Justin Lowe: IceHogs vs. Mooooose The Manitoba Moose are a carbon copy of their parent club (Winnipeg Jets) as they moved on to the 2nd round of their playoffs.

They are big, fast and pretty darn good just like the Jets.

Rockford hopes to continue to play the underdog role as they look to build off of a decisive 3 game sweep of the Chicago Wolves.

First!

Is the game going to be televised anywhere? If not, what is a good site to stream the game from?

First!

Is the game going to be televised anywhere? If not, what is a good site to stream the game from?
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Hey TnK - I just bit the bullet and signed up for AHL Live.

You can also check Reddit as well for some solid streams.

Your killing my Keith trade buzz ..LOL Thanks for the info GO HOGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck with the feed. I have read there are transmisión issues with the picture.

As much as it's fun to this success and think guys like Victor Ejdsell and Matthew Highmore will slide into the Hawks lineup next year, I think it will be more beneficial is A) the Blackhawks didn't have to rely on too many from this current IceHogs team by filling roster spots with signings and trade this offseason so subsequently B) this IceHogs core can continue to grow under Colliton and build some serious chemistry for the future.

Agree with both of A and B as you stated. Save for Hayden, Kampf, and Forsling having the best chances to earn a spot on the Hawks opening night roster (still not a guarantee for any of them), I don't see any of the Hogs being of much help to the team except someone like Kero or Highmore for emergency call ups.

Also... loving the off-season chatter from the previous thread.

I didn't buy the Stan Bowman "we're going to be back with the same team" narrative when he said it months ago and I still don't believe it. I think this team has a lot of the same pieces but will look fairly different come fall.

I've been hearing a lot of whispers that the Hawks would still like some of the spotlight this off-season and are evaluating A LOT of different targets. It doesn't sound like they will shy away from making a splash if they think it makes sense.

Here's more confirmation on that:

@CraigCustance
6h6 hours ago

It's going to be an interesting free agent market this summer with more money in the system. Heard from multiple people while reporting The Top 20 UFAs who said Chicago is expected to be a major player.

Back to Bingo, glad to hear that Faulk is solidly on the block. I think he would solve a lot of problems for the Hawks.

I don't know if we really have a top 6 talent to lose though, as Schmaltz is our leader in takeaways and one of our most promising young forwards. What about a package of the Nashville pick, Duclair, and a 2nd rounder next year?

Agree with both of A and B as you stated. Save for Hayden, Kampf, and Forsling having the best chances to earn a spot on the Hawks opening night roster (still not a guarantee for any of them), I don't see any of the Hogs being of much help to the team except someone like Kero or Highmore for emergency call ups.
- AEL_Fox

Hayden and Forsling have shots for sure. I think Hayden is as close to 100% than any.

I think they like that Kampf can play effectively at the NHL level and he may make the team, but no harm in having him play more AHL games.

Another one to keep an eye on would be Martinsen. I heard they view him as a better and faster version of Lance Bouma and they may look to resign him on the cheap. Just like with Bouma, Martinsen's physical presence is something the Hawks know they need a lot more of next year.

Also... loving the off-season chatter from the previous thread.

I didn't buy the Stan Bowman "we're going to be back with the same team" narrative when he said it months ago and I still don't believe it. I think this team has a lot of the same pieces but will look fairly different come fall.

I've been hearing a lot of whispers that the Hawks would still like some of the spotlight this off-season and are evaluating A LOT of different targets. It doesn't sound like they will shy away from making a splash if they think it makes sense.

Here's more confirmation on that:

@CraigCustance
6h6 hours ago

It's going to be an interesting free agent market this summer with more money in the system. Heard from multiple people while reporting The Top 20 UFAs who said Chicago is expected to be a major player.
- Justin Lowe

All well and good - and not knowing who they will attack - but don’t screw the potential to be the GS Warriors by becoming the Milwaukee Bucks - the goal is to become a consistent CUP contender, not a middle-of-the-road playoff contender.

I would not like to see FAs brought in to eat up cap space who won’t be quality contributors to future Cup contenders here - and I don’t see any realistic quick fixes being brought in to turn this group into one next season.

Hayden and Forsling have shots for sure. I think Hayden is as close to 100% than any.

I think they like that Kampf can play effectively at the NHL level and he may make the team, but no harm in having him play more AHL games.

Another one to keep an eye on would be Martinsen. I heard they view him as a better and faster version of Lance Bouma and they may look to resign him on the cheap. Just like with Bouma, Martinsen's physical presence is something the Hawks know they need a lot more of next year.
- Justin Lowe

Yes, good call on Martinsen. I know he and Samuelsson are what jhawk59 is pining for. For me, they may both be in the mix but Martinsen may have the edge. I guess it also depends on what Bowman finds via free agency or trade this summer to round out the bottom 6 (among other roster areas).

