But if Sikura were to outperform other prospects, would you agree he deserves a spot in the roster?
- paulr

I agree.

Sneak peak at current voting tallies:
I agree = 2
I don't agree = 0-1


wow, can you imagine if BOTH Sikura and Perlini exceed expectations this year? It'd be nice if Toews, Keith, ect. might have reduced minutes this year due to others filling in. This could help the 'old-timers' be more fresh for the playoffs.... (whoops, did I just say playoffs??)

Hawks have not won a Playoff Series since June 2015. So, naturally, let's get an extension for Stanley Bowman ASAP!


- EnzoD

Well, to be fair he did really nail the ping-pong ball lottery maneuver from 12 to 3.

I think that warrants an extension.

I agree.

Sneak peak at current voting tallies:
I agree = 2
I don't agree = 0-1


wow, can you imagine if BOTH Sikura and Perlini exceed expectations this year? It'd be nice if Toews, Keith, ect. might have reduced minutes this year due to others filling in. This could help the 'old-timers' be more fresh for the playoffs.... (whoops, did I just say playoffs??)
- DontKnowNutin

If Sikura/Perlini/Kubalik, can put up Heinen/ DeBrusk/Kuraly numbers, I would be very happy. Remember they did not pick up Coyle and Johansson until the TDL.

I think they should lock him up long term deal before he gets too expensive

With all his incredible untapped potential, hes bound to bust out and become too expensive. Then they have to pay ADB 8-9mil and Strome!

Seabrook and Keith's contracts are scrwing this team again
- PatShart

Why do you have to jump all the way to this? Can Sikura not simply be a close NHL prospect that has attributes that are desirable to an NHL team (positive possession metrics, backchecks well, has the speed and willingness to forecheck, creates scoring chances, etc.)?

I don't think anyone here has him penciled into the top six. Tyler puts the caveat in literally every blog he writes to not be concerned with the actual lines, but simply the players who make the roster.

Sikura himself stated last year that "maybe I won't be a big scorer at this level and I need to make sure I do everything else the right way". Why would you not want someone with these attributes (who likely won't command big dollars) on your team?

From Powers latest article:

* Not going to sign Nalimov
* Have not contacted Lee’s camp
* Perry could still be an option (gross)
* Doesn't expect Hawks to pursue any of the bigger names in the coming weeks
- L_B_R

Yep. Think they’re done for now and see who’s left once the dust settles. AA + prospect for Frolik and Jankowski would be nice.

Favourite line of this blog:

"As always, I will add the obligatory, "don't get too worked up about the lines" line. "

Nothing personal Tyler ... :D but coming out of the Q years --- I forgot that some teams actually play set lines.

Florida ought to be interesting this season ... Q was basically the skaters version of Mike Keenan was with goalies.

Yes Crawford is off the books but he has to be replaced with a goalie good enough to take us where we want to go so for all intents and purposes we should just figure $6M for a starting goalie whether it's Crawford re-up'd or someone else.

There's armchair-GM ways to construct rosters so maybe there's a way to sign Pavelski and still be able to re-sign Cat and Strome but it will come at a cost and my opinion is the cost of Pavelski is better used in other areas - specifically areas more in need than top-6 scoring.
- EbonyRaptor

As for the goalie, we will probably flip to the Bowman model for goalies that worked for them in Detroit. They didn’t have the best but they had serviceable ones and relied heavily on team defense.

As for the armchair gm comment, I am a believer in if there is a will, there is a way. The team offensively with Pavelski would be better off. Thus not needing to rush players and let them develop and fill roles as they mature. We have the cap space now to make it happen. Trade AA and we have 15 mil less about 4 mil to resign Kampf and Perlini. 11 mill this year can sign Pavelski for say 7 * 2 or 3. Cap sapace left is roughly 4.

Next season we will probably lose de Haan to expansion. 6 mil from Craw contract that’s about 11 mil plus annual increase. So we may have between 16 and 20 in cap space. Need also resign Drake. Gus is gone as well because Boqvist will be moved up. I’m figuring bridge deals of 7 and 5 (millions) for Cat and Strome. So we will be close to the cap next season if it’s on the low end of the cap projection.

Wasn't the whole reason they sent Joki down when they did, is because they would be getting an extra year of service if they did? I can't remember the amount of games played that were needed, but I am pretty sure that is also why he never came back up at the end of the season. I don't think Colliton doesn't like him, I would think (if this was the case) they like him so much they didn't wan't to waste a year off is ELC on a team that was going nowhere.
- spudrock512

The amount of games for an ELC contract to slide is 10 so Jokiharju's ELC years have not been extended.

