I have grown weary already of drubbing given Strome and Carpenter as whipping boys here. They are not fun to watch, I admit that, but I think both are fully worth their contracts. (Caveat on actual getting games).

Carpenter made the most of his opportunity last night. I thought he was one of the best forwards on the ice. Send him back to play on a 4th line with three natural centers like Q used to do there won't be anything to complain about.

Strome, although a small sample size, is playing like a 3rd line center. But JC puts him on the wing of the grinder/energy line. T. Johnson might be the only skill player who wouldn't wither in the role. Strome is literally the only plus player on the team and is 57% on face offs. Can't call what he has been given as "an opportunity" IMO. Give him a handful of games with Entwistle and T. Johnson on his wings and this board will change their minds faster than it did with S. Jones.
- GreenJeans

You think Strome is a $3M player? If any team in the league agreed, he would be an ex-Hawk.

Hardman reminds me of a cross between Stalhberg and "regular season" Bickell. He is relatively fast, aggressive, and all over the ice, but he hasn't been all that effective.

I understand most people's concern about the deal and contract for Jones, but I was happy that they got him. He's not going to be a world beater, but to have a guy with an all around game who still has the stamina to be effective playing big minutes is a key to have.
- Chunk

Oh sure we overpaid for Jones. But give Bowman credit to realize, accept 1) that to win and sniff playoffs he needed a big boy on defense whom could knock down other big players, provide the intimidation and be a minute cruncher. This is what we needed and where we need to continue on rebuild 2) it is a rebuild and more youngsters will fit in as soon as they show they are ready to replace another. Unfortunetly the great promise in Boqvist was part of the return..Boqvist though is brittle and would never lead this defense. One day a big if Boqvist develops into the force he can be...
But Jones even then would provide more with his style. Neither Jones or Boqvist may ever be a true first pair dman.

I wish people would get glued into their head all I just said. I would have preferred to keep Boqvist and see how he pans out. But we move ahead and have direction more so than if we tried to compete with Boqvist instead of Jones.

You know there are pretty smart people highly respected whom have the same opinion I do. People on this board. We see some less than we'll thought out hot heads complain though. Yes, we overpaid. Now understand the trade, and accept the trade as being necessary. Gutsy move by Bowman.

You think Strome is a $3M player? If any team in the league agreed, he would be an ex-Hawk.
- mohel

I think he is if he plays a full season as 3rd line center. JC is demoralizing him and deflating his value. Give him a stint, a real opportunity, to show what he can do in the right spot in the lineup and to showcase him for a trade if they really want him gone. If he is truly worthless after that, then just waive him and get him in the minors or gone.

I have grown weary already of drubbing given Strome and Carpenter as whipping boys here. They are not fun to watch, I admit that, but I think both are fully worth their contracts. (Caveat on actual getting games).

Carpenter made the most of his opportunity last night. I thought he was one of the best forwards on the ice. Send him back to play on a 4th line with three natural centers like Q used to do there won't be anything to complain about.

Strome, although a small sample size, is playing like a 3rd line center. But JC puts him on the wing of the grinder/energy line. T. Johnson might be the only skill player who wouldn't wither in the role. Strome is literally the only plus player on the team and is 57% on face offs. Can't call what he has been given as "an opportunity" IMO. Give him a handful of games with Entwistle and T. Johnson on his wings and this board will change their minds faster than it did with S. Jones.
- GreenJeans

The funny thing is Strome and Carpenter were on the same line pretty much the whole 2nd period.

This conversation will be the one that does the trick!



Uncle Dots to the rescue!


- mohel

I bet after that long talk, Strome will get 2 hits every three games. Strome will become a power forward, who knew?

I think he is if he plays a full season as 3rd line center. JC is demoralizing him and deflating his value. Give him a stint, a real opportunity, to show what he can do in the right spot in the lineup and to showcase him for a trade if they really want him gone. If he is truly worthless after that, then just waive him and get him in the minors or gone.
- GreenJeans

Strome can’t play third line center because he can’t skate, he doesn’t check and he doesn’t get involved in puck battles. He’s had lots of opportunities to show what he can do and he hasn’t shown it.

Strome can’t play third line center because he can’t skate, he doesn’t check and he doesn’t get involved in puck battles. He’s had lots of opportunities to show what he can do and he hasn’t shown it.
- paulr

Yet he's only played 4 games and has almost as many take aways if not more than our 3rd and 4th line players

Strome can’t play third line center because he can’t skate, he doesn’t check and he doesn’t get involved in puck battles. He’s had lots of opportunities to show what he can do and he hasn’t shown it.
- paulr

Correct. He is a luxury if you can spot him in. Your team needs the correct centers with Strome as extra. Ideally you don't win or are at your best with Strome.