Hey TnK - I just bit the bullet and signed up for AHL Live.

You can also check Reddit as well for some solid streams.
- Justin Lowe

I was waiting for someone to refer to me as that!!

TY Justin, I will try out reddit.

Also... loving the off-season chatter from the previous thread.

I didn't buy the Stan Bowman "we're going to be back with the same team" narrative when he said it months ago and I still don't believe it. I think this team has a lot of the same pieces but will look fairly different come fall.

I've been hearing a lot of whispers that the Hawks would still like some of the spotlight this off-season and are evaluating A LOT of different targets. It doesn't sound like they will shy away from making a splash if they think it makes sense.

Here's more confirmation on that:

@CraigCustance
6h6 hours ago

It's going to be an interesting free agent market this summer with more money in the system. Heard from multiple people while reporting The Top 20 UFAs who said Chicago is expected to be a major player.
- Justin Lowe

This is great to hear. We'll see what actually happens but glad to know Bowman is going to be a major player and not scrape the bottom of the barrel.

All well and good - and not knowing who they will attack - but don’t screw the potential to be the GS Warriors by becoming the Milwaukee Bucks - the goal is to become a consistent CUP contender, not a middle-of-the-road playoff contender.

I would not like to see FAs brought in to eat up cap space who won’t be quality contributors to future Cup contenders here - and I don’t see any realistic quick fixes being brought in to turn this group into one next season.
- StLBravesFan

Fair points, but I wouldn't mind giving Carlson a boatload for three years, which at that point we'll have to pay Jokiharju, whoever our #8 pick is (hopefully), and more RFAs. Carlson's year in Washington was really exceptional. He gets overshadowed by Ovechkin and Backstrom, but is just a really solid defenseman in every regard.

There's another strategy for signing more FA's than most other teams... if we're out of the playoffs again next year we'll be big sellers at the deadline. One way to easily acquire more picks and prospects is to sell your rentals like Vanek, Wingels, etc. that you've already signed on cheap deals. Teams overpay at the deadline. And for once Stan has room to maneuver, as opposed to the usual disaster that he faces every offseason.

I have a sensible trade proposal and corresponding transactions which put Chicago in contention for a playoff chase. Which Q will screw up, but i will not go off on that tangent.

My only concerns are if the defense is tough enough, and if there is a proper left and right side dmen balance

DeBrincat or Schmaultz, #2 2018, and their choice of a dman going their way (we need to cut one of our poor dmen and they get depth. Choose: Oesterle, Rutta, Dahlstrom)

We get Faulk, #1 2018

We outbid others to sign deHahn

We trade our two ealiest first round just to move up two or three spots. We now can choose the dman we like best, or Walstrom (Tzacuch if wr must have a forward and Wslstrom already taken). I envision this means not stuck selecting Hughes or Dobson

Bowman can attempt to trade AA just to move our late first up.higher. Even if Merkely is gone, we can add a quality future player

I have a sensible trade proposal and corresponding transactions which put Chicago in contention for a playoff chase. Which Q will screw up, but i will not go off on that tangent.

My only concerns are if the defense is tough enough, and if there is a proper left and right side dmen balance

DeBrincat or Schmaultz, #2 2018, and their choice of a dman going their way (we need to cut one of our poor dmen and they get depth. Choose: Oesterle, Rutta, Dahlstrom)

We get Faulk, #1 2018

We outbid others to sign deHahn

We trade our two ealiest first round just to move up two or three spots. We now can choose the dman we like best, or Walstrom (Tzacuch if wr must have a forward and Wslstrom already taken). I envision this means not stuck selecting Hughes or Dobson

Bowman can attempt to trade AA just to move our late first up.higher. Even if Merkely is gone, we can add a quality future player
- jhawk59

Doesn't Carolina have the 2nd overall pick? I don't think theres a chance in hell that trade works. I'd be cheering in the streets if it did, but Carolinas GM would probly be fired

Doesn't Carolina have the 2nd overall pick? I don't think theres a chance in hell that trade works. I'd be cheering in the streets if it did, but Carolinas GM would probly be fired
- BlazinMike

And the Hawks don't have a second rounder this year...

Hawks have 7 forwards signed for next year that are currently not playing for Icehogs or elsewhere.

- If Crow is not healthy and his old self nothing else matters much.
- If they can move the Hossa contract without giving up too much (future 2nd or 3rd round picks and/or "B" level prospects) that would be huge.
- I would try to sign a RW to play with Toews and Saad. Neal? Peron? Grabner?
- I would try to sign a top 4 defender. They will have to overpay.
- A lot of posters want to trade AA. I would for the right price. But center depth should not be underrated. If you move him you need to trade for or sign another 2/3 center.
- It looks like they will try to sign Hayden, Hino, Martinsen and Duclair. Ok. None of these guys are true top 6 material.
- Get lucky with the first round picks this year.

