Justin Lowe: Prospect Camp Recap + Tidbits Another prospect developmental camp is complete for the Chicago Blackhawks organization.

There is more buzz around the overall quality of the pipeline for the Hawks in recent years.

The primary focus was on defence, and although it was only a few days of skills and drills and 1 scrimmage, these premiere defenders didn't disappoint.

Do they keep the Joker up for the 1st 10? Does Q yank him around too?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Also want to know if Q feels any heat whatsoever or does he feel he's wearing a flameproof suit (and regardless of what the club does early on, if he gets fired, so what, he's got that big contract to fall back on)?

Nice summary Justin! Do you know when the Hawks will announce their roster for the Traverse City Rookie tournament? That might be a good indication of where the Hawks slot a lot of these young prospects that are eligible to play in the AHL this coming season.

If Jokiharju has a legimate shot at making the club I wonder if the Hawks look to bring in another Finn to help get him acclimated tony the NHL. Jokiharju has already spent a season playing North American hockey so it may not be necessary, but it couldn’t hurt either.

Maybe the Hawks can kill two birds with one stone (note: I am not advocating the killing of birds). What would it take to pry Sami Vatanen out of New Jersey? Stan could upgrade the top 4 D and find Jokiharju a fellow countryman to make his life easier. Vatanen has a reasonable contract for 2 more years which would fit into the Hawks longer term plans.

Isn't Shalunov going to be a UFA when his Russian contract expires? If so i doubt he signs in Chicago at all, and that was likely the plan all along since his contract takes him to age 27 when he can become a UFA and sign for bigger money anywhere he wants

Nice article, however their was no mention of Blake Hillman? Any chance he makes the team .?
If so who is traded gust, rutta,, forsling , murphy? Or would the hawks try and move Seabrook?

I didn't attend prospect camp so the only thing I have to go on is watching the scrimmage and the dozens of 20 second vids of days 1-4 posted by Scott Powers and a few others ... but I thought Fortin stood out more than anyone else in camp, at least the forwards. It looked like he had a top gear no one else had. The question is still whether he puts his speed to good use in game conditions when it matters but there is no doubt he has elite speed.

Nice article, however their was no mention of Blake Hillman? Any chance he makes the team .?
If so who is traded gust, rutta,, forsling , murphy? Or would the hawks try and move Seabrook?
- Taylorst1

I agree Hillman looked good in the 2 on 2 drills and he was paired with Jokiharju much of the time. Maybe hints of what's to come?

Nice article, however their was no mention of Blake Hillman? Any chance he makes the team .?
If so who is traded gust, rutta,, forsling , murphy? Or would the hawks try and move Seabrook?
- Taylorst1

Um, no, this is what that contract has done

via GIPHY

Or maybe it's more like this

via GIPHY

Almost sunk the good ship Blackhawk

If Jokiharju has a legimate shot at making the club I wonder if the Hawks look to bring in another Finn to help get him acclimated tony the NHL. Jokiharju has already spent a season playing North American hockey so it may not be necessary, but it couldn’t hurt either.

Maybe the Hawks can kill two birds with one stone (note: I am not advocating the killing of birds). What would it take to pry Sami Vatanen out of New Jersey? Stan could upgrade the top 4 D and find Jokiharju a fellow countryman to make his life easier. Vatanen has a reasonable contract for 2 more years which would fit into the Hawks longer term plans.
- DarthKane

Maybe one last shift for Kimmo Timonen?

Any info on the kids that tryout sid Connor Moynihan or any of the others stand out? Will they play in the rookie tournament for the hawks?

Welcome home!

We're proud to announce that Hall of Famer Chris Chelios is officially a #Blackhawks Ambassador, joining legends Tony Esposito, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Denis Savard. pic.twitter.com/uMEyi5ahiv

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 23, 2018

lol, beat me to it! (Seabrook anchor gif)


Bowman seems pretty focused on D. CHI first 2 picks in each of the last 2 drafts have been at D. Not a bad thing at all. Was a little surprised Canucks passed on Wise. Taking Madden the pick before. But they talked about the potential for a higher ceiling. Will be interesting to watch those 2 going forward.

