As I recall Al McNeil was Doug Jarrett's partner. How far back do you guys go? I saw my first game at the Stadium in 1959 when I was 12. In 1961 when they won the Cup, I was at the 3 overtime, 2-1 semifinal game against the Canadiens won by Murray Balfour -- a night I'll never forget.
- BMWChiFan

I remember the 61 series and cup but I was only 7. At the time I thought what's the hub bub all about. Figured it out quick, though.

No one really as far as forwards. Highmore would have been a candidate if he hadn't gone down with an injury. The only one I would possibly give a chance to who we haven't seen yet is Knott. See if he can provide the same or more than Perlini and Caggiula as a 4th line winger.
- AEL_Fox

Wondering what management thinks of Caligula as a bottom 6 after he's been here for 5ish games?......... Didn't see the fight but always liked his speed and energy and the kid always played the body when available. Kinda 3 things he brings nobody else does in the bottom 6.

No doubt the organIzation is short forwards. Conversely gotta love the Dmen in the pipeline. Before FA and the draft StanBow has a real chance to add a blue chip forward prospect at the TDL. ........ Would Gus bring one?

I think you are right that Kampf will be in the running for the job, but I'm just hoping we can start to see some bottom 6 guys who have more upside. I mean in some of our good years we had a 4C who could possibly slot 3C on some teams or at the very least we had a very strong 3C and a 4C who was playing above average for a 4th line pivot.

I miss that depth and I wonder if Kampf would be a 4C on a contender, or would he be playing AHL minutes in case of injury. I do like his attitude but the skill maybe isn't there.
- breadbag

Kampf is a journeyman / 13th forward at best. And not on a contender. JC might like him but can you see him playing for Tampa, Nashville, Winnipeg or Washington and getting ice time?

And for those who think Highmore is potential - where and when? He is an undrafted junior who just missed a season of professional hockey due to injury. He won't be helping the Hawks any time soon.

Depends on his role with the team. Kampf could be an effective 4th line (a la Frolik) but I have doubts about him being anything more than that.
- DarthKane

That's the thing, I don't think he has the talent of a guy like Frolik. I mean Frolik struggled to get offensive traction with Chicago, but he has proven to be that guy who can chip in 15-20 goals annually and has exceeded 40 points 5 times in his career. Maybe Kampf will find a role as 4C playing 10 minutes a night, because he doesn't have the skill to be the 3C playing 15 minutes a night where JC has him slotted.

I think you are right that Kampf will be in the running for the job, but I'm just hoping we can start to see some bottom 6 guys who have more upside. I mean in some of our good years we had a 4C who could possibly slot 3C on some teams or at the very least we had a very strong 3C and a 4C who was playing above average for a 4th line pivot.

I miss that depth and I wonder if Kampf would be a 4C on a contender, or would he be playing AHL minutes in case of injury. I do like his attitude but the skill maybe isn't there.
- breadbag

What is it with bottom 6 guys? You'd think there would be many of them with the league so heavy with the top 3-4-5 guys on teams taking up 70% of cap space that solid players could be had for a reasonable cap hit. ..........

That's the thing, I don't think he has the talent of a guy like Frolik. I mean Frolik struggled to get offensive traction with Chicago, but he has proven to be that guy who can chip in 15-20 goals annually and has exceeded 40 points 5 times in his career. Maybe Kampf will find a role as 4C playing 10 minutes a night, because he doesn't have the skill to be the 3C playing 15 minutes a night where JC has him slotted.
- breadbag

All you need to know about Kampf is available on Youtube when Bergeron stripped him on the breakaway in the outdoor game and then deposited the biscuit into the Hawks net at the other end. Thats the difference between a real player and a journeyman/career AHL'er.

I'm in the camp that prefers Stone over Panarin. But, does it make sense to sign Stone (or any of the high priced FAs) this summer, and can we afford it moving forward beyond 2019/20? More importantly, is using a good chunk of the cap space for a top-6 forward the best use of that cap space to get the Hawks back into contender status?

