Sikura is disappointing me, was hoping he would step up when Caggiula got hurt, but seemed to be a step slow on making plays in both the offensive and defensive side. I did notice that JC had him out on the 6X5 at the end of the game, but in all fairness the goal was not his fault.
- LAHawk

He's a rookie with 21 games under his belt. Give him some time. He may or may not be an NHL player or figure into the Hawks plans but he needs more than 21 games for anyone to figure that out.

He doesn't look like he has a body that is NHL ready. We know size doesn't matter, but strength, speed and agility do.
- breadbag

Agree here and two terrible turnovers in two games...

I have not been an opponent of the switch from zone to M2M defense – not because I think it will reduce scoring chances and goals against – but more because they stink at zone so let’s try something different. I still don’t have a preference for the same reason – they stink at M2M as much as they do playing zone. However, I noticed something last night that may have been happening all along but it was very much pronounced last night so I couldn’t not notice it – I’m referring to Detroit playing the best way to beat M2M defense which is by running your man into interference/picks and the defense not switching efficiently. M2M defense has to handle switching a whole lot better to be effective than the Hawks were doing last night. M2M defense may not be the best way to go, but playing it poorly is certainly not good.

He's a rookie with 21 games under his belt. Give him some time. He may or may not be an NHL player or figure into the Hawks plans but he needs more than 21 games for anyone to figure that out.
- paulr

Does the fact that he's 23 (24 over the summer) concern you as far as his ceiling goes, pallie? If he were 19, there'd be time for improvement in the physical aspects of the game.

My money is on Jack Skille
- paulr

Ty Jones

Sikura is disappointing me, was hoping he would step up when Caggiula got hurt, but seemed to be a step slow on making plays in both the offensive and defensive side. I did notice that JC had him out on the 6X5 at the end of the game, but in all fairness the goal was not his fault.
- LAHawk

I too was hoping for more from Sikura coming into this season but I wasn't expecting him to take the league by storm by any stretch. I think he's slowly making progress though and I hope he gets the rest of the season to show what he can be once he gets more comfortable playing in the NHL. I thought the last couple games he has looked more engaged and he made more of those little nuance plays I expected to see from him. Patience is required.

I too was hoping for more from Sikura coming into this season but I wasn't expecting him to take the league by storm by any stretch. I think he's slowly making progress though and I hope he gets the rest of the season to show what he can be once he gets more comfortable playing in the NHL. I thought the last couple games he has looked more engaged and he made more of those little nuance plays I expected to see from him. Patience is required.
- EbonyRaptor

Screw patience!

AA is who he is, an inconsistent mediocre center, who plays really well for a week or two then becomes a ghost for two weeks. He is a 40 point guy, not terrible, but nothing to write home about either. Honestly don't think the Hawks will miss him and can maybe get that cap hit off the books to ideally start fixing the craptastic defense.
- kwolf68

AA's contract was a direct result of Stanbo's gratuity and delight in finding somebody who could fill the 2C role. Footspeed is a drawback and he doesn't win faceoffs and he's injury prone. But unlike a few others he does go to the net. Best position for him is left wing. You can do much worse than AA - like Brandon Perlini for example.

Screw patience!
- mohel

Umm ... I'm going to see a picture of Patience first.

Will probably be traded after July 1 when his bonus gets paid.
- LAHawk

Could be. But if they want to move him now they could retain $2mil in salary (the amount of his July 1 bonus). They have the cap space. So I do not see that as being an issue. They would have to deal with his M-NTC. That could be an issue.

Umm ... I'm going to see a picture of Patience first.
- EbonyRaptor

I'll show you the picture after your 10th beer.

Could be. But if they want to move him now they could retain $2mil in salary (the amount of his July 1 bonus). They have the cap space. So I do not see that as being an issue. They would have to deal with his M-NTC. That could be an issue.
- -Doh-

And they probably don't want to hurt this year's team.

I'll show you the picture after your 10th beer.
- mohel

I know the types of girls named "Patience" and if my experience is correct, we won't need those beers.

