He actually had some solid numbers before all his injuries took a toll. If healthy I think he would’ve been a 20g 40pt center. 08-09 season is likely what he would’ve been if healthy. It’s a shame his back couldn’t hold up.

He was also a weird dude. I think he enjoyed harassing other teams best players more so than scoring goals and accumulating points.
- bhawks2241

For sure weird dude. Kinda creepy weird. They did call him rat.

Found his niche unfortunately his body just fell apart.

You want to discriminate on a blog based on someones in ability to use correct grammar at times? Typos and spelling errors occur all the time. Even our wonderful blogger has a few now and then.
- bhawks2241

Not asking anyone to diagram sentences or anything, it’s just hard to take someone seriously when they can’t even get through two lines without multiple, simple grammatical errors.

Pretty goal by Kakko

Not asking anyone to diagram sentences or anything, it’s just hard to take someone seriously when they can’t even get through two lines without multiple, simple grammatical errors.
- Ogilthorpe2

Your/you're, their/there/they're, and to/too/(and I guess two, even though it's rarely misused) are some of my biggest pet peeves. I guess it stems from having two older sisters who are English majors. It's (not its) been beaten into me since I was 7 or 8.

The team is playing slightly better but the amount of shots given up is still preposterous.

At least they stopped dumping the puck and getting more chances but still pretty pretty bad in their own end.
- fattybeef

I felt that way too about he shots on goal. But when you see most of those shots came from above the circle, it’s pretty evident that those shots weren’t going in. You might ass well take shots from center ice.

Boston blew a 4-0 going into the 3rd period and lost 5-4 in a shootout to Florida. Even good teams are blowing leads this season.

Boston blew a 4-0 going into the 3rd period and lost 5-4 in a shootout to Florida. Even good teams are blowing leads this season.
- DarthKane

4 losses in a row for Baahston. Also Sabres with 5 L in a row and Canucks on a 4 game L streak. Some teams that got off to a hot start are coming back to earth.

AEL_FOX,

I read with great interest your comments as well some remarks by other bloggers in regard to the style and development of the Rockford dmen

I sure would love to see the AHL and Mitchell be able to transition to the NHL in the next season or two .Perhaps we see some of them get an NHL turn this season

Here is what we have to keep in mind and I know you will agree: an NHL team's blueline corps cannot consist all or a majority of rookies and second year players. Maybe all could eventually make it to the NHL after a few minor league seasons and not necessarily each winds up on the Chicago roster

NHL dmen become descent after much practice, much experience, and therefore learning and improving. Be that for some require more AHL and more NHL Defense is the toughest position to become "good." Oh maybe goaltender is tough too. Forwards come and play sooner and can have issues but the dmen and goaltenders ....if they have issues it is so much deemed more critical and unacceptable ...it is impractical for a full set of dmen to be too young.

So do not be surprised how long dmen prospects languish in the AHL. Of course some come in and are good or good enough from the get go. McAvoy on Boston comes to mind.

Boqvist playing NHL now is ok for a few gp when he as a prize possession can learn what he needs to work on, what changes to make after reassigned to AHL.

Gus needs to re establish his 60 point attractiveness by playing and not healthy scratch.

Ideally we could break in two rookies on defense each season

I have used post from blogger Rick previously since he makes very astute evaluation.

He said this about the calibre of NHL defensemen as it applies to moving Keith:

You think Keith bonehead plays and his not being as good as he once was - this means you trade him. NOT. See how fast and how often the opponent scores when Keith is missing. Yes that veteran know how to play defense is so vital.

AEL_FOX,

I read with great interest your comments as well some remarks by other bloggers in regard to the style and development of the Rockford dmen

I sure would love to see the AHL and Mitchell be able to transition to the NHL in the next season or two .Perhaps we see some of them get an NHL turn this season

Here is what we have to keep in mind and I know you will agree: an NHL team's blueline corps cannot consist all or a majority of rookies and second year players. Maybe all could eventually make it to the NHL after a few minor league seasons and not necessarily each winds up on the Chicago roster

NHL dmen become descent after much practice, much experience, and therefore learning and improving. Be that for some require more AHL and more NHL Defense is the toughest position to become "good." Oh maybe goaltender is tough too. Forwards come and play sooner and can have issues but the dmen and goaltenders ....if they have issues it is so much deemed more critical and unacceptable ...it is impractical for a full set of dmen to be too young.