The main unknown is who will be the #1 goalie when the Hawks have improved enough to be a contender to win the Cup? Most likely the earliest the Hawks would be that improved is 2020/21 and we don't know if Crawford will ever return, let alone be able to be the #1 guy in 2020/21. Delia is still an unproven guy so we can't count on him. The point is we may need to spend a bunch to acquire a goalie more than a top-6 forward.

Can the Hawks afford (say) $9M for Stone and another $7M for the top free agent goalie available before the start of the 2020/21 season? It depends on a lot of other variables but if we sign Stone this summer that limits the options to do other things not only next summer but the following few years. What if our bevy of baby d-men don't pan out - we'll need to spend on shoring up the d-corps.

It just seems a little scary to lock up big bucks for a free agent this summer when we don't know how many of these variables will play out.

Kampf is a journeyman / 13th forward at best. And not on a contender. JC might like him but can you see him playing for Tampa, Nashville, Winnipeg or Washington and getting ice time?

And for those who think Highmore is potential - where and when? He is an undrafted junior who just missed a season of professional hockey due to injury. He won't be helping the Hawks any time soon.
- RickJ

I wonder if any of the younger up and coming guys will overtake Kampf on the depth chart in the near future. I think most of these guys can play C.

i.e.
Wise
Barratt
Kurashev
Hakkarainen
Entwistle
Altybarmakyan
Soderlund

All you need to know about Kampf is available on Youtube when Bergeron stripped him on the breakaway in the outdoor game and then deposited the biscuit into the Hawks net at the other end. Thats the difference between a real player and a journeyman/career AHL'er.
- RickJ

Respectfully Rick, when healthy Bergeron is damn near a complete hockey player as anyone on earth. ............. Kampf is useful on THIS roster. A "predictable" type for a coach. Agree he is a depth guy on a good club, comes up for injuries. IMO he's better than Kruger who has not one sliver on offensive IQ. Kampf is no finisher either but a better option than Kruger.

That's the thing, I don't think he has the talent of a guy like Frolik. I mean Frolik struggled to get offensive traction with Chicago, but he has proven to be that guy who can chip in 15-20 goals annually and has exceeded 40 points 5 times in his career. Maybe Kampf will find a role as 4C playing 10 minutes a night, because he doesn't have the skill to be the 3C playing 15 minutes a night where JC has him slotted.
- breadbag

I think the Hawks could definitely upgrade at both 3C and 4C if the opportunity arises to acquire better players. Kampf isn't a bad option at 4C and could be pretty good but not elite either (as far as 4th liners go).

Frolik is a good benchmark for stats by a 3rd liner. Ideally 40+ points with 15+ goals. A 20/20 forward or two would be nice for the 3rd line. Kahun and Sikura have the potential. Kampf definitely not.

Perlini is intriguing, though, as he did register 17 goals last year. Just not consistent enough right now.

On a post praising Kane's hockey prowess, u/hawkeytime12 over on Reddit pulled together this comparison. We're very lucky to have had this player in his prime on our team. I also shudder to think what the Hawks might look like without him (even with two top 6 F for the price of 1).

Yeah, of the top ten scorers:
1)Kucherov has a 14 point gap over Point (7th in scoring), they play on a line together
2)McDavid has a 14 point gap over Draisaitl (12th in scoring), they play on a line together
3) Gaudreau has a 12 point gap over Monahan (10th in scoring), they play on a line together
4) and 5) Are Rantanen and McKinnon - a 3 point gap between them, they play on a line together
6) Kane has a 22 point gap over Toews (43rd in scoring), does not play on a line with him or the Hawks next highest point scorer in Debrincat (62nd in scoring)
7) Point has a 9 point gap over Stamkos (18th in scoring), the next highest Bolt besides Kucherov
8) Marner has a 9 point gap over Tavares (23rd in scoring), they play on a line together
9) Wheeler has a 2 point gap over Scheifele (11th in scoring), they play on a line together
10) Monahan has a 3 point gap over Tkachuk (15th in scoring) the next highest flame besides Gaudreau
One of these things is not like the other.