I have not been an opponent of the switch from zone to M2M defense – not because I think it will reduce scoring chances and goals against – but more because they stink at zone so let’s try something different. I still don’t have a preference for the same reason – they stink at M2M as much as they do playing zone. However, I noticed something last night that may have been happening all along but it was very much pronounced last night so I couldn’t not notice it – I’m referring to Detroit playing the best way to beat M2M defense which is by running your man into interference/picks and the defense not switching efficiently. M2M defense has to handle switching a whole lot better to be effective than the Hawks were doing last night. M2M defense may not be the best way to go, but playing it poorly is certainly not good.
- EbonyRaptor

Good point. Is it the defensive scheme or the execution of the scheme? Can the scheme be learned over time (and with a full training camp). Can these players play a solid defense in M2M or zone? Can the M2M be tweaked into a hybrid of both styles so that they are switching? Is there upside potential to Koekkoek, Gus, Dahlstrom, Murphy if they play the same system for a full year (with a training camp), with basically the same coach and same group of defenders? Could the Hawks thrive with superior goaltending next year (Crow with some Delia), a middle of the pack PK and D and a high powered offense and PP? I am ok with seeing this play out for the next 20 games. Then add a stud defender in the offseason and promote Joki to the big club. (Let the other prospective Dmen in juniors or the AHL another year.)

Sikura is disappointing me, was hoping he would step up when Caggiula got hurt, but seemed to be a step slow on making plays in both the offensive and defensive side. I did notice that JC had him out on the 6X5 at the end of the game, but in all fairness the goal was not his fault.
- LAHawk

Sikura is a kid that has to adapt to the speed of the NHL game. When he realizes that he has far less time than he did in college or the AHL he will be fine. The instincts are generally there, he has created some chances. I think once he breaks the seal and gets his first goal he may relax a little bit. He needs to cut down on the turnovers at the blue lines, those are his most egregious ones. Get it in, get it out. Either blue line is a bad spot for turnovers.

Could be. But if they want to move him now they could retain $2mil in salary (the amount of his July 1 bonus). They have the cap space. So I do not see that as being an issue. They would have to deal with his M-NTC. That could be an issue.
- -Doh-

He's under contract through 2021. I'd much rather they do not retain any salary for two more years, and have more mobility to sign/resign players.

Moving him now is not imperative. If they get blown away with an offer, great. If not you hang onto him. They don't really have anyone on the roster right now to fill his role anyway (unless/until Kampf comes back).

Fun Fact I heard on the Radio this AM...

If you count only the games that Strome has played in Chicago, 4 of the Hawks top 6 Forwards are Point Per Game players.

If they keep that up, they will win a few more games before this season is over.

Sikura is a kid that has to adapt to the speed of the NHL game. When he realizes that he has far less time than he did in college or the AHL he will be fine. The instincts are generally there, he has created some chances. I think once he breaks the seal and gets his first goal he may relax a little bit. He needs to cut down on the turnovers at the blue lines, those are his most egregious ones. Get it in, get it out. Either blue line is a bad spot for turnovers.
- TheTrob

He has a knack (and the speed) to get in deep on the forecheck, but seems to not be that effective once he is there. I don't mind him that much right now since he isn't being asked to do a whole lot. If we see progress from him through the end of the year, I'll be happy.

Washington Capitals‏Verified account @Capitals · 8m8 minutes ago

NEWS | Capitals have acquired forward @CarlHagelin from the Los Angeles Kings for a third round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and a conditional sixth round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. #ALLCAPS

Hagellin to the caps for a third.

Screw patience!
- mohel

And Prudence.

How about...hmmm.

Forsling and Anisimov for Vanek?

Hawks get a top 9 forward on the last year of his contract. Detroit gets another veteran they can flip for picks during their rebuild and Forsling since Kronwall is 38 on the last year of his deal and two other defensemen are journeyman entering UFA.
- MNHawk

Any trade involving Gustav Forsling is complicated by the fact that every other team in the NHL has professional scouts that can see what we all see. Forlsing ain't that good.

Fun Fact I heard on the Radio this AM...

If you count only the games that Strome has played in Chicago, 4 of the Hawks top 6 Forwards are Point Per Game players.

If they keep that up, they will win a few more games before this season is over.
- Ogilthorpe2

But, but, but....those four give up 2 goals per game. Each....

I still remember the game where Jocelyn Lemieux had his face butchered from Konstantinov and nothing was called. I guess there is a different rule book when Chicago plays in Detroit.
- powerenforcer

Never thought of that in this context. Thinking you may be on to something. BTW, old Jocelyn was a fun guy to watch play. Couldn't score a lick, but could send you flying.

Washington Capitals‏Verified account @Capitals · 8m8 minutes ago

NEWS | Capitals have acquired forward @CarlHagelin from the Los Angeles Kings for a third round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and a conditional sixth round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. #ALLCAPS
- Chunk

I thought I had all the 3rds?