Biggest question is can Colliton get responsible defensive play out of all 5 skaters each shift - all 18 dressed each nite - no matter what system is being used.

And a functional penalty kill.

He has all summer to figure it out - and discuss it with each player (I assume there is some communication during the off-season) and then a full training camp in the fall.
- StLBravesFan

Watching these playoff teams shows me how far away the Hawks are from having a playoff caliber Defense. Its not the 80's. JC cant expect to win many games giving up the shots/chances we do. If this team cannot commit to playing total team D?

I'm not familiar. What is USF?
- Chunk

Think he meant UFA status. Just a typo.

Powers also had an article on Mitchell where he asked him about signing with CHI. Mitchell said he had no idea where people would get the idea that he did not want to join the Hawks. He was very positive about the prospect of joining the Hawks in the future.

Yes, there is always the chance that he bolts, but as of right now there is nothing directly from him that states otherwise.
- Chunk

Sure sign he's gonna pull a Hayes.

You can have Maatta lol

Powers also had an article on Mitchell where he asked him about signing with CHI. Mitchell said he had no idea where people would get the idea that he did not want to join the Hawks. He was very positive about the prospect of joining the Hawks in the future.

Yes, there is always the chance that he bolts, but as of right now there is nothing directly from him that states otherwise.
- Chunk

Hawks are a 1st class organization. They keep in touch with their NCAA and junior kids. Much like every organization does. They left the decision up to him and they have stated in the past, they support the decision these kids make.

Maybe the kid has a sense of loyalty and feels he has some unfinished business at DU. Its a great program which should be in the hunt for a NCAA title next season. Add in the chance he could be Captain of the team and staying makes a whole of sense. At least to me it does.

You can have Maatta lol
- WSCTeton17

They will love all these guys until you have to watch them every game. Then, they become bums.

I'm not familiar. What is USF?
- Chunk

Bill Russell player his college ball there.

I didn't notice before, but Powers already has another Mitchell article up in the Athletic.

From the article:
Mitchell said he plans on signing with the Blackhawks, and this isn't a situation where he'd wait out their rights an become an unrestricted free agent.

"That should definitely not be any sort of issue at all,' Mitchell said. "That's not what I'm trying to do. I just felt like coming back one more year at Denver to play a really key role, and I think we're going to have a really great team too. I really want to stress that I want to play for the Blackhawks, and by no way is this my intention to go through that free agency loophole."

Yes, I understand they are just words, but can we please stop with the nonsense about him leaving until he actually does something? I'm looking at you Darth!

For me Trouba would be a no thanks. I might be in the minority on it, but I think he will get overpaid and is slightly over-rated. To me, he doesn't fit the mold of what we are missing and he won't help with our issues of giving the puck away as much as we do on the back end. I really hope they target a stay a home type more so.
- breadbag

Watching last and this year's playoffs, i agree, he really isn't that good, makes some good plays, but all in all not impressed

Sure sign he's gonna pull a Hayes.
- paulr

C'mon man!

I didn't notice before, but Powers already has another Mitchell article up in the Athletic.

From the article:
Mitchell said he plans on signing with the Blackhawks, and this isn't a situation where he'd wait out their rights an become an unrestricted free agent.

"That should definitely not be any sort of issue at all,' Mitchell said. "That's not what I'm trying to do. I just felt like coming back one more year at Denver to play a really key role, and I think we're going to have a really great team too. I really want to stress that I want to play for the Blackhawks, and by no way is this my intention to go through that free agency loophole."

Yes, I understand they are just words, but can we please stop with the nonsense about him leaving until he actually does something? I'm looking at you Darth!
- Chunk

Honestly, i don't want a player who doesn't realize his best chance of starting in the NHL is right in front of him.

Up front, I'd like to see the Hawks entertain the idea of signing Brock Nelson as the 3C. I'd even consider Eberle if they can get him on a decent deal, which then might allow you to free up Saad in a package for a defenseman and then sort of have a lateral move at the #2/3 wing position.

Also, I think who they draft at #3 is going to be interesting. Do you take a guy like Cozens and see if he can make the team as an 18 year old? Or do you go with a guy like Byram and keep stacking your chips on defense to see who's going to pan out to be a top pairing guy. I know we all are high on Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin, and Joker, but not all of them are going to turn out to be top pairing guys, that's just reality.

Lastly, because the UFA market sucks and trading for a defenseman is expensive, you might just have to roll with a guy like Stralman and hope that slightly improves your pairings. This UFA defense crop is so terrible it's not worth overpaying and signing those guys listed to long deals when you have young defensemen on the way in the next 1-3 years. The issue here is literally roster space since you have some contracts on the back end that are unmoveable. Personally, I'd like to see the Hawks push hard to deal Keith to Florida. You know he'd enjoy playing for Q, and Keith's attitude and effort have been dog-crap this year, it's pretty noticeable. I'd deal him now while you can get something for him and just open up a space on defense. Seabrook maybe you can convince Seattle to take in a trade next summer since it's close to where he grew up.

