Wiz has proven time and again he knows what the heck he is talking about... more often than not.
- riozzo

He still just a fan. I read his stuff, too.

Not sure you need the stud #1 guy through top end free agency, because, hopefully, at least 1 guy already in the system can be that guy.

What they need is a solid, 2nd pairing guy, to stabilize the sh*t show that's going on now. Either through trade or FA. From last year, a guy LIKE deHann. Reliable, 2nd pair minutes.

A guy like that allows everyone to slot more appropriately. You can let Gus drop down to 3rd pair, play 15 or so minutes with Seabrook 5 v 5, and all the PP minutes. Murphy can be a 4 if you bring in a 3. Keith slots in the 1st pair with the guy they already have. Let's say for argument, that's Joki next year.

Keith - Jokiharju
FA/Trade - Murphy
Gustafsson- Seabrook

Then as the remainder of the young guys show that they're ready, the replace someone on the list. If someone is ready in 20-21, maybe they replace Murphy and you trade him off to a team needing a D. In 21-22, maybe Boqvist replaces Gus, and you flip Gus for something else you need.

The issue now is they don't have enough NHL quality D, and everyone is slotting above their ceiling.
- scottak

That is the route I would prefer given the circumstances and constraints that make it tough to get a 1st pair caliber D man.

Last summer, while I did like deHaan as a potential option, I also liked his teammate a the time Hickey who was the better defender and may be the leader on the presently superb Isles blueline. Water under the bridge now.

Consider Koekkoek, Dahlstrom, and Forsling as possible candidates as the 7th man but wouldn't be opposed to an upgrade either via free agency or trade. Maybe Carlsson but he's better off playing full time another year on Rockford than riding the bench.

Krys had a 5 point game last night for BU.
- Elbows15

Saw that. Great boost for him. Hopefully he can leverage that for continual growth.

Also saw that Second City Hockey yet again had an article about Entwistle. They really have a thing for him. Hope they don't jinx things.

That is the route I would prefer given the circumstances and constraints that make it tough to get a 1st pair caliber D man.

Last summer, while I did like deHaan as a potential option, I also liked his teammate a the time Hickey who was the better defender and may be the leader on the presently superb Isles blueline. Water under the bridge now.

Consider Koekkoek, Dahlstrom, and Forsling as possible candidates as the 7th man but wouldn't be opposed to an upgrade either via free agency or trade. Maybe Carlsson but he's better off playing full time another year on Rockford than riding the bench.
- AEL_Fox

Can't be Hickey. Or I highly doubt it. He has only played 33 of their games.

Saw that. Great boost for him. Hopefully he can leverage that for continual growth.

Also saw that Second City Hockey yet again had an article about Entwistle. They really have a thing for him. Hope they don't jinx things.
- AEL_Fox

Yeah. They have been following Entwistle closely.

Saw that. Great boost for him. Hopefully he can leverage that for continual growth.

Also saw that Second City Hockey yet again had an article about Entwistle. They really have a thing for him. Hope they don't jinx things.
- AEL_Fox

I would love to see that Kopitar comparison come true!

jhawk59, thank you for the shout out. I'm just a fan with perspectives and opinions like everyone else. Anyone who reads my posts can do whatever they like with my Ice Hog information. I know enough about the game to make an educated analysis on prospects or even NHL players but also have an untrained eye compared to those who are in the business of player personnel.

That said, I do think Carlsson is the best Hogs defender: skates well, doesn't give up on plays, can play physical if needed, focuses on defense but has some offensive talent. Quite similar to Hjalmarsson.

IMHO, Gilbert has surpassed Hillman but that isn't to say Hillman is trash now. Gilbert is a physical force on the backend who is noticeable because of his size and capacity to mix things up. He has also learned to stick within his role by staying back rather than being Gustafsson like in wanting to join the forwards every rush up ice.

Hillman is a defensive defenseman, too, just not that noticeable. He doesn't make blunder after blunder but he doesn't push the pace either. Putting in a quiet defensive performance is not a bad thing, though, so he still has potential.
- AEL_Fox

Thanks, sounds like 2 guys who need a cup of coffee

That is the route I would prefer given the circumstances and constraints that make it tough to get a 1st pair caliber D man.

Last summer, while I did like deHaan as a potential option, I also liked his teammate a the time Hickey who was the better defender and may be the leader on the presently superb Isles blueline. Water under the bridge now.

Consider Koekkoek, Dahlstrom, and Forsling as possible candidates as the 7th man but wouldn't be opposed to an upgrade either via free agency or trade. Maybe Carlsson but he's better off playing full time another year on Rockford than riding the bench.
- AEL_Fox

Both scottak and you are right on top of how i too would like things to play out. The young dmen prospects suffer when they lack confidance. Slot them correctly and you are more likely to see good stretch of games as seen from Forsling earlier and both Koekkoeck and Dahlstrom recently. Team defense too has to improve and that is on Colliton coaching from the get go next fall .

Not to be overlooked also is Bowman. Please provide enough players who will buy in. I say bullpoop to much if this Colliton is unqualified. You have to work with what talent\player attitude you are given. Colliton took a different cast in the AHL quite far in the AHL. This season is a hopefully low point. I doubt there will be any let's see what he can do players next year.

No Edjsell. No Osterling. Gus can become better but probably prone to the big gaffe. That has to be a managed thing - his TOI which might vary game to game as strategy dictates.

Can't be Hickey. Or I highly doubt it. He has only played 33 of their games.
- Elbows15

He means that Hickey is the one he liked better to be solid. Yet injuries have changed whom plays. Credit the coach for bringing out good results from the players.

