I think they play AA (on Kane's line), Kunitz and Kruger a lot between now and the TDL to see if there is any interest. There is little question that they would love to trade AA and put ADB on Kane's line.

Look at the Blackhawks last 5 losses (3 in OT). What kind of player(s) would have prevented the games from going into OT or would have allowed the Hawks to win in OT?
Goal Scoring top 6 winger?
Stud top pairing defender?
True #1 goalie?
Better 3rd or 4th line center?
Depth bottom 6 forwards?
2nd or 3rd pairing defender?

I would say both a RW to play on Toews line and a top pairing Dman. They can get the winger from the draft or free agency. If they get it in the draft they can go after a top pairing defender or 3/4 C in free agency.

VEsey was a Preds draft pick - we lost nothing in that deal.
- riozzo

Not saying Vesey was Hawks property ever, just pointing to how some college guys do all four years then hit UFA. Really hope that doesn't happen here as Mitchell seems like a quality player.

I think he said that Keith is his defenseman hero/idol and wants to play with him. I could have my players mixed up. If I'm right, he's not going the f.a. route, but it doesn't guarantee an immediate signing either.
- I Am The Breadman

That is correct. Mitchell does idolize Keith and has been described as Keith Lite at times, FWIW.

That is correct. Mitchell does idolize Keith and has been described as Keith Lite at times, FWIW.
- AEL_Fox

Like TT being Kane lite? Lol

Tyler, agree that a bulk of the remainder of the season should be dedicated to some cups of coffee of Hogs to see what the Hawks have going in to the future. My preference are players we haven’t seen yet so no to Fortin, Johnson, Nilsson, and Martinsen.

I wouldn’t mind a Sikura recall towards the end of the season especially if the Hogs are out of the playoffs but am fine if he plays out the year down there.

Maybe Forsling depending on how Koekkoek plays otherwise swap them at some point. Recalling Forsling at some point could be a way to showcase him for a trade if needed.

I would like to see cups of coffee for Carlsson, Hillman, and Knott. Maybe Raddysh.

Although I don’t particularly care for him, Ejdsell as well to see what he has a year later after being acquired.

Highmore maybe if he comes back from injury soon otherwise best to just rehab in Rockford and wait until next year.

Enjoyed the podcast Tyler it was very insightful.

I still have more questions than answers to this team and Stans thinking and direction.


The hawks currently have I believe 8 defenseman , understanding that forsling is on IR temporarily who do you see getting sent down with the addition of koekkoek?

Or do you think Stan might be working on a trade that involves a bigger contract being moved out?


And has their been any word on Crawford's condition?

Like TT being Kane lite? Lol
- Assman22

Depends on how they bring along Mitchell. Let him develop at the appropriate pace and don’t over hype him, I.e. like Teravainen.

Staying at least another year in college isn’t the worst thing especially if Mitchell really won’t make the Hawks next fall and if there’s still a glut of young defenders in Rockford with Boqvist likely joining them and possibly prospects like Beaudin and Galvas.

Tyler, agree that a bulk of the remainder of the season should be dedicated to some cups of coffee of Hogs to see what the Hawks have going in to the future. My preference are players we haven’t seen yet so no to Fortin, Johnson, Nilsson, and Martinsen.

I wouldn’t mind a Sikura recall towards the end of the season especially if the Hogs are out of the playoffs but am fine if he plays out the year down there.

Maybe Forsling depending on how Koekkoek plays otherwise swap them at some point. Recalling Forsling at some point could be a way to showcase him for a trade if needed.

I would like to see cups of coffee for Carlsson, Hillman, and Knott. Maybe Raddysh.

Although I don’t particularly care for him, Ejdsell as well to see what he has a year later after being acquired.

Highmore maybe if he comes back from injury soon otherwise best to just rehab in Rockford and wait until next year.
- AEL_Fox

Before we brew a pot of coffee, how many call ups does an NHL team get in a season? I seem to remember this topic came up on here in a recent season.

I saw something last week about how Ian Mitchell isn't going to sign with the Blackhawks once his Sophomore season is done. Does anyone have more info on this?

Is he staying just to develop more, or are we dealing with a potential Hayes/Vesey debacle again?
- ObeseOprah

Why would he?

Seabrook, Murphy, Young Henri, Boqvist all RHD. Three for sure are going to be in the line up next year if not moved. If Boqvist makes roster maybe Murphy flips to left side.

Where is he going to play? Maybe a guy you flip to get a forward, another high first packaged with I dunno a Sikura or a solid LHD if they feel like Keith is movable.

Nashville has fed their line up flipping young surplus D men rather ruthlessly. Th Hawks should consider the same.

