Kind of like Dach living with Seab's, Alex Nylander was extended an offer by Robin Lehner to live with him and his wife and two kids. Dietz wrote a piece on it that's in the Herald today...

Nylander credits Toews, Kane and the coaching staff for getting him to realize the kind of hockey player he could become.

He then paused and gave a stick tap to Lehner. And the thing about the Blackhawks' goalie is he's not going to sugarcoat everything.

If Nylander's not hustling or playing smart without the puck, Lehner's going to let him know about it.

"He has a lot of offensive talent, but it's the other part of the game that he needs to get better on," Lehner said. "Which I think he has. Just doing the small things right; playing defense right.

"Just like any young player coming into the league, have a consistency level. ... That's what secures spots in this league.

Said Jeremy Colliton after the Hawks' 5-1 victory over the Kings: "I don't know how many games (in a row) it's been, but I feel quite comfortable with him on the ice. ... When a guy as talented as he is wants to work, he's going to be a pretty good player. I think that's the case right now."
- HawkintheD

Love seeing the veterans take these young kids under their wings and help them grow. Especially Nylander. Kid has a ton of talent you can see it when he's out there, but he needs someone to hold him accountable. Lehner is a great guy for that. He's a perfect example of what Nylander is going through. He was told for awhile that he was going to be good so he believed he was already good, but never could actually live up to the hype and meet expectations. He got himself right and has put in the hard work and the results are showing. Now he can help Nylander do the same which to this point is working.

Arizona has quietly become a very good team with loads of young talent. Getting Kessel was a very good move by management. Darcy Keumpfer is probably the best goaltender in the league so far this year.
- LAHawk

by all means he is in the team picture...but i would go with rask or lehner; when you consider what lehner has faced i would give him the nod

Highmore, Wedin and Sikura could all be recalled short. It depends on what the team is looking for, top 6 type forwards or bottom 6.
- DarthKane

Problem is - who do they replace on the roster, absent an injury?

Smith is really the only likely suspect - and at a cap hit / salary of $3,250,000, it seems unlikely.

Unless there is a trade, or an injury or two, I don't know that we'll be seeing any of Highmore, Wedin, or Sikura up here this season.

Because I think he's a pretty good player. The problem he had last season was the puck wouldn't go in for him. If he gets over that hurdle he can be a very good 3rd line type player - good defensively and if he can put the puck in the net he can use his vision and passing to be a very good offensive player.
- EbonyRaptor

Our 3/4 lines are playing well. It's our 1/2 lines killing us...

Problem is - who do they replace on the roster, absent an injury?

Smith is really the only likely suspect - and at a cap hit / salary of $3,250,000, it seems unlikely.

Unless there is a trade, or an injury or two, I don't know that we'll be seeing any of Highmore, Wedin, or Sikura up here this season.
- StLBravesFan

All 3 are playing well, but agreed that Smith is the only one that I would not have on the current roster, but salary dictates otherwise. However, Smith might come up with a "phantom injury" at some point. Still, think if Gilbert is not going to play, then send him back to Rockford in order to allow him to play. Might be some interesting decisions to the blueline when Murphy draws back in.

Highmore, Wedin and Sikura could all be recalled short. It depends on what the team is looking for, top 6 type forwards or bottom 6.
- DarthKane

We need more speed. I wouldn't call up any player who doesn't make us quicker and actually plays fast. Might as well stay with what we have.

We need more speed. I wouldn't call up any player who doesn't make us quicker and actually plays fast. Might as well stay with what we have.
- rpeters01

Well, all 3 are faster than Smith.

We need more speed. I wouldn't call up any player who doesn't make us quicker and actually plays fast. Might as well stay with what we have.
- rpeters01

The guy who doesn’t care if Caggiula is in the lineup or not thinks we need more speed.

Problem is - who do they replace on the roster, absent an injury?

Smith is really the only likely suspect - and at a cap hit / salary of $3,250,000, it seems unlikely.

Unless there is a trade, or an injury or two, I don't know that we'll be seeing any of Highmore, Wedin, or Sikura up here this season.
- StLBravesFan

agree...smith now a regular HS at 3.25 mildo...not tradeable...

if sikura comes up he needs to play not sit...as sage asks who is that guy who sits with smith

Well, all 3 are faster than Smith.
- ChicagoHope

Overall all 3 are excellent skaters. Highmore skates like the wind. Sikura is very agile, elusive, and quick. Wedin is also quite agile and strong on his skates (not a big player but sturdy like a rock).

Is this sarcastic?
- nickmo2699

Yes.

I think that Strome is a better fit for this club than Schmaltz, but if Schmaltz has a breakout season this year, people are likely to question the trade.

