HAs anyone told Rocky that Mark and Dale Hunter are proven winners and probably available for the right $. most likely see better results in the future.
- Robotoews

They have won one Memorial Cup under the Hunters. Given they are probably top 3 in terms of resources I don't think they have proven very much.

Then the problem has been identified - inability to develop personnel in the minors. Last I checked Mr. Stanley Bowman is responsible for overseeing that part of the organization.

Maybe he should hunker down in Winnipeg and learn how they have done it after their blueline got wiped out in the off-season and thru injuries.
- RickJ

I think we are living in a time where the league, due mostly to the maturation of the salary cap era, is evolving rapidly.

It’s becoming a younger man’s game, league wide...not just in Chicago. Most teams who’ve enjoyed any significant level of success, are top heavy cap wise, inhibiting many teams ability to allow promising young players to mature in the AHL.

If Duncan Keith were a kid again, he’d likely never spend as much time honing his skills in Norfolk as he was allowed to do back then.

The obvious answer is I haven't seen him at the NHL level.

My response you're quoting was about the current Blackhawks goaltending situation.

I don't feel overall that it's a position of depth.

I do like Sorokin over anyone else the Hawks have in the minors though.
- Tyler Cameron

I like anyone who isn’t russian over Sorokin.

They have won one Memorial Cup under the Hunters. Given they are probably top 3 in terms of resources I don't think they have proven very much.
- Elbows15

I think they have won 2 out of 5 appearances ,the Memorial cup is a bit of a coin flip anyway .They also have 5 OHL championships, better judge of a team worth . And resources ? other then they are consider a 1st rate organization since the Hunter took over ,and consider a breeding ground for future Pro's .They play by the same rules as everyone else ,not like your running up a salary cap .
I think the Hunter Brothers would do very well in Chicago building a hard nose playoff ready team .
I also am pretty sure Dale would not come here and coach .Maybe if Mark told him they were going to do it their way .
Also I know many Leaf fans that bemoan the Day Mark was let go ,he is the best GM prospect not in the NHL right now ..

On this board Mitchell will come in projected to be Bobby Orr #2 and within 3 months trashed as a David Rundblad clone.
- RickJ

Il bet the under on that

If Mitchell isn't a blue chip then why would the Islanders make that trade?

Mitchell, at this point, is a much better prospect then everyone listed except Boqvist. He has top 4 talent. You don't trade two top 4 D prospects in a one year span.

I am not sold on needing a high end goalie prospect.
- bhawks2241

I am not sure I definitely call Jokjharju a future perennial top 4 dman. Whom has seen him play a few times since Christmas; has he demonstrated enough to convince you that is his ceiling. Imaging he must get stronger. Solid in AHL at tender age has been a stepping stone. He is merely hanging on in somewhat sheltered role.. The Buffalo GM and coach like his ability and feel he a s good as anyone else for a third pair. That is all he is....so far.

I think we are living in a time where the league, due mostly to the maturation of the salary cap era, is evolving rapidly.

It’s becoming a younger man’s game, league wide...not just in Chicago. Most teams who’ve enjoyed any significant level of success, are top heavy cap wise, inhibiting many teams ability to allow promising young players to mature in the AHL.

If Duncan Keith were a kid again, he’d likely never spend as much time honing his skills in Norfolk as he was allowed to do back then.
- Ogilthorpe2

Definitely becoming a younger man's game and to complicate things even more young players making max contracts at 21 years old. GM has to be a wizard in salary cap management, drafting and recruiting rookie free agents. Owner cuts a corner in scouting personnel or accounting you're behind any other team that isn't.

Then the problem has been identified - inability to develop personnel in the minors. Last I checked Mr. Stanley Bowman is responsible for overseeing that part of the organization.

Maybe he should hunker down in Winnipeg and learn how they have done it after their blueline got wiped out in the off-season and thru injuries.
- RickJ

To be fair Jets only became relevant a few years ago, they have been getting additional picks prior to thre years they became relevant.

