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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Almost Over
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DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Apr 2 @ 1:18 PM ET
The Sedins have announced they'll retire at the end of the season. The Canucks now have the cap space to acquire Seabrook.

biskit67
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.27.2015

Apr 2 @ 1:23 PM ET
This team can really show flashes when motivated. They destroyed Winnipeg for Seabrook's 1000th. Then, they go out and get killed by Colorado. We have also seen them take early leads, sometimes even 2 or 3 goals, and then blow the game late. That points to two things: defense and goaltending.

They have tried everybody in the system, and a guy from down the street in goal this year. Forsberg is probably the best of the bunch, but I would put him in the bottom half of backups in the league. They need a guy behind Crawford, assuming he is healthy in the fall, that can actually play 25 games and give them a chance to win 20-22 of those games.

The other problem is defense. And oddly enough, this is where I think they missed Hossa the most. A lot of the kid forwards don't know how to rotate back to cover for the defense when they step up. A lot of odd man breaks for the other team every game. Also, almost every kid at the blueline wants to score. 82, 56, 42 all play like they are the 4th forward out there. Heck, I think Gus could probably play 3rd line LW if they needed one. Now Rutta is a little more defense-minded, but he is still learning the North American game too. So, I think they desperately need a guy who lives to protect his own goal, will lay out the body to block shots, and it wouldn't hurt if he also loved to dish out bruising checks too.

With Crow in net full-time next year, and those two additions, I could see this team winning 12-15 more games next year.
DK002
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Evanston, IL
Joined: 06.12.2012

Apr 2 @ 1:30 PM ET
As already mentioned a couple times - the goalie situation - where was Stan when he failed miserably to get a solid back up for Crawford despite Craw's history the last two seasons.

This is a huge ? mark going forward. We really don't know where CC is at. Will he back back next season? Concussions are an unknown thing and there's no timeline.
Meanwhile Anti Raanta was just named the #2 star of the week - a guy Bowman gave away for a bag of pucks.

The defense is just a big a question mark - with aging vets and a bunch of kids. No question trading Hammer was a huge mistake. Meantime everyone is back so it should be interesting to see how that shakes out.

Forwards - Hossa's situation has certainly hurt this team...as well as moving Panarin. The Hawks are short on playmakers and scorers. As someone mentioned earlier look at the depth on the Preds and the Bolts. The Hawks have nowhere near the talent they and that lies with the GM who's record speaks for itself. Overpays and bad trades have killed this team's depth.

the other concern is with the Hawks forwards - smaller players but not without skill...how will that translate into the playoffs where we know the game is completely different as we've seen with clutch and grab hockey and no whistles at their finest.

Going to be a long offseason should be interesting. If they do go into a full rebuild I would hope Rocky has the sense to bring in someone else to make those moves, but I doubt McD does it.
DK002
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Evanston, IL
Joined: 06.12.2012

Apr 2 @ 1:30 PM ET
The Sedins have announced they'll retire at the end of the season. The Canucks now have the cap space to acquire Seabrook.


- DarthKane


Hey Darth...hope you're well. I doubt we see it...but there's always hope.
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 2 @ 1:32 PM ET
The Sedins have announced they'll retire at the end of the season. The Canucks now have the cap space to acquire Seabrook.


- DarthKane


I am fuzzy on retirements, what if Seabs did the honorable thing and retired. Does Stanbo have a recapture penalty of some sort?
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 2 @ 1:35 PM ET
Az didn't miss Hammer, now did they? Hammer is done. Its sad but true.
- riozzo

I do not doubt that you and others could be correct about hammer. But i would like confirmation. So since your view is surely based on the eye test, do you know if he was playing with injury, if he was in shape, if he was playing his worse left side?

At least Bowman got something useful in a trade for hammer. Murphy should be fairly competent on a third pair once the defense is upgraded. And I especially thought the trade was worthwhile since we lacked muscle on defense. As for toughness - Seabrook and Murphy and Keith is ok when his attitude is better. Keith needs domeonr like Seabrook, though, because Keithbdhould not always be battling against bigger, stronger opponents.

I am not yet convinced hammer is done though. Since he has a lot of mileage due to his style of play and all the injuries and bruises, i felt it was the cirrect time to trade him. Bowman did not gamble and wait too long unlike the Leddy and Sharp trades.

I would like to hear from someone who has seen a lot of Johns each season. I believe that Bowman was convinced that Johns would never be more than a third pair. Johns does have a concussion background although until he gets another maybe it is not a big concern. Johns has not exactly blossomed, just ok....right.

