Q always preached defense first and thats how they won...he was never concerned about having enough offense...

the hawks team defense has been a down trend for 3 years; crow kept them in it in 2016 and 2017 until his injury; delia ward best gives them a few wins or OT pts but mainly keeps them from GA above 4 and more blow outs. when you goalies are facing 40 SOG's and plus 15 high quality chances per game, you ain't going to win much. They lead the league in -goal differential and goals allowed

they neither have the talent, skill or will to play a structured team game...
- bogiedoc

Look at the Islanders. Their personnel is better than the Hawks, but not by light years. I think skill, system, coaching, and a "play defense or you are gone" message would change things (and that message is for the forwards too.) I believe losing Hossa meant a huge amount to team D and how forwards should play team D. The young forwards might look up to Kane. That is good overall, but they should look away (from Kane) when the opponents have the puck. Hossa was the best 2 way player in the NHL. He was a great role model for young Hawk wingers..

Look at the Islanders. Their personnel is better than the Hawks, but not by light years. I think skill, system, coaching, and a "play defense or you are gone" message would change things (and that message is for the forwards too.) I believe losing Hossa meant a huge amount to team D and how forwards should play team D. The young forwards might look up to Kane. That is good overall, but they should look away (from Kane) when the opponents have the puck.
- -Doh-

Hossa IMO was the glue to this team, if you look at the season prior to him joining Chicago, then once he came to Chicago the team really changed . Now you can see just how much he is missed.

I still believe he made toews a better player.


On a side note forsling is close to coming back their was some talk about trying Gustafson on the wing . Interesting concept cause Gus sucks as a defenseman

Look at the Islanders. Their personnel is better than the Hawks, but not by light years. I think skill, system, coaching, and a "play defense or you are gone" message would change things (and that message is for the forwards too.) I believe losing Hossa meant a huge amount to team D and how forwards should play team D. The young forwards might look up to Kane. That is good overall, but they should look away (from Kane) when the opponents have the puck.
- -Doh-

Hossa IMO was the glue to this team, if you look at the season prior to him joining Chicago, then once he came to Chicago the team really changed . Now you can see just how much he is missed.

I still believe he made toews a better player.


On a side note forsling is close to coming back their was some talk about trying Gustafson on the wing . Interesting concept cause Gus sucks as a defenseman

3rd pairing guy on a Cup contending team is his ceiling.
- scottak

I would agree on Dahlstrom's upside in the NHL. Defensive specialist on the 3rd pair. If he can work on his foot speed and gap control, he would be that much more effective. He's still young so he can still grow to address those deficiencies. He has learned to use his big body which is a plus.

3rd pairing guy on a Cup contending team is his ceiling.
- scottak

slot filled

I agree with you. I think we have determined Saad and ADB are LW's stop playing them out of position. Same for Joki, Gus, Murphy on D. Of course they can play an odd game on their off wing or off side. But they are what they are.
- -Doh-

On which side to play on the wing or on defense, I think it ultimately is up to the player's experience, comfort level, and skill level. Yet, if a player is open to trying the other side and has sufficient skill to make the adjustment, then I'm all for the coaching staff trying to build in positional versatility of certain players.

But if a player isn't that skilled, one of the last things I'd do is have him play his off side since they should be focusing solely on execution and consistency on their strong side. Makes no sense to have them be limited in skill AND playing in an uncomfortable position. The latter compounds the issues that go along with the former.

[url]sportsmockery.com/2019/01/report-blackhawks-shopping-brandon-saad-and-artem-anisimov/



Tyler I found the article

I would like to see Kahun play on the LW too. Most websites list him as a C/LW.

Perlini is also widely listed as a LW.

We are unbalanced with too many LW and not enough true RW. Maybe we need to trade a marginal extra LW to get a true RW even if he is a just marginal RW just to balance the lineup. (Then draft a RW like Kakko or Podz or sign a RW like Stone, Eberle, Nyqvist, Pavelski.)
- -Doh-

I also would like to see Kahun at LW, particularly on the 3rd line. Next year ideally slot Kahun with a big center such as Nelson and a skilled RW like Sikura. All 3 have 40 point potential which is good for 3rd liners.

Agree that adding a RW, especially a top 6 one, is key moving forward. Stone would be the free agent I would pursue. Slot him with Toews and Saad, then Kane with Strome and DeBrincat, and the top 6 is looking pretty good.

The top 10 draftees for 2019 does sport mostly C's and RW's and centers who can play the right side. So that's a possibility as well to draft a RW this June.

[url]sportsmockery.com/2019/01/report-blackhawks-shopping-brandon-saad-and-artem-anisimov/



Tyler I found the article
- Taylorst1

Saad for Dougie Hamilton?

Anisimov for....a 2nd?

What is everyone thoughts on Dahlstrom? is he trending towards a keeper or possible trade bait to enhance elsewhere?
- glennjpawlak22

Bottom pairing steady d man with some upside but I would package him in a deal with logjam of d and d on the way a team that's needs young d man like him you can trade guss to IMO.

Saad for Dougie Hamilton?

