Saad's game is built for playoff hockey
- glennjpawlak22

Bringing that game during the regular season would be nice too, so that the Hawks qualify for this thing called playoff hockey

Not sure either. Also not sure if the USHL is technically juniors. To me, juniors is generally anything that's not high school or college level in North America but could be wrong on that.
- AEL_Fox

They’re both 21, the IceHogs roster is taking shape!

Hakkarainen and Soderlund signed their 3 year ELCs.

https://www.nhl.com/black...ee-year-deals/c-307238100
- Larmer

I was hoping Soderlund would make the move over to NA this year... looks like he may now.

Great to hear. Was hoping at least Soderlund would sign an ELC and start his pro career on North American ice to get that experience. He's short but compact, fearless, and relentless. Doesn't shy from the high traffic areas. Good potential as a bottom 6 winger. His style of play is built for playoff hockey.

Hakkarainen could be in line as the next 4C after Kampf. Growing list of options behind L Johnson, R Johnson, and Highmore. Guessing Hakkarainen plays another year in juniors but he has a nice balance of offense with a solid 200 foot game. He doesn't slack on defense. Maybe the most skilled out of the 4C options in the system.
- AEL_Fox

Soderlund is or was a great PK player in the World Juniors .Was said if he does nothing but PK for the HAWKS they have a winner .HAWKS could sure use that now .

Sounds like a lot of love for Ceci out there.

For Darth!

https://www.nbcsports.com...wks-draft-debrincat-clone

Soderlund is or was a great PK player in the World Juniors .Was said if he does nothing but PK for the HAWKS they have a winner .HAWKS could sure use that now .
- oldduffman

He'll need to go to that mysterious far away land where players put on 20 lbs of muscle.

I'm not so familiar with the USHL, after a player signs a Pro contract can they return?
- DarthKane

I don’t think so. USHL players generally head to college. I’m sure Wiz would know for sure.

Great to hear. Was hoping at least Soderlund would sign an ELC and start his pro career on North American ice to get that experience. He's short but compact, fearless, and relentless. Doesn't shy from the high traffic areas. Good potential as a bottom 6 winger. His style of play is built for playoff hockey.

Hakkarainen could be in line as the next 4C after Kampf. Growing list of options behind L Johnson, R Johnson, and Highmore. Guessing Hakkarainen plays another year in juniors but he has a nice balance of offense with a solid 200 foot game. He doesn't slack on defense. Maybe the most skilled out of the 4C options in the system.
- AEL_Fox

Reading comprehension is a perishable skill apparently. I read the bolded and thought the below.

He'll need to go to that mysterious far away land where players put on 20 lbs of muscle.
- paulr

Ya it a huge jump ,maybe down the road .

Not sure either. Also not sure if the USHL is technically juniors. To me, juniors is generally anything that's not high school or college level in North America but could be wrong on that.
- AEL_Fox

Yes, the USHL is juniors. It is the U.S. Tier 1 junior league.

Soderlund has done pretty much nothing playing in the SHL the last couple years. The optimism he could be the next Arvisson with his speed and buzzsaw play has pretty much evaporated. Hopefully he finds his game in Rockford. Not holding my breath.

Yes, the USHL is juniors. It is the U.S. Tier 1 junior league.
- BDT36

How does it rank in comparison with any of the CHL leagues, or NCAA in the States?

He'll need to go to that mysterious far away land where players put on 20 lbs of muscle.
- paulr

Club Sammy!!!

They’re both 21, the IceHogs roster is taking shape!
- walleyeb1

If Soderlund and Hakkarainen are both slated for Rockford, hope that spells the end for some older prospects who likely aren't going to amount to much. Knott, Noel, and Fortin come to mind. Even Ejdsell.

I don’t think so. USHL players generally head to college. I’m sure Wiz would know for sure.
- scottak

Hakkarainen started at Providence College last fall but couldn't handle the academic workload, so left pretty early to rejoin the USHL.

Makes sense, though, what you said. Slavin has played for 3 USHL teams in 4 years and will be at Colorado College starting this fall.

Yes, the USHL is juniors. It is the U.S. Tier 1 junior league.
- BDT36

Thanks!

Saad's game is built for playoff hockey
- glennjpawlak22

^^^^^^^This.

Flyers say Ian Laperriere will remain as an assistant coach. Kris Knoblauch and Rick Wilson have been fired. Scott Gordon is going back to AHL Lehigh Valley, where Kerry Huffman will go back to being his assistant.

^^^^^^^This.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agree. Don't trade Saad. Move Anisimov and then with that freed up cape space, go sign a Defenseman.

TC, you mentioned that Stan may be looking to get more physicality brought in that would play more than Hayden.

I've personally moved on from him just because he hasn't really shown all that much, and it seems Colliton is disinterested, but it could very well be that Hayden is very much like Bickell. Not so great during the regular season, but plays much bigger in the playoffs. The problem is that we've never seen him in the playoffs, so we don't really know. I don't expect him back, but this dynamic is not really new in the NHL.

Re: Saad - I'm not advocating for it, but with all of Stan's insistence on Kubalik making the team (bigger body scorer), and the "down years" that he has had recently, I can see that Stan would be open to moving Saad. I don't think it's a good idea, but I can see it happening if it brings back a solid D-man.

I don't like the idea of moving Murphy or Saad. Two guys that are still young, signed to favorable contracts and made forward progress last year. Sometimes there is an adjustment period after an injury or after a trade even if you've been with the organization before. I like their trajectory from last year. if you have to move someone it should be AA, Hayden or prospects. Plenty of cap space to acquire a veteran grinder with size and skill and a top-4 dman.

Who would be better for the blueline if you had to pick one: Koekkoek or Ceci? Both are former 1st rounders with decent potential but flaws as well. Ceci of course has the higher salary so that’s a factor.
- AEL_Fox

One is still developing and will be paid very little to resign...
the one in Ottawa hard pass at any where near his current salary.

Nice, thanks for posting.

I'm not putting any expectations on Soderlund, but I am interested to see what he can do in North America.
- DarthKane

agreed but Soder can play up and down and on PK....maybe...at an NHL level...

Trade Saad to Pitt for Kessel

Move Anisimov for picks/or prospect

Draft Turcotte

Sikura- Toews - Kane
Debrincat- Strome - Perlini
Kubilak- Turcotte- Kessel
Caggulia- Kampf - Kahun

Forward group done...and can score