Only reason they got Buff or Ladd is due to salary cap constraints. I have to imagine sucking for so long they've got to hit on a few guys that are competent, it's not like they are great.

It's been a whole 2 week's since ive gotten upset about something, so i broke down and purchased ea nhl 20, once it's done downloading im sure I'll be swearing up a storm

I think the big question is WHEN this trade would be made.
- Chunk

Nicely done!

It would be a 1 year age difference between when Keith turned pro and when Mitchell would turn pro if he signs this off-season. Mitchell is projected to be a Top 4 D-man.
IMO, he will be a better pro than college player. Even though he has been very good at the NCAA level. My reasoning is his hockey IQ will mesh with better players around him.


EDIT: I am huge Mitchell guy and even I think he would benefit from some time in the A.
- Elbows15

I am very optimistic on Mitchell but that doesn't mean I have immediate expectations. If he can ever become nearly as good as Ivan Provorov the Hawks have an excellent player for years. But it took a few years and a very experienced NHL coaching staff to help him hone his game.

I think we are living in a time where the league, due mostly to the maturation of the salary cap era, is evolving rapidly.

It’s becoming a younger man’s game, league wide...not just in Chicago. Most teams who’ve enjoyed any significant level of success, are top heavy cap wise, inhibiting many teams ability to allow promising young players to mature in the AHL.

If Duncan Keith were a kid again, he’d likely never spend as much time honing his skills in Norfolk as he was allowed to do back then.
- Ogilthorpe2

Lucky we had him when we did because By all accounts he went into the AHL as a Nick Leddy type and left the AHL as the Duncan Keith we all saw help lead the Hawks to three cups.

Young mans game or not, proper development is still very important to get the most from most players.

Darth Kane,
Congratulations on your fantasy trade proposal. Definitely is plausible. Fair enough too.

I do question two preceptions though.

At the heart of both is your pre determined evaluation of Mitchell.

You are assuming Mitchell's value is less than both Hughes and Maker when they were near respectivly, sign and NHL play date. Perhaps your attaching elite offensive ability and demonstrated capacity to excel in the league since suiting up......is coloring your anslysis

Although Mitchell may not step out onto NHL ponds and be as worthy as those two, in the long run he may devio into the better two way dman

Of course until Mitchell signs and plays, OUR conjecture is premature. It could very well be that Mitchell would become a solid two way defender while the other two may show more capability to be a dagger in the side of an opponent offensively speaking but not near as strongly good defensively speaking.

Your supposition that Sorokin is ready now fir prime time and will become a stud, is likely correct. No further preparation in the firm of AHL development and able to be impactful as he burst into the NHL.....is such a strong suite compared to the maturity and readiness for the Blackhawks' two AHL twosome to become

Ogithorpe argues moreover that the top Chicago goaltenders is not as cherished as the top pair dmen brandishes with their style.

Honestly we could debate effectively for either the goaltenders or dmen. I would find the goaltender normally takes longer to become NHL ready and NH good. Therefore iMHO I winces but place greater emphasis on the goaltender.

If in the shoes of Lamorello, NHL GM,
[quote I want a better offer. If he is trading Sorokin after all

I think the big question is WHEN this trade would be made.
- Chunk

If Mitchell isn't a blue chip then why would the Islanders make that trade?

Mitchell, at this point, is a much better prospect then everyone listed except Boqvist. He has top 4 talent. You don't trade two top 4 D prospects in a one year span.

I am not sold on needing a high end goalie prospect.
- bhawks2241

Mitchell is more of a Periwikle chip prospect.

- DarthKane

Maybe this was how Colliton got promoted to Hawks head coach.

Maybe this was how Colliton got promoted to Hawks head coach.
- AEL_Fox

“What’s a zone clear?”

