I'll include all the D on the NHL roster, plus the IceHogs who played with the Hawks this year.

1. Keith
2. Seabrook
3. Franson
4. Murphy
5. Rozsival
6. Rutta
7. Forsling
8. Gustafsson
9. Dahlstrom
10. Oesterle
- scottak

Murphy is a guy that gets dogged by the majority of people here, but I think they need to hang on to him. I believe there is a lot of potential there and that he'll grow into a pretty legit stay-at-home guy with physicality.

Gotta' just get through these growing pains right now.

so gustaffsson is the current fair haired offensive dman. first it was rutta, then forsling, then oesterle, and now gustafsson. none of them can play stand up, lock down defense. at their ages it is not likely or reasonable to expect that the light will go on for rutta, oesterle, or gustafsson and they will turn into above average defensive players. forsling is younger, but a small guy and no matter if he figures it out a little will always be pushed around. none of them are effective defensively in the slot. they all could probably be acceptable second pairing puck carrying dmen if they had a hjalmarsson to play with to protect them. BUT THEY DON'T. murphy was supposed to be that guy, but he is not good enough and doesn't skate well enough to play in a top four dman pairing. no sense beating the drum on seabrook. he was once a warrior, but it is over for him. until they fix this defense with at least two players capable of playing top four defense they will be a mediocre team. considering that bowman is at the front of trying to fix this and that in almost nine years as a gm he has produced one and one only, oduya, top four dman this is not a situation that looks like it will be solved soon. their top dman prospects in juniors and college have been lauded for their puck moving abilities, but none are described as shut down defensive guys. an ugly situation.

What's the word on Chicago's netminder? Is Crawford coming back anytime soon? You think Forsberg and Berube will alternate games or just let Forsberg hold the net til Crawford is ready?

so gustaffsson is the current fair haired offensive dman. first it was rutta, then forsling, then oesterle, and now gustafsson. none of them can play stand up, lock down defense. at their ages it is not likely or reasonable to expect that the light will go on for rutta, oesterle, or gustafsson and they will turn into above average defensive players. forsling is younger, but a small guy and no matter if he figures it out a little will always be pushed around. none of them are effective defensively in the slot. they all could probably be acceptable second pairing puck carrying dmen if they had a hjalmarsson to play with to protect them. BUT THEY DON'T. murphy was supposed to be that guy, but he is not good enough and doesn't skate well enough to play in a top four dman pairing. no sense beating the drum on seabrook. he was once a warrior, but it is over for him. until they fix this defense with at least two players capable of playing top four defense they will be a mediocre team. considering that bowman is at the front of trying to fix this and that in almost nine years as a gm he has produced one and one only, oduya, top four dman this is not a situation that looks like it will be solved soon. their top dman prospects in juniors and college have been lauded for their puck moving abilities, but none are described as shut down defensive guys. an ugly situation.
- hawks29

Regarding who can do what, especially Murphy I would wait to see what a new HC (Hopefuly) can do to change the mentality on the back end. The whole team is wayyy tooo passive. Would like to see a new HC come in with some pi$$/vinegar in telling this team to get after it. No more of this stick check crap. Put your body on someone and let them know you are there. And nobody goes to the blue paint. Clear it out.

so gustaffsson is the current fair haired offensive dman. first it was rutta, then forsling, then oesterle, and now gustafsson. none of them can play stand up, lock down defense. at their ages it is not likely or reasonable to expect that the light will go on for rutta, oesterle, or gustafsson and they will turn into above average defensive players. forsling is younger, but a small guy and no matter if he figures it out a little will always be pushed around. none of them are effective defensively in the slot. they all could probably be acceptable second pairing puck carrying dmen if they had a hjalmarsson to play with to protect them. BUT THEY DON'T. murphy was supposed to be that guy, but he is not good enough and doesn't skate well enough to play in a top four dman pairing. no sense beating the drum on seabrook. he was once a warrior, but it is over for him. until they fix this defense with at least two players capable of playing top four defense they will be a mediocre team. considering that bowman is at the front of trying to fix this and that in almost nine years as a gm he has produced one and one only, oduya, top four dman this is not a situation that looks like it will be solved soon. their top dman prospects in juniors and college have been lauded for their puck moving abilities, but none are described as shut down defensive guys. an ugly situation.
- hawks29

Everyone laughed, but I wanted to see the Hawks try and get Gudbranson. I don't think he's as bad as everyone makes him out to be. He had some good years in Florida and I remember Tallon said he's the kind of guy who will be a Captain eventually--I assumed it would be with the Panthers, but then they traded him to VAN.

