Justin Lowe: My 3 Wishes
If a genie popped out of nowhere and said, "Hey Justin… you have 3 wishes and they all must relate to the Chicago Blackhawks." Well, I would just ask for 3 more Stanley Cups.

However, for the purpose of this blog, I will take a more realistic approach to this exercise by honing in on 3 specific players and what I hope for in the remaining games in their performances/progressions. I will rationalize these players by relating their individual success to the overall success of the Chicago Blackhawks moving forward.

I think Connor Murphy will be fine if they would just let him settle in and play. But again, no big moves until they figure out which direction they want to go.

The bulls and blackhawks need to 100% embrace the tank the last month!. Really wish we did not do 3 of our 4 call ups. I know they want those guys to play in Rock but they wasted one by not just sending Dahlstrom down.

Seems like mock drafts have the same top 3 and 9 out of the top 10. there seems to be some pretty strong agreement on the top 9 players.

http://hfboards.mandatory...march-draft-rankings.211/

https://www.nhl.com/app/n...c-295263230?tid=277764372

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2018/

https://www.isshockey.com...prospects-2018-nhl-draft/

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-prospect-rankings-march/
https://thehockeywriters....draft-ranking-march-2018/

(1) - Toews and Kane are together for a full year next year.

(2) - The Hawks find the money to sign a legit top 4 defenseman.

(3) - Love what he has done for the orgain-I-zation, but it is time for Q to be let go.

(1) - Toews and Kane are together for a full year next year.

(2) - The Hawks find the money to sign a legit top 4 defenseman.

(3) - Love what he has done for the orgain-I-zation, but it is time for Q to be let go.
- ChicagoHope

The problem it is a awful year for D men: Carlson is going to cost a huge amount. Green its going to be more years then an already aging core can spend. all of those guys make get way to much money for #4 type guys. It might look like a smart move later on Rutta and Gus.

http://www.thehockeynews....icted-free-agents-of-2018

I am very nervous about the Sikura signing happening.

Connor Murphy IS a top 4 D-Man on the Hawks. Actually he has been in the top 3 this year as #3. That the coaching staff has not treated him with respect doesn’t change this fact.

Seabrook is +2 in plus/minus although he has spent another season babysitting inexperienced or struggling partners. He is in the top 2. Keith is also in the top 2. For the first time in his career Keith did not have a solid partner to protect his role as a “Rover”. He actually had to babysit the exact same way Seabrook has been forced to do for years now. Well it is not easy to be forced to be responsible for BOTH sides of the ice. I always said in defending Seabrook in previous years that it would be interesting to see how dominant Keith would be if he had to babysit, as Seabrook has had to do, rather than be protected by Hammer. Well we actually saw what would happen this year - Keith’s game completely collapsed and he has looked terrible. He is -19 in plus/minus. Yes that’s right - both babysat this year and Seabrook is miraculously +2 and Keith is -19. If you watch what actually occurs on the ice it is apparent that Keith, up to this year was always protected, while Seabrook was never protected but a protector. When Keith played with Seabrook they naturally protected each other with Seabrook taking on more defensive responsibility while Keith “roved”. Same for Hammer who tended even more defensively.

I’m really tired of the abuse Seabrook receives. Really Seabrook will fight for a position in the bottom pair? Based on what? Trying to cover BOTH sides of the ice, for years now? With respect games need to be watched more closely. When Seabrook is paired on a consistent basis with Gustafsson and Gustafsson is not playing completely reckless hockey, Seabrook plays great hockey. The D-Men actually need to ignore Ulf’s idiotic ”Reckless Aggression” D System and take care of defence first, making offensive penetration only when it is safe to do so.

There is also actually nothing wrong with Keith either. He didn’t lose his skill overnight. Idiotic coaching killed him this year. Give him a partner that will cover his role as a “Rover”, who will cover him defensively and he will instantly return to normal. Instantly. This should have been Murphy, with instructions to make sure his defensive responsibilities were covered foremost, or Seabrook. NOT the constantly out of position, no contact, crazy pinching Oesterle.

The Hawks need to fire Q and Ulf. If for some inexplicable reason Q is to be kept, Ulf and his absolutely ridiculous D System, which by its very nature promotes odd-man breaks against, must be fired. Both D offensively aggressive all the time? Ludicrous! Ulf cannot return as he has been a disaster.

(1) - Toews and Kane are together for a full year next year.

(2) - The Hawks find the money to sign a legit top 4 defenseman.

