Thought the goalie looked more comfortable and confident tonight. However I heard foley shout something like “and he looked back and didn’t know he had it” more than I wanted.
- Spec41971

I noticed the same thing, and that's every time he plays. He's always looking behind to find a puck. After he takes a shot he reminds me of Huet doing his which way did it go routine. And that's not good thing.

Back from game i looked through the comments and regarding Edjsell looks too slow, you would do well to review what StLBraves fan and spec71 post on page 6 said. I too had the initial impression that he was too slow.
Would like to see him after summer camp and half season AHL could help him apply any skating technique plus just adjust to north america speed, rinks, defensively tidy up.
- jhawk59

i will state the obvious...this young man just got thrown into the brave new world of the nhl vs a very quick and skilled possession team heading for the playoffs. emotionally and mentally he must of them thinking how do i survive out here; which may explain his tentativeness...

first impressions and critique of his play have little value...

i will state the obvious...this young man just got thrown into the brave new world of the nhl vs a very quick and skilled possession team heading for the playoffs. emotionally and mentally he must of them thinking how do i survive out here; which may explain his tentativeness...

first impressions and critique of his play have little value...
- bogiedoc

Right, no kidding. I will be more clear. He did not look overwhelmed or out of place. That he remained on Kane line throughout game was due to some positive plays. I was looking to see if he plays physical. On that and his skating, i agree let's wait actually best training camp. Even in rookies camp he might be preoccupied with concentrating on certain things the coaches talk to him about. I believe we have a skill guy who can play NHL but i won't guess how well until he gets his feet wet

Edjsell definitely a project due to his skating which seems to have slowed as the game wears on. What an outstanding individual effort to draw a penalty by 88 going basically 1v4
- EnzoD

Yep he made Anisimov look fast but this was a tough situation to be brought into with time zone difference and no prep time. I like what I saw on his puck handling, passing, and size. I think he clearly will speed up his game in time as he adjusts to the next level.

I was hoping the shootout could have been extended so that Q could give him a chance to show his hands. That pressure packed moment would have only helped him relax moving forward.

Blake Hillman signing ELC soon, forgoing Sr year.

Blake Hillman signing ELC soon, forgoing Sr year.
- riozzo

Anyone counting the number of contracts for next year? Is the number 50?

Anyone counting the number of contracts for next year? Is the number 50?
- jhawk59

Hawks are at 46 currently according to capfriendly.

Hawks are at 46 currently according to capfriendly.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

They are at 34 next year thus far, without them signing any of the players going to free agency. Looking at the UFA and RFA's next year, I can't really see the Hawks brining most of these guys back, maybe 4 or 5 of them tops (out of 14). So that means lots of space to add this offseason. Here is the list:

Duclair - RFA
Hayden - RFA - definitely back
Sharp - UFA
Jurco - RFA
Hino - RFA - definitely back or traded
Martinsen - UFA
Rozsival - UFA - definitely gone
Franson - UFA
Buoma - UFA
Svedberg - UFA
Tootoo - UFA
Clendening - RFA
Didomenico - UFA
Glass - UFA

Solid team effort tonight, but IMO this Edjsell kid is simply too slow for the "type" or "style" (whatever word you wanna use) of rebuild/retooling that we're going for.

We need to become a team with ELITE speed top to bottom once again, and with so many other options at forward within our system right now I'm afraid he's not good enough or at least not what we're looking for.

I'm hoping Sikura has impressive skating ability, I've heard good things so far.

I'd LOVE for us to focus on drafting a stud young defenseman with our lottery pick, and somehow through whatever means necessary rid ourselves of one of Murphy/Seabrook and add a legit top 3D instead.

