Also, Justin and Board, biggest RFA question of the summer?

What annual cap hit and value do you give Alex DeBrincat?

I think his shot is above average as evidenced by being at/near the top of the goal charts in his 2nd year in the NHL. I think he's an average/below average skater that hustles but can be pushed to the perimeter and is a bit of a "tweener" top 6/top 9. So what value?

My guess is 2 yrs, $3-$3.5mm. I don't think we can discuss UFA targets without addressing this guy first.

Martinsen and Sikura assigned to Ice Hogs

ETA:
@CRoumeliotis
John Hayden would have to go through waivers, for what it's worth.

Dylan Sikura has no goals in 16 career games and is averaging only 10:30 of ice time this season. They're looking for more there. #Blackhawks

from todays lines. I like 9 guys for next year. and possible hayden and
sikura. basically the top 9 -AA and + Drake. On D I like Joki, Murph, Dalstrom.

this is thinking both Kieth and AA are traded.

I'm fine with Dlelia and Forsberg in goal. + Ian Mitcehll and a Froward from the top 5 of this draft. + 2 Free agents. with Gus and Seabs. Need 1 more Left D and and 1 more top 6 assuming the top 5 draft pick can end up somewhere in the top 6 or 9? is that enough to get us back into the playoffs?

would you bring back Gus on a reasonable deal? he seems to be getting better? I'm not a forsling Fan.

kampf and CAggulia are 4th liners. Perlini and Kahn maybe 3-4. we would be a little heavy on RD. assuming Seabs plays nightly.

please disregard the spellng

Martinsen and Sikura assigned to Ice Hogs

ETA:
@CRoumeliotis
John Hayden would have to go through waivers, for what it's worth.

Dylan Sikura has no goals in 16 career games and is averaging only 10:30 of ice time this season. They're looking for more there. #Blackhawks
- pdx2ord

Lot of brain damage spent on Martinsen for several pages, but I think the reason he was sent down over Hayden are inexusable mental gaffes in limited 4th line roles. In the Winter Classic, he doubled one of the Bruins' D at the point with Kruger instead of switching to take the open D man who promptly put the Bruins in the lead for good.

Hopefully Sikura gets more confident in Rockford and both Sikura/Marty can help the tem with a playoff push.

Happy New Year Justin and Hawks fans!

Frequent reader/lurker, so I thought I'd contribute more to the discussion....

Who is the Most Improved Skater on this year's roster?

My vote hands-down is Murphy. The defense is still atrocious but much moreso prior to #5's reentry to the lineup. His physical play and smarts have been good, as has a pairing with a heady Dahlstrom that doesn't get pushed off pucks too easily.
- phantasmo

Agree with you. Also, welcome aboard. Post more, happy to have you here. Happy new year to you too.

np - just happened to catch it right when tweeted - the resulting lines

Charlie Roumeliotis
@CRoumeliotis

#Blackhawks lines and pairings:
Saad-Toews-Kahun
Anisimov-Strome-Kane
DeBrincat-Kampf-Perlini
Kunitz-Kruger-Caggiula

Keith-Gustafsson
Forsling-Seabrook
Dahlstrom-Murphy

ETA: Powers has Caggiula on the LW Cagguila-Kruger-Kunitz
- pdx2ord

Right place, right time, haha. Still want Adb up and Kunitz out.

Martinsen and Sikura assigned to Ice Hogs

ETA:
@CRoumeliotis
John Hayden would have to go through waivers, for what it's worth.

Dylan Sikura has no goals in 16 career games and is averaging only 10:30 of ice time this season. They're looking for more there. #Blackhawks
- pdx2ord

Sikura, Martinsen, and perhaps Davidson in a couple of days should inject some life into the Icehogs, a club which has been floundering lately.

Right place, right time, haha. Still want Adb up and Kunitz out.
- I Am The Breadman

I think that Hayden would be the only other option to Kunitz with the roster as it is now but he has not done much lately either.

Also, Justin and Board, biggest RFA question of the summer?

What annual cap hit and value do you give Alex DeBrincat?

I think his shot is above average as evidenced by being at/near the top of the goal charts in his 2nd year in the NHL. I think he's an average/below average skater that hustles but can be pushed to the perimeter and is a bit of a "tweener" top 6/top 9. So what value?

My guess is 2 yrs, $3-$3.5mm. I don't think we can discuss UFA targets without addressing this guy first.
- phantasmo

He still has 1 year after this year, too early, imo. He had 29 or 28 goals last year? He's not doing bad this year, playing on the third line scoring as well on the pp. I think he gets a little more than that, closer to 5. He has to keep working hard and scoring, though.

For those who like to keep track, Caggiula will be wearing #91. He wore that number this year with the Oilers, starting with #36 last season.

