You’re funny.
- Ogilthorpe2

But not necessarily ha ha funny no?

I hate to continue the Sikura discussion, but maybe he is willing or capable of playing on the PK. Any opinions by anybody?
- boilermaker100

I think he will get a look on the PK depending on what personnel the Hawks add.

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

I would too, but he will be offered more dollars and more term from other teams. If he came he could change the entire attitude and physical play of the team. Pronger-like in that respect.

I’ll post my arm chair GM later, I’m busy taking the morning off. I’ll it when I get into the office.
- walleyeb1

So you're going to do it on company time instead of your time? Good for you!

So you're going to do it on company time instead of your time? Good for you!
- boilermaker100

I’m the company, I work for myself.

Where you and I disagree regarding Sikura is I think he has shown plenty to warrant being one of the 12 forwards on this team. The only thing he hasn't shown is goal scoring but goal scoring isn't the end-all be-all. He does enough other stuff well to continue to give him time to see if he can get crack the seal on goal scoring.
- EbonyRaptor

I agree we both have varying opinions. We both agree he has skill your just of the opinion that Chicago should give him more time, that's where we differ .


If Chicago had more time and hadn't missed making the playoffs 2 years in a row than I'd agree if we had a team around him producing, but their are to many needs to address and toews and Kane aren't getting any younger.

That's my whole point

I’ll post my arm chair GM later, I’m busy taking the morning off. I’ll it when I get into the office. But yes that’s where I put him.
- walleyeb1

Look forward to it!

At some point an offensive player actually needs to score. 0 for 38 is a big sample size. Sikura must make it happen quickly as he is 24 and eventually the team will have to move on from him.
- Z3Hawk

I'm pretty sure all the Sikura non-haters would agree that Sikura will have to score to continue to be in the lineup. The difference between the haters and non-haters is that the haters have run out of patience whereas the non-haters have appreciated other parts of his game and believe more patience is warranted.

In that respect remember when Frolik first came to be the second line center, after a couple of 20 goal seasons in Florida. and he was considered a bust as he scored like 2 goals in 30 games? In fact, I don't think Frolik scored more than 5 goals in a season in his tenure with the Hawks? And we are looking at Frolik at $4 million for a 3rd/4th line role? I would give Sikura a chance on his ELC, fi he becomes a Michel Frolik, good PK, responsible forward I would be happy at $925K.
- LAHawk

One of Frolik's great goals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYYHNvS2ffk

What do I think?


I think Tyler you have made a lot of very compelling scenarios, albeit the Jet trades are really tied to IF Lowry is a guy they WANT to move.

but I like'm...all.

But not necessarily ha ha funny no?
- HawkintheD

No comment.

I’m on a pretty good streak of not being banned right now.

I hate to continue the Sikura discussion, but maybe he is willing or capable of playing on the PK. Any opinions by anybody?
- boilermaker100

I don't see Sikura as willing to get in shooting lanes and block shots, which is pretty important for a PK forward.

Well explain your theory or reason as to why Chicago should continue holding out hope . Sikura has played enough games to get a great sense of his skill and impact. He has played in the top 6 and top 9 role and his numbers and lack of ability to finish doesnt justify wasting anymore time hoping and praying he somehow catches lightening in a bottle.


Stan has a window of 4 years or less to utilize toews and Kanes remainder contracts and skills to win 1 more cup.

This whole half hearted approach the team has taken doesn't instil confidence that Stan can put together all the right pieces .

Sure Perry has had some issues but he has a solid record and maybe a fresh start just like brad Richards could be enough to win.
- Taylorst1

Applying your logic, Saad also should have been launched into the sun as a rookie when he wasn’t routinely scoring with 19 and 81.

I know you want to rid the Hawks of him now because he provides nothing, your opinion not mine.

My guess is Sikura gets his first and the dam bursts. I wouldn’t bet against 15 goals if he sees regular time one of the top 3 lines.