Do that, keep the forwards the way they are, and get Crawford healthy. Then who knows, maybe we're right back in it next season with a lineup like this:

Duclair-Anisimov-Kane
DeBrincat-Schmaltz-Sikura
Saad-Toews-Hinostroza
Hayden-Kampf-Wingles
Sharp

Keith-new D#1
new D#2-Seabs/Murphy
3rd pairing can be a mix of Forsling/Rutta/Oesterle/Gus/cheap vet

Crawford
Forsberg

I like the idea of spreading out the forward depth to create 3 FAST lines that can all be considered 'top 6' caliber lines and that can all produce/score goals. Its about time Toews gets a 'demotion' down the depth charts to 3C.

If you take a look around the league at the elite contenders, one thing they all have in common(and have for years now) is ELITE 3rd scoring lines. A 3rd line with Saad and Toews would instantly become one of the better '3rd' lines in the league.

DeBrincat and Schmaltz IMO are both already top 6 caliber forwards. Come next season they'll be even better. And no matter what you say about AA and Kane, they're still two thirds of what was one of the leagues most dominant lines for almost a 2 year span....and Duclair has the tools to produce if he stays healthy.

That's A LOT of young speed and talent. Especially because this plan assumes we add another young, skilled defenseman with that top draft pick.

Every year there seems to be a bounce-back team that A. Gets a couple of key pieces back healthy that weren't there the previous year and B. Gets a massive boost from readily developed youthful talent(in other words not just a bunch of rookies making their debuts, but guys that now have a season or two under their belts combined with maybe one or too rooks).

I think the Hawks are lined up to have both A and B. Ya never know. I'm not saying its likely, but I'm saying I see the potential...and i see why ESPN and other sports outlets have us pegged to bounce back next season towards Cup contention.
- SimpleJack

I'd like to see what a DeBrincat - AA - Kane line would do together given what Panarin did with 15 and 88 in the past. DeBrincat finds the soft spots in the defense and Kane finds open teammates, could be a good combination.

I'd like to see what a DeBrincat - AA - Kane line would do together given what Panarin did with 15 and 88 in the past. DeBrincat finds the soft spots in the defense and Kane finds open teammates, could be a good combination.
- matt_ahrens

Cat Schmaltz Kane need to be on a line and left alone. Qs refusal to even put Cat and Kane together for a significant amount of time is mind boggling. Sikura should skate with Toews and Saad. Let that top 6 roll for these last 5 games (that's if 19 isn't shut down) and work together in the off-season and see where it goes!

They are at 34 next year thus far, without them signing any of the players going to free agency. Looking at the UFA and RFA's next year, I can't really see the Hawks brining most of these guys back, maybe 4 or 5 of them tops (out of 14). So that means lots of space to add this offseason. Here is the list:

Duclair - RFA
Hayden - RFA - definitely back
Sharp - UFA
Jurco - RFA
Hino - RFA - definitely back or traded
Martinsen - UFA
Rozsival - UFA - definitely gone
Franson - UFA
Buoma - UFA
Svedberg - UFA
Tootoo - UFA
Clendening - RFA
Didomenico - UFA
Glass - UFA
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Based on the small sample size, I'd like to see Martinsen back on the 4th line. We need at least 2 people on this team who are somewhat of a physical presence (ie,Hayden/Martinsen).

Right, no kidding. I will be more clear. He did not look overwhelmed or out of place. That he remained on Kane line throughout game was due to some positive plays. I was looking to see if he plays physical. On that and his skating, i agree let's wait actually best training camp. Even in rookies camp he might be preoccupied with concentrating on certain things the coaches talk to him about. I believe we have a skill guy who can play NHL but i won't guess how well until he gets his feet wet
- jhawk59

yep..i agree...the hawks desperately need a young center man like him to step in and up...

Cat Schmaltz Kane need to be on a line and left alone. Qs refusal to even put Cat and Kane together for a significant amount of time is mind boggling. Sikura should skate with Toews and Saad. Let that top 6 roll for these last 5 games (that's if 19 isn't shut down) and work together in the off-season and see where it goes!
- SoftServe

Q has played them together...to say the the least that line is physically and defensively challenged and it showed...they get owned in the defensive zone

Cat Schmaltz Kane need to be on a line and left alone. Qs refusal to even put Cat and Kane together for a significant amount of time is mind boggling. Sikura should skate with Toews and Saad. Let that top 6 roll for these last 5 games (that's if 19 isn't shut down) and work together in the off-season and see where it goes!
- SoftServe

Schmaltz and Kane have developed chemistry, I think they should definitely stay together. That play late in OT last night was just a sample of the magic they have together (too bad Kane didn't score).