I wonder if any of the younger up and coming guys will overtake Kampf on the depth chart in the near future. I think most of these guys can play C.

i.e.
Wise
Barratt
Kurashev
Hakkarainen
Entwistle
Altybarmakyan
Soderlund
- breadbag

Prospect candidates to compete for 3C/4C spots: all of those guys you listed except Altybarmakyan and Soderlund are better suited as wingers. Probably Kurashev and Barratt as well. Wise and Kurashev have potential to be middle 6.

If I had to lock in guesses, I would wager on Entwistle at 3C and Hakkarainen at 4C.

Respectfully Rick, when healthy Bergeron is damn near a complete hockey player as anyone on earth. ............. Kampf is useful on THIS roster. A "predictable" type for a coach. Agree he is a depth guy on a good club, comes up for injuries. IMO he's better than Kruger who has not one sliver on offensive IQ. Kampf is no finisher either but a better option than Kruger.
- Mr Ricochet

I have no dislike for Kampf Mr. R. but that play said alot about awareness and hockey sense. Was Kampf oblivious to a guy hot on his tail or did he think he had all day to shoot or fake the goaltender?

Yes Kampf is fine on THIS team - a 30th overall squad. Need more to quote the failed coach Q.

Loooong time lurker first time poster.

Quick bits about me: 1st game can’t remember was too little but dad said it was one of Tony O’s last. Grew up as die-hard with Secord, Graham, Savard, Wilson (Doug and Ben), fan fights in the second balcony, Hawks Vision, The Blue Line… Remember walking down from 2nd balcony in old barn kicking glass liquor bottles down the stairs asking my dad what that smell was. Was SRO at the game when Hawks and North Stars brawled for 10 mins during warmups before the refs could get dressed to come on the ice and break it up.

Got season tickets as adult in 2008 ($17/seat) and kept them until last year ($63/seat). Winning does that to ticket prices I get it. 10 years and 3 cups. Never would have dreamed it would happen. Had to cancel tickets cause relocated for work, couldn’t make it near as much anymore, and literally could not give the tickets away (tried all my contacts through the years and even donated 5 pairs of tickets to Illinois USO before my contact there said they wouldn't take them anymore). They were a luxury to have when the getting’ was good, and boy was it ever, but now the good times are over, for how long exactly is unknown.

Regardless, my first question for the group is… was it “better” (if so and how) back in the days when they fought hard every night but fell a little short? Is it an age thing with us as humans in regards to things tending to feel/seem to be “better back in the day” whether true or not? It has been mentioned before previously by another poster.

I still watch every night and hold out hope they can put together a nice 8 game win-streak to get back in it, but the grim reality I face is that they likely will not. Hopefully management comes to terms with it too. Admitting you have a problem is the first step towards recovery…

Glad to finally participate here thanks.

I wonder if any of the younger up and coming guys will overtake Kampf on the depth chart in the near future. I think most of these guys can play C.

i.e.
Wise
Barratt
Kurashev
Hakkarainen
Entwistle
Altybarmakyan
Soderlund
- breadbag

Hakkarainen ages out of jrs this yr and as far as I know is not committed to an NCAA team. He's centering one of the best lines in the USHL on the best team, Muskegon. Saw him New Yrs Eve live in Muskegon and the kid looked great. Seems thicker. Honest 2 way centerman with elite, for jrs, offensive skill/hands/feet/IQ. Kid has had 2-3 concussions though. that's why he has so few games played in a 60 game USHL schedule. .........

https://www.eliteprospect...221342/mikael-hakkarainen

He skates on a line with two Cossacks, a 2002 waterbug nmed Gushchin and a kid I can't see slipping past rd 2 this yr+. Remember this kid. https://www.eliteprospect...er/450909/yegor-afanasyev

Kempney trade to the Caps looking like a huge lack of managerial judgement- huge

These are dark times, indeed.
- I Am The Breadman

I have no dislike for Kampf Mr. R. but that play said alot about awareness and hockey sense. Was Kampf oblivious to a guy hot on his tail or did he think he had all day to shoot or fake the goaltender?