(3) - Love what he has done for the orgain-I-zation, but it is time for Q to be let go.
- ChicagoHope

all i want for Hawkmas are 2 dmen, 2 dmen....

1. not happening
2. i think it will be there, but the UFA class looks kinda weak
3. not happening this post season..

Justin or anyone who has seen Icehog hockey this year:

Two players i am.interested to learn more about their development, are: Robin Norell and G Knott.

I usually see a handful.of games in person, watch even more on the wolves feed. Because i have not had but one opportunity to watch in person i am hooeful.someone can provude their analysis

Norell plays each game. He may translate into a defensive dman similar to Hjalmarsson, but probablya third pair. His skating is average, will tie hjs man up and is willing at least to some extent be physical. I wondet about his reads, his passing and if he can play at high soeed with at least pass to and receive.

Knott was called someone who will play NHL eventually but in a lower line spot. Have you seen much progress albeit he plays 4th line

“2) I wish for John Hayden to play to his top 6 power forward potential, NOW”

Justin would you mind if we until next season on that, don’t want to screw up the tankathon.

I am very nervous about the Sikura signing happening.
- riozzo

There is no need to worry...Sikura isn't signing in Chicago. Just let that idea go and move on, you'll feel better.

“2) I wish for John Hayden to play to his top 6 power forward potential, NOW”

Justin would you mind if we until next season on that, don’t want to screw up the tankathon.
- walleyeb1

JH is still playing a bit out of control. He skates in so hard he often is whipping his stick around and will run into some Hartmanesque penalties.

There is no need to worry...Sikura isn't signing in Chicago. Just let that idea go and move on, you'll feel better.
- DarthKane

I'm hoping standard red font applies is going on here...

Connor Murphy IS a top 4 D-Man on the Hawks. Actually he has been in the top 3 this year as #3. That the coaching staff has not treated him with respect doesn’t change this fact.

Seabrook is +2 in plus/minus although he has spent another season babysitting inexperienced or struggling partners. He is in the top 2. Keith is also in the top 2. For the first time in his career Keith did not have a solid partner to protect his role as a “Rover”. He actually had to babysit the exact same way Seabrook has been forced to do for years now. Well it is not easy to be forced to be responsible for BOTH sides of the ice. I always said in defending Seabrook in previous years that it would be interesting to see how dominant Keith would be if he had to babysit, as Seabrook has had to do, rather than be protected by Hammer. Well we actually saw what would happen this year - Keith’s game completely collapsed and he has looked terrible. He is -19 in plus/minus. Yes that’s right - both babysat this year and Seabrook is miraculously +2 and Keith is -19. If you watch what actually occurs on the ice it is apparent that Keith, up to this year was always protected, while Seabrook was never protected but a protector. When Keith played with Seabrook they naturally protected each other with Seabrook taking on more defensive responsibility while Keith “roved”. Same for Hammer who tended even more defensively.

I’m really tired of the abuse Seabrook receives. Really Seabrook will fight for a position in the bottom pair? Based on what? Trying to cover BOTH sides of the ice, for years now? With respect games need to be watched more closely. When Seabrook is paired on a consistent basis with Gustafsson and Gustafsson is not playing completely reckless hockey, Seabrook plays great hockey. The D-Men actually need to ignore Ulf’s idiotic ”Reckless Aggression” D System and take care of defence first, making offensive penetration only when it is safe to do so.

There is also actually nothing wrong with Keith either. He didn’t lose his skill overnight. Idiotic coaching killed him this year. Give him a partner that will cover his role as a “Rover”, who will cover him defensively and he will instantly return to normal. Instantly. This should have been Murphy, with instructions to make sure his defensive responsibilities were covered foremost, or Seabrook. NOT the constantly out of position, no contact, crazy pinching Oesterle.

The Hawks need to fire Q and Ulf. If for some inexplicable reason Q is to be kept, Ulf and his absolutely ridiculous D System, which by its very nature promotes odd-man breaks against, must be fired. Both D offensively aggressive all the time? Ludicrous! Ulf cannot return as he has been a disaster.
- Z3Hawk

Sorry Z3, but it is you that must be watching a different game than everyone else. Seabrook has never been a great skater, but has made up for it by being positionally sound and being an excellent passer. His play has declined considerably in the last 2-3 years, and yes, some of it can be attributed to having to baby-sit youngsters, but not all of it. Seabrook regularly gets beat wide, and no longer wins any races to loose pucks. The most concerning thing about his play however is that while once an excellent passer, that seems to have been completely lost. I have seen more icings, passes behind people, in front of people, or made to seemingly no-body from Seabrook this year. That is a sign that he is slowing, as he no longer has the time or space to make a good pass. His ridiculous sliding on his belly to break up plays is also a result of him being beat and behind plays and making a last ditch effort to break things up.

