Thanks for all of the mailbag questions. I'm working those into a blog that will be out in the next couple of days.

Nice win last night. Delia was great and Kane was Kane.

Solid performance by some Hawks prospects as well. Mackenzie and Kurashev played big roles in the CAN/SUI game.
- Justin Lowe

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.

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

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.

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 rotate Seabrook and Forsling. With Murphy and Dahlstrom back and up and playing well Seabrook is the worst defensemen on this team.

Sorry to say it but he should be rotated with Forsling. Fast teams Forsling in Seabs out.

Sad that 7 has fallen so quickly. He was the rock for this team in '13. Kept the Capt from losing it. Won the Wings series for us.

I'm so excited for our prospects, most likely next season, some might go to Rock. Thanks to all who update on them.

Hawks have been playing well of late, and for now, Delia is great in between the pipes. That just can't be said enough. Very few games, very small sample size, but a crap ton of shots faced.

I don't really agree with trading Forsling. I'm not going to say you're wrong or stop doing so, because it's a discussion board, I'm just adding my 2 cents. I'd rather see Davidson and Manning go. I like our guys now, keep them while our d prospects get their play together. They are maybe 2 years away, some can make the jump quicker, but time will tell on that.

After watching the game, I felt it was a quiet 46 save performance. High volume of shots but it didn't seem to me like he had to stand on his head, just as you said, played an efficient game.
- breadbag

This is the takeaway phrase, quiet performance. My kinda goaling. Track well, have the right depth, play on your feet, don't anchor yourself, stay in balance and you will be square to shots and not need pretzeled highlight reel saves that results in efficiency that leads to a quiet performance.

For me unless it's the 3rd save in a sequence and the tender needs a highlight reel save he was out of position on the 1st or 2nd save. (Edit: Think Carey Price when he is on top of his game. Makes it look effortless, quiet)

This is what I'm thinking.

I think Forsling will be dangled as trade bait. Would be nice to reel in a young forward for him.

He's still very young, but I just don't see him having a top-4 role with the 'Hawks, and we've got plenty of bottom-pairing depth in the system.
- TommyHawk

Stan loves the Swedish defenseman. I would doubt that he moves one (Forsling)right now.

I would move Seabs as a salary dump in the right deal, but I doubt anyone will want to take on his salary. Also management likes Seabs, so I do not see that happening.

Of course I would have no problem moving substandard defenders like Rutta, Manning, and Davidson. But the return for them will be nada.

I would wait to move an NHL caliber defender (Keith, Murphy, Gus, Forsling, Dahlstrom, Joki) until the next wave gets a little closer to being NHL ready, unless the offer was overwhelming. Let Colliton work with this group for a while. They are trending better.

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.

I'm so excited for our prospects, most likely next season, some might go to Rock. Thanks to all who update on them.

Hawks have been playing well of late, and for now, Delia is great in between the pipes. That just can't be said enough. Very few games, very small sample size, but a crap ton of shots faced.

I don't really agree with trading Forsling. I'm not going to say you're wrong or stop doing so, because it's a discussion board, I'm just adding my 2 cents. I'd rather see Davidson and Manning go. I like our guys now, keep them while our d prospects get their play together. They are maybe 2 years away, some can make the jump quicker, but time will tell on that.
- I Am The Breadman

With Dumba out Gus for Greenway?

Stan loves the Swedish defenseman. I would doubt that he moves one (Forsling)right now.

I would move Seabs as a salary dump in the right deal, but I doubt anyone will want to take on his salary. Also management likes Seabs, so I do not see that happening.

Of course I would have no problem moving substandard defenders like Rutta, Manning, and Davidson. But the return for them will be nada.

I would wait to move an NHL caliber defender (Keith, Murphy, Gus, Forsling, Dahlstrom, Joki) until the next wave gets a little closer to being NHL ready, unless the offer was overwhelming. Let Colliton work with this group for a while. They are trending better.

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-

This. No way to tell if a guy can or can't coach/teach/communicate in 25-30-60 games. Let it play out, especially with a weak roster. Look for a system that is working, being bought into, adaptability, same mistakes not made over and over, effort from those dressed.

This takes time.

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

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.

Edmonton Oilers

@EdmontonOilers 11m

The #Oilers have placed forward Valentin Zykov on waivers for the purpose of assignment

Murphy traded to Ducks...




