Isn’t Bovquist going to be point on pp1. I bet Keith starts out on pp 2
- LAHawk

Sounds about right. Keith will be on the PP until he retires. Thought he played very well during the latter stretch of games before the shut down so I have no qualms if he can sustain that once play resumes.

However, I could see PP2 icing two D-men in Keith and say Mitchell. PP1 should just be Boqvist with 4 forwards.

Perhaps down the line, IMO, Carlsson should be considered for PP duty. He walks the line fluidly, has a low booming shot that gets through, and skates well to get back if play gets flipped the other way.

Not if Seabs is bought out(highly likely), Maatta is traded, and de Haan(as you’ve said yourself and I agree) is injury prone.

Can’t be stuck with only Keith and Murphy and then a bunch of kids. We need to keep one of de Haan and Maatta.
- SimpleJack

Why? They had a bunch of vets this season. How did that work out? Even before all the injuries they were bleeding SAGs.

Play the kids. The worse that happens is they get another high pick and experience for the kids.

Or does he get bought out? The cap hit would be $680K for 4 years.
- DarthKane

Any way he is gone is fine by me.

Next years current roster projection, assuming we keep Strome, dump Smith, buyout Seabrook, and keep Maatta around until de Haan is ready:

Kubalik-Toews-Caggiula

Nylander-Strome-Kane

DeBrincat-Dach-Saad (Cat bounces back and this becomes the best 3rd line in the NHL)

Highmore-Kampf-Shaw/Carpenter


Keith-Boqvist
de-Haan/Maatta-Mitchell
Beaudin/Carlsson-Murphy

Crawford
Subban/Lankinen

If we get several things to go our way we can make some noise in the playoffs. Definitely possible. I think we’re establishing a perfect blend of young talent and experienced veterans.
- SimpleJack

I am not sure I sign Caligula unless it is a cheap contract. I like the player but the poor guy is a concussion waiting to happen. I just can't see him not playing the same way. I cringe when the guy drops the gloves.

Sounds about right. Keith will be on the PP until he retires. Thought he played very well during the latter stretch of games before the shut down so I have no qualms if he can sustain that once play resumes.

However, I could see PP2 icing two D-men in Keith and say Mitchell. PP1 should just be Boqvist with 4 forwards.

Perhaps down the line, IMO, Carlsson should be considered for PP duty. He walks the line fluidly, has a low booming shot that gets through, and skates well to get back if play gets flipped the other way.
- AEL_Fox

I want to see more of Carlsson. I really liked what I saw in the small sample size. He played with confidence. That is exactly what I want to see in young players. I will live with his mistakes. There was no panic in his game.

Why? They had a bunch of vets this season. How did that work out? Even before all the injuries they were bleeding SAGs.

Play the kids. The worse that happens is they get another high pick and experience for the kids.
- Elbows15

Well they had too many. Seabs, Maatta, Murphy, AND de Haan = 2 too many slow defensively minded vets.

Just 2 of those guys + Keith is perfect. Just one(Murphy) + Keith is too few.

And IMO we’re gonna be too good next season to expect a lottery pick. Too much talent coming together, I’m expecting 12 and 17 to bounce back. Plus 88 and 19 still going strong.

Good news on Mitchell. Awful news on Cave.

That is all.

Back to bunker to prevent spread of infection thru interwebs.
- mohel

I was actually thinking of you, stay safe.

I am not sure I sign Caligula unless it is a cheap contract. I like the player but the poor guy is a concussion waiting to happen. I just can't see him not playing the same way. I cringe when the guy drops the gloves.
- Elbows15

Definitely agree only on the cheap. Which it will be, I doubt he has much leverage to ask for more. And I get the feeling he really likes playing for this organization. And if he does go down again we’ve got plenty of forward depth.

