In the Athletic this am...

Other notes
• Blackhawks forward prospect Andrei Altybarmakyan, 21, is open to signing an NHL contract for next season, according to a source. Altybarmakyan, a Blackhawks’ 2017 third-round pick, recently completed his season in the KHL and had six goals and 11 assists in 49 games with Sochi. His KHL contract officially expires on May 1.

• The Athletic’s Corey Pronman recently ranked Mikhail Grigorenko as the top European free agent. Grigorenko, a 25-year-old center, plays for CSKA in the KHL. He has 19 goals and 22 assists in 47 games this season. A source said NHL teams have reached out about Grigorenko, but the Blackhawks have not so far.

• Grigorenko is a teammate of Blackhawks prospect Max Shalunov. Shalunov’s agent said this week Shalunov remains interested in talking with the Blackhawks after his KHL season finishes.
- HawkintheD

Where does Altybarmakyan fit in the Hawks’ line-up? The numbers don’t shout “top-6 production”.

Compared to Bovist he's a bum.
- 6628

And Dach

And Dach
- vabeachbear

And Kubalik.

And Kubalik.
- mohel

Well, Kubalik is 24, so it doesn't count

Where does Altybarmakyan fit in the Hawks’ line-up? The numbers don’t shout “top-6 production”.
- StLBravesFan

Who cares where he plays, at least we'll have AA back to beat on every night!

Smith and Shaw done for season.

Somebody check on Elbows.

Hagel up.

Shalunov will lead the Hawks into the playoffs... guaranteed.
- DarthKane

The streaky scorer Shulanov is ready to succeed in NHL but his performance over a season is marked by inconsistency. Reports say so...say that he has a good shot, can make good defensive plays too. BUT I know your prediction is for strat o matic hockey board game. Real games will find Us missing playoffs in part because Caufield outscored Kane as Montreal beat us. And we needed to win that game in order to get into playoffs

Smith and Shaw done for season.

Somebody check on Elbows.
- mohel

Hope they both have full recoveries. Smith being out now opens up a spot for another kid. Excited for Hagel and hope he gives it all he has as he does in Rockford.

Smith and Shaw done for season.

Somebody check on Elbows.
- mohel

Play the kids, let’s see what we got. No more Seeler, I’ve seen enough. Give Carlsson some PP time as well.

Hope they both have full recoveries. Smith being out now opens up a spot for another kid. Excited for Hagel and hope he gives it all he has as he does in Rockford.
- Assman22

He scored last night either his 19th or 20th on campaign. I like Highmore and Hagel adding speed to lineup. Carlsson adds this dimension as well if Colliton would give him some playing time I bet one reason - just one reason among many reasons for Colliton's lineup each night, is his desire to win insofar as this makes his w-,L record look better. Soderlund should be playing; adding no defense Brennan is a questionable move as Icehogs flirt with .500 record Fortin up to 7 goals....wow!

The Hawks had to leave 1 goalie available for the expansion draft.

They had both Hasek and Belfour

Belfour had won the Jennings, Vezina and ROY 2 years prior

They chose to trade Hasek rather than lose him in expansion and keep Belfour
- PatShart

This is true just listened to Mike Keenan talk about this.
Also said Buffalo put him on waivers and Chicago claimed him but the rules stated Hawks couldnt claim him because they traded him. No other team put in a claim and the rest as they say is History.

Wow. Just read Smith is having surgery (presumably on his back). Maybe herniated disc?

