Kahun kind of goes under the radar, don';t you think? He seemed to play well with any linemate and on all the lines he was on. He's pretty creative, skates well, he's a really good passer. His defense could use improvement but he seemed to work hard when he didn't have the puck.
- paulr

Agree on how you described Kahun. Get him with skilled linemates and he is a 0.50 PPG forward. I like his passing in general but he does need to improve on long range passes, especially cross ice. I like his motor and fearlessness, too.

If Kubalik can find similar success, that would be another key find. Some reports say he's gritty and physical which would be a plus. Didn't really see it in highlight videos that others have shared but most of the highlights were of his goals, not of his play in other situations.

Well he was training in Canada by himself all summer. Goodman would video chat him through wrkouts.

Obviously a pro athlete is different from your avg joe but typically working out alone is not the most ideal way to maximize your off-season.

I'd like to know if Seabs uses a skating couch.
- bhawks2241

How do you know Sikura is a bust but the Hawks don't?

Sikura looked pretty good to me. True he didn't score but he had plenty of chances and even though he hadn't scored he had the presense of mind to not force shots and was pretty patient with the puck. He passes and stick handles well . He is very good defensively and is always on the defensive side of the puck when he doesn't have it. Also he's willing to battle for the puck in the tougher areas on the ice.
- paulr

How many times did we female dog about guys in the past playing with Toews or Kane that weren't scoring? I think we have seen enough to move him for a solid return still. I know a lot of people felt the same way about Hinostroza and his inclusion in the Hossa deal rid us of that cap hit and was beneficial. Sikura lacks strength and size and if he cant score playing with Top 6 talent then he can be used as a trade chip. That's what I am saying. Is he as good as Kahun? NO! How bout Perlini? NO!

No room for him.

- Rota's Rooter

OMG - that's a gut buster right there. My eyes are still tearing.

The Hawks will drop from 12th to 13th.
- DarthKane

It took me 21 time to get that result, 23 times to move up to the 2nd pick. Odds are we will remain at 12th.

How many times did we female dog about guys in the past playing with Toews or Kane that weren't scoring? I think we have seen enough to move him for a solid return still. I know a lot of people felt the same way about Hinostroza and his inclusion in the Hossa deal rid us of that cap hit and was beneficial. Sikura lacks strength and size and if he cant score playing with Top 6 talent then he can be used as a trade chip. That's what I am saying. Is he as good as Kahun? NO! How bout Perlini? NO!

No room for him.
- nickmo2699

You are that good at talent analysis you can determine how a player's career will go based on 20 games??? Whatever you do for a living STOP and become a GM of a hockey team. I guarantee there has never been and isn't a GM in any sport who can make a perfect analysis of a player after 20 games.

- Rota's Rooter

Is that a minor league zamboni?

OMG - that's a gut buster right there. My eyes are still tearing.
- EbonyRaptor

What kills me is how quickly he found the gif and the fact the couch has a hockey stick on it.

How many times did we female dog about guys in the past playing with Toews or Kane that weren't scoring? I think we have seen enough to move him for a solid return still. I know a lot of people felt the same way about Hinostroza and his inclusion in the Hossa deal rid us of that cap hit and was beneficial. Sikura lacks strength and size and if he cant score playing with Top 6 talent then he can be used as a trade chip. That's what I am saying. Is he as good as Kahun? NO! How bout Perlini? NO!

No room for him.
- nickmo2699

Respectfully disagree. My take is that Sikura could contribute as much as Kahun, perhaps in different ways, but do also see some similarities to their games.

And if it boiled down to resigning one of either Sikura or Perlini as pending RFAs, I would sign Sikura hands down. Agree with the nice summary that paulr shared a page or two ago about what Sikura has brought to the team so far in less than half a season in the NHL.

How many times did we female dog about guys in the past playing with Toews or Kane that weren't scoring? I think we have seen enough to move him for a solid return still. I know a lot of people felt the same way about Hinostroza and his inclusion in the Hossa deal rid us of that cap hit and was beneficial. Sikura lacks strength and size and if he cant score playing with Top 6 talent then he can be used as a trade chip. That's what I am saying. Is he as good as Kahun? NO! How bout Perlini? NO!

No room for him.
- nickmo2699

If the only metric used in evaluating a player is goals scored, then I understand how you arrived at your assessment.

What kills me is how quickly he found the gif and the fact the couch has a hockey stick on it.
- paulr

That one has been saved in my gif catalog - a keeper.

- Rota's Rooter

Well that is amazing. That might be the first time I've ever been happy about a typo

Kahun kind of goes under the radar, don't you think? He seemed to play well with any linemate and on all the lines he was on. He's pretty creative, skates well, he's a really good passer. His defense could use improvement but he seemed to work hard when he didn't have the puck.
- paulr

I've felt like when he played on Line 2 with Strome and Debrincat he did well as sort of a poor man's Patrick Kane on RW. Not as good as Kane, but a lot of similar attributes that provided similar chemistry with those guys.

