Bottom 6
Kampf/Dzingel/Kahun
Drake/Kruger/Perlini or Hayden
- Assman22

Idk if Kruger will be back. I may be one of the few who wouldn't mind it if he was brought back on a one year deal for close to the minimum as our 4C while Kampf mans the 3C spot (though I think on a legit Playoff team he'd be great as the 4C).

Also, idk about bringing in Dzingel. Shown flashes his whole career of having some top skill but never really put it together and then his contract year he has a career year? Red flag IMO. Especially if he's gonna want like 4-5M per for five years or so.

I know TC mentioned it before, I think on here and the podcast, that a guy like Michael Ferlund might be a good fit for the team at a lower cost. Idk what he's gonna want on the market (maybe 3-4M for 4-5 years?) but he bring some physicality and grit that this team sorely lacks with the ability to put the puck in the net. If we did sign him (unlikely we get Stone in my previous mentioned scenario) we could role with something like...

Saad-Toews-FA/Draftee
Cat-Strome-Kane
Ferlund-Kampf-Kahun
Perlini-Highmore-Caggiula

Coming in at
5) Dylan Strome
4)Boquist
3)Delia
2)Jokiharju
1)Cat
- gazza53

my ranks as well. the. Cat. you bet

I know I probably come across as an apologist, but we have to remember, this team is turning over quite a bit. Look at how many new faces are on the team, including the coach. It took years for the 2010 team to come together, starting with Keith. I'm not saying this team is going to win any Stanley Cups, but you have at least one new player on each line from the last two years. Strome, Caggiula, Perlini, Kahun, Cat, Kampf, Kunitz, Martinsen...

And on D, you have new guys in Murphy, Joki, Dahlstrom, Davidson (when up), Koekkoek...

And finally Delia in net.

I know a lot of these guys played with Colliton and with each other, but the NHL is a different animal. It's not an excuse, there are still holes and there are pieces that don't fit, which have been discussed ad nauseum, but the young guys need some time to find their place and gel with each other as well as the veterans. They are NOT good this year, but there are pieces to build around and with more trades like the ones for Strome and Caggiula and another high draft pick...my hope is the turnaround will be quicker.
- CanOCorn

Its been reported that the hawks have the highest turnover year to year over the last 5 years in the league

Here are guys who played in 2016-17 and are gone: panarin, hartmann, smaltz, hammy campbell, kero, tvr, hinostra, rasmussan, motte, desi, darling, tootoo, jurco, oduya, kempny...15 guys gone

only toews, kane, seab, keith, craw remain...that is amzing a core in search a supporting cast

Coming in at
5) Dylan Strome
4)Boquist
3)Delia
2)Jokiharju
1)Cat
- gazza53

Definitely those 5 and that rank order seems about right as well. If anything, flip flop Delia and Boqvist. Doesn't really matter in the end anyway.

Idk if Kruger will be back. I may be one of the few who wouldn't mind it if he was brought back on a one year deal for close to the minimum as our 4C while Kampf mans the 3C spot (though I think on a legit Playoff team he'd be great as the 4C).

Also, idk about bringing in Dzingel. Shown flashes his whole career of having some top skill but never really put it together and then his contract year he has a career year? Red flag IMO. Especially if he's gonna want like 4-5M per for five years or so.

I know TC mentioned it before, I think on here and the podcast, that a guy like Michael Ferlund might be a good fit for the team at a lower cost. Idk what he's gonna want on the market (maybe 3-4M for 4-5 years?) but he bring some physicality and grit that this team sorely lacks with the ability to put the puck in the net. If we did sign him (unlikely we get Stone in my previous mentioned scenario) we could role with something like...

Saad-Toews-FA/Draftee
Cat-Strome-Kane
Ferlund-Kampf-Kahun
Perlini-Highmore-Caggiula
- Savetheembers33

The problem with Kruger is that we seem to have about 4 guys coming up (including Kampf that can/will do his job as well or better for less. Kruger 4years ago is one thing. Kruger now completely different.

Its been reported that the hawks have the highest turnover year to year over the last 5 years in the league

Here are guys who played in 2016-17 and are gone: panarin, hartmann, smaltz, hammy campbell, kero, tvr, hinostra, rasmussan, motte, desi, darling, tootoo, jurco, oduya, kempny...15 guys gone

only toews, kane, seab, keith, craw remain...that is amzing a core in search a supporting cast
- bogiedoc

If the Hawks would of kept all the above. they still are not a playoff team

Definitely those 5 and that rank order seems about right as well. If anything, flip flop Delia and Boqvist. Doesn't really matter in the end anyway.
- AEL_Fox

I wonder where Strome ranked for Ari? 1 to disappointment?

Unfortunately his type of hip checks are illegal nowadays, it's now considered clipping. I loved watching him crunch guys up against the boards. My dad used to have season tickets right below the press box and the Blackhawk Standbys banner in the mezzanine in the old stadium
- LAHawk

Seriously? Clipping? I've never heard it called. I wonder what differentiates it from the standard hip check? You'll see a rare hip check thrown in today's game. I always enjoyed one because it involved meticulous timing.

Which brings up another topic. Getting sick and tired of quality open ice checks being treated by the opposition as a beheading. The guy legally does his job, and then, has to instantaneously face a goon squad.

I'm only talking LEGAL checks, here.

