It's the players examples too, when the best players work the hardest (Kane, keith, etc), others follow suit (i.e. Strome staying in Chi. to work out with his buddy ADB. Looks like Saad did too.
- LAHawk

Agreed. I am cautiously optimistic about this season. The backend could be solid and if the newbies in the top 6 pan out the Hawks are loaded with fire power. The Hawks might end up with 7-8 20g scorers.

I see Shaw hitting 20g playing top 6 and PP. One of Kubalik or Nylander could hit 20g too (maybe both )

I told you all awhile ago that Kampf will be JC's go to 3rd line center and bumped up to top 6 when needed.

He'll be the guy JC thinks can win draws in the 3rd, or get shifts in OT because he thinks Kampf is good

When the truth is, if they waived him he wouldn't be on any other teams NHL roster

If this is another developmental year, keep Dach in Jr's as well as Boqvist and any other young player in Rockford

I think Dalstrom makes the team (and possibly Koekkoek if Dehaan isnt ready)...possibly going with 8 D

JC also thought Dahlstrom and Murphy were "shut down" defenders
- PatShart

Yeah but your view is a tad skewed when he comes to Kampf. There aren't many 4th line guys that would be picked off waivers in reality. Some take too much cap space and some are too green.

Get well soon Dach. The forwards look pretty good, but would look a whole lot better with Dach as 3C.

My guess is that they would rather have Holm playing a regular shift in Rockford than being the 7th defender and sitting in the press box at the UC. I still look for Holm to make it a very hard decision. I think Koekkoek has a higher upside than Dahlstrom, but neither of them are too impressive right now.

I still think Stan has one more significant move before or early in the season.

Do you think Marleau would sign a $2.5 mil deal to play 3C on a cup contender? He is still out there.
- -Doh-

I think its been a few years since Marleau has played center. I agree about Stan making moves. Minor deals, tho. Clear out some of the logjam on defense and clear the way for guys they believe have upside.

Special K, Dahlstrom and Perlini can all be launched for whatever picks they can get, imo.

Well said. I also think this might be a similar situation as Strome. Sabres organization is pretty meh much like AZ. Nylander may come here and flourish with the right coaching staff, trainers, and veteran leadership. Strome was so relieved when he was traded.

The Hawks have one of the best, if not the best organizations in the NHL.
- bhawks2241

There is a difference between Strome and Nylander that gets overlooked. Strome was a PPG player at the A level. He was also being used terribly by Tocchet in a role that set him up to fail. Yes. I wasn't a fan but the kid won me over mainly because he plays like he gives a poop.

Nylander hasn't come close to PPG even after 3 years in the A. Injuries definitely played a part. Nylander has to own some of the blame for him struggling at that level. I hope the kid gets his head together because he definitely has the skill level to be a productive NHL player.

I don't think that Nylunder does (not entirely anyway), only in so far as how much of that was Buffalo's "development" system? Taking a look at all of their 1st rounders from about the last 10 years - they all got dropped into the NHL right away. It seemed to be their expectation rather than any actual development.

Agreed. I am cautiously optimistic about this season. The backend could be solid and if the newbies in the top 6 pan out the Hawks are loaded with fire power. The Hawks might end up with 7-8 20g scorers.

I see Shaw hitting 20g playing top 6 and PP. One of Kubalik or Nylander could hit 20g too (maybe both )
- bhawks2241

Predicting...
40 goal scorers: DeBrincat
30 goal scorers: Kane, Toews
20 goal scorers: Saad, Kubalik, Shaw, Strome

Nylander and Dach will each have around 15 if they make the team and play the whole season.

Gustafsson will have 15+

That's 225 goals from the top 9 forwards and the top goal scoring D-man.

You are a pathetic troll. I come back to the board with the season starting and I am immediately attacked with clear violations of the HockeyBuzz Code of Conduct.


Reported
- EnzoD

Douche

Douche
- Ogilthorpe2

Pithy response.

Yeah but your view is a tad skewed when he comes to Kampf. There aren't many 4th line guys that would be picked off waivers in reality. Some take too much cap space and some are too green.
- Elbows15

Skewed or accurate?

Theres isnt anything Kampf does that makes his line or the team better

I'm not a Sikura fan either. But when linemates (when he played with Toews and Kane specifically) create time and room for Sikura, he at least has the ability to get the puck to someone in a scoring position.

