Let's see what Delia looks like with actual NHL defensemen playing in front of him now. I would venture to say that this newly constructed Hawks blueline will not be giving up 36 shots (Tampa Bay) and 29 (Toronto) in a period this year.
- ChicagoHope

If the Hawks continue to play Colliton’s immature, over-aggressive at both ends “system” it is not going to work with 6 Lindstroms playing.

If the Hawks continue to play Colliton’s immature, over-aggressive at both ends “system” it is not going to work with 6 Lindstroms playing.
- Z3Hawk

Please expound on your comment. Why will JC's system not work and what makes it "immature"?

True, but so far Boqvist has not played a game in the NHL and will probably not do it this season ether. Gus is proven and the won’t except Boqvist to just come in and dominante.
- PetterKane

What does “Gus is proven” mean? Proven what? That he has proven he can be caught out of position on every single shift? That he has proven he has no idea how to player defence? I so wanted Bowman to move him while some team might bite but that doesn’t seem will be happening. Trade him for any return as it will be addition by subtraction.

Sikura - he seems to have scored everywhere he’s played so far except here.

He could be a “triple-A player”, but I’m guessing (considering how he’s skated here so far) he’ll do it for Chicago, too.
- StLBravesFan

Only one way to find out. Give him 12-15 games up there and see how it goes. Saad took a good 25-30 games on top line before he clicked as a rook.

Also, Corey Perry is a cake eater.

Frolik and his skill set makes a lot of sense.

He just played with Kubalik on the same Czech world championship so that could be a nice comfort level thing for Kubalik.
- Tyler Cameron

Is any Vegas deal dead?

True, but so far Boqvist has not played a game in the NHL and will probably not do it this season ether. Gus is proven and the won’t except Boqvist to just come in and dominante.
- PetterKane

Just a general comment. The cap is only going up a couple of million this year and they are already talking about a similar small increase next year. The talk is that once a new TV contract is negotiated in a couple of years, there may be larger increases in the cap, but this is not guaranteed.

So with these salary cap limitations, you have to rotate out the guys who will command big money for prospects on their ELCs. A perfect example is Gus, who if he has another 55-60 point season will want what 4 or 5M? It would be nice to have him, but the salary cap says no, so he has to be replaced by a Boqvist at 925K.

As for Boqvist, I agree that he is unproven at the NHL level as the projected Gus heir apparent. For that reason, I would like him to get a cup of coffee with the Hawks this season to see what he can do. If he remains in the juniors, the only time he can audition with the Hawks is in the first nine games. But if he is in the AHL he can be recalled anytime during the season. Hopefully, the Hawks are thinking about this option.

Only one way to find out. Give him 12-15 games up there and see how it goes. Saad took a good 25-30 games on top line before he clicked as a rook.

Also, Corey Perry is a cake eater.
- Assman22

Mangiatore di torte,

Both are defensive liabilities, you cannot have both playing in your top 6. Gus is valuable no doubt, but I just think going forward the Hawks value Boqvist more.
- ChicagoHope

Your talking like Boqvist is a veteran with 10 years experince i the NHL. We don’t now exactly what kind of player he will be. Why is it not posible to have two offensive D in your top 6? Just look att SJ.

Both are defensive liabilities, you cannot have both playing in your top 6. Gus is valuable no doubt, but I just think going forward the Hawks value Boqvist more.
- ChicagoHope

We need to slide Boqvist's ELC this year so Gus has to stay at least until the TDL. I do not want to witness another season with undersized and/or too young defenders watching opposing forwards take 5/6 whacks directed at our goalie's pads and unwilling or unable to do anything about it.
If we had drafted Bouchard instead, I would be okay, but smaller skilled D cannot be rushed in.

Only one way to find out. Give him 12-15 games up there and see how it goes. Saad took a good 25-30 games on top line before he clicked as a rook.

Also, Corey Perry is a cake eater.
- Assman22

I know I am going to take a bunch of crap for this statement, but I would rather have Corey Perry as the top line LW than Sikura. Do not want Perry either, but playing with 19 and 88 if Perry comes back motivated and on a cheap contract could be interesting.

OK - except for Nester and Ogi, who hate every deal....


- StLBravesFan

I actually remember quite a few people being unhappy with that one.

