I like the optimism (even though I am not as bullish on Podkolzin), but Entwistle going from the Q to starting 3C is a bit of a stretch.
- Chunk

It's more than possible..

Andrew Shaw did. The kid was drafted in what, the 5th round in June? then made the Hawks out of camp and the rest is history as they say.

Entwhistle is 20 and he will be given every opportunity to make the big club, if not he's headed to the Hogs. Entwhistle will definitely see NHL action in 19-20.

I mean the kid is big enough and strong enough for the NHL, plus he has a nose for the net... If he wants an NHL role all he has to do is play the role vacated by Andrew Shaw - a role that was never adequately filled.

I like the optimism (even though I am not as bullish on Podkolzin), but Entwistle going from the Q to starting 3C is a bit of a stretch.
- Chunk

If Entwistle starts his pro career in 2019-20, then I think he needs at least one year if not two before he cracks the Hawks lineup. Same timeline is likely for most other prospects with some of them needing 2-3 years rather than 1-2. That isn't to say there won't be any cups of coffee along the way.

It's more than possible..

Andrew Shaw did. The kid was drafted in what, the 5th round in June? then made the Hawks out of camp and the rest is history as they say.

Entwhistle is 20 and he will be given every opportunity to make the big club, if not he's headed to the Hogs. Entwhistle will definitely see NHL action in 19-20.

I mean the kid is big enough and strong enough for the NHL, plus he has a nose for the net... If he wants an NHL role all he has to do is play the role vacated by Andrew Shaw - a role that was never adequately filled.
- Savard2Secord

Yes, anything is possible. General concept, though, is to develop prospects at an appropriate rate. If they can prove that they deserve a spot sooner rather than later, then that would be awesome. The team shouldn't bank on it until it actually happens.

As for Shaw's role not adequately filled since he was traded, true. Yet, Caggiula is starting to stake his claim and could get there in his first full season with the Hawks. Perhaps Barratt down the line.

The forward group next season if no free agents are added.

Saad Toews Podkolzin
Cat Strome Kane
Perlini Entwistle Caggiula
Kubalik Kampf Kahun

- SoftServe

Swap Entwistle with AA. If no free agent forwards are added then I don't see them trading Anisimov, plus I don't see Entwisyle making the team without spending time in Rockford.

It's more than possible..

Andrew Shaw did. The kid was drafted in what, the 5th round in June? then made the Hawks out of camp and the rest is history as they say.

Entwhistle is 20 and he will be given every opportunity to make the big club, if not he's headed to the Hogs. Entwhistle will definitely see NHL action in 19-20.

I mean the kid is big enough and strong enough for the NHL, plus he has a nose for the net... If he wants an NHL role all he has to do is play the role vacated by Andrew Shaw - a role that was never adequately filled.
- Savard2Secord

Shaw then had to go back to the AHL to learn what he needed to learn to play in the NHL, no?

Based on your 12 forwards, I would shuffle the bottom 6 a bit. As it is written now, it reads as two 4th lines to me.

IMHO, the 3rd line needs to have strong secondary scoring numbers with players that can collect 35-45 points apiece. Perlini could if he is surrounded by high octane forwards but I don't see Entwistle or Caggiula providing more than say 25 points each.

I guess your 4th line could be the 3rd line since Kahun is capable of 35-45 points. Not sure about Kubalik yet but possible. Kampf is lucky if he can eclipse 20 points so he brings that line down a notch.

Maybe something like:

Saad - Toews - Podkolzin (or other #3 pick)
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Perlini - Kahun - Kubalik
Caggiula - Kampf - Entwistle
- AEL_Fox

I guess I'm just hoping Entwistle can be that third line center we've been looking for.

Last time I looked they won the cup with Niemi who played an underwhelming SCF. I am with you looking forward to next year.
- riozzo

Yeah. All Niemi did was go 16 and 6 with a .910 save % in the playoffs. In the Western Conference Finals against the Sharks who had the best regular season record in the Western Conference and were 4th in the NHL in goals scored during the regular season he went 4 and 0 giving up a total of 7 goals in 4 games including one OT. From 2009/10 to 20014/15 his save % was .915 and he was voted to the All-star game twice. He might have tailed off after 2015, but he was pretty good for 5 years.

It's more than possible..

Andrew Shaw did. The kid was drafted in what, the 5th round in June? then made the Hawks out of camp and the rest is history as they say.

Entwhistle is 20 and he will be given every opportunity to make the big club, if not he's headed to the Hogs. Entwhistle will definitely see NHL action in 19-20.

I mean the kid is big enough and strong enough for the NHL, plus he has a nose for the net... If he wants an NHL role all he has to do is play the role vacated by Andrew Shaw - a role that was never adequately filled.
- Savard2Secord

That role might be filled by Caggiula.

Swap Entwistle with AA. If no free agent forwards are added then I don't see them trading Anisimov, plus I don't see Entwisyle making the team without spending time in Rockford.
- DarthKane

If you don't see Ent making the team out of camp, do you think he has the skillset to be that 3rd line center we've been looking for at some point? Or is he destined to play wing at the NHL level?

Shaw then had to go back to the AHL to learn what he needed to learn to play in the NHL, no?
- paulr

Shaw spent parts of 2011/12 and 2012/13 in Rockford. 66 total games over 2 seasons.

Shaw spent parts of 2011/12 and 2012/13 in Rockford. 66 total games over 2 seasons.
- Rota's Rooter

Exactly and that's why Entwhistle should begin his pro career there.

Based on your 12 forwards, I would shuffle the bottom 6 a bit. As it is written now, it reads as two 4th lines to me.

IMHO, the 3rd line needs to have strong secondary scoring numbers with players that can collect 35-45 points apiece. Perlini could if he is surrounded by high octane forwards but I don't see Entwistle or Caggiula providing more than say 25 points each.

