I think a legit top pair guy is impossible to get this summer. A 3/4:guy could happen, but to get a young one that would really help is likely to cost Saad. What's your opinion on that? I'd consider it, but then there's a hole in the front.
- mohel

Gotta give to get - so yeah, I would give Saad to get a legit long term solution at 3/4 - preferably LD.

Except for scoring (which is a pretty big “except” for a top-9 skater), I think Sikura has been playing well - gets to pucks, hangs in the battle, keeps the puck, makes good decisions....

Other scouts can see that - and that he looks like he could have a good quick shot.
- StLBravesFan

I agree Sikura has looked more comfortable and been playing well and although I was never one who gave up on him - I was disappointed with him until recently. At this point I'm much more encouraged and believe he can play in the NHL - but he's not established and his game is more or a niche game so from a potential trading partner's perspective he is more of a throw in piece like a prospect player.

Bring back Pully!
- mohel

Bring back Billy Tobin.

Hey Justin, are the Hawks still all in on Joki? He is still in their Long Term plans? maybe you can share if you have heard anything

Maybe package Saad and Mitchell for a legit top-4 d-man?

Hey Justin, are the Hawks still all in on Joki? He is still in their Long Term plans? maybe you can share if you have heard anything
- glennjpawlak22

I think the fact that Joki is playing in Rockford shows they are all in on him long term more than not because they kept him under 40 games this season which means they control his RFA rights for a year long then if he had played 40+ NHL games - that is the main reason he's not playing for the Hawks right now.

And relocate the team to where you are?
- HawkintheD

And have Uncle Phil build a build a hockey pleasure dome for his beloved Ducks and Rosebuds?

PS: I'm all for relocating them back to where it all started...Regina.

Much has been written, both here and elsewhere, about the Blackhawk's offensive and defensive prowess. But, if you want to win the Stanley Cup, is offensive or defensive excellence more important? Here's a look at the last 10 Cup winners.

---------------GF---------GA
18WSH----9th.259---15th.239
17PIT------1st.282---17th.234
16PIT------3rd.245---6th.203
15CHI-----16th.229---1st.189
14LAK-----25th.206---1st.174
13CHI------2nd.155---1st.102 *48 game season
12LAK-----29th.194---2nd.179
11BOS------8th.246---3rd.195
10CHI ------3rd.271---5th.209
09PIT ------5th.264---18th.239

-The best defensive team won the Cup 3 times, the best offensive team only once
-Teams in the defensive top 6 have won 7 of the last 10 SC
-Only twice (both PIT) has a team in the in the bottom half of the defensive rankings have won SC
-Teams in the top 5 in both rankings are dominant (CHI 10 & 13)
-2 average(ish) defensive teams have won the last 2 Cups. Is it a trend, or are they outliers?

So, does Stan double down on offense and try to emulate the 09 & 17 Penguins? Or does he try to move some offensive pieces for better defense?
- scottak

That's the appropriate question, imo. Maybe the right approach depends on what's available in the summer. Maybe develop 3 very good scoring lines and a checking line that is hell to play against.

I think the fact that Joki is playing in Rockford shows they are all in on him long term more than not because they kept him under 40 games this season which means they control his RFA rights for a year long then if he had played 40+ NHL games - that is the main reason he's not playing for the Hawks right now.
- EbonyRaptor

Thx Raptor - we havent had a D man coming thru the system we drafted in a LONG time that has solid Top 4 potential and Joki seems like that guy. The interesting thing about Joki is that he was touted as a puck moving Offensive D man - and all i have seen is that he seems to be a very solid traditional d man. Anyone else seeing that? I think that is great BTW

Thx Raptor - we havent had a D man coming thru the system we drafted in a LONG time that has solid Top 4 potential and Joki seems like that guy. The interesting thing about Joki is that he was touted as a puck moving Offensive D man - and all i have seen is that he seems to be a very solid traditional d man. Anyone else seeing that? I think that is great BTW
- glennjpawlak22

I think Joki is still considered an offensive d-man and has shown that since he went down to Rockford where he has 12 points in 15 games, which I believe is the most points scored by any Icehogs over that 15 game stretch. I think his primary focus was on the defensive side of the puck coming out of training camp with the Hawks and that is where his bread will be buttered in the NHL - a good defensive d-man with some offensive upside.

Well we couldn't pair him with Seabrook, that would be the slowest pair in the league.
- LAHawk

Granted, I've only seen him play a handful of times but I never thought he looked slow ... and certainly not "Seabrook slow".

That's the appropriate question, imo. Maybe the right approach depends on what's available in the summer. Maybe develop 3 very good scoring lines and a checking line that is hell to play against.
- mohel

I think that is where Stan is going, the best defense is a good offense, if you control the puck, the other team can't score. (Edmonton model when they had Gretzky) The problem with that is you do need a goaltender that makes the big saves at the right time, as in reality any cup winner has to have, because under that model, you are still going to give up a lot of high danger scoring chances.

Granted, I've only seen him play a handful of times but I never thought he looked slow ... and certainly not "Seabrook slow".
- EbonyRaptor

Not Chara slow but slow. I just don't see him slotted more than a #5 defenseman.

Not Chara slow but slow. I just don't see him slotted more than a #5 defenseman.
- LAHawk

OK, scratch him - what we don't need is another 5/6/7 guy.

