Also, nice write up Tyler and keep up the great work...you too Theo!

Have enjoyed the blogs focusing on the youth currently on the team and in the system. I've also enjoyed the optimism with some healthy objectivity regarding prospects vs dismissing them out of hand and labelling them products of the HYPE machine which was kind of the way around here in year's past.

Are the Hawks a contender yet? No, but I think with the way they've given themselves a number of kicks at the can with their prospects on defense, the potential is there within a year or two.

Also, nice write up Tyler and keep up the great work...you too Theo!

Have enjoyed the blogs focusing on the youth currently on the team and in the system. I've also enjoyed the optimism with some healthy objectivity regarding prospects vs dismissing them out of hand and labelling them products of the HYPE machine which was kind of the way around here in year's past.

Are the Hawks a contender yet? No, but I think with the way they've given themselves a number of kicks at the can with their prospects on defense, the potential is there within a year or two.
- HawkintheD

Thanks pal! It's a lot more fun to be optimistic and give these guys a chance in my opinion. I think you can do that and still be realistic.

Heck, if someone told some of these guys they're "only" going to be a 5-6th defenceman in the FREAKING NHL for the next 10ish years... I think many of them would be grateful for the opportunity to thrive in that spot and spend a career as a hockey player.

Thanks pal! It's a lot more fun to be optimistic and give these guys a chance in my opinion. I think you can do that and still be realistic.

Heck, if someone told some of these guys they're "only" going to be a 5-6th defenceman in the FREAKING NHL for the next 10ish years... I think many of them would be grateful for the opportunity to thrive in that spot and spend a career as a hockey player.
- Tyler Cameron

Totally agree. I think Wiz had a nice post earlier too, in terms of not wanting to paint current prospects with current player comps. You know, like Kubalik is the next Hossa or Boqvist is the next Keith.

Let them be their own player with all their weaknesses and strengths and just maybe a contender can be cobbled together with this group. Who knows, but as a fan, I’m going to try and enjoy the ride either way.

I still think it’s silly to write the book on some of these young players. Maybe Nylander plays the way Bowman envisioned and becomes a valuable top 6 performer...or maybe he ends up a bust. Who knows at this point, but I like what I saw from him and Strome with 88 at the end of play this season and from reports here and other places they are possibly picking up where they left off.

I don’t think Strome has a ton of leverage so I still think he will be potentially signed to a shorter bridge deal.

As well as Shaw, Saad, Teuvo and TVR in other years. Strome might have been tough for Q in terms of defensive reliability, but I would think the other 3 like you mention could find a place on Q teams.

Offensively the two centers would have been an upgrade over Zus but I think he was a good under the radar pickup by Stan going into the playoffs that year.
- HawkintheD

Q or not, most high end skilled youngsters are getting quicker introductions I to the league. It just seems to be the new norm.

Most of the Hawk farm guys who Q didn't promote were considered high end - skilled players and I truly believe he had little tolerance for the mistakes he felt they would be making.
It can't be a sweeping indictment of Q, because when the staff saw how well Gustav Forsling out the puck in offensive play, he wasn't sent anywhere.

I think Strome would be a perfect player for Q to like.

Totally agree. I think Wiz had a nice post earlier too, in terms of not wanting to paint current prospects with current player comps. You know, like Kubalik is the next Hossa or Boqvist is the next Keith.

Let them be their own player with all their weaknesses and strengths and just maybe a contender can be cobbled together with this group. Who knows, but as a fan, I’m going to try and enjoy the ride either way.

I still think it’s silly to write the book on some of these young players. Maybe Nylander plays the way Bowman envisioned and becomes a valuable top 6 performer...or maybe he ends up a bust. Who knows at this point, but I like what I saw from him and Strome with 88 at the end of play this season and from reports here and other places they are possibly picking up where they left off.

I don’t think Strome has a ton of leverage so I still think he will be potentially signed to a shorter bridge deal.
- HawkintheD

Ditto.

Also, nice write up Tyler and keep up the great work...you too Theo!

Have enjoyed the blogs focusing on the youth currently on the team and in the system. I've also enjoyed the optimism with some healthy objectivity regarding prospects vs dismissing them out of hand and labelling them products of the HYPE machine which was kind of the way around here in year's past.

Are the Hawks a contender yet? No, but I think with the way they've given themselves a number of kicks at the can with their prospects on defense, the potential is there within a year or two.
- HawkintheD

Thanks, D, and big ups to Tyler for giving me chances to write and providing us the space to have an online community to talk anything Blackhawks.