Johns must be injured now (?); he was not in their lineup their last game. Will say i like Lindell but need to see more of him. i know that Dallas folded in this playoff season and if young dmen like Honka and Johns were improving significantly, then the Stars may have been a tougher out. They do have some veterans on defense whom probably are available next Seattle expansion.

Spezza is in Hitchcock doghouse and i wonder if it is a lot on Spezza. Also too often Dallas looked too much like a one line goal producing team.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Apr 2 @ 1:55 PM ET
I do not doubt that you and others could be correct about hammer. But i would like confirmation. So since your view is surely based on the eye test, do you know if he was playing with injury, if he was in shape, if he was playing his worse left side?

At least Bowman got something useful in a trade for hammer. Murphy should be fairly competent on a third pair once the defense is upgraded. And I especially thought the trade was worthwhile since we lacked muscle on defense. As for toughness - Seabrook and Murphy and Keith is ok when his attitude is better. Keith needs domeonr like Seabrook, though, because Keithbdhould not always be battling against bigger, stronger opponents.

I am not yet convinced hammer is done though. Since he has a lot of mileage due to his style of play and all the injuries and bruises, i felt it was the cirrect time to trade him. Bowman did not gamble and wait too long unlike the Leddy and Sharp trades.

I would like to hear from someone who has seen a lot of Johns each season. I believe that Bowman was convinced that Johns would never be more than a third pair. Johns does have a concussion background although until he gets another maybe it is not a big concern. Johns has not exactly blossomed, just ok....right.

Johns must be injured now (?); he was not in their lineup their last game. Will say i like Lindell but need to ser more of him. i know that Dallas folded in this playoff season and if young dmen like Honka and Johns were improving significantly, then the Stars may have been a tougher out. Thry fo have some beteranscon defense whom.are probsbly available next Sestyle expansion.

Spezza is in Hitchcock doghouse and i wonder if it is a lot on Spezza. Also too often Dallas looked too much like a one line goal producing team.

- jhawk59


Goal-tending was an issue for Dallas, as well.
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Apr 2 @ 2:14 PM ET
Toews looks like he's going to play Wednesday according to Lazerus.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Apr 2 @ 2:21 PM ET
Toews looks like he's going to play Wednesday according to Lazerus.
- Chunk


Link?? Fantasy hockey championship this week with $1000 on the line and Toews is currently on waivers....
Matt Ross
Joined: 03.15.2013

Apr 2 @ 2:42 PM ET
Not much to figure out here, boys.

It was a down season, they have some re-tooling to do and they'll be back

Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Apr 2 @ 2:48 PM ET
Link?? Fantasy hockey championship this week with $1000 on the line and Toews is currently on waivers....
- EnzoD



Verified account @MarkLazerus


Follow Follow @MarkLazerus
Jonathan Toews should play Wednesday. John Hayden likely will not.

EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Apr 2 @ 2:48 PM ET
Not much to figure out here, boys.

It was a down season, they have some re-tooling to do and they'll be back


- Hank3Henshaw


Like getting 3 new/better defenseman and a backup goalie?
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Apr 2 @ 2:48 PM ET

Verified account @MarkLazerus


Follow Follow @MarkLazerus
Jonathan Toews should play Wednesday. John Hayden likely will not.

- Chunk


Gracias!
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Apr 2 @ 2:49 PM ET

Verified account @MarkLazerus


Follow Follow @MarkLazerus
Jonathan Toews should play Wednesday. John Hayden likely will not.

- Chunk


Scott Powers is reporting the exact same.
RaleighHawk
Joined: 03.29.2016

Apr 2 @ 2:50 PM ET
This team can really show flashes when motivated. They destroyed Winnipeg for Seabrook's 1000th. Then, they go out and get killed by Colorado. We have also seen them take early leads, sometimes even 2 or 3 goals, and then blow the game late. That points to two things: defense and goaltending.

They have tried everybody in the system, and a guy from down the street in goal this year. Forsberg is probably the best of the bunch, but I would put him in the bottom half of backups in the league. They need a guy behind Crawford, assuming he is healthy in the fall, that can actually play 25 games and give them a chance to win 20-22 of those games.