Same thought and issue except Zadorov
plays defense..

Louis Crevier signed to an ELC. He's the 6 foot 8 inch D prospect.

First official move for Davidson as GM. Maybe the deal was in the works with Bowman with the announcement delayed for a week

Louis Crevier signed to an ELC. He's the 6 foot 8 inch D prospect.
- boilermaker100

It's either he'll be that Svenberg we used to have or he'll be the next Chara.

Louis Crevier signed to an ELC. He's the 6 foot 8 inch D prospect.

First official move for Davidson as GM. Maybe the deal was in the works with Bowman with the announcement delayed for a week
- boilermaker100

What?!?! He hasn't proven anything yet!

My hope is that he settles in and is a descent NHL dman.....I hope that C Joneds can fill a third pair role and or depth, therefore allowing Phillips to go back to Rockford for seasoning. I want Murphy to get traded. Also, I would give a Galvas Stillman third pair a trial, extended opportunity

Sit deHahn.
- jhawk59

I also want Murphy to be traded. I flat out dislike everything about his game. Glad to know I’m not alone.

And you know with this scheme where it seems we have a forward low and defenseman high, Strome actually can make a pass high to start some sort attack, unfortunately you really don't have much of an attack when one of them is 5, 6, or 44, the land of where puck possession dies in the ozone

Yet he's only played 4 games and has almost as many take aways if not more than our 3rd and 4th line players
- BetweenTheDots

And yet he still can barely get into games ahead of said 3rd/4th line players. Dylan Strome doesn't suck. He also is not good. He is a guy with offensive talent that does not do the things necessary to be a reliable everyday player. Pointing out that he had a X number of hits/blocks/takeaways in one game does not override the vast majority of his game which is undoubtedly underwhelming.

in 40 games last year he had 7 hits and 19 blocks. The year before 58 games 21 hits, 28 blocks. All of this with far more (and better) opportunities awarded because he had potential. He is now an extraneous piece since they have reloaded at the center position and these players are at least initially showing the willingness to do what Strome is not.

I have grown weary already of drubbing given Strome and Carpenter as whipping boys here. They are not fun to watch, I admit that, but I think both are fully worth their contracts. (Caveat on actual getting games).

Carpenter made the most of his opportunity last night. I thought he was one of the best forwards on the ice. Send him back to play on a 4th line with three natural centers like Q used to do there won't be anything to complain about.

Strome, although a small sample size, is playing like a 3rd line center. But JC puts him on the wing of the grinder/energy line. T. Johnson might be the only skill player who wouldn't wither in the role. Strome is literally the only plus player on the team and is 57% on face offs. Can't call what he has been given as "an opportunity" IMO. Give him a handful of games with Entwistle and T. Johnson on his wings and this board will change their minds faster than it did with S. Jones.
- GreenJeans

Carpenter is fine for what he is. I disagree with playing him 16 or 17 mins a night but when you're 0-9 guess you gotta do what you gotta do.

Things didn't start clicking for the other Strome until after 25 and he started playing with Panarin. All of a sudden went from 30 point inconsistent failure to 50 point key piece.

And yet he still can barely get into games ahead of said 3rd/4th line players. Dylan Strome doesn't suck. He also is not good. He is a guy with offensive talent that does not do the things necessary to be a reliable everyday player. Pointing out that he had a X number of hits/blocks/takeaways in one game does not override the vast majority of his game which is undoubtedly underwhelming.

in 40 games last year he had 7 hits and 19 blocks. The year before 58 games 21 hits, 28 blocks. All of this with far more (and better) opportunities awarded because he had potential. He is now an extraneous piece since they have reloaded at the center position and these players are at least initially showing the willingness to do what Strome is not.
- Chunk

Other than Kane and Jones, the coach prefers to play guys that try super duper hard.

At some point they need to score though and trying hard isn't going to do it in the NHL. As demonstrated the last 4 years if Patrick Kane is not putting up astronomical numbers + the goalie playing above replacement value then they don't win and it is very difficult to have sustained success let alone playoff success if that is the case.

Strome can’t play third line center because he can’t skate, he doesn’t check and he doesn’t get involved in puck battles. He’s had lots of opportunities to show what he can do and he hasn’t shown it.
- paulr

I kind of see Anisimov as a comparable. Similar size and skill makeup, except Strome is a better playmaker. AA got paid more (4.5) to contribute less, and although AA did eventually become a target on this board there was a time when there was a lot of love for him here. Imagine Strome with wingers like AA had.