I imagine that going into next season Toews and Saad will make up 2/3 of a line while Schmaltz and Kane will make up 2/3 of another. I'm not sure which line should be considered the #1 line, not that it really matters. That leaves 2 spots open in the top 6, DeBrincat should fit into one of those spots and I imagine the last few games of this season will be an audition for the other. Based on the current roster I would think Hino is the leading candidate for that spot. Ideally he sticks on the 3rd line with Anisimov.

Based on the small sample size, I'd like to see Martinsen back on the 4th line. We need at least 2 people on this team who are somewhat of a physical presence (ie,Hayden/Martinsen).
- Murph76

Besides the 2 that I have there as definitely back, I wouldn't mind them resigning martinsen and duclair and see what they bring at the beginning of next year. As long as they are on pretty cheap deals.

Besides the 2 that I have there as definitely back, I wouldn't mind them resigning martinsen and duclair and see what they bring at the beginning of next year. As long as they are on pretty cheap deals.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I'm totally down with that

Schmaltz and Kane have developed chemistry, I think they should definitely stay together. That play late in OT last night was just a sample of the magic they have together (too bad Kane didn't score).

I imagine that going into next season Toews and Saad will make up 2/3 of a line while Schmaltz and Kane will make up 2/3 of another. I'm not sure which line should be considered the #1 line, not that it really matters. That leaves 2 spots open in the top 6, DeBrincat should fit into one of those spots and I imagine the last few games of this season will be an audition for the other. Based on the current roster I would think Hino is the leading candidate for that spot. Ideally he sticks on the 3rd line with Anisimov.
- DarthKane

I think the Hawks should stick with Saad Toews and Kane on a line together. The problem with Schmaltz with Kane, is that Schmaltz is ALWAYS looking to pass to Kane. In fact, it seems as though whenever one of the "core" is put on a line with a a youngin, the youngin tends to default to trying to set up and/or default to the "core" player.

They are at 34 next year thus far, without them signing any of the players going to free agency. Looking at the UFA and RFA's next year, I can't really see the Hawks brining most of these guys back, maybe 4 or 5 of them tops (out of 14). So that means lots of space to add this offseason. Here is the list:

Duclair - RFA
Hayden - RFA - definitely back
Sharp - UFA
Jurco - RFA
Hino - RFA - definitely back or traded
Martinsen - UFA
Rozsival - UFA - definitely gone
Franson - UFA
Buoma - UFA
Svedberg - UFA
Tootoo - UFA
Clendening - RFA
Didomenico - UFA
Glass - UFA
- ToewsdNKanefusd

My thoughts:

Duclair - RFA: 1 year cheap "show me" deal
Hayden - RFA: 1-2 year deal around $1 million per
Sharp: find an off ice role for him
Jurco: 1 year < $1 million (likely ending up in Rockford)
Hino - RFA: 2 years $1.25 - $1.5 million per (this team needs more Vinnie)
Martinsen - UFA: buh bye
Rozsival - UFA: buh bye
Franson - UFA: buh bye
Buoma - UFA: super buh bye
Svedberg - UFA: buh bye
Tootoo - UFA: find an off ice role for him
Clendening - RFA: trade to Vancouver for excellent prospect
Didomenico - UFA: buh bye
Glass - UFA: buh bye

I think the Hawks should stick with Saad Toews and Kane on a line together. The problem with Schmaltz with Kane, is that Schmaltz is ALWAYS looking to pass to Kane. In fact, it seems as though whenever one of the "core" is put on a line with a a youngin, the youngin tends to default to trying to set up and/or default to the "core" player.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

That could be a possibility too. It will be interesting to see how some of the young kids finish the season (i.e. Sikura). Hopefully they realize this is their audition for next season.