For those who like to keep track, Caggiula will be wearing #91.
- AEL_Fox

Ole Duclair's number.

Happy New Year Everyone!!

I hope Stan resigns Perlini after this year. I think he is getting more comfortable and is looking a lot better out there. I would like to see him on the 3rd line consistently for about 10 games and see what he has. I think he would pursue pucks in the corners and compliment Dcat very nicely on that line.

JC needs to divy up the ice time amongst the li es a lot better. Tough to see what some of the young guys have when playing 5 minutes a game.

Also, Justin and Board, biggest RFA question of the summer?

What annual cap hit and value do you give Alex DeBrincat?

I think his shot is above average as evidenced by being at/near the top of the goal charts in his 2nd year in the NHL. I think he's an average/below average skater that hustles but can be pushed to the perimeter and is a bit of a "tweener" top 6/top 9. So what value?

My guess is 2 yrs, $3-$3.5mm. I don't think we can discuss UFA targets without addressing this guy first.
- phantasmo

Dinky has another year on his ELC. Won't be an issue. He will be traded following the recent pattern.

Right place, right time, haha. Still want Adb up and Kunitz out.
- I Am The Breadman

That might be the worst 4th line in recent memory. A has been, a try hard and a bum. You decide who is who.

Friggin mind boggling that Stan gives Kunitz a NMC in that deal. Guy is useless. Marty may not be much, but he is noticeable out there with the forecheck and hits.

For giggles, say DK does go to Toronto. Who would come back? Would love Kadri, but he is coming off of back/back 30 goal seasons.

Martinsen and Sikura assigned to Ice Hogs

ETA:
@CRoumeliotis
John Hayden would have to go through waivers, for what it's worth.

Dylan Sikura has no goals in 16 career games and is averaging only 10:30 of ice time this season. They're looking for more there. #Blackhawks
- pdx2ord

Sikura is the latest highly touted Blackhawks prospect turn out to be a bust.

Dinky has another year on his ELC. Won't be an issue. He will be traded following the recent pattern.
- Elbows15

Agreed, DeBrincat will be (and should be) traded before his next contract. This team needs more size and grit, ADB just doesn’t cut it.

Sikura is the latest highly touted Blackhawks prospect turn out to be a bust.
- DarthKane

Thinking about what ifs... imagine if Kevin Hayes signs. Then Vesey signs. Awesome 3rd line right there. Geezus

Thinking about what ifs... imagine if Kevin Hayes signs. Then Vesey signs. Awesome 3rd line right there. Geezus
- z1990z

What if Teravainen wasn’t traded or Hartman. What if Stan didn’t give away Hinostroza for nothing. What if Danault wasn’t traded in the worst move Stan’s made. This team wouldn’t be half bad.

That might be the worst 4th line in recent memory. A has been, a try hard and a bum. You decide who is who.
- Elbows15

Can't distinguish the s*** from the crap!

A few brief reports out there stating Brookbank will not only be working with the defensemen but also on the PK. Goes without saying that if he can help improve the PK, that would be a pivotal piece to improve the team.

You want toughness? Hjalmerson is tougher than all the ones you mentioned. He willingly stood in front of pucks many times a game, how many times did he leave the ice in obvious pain not missing a shift and then standing in front of more shots, he was willing to take huge hits to make plays and unlike the players you talk about he could play hockey at a high level.
- paulr

Hammer isn't even close to how tough those guys I named were.

Those guys are in a class of which the league will never see again,
Nor appreciate what those guys meant to their teams and superstars.


Grimson,Probert, Domi all where heavy weights and nobody pushed their team mates around.

Hammer blocked shots that's what every defenseman and forward is suppose to do.


Try going toe to toe with anyone of those guys and some of those guys probert domi could actually play some great hockey.

Agreed, DeBrincat will be (and should be) traded before his next contract. This team needs more size and grit, ADB just doesn’t cut it.
- DarthKane

Debrincant I has upside but his size is a concern and he scores in bunches then goes quiet.

For those who like to keep track, Caggiula will be wearing #91. He wore that number this year with the Oilers, starting with #36 last season.
- AEL_Fox

Until he is sent to Rockford or traded ... because he isn't very good.

Hammer isn't even close to how tough those guys I named were.

Those guys are in a class of which the league will never see again,
Nor appreciate what those guys meant to their teams and superstars.


Grimson,Probert, Domi all where heavy weights and nobody pushed their team mates around.

Hammer blocked shots that's what every defenseman and forward is suppose to do.


Try going toe to toe with anyone of those guys and some of those guys probert domi could actually play some great hockey.
- Taylorst1

So as I essentially posted earlier, you prefer guys who can fight to guys who can help a team win...noted.