https://www.the-rink.com/blackhawks-need-to-develop-impact-players-from-within/

Interesting article by the Rink. Agree with the general premise that the Hawks need to develop impact players from within. The article, though, focuses on bottom 6 role players stating that the team currently has just a bunch of prospects who are just "a guy" and that the 3 they highlight could break that mold:

Jack Ramsey, University of Minnesota
Fredrik Olofsson, Nebraska-Omaha
Evan Barratt, Penn State

Barratt obviously gets a lot of fanfare and for good reason so he appears to be the favorite of these 3 to make it to the NHL as an impact player. I personally don't have high hopes for Ramsey or Olofsson despite both having decent showings in prospect camps.

Who knows, though. I also wouldn't discount other bottom 6 prospects in Soderlund, Foo, Slavin, Hakkarainen, Nordgren, From, and of course Entwistle. They all could end up being nothing but maybe a few diamonds in the rough.

In Rockford, don't expect much out of any of the forwards outside of Sikura and possibly Highmore.
- AEL_Fox

What about Kurashev?

Throw in Anisimov too
- EnzoD

If we do that trade then PowerEnforcer won't be able to talk about Bettman and Crosby. This whole conspiracy thing is kind of funny at times 😉

Throw in Anisimov too
- EnzoD

that's probably addition by subtraction at this point. it makes up for not getting Motte back too

If we do that trade then PowerEnforcer won't be able to talk about Bettman and Crosby. This whole conspiracy thing is kind of funny at times 😉
- BGKarras

I just cant see Columbus allowing a Top 20 forward in his prime to walk for nothing. There is NO CHANCE he re-signs in Ohio. With the Islanders you could understand that given his history there....they at least had a chance to re-sign Tavares. Panarin is good as gone and if I'm Jarmo Kekalainen, you gotta move him for what you can get.....

I just cant see Columbus allowing a Top 20 forward in his prime to walk for nothing. There is NO CHANCE he re-signs in Ohio. With the Islanders you could understand that given his history there....they at least had a chance to re-sign Tavares. Panarin is good as gone and if I'm Jarmo Kekalainen, you gotta move him for what you can get.....
- EnzoD

I have a feeling he ends up getting dealt to the Islanders before the deadline and they end up signing him to an extension.

I just cant see Columbus allowing a Top 20 forward in his prime to walk for nothing. There is NO CHANCE he re-signs in Ohio. With the Islanders you could understand that given his history there....they at least had a chance to re-sign Tavares. Panarin is good as gone and if I'm Jarmo Kekalainen, you gotta move him for what you can get.....
- EnzoD

Oh I definitely agree with you. That's a no brainer to get something as opposed to nothing at all. IfJarmo Kekalainen hasn't had any discussions about trading Panarin he's not doing his job. I was just busting Vinnys chops!

I have a feeling he ends up getting dealt to the Islanders before the deadline and they end up signing him to an extension.
- scott.jackson

FWIW (and it's probably nothing), he spent his bye week in Miami.

FWIW (and it's probably nothing), he spent his bye week in Miami.
- pdx2ord

Sounds about right. Florida doesn't make the playoffs and no tax. Right up his alley. Lol

Throw in Anisimov too
- EnzoD

Can we get a third as well? Makes me feel better about the whole thing....

What about Kurashev?
- tvetter

I rate Kurashev as a middle 6 forward prospect with potential as a bona fide top 6 so I didn't include him in that list of bottom 6 forwards. Sorry, I split hairs too much when talking prospects.

Also, I would include Wise and Hagel in that group as Kurashev.

FWIW (and it's probably nothing), he spent his bye week in Miami.
- pdx2ord

Has a home there. For a couple of years now if I am not mistaken. Also, I don't twitter but I saw a couple posted on another site where the bromance between Panarin and Kane is still going strong.

I always gave SB and Mc some slack with HUGE loyalty contracts, most long term no trade. Even when AA was signed, I thought , much too generous. Same with Panik and Rutta

This ten days between Blackhawks game thing really sucks. Oh for something new to talk about!
- matt_ahrens

Icehogs

But they are not too good.