Anisimov for....a 2nd?
- EnzoD[/quote

No faulk or pesche , excuse the spelling, that would be 4th team Hamilton been on if traded to me that's a big red flag.

Saad for Dougie Hamilton?

Anisimov for....a 2nd?
- EnzoD

I think if Chicago moves some salary saad , anismov and Keith it's going to be for picks and nhl ready prospects to help with the cap and rebuild Rockford.


Then look towards their young defensive prospects to fill in the backend in the next couple of years .

Bottom pairing steady d man with some upside but I would package him in a deal with logjam of d and d on the way a team that's needs young d man like him you can trade guss to IMO.
- Scott1977

I don't see him being moved he is cost control and solid in the 3rd pairing.


My guess is Keith, Gus or forsling get moved. I think they want to evaluate koekkoek and see if lightening strikes twice

I also would like to see Kahun at LW, particularly on the 3rd line. Next year ideally slot Kahun with a big center such as Nelson and a skilled RW like Sikura. All 3 have 40 point potential which is good for 3rd liners.

Agree that adding a RW, especially a top 6 one, is key moving forward. Stone would be the free agent I would pursue. Slot him with Toews and Saad, then Kane with Strome and DeBrincat, and the top 6 is looking pretty good.

The top 10 draftees for 2019 does sport mostly C's and RW's and centers who can play the right side. So that's a possibility as well to draft a RW this June.
- AEL_Fox

Dzingel would be a solid pairing with kahun. Im not sold on sikura. The little i seen of him i was elated.

Saad for Dougie Hamilton?

Anisimov for....a 2nd?
- EnzoD

Maybe for Faulk. Not for Dougie.

Not giving up Hamilton for a 26 year old 50-55 point guy.

I would agree on Dahlstrom's upside in the NHL. Defensive specialist on the 3rd pair. If he can work on his foot speed and gap control, he would be that much more effective. He's still young so he can still grow to address those deficiencies. He has learned to use his big body which is a plus.
- AEL_Fox

I like how he plays and your right he needs some time to mature. But so far he has done a nice job. The team as a whole is awful defensively.

Dzingel would be a solid pairing with kahun. Im not sold on sikura. The little i seen of him i was elated.
- Taylorst1

I like Dzingel as well. Also, like Coyle and Jenner. Did more research on them and they're all wingers. Nelson is a natural center, though. I believe Jenner has played pivot, just not much in the NHL.

I don't see him being moved he is cost control and solid in the 3rd pairing.


My guess is Keith, Gus or forsling get moved. I think they want to evaluate koekkoek and see if lightening strikes twice
- Taylorst1

I'd have to agree that the most likely to be traded (if at all) are Keith, Gustafsson, and Forsling. Seabrook is too tough to move.

Murphy is improving a lot so he's a keeper. So is Jokiharju. I like Dahlstrom's upside so keep him for another year or so and then see if he gets replaced by one of the D prospects or maybe he improves significantly to solidify a longer-term job with the Hawks.

On the fence with Koekkoek. Like Perlini, see how he plays the rest of the season and evaluate in summer.

Cool Drake Caggiula story. I like him even more now! W

https://www.facebook.com/.../posts/10156380735426429/
- SoftServe

I just read a article posted about him and his input after playing with Kane and toews. Kid sounds down to earth and knows his role when playing with those 2. I was impressed , hopefully he gets his points .

Maybe for Faulk. Not for Dougie.

Not giving up Hamilton for a 26 year old 50-55 point guy.
- BINGO!

26 yr old 50-55 point and defensively responsible forward for a 25 (26 in June) Dman that is supposedly Offense-First and on pace for 27 points in 82 games?? hmmmm.....

I'd have to agree that the most likely to be traded (if at all) are Keith, Gustafsson, and Forsling. Seabrook is too tough to move.

Murphy is improving a lot so he's a keeper. So is Jokiharju. I like Dahlstrom's upside so keep him for another year or so and then see if he gets replaced by one of the D prospects or maybe he improves significantly to solidify a longer-term job with the Hawks.

On the fence with Koekkoek. Like Perlini, see how he plays the rest of the season and evaluate in summer.
- AEL_Fox

It will be interesting to see if Stan pulls the trigger , he has to realize that this is his last chance to set this team up for the draft and to have enough cap space for free agency. I think they realize Rockford doesn't have the horses to rely on going forward and by moving put some salary for nhl ready prospects it solves some problems in depth.

26 yr old 50-55 point and defensively responsible forward for a 25 (26 in June) Dman that is supposedly Offense-First and on pace for 27 points in 82 games?? hmmmm.....
- EnzoD

Sounds like Gustafson 2.0

Cool Drake Caggiula story. I like him even more now!

https://www.facebook.com/.../posts/10156380735426429/
- SoftServe

The 19 and 88 attraction ...... super cool!
He needs to get better at emulating them, he lost a front tooth.

Sounds like Gustafson 2.0
- Taylorst1

Gustafson has 30 points in 47 games = 52 points over 82 games.

I just read a article posted about him and his input after playing with Kane and toews. Kid sounds down to earth and knows his role when playing with those 2. I was impressed , hopefully he gets his points .
- Taylorst1

If he plays like he did against Washington, he's a keeper.