Me personally, I just enjoy reading and talking about prospects. Many of them have good to great potential and some will just flat out never make it.

For the former, they're worth developing until they give you a reason not to. The latter makes it easier to cut bait from them.

Respectfully I disagree. Bovquist would have been a major upgrade over Timonen. Keep in mind we basically won the 2015 cup with 2 defensive pairs. I also think Dach and Strome both would have been an upgrade over Handzus from the 2013 team. I'd also take Kubalik over Stalberg.

I know there's the argument that Q hated young players, but I think it was more Q would only play guys he trusted. Keep in mind he used Hammer quite a bit in 2009 and in 2010 as well when he was a rookie.
- Jance

He didn't have a choice with Hammer the whole team was young. No way Dach and Strome play over Handzus not even close. For a short series it's different. Kubalik over Stalberg, not so sure Kubalik would have been given the chance and Kubalik didn't set the world on fire from the start.

Q or not, most high end skilled youngsters are getting quicker introductions I to the league. It just seems to be the new norm.

Most of the Hawk farm guys who Q didn't promote were considered high end - skilled players and I truly believe he had little tolerance for the mistakes he felt they would be making.
It can't be a sweeping indictment of Q, because when the staff saw how well Gustav Forsling out the puck in offensive play, he wasn't sent anywhere.

I think Strome would be a perfect player for Q to like.
- wiz1901

He did play Nick Leddy a lot. Young inexperienced, talented but really struggled in his own end, Boqvist would of been in the line up easily. Cat always found a place on the ice with Q and for good reason.

Teuvo had plenty of ice time as well

Boqvist never looked out of place in the NHL. So he was ready. Could he have benefited from more AHL time? Maybe, but he handled the NHL game just fine and was progressing nicely by the end of the season.
- Elbows15

Agree. When young players come up it is not only that their bodies are not ready to take the hits. It is that experience they get from playing in the AHL and NHL how to avoid hits and when to avoid hits. I think Dach is a great example. Early on he seemed like he was taking big hits every night. As the season progressed he was able to asses the situation quickly and decide if it was smart to put himself in exposed positions or take a different angle and avoid the hit, deflect the hit or give the hit.

I felt Carlsson benefited from his AHL time in that respect. Boqvist had to learn it at the NHL level, but you could see him progressing.

Totally agree. I think Wiz had a nice post earlier too, in terms of not wanting to paint current prospects with current player comps. You know, like Kubalik is the next Hossa or Boqvist is the next Keith.

Let them be their own player with all their weaknesses and strengths and just maybe a contender can be cobbled together with this group. Who knows, but as a fan, I’m going to try and enjoy the ride either way.

I still think it’s silly to write the book on some of these young players. Maybe Nylander plays the way Bowman envisioned and becomes a valuable top 6 performer...or maybe he ends up a bust. Who knows at this point, but I like what I saw from him and Strome with 88 at the end of play this season and from reports here and other places they are possibly picking up where they left off.

I don’t think Strome has a ton of leverage so I still think he will be potentially signed to a shorter bridge deal.
- HawkintheD

I’m still trying to maintain a positive outlook with Nylander and look beyond how he was acquired. Nylander isn’t Kane 2.0, but if he can be a solid middle six winger the deal was a good one. I’m a Jokiharju fan, but he wasn’t Keith 2.0 (or even Hjalmarsson 2.0) so it’s not as if Stan traded away a franchise Defenseman. Nylander’s rookie season wasn’t bad, and he was making progress.

Agree about Strome, I would also add that he wants to play in Chicago and that will contribute to his decision.

I initially thought Strome would sign a 3 year deal and Kubalik 2 years. Now I’m thinking it could be 2 years and 1 year, or even two 1 year deals.

I’m still trying to maintain a positive outlook with Nylander and look beyond how he was acquired. Nylander isn’t Kane 2.0, but if he can be a solid middle six winger the deal was a good one. I’m a Jokiharju fan, but he wasn’t Keith 2.0 (or even Hjalmarsson 2.0) so it’s not as if Stan traded away a franchise Defenseman. Nylander’s rookie season wasn’t bad, and he was making progress.

Agree about Strome, I would also add that he wants to play in Chicago and that will contribute to his decision.

I initially thought Strome would sign a 3 year deal and Kubalik 2 years. Now I’m thinking it could be 2 years and 1 year, or even two 1 year deals.
- DarthKane

With the flat cap for the next two or three years, why do you think it might be only one year deals for each,? In case they regress a bit?

de Haan and Toews back on the ice for today's scrimmage.