Would have been nice to have his size/physicality and more defensive-minded approach on the blue line.

What's the word on Chicago's netminder? Is Crawford coming back anytime soon? You think Forsberg and Berube will alternate games or just let Forsberg hold the net til Crawford is ready?
- avsfaninmn

No one knows what's up with Crow. There's a variety of rumors out there.

Forsberg played well yesterday, but I prefer Berube in net.

My guess is that they'll continue to split time.

NEVER EVER could understand why Hayds was sent down to begin with. It's a farging joke he was. He did nothing to get sent down, was giving the Hawks toughness, net presence and some skill while being mostly relegated to fourth line minutes. His effort was there and the justification that he needed to play "more important minutes" in Rockford was silly considering how inept the Hawks were among their top 6 in terms of the things Hayden brought. AA brings the net presence but doesn't bring the edge Hayden does. So we sent Hayden down, started up a no-check hockey team and the Hawks tanked.

Murphy is a guy that gets dogged by the majority of people here, but I think they need to hang on to him. I believe there is a lot of potential there and that he'll grow into a pretty legit stay-at-home guy with physicality.

Gotta' just get through these growing pains right now.
- Hank3Henshaw

You get rid of Murphy and you end up with a totally soft defence with the exception of the aging Seabrook. Like opposing slumping goalies looking for the Hawks on their schedules the same will apply to bigger slumping forwards.

NEVER EVER could understand why Hayds was sent down to begin with. It's a farging joke he was. He did nothing to get sent down, was giving the Hawks toughness, net presence and some skill while being mostly relegated to fourth line minutes. His effort was there and the justification that he needed to play "more important minutes" in Rockford was silly considering how inept the Hawks were among their top 6 in terms of the things Hayden brought. AA brings the net presence but doesn't bring the edge Hayden does. So we sent Hayden down, started up a no-check hockey team and the Hawks tanked.
- kwolf68

You don't even know. Stan/Q know what they are doing.

Murphy is a guy that gets dogged by the majority of people here, but I think they need to hang on to him. I believe there is a lot of potential there and that he'll grow into a pretty legit stay-at-home guy with physicality.

Gotta' just get through these growing pains right now.
- Hank3Henshaw

I think he is fine but will never be a complete package. Nothing wrong with that. He isn't making a huge salary. I think the growing pains are something the team is just dealing with on a whole right now. The team got a lot younger and less experienced in a hurry. Nobody in the NHL does that without going through a rough patch, unless they were a crappy team that had stockpiled a lot of picks and prospects.

It isn't just one thing but the Forwards, D and Goalie who are all going through the pains right now with guys who don't have the experience at the NHL level. They will improve as the familiarity gets there. I'm thinking while there is always spin, the Hawks knew this was a likely path for the team to be on at the moment. Can't have the good seasons without a few down ones.

You don't even know. Stan/Q know what they are doing.


- z1990z

Not sure I'd lump Q in on that.

I have to believe Big John is a player Q wants in his lineup. He likes biiger/physical guys. StanBo is all about the small/no grit guys.

Sending Hayden down for Jurco was a big head scratcher and right on par with the above description of what each man likes in players. Haha.

I think he is fine but will never be a complete package. Nothing wrong with that. He isn't making a huge salary. I think the growing pains are something the team is just dealing with on a whole right now. The team got a lot younger and less experienced in a hurry. Nobody in the NHL does that without going through a rough patch, unless they were a crappy team that had stockpiled a lot of picks and prospects.