Is any Vegas deal dead?
- LAHawk

Vegas is praying better offers are coming

If the Hawks continue to play Colliton’s immature, over-aggressive at both ends “system” it is not going to work with 6 Lindstroms playing.
- Z3Hawk

It worked well for Carolina

Only one way to find out. Give him 12-15 games up there and see how it goes. Saad took a good 25-30 games on top line before he clicked as a rook.

Also, Corey Perry is a cake eater.
- Assman22

In the case of Perry, I'd replace cake with poop.

We need to slide Boqvist's ELC this year so Gus has to stay at least until the TDL. I do not want to witness another season with undersized and/or too young defenders watching opposing forwards take 5/6 whacks directed at our goalie's pads and unwilling or unable to do anything about it.
If we had drafted Bouchard instead, I would be okay, but smaller skilled D cannot be rushed in.
- 67hawks

Boqvist plays on the third pairing with a really good stay at home defenseman (Maatta, de Haan, etc.) and mans the point on the power play will be his role when he is a rookie in my opinion. That is how you use Boqvist when the time comes in 20-21.

I know I am going to take a bunch of crap for this statement, but I would rather have Corey Perry as the top line LW than Sikura. Do not want Perry either, but playing with 19 and 88 if Perry comes back motivated and on a cheap contract could be interesting.
- ChicagoHope

Actually your point is spot on. Perry is more reliable and trusted .

Personally Sikura should be traded , that kid has had plenty of time up here and has IMO not given Chicago any reason to keep him.

Your talking like Boqvist is a veteran with 10 years experince i the NHL. We don’t now exactly what kind of player he will be. Why is it not posible to have two offensive D in your top 6? Just look att SJ.
- PetterKane

The Sharks lost.

Actually your point is spot on. Perry is more reliable and trusted .

Personally Sikura should be traded , that kid has had plenty of time up here and has IMO not given Chicago any reason to keep him.
- Taylorst1

You’re funny.

I actually remember quite a few people being unhappy with that one.
- Ogilthorpe2

I didn't post here at the time & I was unhappy. I just try not to re-visit too many bad times or trades I didn't like/didn't pan out well for the hawks. 20/20 hindsight & complaining does nothing to change it.

I didn't post here at the time & I was unhappy. I just try not to re-visit too many bad times or trades I didn't like/didn't pan out well for the hawks. 20/20 hindsight & complaining does nothing to change it.
- I Am The Breadman

Breadman, if you were unhappy with the Danault trade it's a good thing you weren't around for the Phil Esposito trade.

I find it interesting that Bowman traded for 2 dmen that are playing a similar system to JC.

I know I am going to take a bunch of crap for this statement, but I would rather have Corey Perry as the top line LW than Sikura. Do not want Perry either, but playing with 19 and 88 if Perry comes back motivated and on a cheap contract could be interesting.
- ChicagoHope

Can he play LW? Thought he was always RW

Actually your point is spot on. Perry is more reliable and trusted .

Personally Sikura should be traded , that kid has had plenty of time up here and has IMO not given Chicago any reason to keep him.
- Taylorst1

Sikura has played 38 games & a former 6th round pick. I guess he gets no time to develop. He plays a possession game, hits, battles along the board, & looks for the open man. I don't care if he doesn't score, he can chip in or not as we have a top 6 filling out nicely. He's a smart kid slowly honing his skills.

I find it interesting that Bowman traded for 2 dmen that are playing a similar system to JC.
- BetweenTheDots

Makes sense. To allow one guy to cheat up, the other has to be a sound stay at-home type with an active stick.

Your talking like Boqvist is a veteran with 10 years experince i the NHL. We don’t now exactly what kind of player he will be. Why is it not posible to have two offensive D in your top 6? Just look att SJ.
- PetterKane

Karlsson and Burns are light years ahead of Gus defensively, and will be light years ahead of Boqvist when he is a rookie as well. You are right, we don't know exactly what type of player he will be, but he will be given every opportunity to showcase his talents. Also, the Hawks are not going to be in position to give Gus a huge money deal after next year due to the raises of Strome and Debrincat. Gus will get his money from somebody, and then Boqvist steps in and replaces Gus. As for having two offensive defensemen on one roster, Jokiharju will also put up points from the blueline as well. I just don't forsee Gus in Chicago after next season. I do like what Gus has provided, but he has limitations in his game. I am not blasting your ideas, I am just telling you what I truly think is going to happen.