Red team wins in a shootout and once again, Seabs giving the losing team the business.

de Haan and Toews back on the ice for today's scrimmage.

Red team wins in a shootout and once again, Seabs giving the losing team the business.
- Elbows15

Yeah, not much offense today in the sole 20 minute period. Strome tipped in a last second Koekkoek shot to tie it at 1-1. Couldn't see who scored the goal fro the red team but it all started with some nice moves by Kurashev.

It is very easy when drafting 18 year olds for organizations to have quicker mindset for these kids to reach expectations as NHL placeholders with talent. But if the are promoted (as opposed to forced to minor pro growth) they must have enough recognition and overall performance in a 200 foot rink to BE a roster placeholder.

I also think about the journey of Marc Giordano that wasn't even a 21 year old call up.

Most on the drafted prospects DO have great attributes and strengths but they also lack the over-all game to equal NHL game players, so the teams have to be patient and hope they get there before the NHL team is placed in the position where they have to protect them, so they MUST make the NHL roster.

A player like Nylander gets chosne high. Everyone knows he is not brother Willie, but there is enough shot, quickness on the attack,recognition, and hockey head to get him taken that high. (That stands for probably every forays taken in the top ten over the last decade.)
OF COURSE, the Sabres are hoping he walks in and plays an accomplished NHL game in the same manner as his Swedish career.

It should be noted that three players taken before Alexander Nylander, Jesse Puljujärvi, Olli Juolevi, Clayton Keller. still are with out NHL accomplishments.

(I thought I read that there was some frustration with Keller, I think it was a quote,..."he's supposed to be an offensive generator, so when called him up, that is what we expect..."

We don't know if these prospects deficits are exacerbated by lack of proper coaching development, physical immaturity, or commitment or a little of all that.

I don't know what it's like to be an NHL draftee, but I do know many of the terrific high school athletes that I was friends with sometimes overly confident at their future success and when it didn't come, they were devastated and gave up.
I knew the Sun-times player of the year who was drafted by Michigan State but was out of football before sophomore year, because the past successes clouded the future workload.

So for me, the Hawks took a chance on what could turn out to be a really nice offensive addition to their team in an era where high skill is very important...guys that can in second change momentum with a goal...

and I guess I never was high on Henri Jokiharju.
I never rated him high on my board.
I think when they traded out of their original drafting 26th overall slot (so Dallas could reachon goalie Jake Oettinger) they signaled to me the guy they wanted was gone.. I suspect that was Ryan Poehling.

So taking Henri changed their draft board emphasis to what they deemed best player available.

In this NHL where scoring and skill take a higher value, there is a lot of value in taken a guy like Nylander and seeing if you can get higher value than has previously emerged. I just don't have any issue with the deal.
And that is even if they finally reach a stage where they cut bait.

It is not like they haven't attempted any reclamation projects before. Kris Versteeg, for instance.
These Cup wins and Cap crushes mean you have to try things.

Nylander was thrown to the wolves by the Sabres. He was thrown into the AHL right away because he was drafted out of Sweden. He probably would have been better served either staying overseas or placed with a CHL team for a year. The AHL is rarely a place for an 18-19 year old to play. IMO, its even more dangerous than the NHL.

IIRC Nylander also has some injuries in each of his AHL seasons which in all likelihood further stunted his progress.

Just being healthy for a full season was progress for Nylander,

I really think in time the trade will be one where both teams are happy.

Boqvist waas mic'd up for today's scrimmage. I tried to post the link but for some reason it wouldn't let. It was pretty funny. Hopefully you can find it somehwere. Definitely worth the watch.

Best part was Dinky chasing him all over the ice.

Boqvist waas mic'd up for today's scrimmage. I tried to post the link but for some reason it wouldn't let. It was pretty funny. Hopefully you can find it somehwere. Definitely worth the watch.

Best part was Dinky chasing him all over the ice.
- Elbows15

He needs to stop singing "what's love got to do with it".

It's available on the NHL app.

Nylander was thrown to the wolves by the Sabres. He was thrown into the AHL right away because he was drafted out of Sweden. He probably would have been better served either staying overseas or placed with a CHL team for a year. The AHL is rarely a place for an 18-19 year old to play. IMO, its even more dangerous than the NHL.

IIRC Nylander also has some injuries in each of his AHL seasons which in all likelihood further stunted his progress.