But that deal was a fleecing. I get Stan/Q were swinging for the fences for another cup run. It made sense to make a move to go it... but that move specifically hurts.
- gnosox1986

It was 'all hands on deck' for another cup run, the hawks were good enough and had a chance, so seemed like a worthwhile trade (get playoff vets, sacrificing an up-and-coming young guy)... but to me the worst part of that deal was that Q never really played either guy. What was the point of the trade then?

That seemed to be one of the clearest examples of a disconnect between Bowman and Q, like they didn't fully dialogue about this prior to Bowman making the move.

Sikura has barely a half of a season’s worth of playing time. The sense that I get (supported by lots of numbers) of his skill and impact is that he’s a very good player at both ends of the ice save for maybe his finishing ability. Not every player is going to produce huge point totals, but that doesn’t mean they don’t provide value to the team as a whole.

What I meant, but didn’t clarify in my original post about him being on the top line is this: I also doubt that he is ultimately top line material. But since he’s done everything else well (possession, board battles, defense, play making etc) maybe it would be interesting to see him with 19&88. Because if his scoring ability doesn’t manifest itself playing with those two, then maybe it never will. That’s fine too, because he still does a lot of the little things that help teams win cups, and if he does those things on a bargain of a contract then even better. If he proves to be a bottom 6 guy, then so be it, there is still value there. They can’t all be superstars. Dianna Ross needed the Supremes, and Gladys Knight had the Pips.

In the words of the late great Judge Elihu Smails, “the world”...or team in this case...”needs ditch diggers too”
- Ogilthorpe2

Well said Ogi...

If Chevy Trade Lowry for Murphy it would likely not be long for his replacement to step in
- Allforhim12

If you read below... I mentioned there could be more to the trade in terms of picks and prospects.

Would he lose his job if it was Murphy and Boqvist for Lowry?

Is it wrong to say that in the 38 games he has played, he has left a lot to be desired? I dont think we should write him off, but I won't sit here and say his prospective stock has gotten greater in his short time.
- nickmo2699

Yes, I think it is wrong to say that because the only thing he has left to be desired is putting the puck in the net. Granted, that's a big thing, but he has shown other things that are desirable in a rookie with less than half a season in the NHL.

Applying your logic, Saad also should have been launched into the sun as a rookie when he wasn’t routinely scoring with 19 and 81.

I know you want to rid the Hawks of him now because he provides nothing, your opinion not mine.

My guess is Sikura gets his first and the dam bursts. I wouldn’t bet against 15 goals if he sees regular time one of the top 3 lines.
- HawkintheD

Saad's first year he held 27pts in 46gms

Not sure Sikura can really be compared to him. Sikura is a little more Fortin than he is Saad

Sure Perry has had some issues but he has a solid record of creating new issues and maybe a fresh start just like brad Richards could be enough to win.
- Taylorst1

corrected the above

No comment.

I’m on a pretty good streak of not being banned right now.
- Ogilthorpe2

But Mayberry's finest don't police the Web no more.

Speaking of Frolik.

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...to-free-agency/202/100205

Breadman, if you were unhappy with the Danault trade it's a good thing you weren't around for the Phil Esposito trade.
- boilermaker100

I don't think Breadman was even born for the Esposito trade.

If Darling is bought out by Carolina how would you feel about signing him to an AHL contract. Then have Darling, Lankinen, and Delia battle for the backup position in training camp. That is assuming that he has not succumbed to any of his past demons and is 100% healthy mentally and physically.

wow...ek reporting gardner may get a 7 yr/50 mildo deal....

WTF...GM's are nutz

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

Yeah, I would like to see that too...this is a highly advanced defensive system, that holds all accountable to be responsible, read the ice and where the attackers will be...the NHL continues to advance to find ways to stop the rampant fast attacks and personally, I am very happy that the hawks are in the vanguard of a changing dynamic instead of being a follower.

I will never forget prior to 2008-09 how my friend Blackhawk Bob said, "You know what the hawks don't have and need? Look at how all these playoff teams have more than one defender who can GET up in the attack zone quickly, or quickly get the transition going..."
Well the same hold true now with advancing defense to thwart the high end capacities of the entire leagues attackers.

If it doesn't work, find players that fit in it,

or if it doesn't work, after a season, then scrape and move on.