The other problem is defense. And oddly enough, this is where I think they missed Hossa the most. A lot of the kid forwards don't know how to rotate back to cover for the defense when they step up. A lot of odd man breaks for the other team every game. Also, almost every kid at the blueline wants to score. 82, 56, 42 all play like they are the 4th forward out there. Heck, I think Gus could probably play 3rd line LW if they needed one. Now Rutta is a little more defense-minded, but he is still learning the North American game too. So, I think they desperately need a guy who lives to protect his own goal, will lay out the body to block shots, and it wouldn't hurt if he also loved to dish out bruising checks too.

With Crow in net full-time next year, and those two additions, I could see this team winning 12-15 more games next year.

- biskit67


We will probably get a sense of the Crow situation based on what StanBo does in the offseason/at the draft. If he concludes Crow is not guaranteed to come back, or they know for sure he is not, then likely there will be a lot more movement vs. if they know 100% he seems healthy.
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Apr 2 @ 3:02 PM ET
I am fuzzy on retirements, what if Seabs did the honorable thing and retired. Does Stanbo have a recapture penalty of some sort?
- riozzo



Not on Seabrook's contract, only Keith and Hossa.
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 2 @ 3:05 PM ET
Not on Seabrook's contract, only Keith and Hossa.
- DarthKane


So Rocky can offer him a job on a beer delivery truck if he retires early?
vandymeer23
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IA
Joined: 10.11.2014

Apr 2 @ 3:34 PM ET
One of q or bowman got to go. I say bowman on track record. But I also wouldn't mind a coach that encourages checking and physical play. Get a big tough d man who hits and clears the crease. Another big tough physical 4th liner to make others guys play bigger. Its not the 80s or 90s but the us women's team would push most of our team around. To many players like schmaltz scared to pay the price to make a play. Get them out of town.
powerenforcer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheeling, IL
Joined: 09.24.2009

Apr 2 @ 3:42 PM ET
So Rocky can offer him a job on a beer delivery truck if he retires early?
- riozzo



Wouldn't it have to be Peter, didn't he take over the Distribution side of the business?
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 2 @ 3:45 PM ET
The Wiz still loves us From the Wiz:


OLIVER WAHLSTRON RIGHT SHOOTING WING WHO CAN PROJECT AT THE CENTRE POSITION
Big forward is one of the premier scorers in the United States Development Team. A big bodied, fluid skating attacker who is apt at carrying on zone entries, finding time and space while carrying having a good wall presence, and creatively generating offense to his teammates. Is able to all three forward position (although he hasn't been asked to play in the pivot position) and is very comfortable as an off-handed wing, as well as a right winger or at centre. Has shown high end shooting ability and has the goals to prove it. Slips into the soft areas and gets the one-timers, and has a really fine trigger, whether it is from the periphery, or when he is given looks in closer to use his wrist shot. His speed and shot are usually the first two mentions he gets, but his vision, and creativity rank high, despite his shoot-first mentality at the amateur level. Has been on the radar as a top U.S prospect for some time, so with that has been many views and scouts tend to see him as an established “reliable” prospect, not some new best thing, so he may last a bit longer than expected if teams don’t see him as a top scoring centre prospect. I see him as an NHL left winger who provides two way play starting in your top six with decent upside towards a team's top six.
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Apr 2 @ 4:04 PM ET
DarthKane

Today @ 11:57 AM ET

Can Hawks send the young players like Hinestroza, Debrincat, Schmaltz, Sikura, etc. down to Rockford for the AHL playoffs? Is that helpful for their development or no?
- arps714


No, they had to be on Rockford's roster on a specific date to qualify. I think Kampf, Hayden, Berube and Delia can play but that's it.



DK is all over it... (plus Martinsen) for guys who are available for Rockford.

Will be interesting to see who goes back down and if Rockford can go on a run.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 2 @ 4:41 PM ET
The Wiz still loves us From the Wiz:


OLIVER WAHLSTRON RIGHT SHOOTING WING WHO CAN PROJECT AT THE CENTRE POSITION
Big forward is one of the premier scorers in the United States Development Team. A big bodied, fluid skating attacker who is apt at carrying on zone entries, finding time and space while carrying having a good wall presence, and creatively generating offense to his teammates. Is able to all three forward position (although he hasn't been asked to play in the pivot position) and is very comfortable as an off-handed wing, as well as a right winger or at centre. Has shown high end shooting ability and has the goals to prove it. Slips into the soft areas and gets the one-timers, and has a really fine trigger, whether it is from the periphery, or when he is given looks in closer to use his wrist shot. His speed and shot are usually the first two mentions he gets, but his vision, and creativity rank high, despite his shoot-first mentality at the amateur level. Has been on the radar as a top U.S prospect for some time, so with that has been many views and scouts tend to see him as an established “reliable” prospect, not some new best thing, so he may last a bit longer than expected if teams don’t see him as a top scoring centre prospect. I see him as an NHL left winger who provides two way play starting in your top six with decent upside towards a team's top six.