Yes Kampf is fine on THIS team - a 30th overall squad. Need more to quote the failed coach Q.
- RickJ

Seems we "scout" in some of the same ways. I see an IQ play, or not, in a 9yr old or 30 yr old and it tells me 90% of what I need to know of a player....... Doesn't take speed/skill/size/talent to have an internal sense of what is happening, or should/will happen, in a given sequence.

Skill has slumps, IQ rarely does.

Kempney trade to the Caps looking like a huge lack of managerial judgement- huge
- Colbyboy

His contract was expiring, and he wasn't going to sign here again. The trade itself was not the mistake. We have to look at the events that led up to and forced the trade.

Loooong time lurker first time poster.

Quick bits about me: 1st game can’t remember was too little but dad said it was one of Tony O’s last. Grew up as die-hard with Secord, Graham, Savard, Wilson (Doug and Ben), fan fights in the second balcony, Hawks Vision, The Blue Line… Remember walking down from 2nd balcony in old barn kicking glass liquor bottles down the stairs asking my dad what that smell was. Was SRO at the game when Hawks and North Stars brawled for 10 mins during warmups before the refs could get dressed to come on the ice and break it up.

Got season tickets as adult in 2008 ($17/seat) and kept them until last year ($63/seat). Winning does that to ticket prices I get it. 10 years and 3 cups. Never would have dreamed it would happen. Had to cancel tickets cause relocated for work, couldn’t make it near as much anymore, and literally could not give the tickets away (tried all my contacts through the years and even donated 5 pairs of tickets to Illinois USO before my contact there said they wouldn't take them anymore). They were a luxury to have when the getting’ was good, and boy was it ever, but now the good times are over, for how long exactly is unknown.

Regardless, my first question for the group is… was it “better” (if so and how) back in the days when they fought hard every night but fell a little short? Is it an age thing with us as humans in regards to things tending to feel/seem to be “better back in the day” whether true or not? It has been mentioned before previously by another poster.

I still watch every night and hold out hope they can put together a nice 8 game win-streak to get back in it, but the grim reality I face is that they likely will not. Hopefully management comes to terms with it too. Admitting you have a problem is the first step towards recovery…

Glad to finally participate here thanks.
- Brownie's_Purse

Welcome. I think we all remember the "back in the day" stuff favorably , first and foremost, just because we were young then.

Loooong time lurker first time poster.

Quick bits about me: 1st game can’t remember was too little but dad said it was one of Tony O’s last. Grew up as die-hard with Secord, Graham, Savard, Wilson (Doug and Ben), fan fights in the second balcony, Hawks Vision, The Blue Line… Remember walking down from 2nd balcony in old barn kicking glass liquor bottles down the stairs asking my dad what that smell was. Was SRO at the game when Hawks and North Stars brawled for 10 mins during warmups before the refs could get dressed to come on the ice and break it up.

Got season tickets as adult in 2008 ($17/seat) and kept them until last year ($63/seat). Winning does that to ticket prices I get it. 10 years and 3 cups. Never would have dreamed it would happen. Had to cancel tickets cause relocated for work, couldn’t make it near as much anymore, and literally could not give the tickets away (tried all my contacts through the years and even donated 5 pairs of tickets to Illinois USO before my contact there said they wouldn't take them anymore). They were a luxury to have when the getting’ was good, and boy was it ever, but now the good times are over, for how long exactly is unknown.