It isn't just one thing but the Forwards, D and Goalie who are all going through the pains right now with guys who don't have the experience at the NHL level. They will improve as the familiarity gets there. I'm thinking while there is always spin, the Hawks knew this was a likely path for the team to be on at the moment. Can't have the good seasons without a few down ones.
- breadbag

Not sure I'd lump Q in on that.

I have to believe Big John is a player Q wants in his lineup. He likes biiger/physical guys. StanBo is all about the small/no grit guys.

Sending Hayden down for Jurco was a big head scratcher and right on par with the above description of what each man likes in players. Haha.
- Hank3Henshaw

Perhaps, but to say Q likes big/physical guys? Nobody on this team plays that style. Its embarrassing how soft this team is. Would Hitch or Yeo allow his star player to get shoved around? Would they have sat still after the Marchand crap the other day? #(&^ NO! It would have been send a message time. Who cares if they score a PP goal. Go get that clown and lay down the law.

Perhaps, but to say Q likes big/physical guys? Nobody on this team plays that style. Its embarrassing how soft this team is. Would Hitch or Yeo allow his star player to get shoved around? Would they have sat still after the Marchand crap the other day? #(&^ NO! It would have been send a message time. Who cares if they score a PP goal. Go get that clown and lay down the law.
- z1990z

Well, he does like big/physical guys (remember Mash?) and the problem is that there's really only two on the team willing to get their hands dirty: Hayden and Murphy.

Totally agree about the lack of response from these guys when the other team takes a run at their teammates. It's embarrassing.

I think he is fine but will never be a complete package. Nothing wrong with that. He isn't making a huge salary. I think the growing pains are something the team is just dealing with on a whole right now. The team got a lot younger and less experienced in a hurry. Nobody in the NHL does that without going through a rough patch, unless they were a crappy team that had stockpiled a lot of picks and prospects.

It isn't just one thing but the Forwards, D and Goalie who are all going through the pains right now with guys who don't have the experience at the NHL level. They will improve as the familiarity gets there. I'm thinking while there is always spin, the Hawks knew this was a likely path for the team to be on at the moment. Can't have the good seasons without a few down ones.
- breadbag

Not a good enough skater to ever be a true Top 4 Dman. Playing with Keith is the best option for him, especially in this lost season. I still cannot fathom WHY Bowman made this trade. Hammer, though also declining, is a much better defender than Murphy and only made SLIGHTLY more money. I would've rather gotten AZ's 1st for Hammer. Murphy's "upside" is #4 D, due to his skating.

That Marchand play on Duclair was nauseating....

Im sure the Boston talking heads were saying he "tried to avoid the contact....

NEVER EVER could understand why Hayds was sent down to begin with. It's a farging joke he was. He did nothing to get sent down, was giving the Hawks toughness, net presence and some skill while being mostly relegated to fourth line minutes. His effort was there and the justification that he needed to play "more important minutes" in Rockford was silly considering how inept the Hawks were among their top 6 in terms of the things Hayden brought. AA brings the net presence but doesn't bring the edge Hayden does. So we sent Hayden down, started up a no-check hockey team and the Hawks tanked.
- kwolf68

How about - it was better for his development as a player that he was moved to Rockford so he could play more minutes in a variety of situations. Far from being a punishment, look at it as the brass being very high on him and wanting to give him the best chance to learn and grow. Which - with his good attitude about it all - he seems to have taken advantage of.

Same with Forsling, perhaps.

That Marchand play on Duclair was nauseating....

Im sure the Boston talking heads were saying he "tried to avoid the contact....
- nickmo2699

Basically a horse collar tackle on an unsuspecting player that resulted in injury.....NO SURPRISE that dirty rat Marchand was the culprit. I said this on Saturday....Brad Marchand is overdue for a good beating as penance for all the injuries and cheap shots he's inflicted over the years.

How about - it was better for his development as a player that he was moved to Rockford so he could play more minutes in a variety of situations. Far from being a punishment, look at it as the brass being very high on him and wanting to give him the best chance to learn and grow. Which - with his good attitude about it all - he seems to have taken advantage of.