- riozzo


Blackhawks need a tough gritty scoring wing or center up front. This player does not sound is exactly like that. Eventually Sikura will be established enough so that we conceivably have one skill forward to consider trading. Ideally a trade straight up for that tough gritty forward who also can score some. Up front if you draft the Tzachuck type then you have two of the type forwards necessary to spread throughout lineup. Martinsen and Hayden should be here next year; Samuelson's kid would be worth an investment if Phoenix doesn't get silly with renumeration

Of course Bowman probably is wise to grab an elite dman....keep drafting the dmen until one or two develop and stick in Chicago. Really need an established push back pro dman too; i don't know how you get one. While Forsling and Jokiharju have nice offensive skill set, some of the elite dmen in top picks are special, better more skill than our prospects.

You can see Snuggerud and, hopefully, Tuulola, play in person vs @ Wolves on a Sat April 11 i think is the date. One of them, perhaps Krys in a couple years might be the offensive third pair guy. Each of the third pair level or depth guys currently masquerading otherwise do eventually go in a trade (likely for draft choice). The way i see it, you have hope in a possible 2018 #1 dman and or Forsling/Jokiharju could become second pair calibre.

Bowman drafted a lot of dmen and they are too skilled not to advance to NHL. Question is where they all might slot .....down the road. One of them shows enough, there goes Oesterle for a draft choice to give an example how Bowman will handle a glut of dmen. Only Hillman and Carlsson look to be the not too slight or soft dmen. Matsson is your d Keith lite.
stan-ley-cups
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Hawkeytown, IL
Joined: 02.27.2015

Apr 2 @ 4:49 PM ET
The Sedins have announced they'll retire at the end of the season. The Canucks now have the cap space to acquire Seabrook.


- DarthKane


No more Where's Daniel? from Pat Foley.

Great career for the Sedins but I did not like either of them one bit. I still have no idea who is who but didn't bother to either.

DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Apr 2 @ 4:54 PM ET
Blackhawks need a tough gritty scoring wing or center up front. This player does not sound is exactly like that. Eventually Sikura will be established enough so that we conceivably have one skill forward to consider trading. Ideally a trade straight up for that tough gritty forward who also can score some. Up front if you draft the Tzachuck type then you have two of the type forwards necessary to spread throughout lineup. Martinsen and Hayden should be here next year; Samuelson's kid would be worth an investment if Phoenix doesn't get silly with renumeration

Of course Bowman probably is wise to grab an elite dman....keep drafting the dmen until one or two develop and stick in Chicago. Really need an established push back pro dman too; i don't know how you get one. While Forsling and Jokiharju have nice offensive skill set, some of the elite dmen in top picks are special, better more skill than our prospects.

You can see Snuggerud and, hopefully, Tuulola, play in person vs @ Wolves on a Sat April 11 i think is the date. One of them, perhaps Krys in a couple years might be the offensive third pair guy. If each of the third pair level or droth ghys masquerading otherwise do eventually go in a trade (likely for draft choice). The way i see it, you have hope in a possible 2018 #1 dman and or Forsling/Jokiharju could become second pair calibre.

Bowman drafted a lot of dmen and they are too skilled not to advance to NHL. Question is where they all might slot .....down the road. One of them shows enough, there goes Oesterle for a draft choice to give an example how Bowman will handle a glut of dmen. Only Hillman and Carlsson look to be the not too slight or soft dmen. Matsson is your d Keith lite.

- jhawk59


In the very (very) off chance the Hawks don't win the draft lottery there's a good chance Wahlstrom will be available for the Hawks. Dahlin, Zadina, Svechnikov and Tkachuk should easily be the top 4. Boqvist, Bouchard, Hughes, and Dobson could conceivably go next, leaving Wahlstrom available.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Apr 2 @ 4:54 PM ET
No more Where's Daniel? from Pat Foley.

Great career for the Sedins but I did not like either of them one bit. I still have no idea who is who but didn't bother to either.

- stan-ley-cups


Henrik was the better playmaker, Daniel the better finisher. Henrik won the Art Ross and Hart trophy so he's slightly better over their careers IMO.
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