I've seen Kampf take a dive instead of scoring an EN goal (vs MINN last year, when the hawks gave up a SHG and then lost in OT). He was caught and stripped from behind vs BOS in the outdoor game. Last night vs AHL players he had a step on the D to get to the net and he slows down to try to pass the puck.

He has no compete and would rather dive and just go thru the motions...which is why he belongs not even in the AHL but the swedish league (which may be why JC loves him)

He doesnt make the Hawks better defensively. Which top line C can you put him against to neutralize? Bolland...Kruger...had that ability because they would compete like MFers. That's what you want in the bottom 6. Bring something to the table...but he brings nothing.

I think...if the top 6 's first option should be
Nylander-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Kubilak

Then...
Saad-Dach-Shaw

This would give Dach 2 multiple cup winning wingers that play a good 2 way game.

If Dach not ready...then
Saad-Shaw-Perlini (with Sikura ready to go)

Then a 4th line of
Caggulia-Smith-Carpenter

And Kampf as the 12th forward that can rotate in that 4th line

How about that #50. Plays the whole game and looks like his old self.

Many here had crow done retired and burried. Not surprisingly crow had different ideas.

I don't think the hawks would spend 5 mildo for lehner as a psychological prod for craw. He doesn't need it.

As many have noted the hawks have some serious depth for the 1st time in years. A few somebodies are going to be disappointed at going to rckf or even possibly a trade. Although stanbow trades are rare at this time of year.

The nylander/perlini duel is the most intriguing...neither is suited for a 4th line role.
The kid dman will be up here for good before the end of the season. He is going to be alot of fun to watch.

Smith and Carpenter will make the team. They weren't acquired to sit or be AHL fodder.
- bogiedoc

Hate this false narrative. What most have said is that Stan couldn't go into another season relying on Crow as the number 1 to play a min of 50 games a season with his injury history over the last few years.

That's what happened the last two years, and that is a big reason they weren't good.

Skewed or accurate?

Theres isnt anything Kampf does that makes his line or the team better

I'm not a Sikura fan either. But when linemates (when he played with Toews and Kane specifically) create time and room for Sikura, he at least has the ability to get the puck to someone in a scoring position.

I've seen Kampf take a dive instead of scoring an EN goal (vs MINN last year, when the hawks gave up a SHG and then lost in OT). He was caught and stripped from behind vs BOS in the outdoor game. Last night vs AHL players he had a step on the D to get to the net and he slows down to try to pass the puck.

He has no compete and would rather dive and just go thru the motions...which is why he belongs not even in the AHL but the swedish league (which may be why JC loves him)

He doesnt make the Hawks better defensively. Which top line C can you put him against to neutralize? Bolland...Kruger...had that ability because they would compete like MFers. That's what you want in the bottom 6. Bring something to the table...but he brings nothing.
- PatShart

You have no clue what you’re (you are) talking about.

Hate this false narrative. What most have said is that Stan couldn't go into another season relying on Crow as the number 1 to play a min of 50 games a season with his injury history over the last few years.

That's what happened the last two years, and that is a big reason they weren't good.
- vabeachbear

Agree. I'm not sure anyone "gave up" on crow but he hasnt been reliable in 2+ years to start and finish a season in full health. At 35 yrs old...not sure he can be counted on it either.

You have no clue what you’re (you are) talking about.
- Ogilthorpe2

Ok! I look forward to his 4g and 9a this year.

He was average at best in his garbage Czech league he came from...

I'm sure there are beer leagues in the south suburbs that are more competitive than that euro league. But I'm sure theres more untapped potential hes never shown to have ready to explode this year

Skewed or accurate?

Theres isnt anything Kampf does that makes his line or the team better

I'm not a Sikura fan either. But when linemates (when he played with Toews and Kane specifically) create time and room for Sikura, he at least has the ability to get the puck to someone in a scoring position.

I've seen Kampf take a dive instead of scoring an EN goal (vs MINN last year, when the hawks gave up a SHG and then lost in OT). He was caught and stripped from behind vs BOS in the outdoor game. Last night vs AHL players he had a step on the D to get to the net and he slows down to try to pass the puck.

He has no compete and would rather dive and just go thru the motions...which is why he belongs not even in the AHL but the swedish league (which may be why JC loves him)

He doesnt make the Hawks better defensively. Which top line C can you put him against to neutralize? Bolland...Kruger...had that ability because they would compete like MFers. That's what you want in the bottom 6. Bring something to the table...but he brings nothing.
- PatShart

Well, maybe a bit skewed.....

Ok! I look forward to his 4g and 9a this year.

He was average at best in his garbage Czech league he came from...

