Others have already mentioned, but I love to beat dead horses...

What is the love with Forsling? He's the same guy he was here. Decent defensively, an occasional good shot/offensive play, but gets manhandled by physical play (just like many other d-men). If he was playing on the Hawks, he would be summarily ridiculed as being too soft/just a guy/blah blah blah.
- Chunk

Agree. He has not dressed in 40% of the Panther games and has 2 goals and 3 assists. 1g and 1a in one game against the Hawks. 1g and 2 assists in the other 18 games he has dressed. Forsling will be 25 in June. Who would you rather have when they are 25, Forsling or:
Zadorov 25
Bowey 25
Kalynuk 23
Carlsson 23
Mitchell 22
Krys 22
Laavainen 22
Galvas 21
Ess 21
Beaudin 21
Demin 20
Moeberg 20
Boqvist 20
Regula 20
Crevier 19
Phillips 19
Vlasic 19
Kaiser 18
Krutil 18

I just said that!

70-75% of d-men in the league are "just a guy". That's not to say that they are bad, but they don't really move the needle. They are serviceable players that are needed to fill out a roster and compete. That is to say, relatively easy to replace. I don't get the stewing that happens whenever a former player has a modicum of success. It's going to happen. The Hawks have also brought on a number of players who would be viewed as the same from other teams.
- Chunk

That's a good definition of "just a guy."

I just said that!

70-75% of d-men in the league are "just a guy". That's not to say that they are bad, but they don't really move the needle. They are serviceable players that are needed to fill out a roster and compete. That is to say, relatively easy to replace. I don't get the stewing that happens whenever a former player has a modicum of success. It's going to happen. The Hawks have also brought on a number of players who would be viewed as the same from other teams.
- Chunk

Mostly because every guy the hawks give up is a champ, and everyone not on the team would make us instant competitors. Who we have sucks. Easy logic to follow.

I was curious about his game overall. I recall his shying Way from physical play as the season went along. I heard parts of some games vs Florida, saw some scoring highlights on various sites where Forsling made some nice plays

The question naturally is, knowing he has ability, has he become stronger and does he still shy away from physical play

Thanks for your input

Forsling is like many, many offensive skll guys whom have to tackle the toughnes issue at professional level yet usually they have not developed a man's body.

Forsling and Jokiharju haven't shown they can handle or want to really deal with it as little as possible. Others will have their own battles. Maker has not been deterred yet. Will Byram handle it well if he doesn't get some protected minutes? Drysdale? How about Fox on NYR

I suspect both Boqvist and Mitchell will be able to deal with it. Boqvist has been better this season and Mitchell likely will go nuts dealing with it.....in time I.bet Mitchell is going to handle it just fine
- jhawk59

I'm sure Forsling has become stronger, but he's still the same player. He's got the same issues, but handles them slightly better. RIGHT NOW, Beaudin is the same player. Flashes offensive instincts, plays a heady game, but really can't handle a forecheck to save his soul. Hagel, ADB, and Kubalik absolutely embarrassed Forsling when they had pressure. Hagel is 180 soaking wet and Forsling couldn't budge him from the crease.

I was concerned about the Jokiharju trade when it happened, but I was fine with it because of the vast number of D prospects the Hawks had waiting in the wings (and because Stan literally said that to not expect all of these prospects to be on the team - there isn't enough roster space). Jokiharju is just a guy. Not bad, but not good. He's getting $hit minutes on a $hit team and has the same issues as when he was traded.

I just said that!

70-75% of d-men in the league are "just a guy". That's not to say that they are bad, but they don't really move the needle. They are serviceable players that are needed to fill out a roster and compete. That is to say, relatively easy to replace. I don't get the stewing that happens whenever a former player has a modicum of success. It's going to happen. The Hawks have also brought on a number of players who would be viewed as the same from other teams.
- Chunk

Using your percentages. On average the top 3 dmen move the needle and the bottom 4 are just a guy. Probably not too far off. Maybe on some serious cup contenders it is 4 dmen moving the needle. On weaker teams 2 or less move the needle.

Mostly because every guy the hawks give up is a champ, and everyone not on the team would make us instant competitors. Who we have sucks. Easy logic to follow.
- I Am The Breadman

Yup. Those juggernauts Daley, Kempny and Rutta ruined all objectivity.


I actually really liked Kempny, but he was a bit of a disaster on the Hawks. Could be because he got inconsistent minutes, but never looked comfortable.

Yup. Those juggernauts Daley, Kempny and Rutta ruined all objectivity.


I actually really liked Kempny, but he was a bit of a disaster on the Hawks. Could be because he got inconsistent minutes, but never looked comfortable.
- Chunk

The HOF coach who was here at the time had a very difficult system to learn.

That's a good definition of "just a guy."
- mohel

I don't know how you do it, but I've never been so infuriated by someone agreeing with me.

I don't know how you do it, but I've never been so infuriated by someone agreeing with me.
- Chunk

Sorry, just a special skill I have.

Agree. He has not dressed in 40% of the Panther games and has 2 goals and 3 assists. 1g and 1a in one game against the Hawks. 1g and 2 assists in the other 18 games he has dressed. Forsling will be 25 in June. Who would you rather have when they are 25, Forsling or:
Zadorov 25
Bowey 25
Kalynuk 23
Carlsson 23
Mitchell 22
Krys 22
Laavainen 22
Galvas 21
Ess 21
Beaudin 21
Demin 20
Moeberg 20
Boqvist 20
Regula 20
Crevier 19
Phillips 19
Vlasic 19
Kaiser 18
Krutil 18
- -Doh-

Depends on the cap hit. I think Zadorov is an absolute minefield with the puck on his stick, but defensively, I think he brings a lot of good. For the most part he is quite good at defending the net, and even moving guys out of the crease.