The problem with Kruger is that we seem to have about 4 guys coming up (including Kampf that can/will do his job as well or better for less. Kruger 4years ago is one thing. Kruger now completely different.
- Chunk

Would have to agree. Kruger, Kampf, Highmore, Johnson, and Nilsson are all 4Cs just varying levels of experience and skill. Going in to next year, tab one of them as 4C (Kampf seems to be a front runner) and may be one other as a 4th line winger or 13th forward.

IMHO, none of them should be 3C on a team looking to be competitive to make the playoffs and be competitive in them. For 3C, this is where exploring a Nelson, Coyle, Jenner, Dzingel, or even Wennberg is worth it to improve bottom 6 depth. Otherwise, the Hawks will continue to ice two 4th lines.

Toews is scoring at as high a rate as he has in his career and Hossa made 9 million per season for many years, so try again.
- GPHawksfan

I agree Boiler. Gesus, do we miss him. Forget his contract now,front end load, but about 6mil cap hit I think

Seriously? Clipping? I've never heard it called. I wonder what differentiates it from the standard hip check? You'll see a rare hip check thrown in today's game. I always enjoyed one because it involved meticulous timing.

Which brings up another topic. Getting sick and tired of quality open ice checks being treated by the opposition as a beheading. The guy legally does his job, and then, has to instantaneously face a goon squad.

I'm only talking LEGAL checks, here.
- gabriel

A "hip" check to be legal now has to be from the waist and above, no nore going for the knee/thigh area.

If the Hawks would of kept all the above. they still are not a playoff team
- LAHawk

i agree...it highlights the problems they have finding players given their position of being in cap hell every year and looking for cheap euro players or college ufa's as drafting and development well has gone been dry..

my ranks as well. the. Cat. you bet
- holyJumpin_NL

Now hopefully they pan out as well

I wonder where Strome ranked for Ari? 1 to disappointment?
- I Am The Breadman

Not sure. Possibly #5 but possibly more so in the 6-10 range. Wonder where Schmaltz would be on that list. I'm guessing top 10.

A "hip" check to be legal now has to be from the waist and above, no nore going for the knee/thigh area.
- LAHawk

Gotchya! Good call.

Definitely those 5 and that rank order seems about right as well. If anything, flip flop Delia and Boqvist. Doesn't really matter in the end anyway.
- AEL_Fox

They are worthy of building on as outside of Boquist they
all seem to have the goods, now the question is can Stan
make the right moves going forward, my guess is not, but
hey I've been wrong before.

Not sure. Possibly #5 but possibly more so in the 6-10 range. Wonder where Schmaltz would be on that list. I'm guessing top 10.
- AEL_Fox

Clayton Keller is definitely no.1 for Ariz. in my book.

Not sure. Possibly #5 but possibly more so in the 6-10 range. Wonder where Schmaltz would be on that list. I'm guessing top 10.
- AEL_Fox

When he was there, I didn't know of others beside him. They have decent young guys now. Keller, Domi, Hayton, and Chychrun. Yeah, Schmaltz is definitely up there, Hino too.

If you think about it, there is no one in the league that remotely resembles 81.
- nickmo2699

Personally believe the "next" Hossa hasn't even been born yet. Got a long wait for the replacement.

They are worthy of building on as outside of Boquist they
all seem to have the goods, now the question is can Stan
make the right moves going forward, my guess is not, but
hey I've been wrong before.
- gazza53

Definitely agree. Sorry, the last part of my comment when I said "doesn't really matter anyway" was in reference to rankings like the one by SCH, not on the potential of the top prospects. As a fan who pours too much time and energy into reading about prospects, I am truly optimistic with some and cautiously optimistic with most no matter what rankings say or don't say.

If Panarin was still here, imagine how much fun Eddie would have with his Beatles song, "I am the Breadman, Koekkoek ca-choo." They'd be looking to assist each other all the time.

Anyone else have their doubts about Kampf being a long term part of a winning team? I like him and his work ethic but his effectiveness on the ice has not really progressed year over year. I'm not saying they have to cut him, but my confidence in him has dropped a bit. I'm a strong believer that most players of his caliber follow the typical development curve and at age 24, I think the Hawks need to see a bit more from him soon.

Coming in at
5) Dylan Strome
4)Boquist
3)Delia
2)Jokiharju
1)Cat
- gazza53

Idk if Kruger will be back. I may be one of the few who wouldn't mind it if he was brought back on a one year deal for close to the minimum as our 4C while Kampf mans the 3C spot (though I think on a legit Playoff team he'd be great as the 4C).

Also, idk about bringing in Dzingel. Shown flashes his whole career of having some top skill but never really put it together and then his contract year he has a career year? Red flag IMO. Especially if he's gonna want like 4-5M per for five years or so.

I know TC mentioned it before, I think on here and the podcast, that a guy like Michael Ferlund might be a good fit for the team at a lower cost. Idk what he's gonna want on the market (maybe 3-4M for 4-5 years?) but he bring some physicality and grit that this team sorely lacks with the ability to put the puck in the net. If we did sign him (unlikely we get Stone in my previous mentioned scenario) we could role with something like...

Saad-Toews-FA/Draftee
Cat-Strome-Kane
Ferlund-Kampf-Kahun
Perlini-Highmore-Caggiula
- Savetheembers33

Can we please stop with highmore he is a ahler that is it look good for about 5 games then faded. Same with kampf he is getting valuable experience this year but imo he will be no more than a 4th line center or depth forward

- DarthKane

Never gets old!