Regardless, my first question for the group is… was it “better” (if so and how) back in the days when they fought hard every night but fell a little short? Is it an age thing with us as humans in regards to things tending to feel/seem to be “better back in the day” whether true or not? It has been mentioned before previously by another poster.

I still watch every night and hold out hope they can put together a nice 8 game win-streak to get back in it, but the grim reality I face is that they likely will not. Hopefully management comes to terms with it too. Admitting you have a problem is the first step towards recovery…

Glad to finally participate here thanks.
- Brownie's_Purse

Welcome aboard, BP. Post more, and I look forward to talking with you more. Great memory!

Loooong time lurker first time poster.

Quick bits about me: 1st game can’t remember was too little but dad said it was one of Tony O’s last. Grew up as die-hard with Secord, Graham, Savard, Wilson (Doug and Ben), fan fights in the second balcony, Hawks Vision, The Blue Line… Remember walking down from 2nd balcony in old barn kicking glass liquor bottles down the stairs asking my dad what that smell was. Was SRO at the game when Hawks and North Stars brawled for 10 mins during warmups before the refs could get dressed to come on the ice and break it up.

Got season tickets as adult in 2008 ($17/seat) and kept them until last year ($63/seat). Winning does that to ticket prices I get it. 10 years and 3 cups. Never would have dreamed it would happen. Had to cancel tickets cause relocated for work, couldn’t make it near as much anymore, and literally could not give the tickets away (tried all my contacts through the years and even donated 5 pairs of tickets to Illinois USO before my contact there said they wouldn't take them anymore). They were a luxury to have when the getting’ was good, and boy was it ever, but now the good times are over, for how long exactly is unknown.

Regardless, my first question for the group is… was it “better” (if so and how) back in the days when they fought hard every night but fell a little short? Is it an age thing with us as humans in regards to things tending to feel/seem to be “better back in the day” whether true or not? It has been mentioned before previously by another poster.

I still watch every night and hold out hope they can put together a nice 8 game win-streak to get back in it, but the grim reality I face is that they likely will not. Hopefully management comes to terms with it too. Admitting you have a problem is the first step towards recovery…

Glad to finally participate here thanks.
- Brownie's_Purse

Welcome aboard, Brownie!

To answer your question, generally I think it's good for any team (good, bad, or in between) to compete hard each game and lay it all on the ice. A team with high compete level and zero quit can still beat a team that has more skill. If the team falls short, they at least fought proudly and make the other team earn the win. Hopefully, too, entertain their fans along the way.

Hakkarainen ages out of jrs this yr and as far as I know is not committed to an NCAA team. He's centering one of the best lines in the USHL on the best team, Muskegon. Saw him New Yrs Eve live in Muskegon and the kid looked great. Seems thicker. Honest 2 way centerman with elite, for jrs, offensive skill/hands/feet/IQ. Kid has had 2-3 concussions though. that's why he has so few games played in a 60 game USHL schedule. .........

https://www.eliteprospect...221342/mikael-hakkarainen

He skates on a line with two Cossacks, a 2002 waterbug nmed Gushchin and a kid I can't see slipping past rd 2 this yr+. Remember this kid. https://www.eliteprospect...er/450909/yegor-afanasyev
- Mr Ricochet

Hakkarainen started this year at Providence College but dropped out. IIRC, his reason was because he didn't like the academic workload and expectations.

Mike Green
Not a single taker for him at the deadline last year- amazing - he’s impressive

Ryan Kessler
31 games
1 assist & zero goals
Also amazing

Jimmy Howard
Had him written off 4 years ago
Same as Green no takers at the deadline

Hakkarainen started this year at Providence College but dropped out. IIRC, his reason was because he didn't like the academic workload and expectations.
- AEL_Fox

Correct. Assume he goes pro after this season. ......... Kid has a real chance IMO due to his 2 way game. Have to wait to see how his skill translates to pros though.

Love to see him evolve like a Kuraly. Big scorer in the USHL, changed his game for pros to a bottom 6 guy who chips in with scoring back class.