I am very optimistic on Mitchell but that doesn't mean I have immediate expectations. If he can ever become nearly as good as Ivan Provorov the Hawks have an excellent player for years. But it took a few years and a very experienced NHL coaching staff to help him hone his game.
- RickJ

I am with you on the immediate expectations. I have watched him enough to feel he has the goods. There is something to be said for learning how to be a pro. Learning how to take care of yourself. Acclimating to the travel/schedule. Just physically maturing under the guidance of a pro level training staff and more.

All of those are a bit easier to learn at the A level where the pressure isn't as daunting.

This "writer" absolutely sucks.

This "writer" absolutely sucks.
- Pulltops

JJ.... is that you????

Mitchell is more of a Periwikle chip prospect.
- DarthKane

Just as long as he ain't no lavender chip-n-dale prospect.

JJ.... is that you????
- DarthKane

It’s one of his “sources”

I am not sure I definitely call Jokjharju a future perennial top 4 dman. Whom has seen him play a few times since Christmas; has he demonstrated enough to convince you that is his ceiling. Imaging he must get stronger. Solid in AHL at tender age has been a stepping stone. He is merely hanging on in somewhat sheltered role.. The Buffalo GM and coach like his ability and feel he a s good as anyone else for a third pair. That is all he is....so far.
- jhawk59

There's a difference between top 4 on Buffalo and top 4 on Tampa for example. To have been "top 4" on Chicago in 2010-2015 you were pretty damn good.

Today @ 10:50 AM ET
Would be very happy if this was accomplished.

But, living here on Long Island, I can tell you that it would take more to get Sorokin from the Isles. They love the kid. Ho-Sang they would hand off in a heartbeat, but to get Sorokin, you're looking at a higher round pick, a solid veteran on a good contract, and a solid, solid prospect.

If the Hawks were able to acquire him though, I would be one happy camper.
- purepone



Sorokin has a prospect I targeted for the Hawks to get, my only hesitation was that I didn't give up enough for him. I've talked with some Isles fans and they think a fair return is Kubalik, Strome or DeBrincat with is just ridiculous. I toyed between Mitchell and Beaudin but went with Mitchell because he has higher value. What do you think it would take to get Sorokin (specifically)?

---

Sorry I am late to the party lol. Here in NY, its getting pretty hectic. Hope all is doing well!!

IMO, I would never give up Kubalik or DeBrincat for Sorokin. Anyone who acts like hes too old does not realize that a stud goalie in their mid 20s is EXACTLY what you want (ie: Gibson)

Back to the point, I would certainly move Strome for Sorokin. Goaltending as proof is what keeps teams alive. Yes, I do understand that the middle is so key in this day and age, but locking up a solid goaltender at a mid 20s age who clearly can be a bonafide starter for Strome and "change" is worth it.

I personally would dish out Strome and a higher end pick, plus a plug and play guy for Sorokin. He is worth it. There is a reason why when the Sorokin trade supposedly went down that I was ecstatic and my Isles fans freaked out. Forget knowing the terms, it was the fact that he was being moved. Sorokin IMO is a very, very good tendy who I think and feel would be a huge piece for the Hawks to acquire.

Unfortunately, its all but a dream.

Maybe this was how Colliton got promoted to Hawks head coach.
- AEL_Fox

I agree with other bloggrs whom do not mind Colliton as head coach for the time being. Long term he must change some things with coverage and he must get everyone involved - even the superstar Kane pitches in - insofar as defensive coverage and proper positioning in break outs. This is not an nrealistic.expectation.

Winning coaches with a strong command will thrive - at least for a while until either their message and ways become stale to some of the players. But some coaches continue irregardless if they got it right - see Barry Trotz.

So it boils down to, us a Trotz type avsilable? Is Gallant whom you want? I would be careful wishing for what you get, however, with Gallant. His success dies get your attention; I am also not a fan of his defensive system if it is similar to Colliton's.

A coach can employ a lot of kids and role players but the coach's system and personality have to be accepted. I foresee a strong youth dominated bottom two forward lines but long term I need Colliton to change in ways aforementioned else he eventually is headlights going...gone.