Krys had a 5 point game last night for BU.
- Elbows15

Maybe he won’t be a bust after all.

Nahhhh, who am I kidding. Stan drafted Krys so he’s a guaranteed bust.

"Elbows"

Was Gordie Howe your all time favorite hockey player

Just hope it is not Magnuson

IMO, seeing some of the saves he made, I think he is fine. The team in front needs to do better. CC is still the best goaltender they have.
- breadbag

I've said it before, but it's easier to pick out bad plays, or in this case, missed saves, because they come to mind quicker/easier. I agree, he's the best out of what we have and just a couple of years ago, top of the league in my book! As far as prospects go, I like Delia, and I'm quietly excited for Gravel.

So, I already like Reese Johnson as we share a birthday, but I think this is a good signing. Stan has been doing this after tdl signing, Kahun was around the same time last year, and I like his game a lot. Stan is trying hard to force chemistry into the systems with good buddies playing with each other, clever Stan. What is this guy's projection, ceiling, timeline before joining the big club? If it's not known or educated guesses, that's fine too.

So, I already like Reese Johnson as we share a birthday, but I think this is a good signing. Stan has been doing this after tdl signing, Kahun was around the same time last year, and I like his game a lot. Stan is trying hard to force chemistry into the systems with good buddies playing with each other, clever Stan. What is this guy's projection, ceiling, timeline before joining the big club? If it's not known or educated guesses, that's fine too.
- I Am The Breadman

Of course the DeBrincat-Strome connection is paying dividends so far and could just be the tip of the iceberg if they continue to trend in the right direction offensively. Their defense needs a ton of work, though, but so does most of the team.

Then there's Kahun and Kubalik and now Hagel and Johnson. Kahun is at least in the NHL already as a regular contributor and becoming a known quantity for the Hawks. The other 3 are still wild cards but good to have more of those in the deck to play and hope at least one pans out.

At the very least, Rockford depth may get better to help round out the AHL roster and complement the prospects who have greater potential to make it to the big club.

EDIT: There's also the Hillman-Mitchell connection through Denver as well as Carlsson-Boqvist through Swedish junior teams.

I would love to see that Kopitar comparison come true!
- tvetter

they compared him to Kopitar?

So, I already like Reese Johnson as we share a birthday, but I think this is a good signing. Stan has been doing this after tdl signing, Kahun was around the same time last year, and I like his game a lot. Stan is trying hard to force chemistry into the systems with good buddies playing with each other, clever Stan. What is this guy's projection, ceiling, timeline before joining the big club? If it's not known or educated guesses, that's fine too.
- I Am The Breadman

Meh. The Piggies need players too. Nothing but a contract slot and A money. If it works, great. If not, nothing lost.

"Elbows"

Was Gordie Howe your all time favorite hockey player

Just hope it is not Magnuson
- jhawk59

Its definitely not Howe.

Eric Nesterenko wore 15 and was called elbows because he was tall and guys just kept running into them.

Its definitely not Howe.

Eric Nesterenko wore 15 and was called elbows because he was tall and guys just kept running into them.
- Elbows15

Blackhawks need this kind of player exponentially!

Thanks, sounds like 2 guys who need a cup of coffee

- gazza53

Unlimited coffeepot. Hope they force their way into lineup and stay for a decade.

Its definitely not Howe.

Eric Nesterenko wore 15 and was called elbows because he was tall and guys just kept running into them.
- Elbows15

And some called him Sonja Henie because he was such a beautiful skater. When he was in junior he was compared with Jean Beliveau. With the Hawks he became a defensive specialist. One of the first in the NHL to get his college degree before retiring.

And some called him Sonja Henie because he was such a beautiful skater. When he was in junior he was compared with Jean Beliveau. With the Hawks he became a defensive specialist. One of the first in the NHL to get his college degree before retiring.
- LAHawk

Wasn't Nesterenko in the bad hockey movie Youngblood?

Hawks are now in position for the 6th pick in the draft. I believe the 6th position has a 23% chance of a top 3 pick and a 7% chance at the number 1 pick. Come on Devils (4th right now) and Ducks (5th right now). They need to win some games and move ahead of the Hawks. It can happen.

If Colliton rolls 4 lines, and 3 pairings fairly evenly, limits Kane & Toews TOI, plays Delia about 1/2 the games, and messes with line combinations every game or so, wins may be hard to come by. Also if they call up a few guys to give them a look it should improve our chances of moving up in the draft. That is tanking without players giving up.

Thoughts / projections on Reese Johnson???

Has anyone seen him play?

Hawks are now in position for the 6th pick in the draft. I believe the 6th position has a 23% chance of a top 3 pick and a 7% chance at the number 1 pick. Come on Devils (4th right now) and Ducks (5th right now). They need to win some games and move ahead of the Hawks. It can happen.

If Colliton rolls 4 lines, and 3 pairings fairly evenly, limits Kane & Toews TOI, plays Delia about 1/2 the games, and messes with line combinations every game or so, wins may be hard to come by. Also if they call up a few guys to give them a look it should improve our chances of moving up in the draft. That is tanking without players giving up.
- -Doh-

Most likely will come out with a terrible start vs the sabres; that is there usual MO even more so after 3 or more days rest. Other than personal stats not much to play for. I think this team is finished mentally and it will be a struggle to get 10-15 of the remaining 32 pts. Tough schedule to dod it against.

yeah they could fall further but the pss poor ducks, nucks, and devils need to play better; thats a tall order

Thoughts / projections on Reese Johnson???

Has anyone seen him play?
- RedRevenge

My guess is he's a long shot gamble. Checked him on Youtube, some posters will be excited to see he likes to fight and it looks like he does pretty well.