So do not be surprised how long dmen prospects languish in the AHL. Of course some come in and are good or good enough from the get go. McAvoy on Boston comes to mind.

Boqvist playing NHL now is ok for a few gp when he as a prize possession can learn what he needs to work on, what changes to make after reassigned to AHL.

Gus needs to re establish his 60 point attractiveness by playing and not healthy scratch.

Ideally we could break in two rookies on defense each season

I have used post from blogger Rick previously since he makes very astute evaluation.

He said this about the calibre of NHL defensemen as it applies to moving Keith:

You think Keith bonehead plays and his not being as good as he once was - this means you trade him. NOT. See how fast and how often the opponent scores when Keith is missing. Yes that veteran know how to play defense is so vital.
- jhawk59

Thank you for your comments, jhawk. I appreciate them and your keen interest in prospects. You seem to enjoy following their progress as much as I do!

The bolded is what is key as far as your question and answer. Matriculating 1-2 rookie defenders to the Hawks blueline each season is not only the safe strategy but likely the most natural one, too.

Grow each prospect at the right pace and make sure they are slotted appropriately so they are adequately supported once they make the big club. Just a sample roll out schedule:

2019-20: Boqvist

2020-21: Mitchell, one of Gilbert or Carlsson
- subtract Gustafsson, Koekkoek

2021-22: Beaudin, Krys
- subtract 2 of de Haan, Murphy, Maatta

2022-23: Galvas
- subtract whoever of de Haan, Murphy, Maatta didn't depart the year prior

2023-24: Vlasic
- subtract Keith (contract expires, retires)

2024-25: Regula
- subtract Seabrook (contract expires, retires)

That's 8 new D-men in that span. Not all 8 will make it so some could be serviceable for a season or two before being moved for other options. Other D prospects like Moberg could surprise as well.

Your/you're, their/there/they're, and to/too/(and I guess two, even though it's rarely misused) are some of my biggest pet peeves. I guess it stems from having two older sisters who are English majors. It's (not its) been beaten into me since I was 7 or 8.
- tvetter

Seriously... you don't have to be an English major to know the difference between too, to, two ... there, their, they're.... your, you're .... even that it is would have - not would of ...

One should get that just by graduating 5th grade --leastwise it used to be that way.

And all thin-skinnedness aside, it does tend to make it tough to work out posts sometimes.

It all depends on perspective. They have been getting points in the last few games and thus - in my mind - that is paying dividends. They have admitted to changing the system to allow for more offense. They were better against Pitt, and gave up a ton (as many other teams do ) to TOR. Before the change they just bled shots and didn't generate much either. If they can figure out a happy medium and find away to be better at clearing their zone they will be much better.
- Chunk

Why is it such a big problem the forwards don't help out enough ....as in help the dmen with proper positioning on break outs. Help out defensively and commit to checking in areas of ice where it matters. Because post that explained how we remain overmatched and beat in the areas of ice and in the moments that matter most. Oh so we do get credit for some hits it checks.

It was this way too much under Q as well. The big excuse was, we are tough enough when in counts as in winning Cups.

Sorry but have you seen playoff hockey. Teams play tough. We will be patsies in playoffs untill we change enough of the players. Top six and bottom six you need to match or at a minimum reply in kind.

I can imagine some people will immediately stop reading if they see another Toews bashing. Yet he shows up how often to play respectfully. He has started slow each season. He gets best or is lazy Thank you for your service over there years Mr Toews.but in order to succeed again the team should not renew when his contract expires. I

Thank you for your comments, jhawk. I appreciate them and your keen interest in prospects. You seem to enjoy following their progress as much as I do!

The bolded is what is key as far as your question and answer. Matriculating 1-2 rookie defenders to the Hawks blueline each season is not only the safe strategy but likely the most natural one, too.

