This is my buddy Ian who wrote this article. Great guy and solid piece.

I have some Entwhistle content coming up in the future as well!
- Justin Lowe

I know most take EK with a grain of salt, but I find it funny that he has a post that the Islanders are going for a major trade, but has a picture of the Hawks on the front page. Mistake, foreshadowing, or just EK stirring the pot...

Murphy has improved tremendously since last season. Somehow, he looks MORE mobile after a serious back injury. It's ironic, bc you expect his mobility to decrease after an injury like that, but it shows how impressive Physical Therapy/Rehab is in 2018/19. I'm sure he was doing exercises he never has before the injury.
- EnzoD

Yeah, and who knows how long he was playing with the nagging injury before finally biting the bullet and getting it repaired. Could have been all of last year since, if I'm him, not going to go out for an extended period right after a trade and take the risk of losing my spot.

Toews had knee surgery last summer (IIRC), so what was it that was bothering him and for how long? Has that been part of his resurgence?

I like Murphy, bordering on a lot. At 25, signed thru 21/22 at 3.8 and one of the few who aren't "stick check" Dmen there is much to like.

Like everyone else I like him with Dahlstom and seemed they were a stabilizing pairing to a D that gives up the most high danger chances in the league, so I looked at the fancies. Actually they suck together other than they are plus in goals for/against, all other fancies together they blow! Notice both their fancies when away from each other, especially Murphy's which are excellent. https://www.naturalstattr...p2=8477472&p3=0&p4=0&p5=0
- Mr Ricochet

I feel like these 18 games for Dahlstrom have kind of been up and down. The first about 12 games or so, he was great with Murphy, but maybe the last 5-6 games he was starting to make more mistakes or just get beat with speed. I think time will tell, but I don't know which Dahlstrom we will get long term. He definitely has gotten some tough assignments and a lot of Dzone time, so I think that plays into his rougher advanced stats, especially when your team is bad at transition to the attack.

Trade Saad. Make a trade to bring Saad back. Trade Saad again?
- z1990z

Saad/Forsling for Koivula and Wilde (NYI)do it meow

I agree that Delia needs the experience and the Hawks have to see what they have in him, but I think they must shelter him and not have him face 40 shots a game. Otherwise he may turn into a Forsberg due to the shell shock. There are 33 games left, so give him 18-20 starts.
- boilermaker100

I understand and agree to a point. No you don't want the kid (he is 24 yrs old by the way) shell shocked but at the same time need to see how he handles adversity. Philly has thrown 20 yr old Carter Hart to the wolves as has Jersey with 22 yr old Blackwood.

Yes, and understanding each player is different, you need to monitor Delia but at the same time give him starter minutes IMO. NHL ice time is invaluable and so hard to get/give when a team is in the hunt so when you are not in the hunt allocating those NHL minutes to evaluate a player is beyond important. ............IMO that is the case with Delia and especially so for the Hawks considering Crow's situation and the never ending dearth of goaltending in the Hawks' system and their refusal to address that in the draft beyond using a 6th-7th rounder.

Yeah, and who knows how long he was playing with the nagging injury before finally biting the bullet and getting it repaired. Could have been all of last year since, if I'm him, not going to go out for an extended period right after a trade and take the risk of losing my spot.

Toews had knee surgery last summer (IIRC), so what was it that was bothering him and for how long? Has that been part of his resurgence?
- pdx2ord

That's a good point about Murphy possibly being banged up all year. With Toews, I hadn't heard about any knee surgery, but with Toews is crazy to see his rebirth. He's moving his feet, has dangles, and just looks to be a completely different player than last season. It's awesome to watch

I know most take EK with a grain of salt, but I find it funny that he has a post that the Islanders are going for a major trade, but has a picture of the Hawks on the front page. Mistake, foreshadowing, or just EK stirring the pot...
- Chunk

I was reading the Canadians blog and he reviewed some of the Mtl trades of the past, and when I saw the picture I immediately thought EK was talking Toews for Weber .....

Murphy has improved tremendously since last season. Somehow, he looks MORE mobile after a serious back injury. It's ironic, bc you expect his mobility to decrease after an injury like that, but it shows how impressive Physical Therapy/Rehab is in 2018/19. I'm sure he was doing exercises he never has before the injury.
- EnzoD

No doubt health is a reason for Murphy's improved play but IMO getting out from under Q is the biggest reason for his improved play. ..... Just going by the eye test Murphy looks like he's playing free, fast and loose, not thinking and under Q he looked confused, tentative.

Murphy is 25, played for the USA NTDP, OHL, two WJC and is a 1st rd pick. He has been highly thought of thru every step of his development and signed for 3.8 thru 21/22 is valuable in a lot of ways IMO.

I agree , but that starts with Stan getting serious and saying the party is over and moving out Keith and Seabrook. Everyone says we should keep them , my question to those people is this. Having those 2 players in the lineup and the team is still giving up 40 shots a night are we better off?

Their are better defensive defenseman out their , we just need a front office that realizes change is needed.
- Taylorst1

The reason why everyone says keep Seabrook is the reality that he is unmovable, not that there is not better use of the dollars. Keith even if not an elite defenseman is still worth $5.5 million a year

I feel like these 18 games for Dahlstrom have kind of been up and down. The first about 12 games or so, he was great with Murphy, but maybe the last 5-6 games he was starting to make more mistakes or just get beat with speed. I think time will tell, but I don't know which Dahlstrom we will get long term. He definitely has gotten some tough assignments and a lot of Dzone time, so I think that plays into his rougher advanced stats, especially when your team is bad at transition to the attack.
- breadbag

Good point about zone starts, this is where LBR was helpful digging inside the numbers 9 steps to give context to a fancy stat.