I want to see more of Carlsson. I really liked what I saw in the small sample size. He played with confidence. That is exactly what I want to see in young players. I will live with his mistakes. There was no panic in his game.
- Elbows15

Hey Elbows,

whom would you pick and why/determining factors if we had the #2 choice. I am saying the selection is between Byfield and Drysdale

I am biased because I foresee a dman driven team. Drysdale and Boqvist could be special; Mitchell very good and very good talent available for third pair. A third pair with one of Beaudin, Rogula, Kyrs means three set of dmen of new age variety

Ok tell me we need Byfield because Toews is no kid

Next years current roster projection, assuming we keep Strome, dump Smith, buyout Seabrook, and keep Maatta around until de Haan is ready:

Kubalik-Toews-Caggiula

Nylander-Strome-Kane

DeBrincat-Dach-Saad (Cat bounces back and this becomes the best 3rd line in the NHL)

Highmore-Kampf-Shaw/Carpenter


Keith-Boqvist
de-Haan/Maatta-Mitchell
Beaudin/Carlsson-Murphy

Crawford
Subban/Lankinen

If we get several things to go our way we can make some noise in the playoffs. Definitely possible. I think we’re establishing a perfect blend of young talent and experienced veterans.
- SimpleJack

I don't see three near rookie Dmen not that those veteran Dmen are great either and that goalie combo making the playoffs let alone advancing.

Hey Elbows,

whom would you pick and why/determining factors if we had the #2 choice. I am saying the selection is between Byfield and Drysdale

I am biased because I foresee a dman driven team. Drysdale and Boqvist could be special; Mitchell very good and very good talent available for third pair. A third pair with one of Beaudin, Rogula, Kyrs means three set of dmen of new age variety

Ok tell me we need Byfield because Toews is no kid
- jhawk59

I am taking one of Holtz/Raymond/Stutzle/ Rossi if I have #2 pick. Byfield has size but Rossi is more physical of the two.

That is as of now. It could change after I explore more vids.

Byfield does look like a LH version of Dach is some ways.

Next years current roster projection, assuming we keep Strome, dump Smith, buyout Seabrook, and keep Maatta around until de Haan is ready:

Kubalik-Toews-Caggiula

Nylander-Strome-Kane

DeBrincat-Dach-Saad (Cat bounces back and this becomes the best 3rd line in the NHL)

Highmore-Kampf-Shaw/Carpenter


Keith-Boqvist
de-Haan/Maatta-Mitchell
Beaudin/Carlsson-Murphy

Crawford
Subban/Lankinen

If we get several things to go our way we can make some noise in the playoffs. Definitely possible. I think we’re establishing a perfect blend of young talent and experienced veterans.
- SimpleJack

You do and say the same thing every year. You get all pumped up and when things don't go the way your think you piss and moan the rest of the season. Why don't you just wait and see what happens for once?

Watching the replay of Game 1 of the 2010 Finals. Man what a powerhouse of team that was. Those were good times!

Great news re: Mitchell signing, or rather "agreeing to terms" which I guess leaves a little wiggle room but let's assume the best and Ian Mitchell will have every opportunity to make the team out of training camp. Pretty exciting. However, it's unrealistic to expect him to just step right in and get consistent minutes. Having 4 RD's with Mitchell, Boqvist, Murphy and Seabrook isn't ideal in the long run but for the short term it might be good to ease Mitchell in with a couple games on and a game or two off to watch and learn ... and before the refrain of "can't have a young player sit - they have to play" - I don't mean all season but more like the first month or so as he not only gets used to the major step up in competition, but also having to live like an adult instead of the college life he's been living.

If all goes as expected, Mitchell will be pulling regular big time minutes by the end of the season. I also had the thought Mitchell may end up being the best partner for Keith as the top shutdown d-pair.

Hey Elbows,

whom would you pick and why/determining factors if we had the #2 choice. I am saying the selection is between Byfield and Drysdale

I am biased because I foresee a dman driven team. Drysdale and Boqvist could be special; Mitchell very good and very good talent available for third pair. A third pair with one of Beaudin, Rogula, Kyrs means three set of dmen of new age variety

Ok tell me we need Byfield because Toews is no kid
- jhawk59

From mini me elbows (me):

You take Byfield.

You dont pass on this kid, period.

to big skilled and fast all phases to think twice about him being a centre.

He is the better player.

Less physical than Rossi, lol...NO!

You do and say the same thing every year. You get all pumped up and when things don't go the way your think you piss and moan the rest of the season. Why don't you just wait and see what happens for once?
- GPHawksfan

Really? You’re calling out someone for getting pumped up and excited when there’s reason for hope? And for getting mad when the team sucks? What would you prefer I say instead?

What about you? What do you contribute to the board? I’ve posted several thought provoking, conversation-starting statements in just the past few hours alone. Yet your input is....what exactly? Bashing someone else?

I’ll say whatever I want however I want whenever I want, how about that? Like I give 2 (frank)s about what you think.