I guess your 4th line could be the 3rd line since Kahun is capable of 35-45 points. Not sure about Kubalik yet but possible. Kampf is lucky if he can eclipse 20 points so he brings that line down a notch.

Maybe something like:

Saad - Toews - Podkolzin (or other #3 pick)
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Perlini - Kahun - Kubalik
Caggiula - Kampf - Entwistle
- AEL_Fox

You guys seem to be missing Sikura, who Ithink they are fairly high on (and to which I agree, even without any goal scoring this year).

I would think either Perlini or (probably) Entwistle (he's only 20 - still playing in juniors) would come out.

You guys seem to be missing Sikura, who Ithink they are fairly high on (and to which I agree, even without any goal scoring this year).

I would think either Perlini or (probably) Entwistle (he's only 20 - still playing in juniors) would come out.
- StLBravesFan

I'm high on Sikura making the team next year in the top 9. I was just responding to SoftServe and providing ideas based on who he proposed as the starting 12 forwards. My set of 12 forwards is different but wanted to indulge his ideas.

You guys seem to be missing Sikura, who Ithink they are fairly high on (and to which I agree, even without any goal scoring this year).

I would think either Perlini or (probably) Entwistle (he's only 20 - still playing in juniors) would come out.
- StLBravesFan

If some posters could get past the fact he didn't score and go back and look at his game they'd see a player who plays well in most situations, with or without the puck, who isn't shy about playing in tough areas or contact and who has shown he can produce points at lower levels. Sikura is a good player and like you say i think Hawk management see him in the Hawk's future.

If you don't see Ent making the team out of camp, do you think he has the skillset to be that 3rd line center we've been looking for at some point? Or is he destined to play wing at the NHL level?
- SoftServe

From everything I've read and the limited amount I've seen him plan (on TV) I would guess he's a potential bottom 6 forward, not necessarily a centre. I believe he's been playing RW recently.

If you don't see Ent making the team out of camp, do you think he has the skillset to be that 3rd line center we've been looking for at some point? Or is he destined to play wing at the NHL level?
- SoftServe

I think Entwistle has a chance at playing center in the NHL. Where he plays also depends on who else is in the lineup and if a center is needed. He's been dubbed a "coach's dream" because he plays wherever he is needed whether positionally or situationally. Does all the little things to help the team win games and has even been reported as not caring about his stats.

If some posters could get past the fact he didn't score and go back and look at his game they'd see a player who plays well in most situations, with or without the puck, who isn't shy about playing in tough areas or contact and who has shown he can produce points at lower levels. Sikura is a good player and like you say i think Hawk management see him in the Hawk's future.
- paulr

I think Entwistle has a chance at playing center in the NHL. Where he plays also depends on who else is in the lineup and if a center is needed. He's been dubbed a "coach's dream" because he plays wherever he is needed whether positionally or situationally. Does all the little things to help the team win games and has even been reported as not caring about his stats.
- AEL_Fox

Watching Entwhistle in the playoffs against London he seems to be playing in all situations, 5 on 5, powerplay and penalty killing. He's also on the ice at the end of the game if Guelph is ahead or behind in the score. His versatility will hopefully make him valuable to the Hawks.

Watching Entwhistle in the playoffs against London he seems to be playing in all situations, 5 on 5, powerplay and penalty killing. He's also on the ice at the end of the game if Guelph is ahead or behind in the score. His versatility will hopefully make him valuable to the Hawks.
- paulr

How is he at the dot?

Yeah. All Niemi did was go 16 and 6 with a .910 save % in the playoffs. In the Western Conference Finals against the Sharks who had the best regular season record in the Western Conference and were 4th in the NHL in goals scored during the regular season he went 4 and 0 giving up a total of 7 goals in 4 games including one OT. From 2009/10 to 20014/15 his save % was .915 and he was voted to the All-star game twice. He might have tailed off after 2015, but he was pretty good for 5 years.
- -Doh-

He was .882 in the finals and looked that bad the entire series sans one game.

Stan is probably sitting at his desktop now composing an email to 30 other teams soliciting offers for the pick.
- RickJ

No way Bowman trades this pick unless the Hawks are getting AT LEAST a young stud with first line or top 2 potential +++ in return.

Stan is going to use the pick without question.

Also, don't forget that whomever the Hawks take at 3 will also be a cost controlled player for many years. And that is an asset within itself..

No. Next up is the plan to replace Boqvist when he retires.
- mohel

Seabs and Keith will still be playing. Stan will sign them over 35 contracts.

No way Bowman trades this pick unless the Hawks are getting AT LEAST a young stud with first line or top 2 potential +++ in return.

Stan is going to use the pick without question.

Also, don't forget that whomever the Hawks take at 3 will also be a cost controlled player for many years. And that is an asset within itself..
- Savard2Secord

Here is what I expect to hear: We have a Trade! The Chicago Blackhawks trade the number 3 overall pick and Brent Seabrook to the FLA Panthers for the 13th overall pick, and a conditional 7th round pick in the 20-21 NHL Draft. The Panthers are on the clock.

And I will be Po'd....

How is he at the dot?
- EbonyRaptor

He took a number of facesoffs even when playing wing. He seldom loses faceoffs cleanly, most of the time he has this big beast of a linemate, Ratcliffe, who comes in and retrieves the puck as Entwhistle ties up his opponent.

Here is what I expect to hear: We have a Trade! The Chicago Blackhawks trade the number 3 overall pick and Brent Seabrook to the FLA Panthers for the 13th overall pick, and a conditional 7th round pick in the 20-21 NHL Draft. The Panthers are on the clock.

And I will be Po'd....
- riozzo

Why do you expect to hear that?