Murphy has an incredible 65% non offensive zone start and Dahlstrom an even tougher 66% non offensive zone start................. Indeed they are used in a shutdown role.

I think if Panarin chooses to return to Chicago, it will tell us just how much he likes playing with Kane. Hawks are unlikely to offer him the most money (they shouldn't break the bank on him) and Panarin might decide he wants to join a team that is in contention now, but if he does decide to come to Chicago on a reasonable deal, that will really tell the story.
- breadbag

Kane, Breadman and Boqvist on the ice same time - that could be killer

Kane, Breadman and Boqvist on the ice same time - that could be killer
- glennjpawlak22

I really want Boqvist to make it and realize his potential. I hope he is getting stronger head to toe.

Time for the 2 old warriors to re-tool re-build whatever.
Lots of cups and great games to look back on

Agree bowman needs to turn over the roster so players that need to go IMO either at tdl or in the offseason are:
Keith
Saad
AA
Kruger
Kunitz
Ward
Gust
Forsling
Kauhn
Kampf(keep only if he going to be a 4th line center)
Maybes:
Murphy
Perlini
Hayden
Koko
Forsberg
Caggulia
Untouchables:
Kane
Toews
Dcat
Strome
Seabrook(only because his contract is immovable)
Joki
Delia
Crow
Bowman and management have their work cut out for them. Hawks need a top 2 pick either hughs or kappo.
- Scott1977

So, before next season, you’d like to trade off everyone except 8 players (2 G, 2 C, 2 W, 2 D), and you’d like picks and prospects back? So the remainder of the roster will be filled with rookies and career AHLers?

That team would be worse than the Kansas City Scouts & California Golden Seals.and yes, I saw both those teams in person.

Speaking of Panarin, Barstool has a "scoop" about what and who was behind the trade. He cites people in and formerly with the org (who his sources are beyond Darling, I have no idea) claiming that McD was the driving force behind the trade due to Panarin's playoff performance.

Now, if I was a betting woman, and it was McD, I'd say his decision factors were a comparison of the NSH series performance to Panarin's World's performance immediately thereafter in light of the "tired" excuse, and his public apology for the years-old interview earlier that season.

If true, has he recognized the error of his ways and is OK with a renewed push for Artemi OR is this pablum for the fans who are quite vocally still upset over the move?

https://www.barstoolsport...pologizing-to-stan-bowman
- pdx2ord

If any of this is even remotely true, this is what everyone on this board dislikes about the front office. On what planet does McD have the understanding of the sport to even suggest a move of this magnitude? If he has this power and involvement in the front office and the truth comes to light I will never watch another Blackhawks game if that idiot is employed by the organization.

Stick to getting the indian head on McDonalds cups and let the hockey be handled by hockey people.

I really want Boqvist to make it and realize his potential. I hope he is getting stronger head to toe.
- breadbag

Think I’m higher on Beaudin rn than Boqvist but Boqvist may have the higher ceiling

Why is Eks rumor have a hawks photo attached to it?

I agree , but that starts with Stan getting serious and saying the party is over and moving out Keith and Seabrook. Everyone says we should keep them , my question to those people is this. Having those 2 players in the lineup and the team is still giving up 40 shots a night are we better off?

Their are better defensive defenseman out their , we just need a front office that realizes change is needed.
- Taylorst1

My god, just please stop with this. Keith & Seabrook both have NMCs that Stan gave them. Stan can’t make them go away just because you want him to.

Why is Eks rumor have a hawks photo attached to it?
- nickmo2699

Has Ek ever had a good Hawks' rumor?

Why is Eks rumor have a hawks photo attached to it?
- nickmo2699

Hayden and Ward are in the picture, obviously EK is dog whistling they are being moved soon

Why is Eks rumor have a hawks photo attached to it?
- nickmo2699

His subtle attempt at a big trade is Saad for Bode Wilde

I agree , but that starts with Stan getting serious and saying the party is over and moving out Keith and Seabrook. Everyone says we should keep them , my question to those people is this. Having those 2 players in the lineup and the team is still giving up 40 shots a night are we better off?

Their are better defensive defenseman out their , we just need a front office that realizes change is needed.
- Taylorst1

No one is a saying they don't want to move them. They're saying something that you simply don't get. They aren'tgoing to be able to trade either of them without them waving their NMC and the return isn't gonna be a treasure trove of picks and prospects like you seem to think they'd get. You'd have to give away a good pick or prospect to trade Seabrook.

My god, just please stop with this. Keith & Seabrook both have NMCs that Stan gave them. Stan can’t make them go away just because you want him to.
- scottak

Per Al Cimaglia:


I heard Duncan Keith's name linked with the Canucks, who fit that category.

Brown, Kovalchuk, Kopitar, Phaneuf, Doughty-even Nate Thompson has one. Muzzin was one of the few vets without one
- Davewn

Guys on the Kings with NMC are Kopitar, Doughty Kovy and 2 of those were Blake deals.

Thompson and Dion were traded contracts, again Blake.
Though Thompson is done this year and Dion in 2 years so those will be off the books soon.


Brown is limited he can submit a list of 7 teams he cannot go to. That was a Lombardi deal.

Quick can be moved, Carter can be moved.. That is over 10 million in cap space right there.

My god, just please stop with this. Keith & Seabrook both have NMCs that Stan gave them. Stan can’t make them go away just because you want him to.
- scottak

Samantha or Endora from Bewtched could make them go away. Stan should call one of them.