I'm sure there are beer leagues in the south suburbs that are more competitive than that euro league. But I'm sure theres more untapped potential hes never shown to have ready to explode this year
- PatShart

Here we go again... points are all that matter in a 4th line Center

#Can’tfixstupid

Here we go again... points are all that matter in a 4th line Center

#Can’tfixstupid
- Ogilthorpe2

Got it.

So JC coming out and saying he has offensive potential which is why he wants to play him with Kubilak and Saad...which is why he is playing him on the 3rd line and not the fourth

You are right, you cant fix stupid especially from the mentally challenged.

#youcantfixstupidbutcanlaughatretards

Got it.

So JC coming out and saying he has offensive potential which is why he wants to play him with Kubilak and Saad...which is why he is playing him on the 3rd line and not the fourth

You are right, you cant fix stupid especially from the mentally challenged.

#youcantfixstupidbutcanlaughatretards
- PatShart

One of them werds is no longer socially acceptable, eh?

One of them werds is no longer socially acceptable, eh?
- mohel

Laugh?

With each passing day I thint it becomes less likely Dach will make the team out of training camp ... but playing the "what if" game ...

I like the Nylander-Toews-Kane line but I'd rather have Shaw with Cat and Strome and Kubalik with Saad and Dach because neither Saad or Dach are shooters so having Kubalik with them gives that line a shooter more than Shaw would. Cat is the shhoter on his line so having Shaw play his wild weasel role I think would work well with Cat and Strome.

Nylander-Toews-Kane
Cat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Dach-Kubalik

With each passing day I thint it becomes less likely Dach will make the team out of training camp ... but playing the "what if" game ...

I like the Nylander-Toews-Kane line but I'd rather have Shaw with Cat and Strome and Kubalik with Saad and Dach because neither Saad or Dach are shooters so having Kubalik with them gives that line a shooter more than Shaw would. Cat is the shhoter on his line so having Shaw play his wild weasel role I think would work well with Cat and Strome.

Nylander-Toews-Kane
Cat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Dach-Kubalik
- EbonyRaptor

I like that what if scenario. That leaves Perlini where? I'm hoping someone will look at his contract and his "potential," and give us a 2nd or 3rd. I suppose they could keep him as the 13th forward, but I don't like him as much as any those you listed in the top 9.
He could come in handy in case of an injury, though.

With each passing day I thint it becomes less likely Dach will make the team out of training camp ... but playing the "what if" game ...

I like the Nylander-Toews-Kane line but I'd rather have Shaw with Cat and Strome and Kubalik with Saad and Dach because neither Saad or Dach are shooters so having Kubalik with them gives that line a shooter more than Shaw would. Cat is the shhoter on his line so having Shaw play his wild weasel role I think would work well with Cat and Strome.

Nylander-Toews-Kane
Cat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Dach-Kubalik
- EbonyRaptor

Personally I'd prefer if Dach goes "running" back to Saskatoon. Another season in junior is best for most 18 year olds and after suffering a concussion against men in only his first game maybe he's not physically ready even if many parts of his game are. Many prospects have had their careers ruined by coming to the NHL before they were fully ready, be it physically or with enough skill to compete at that level

Got it.

So JC coming out and saying he has offensive potential which is why he wants to play him with Kubilak and Saad...which is why he is playing him on the 3rd line and not the fourth

You are right, you cant fix stupid especially from the mentally challenged.

#youcantfixstupidbutcanlaughatretards
- PatShart

It’s pre-season...time to experiment. Lots of guys playing out of their realistic position right now. If he’s 3rd line C when the real games start, then we’ll talk.

I just don't get the "stubbornness" in hockey about a young player's position. In the case of Boqvist, why not move him to wing if his defensive play is so lacking as many here seem to suggest. Position moves happen in football with some degree of regularity, even at the highest levels. Why not in juniors or even the NHL? Thanks
- BobP.

Boqvist wouldn't see the puck nearly as much as a forward and will spend a good amount of his energy chasing the puck. The puck comes to a D man. That's why big Buff liked to play D more than F.

I think...if the top 6 's first option should be
Nylander-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Kubilak

Then...
Saad-Dach-Shaw

This would give Dach 2 multiple cup winning wingers that play a good 2 way game.

If Dach not ready...then
Saad-Shaw-Perlini (with Sikura ready to go)

Then a 4th line of
Caggulia-Smith-Carpenter

And Kampf as the 12th forward that can rotate in that 4th line
- PatShart

Yes EXACTLY!