Compare TOI when he played for Q and for Colliton. I think with his demotion last year and the tea leaves are leading to another one this season, shows that Colliton does not think of him as highly as Q. Joki belongs on the top 4 in Chicago, not Rockford. All this talk of another demotion to Rockford gives me a bad feeling. Just my opinion.
- KMFDMLight

Or maybe they wanted to see how Forsling and Gustafson would do with regular minutes in the NHL?

As for the goalie, we will probably flip to the Bowman model for goalies that worked for them in Detroit. They didn’t have the best but they had serviceable ones and relied heavily on team defense.

As for the armchair gm comment, I am a believer in if there is a will, there is a way. The team offensively with Pavelski would be better off. Thus not needing to rush players and let them develop and fill roles as they mature. We have the cap space now to make it happen. Trade AA and we have 15 mil less about 4 mil to resign Kampf and Perlini. 11 mill this year can sign Pavelski for say 7 * 2 or 3. Cap sapace left is roughly 4.

Next season we will probably lose de Haan to expansion. 6 mil from Craw contract that’s about 11 mil plus annual increase. So we may have between 16 and 20 in cap space. Need also resign Drake. Gus is gone as well because Boqvist will be moved up. I’m figuring bridge deals of 7 and 5 (millions) for Cat and Strome. So we will be close to the cap next season if it’s on the low end of the cap projection.
- gifman

Expansion is not next year. The expansion draft is not til the summer of 21.

I think they should lock him up long term deal before he gets too expensive

With all his incredible untapped potential, hes bound to bust out and become too expensive. Then they have to pay ADB 8-9mil and Strome!

Seabrook and Keith's contracts are scrwing this team again
- PatShart

If Sikura were to outperform other prospects, would you agree he deserves a spot in the roster?

Expansion is not next year. The expansion draft is not til the summer of 21.
- boilermaker100

I stand corrected. I’ll have to rework my thoughts

Getting paid or getting traded
- Return of the Roar

My guess getting paid less than the 105% bump.

My guess getting paid less than the 105% bump.
- walleyeb1

With a NMC.

There is no reason Jokiharju should start the season in Rockford. He was one of the 2 best defensemen on the team in his early stint, played well with Keith. Plus, he made every guy he played with better.

Then he went to World Juniors, and teamed with Kakko to lead his team to the gold medal.

Unfortunately, the Tier 2 Swedish coach couldn’t figure out that he was better than Gus, Dahlstrom, Forsling, Koekkoek, Seabrook & Murphy.

It’s a crime if he doesn’t start the season in top 4, paired with either Keith or de Haan.
- scottak

After last season's joke teamwide defensive showing the smart ciach whom is qualifed enough to coach NHL, .ust have had an understanding with Bowman that he was to coach just trying to save face the remainder of the season. To that end the young coach harnessed the support of the veterans and with Gus an important cog the team did much better than expected.

The reality hiwever is that they need a syztem and accountability. Thzt is what Colliton is serving up beginning this fall. Colliton has the full support of the Blackhawks organization management and players both.

Not too surprisingly some fans scream for privdn winners and therefire experienced coaches. That is not always the recipe you have to use. Colliton will be fine as long as he has 1). the respect of players and management with his system and 2) as long as Bkwman makes prudent necessary moves.

One solid move was to accept that he had to start the pricesd of adding a combination of size muscle and toughness/grit to the top six. While many salivated over the addition of Byram, unfoubtably Bowman and Kelly saw Byram as a luxury. We already have a dynamic dman prosoect in Boqvist plus we know the other prosoects on defense is a rich vein (not necessarily of gold).

You can dream if winning the lottery. You will most likely be disappointed your enture lifetime. You can xream of adding a Byram and spendung dollars on old race hi
horses whom no longer run well - like Symmonds.

Bowman has a mixed track recird to be sure. But axing Q was the right move. Last season's approach was not improper. You enjoyed their playoff run? Open up your eyes to reality: Dach was the correct choice and so is Colliton. If you don"t like it then u are just a miserale fan

If Sikura were to outperform other prospects, would you agree he deserves a spot in the roster?
- paulr

No. Sikura didn't score so he can't play.

The amount of games for an ELC contract to slide is 10 so Jokiharju's ELC years have not been extended.
- L_B_R

LBR, is the slide rule only for the first year (or years - contracts can slide up to two years) of the ELC? If Joki is stuck in the AHL all year, will he get a slide year? Thanks.

If Sikura were to outperform other prospects, would you agree he deserves a spot in the roster?
- paulr

Of course, just like if Wedin, Kubilak or others out perform him and produce...I dont want to see him on LW with Toews and Kane, not getting on the score sheet for 38 games and here about "well, he's a smart player"

He can go down to the AHL and be a smart player. If he continues to get gifted first line minutes for half a season, and doesnt put the puck in the net, would you agree he doesnt deserve a spot on the top line or even top 9 and someone else should?