CapFriendly@CapFriendly10m

TRADE:
To Arizona #Coyotes: F Giovanni Fiore
To Anaheim #Ducks: D Trevor Murphy

😂😂

I had a discussion with Z3 (I believe) a few blogs ago about identifying whether it was the coaching that had players to baldly out of position on defense, or the players that couldn't execute the scheme.

I still don't know how you tell the difference since they have been playing better. Did Colliton change his scheme a bit, or have the players started to understand what he wants?

Edmonton Oilers

@EdmontonOilers 11m

The #Oilers have placed forward Valentin Zykov on waivers for the purpose of assignment
- ikeane

It really can't hurt to claim this kid and send him straight to Rockford. The hype for him before the season can't have been totally unjustified, it's just that he's clearly not ready for primetime.

I had a discussion with Z3 (I believe) a few blogs ago about identifying whether it was the coaching that had players to baldly out of position on defense, or the players that couldn't execute the scheme.

I still don't know how you tell the difference since they have been playing better. Did Colliton change his scheme a bit, or have the players started to understand what he wants?
- Chunk

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.

I would rotate Seabrook and Forsling. With Murphy and Dahlstrom back and up and playing well Seabrook is the worst defensemen on this team.

Sorry to say it but he should be rotated with Forsling. Fast teams Forsling in Seabs out.

Sad that 7 has fallen so quickly. He was the rock for this team in '13. Kept the Capt from losing it. Won the Wings series for us.
- bhawks2241

I agree that Seabs is probably the 7th d-man on the team right now but I doubt he sits.

I love how Gus has been playing this season but he could be a prime trade target. If a team is willing to overpay and give up a decent young forward I would go for it.

With Dumba out Gus for Greenway?
- Mr Ricochet

I think the question here is if the Wild think they can actually make a run at a playoff spot. I've read that they are very high on Greenway, so I wouldn't think they would part with him unless they thought Forsling was the bees knees.

Man it's nice to see the Hawks prospects doing well at the WJC. Kurashev is putting his name on the map by doing his best Taylor Hall impression. Entwhistle is being a solid role-player for Canada's stacked lineup. Barratt is continuing his success for USA. Jokiharju is being the workhorse for Finland. Boqvist is continuing to light it up with 3 assists in 2 games for Sweden.

Boys, we may just have something we haven't had since the Nashville sweep, hope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy2o5pFZ830#t=28s

I agree that Seabs is probably the 7th d-man on the team right now but I doubt he sits.

I love how Gus has been playing this season but he could be a prime trade target. If a team is willing to overpay and give up a decent young forward I would go for it.
- DarthKane

Some similarities between Gus and Michael Kempny. If they are put in the right spot, they can be very effective. The Caps realized that Kempny had alot of value, especially on the PP. He just isn't all that great in his own zone. Same with Gus. Gus is our most effective PP QB right now. Kid has great wheels, an accurate shot and he really sees the ice well with his O-zone passes. As he continues to improve on his 2 way play, he becomes that much more important as our D core is still very much in flux.

Hawks hold D Brent Seabrook out of practice today because of an unspecified illness. Unknown whether he will travel with team to Denver today. Hawks are at Colorado tomorrow.

— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) December 28, 2018

It really can't hurt to claim this kid and send him straight to Rockford. The hype for him before the season can't have been totally unjustified, it's just that he's clearly not ready for primetime.
- ObeseOprah

I thought if he was claimed, he would have to be on the NHL team (at least for some time).

Hawks hold D Brent Seabrook out of practice today because of an unspecified illness. Unknown whether he will travel with team to Denver today. Hawks are at Colorado tomorrow.

— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) December 28, 2018

- DarthKane

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..

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

JC has dropped him to 13 min TOI over the last 6-7 games. He is 6 mildo per #5-6 dman at this point...he is not going anywhere unless the hawks eat 50% of that contract...

JC has dropped him to 13 min TOI over the last 6-7 games. He is 6 mildo per #5-6 dman at this point...he is not going anywhere unless the hawks eat 50% of that contract...
- bogiedoc

At this point there is no choice but to limit his minutes. 7 is a warrior and a class guy, but the legs are totally gone now. With his size, turn him into PK pitbull. Clear that crease. Be nasty.

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

He's travelling with the team, just listed as sick today.

It really can't hurt to claim this kid and send him straight to Rockford. The hype for him before the season can't have been totally unjustified, it's just that he's clearly not ready for primetime.
- ObeseOprah

I wouldn't waste time on a kid who's been waived twice this season. Plus, this would put the Hawks at 50 contracts and limit their ability to make other moves.