If you guys were going to rate you top 5 Hawks prospects right now, not already in the show, who would they be and why? Mine would be...

1. Boqvist - Skating, shot, and instincts are all there. What I like most is his potential as an every situation player(5x5, PP, PK)
2. Ian Mitchell - Love his game. Doesn't seem to have much off a shot but plays a heady game, can transition and move the puck well. Duncan Keith lite?
3. Beaudin - I haven't seen him play yet but I read great things. Seems similar to Mitchell?
4. Barratt - I actually put him ahead of Kurashev because while his ceiling is lower, his floor seems higher. Does a lot of the little things, seems to have leadership qualities, and loves to agitate with a great motor. I see him as a Shaw type and 3C.
5. Kurashev - Like Beaudin, I haven't seen him play as much. What I have seen, he can really fly, reads the offensive side the play well. I have read he needs to work on his play without the puck though.

What are your thoughts?

Has a home there. For a couple of years now if I am not mistaken. Also, I don't twitter but I saw a couple posted on another site where the bromance between Panarin and Kane is still going strong.
- Elbows15

Ah OK, didn't know that. Looks like a VERY nice area from his Instagram posts.

If we do that trade then PowerEnforcer won't be able to talk about Bettman and Crosby. This whole conspiracy thing is kind of funny at times 😉
- BGKarras

Don't worry - I'm not going anywhere.......I'll be here all season. Don't forget to tip the waitresses.

If you guys were going to rate you top 5 Hawks prospects right now, not already in the show, who would they be and why? Mine would be...

1. Boqvist - Skating, shot, and instincts are all there. What I like most is his potential as an every situation player(5x5, PP, PK)
2. Ian Mitchell - Love his game. Doesn't seem to have much off a shot but plays a heady game, can transition and move the puck well. Duncan Keith lite?
3. Beaudin - I haven't seen him play yet but I read great things. Seems similar to Mitchell?
4. Barratt - I actually put him ahead of Kurashev because while his ceiling is lower, his floor seems higher. Does a lot of the little things, seems to have leadership qualities, and loves to agitate with a great motor. I see him as a Shaw type and 3C.
5. Kurashev - Like Beaudin, I haven't seen him play as much. What I have seen, he can really fly, reads the offensive side the play well. I have read he needs to work on his play without the puck though.

What are your thoughts?
- Bjm84

1. Bust / soft euro-smurf / waste of top 10 pick / Rundblad 2.0
2. Super Disappointing
3. AHL fodder
4. College waif, will never amount to anything
5. WJHC one-hit wonder / From 2.0

https://www.nicholsonhock...__twitter_impression=true

Stan has been working the phones pretty hard.

Let's see what he can get done between now and Fev 25th.

Blog coming out this morning.

https://www.nicholsonhockey.com/archives/2019/1/29/friedman-blackhawks-looking-to-breathe-new-life-into-organization?format=amp&__twitter_impression=true

Stan has been working the phones pretty hard.

Let's see what he can get done between now and Fev 25th.

Blog coming out this morning.
- Justin Lowe

That's exciting. I really hope Stan can swing a big trade that will set the Hawks up for a run in a couple years.

Looking forward to the new blog Ty.

*NEW* blog: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=97433

If you guys were going to rate you top 5 Hawks prospects right now, not already in the show, who would they be and why? Mine would be...

1. Boqvist - Skating, shot, and instincts are all there. What I like most is his potential as an every situation player(5x5, PP, PK)
2. Ian Mitchell - Love his game. Doesn't seem to have much off a shot but plays a heady game, can transition and move the puck well. Duncan Keith lite?
3. Beaudin - I haven't seen him play yet but I read great things. Seems similar to Mitchell?
4. Barratt - I actually put him ahead of Kurashev because while his ceiling is lower, his floor seems higher. Does a lot of the little things, seems to have leadership qualities, and loves to agitate with a great motor. I see him as a Shaw type and 3C.
5. Kurashev - Like Beaudin, I haven't seen him play as much. What I have seen, he can really fly, reads the offensive side the play well. I have read he needs to work on his play without the puck though.

What are your thoughts?
- Bjm84

Jack Hughes is #1. Should be on Hawks opening day roster next year