What kills me is how quickly he found the gif and the fact the couch has a hockey stick on it.
- paulr

That tractor really seems to be cruising along on that ice. Rather impressive.

He doesn't have any points in his first two games. Concensus on this board will be he's a bust and the Hawks should cut him at the same time they gas Sikura.
- paulr

Remember Saad struggled and received plenty of criticism his rookie season.

Sikura shows absolutely nothing, eh? He couldn't shoot the puck into a gaping ocean just like he had at Rockford since he last returned (presently). All prospects are great instantly.

Remember Saad struggled and received plenty of criticism his rookie season.

Sikura shows absolutely nothing, eh? He couldn't shoot the puck into a gaping ocean just like he had at Rockford since he last returned (presently). All prospects are great instantly.
- jhawk59

Good point and it isn't like Sikura was playing on the first PP unit getting setup to score. In his recent call up Feb 12th to April 1st he did add some primary assists with his play. I think it was a compliment to how he played that his time on ice increased as the season progressed. To me, he looked night and day better at the end then he did in December. He might take another step going into next season.

Good point and it isn't like Sikura was playing on the first PP unit getting setup to score. In his recent call up Feb 12th to April 1st he did add some primary assists with his play. I think it was a compliment to how he played that his time on ice increased as the season progressed. To me, he looked night and day better at the end then he did in December. He might take another step going into next season.
- breadbag

Did seem like a tale of two seasons for Sikura. If his 2nd stint was the same as his 1st stint, then I would say he needs at least another full season in Rockford. But as you said, it was night and day between his stints. I would be surprised if he did not make the team in the fall.

Big night tonight at the Bettman Ping Pong Ball Extravaganza. The odds of the Hawks getting one of the first two picks are slim but what a difference maker it would be for the Hawks to get either Hughes or Kakko. Not only the long term effect of having another elite player on the team for the next 7+ years but also in terms of maximizing the T&K window. Having either one of those players would mean a top-6 player would be added to the lineup without subtracting a player in a trade and without a large cap commitment. That would mean Stan would have enough cap space to acquire one or two difference makers without exhausting the cap space needed to re-sign Cat and Strome next year. Having Kubalik come in and play as well or better than Kahun did this season would be like getting another no-cost gift.

The odds of winning another Cup in the T&K era are probably pretty low considering how bad the team defense is and how much better it can be expected to get given all the circumstances, but those odds go up quite a bit if Kakko and Kubalik are playing well for the Hawks next season.

Big night tonight at the Bettman Ping Pong Ball Extravaganza. The odds of the Hawks getting one of the first two picks are slim but what a difference maker it would be for the Hawks to get either Hughes or Kakko. Not only the long term effect of having another elite player on the team for the next 7+ years but also in terms of maximizing the T&K window. Having either one of those players would mean a top-6 player would be added to the lineup without subtracting a player in a trade and without a large cap commitment. That would mean Stan would have enough cap space to acquire one or two difference makers without exhausting the cap space needed to re-sign Cat and Strome next year. Having Kubalik come in and play as well or better than Kahun did this season would be like getting another no-cost gift.

The odds of winning another Cup in the T&K era are probably pretty low considering how bad the team defense is and how much better it can be expected to get given all the circumstances, but those odds go up quite a bit if Kakko and Kubalik are playing well for the Hawks next season.
- EbonyRaptor

Carolina did move from #11 to #2 last year so it can happen.

2.5% chance for #1 overall...so you're saying there IS a chance?

We need to get Stan to pay the commish for the pick.
- BlackhawkMike

Stan does not have the balls!!!....get it...

Stan does not have the balls!!!....get it...
- TrueGrit

Yep unfortunately he’s playing with Bettman’s balls!

Respectfully disagree. My take is that Sikura could contribute as much as Kahun, perhaps in different ways, but do also see some similarities to their games.

And if it boiled down to resigning one of either Sikura or Perlini as pending RFAs, I would sign Sikura hands down. Agree with the nice summary that paulr shared a page or two ago about what Sikura has brought to the team so far in less than half a season in the NHL.
- AEL_Fox

I agree. Right now Sikura (23) and Perlini (22), Kampf (24), Forsling (22), Koekkoek (25), Hillman (23), Edjsell (23), Highmore (23) are fringe NHL players 25 years or under. You sign them for cheap for a couple of years and then see how they progress. You do not need to do much choosing at this point. If they don't make the club they are Rockford bound or throw ins on trades.

Stan does not have the balls!!!....get it...
- TrueGrit

Sausages a few days ago and Bowman's balls today. We're going to need to send you to conversion therapy if this keeps up.

It took me 21 time to get that result, 23 times to move up to the 2nd pick. Odds are we will remain at 12th.
- walleyeb1

I think the Hawks will end up with the 3rd pick overall. Just saying

I think the Hawks will end up with the 3rd pick overall. Just saying
- BGKarras

I’d be good with that!