Just being healthy for a full season was progress for Nylander,

I really think in time the trade will be one where both teams are happy.
- Elbows15

The reasons you give for Nylander would fit Boqvist also no . That is why I thought one more year as a 19 year old in Jr. with London would have benefited Boqvist also learning the north American ice and game .That ship has sailed and he seems to be progressing well aside from the concussions .

It's relevant as long as we really don't know how good they really are and that includes Dinky as well. The only thing we think we know is that the young guys are going to be better than junk.
- rpeters01

That's my whole point. Those guys are better than junk and Q had less talent to work with his last two years than JC has had his first full year.

He did play Nick Leddy a lot. Young inexperienced, talented but really struggled in his own end, Boqvist would of been in the line up easily. Cat always found a place on the ice with Q and for good reason.

Teuvo had plenty of ice time as well
- BetweenTheDots

Leddy was the only reason Rozy was able to keep up those last 2 years. He played basically two positions and really wasn't that bad in his own end.

Nylander was thrown to the wolves by the Sabres. He was thrown into the AHL right away because he was drafted out of Sweden. He probably would have been better served either staying overseas or placed with a CHL team for a year. The AHL is rarely a place for an 18-19 year old to play. IMO, its even more dangerous than the NHL.

IIRC Nylander also has some injuries in each of his AHL seasons which in all likelihood further stunted his progress.

Just being healthy for a full season was progress for Nylander,

I really think in time the trade will be one where both teams are happy.
- Elbows15

He played a year in the OHL. The dude stands around too much, doesn't move his feet and doesn't dig in the boards.

Maybe a summer of Patrick Kane yelling at him to not suck will help but until there is some consistency in the non skill part of his games he's another athlete with out a lot of sense of how to play the game.

My perception how to beat Edm;

1). Do not be overwhelmed or fear their offensive capability, namely McDavid & Draisaltii (I bet Yamomoto too). It is not a matter of trying to match or outgun them. Our defendemen collectively is better. We skate with them and our defense has to be good. Both teams could receive help defensively as in additional help from detailed instructions by the coach for the forwards to help out more than they ordinarily do in the regular season. This is something you take note if it occurs

2). Colliton cannot be outcoached; he has to make proper line and defense adjustments. M Crawford, the ast coach, should work closely with Colliton and this does not become an issue

3). We should not go into a defensive shell
if we are ahead. We should concentrate more on defensive stops but do not sacrifice offensive attack. The less often they have the puck, the better for.us. ...so attack. Their dmen and goaltending is "suspect" so let us not forget that

4).Crawford should not start if he is not fully prepared mentally and in shape. If he sits out even two games then better hope Subban does a commendable job. Delia is a big gamble. I do not trust his flubbing up on technique or otherwise.

Also do not shorten the bench. Try very much to give each defense pair at least 15 -18 TOI. I really hope Carlsson gets in. I am not afraid to use Beaudin but he has to be for most part solid or gets benched

I push for P Suter to play. Give him lots of TOI vs St Louis

That's my whole point. Those guys are better than junk and Q had less talent to work with his last two years than JC has had his first full year.
- fattybeef

My point is "better than junk" can still be bad. Not winning anything with those guys where they're at now.

We have collected some good young talent and the Hawks future looks bright. We should be able develop some of these young Dmen into nice NHL players, all of them will not be keepers, some will have to be traded for other needs, just like Jokiharju. Nylander has skills, in the right environment he will be fine, but not on the fourth line. My offensive expectations for him are 20 goals/year, and my overall want is for him to be more responsible on the defensive side, that’s the only thing that worries me about our young talent, will they be responsible on the defensive side? I will root for them to beat the Oilers, but if they lose I will not be that disappointed, as they should be able to draft another gem at 9 or 10, and it would be great to get #1 overall. Thanks Tyler for another good read.

We have collected some good young talent and the Hawks future looks bright. We should be able develop some of these young Dmen into nice NHL players, all of them will not be keepers, some will have to be traded for other needs, just like Jokiharju. Nylander has skills, in the right environment he will be fine, but not on the fourth line. My offensive expectations for him are 20 goals/year, and my overall want is for him to be more responsible on the defensive side, that’s the only thing that worries me about our young talent, will they be responsible on the defensive side? I will root for them to beat the Oilers, but if they lose I will not be that disappointed, as they should be able to draft another gem at 9 or 10, and it would be great to get #1 overall. Thanks Tyler for another good read.
- Angotti

I agree and people (posters) need to understand when you trade prospects for prospects you are really trading suspects for suspects. Sometimes you shoot you miss, sometimes you shoot you make...