I agree with Justin. Young players should earn a spot and earn playing time in training camp or they should play in Rockford. Better to keep them down their too long than not long enough. This is especially true of potential top 6 forwards and top 4 Dmen. Let them get accustomed to those roles in Rockford.

Trade works with a team holding overall pick 4-7. You are correct. This is why i normally never try to make trade proposals: too much to think about and if anyone figures out a cool trade, it never happens anyway. Someone else was discussing and i just thought, hey not that but maybe something works out. Nope we just get ahead of ourselves and ahead of draft day. It is usually pure folly to dream up ideas.

And the Hawks don't have a second rounder this year...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Way to go dude. Now Carloina's GM knows it too. No way the trade happens now...thanks!

Hawks have 7 forwards signed for next year that are currently not playing for Icehogs or elsewhere.

- If Crow is not healthy and his old self nothing else matters much.
- If they can move the Hossa contract without giving up too much (future 2nd or 3rd round picks and/or "B" level prospects) that would be huge.
- I would try to sign a RW to play with Toews and Saad. Neal? Peron? Grabner?
- I would try to sign a top 4 defender. They will have to overpay.
- A lot of posters want to trade AA. I would for the right price. But center depth should not be underrated. If you move him you need to trade for or sign another 2/3 center.
- It looks like they will try to sign Hayden, Hino, Martinsen and Duclair. Ok. None of these guys are true top 6 material.
- Get lucky with the first round picks this year.

I agree with Justin. Young players should earn a spot and earn playing time in training camp or they should play in Rockford. Better to keep them down their too long than not long enough. This is especially true of potential top 6 forwards and top 4 Dmen. Let them get accustomed to those roles in Rockford.
- -Doh-

Remember "Future Consideration"? He gets him name on the cup with Vegas, then again with Chicago.

Trade works with a team holding overall pick 4-7. You are correct. This is why i normally never try to make trade proposals: too much to think about and if anyone figures out a cool trade, it never happens anyway. Someone else was discussing and i just thought, hey not that but maybe something works out. Nope we just get ahead of ourselves and ahead of draft day. It is usually pure folly to dream up ideas.
- jhawk59

Its still fun to think about and propose though. I'll propose something a bit simpler...

duclair or hino + the Nashville 1st rounder for Faulk.

Now, Ill wait for everyone to rip it apart...

Hawks have 7 forwards signed for next year that are currently not playing for Icehogs or elsewhere.

- If Crow is not healthy and his old self nothing else matters much.
- If they can move the Hossa contract without giving up too much (future 2nd or 3rd round picks and/or "B" level prospects) that would be huge.
- I would try to sign a RW to play with Toews and Saad. Neal? Peron? Grabner?
- I would try to sign a top 4 defender. They will have to overpay.
- A lot of posters want to trade AA. I would for the right price. But center depth should not be underrated. If you move him you need to trade for or sign another 2/3 center.
- It looks like they will try to sign Hayden, Hino, Martinsen and Duclair. Ok. None of these guys are true top 6 material.
- Get lucky with the first round picks this year.

I agree with Justin. Young players should earn a spot and earn playing time in training camp or they should play in Rockford. Better to keep them down their too long than not long enough. This is especially true of potential top 6 forwards and top 4 Dmen. Let them get accustomed to those roles in Rockford.
- -Doh-

Agreed with the earning spots, which is why I’m glad we left Hayden and Forsling down for the second half this year.

There’s also a decent crop of 2nd-5th round picks from the last three years that are aging out of juniors and college. Some of these guys (Russians and Swedes) have some experience playing against men in the KHL or SEL. Stan does fairly well in the second round, so you might see Kayumov in Rockford. Hillman and Mitchell are already there. I think Krys is doing another’s year with the A on his chest in college.
Next year will likely have an ‘Andrew shaw’ character, someone without any expectations who surprises everyone and steals a roster spot. I don’t know who that’ll be, I’d like to hope it’s the kid from team Germany, Dominik Kahun.

Doesn't Carolina have the 2nd overall pick? I don't think theres a chance in hell that trade works. I'd be cheering in the streets if it did, but Carolinas GM would probly be fired
- BlazinMike

Carolina doesn't have a GM

But yeah, uh... we're not trading Justin Faulk and Andrei "40 goals in 44 games" Svechnikov for a bunch of picks.

Its still fun to think about and propose though. I'll propose something a bit simpler...

duclair or hino + the Nashville 1st rounder for Faulk.

Now, Ill wait for everyone to rip it apart...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Gimme Vinny and you got a deal.