Same with Forsling, perhaps.
- StLBravesFan

Total #TANK Move by Bowman. Same with Crawford, in all likelihood. Does anyone here doubt for a second that if the Hawks were in playoff contention that #50 would be in goal already?

How about - it was better for his development as a player that he was moved to Rockford so he could play more minutes in a variety of situations. Far from being a punishment, look at it as the brass being very high on him and wanting to give him the best chance to learn and grow. Which - with his good attitude about it all - he seems to have taken advantage of.

Same with Forsling, perhaps.
- StLBravesFan

I think you are right.

IMO, Hayden was never bad but he was often not noticeable for weeks before he was sent down. There are only so many minutes to go around in the NHL.

Not a good enough skater to ever be a true Top 4 Dman. Playing with Keith is the best option for him, especially in this lost season. I still cannot fathom WHY Bowman made this trade. Hammer, though also declining, is a much better defender than Murphy and only made SLIGHTLY more money. I would've rather gotten AZ's 1st for Hammer. Murphy's "upside" is #4 D, due to his skating.
- EnzoD

Could be, I guess they felt Murphy has upside and can at least play now and likely second pair in the long run. The 1st round pick would be an option if they were willing to part with it, but still a gamble. I mean, there is a chance that you end up drafting a dud who looked good on paper. i.e. 2004 draft went like this.

Ovie
Malkin
Barker
Ladd
Wheeler
Montoya
Olesz
Picard
Smid
Valabik

I picked this year obviously because of the big Hawks pick Barker, but there were some real hits and misses here. None of those 3 D in the top 10 amounted to much. I'm sure there are other examples, but this one just rings home with most of us because we missed on some really good players.

Total #TANK Move by Bowman. Same with Crawford, in all likelihood. Does anyone here doubt for a second that if the Hawks were in playoff contention that #50 would be in goal already?
- EnzoD

Stan may have make some "tank" moves but having Hayden spend time in Rockford wasn't one of them. Hayden by himself isn't the difference between making the playoffs or not, especially playing 8 minutes per game.

Could be, I guess they felt Murphy has upside and can at least play now and likely second pair in the long run. The 1st round pick would be an option if they were willing to part with it, but still a gamble. I mean, there is a chance that you end up drafting a dud who looked good on paper. i.e. 2004 draft went like this.

Ovie
Malkin
Barker
Ladd
Wheeler
Montoya
Olesz
Picard
Smid
Valabik

I picked this year obviously because of the big Hawks pick Barker, but there were some real hits and misses here. None of those 3 D in the top 10 amounted to much. I'm sure there are other examples, but this one just rings home with most of us because we missed on some really good players.
- breadbag

Total #TANK Move by Bowman. Same with Crawford, in all likelihood. Does anyone here doubt for a second that if the Hawks were in playoff contention that #50 would be in goal already?
- EnzoD

If it were a total tank move, he would have sent down AdB.

Hayden was moved to Rockfish after the January 5 game against Vegas - game #40 for the Hawks - their record was 19-15-6 - and they were still in the hunt for a play-off spot - it would make no sense to tank at that point in the season, given how much Rocky likes even one round of playoff revenues.

And yeah - I doubt for lots of seconda that Crawford would be in net - from the interviews I saw with him, from his having a couple of on-ice sessions which were short and limited and not repeated - I have no doubt that this is a serious (presumably) concussion issue which is wisely being treated as such.

NEVER EVER could understand why Hayds was sent down to begin with. It's a farging joke he was. He did nothing to get sent down, was giving the Hawks toughness, net presence and some skill while being mostly relegated to fourth line minutes. His effort was there and the justification that he needed to play "more important minutes" in Rockford was silly considering how inept the Hawks were among their top 6 in terms of the things Hayden brought. AA brings the net presence but doesn't bring the edge Hayden does. So we sent Hayden down, started up a no-check hockey team and the Hawks tanked.
- kwolf68

One thing. Since Hayden's recall, he is now seeing power play minutes.