Grow each prospect at the right pace and make sure they are slotted appropriately so they are adequately supported once they make the big club. Just a sample roll out schedule:

2019-20: Boqvist

2020-21: Mitchell, one of Gilbert or Carlsson
- subtract Gustafsson, Koekkoek

2021-22: Beaudin, Krys
- subtract 2 of de Haan, Murphy, Maatta

2022-23: Galvas
- subtract whoever of de Haan, Murphy, Maatta didn't depart the year prior

2023-24: Vlasic
- subtract Keith (contract expires, retires)

2024-25: Regula
- subtract Seabrook (contract expires, retires)

That's 8 new D-men in that span. Not all 8 will make it so some could be serviceable for a season or two before being moved for other options. Other D prospects like Moberg could surprise as well.
- AEL_Fox

Good morning AEL_FOX I just wanted to give you a shout out as to how much i enjoy your insight and comments. Your opinions seem to be well thought out and facts based.

Looking at Chicago's future prospects and potential time lines, with Keith and Seabrook locked into 4 and 5 more years left on their contracts and over the age of 34 and clearly on the decline , how will Chicago justify trotting these 2 guys out their each night? The expansion draft is next summer and DE HAAN is a possible casualty of being taken?

How then in your opinion does Chicago stay relevant on their backend ?

Why is it such a big problem the forwards don't help out enough ....as in help the dmen with proper positioning on break outs. Help out defensively and commit to checking in areas of ice where it matters. Because post that explained how we remain overmatched and beat in the areas of ice and in the moments that matter most. Oh so we do get credit for some hits it checks.

It was this way too much under Q as well. The big excuse was, we are tough enough when in counts as in winning Cups.

Sorry but have you seen playoff hockey. Teams play tough. We will be patsies in playoffs untill we change enough of the players. Top six and bottom six you need to match or at a minimum reply in kind.

I can imagine some people will immediately stop reading if they see another Toews bashing. Yet he shows up how often to play respectfully. He has started slow each season. He gets best or is lazy Thank you for your service over there years Mr Toews.but in order to succeed again the team should not renew when his contract expires. I
- jhawk59

A very bold statement indeed.

You want to discriminate on a blog based on someones in ability to use correct grammar at times? Typos and spelling errors occur all the time. Even our wonderful blogger has a few now and then.
- bhawks2241

Opposite my dear friend, somebody else pointed out the two errors, I pointed out she used the right "know". I was complimenting her, not discriminating...

But, since we are on the topic of grammer. "inability" not "in ability".

And, kidding dude...don't have a "Hissy"

*NEW* blog up: http://bit.ly/32F7pJz

Vegas, Nashville and Buffalo may sound like a scary lineup this week for Hawks but they have all been struggling as of late.

Thank you for your comments, jhawk. I appreciate them and your keen interest in prospects. You seem to enjoy following their progress as much as I do!

The bolded is what is key as far as your question and answer. Matriculating 1-2 rookie defenders to the Hawks blueline each season is not only the safe strategy but likely the most natural one, too.

Grow each prospect at the right pace and make sure they are slotted appropriately so they are adequately supported once they make the big club. Just a sample roll out schedule:

2019-20: Boqvist

2020-21: Mitchell, one of Gilbert or Carlsson
- subtract Gustafsson, Koekkoek

2021-22: Beaudin, Krys
- subtract 2 of de Haan, Murphy, Maatta

2022-23: Galvas
- subtract whoever of de Haan, Murphy, Maatta didn't depart the year prior

2023-24: Vlasic
- subtract Keith (contract expires, retires)

2024-25: Regula
- subtract Seabrook (contract expires, retires)

That's 8 new D-men in that span. Not all 8 will make it so some could be serviceable for a season or two before being moved for other options. Other D prospects like Moberg could surprise as well.
- AEL_Fox

Nice write up Foxy, I'm hoping the prospects do pan out as planned

Nice write up Foxy, I'm hoping the prospects do pan out as planned

- gazza53

Regula on the 5 year plan?