Going back to Seabrook, I wonder if there will be any amnesty (if thats how u spell it) buy-outs leading into the new CBA in 20-21? Would help a lot of teams. Including the Canucks, if Luongo retires before his contract expires. But, somehow I think he'll end up on LTIR to finish his career.

You guys ready for another playoff matchup? Maybe in a year or 2 hopefully

Nice read Justin.

What I think everyone should takeaway from prospect land is that NONE of these kids are anywhere near ready to play this year, or perhaps even next.

Given the current cap situation, any one of the previously mentioned players - Skinner, Faulk, Pacioretty - pretty much empty the piggy bank, and/or would require something too valuable going the other way. Just can't see doing that for any one of these guys.

So it boils down to who else is out there to help fill holes/add depth at 1RW, 2LW, C or D.

I think they have to dumpster dive at least a bit just to round out the roster with a few more NHL proven guys who are UFA and will sign a one year deal, or it is going to be the Benny Hill Show 2.0.

C - Winnik, Moore, Stajan
RW - Stewart, Hansen, Ward
LW - Hartnell, Cammaleri, Upshall
D - Martin, Hamhuis, dare I say Bieksa or Orpik.....

I agree Hillman looked good in the 2 on 2 drills and he was paired with Jokiharju much of the time. Maybe hints of what's to come?
- EbonyRaptor

Hillman was allowed to miss the scrimmage. According to Powers, that was done because the Blackhawks "already know what they have there". It is believed that they like that he very committed defensively and solid in his own end. We saw during his call up that he has a decent shot as well (although the shorty he had likely should have been stopped).

I think his future will be constrained only by who/what we already have in the lineup. I can see him being a better version of TVR (stronger, and slightly better skater).

Nice summary Justin! Do you know when the Hawks will announce their roster for the Traverse City Rookie tournament? That might be a good indication of where the Hawks slot a lot of these young prospects that are eligible to play in the AHL this coming season.
- FourOrr

That announcement is typically around end of August / first few days of Sept.

Keep an eye out for it then.

Nice read Justin.

What I think everyone should takeaway from prospect land is that NONE of these kids are anywhere near ready to play this year, or perhaps even next.

Given the current cap situation, any one of the previously mentioned players - Skinner, Faulk, Pacioretty - pretty much empty the piggy bank, and/or would require something too valuable going the other way. Just can't see doing that for any one of these guys.

So it boils down to who else is out there to help fill holes/add depth at 1RW, 2LW, C or D.

I think they have to dumpster dive at least a bit just to round out the roster with a few more NHL proven guys who are UFA and will sign a one year deal, or it is going to be the Benny Hill Show 2.0.

C - Winnik, Moore, Stajan
RW - Stewart, Hansen, Ward
LW - Hartnell, Cammaleri, Upshall
D - Martin, Hamhuis, dare I say Bieksa or Orpik.....
- Return of the Roar

Not that I'm necessarily disagreeing with you, but what is this statement based on? The camp? It was mostly drills and a light scrimmage where contact was frowned upon.

I'd withhold any judgement of readiness until at after at least Traverse city, and more to the point actual camp.

Isn't Shalunov going to be a UFA when his Russian contract expires? If so i doubt he signs in Chicago at all, and that was likely the plan all along since his contract takes him to age 27 when he can become a UFA and sign for bigger money anywhere he wants
- GPHawksfan

He will still be property of the Chicago Blackhawks when his contract expires.

Nice article, however their was no mention of Blake Hillman? Any chance he makes the team .?
If so who is traded gust, rutta,, forsling , murphy? Or would the hawks try and move Seabrook?
- Taylorst1

Hillman looked great. He wasn't left out intentionally.

Hillman, Gilbert and Carlsson look to be that less flashy 2nd tier that will be challenging for roles as more shut-down/2-way defenders in the future with Hillman being the closest.

Nice read Justin.

What I think everyone should takeaway from prospect land is that NONE of these kids are anywhere near ready to play this year, or perhaps even next.

Given the current cap situation, any one of the previously mentioned players - Skinner, Faulk, Pacioretty - pretty much empty the piggy bank, and/or would require something too valuable going the other way. Just can't see doing that for any one of these guys.

So it boils down to who else is out there to help fill holes/add depth at 1RW, 2LW, C or D.