Depends on how they bring along Mitchell. Let him develop at the appropriate pace and don’t over hype him, I.e. like Teravainen.

Staying at least another year in college isn’t the worst thing especially if Mitchell really won’t make the Hawks next fall and if there’s still a glut of young defenders in Rockford with Boqvist likely joining them and possibly prospects like Beaudin and Galvas.
- AEL_Fox

I hope Mitchell doesn't step right into the NHL. Nothing wrong with allot of young defensemen learning the game in Rockford. The whole poing to the AHL is to develop young talent, I hope every Blackhawk prospect begins his pro career in Rockford. Unless a player is really special and is able to play competently in all situations he should at least begin his career in the minors.

I hope Mitchell doesn't step right into the NHL. Nothing wrong with allot of young defensemen learning the game in Rockford. The whole poing to the AHL is to develop young talent, I hope every Blackhawk prospect begins his pro career in Rockford. Unless a player is really special and is able to play competently in all situations he should at least begin his career in the minors.
- paulr

I think the same thing, too: once a prospect leaves college, juniors, or Europe to go pro, spend time in Rockford first before making the jump. Take as long as it takes to develop the right way and at the right pace but also wait for a spot to open up. Agree with fattybeef that there's just no room at the inn for RHD next season anyway even if Mitchell could make the jump.

Gentlemen, I wonder if Stan Bowman Shares your optimism on guys like Dylan Sikura and Victor Ejdsell for example, or quite possibly he is quietly re thinking some of his prior personnel decisions in some cases on all levels. We will be able to tell by some of his moves in the coming months.
My own opinion on Both of those guys..... busts. They will probably have good overseas careers or AHL careers, maybe? Dylan Sikura has a case of Schmaltzitis, no interest in contact going into the tough areas. And when he does, he gets blown away., Now that can change he decides to get serious with a personal trainer .
Ejdsell.... will be playing in the beer league’s in three-years ,watching games in the bar, like I’ve said in the past with all of us that totally sucked at playing hockey

A losing culture breeds losing. Just look at Edmonton. Well, dumb personnel moves don't help either in Edmonton's case.

The TDL is going to change the landscape as far as draft position. Teams will be moving players for future assets I would guess.

LEt's hope Bowman can make some shred moves and put the team in position to take advantage of sucking.

Gentlemen, I wonder if Stan Bowman Shares your optimism on guys like Dylan Sikura and Victor Ejdsell for example, or quite possibly he is quietly re thinking some of his prior personnel decisions in some cases on all levels. We will be able to tell by some of his moves in the coming months.
My own opinion on Both of those guys..... busts. They will probably hit very good overseas careers. Dylan Sikura has a case of Schmaltzitis, no interest in contact going into the tough areas. And when he does, he gets blown away., Now that can change he decides to get serious with a personal trainer .
Ejdsell.... will be playing in the beer league’s in three-years ,watching games in the bar, like I’ve said in the past it totally sucked at the sport.
- wonthecup10

No one is optimistic about Edsjell. I don't think you know what the word bust means. Sikura was a 6th round draft pick.

How about trying Gustafsson at wing ?

Gentlemen, I wonder if Stan Bowman Shares your optimism on guys like Dylan Sikura and Victor Ejdsell for example, or quite possibly he is quietly re thinking some of his prior personnel decisions in some cases on all levels. We will be able to tell by some of his moves in the coming months.
My own opinion on Both of those guys..... busts. They will probably hit very good overseas careers. Dylan Sikura has a case of Schmaltzitis, no interest in contact going into the tough areas. And when he does, he gets blown away., Now that can change he decides to get serious with a personal trainer .
Ejdsell.... will be playing in the beer league’s in three-years ,watching games in the bar, like I’ve said in the past it totally sucked at the sport.
- wonthecup10

As to the bolded, that is not true. I mentioned this yesterday in the previous blog, but while I agree that he is somewhat easy to knock off the puck now, Sikura is not a perimeter player or contact averse as some may think he is. He is more often then not the first one in on a forecheck, doesn't shy away from board battles, will take a hit to make a play, and is generally stronger than he looks.

Yes, Sikura does need to get stronger and that should come over time as he stays dedicated to a workout regimen and get more time in with Goodman and the rest of the strength & conditioning crew. But to say he's just like Schmaltz is false. One thing they are similar at is generating takeaways.

Why would he?

Seabrook, Murphy, Young Henri, Boqvist all RHD. Three for sure are going to be in the line up next year if not moved. If Boqvist makes roster maybe Murphy flips to left side.