I've always been in the Highmore fan club. I can't wait for him to come up. Wedin, I liked him in training camp, so I expect him to get recalled. Sikura should be the first, imo. Everything that Theo said are great reasons. Adding in he hits & good along the boards. Goals will come, they usually do.

Jhawk, put your sarcasm spectacles on, my original post was just a joke. This is all my true feelings.
- I Am The Breadman

Thanks for letting me know about he oversight

Overall all 3 are excellent skaters. Highmore skates like the wind. Sikura is very agile, elusive, and quick. Wedin is also quite agile and strong on his skates (not a big player but sturdy like a rock).
- AEL_Fox

None of them are going to fix the scoring issues or lack of dzone coverage. The big boys on this club need to play up to their respective salaries and Murphy needs to stay healthy (never though I'd say that but he's been real solid on the backend).

Problem is - who do they replace on the roster, absent an injury?

Smith is really the only likely suspect - and at a cap hit / salary of $3,250,000, it seems unlikely.

Unless there is a trade, or an injury or two, I don't know that we'll be seeing any of Highmore, Wedin, or Sikura up here this season.
- StLBravesFan

If they waive him, and send him to Rockford, they save about a million against the cap, right? I get why Ottawa didn't send him to the AHL last year, but the Hawks don't Owe him that kind of loyalty.

agree...smith now a regular HS at 3.25 mildo...not tradeable...

if sikura comes up he needs to play not sit...as sage asks who is that guy who sits with smith
- bogiedoc

When Wedin was signed there may have been an oral agreement that he gets a cup of coffee at minimum. If a road contest it will be a Tim Hortons cup of joe. BTW who skates fastest Seabrook or Smith or our grandmother? If you want fast, see Ogi for a quick flight out for your least favorite player

Can Smith be sent to Rockford? If so, is there enough cap savings to allow someone like Sikura/Highmore to fill his spot? Maybe that's where this is headed. Who knows.

The guy who doesn’t care if Caggiula is in the lineup or not thinks we need more speed.
- Ogilthorpe2

Not when our top 6 are being bulldozed by the Hurricanes, Predetors and Kings.

Problem is - who do they replace on the roster, absent an injury?

Smith is really the only likely suspect - and at a cap hit / salary of $3,250,000, it seems unlikely.

Unless there is a trade, or an injury or two, I don't know that we'll be seeing any of Highmore, Wedin, or Sikura up here this season.
- StLBravesFan

A deal moving Smith and Gus in a package would not get much back, but it would free up space for Boqvist and Sikura.

Regarding the Schmaltz-Strome/Perlini trade, I believe Schmaltz's cap hit this year is almost 6M. If we still had him at that figure would we have had the ability/room to sign Lehner late in the free agency game? Probably not.

agree...smith now a regular HS at 3.25 mildo...not tradeable...

if sikura comes up he needs to play not sit...as sage asks who is that guy who sits with smith
- bogiedoc

Apparently not tradable eating half his salary because we save more that way.

Highmore, Wedin and Sikura could all be recalled short. It depends on what the team is looking for, top 6 type forwards or bottom 6.
- DarthKane

My guess, all bottom 6 players. Best place for them & our bottom 6 is good. Still want to see what they bring to the team though.

Can Smith be sent to Rockford? If so, is there enough cap savings to allow someone like Sikura/Highmore to fill his spot? Maybe that's where this is headed. Who knows.
- phantasmo

i have tired to look up the rules on this..but can't find anything...

he certainly can be placed on waivers..if he clears I think he can go to rcf but als he has 1 way deal so he continues to get paid his full contract not sure if the cap hit goes away while in ahl

Regarding the Schmaltz-Strome/Perlini trade, I believe Schmaltz's cap hit this year is almost 6M. If we still had him at that figure would we have had the ability/room to sign Lehner late in the free agency game? Probably not.
- 17SEC

This!!!

Regarding the Schmaltz-Strome/Perlini trade, I believe Schmaltz's cap hit this year is almost 6M. If we still had him at that figure would we have had the ability/room to sign Lehner late in the free agency game? Probably not.
- 17SEC

thats why he was traded..hawks got two players with upside and two years left of elc; smaltz need to be extended and i don't think the hawks were willing to go for what he got from the coyotes...having smaltz in the 4-6 mildo range would have made the lehner signing more diffiult not impossible but another move whould have been needed

i have tired to look up the rules on this..but can't find anything...

he certainly can be placed on waivers..if he clears I think he can go to rcf but als he has 1 way deal so he continues to get paid his full contract not sure if the cap hit goes away while in ahl
- bogiedoc

His cap hit savings would save league minimum plus $375K, so your savings if you bring up a player on league minimum is $375K