I think they have to dumpster dive at least a bit just to round out the roster with a few more NHL proven guys who are UFA and will sign a one year deal, or it is going to be the Benny Hill Show 2.0.

C - Winnik, Moore, Stajan
RW - Stewart, Hansen, Ward
LW - Hartnell, Cammaleri, Upshall
D - Martin, Hamhuis, dare I say Bieksa or Orpik.....
- Return of the Roar

I think the Hawks may contest that statement with Jokiharju, Hillman and Nilsson.

Sounded like those 3 were potential for this season (at some point).

Not that I'm necessarily disagreeing with you, but what is this statement based on? The camp? It was mostly drills and a light scrimmage where contact was frowned upon.

I'd withhold any judgement of readiness until at after at least Traverse city, and more to the point actual camp.
- Chunk

I will go with common sense and what is in the best long term interest of the development of these young players. They need seasoning. I think we have seen enough baptism by Q failures to know he needs guys with more experience, rather than throwing them to the wolves, fearing they will make mistakes and ride pine, or I-90 never to be seen again.

Cause let's be honest - this is not a playoff caliber team either way. So do the least long term damage.

I figure they can be far more deliberate by signing some one year cheap deals with guys who even at their advanced ages or diminishing skills at least possess the IQ to survive an NHL season to buy Colliton time to get these kids coached up.

Any info on the kids that tryout sid Connor Moynihan or any of the others stand out? Will they play in the rookie tournament for the hawks?
- vandymeer23

Moynihan and Kuffner looked the best and could have some offensive potential.

Not sure the plan with them but nice showings by those 2 specifically.

I will go with common sense and what is in the best long term interest of the development of these young players. They need seasoning. I think we have seen enough baptism by Q failures to know he needs guys with more experience, rather than throwing them to the wolves, fearing they will make mistakes and ride pine, or I-90 never to be seen again.

Cause let's be honest - this is not a playoff caliber team either way. So do the least long term damage.

I figure they can be far more deliberate by signing some one year cheap deals with guys who even at their advanced ages or diminishing skills at least possess the IQ to survive an NHL season to buy Colliton time to get these kids coached up.
- Return of the Roar

I'm all for more common sense, but if any of these guys show you that they are ready when playing against NHL competition, I wouldn't be upset with having them on the big club.

Out of curiosity, are you including Sikura, Kahun, and Forsling in this group of young players?

If Jokiharju has a legimate shot at making the club I wonder if the Hawks look to bring in another Finn to help get him acclimated tony the NHL. Jokiharju has already spent a season playing North American hockey so it may not be necessary, but it couldn’t hurt either.

Maybe the Hawks can kill two birds with one stone (note: I am not advocating the killing of birds). What would it take to pry Sami Vatanen out of New Jersey? Stan could upgrade the top 4 D and find Jokiharju a fellow countryman to make his life easier. Vatanen has a reasonable contract for 2 more years which would fit into the Hawks longer term plans.
- DarthKane

While it makes sense to bring in a fellow Finn to help out the transition, just not quite sure it should be Vatanen. There's is no doubt is is gifted offensively and could run the PP with his heavy shot but is D zone coverage is average at best. So we don't need another Offensive D man, besides he smaller although stockier! How about the Scandinavian Swedes to help in transition if needed.

Nice read Justin.

What I think everyone should takeaway from prospect land is that NONE of these kids are anywhere near ready to play this year, or perhaps even next.

Given the current cap situation, any one of the previously mentioned players - Skinner, Faulk, Pacioretty - pretty much empty the piggy bank, and/or would require something too valuable going the other way. Just can't see doing that for any one of these guys.

So it boils down to who else is out there to help fill holes/add depth at 1RW, 2LW, C or D.

I think they have to dumpster dive at least a bit just to round out the roster with a few more NHL proven guys who are UFA and will sign a one year deal, or it is going to be the Benny Hill Show 2.0.

C - Winnik, Moore, Stajan
RW - Stewart, Hansen, Ward
LW - Hartnell, Cammaleri, Upshall
D - Martin, Hamhuis, dare I say Bieksa or Orpik.....
- Return of the Roar

What about Nick Shore as a 4C? I don't know too much about him, but he's a little over 50% for his career at face offs, and they could sign him cheap enough to bury his entire salary in Rockford.