I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt for one more season that maybe he is hurt, maybe he came in out of shape, maybe he has some personal issues affecting his game.....whatever, but the eye test thru the whole season says he has been poor more often than good, and only so much blame can be placed on his playing partner. A lot of the mistakes he makes are NOT because he is covering for someone else.

I still think Stan isn't done dealing. There will be another move just before or at the draft.

“2) I wish for John Hayden to play to his top 6 power forward potential, NOW”

Justin would you mind if we until next season on that, don’t want to screw up the tankathon.
- walleyeb1

Yes, we are getting lots of help from the other Tank teams as they make up their games in hand on us (3 out of 4 won their games last night). We don't need to mess that up with Hawk wins.
3 Tank team games tonight. I hope that trend continues especially with the Oilers who lost a close one last night.

I still think Stan isn't done dealing. There will be another move just before or at the draft.
- ObeseOprah

Anisimov (50% retained) to Columbus for Gerbe.

One of my wishes would be--determine the health of Crawford.
Because if this team goes into next year with Berube and Forsberg as their top two goalies, who plays on their blue line is immaterial.

There is no need to worry...Sikura isn't signing in Chicago. Just let that idea go and move on, you'll feel better.
- DarthKane

Red font or not, don't lose sight of the fact that if Sikura does not sign with the Hawks, as a 6th round pick, they are not entitled to any compensation.

Here's the thing. Financially, there is not much difference for where he signs his entry deal, it will basically be the same for any team. Depending on when his season ends, he may be able to burn the first year by getting in a couple of games. That said, if Northeastern makes it to the Frozen Four it's the same weekend as the end of regular season in NHL.

Three wishes:

The front office - from Rocky on down - recognizes the distinct possibility that the "rebuild" (or whatever we all want to call it) may take longer than one summer, and they don't "go for it all" by signing mediocre UFAs to large / long term contracts or move out quality prospects for iffy quick fixes.

That Stan, the scouts, and (presumably) Q do a thorough, high quality evaluation of the talent on the ice, and make their summer moves accordingly.

That the "Trump-Tillerson" dynamic between the front office and the coaching staff be eliminated, no matter who winds up in those positions next year.

Once they've dealt with all three of the above, THEN they can go out and try to improve the on-ice product.

Anisimov (50% retained) to Columbus for Gerbe.
- DarthKane

Has to be a center or draft choice. We need an NHL center. Gerbe is a hanger on and not part of the future at center. Not terrobly concerned about the salary thing. Might have to take some on though to get a decent return..just my two cents

Oh btw this Sikula not signing stinks. Teams draft him deserve compensation if he goes elsewhere. The penguins likely cannot afford him after one year anyway. They have lots of young plauers, albeit a ton of secondary role guys more than any other type. Those players will need pay bumps...so many in fact it all adds up. A few each year perhaps. Unless they can keep bringing in more from farm system, they cannot afford Sikula without cutting somewhere else either now or in a year. Stan needs to sell him on what a great city Chicsgo over Pittsburgh

3 more wishes, 3 more wishes and 3 more wishes!

Then with 9 wishes...

Has to be a center or draft choice. We need an NHL center. Gerbe is a hanget on and not part of the future at center. Not tertibly concetnef about the salary thing. Might havrcyo tske some on though to get a dedcent return..just my two cents

Oh btw this Sikula not signing stinks. Teams draft him deserve compensation if he goes elsewhere. The penguins likely cannot afford him after one year anyway. They have young plauers, a ton of secondar guys whom will need pay bumps...so many in fact it all adds up. Unless they can kerp btonging in more from farm system, they csnnot afford Sikula wothout cutting somewhere else either now or in a year. Stan needs to sell him on what a great city Chicsgo over Pittsburgh
- jhawk59

If - after 4 years and apparently a lot of interaction - Stan hasn't been able to sell him on coming to Chicago, it ain't likely to happen between now and April (or August).

1. Dahlin

2. 2010 Dave Bolland

3. Toews to eat some cheeseburgers over the summer

Sikura - let's see....

Sign a two year ELC with the poop storm that is the Hawks and wait until 2020 to be a free agent, or wait until this summer when you become a UFA, can pick the team you want to play for, and hold out for the highest bidder....

Talk amongst yourselves, but you know the answer already.