I don't see three near rookie Dmen not that those veteran Dmen are great either and that goalie combo making the playoffs let alone advancing.
- rpeters01

What’s wrong with Crawford? And that blue line is MUCH better than what we’ve seen the past 2 seasons. I agree about not wanting too many rookies though, that’s why I’ve been saying we need to keep at least one of de Haan and Maatta. Seabs being replaced by a rookie is a massive upgrade, I don’t care how inexperienced they are.

Ive liked what Ive seen from Carlsson in his brief time with us thus far. Mitchell is highly touted. Boqvist is already a legit NHLer.

Really? You’re calling out someone for getting pumped up and excited when there’s reason for hope? And for getting mad when the team sucks? What would you prefer I say instead?

What about you? What do you contribute to the board? I’ve posted several thought provoking, conversation-starting statements in just the past few hours alone. Yet your input is....what exactly? Bashing someone else?

I’ll say whatever I want however I want whenever I want, how about that? Like I give 2 (frank)s about what you think.
- SimpleJack

Way to tantrum like the little female dog that you are. You continue to live up to your username. What a dolt you are.

What’s wrong with Crawford? And that blue line is MUCH better than what we’ve seen the past 2 seasons. I agree about not wanting too many rookies though, that’s why I’ve been saying we need to keep at least one of de Haan and Maatta. Seabs being replaced by a rookie is a massive upgrade, I don’t care how inexperienced they are.

Ive liked what Ive seen from Carlsson in his brief time with us thus far. Mitchell is highly touted. Boqvist is already a legit NHLer.
- SimpleJack

Great young Dmen are made fools of early in their careers. Crawford is a 50 game goalie at best. This past season he didn't get good until after the break and he'll be a year older. Godforbid he gets hurt. I see 8x points for a full season out of that team next year.

Way to tantrum like the little female dog that you are. You continue to live up to your username. What a dolt you are.
- GPHawksfan

Why does nobody get that my username is another movie reference? Hasn’t anyone seen Tropic Thunder ffs?!?

And seriously what did I do to offend you so badly? Other than passionately post statements on a hockey blog about the Chicago Blackhawks? Did i screw ur ex gf or something right after you guys broke up? Tell me man...what is it? Are u gonna be okay?

Great young Dmen are made fools of early in their careers. Crawford is a 50 game goalie at best. This past season he didn't get good until after the break and he'll be a year older. Godforbid he gets hurt. I see 8x points for a full season out of that team next year.
- rpeters01

Boqvist was made to look like a fool last season? I must have missed it.

Guys Devin Booker just won the NBA2K championship. What a historic moment in the world of sports. Are you gonna remember where you were when it happened years from now so you can tell your grandchildren?

Great news re: Mitchell signing, or rather "agreeing to terms" which I guess leaves a little wiggle room but let's assume the best and Ian Mitchell will have every opportunity to make the team out of training camp. Pretty exciting. However, it's unrealistic to expect him to just step right in and get consistent minutes. Having 4 RD's with Mitchell, Boqvist, Murphy and Seabrook isn't ideal in the long run but for the short term it might be good to ease Mitchell in with a couple games on and a game or two off to watch and learn ... and before the refrain of "can't have a young player sit - they have to play" - I don't mean all season but more like the first month or so as he not only gets used to the major step up in competition, but also having to live like an adult instead of the college life he's been living.

If all goes as expected, Mitchell will be pulling regular big time minutes by the end of the season. I also had the thought Mitchell may end up being the best partner for Keith as the top shutdown d-pair.
- EbonyRaptor

Not that the option didn't exist before but an advantage of having Mitchell signed now is that the Hawks can send him to Rockford for seasoning if he doesn't prove he deserves a spot on the big club right away.

There may have been some trepidation that Mitchell would forgo signing with Chicago if he didn't see a clear and quick path to the NHL.

The ball is in his court now to prove he's worth the hype or take his lumps in the minors for a bit so he becomes the best player he can be in the long run.

Not that the option didn't exist before but an advantage of having Mitchell signed now is that the Hawks can send him to Rockford for seasoning if he doesn't prove he deserves a spot on the big club right away.

There may have been some trepidation that Mitchell would forgo signing with Chicago if he didn't see a clear and quick path to the NHL.

The ball is in his court now to prove he's worth the hype or take his lumps in the minors for a bit so he becomes the best player he can be in the long run.
- AEL_Fox

Do you think that was one of the reasons Stan decided Joki was traceable?