Boqvist is NOT ready at all. The AHL game will eat him up.
- kwolf68

The team didn’t have to sign him to an entry-level contract yet but they did anyways. Maybe they think he’s closer than he/we may think?

I’m just trying to understand why they did so quickly.

The team didn’t have to sign him to an entry-level contract yet but they did anyways. Maybe they think he’s closer than he/we may think?

I’m just trying to understand why they did so quickly.
- TommyHawk

Makes no sense. He needs a little time. I think he could be good, but this insane rush to get him over to Rockford is ridiculous and wreaks of desperation. Let the kid grow in Sweden next year and then see where he is.

The team didn’t have to sign him to an entry-level contract yet but they did anyways. Maybe they think he’s closer than he/we may think?

I’m just trying to understand why they did so quickly.
- TommyHawk

It's both a PR move and a way to have a heavier hand in his development even if he's overseas.

Strongly disagree. Blues have been very unhappy with Berglund and Sobotka, who were unproductive and overpaid. Tage Thompson is unproven and did not have a good rookie year. Draft choices are a roll of the dice. Additions of ROR and Bozak give the Blues, with Schenn, real strength at center.
- BMWChiFan

I'm shocked Blues made the move, they always watched their pocket book, kudos to them. All they have to do now is be better than the Jets, Preds and so on

Boqvist is NOT ready at all. The AHL game will eat him up. If they rush him they are fools. Thought Bowman was following the Detroit model, let the kids marinate and be overly ready.
- kwolf68

Is Rockford the only place the Hawks can send him now that he’s signed the entry level deal?

It's both a PR move and a way to have a heavier hand in his development even if he's overseas.
- L_B_R

Can we develop Gustav Forsling first?

Is Rockford the only place the Hawks can send him now that he’s signed the entry level deal?
- jhawk159

I don't think so actually.

Makes no sense. He needs a little time. I think he could be good, but this insane rush to get him over to Rockford is ridiculous and wreaks of desperation. Let the kid grow in Sweden next year and then see where he is.
- kwolf68

It's not like he's going to Rockford - he'll go back to Sweden for at least a season and his contract will slide. Teravainen did the same thing after signing his ELC - went to Finland another year, contract slide a year, and then in NHL/Rockford the following season.

Can we develop Gustav Forsling first?
- kwolf68

They can do both? The agreement with SHL allows for the NHL to have contact with their prospects on a larger scale only if they're signing to a contract, so signing him is just a way to stay more involved while he's overseas. His ELC can slide for up to two years if need be because of his age.

Forsling can stay in Rockford or compete for a spot this year with the Hawks. Mannings signing doesn't help in that regard though, which is part of why I don't like it. Could also be a part of a deal idk.

It's not like he's going to Rockford - he'll go back to Sweden for at least a season and his contract will slide. Teravainen did the same thing after signing his ELC - went to Finland another year, contract slide a year, and then in NHL/Rockford the following season.
- L_B_R

Yea I get that. I looked it up....we'll see. I don't trust Bowman at all so this one is on me.

They can do both? The agreement with SHL allows for the NHL to have contact with their prospects on a larger scale only if they're signing to a contract, so signing him is just a way to stay more involved while he's overseas. His ELC can slide for up to two years if need be because of his age.

Forsling can stay in Rockford or compete for a spot this year with the Hawks. Mannings signing doesn't help in that regard though, which is part of why I don't like it. Could also be a part of a deal idk.
- L_B_R

So what would be the point in NOT signing him? Why wouldn't every team just sign their pick?

It's not like he's going to Rockford - he'll go back to Sweden for at least a season and his contract will slide. Teravainen did the same thing after signing his ELC - went to Finland another year, contract slide a year, and then in NHL/Rockford the following season.
- L_B_R

Thanks for clarifying. Was well aware of the slide rule, but I thought I read somewhere that once you sign an ELC you are “officially” part of the organization so your contract stipulates that you play in the NHL/AHL. Didn’t know that you can still play elsewhere.

They can do both? The agreement with SHL allows for the NHL to have contact with their prospects on a larger scale only if they're signing to a contract, so signing him is just a way to stay more involved while he's overseas. His ELC can slide for up to two years if need be because of his age.