Where is he going to play? Maybe a guy you flip to get a forward, another high first packaged with I dunno a Sikura or a solid LHD if they feel like Keith is movable.

Nashville has fed their line up flipping young surplus D men rather ruthlessly. Th Hawks should consider the same.
- fattybeef

Am I wishing for too much here, Henri and Kappo leading the way for the next generation of Black Hawk teams?

Mitchell isn't going the FA route. The fricking source is from reddit, FFS.

3% is pretty chilling number .I guess we become sellers .My 1st move would be try and deal Ward ,wave him and a prospect in front of EDM and who knows what u could come away with .
Forsberg might as well be brought up and given a look , and if he is as bad some on here think he can only help the dive to five
Deal AA at your Pearl, if you can get a 1st pick or prospect why not .
Knutiz Kruger Saad Gus see what you can get

I still give it another few weeks to see how this west mess shakes out .

3% is pretty chilling number .I guess we become sellers .My 1st move would be try and deal Ward ,wave him and a prospect in front of EDM and who knows what u could come away with .
Forsberg might as well be brought up and given a look , and if he is as bad some on here think he can only help the dive to five
Deal AA at your Pearl, if you can get a 1st pick or prospect why not .
Knutiz Kruger Saad Gus see what you can get

I still give it another few weeks to see how this west mess shakes out .
- oldduffman

Ward has a full NMC. I don't expect he would waive to go and play for a middling team with no chance at a Cup this year.

That also does not take into account the fact that both of the Oilers goalies are better than Cam Ward. Cam Talbot has a 3.17 GAA and .896 save pct and is BETTER than Cam Ward. I don't see any reality that the Oilers, or anyone else, wants to trade for Cam Ward this year.

That is correct. Mitchell does idolize Keith and has been described as Keith Lite at times, FWIW.
- AEL_Fox

Thought so, thanks.

As to the bolded, that is not true. I mentioned this yesterday in the previous blog, but while I agree that he is somewhat easy to knock off the puck now, Sikura is not a perimeter player or contact averse as some may think he is. He is more often then not the first one in on a forecheck, doesn't shy away from board battles, will take a hit to make a play, and is generally stronger than he looks.

Yes, Sikura does need to get stronger and that should come over time as he stays dedicated to a workout regimen and get more time in with Goodman and the rest of the strength & conditioning crew. But to say he's just like Schmaltz is false. One thing they are similar at is generating takeaways.
- AEL_Fox

That was what I liked about Sikura, he carried the puck to the blue paint and fought along the boards. Not a bad passer either. Just gain some muscle, I think, and you have a tougher bottom 6er. I don't want him in the top 6, but I would not call him Schmaltz.

Ward has a full NMC. I don't expect he would waive to go and play for a middling team with no chance at a Cup this year.

That also does not take into account the fact that both of the Oilers goalies are better than Cam Ward. Cam Talbot has a 3.17 GAA and .896 save pct and is BETTER than Cam Ward. I don't see any reality that the Oilers, or anyone else, wants to trade for Cam Ward this year.
- Hawks_49

You'd have a better shot of getting Toronto to bite on Ward and maybe Kruger as a package (with salary retained) as they got as good of a shot as any time winning the cup this year and gives them some more veteran experience in that lineup and depth behind Anderson with him being out as of late.

To be honest though I don't think the Hawks are gonna deal Ward. I think he's here to stay for the rest of the year (and possible even next depending on what happens with Crawford) to "platoon" with Delia. Just my opinion, but I don't see them going with Delia and Forsberg in net the rest of the year.

Ward has a full NMC. I don't expect he would waive to go and play for a middling team with no chance at a Cup this year.

That also does not take into account the fact that both of the Oilers goalies are better than Cam Ward. Cam Talbot has a 3.17 GAA and .896 save pct and is BETTER than Cam Ward. I don't see any reality that the Oilers, or anyone else, wants to trade for Cam Ward this year.
- Hawks_49

I don't know if EDM deals in reality, that was the point . And I am very aware of the NMC, if the HAWKS gave Ward a little incentive I think he would wave Maybe tougher for long contracts ..

Ward has a full NMC. I don't expect he would waive to go and play for a middling team with no chance at a Cup this year.

That also does not take into account the fact that both of the Oilers goalies are better than Cam Ward. Cam Talbot has a 3.17 GAA and .896 save pct and is BETTER than Cam Ward. I don't see any reality that the Oilers, or anyone else, wants to trade for Cam Ward this year.
- Hawks_49

If Toronto still has goalie problems (Hutchison is definitely not the answer as a backup), maybe Ward would wave to go back home while possibly hoisting another cup?