I thought Hasek got dumped when Belfour and Waite were ranked 1-2 in the league in GAA and shutouts. No room at the inn.
- Ogilthorpe2

That's what i thought too

Nice little spot on Kubalik on NHL Tonight. The campaign has begun for Rookie of the Year. They pointed out he has been averaging 1.76 goals per game over the last ten games which leads the entire NHL-- not just rookies, but everybody.
- Googlyeyes

He's been awesome,but i don't think he should be the rookie of the year just like Panarin shouldn't have been given their age and pro experience. But i know they were both technically eligible

But with his choppy skating does it hold him back? Will he be told to work with a skating instructor and then wind up playing a season in Rockford with getting better in his skating?
- jhawk59

Supposedly it’s something he’s aware of and working on. https://chicago.suntimes....state-hockey-guy-gadowski

He scored last night either his 19th or 20th on campaign. I like Highmore and Hagel adding speed to lineup. Carlsson adds this dimension as well if Colliton would give him some playing time I bet one reason - just one reason among many reasons for Colliton's lineup each night, is his desire to win insofar as this makes his w-,L record look better. Soderlund should be playing; adding no defense Brennan is a questionable move as Icehogs flirt with .500 record Fortin up to 7 goals....wow!
- jhawk59

Agree with the premise of Tyler's blog, Angotti's recent post this morning, and what others have been saying: play the kids.

Had he not been injured most of last season, Highmore likely would've been in the starting lineup on opening day this year. He's a foot soldier with an impeccable compete level who plays his role to help the team win.

Hagel is the same way as Highmore but with more offensive upside. Both are defensively responsible. Sikura as well who has even more skill than Hagel.

Sucks that Seeler was claimed. He blocks a youngster from getting experience on D whether Carlsson or Gilbert. Start one of Carlsson or Gilbert and scratch the other then alternate unless Koekkoek sits but I don't mind him and think he needs the experience, too.

Although it would be nice to see, I doubt we see either Lankinen or Delia up with Subban now the backup who needs his own reps to prove his worth.

I know that Smith and Shaw are officially on the shelf now, but does anyone know if Hagel’s recall is considered “emergency” or not?

I know that Smith and Shaw are officially on the shelf now, but does anyone know if Hagel’s recall is considered “emergency” or not?
- Chunk

I don't think so. I don't know if it matters, after the TDL there's no roster limit (but there is still a cap limit).

I don't think so. I don't know if it matters, after the TDL there's no roster limit (but there is still a cap limit).
- DarthKane

The release by the Hawks says emergency basis.

I think the theme of the off-season will be goaltending.

Like him or not, Lehner was the top free agent goalie this summer. It sounds like the Hawks aren't set on Lankinen, Delia or Subban as the back-up either, which is probably right.

I think they'll re-sign Crawford for 2 years then trade for a younger goalie or sign a European free agent. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Stan went another route and sign Markstrom.

He had the shootout winner.
A goal scorer often converts on his type of shot in games, although in the shootouts most shooters do not have a "sterling" conversion rate

He comes from the wing and from a 45 degree angle skates about 20 feet or less directly in front of goaltender. He dekes, pauses, dekes then snaps a wrist shot past the glove hand.

Plays on Icehogs. Has many games last two seasons as non point productive forward on Blackhawks, yet has no problem scoring in AHL

Who am I?

Sikura

The release by the Hawks says emergency basis.
- mohel

Fair enough then.

Looks to be the same line-up as last game for tonight. Hopefully JC plays Boqvist a bit more this game.

Canadiens recommend to Caulfield that he stay another year at Wisconsin.

Not sure about that, Gabe. The current regime has given Hawks fans some pretty good times. Not many 10 year olds coulda done that. Except Elbows when he was 10.....
- mohel

Hey Mo Man!

Nah, just overstating things a lot while I'm still venting. I appreciate them for what they've done for us. The Lehner thing just stuck in my craw, is all. Nobody was privy to the discussions, but they act like they were. End of the day, there is still a negative stigma attached to folks who've had mental issues. Bowman said he had a 'unique' personality. 'Ya think? I'd say that what he's experienced, has made him that way.

I would have enjoyed having him around. Just as an antidote to the fallacies and downright lies that are coughed up every time, this time of year.

I'll always believe that Bowman potentially liquidated one of his prime assets, for a pick. (That may or may not work out in the end).

I haven't lost my humor though. How would you like Jimmy Waite's job? It could be worse somewhere. LOL.