier

Im thinking Delia is the starter going forward.

Im thinking Delia is the starter going forward.
- BetweenTheDots

It might be a bit early to say that. Maybe Delia and Ward start splitting the time more equally but I don't think JC hands over the reigns to the youngster jut yet. If Delia starts the Winter Classic (which I believe is unlikely) that will be very telling of JC's intentions.