To answer your question more broadly, I'd rather have the guys that I don't know about than the one I know is... just a guy.

I don't know how you do it, but I've never been so infuriated by someone agreeing with me.
- Chunk

Yeah, Mo ain’t just a guy at infuriating people, he’s a generational talent.

Yeah, Mo ain’t just a guy at infuriating people, he’s a generational talent.
- paulr

That's one of the sweetest things you've ever said to me.

Depends on the cap hit. I think Zadorov is an absolute minefield with the puck on his stick, but defensively, I think he brings a lot of good. For the most part he is quite good at defending the net, and even moving guys out of the crease.

To answer your question more broadly, I'd rather have the guys that I don't know about than the one I know is... just a guy.
- Chunk

When Zadorov goes by the “less is more” adage, his game, including his passing, is reasonably good. When he’s running around looking for hits or trying to find his inner Erik Karlsson by over handling the puck he gets into real trouble. Lately he’s played very well defensively, getting the puck cleanly out of his zone or moving the puck in the offensive zone. Not coincidentally when he plays well he seldom gets in a huge hit.

That's one of the sweetest things you've ever said to me.
- mohel

😘

I just said that!

70-75% of d-men in the league are "just a guy". That's not to say that they are bad, but they don't really move the needle. They are serviceable players that are needed to fill out a roster and compete. That is to say, relatively easy to replace. I don't get the stewing that happens whenever a former player has a modicum of success. It's going to happen. The Hawks have also brought on a number of players who would be viewed as the same from other teams.
- Chunk

Pretty sure the Kings would like to have Kubby back. Afa Hagel goes, the Sabres probably would've ruined him.

I just said that!

70-75% of d-men in the league are "just a guy". That's not to say that they are bad, but they don't really move the needle. They are serviceable players that are needed to fill out a roster and compete. That is to say, relatively easy to replace. I don't get the stewing that happens whenever a former player has a modicum of success. It's going to happen. The Hawks have also brought on a number of players who would be viewed as the same from other teams.
- Chunk

There is only one 'guy' on the blue line and his name is Viktor Hedman.

(Followed closely of course per their GM by every defenceman that has ever suited up for the Maple Leafs).

Pretty sure the Kings would like to have Kubby back. Afa Hagel goes, the Sabres probably would've ruined him.
- HawkintheD

You’re delusional! You’re suggesting Blowman made a good move by getting Kubalik?

When Zadorov goes by the “less is more” adage, his game, including his passing, is reasonably good. When he’s running around looking for hits or trying to find his inner Erik Karlsson by over handling the puck he gets into real trouble. Lately he’s played very well defensively, getting the puck cleanly out of his zone or moving the puck in the offensive zone. Not coincidentally when he plays well he seldom gets in a huge hit.
- paulr

By definition that's an impossibility.

There is only one 'guy' on the blue line and his name is Viktor Hedman.

(Followed closely of course per their GM by every defenceman that has ever suited up for the Maple Leafs).
- RickJ

You’re suggesting Hedman is better than Morgan Reilly?😳

You’re delusional! You’re suggesting Blowman made a good move by getting Kubalik?
- paulr

He's new here, give him time to learn the ropes.

You’re delusional! You’re suggesting Blowman made a good move by getting Kubalik?
- paulr

Yes, Scotty.

When Zadorov goes by the “less is more” adage, his game, including his passing, is reasonably good. When he’s running around looking for hits or trying to find his inner Erik Karlsson by over handling the puck he gets into real trouble. Lately he’s played very well defensively, getting the puck cleanly out of his zone or moving the puck in the offensive zone. Not coincidentally when he plays well he seldom gets in a huge hit.
- paulr

He has gotten better at rubbing out puck carriers on the wall as well. It's like velcro sometimes. They just stop immediately.

I was curious about his game overall. I recall his shying Way from physical play as the season went along. I heard parts of some games vs Florida, saw some scoring highlights on various sites where Forsling made some nice plays

The question naturally is, knowing he has ability, has he become stronger and does he still shy away from physical play

Thanks for your input

Forsling is like many, many offensive skll guys whom have to tackle the toughnes issue at professional level yet usually they have not developed a man's body.

Forsling and Jokiharju haven't shown they can handle or want to really deal with it as little as possible. Others will have their own battles. Maker has not been deterred yet. Will Byram handle it well if he doesn't get some protected minutes? Drysdale? How about Fox on NYR

I suspect both Boqvist and Mitchell will be able to deal with it. Boqvist has been better this season and Mitchell likely will go nuts dealing with it.....in time I.bet Mitchell is going to handle it just fine
- jhawk59

Thats why they are called highlights. It's a very small subset. You can put together a "highlight" reel for almost any player, it doesn't mean they are necessarily any good. Want to see the Runblad highlight reel? Some nice shots and goals and a few nice passes.....big booming shot, he must be a superstar.

He has gotten better at rubbing out puck carriers on the wall as well. It's like velcro sometimes. They just stop immediately.
- Chunk

He’s been far more effective. When he was looking for that big hit he was always out of position and he seldom got that huge hit.

You’re suggesting Hedman is better than Morgan Reilly?😳
- paulr

I may have to completely rethink this based on the non propoganda evaluations coming out of Scotiabank Arena.

Based on what I have heard, Rielly will be on the Canadian Olympic team. To that I say, don't even bother going.