OK, scratch him - what we don't need is another 5/6/7 guy.
- EbonyRaptor

He does provide physicality which the Hawks do need back there, it depends how much he would have to be paid.

That's the appropriate question, imo. Maybe the right approach depends on what's available in the summer. Maybe develop 3 very good scoring lines and a checking line that is hell to play against.
- mohel

I think that is where Stan is going, the best defense is a good offense, if you control the puck, the other team can't score. (Edmonton model when they had Gretzky) The problem with that is you do need a goaltender that makes the big saves at the right time, as in reality any cup winner has to have, because under that model, you are still going to give up a lot of high danger scoring chances.
- LAHawk

A good goalie is ALWAYS a requirement for winning hockey games, especially in the playoffs, but it's even more necessary for a run and gun team where the goalie is not only the last line of defense - he will often be the only line of defense.

He does provide physicality which the Hawks do need back there, it depends how much he would have to be paid.
- LAHawk

True, but there are only so many slots available and if the Hawks still need to get a 3/4 even after getting him - then who does Chiarot replace and is he cost effective for who he replaces.

- Ogilthorpe2

When he was going well - his first five (+/-) games this season - he was very economical in his moves - up and down quickly and in position, fast and strong pushing off to go side-to-side - following the puck and in position to stop it. Controlling the puck was a bit of a problem, and he seemed to stick too deep in his net (but that made his positional quickness that much better)....

I haven’t seen all of that in his games recently - too much wasted motion, too much athletic saves instead of positional saves, leaving him not well placed for the next shot.

I don’t know is it’s shell-shock or loss of confidence or what - but he could be very good if the long term prognosis is the Delia we saw in his first few games here.
- StLBravesFan

I am a huge supporter of the hawk netminders this year. All season (as JL notes) the skaters been awful with puck management and even worse without the puck. to many shots against and they lead the league in high danger chances against and a horsepoop pk. The netminders are getting throttled game after game.

I think your closing comment is spot on. Delia is overwhelmed, overthinking and overplaying with the reality that he needs to play great to avoid blowouts. That 3rd period vs the leafs how does a young goalie not become unglued and flopping all over the place. His team mates did nothing but panic with him and the throw the puck away the last 5 minutes.

I think that is where Stan is going, the best defense is a good offense, if you control the puck, the other team can't score. (Edmonton model when they had Gretzky) The problem with that is you do need a goaltender that makes the big saves at the right time, as in reality any cup winner has to have, because under that model, you are still going to give up a lot of high danger scoring chances.
- LAHawk

Having a good offense by way of constantly possessing the puck was a hallmark of Q's system but the difference now is a bad defense whether personnel and/or scheme. Agree with what's already been stated that the blueline and overall team defense need to improve if the team is going to reach the next level.

Assuming that acquiring a top pair defender is likely not in the cards, then the Hawks should do the next best thing and bolster the 2nd pair or the 3/4/5 slots. That approach may be more feasible whether finding a long-term fixture or a 1-2 year placeholder waiting for the D prospects to properly develop.

For team defense, pursuing the puck proactively and not waiting back on your heels would be a big step in the right direction. So would making sure to stay between your man and the net (while not screening your goalie) and making sure the crease is protected at all times. One defender needs to stay in that vicinity and not be lured into the low percentage shot areas like the corners and behind the net.

Delia was just extended for 3 years at that low Cap hit and that is what intrigues me.
- 67hawks

He is one of Stanbo's shots in the dark. He is a minor league goaler until proven otherwise. NHL shooters figure out guys like him quick. Better they play the hell out of him in Rockford until they are sure what they have than sit on the bench in the NHL playing 20 games per year.

However, he is a bit unlucky having defensive stalwarts like Gus and Murphy who love turning the puck over in front of him.

Justin would be willing to give a one young d prospects for a young established top 4 d man?
Only using this as an example: boqvist, Mitchell, etc..for say salvin, truboa, pesce etc..

Justin would be willing to give a one young d prospects for a young established top 4 d man?
Only using this as an example: boqvist, Mitchell, etc..for say salvin, truboa, pesce etc..
- Scott1977

Why would the other team trade a young, established legit top four guy for a prospect who might become what they already have?

That's the appropriate question, imo. Maybe the right approach depends on what's available in the summer. Maybe develop 3 very good scoring lines and a checking line that is hell to play against.
- mohel

That's where my head is at with approaching the forwards given Tyler's blog today about possibly not going the route of a singular top 6 forward but two top 9 forwards instead.

I haven't gone on to Capfriendly to price this all out to see if it would even work (i.e. can the Hawks take on forwards like Ferland and Dzingel while retaining Anisimov and not handcuff their ability to improve the blueline) but just for brainstorming sake:

Ferland - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - Anisimov - Dzingel
Caggiula - Kampf - Hayden

Ferland, Perlini, Saad, Anisimov, and Dzingel are somewhat interchangeable as far as slotting on any of lines 1-3. Caggiula, too, but he may be best as a 4th liner that can agitate and grind.

If Anisimov has to move to make this work, maybe something like:

Ferland - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - Dzingel - Sikura
Caggiula - Kampf - Hayden

I like this 2nd option much better actually.