That could be a possibility too. It will be interesting to see how some of the young kids finish the season (i.e. Sikura). Hopefully they realize this is their audition for next season.
- DarthKane

I say if they don't understand this, then they too dumb for a spot on the team.

My thoughts:

Duclair - RFA: 1 year cheap "show me" deal
Hayden - RFA: 1-2 year deal around $1 million per
Sharp: find an off ice role for him
Jurco: 1 year < $1 million (likely ending up in Rockford)
Hino - RFA: 2 years $1.25 - $1.5 million per (this team needs more Vinnie)
Martinsen - UFA: buh bye
Rozsival - UFA: buh bye
Franson - UFA: buh bye
Buoma - UFA: super buh bye
Svedberg - UFA: buh bye
Tootoo - UFA: find an off ice role for him
Clendening - RFA: trade to Vancouver for excellent prospect
Didomenico - UFA: buh bye
Glass - UFA: buh bye
- DarthKane

Think Vancouver is dumb enough to do this again?

Think Vancouver is dumb enough to do this again?
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Absolutely.

I thought Ejsdsell showed some skills in the offensive zone and his size is very welcomed. One odd thing, and this is on Quenville, Hawks were on the power play, had Anisimov in front of the net as usual, but had Ejdsell at the point with Gustafson.
I find that very odd ....... why not on the power play, use two large bodies in front of the net, that have good hands. That's wasting his size in the offensive zone. Use Gus and another shooter on the point - Artie and Edsy in front with player like Kane on the flank.

Schmaltz and Kane have developed chemistry, I think they should definitely stay together. That play late in OT last night was just a sample of the magic they have together (too bad Kane didn't score).

I imagine that going into next season Toews and Saad will make up 2/3 of a line while Schmaltz and Kane will make up 2/3 of another. I'm not sure which line should be considered the #1 line, not that it really matters. That leaves 2 spots open in the top 6, DeBrincat should fit into one of those spots and I imagine the last few games of this season will be an audition for the other. Based on the current roster I would think Hino is the leading candidate for that spot. Ideally he sticks on the 3rd line with Anisimov.
- DarthKane

I agree with your thinking above, but I also think the expectations for Hayden are higher than what most of us seem to credit him for:

Hayden-Toews-Saad
Debrincat-Schmaltz-Kane
Hinostroza-Anisimov-?
Wingels -Kampf-?

I would be willing to swap Kane for Hayden, and would re-sign Wingels in a heartbeat. I have not seen much of anything from the latest riders on the Rockford shuttle (Jurco, Highmore, Martinsen, Duclair, Sikura) to handicap who fills the two spots above (3 if Anisimov gets traded which I could see happening). I could definitely see Edjsell slotting in for Anisimov if he is traded. There are probably more than a few guys at Rockford who will merit a shot at making the team in the fall as well.

I think the differences between the first and second line and the third and fourth lines (at this point) are blurry to say the least.

I think the Hawks should stick with Saad Toews and Kane on a line together. The problem with Schmaltz with Kane, is that Schmaltz is ALWAYS looking to pass to Kane. In fact, it seems as though whenever one of the "core" is put on a line with a a youngin, the youngin tends to default to trying to set up and/or default to the "core" player.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I tend to agree. As much as Toews-Kane-Saad have been ok together and the smallish kid line of Schmaltz-Hinostroza-DeBrinkat have looked promising, they should go a different way. Yes Kane and Schmaltz do show chemistry together AND I have seen Saad and HInostroza show some chemistry together, when they have played together. Go back to the line earlier in the year of Saad-Toews-Hinostroza and then put Kane and Schmaltz together with either a power forward type player to open up some space or depending on the match up with the team they are playing, you can put DeBrinkat on that line. I'm hoping John Hayden can make the step up to a solid scoring power forward .... he could really excel with Kane and Schmaltz