I kind of see Anisimov as a comparable. Similar size and skill makeup, except Strome is a better playmaker. AA got paid more (4.5) to contribute less, and although AA did eventually become a target on this board there was a time when there was a lot of love for him here. Imagine Strome with wingers like AA had.
- GreenJeans

Some similarities, but Anisimov was really good at going to the front of the net for tip ins and rebounds. He played on the powerplay because he had that want to, to go into the dirty areas. Nothing dirty about Strome, he is usually somewhere off to the side of the net

And yet he still can barely get into games ahead of said 3rd/4th line players. Dylan Strome doesn't suck. He also is not good. He is a guy with offensive talent that does not do the things necessary to be a reliable everyday player. Pointing out that he had a X number of hits/blocks/takeaways in one game does not override the vast majority of his game which is undoubtedly underwhelming.

in 40 games last year he had 7 hits and 19 blocks. The year before 58 games 21 hits, 28 blocks. All of this with far more (and better) opportunities awarded because he had potential. He is now an extraneous piece since they have reloaded at the center position and these players are at least initially showing the willingness to do what Strome is not.
- Chunk

Based on the initial results, not sure who at center is playing better that constitutes anything near a reload. Toews - sometimes but in spurts, certainly not a force at this stage.

Dach puts forth a lot of effort for marginal results and Gaudette, Johnson (who is being misused) and Borgstrom haven't done a whole lot to differentiate themselves either.

Playing Kane 20-25 mins a night because no one else can score is kind of silly at his age. The German kid is about a PPG in the AHL and apparently playing center.

I think the top two should be loaded up with:

Toews (wing but taking draws like Giroux) Dach Kubalik
Debrincat Strome Kane

And let the other two lines have a bunch of dudes who try super hard and hopefully dont get too crushed in their own zone.

Other than Kane and Jones, the coach prefers to play guys that try super duper hard.

At some point they need to score though and trying hard isn't going to do it in the NHL. As demonstrated the last 4 years if Patrick Kane is not putting up astronomical numbers + the goalie playing above replacement value then they don't win and it is very difficult to have sustained success let alone playoff success if that is the case.
- fattybeef

Yes they do, and in the years he has been with the Hawks he has gotten progressively worse.
18-19: 58 games 51 pts - pretty darn good
19-20: 58 games 38 pts - less good
20-21: 40 games 17 pts - not near good enough, and this with having all the opportunity in the world with Toews out and only Dach as the other "top six" center.

He's not good at what he is supposed to be good at. Plenty of PP time, and having a 12.5% shooting percentage and he's still declining.

Some similarities, but Anisimov was really good at going to the front of the net for tip ins and rebounds. He played on the powerplay because he had that want to, to go into the dirty areas. Nothing dirty about Strome, he is usually somewhere off to the side of the net
- chuckdahammer

AA was a north south player who was good on the penalty kill.

Similar body types and being not elite but not being an effort player generally speaking but def not similar games.

I think the top two should be loaded up with:

Toews (wing but taking draws like Giroux) Dach Kubalik
Debrincat Strome Kane

And let the other two lines have a bunch of dudes who try super hard and hopefully dont get too crushed in their own zone.
- fattybeef

I like this idea a lot. Matchups would matter though.

Yes they do, and in the years he has been with the Hawks he has gotten progressively worse.
18-19: 58 games 51 pts - pretty darn good
19-20: 58 games 38 pts - less good
20-21: 40 games 17 pts - not near good enough, and this with having all the opportunity in the world with Toews out and only Dach as the other "top six" center.

He's not good at what he is supposed to be good at. Plenty of PP time, and having a 12.5% shooting percentage and he's still declining.
- Chunk

Most of last year he was injured. 38 out of 58 is .65 ppg which is more than acceptable.

17 points over 40 games is 35 ish points over 82 which is about right for a 3 million dollar player.

18-19 has to be taken with a grain of salt as he was mostly playing with Kane and Debrincat and Kane had his career year and El Gato banged in 41.

Is he a 50 point player or a 30 point player? I dunno. Probably closer to the former but even if he is only 35-40 points, that still has a lot of value in the NHL. Last night and in STL he made a lot of good plays with his stick to disrupt plays in the neutral zone and stop guys in the middle of the slot so I don't buy the whole doesn't defend argument.

I'd give the kid minutes for 20 games, deal with the flaws and either him and the guys around him put up points or they don't and you can declare whatever failure you want.

I like this idea a lot. Matchups would matter though.
- GreenJeans

Correct, they'd need competent bench coaching.

I like this idea a lot. Matchups would matter though.
- GreenJeans

Correct, they'd need competent bench coaching.