Of course, just like if Wedin, Kubilak or others out perform him and produce...I dont want to see him on LW with Toews and Kane, not getting on the score sheet for 38 games and here about "well, he's a smart player"

He can go down to the AHL and be a smart player. If he continues to get gifted first line minutes for half a season, and doesnt put the puck in the net, would you agree he doesnt deserve a spot on the top line or even top 9 and someone else should?
- PatShart

If his scoring goals is as bad as last seadon, then he will have to struggle to maintain axroster spot. I believe most top evaluators would expect that he scires some goals and helos generate points. You may be correct in that he diesn' t scire enougj goals; overall he probably tallies enough points even if the gials are somewhat disappointing. I would guess he is cspable to score 20 goals. His success in just getting a few goals will not only be a monkey off his back but ptobably lead to better production.

I do not understand why everybody wants AA out. Perhaps you could tell me. We all ask for size and but on the other hand if we get rid of AA and/or Connor Murphy and/or Brandon Saad you're doing exactly the opposit. What's wrong in fact with AA at 4,5? Roughly 20 goals a year for 40 points it looks to me that is the price to pay nowadays. Look at Hayes with that ridiculous contract. Is he really so much better than AA?
- contracom

AA's contract isn't the problem.

He is a niche player that doesn't thrive when playing with bottom 6 talent. His production without someone like Kane/Panarin or similar isn't anything outstanding. He gets points when playing with skilled players, but not enough to be a legit top 6 player. (Kane/Panarin were tearing it up on his line and he got ~45 points) He has value as a net front guy, but that value dropped when Strome showed up and kinda took that role on the PP.

He doesn't excel at being a shutdown C. He has his strengths and contributes but not enough that they need to keep him. He was okay on the PK last year, but also didn't get the tough part which is winning the draw and clearing the puck, most of his PK time came on the fly after they already cleared the zone.

Not saying they can just sign a UFA for 4.5 mil that is better, but they might be able to sign someone who is a better 3C fit for similar or less. I'd love if they found someone that is just harder to play against and plays with more bite and is less passive than AA. AA is big but isn't really that physical or tough to play against.

Of course, just like if Wedin, Kubilak or others out perform him and produce...I dont want to see him on LW with Toews and Kane, not getting on the score sheet for 38 games and here about "well, he's a smart player"

He can go down to the AHL and be a smart player. If he continues to get gifted first line minutes for half a season, and doesnt put the puck in the net, would you agree he doesnt deserve a spot on the top line or even top 9 and someone else should?
- PatShart

I'd bet almost every poster agrees with you. The best 12 forwards will make the team. And after seeing him play I'm betting he'll be one of those 12.

Does anyone know if either De Haan or Määttä have played RD.

First, Forsling came back from injury and then Murphy came back from injury - that contributed to Joki's reduced TOI.

Second, Colliton was under the gun to right the ship in the midst of (2) 8 or 9 game losing streaks and any coach would lean on more experienced players in that situation.

Third, Joki played with exceptional poise for a rookie in the first month or so but then some cracks started to show - he had a few deer in the headlight moments in the December/January time frame that he didn't have early on.

And lastly, there's probably truth to the thought that Stan wanted Joki kept under 40 games last season to push the team's RFA rights to him out another year.

Or ... maybe Colliton is just an idiot.
- EbonyRaptor

I'd bet almost every poster agrees with you. The best 12 forwards will make the team. And after seeing him play I'm betting he'll be one of those 12.
- paulr

I dont get all the angst about Sikura, Kampf, trading Kahun, thinking Hayden wasnt utilized properly etc etc. All of these bottom of the roster players Stan has assembled has been to try and build decent 3rd and 4th lines which they havent had for the past few seasons. Critical for team success if they are going to make the playoffs and win anything.

Guessing Sikura makes the team and plays OK in a bottom 6 forward role, 12-15 goals would be great. Or John Quennville may beat him out of the job.

These are

I dont get all the angst about Sikura, Kampf, trading Kahun, thinking Hayden wasnt utilized properly etc etc. All of these bottom of the roster players Stan has assembled has been to try and build decent 3rd and 4th lines which they havent had for the past few seasons. Critical for team success if they are going to make the playoffs and win anything.

Guessing Sikura makes the team and plays OK in a bottom 6 forward role, 12-15 goals would be great. Or John Quennville may beat him out of the job.

These are
- RickJ

Good pick up in John Q. Just my 2 cents