Watching these playoff teams shows me how far away the Hawks are from having a playoff caliber Defense. Its not the 80's. JC cant expect to win many games giving up the shots/chances we do. If this team cannot commit to playing total team D?


- z1990z

I wouldn't discount the importance of a full training camp for Colliton. There are several examples of teams quickly turning around their defensive performance in recent years (some with the same players and some with different).

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt going into next year. We shall see how it goes.

That list of FA is pathetic, rather just go home grown

Maybe a trade here or there, we'll see

Honestly, i don't want a player who doesn't realize his best chance of starting in the NHL is right in front of him.
- BetweenTheDots

Not sure I understand how you got there. He is 5'11" and 174. He knows that he has problems with larger players (as do the Hawks) and needs time to work on it. By most accounts he would not start in the NHL next year.

I know many on these boards would rather not and I would only consider him if all other options come up short but I think Darling is likely being considered. Agree with you that it should be a low-to-zero risk contract where he can be buried in the minors if his career is just derailed completely.
- AEL_Fox

I say we forget about the feel good bring the home town guy back stories. Why waste one of the 50 man contract spots on Darling when Forsberg, Lankinen and Gravel are in the pipeline? Personally hope to resign Forsberg. Maybe he's one of the types that need to mature and grow into the job. Have him available in case Delia wets the bed next year as the backup to Cro.

Not sure I understand how you got there. He is 5'11" and 174. He knows that he has problems with larger players (as do the Hawks) and needs time to work on it. By most accounts he would not start in the NHL next year.
- Chunk

What im saying is our blue line sucks, and like a cheap hotel there are plenty of vacancies to fill.

It's not like 2014 when you had Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Oduya, and Leddy on the roster

I wouldn't discount the importance of a full training camp for Colliton. There are several examples of teams quickly turning around their defensive performance in recent years (some with the same players and some with different).

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt going into next year. We shall see how it goes.
- Chunk

How about Trotz taking the Isles from most goals given up to least the next season.

Something to emulate.

Justin i think McNabb is the way to go but other teams have to be thinking the same way. Trade proposal:
Vegas trades mcnabb eakin reevesor carrier to the black hawks for
Sikrua/kauhn forsling/dalhstrom 2020 2nd
Prsce is pipedream unless hawks a is giving up the 3rd overall pick so forget that. Then sign chariot 2 to 3 years 2 to 3 million per those 2 additions not only stablizes your d core. But adds physical play and toughness which plays a big role in the playoffs.
- Scott1977

I agree try to bring in 2 D, one each via trade and FA and some bottom 6 depth. Try 5o get 3 players for about 10M.

C'mon man!
- Chunk

Appears more a pattern with Hayes than a problem with the organization, Rangers wanted to sign him long term last year, but ended up with one year because they couldn't come to an agreement. He was looking at UFA first chance he could get.

What im saying is our blue line sucks, and like a cheap hotel there are plenty of vacancies to fill.
- BetweenTheDots

Our blueline is bad, but it is also full unless we are moving out everyone other than Keith and Seabrook (since we can't move them).

Murphy
Gus
Joki
Dahlstrom

all of these guys are signed for next year and 4K and Forsling might be resigned. Does Mitchell beat out any of them right now?

I say we forget about the feel good bring the home town guy back stories. Why waste one of the 50 man contract spots on Darling when Forsberg, Lankinen and Gravel are in the pipeline? Personally hope to resign Forsberg. Maybe he's one of the types that need to mature and grow into the job. Have him available in case Delia wets the bed next year as the backup to Cro.
- boilermaker100

Except for the first few games, I don't think Delia showed any more than Forsberg did 2 years ago.

Except for the first few games, I don't think Delia showed any more than Forsberg did 2 years ago.
- LAHawk

But those few games showed how good he could be - not just the stats, but the way he looked in the net - quick, efficient, squared to the puck - he really looked like an NHL goalie.

Not sure Forsberg has looked that good yet - at least not here.

How about Trotz taking the Isles from most goals given up to least the next season.

Something to emulate.
- StLBravesFan

Not to mention what Berube has done, or even Hitchcock. I was happy to see that Colliton wasn't afraid to do what he thought was right regardless of who it affected (taking Keith off the top PP, sitting guys, dropping players like Saad down lines, etc.) At least he is going to do the things that he thinks need to be done. He preaches defensive responsibility. Let's see how he implements it with actual practice.

Except for the first few games, I don't think Delia showed any more than Forsberg did 2 years ago.
- LAHawk

I agree. Delia should not be the annointed backip next year. Have him and Forsberg (if resigned) fight it out during camp. Or as JL suggested sign a veteran on the cheap