Forsling can stay in Rockford or compete for a spot this year with the Hawks. Mannings signing doesn't help in that regard though, which is part of why I don't like it. Could also be a part of a deal idk.
- L_B_R

100% Forsling is part of another deal. I think it’s inevitable he’s packaged in a larger-scale move. He’s one of the assets they’d move.

Hey Tavares, lighten up. Crack a smile.

Geez

So what would be the point in NOT signing him? Why wouldn't every team just sign their pick?
- kwolf68

Cause then they cannot be as active his in development per agreement with leagues like the SHL. It's not that uncommon for top euro picks to sign right after the draft and then slide a year or two.

It's also obviously part PR move, a "look we're really excited about this player" kind of thing.

Makes no sense. He needs a little time. I think he could be good, but this insane rush to get him over to Rockford is ridiculous and wreaks of desperation. Let the kid grow in Sweden next year and then see where he is.
- kwolf68

ALl this means is he knows what he will be paid when he arrives in North America. HE needs to be with the hogs or hawks for that to start.

Cause then they cannot be as active his in development per agreement with leagues like the SHL. It's not that uncommon for top euro picks to sign right after the draft and then slide a year or two.

It's also obviously part PR move, a "look we're really excited about this player" kind of thing.
- L_B_R

#2 makes total sense with this crew.

100% Forsling is part of another deal. I think it’s inevitable he’s packaged in a larger-scale move. He’s one of the assets they’d move.
- TommyHawk

Which is a little sad. Forsling has some extremely high moments and flashes of potential, he just needs consistency. At age 22, he's right in-line for transitioning to the NHL full-time. Unless the return is a legit top 4 RD or something similar idk if I like that idea.

I think there is a big plus and maybe some minuses today. On the minus side I don't see the new guys helping out much except for Ward who is a definite upgrade. On the plus side however, for a change Mgt has done nothing to make things substantially worse (so far) which is a pleasant surprise at least for now.

That ROR trade, I wonder how badly the Sabres wanted to deal him. It seemed like an overpay when they signed him in the first place, also.

Which is a little sad. Forsling has some extremely high moments and flashes of potential, he just needs consistency. At age 22, he's right in-line for transitioning to the NHL full-time. Unless the return is a legit top 4 RD or something similar idk if I like that idea.
- L_B_R

Where are the coaches and mgmt at on Forsling right now? Has the time in Rockford helped him at all?

100% Forsling is part of another deal. I think it’s inevitable he’s packaged in a larger-scale move. He’s one of the assets they’d move.
- TommyHawk

I've heard Forsling's name out there.

Don't think they want to move him but as you mention, they don't have a lot of assets ppl are calling about.

Which is a little sad. Forsling has some extremely high moments and flashes of potential, he just needs consistency. At age 22, he's right in-line for transitioning to the NHL full-time. Unless the return is a legit top 4 RD or something similar idk if I like that idea.
- L_B_R

I'm with you LBR. I would like to see him in Rockford/Chicago again next year and continue to develop him.

I will say this... the Hawks know they have some tough decisions coming up with their young D and I hope they are patient with some (like Forsling) vs. dumping them blindly to make room.

I will have a recap/rumour blog tomorrow but quickly...

* Ward - we knew this one was happening. Short-term deal so I'm not too worked up over it. I know he's a great dressing room guy and I can see him and Crawford working well together. The question is... what happens to Anton Forsberg?

* Kunitz - confusing move but only 1 year/ 1M so low risk and they can send him to Rockford (a la Bouma/Franson). I honestly thought this spot/role would have went to Tommy Wingels (who is still unsigned). 13 goals on your 4th line LW isn't the worst I guess... but still a little baffling.

* Manning - I'm concerned this was the tough, shutdown guy they targeted for Joel's backend. Manning has not effectively played a shutdown role in the NHL... ever. Talking to a Philadelphia contact... he said Manning is a 6th/7th dman. 2.25M is a lot for that and the Hawks have Keith, Gustafsson, Oesterle and Forsling all on the left already. Manning does offer some physicality though which could be an added need and might mean someone like Connor Murphy (one of the only other dmen to throw a check consistently) might be on his way out.

* Schmaltz - I mentioned earlier but sounds like CHI is working on an extension for #8. I saw some chatter on here earlier and 5 years @ $5.5M (ish) would be what he's looking at IMO.

* Anisimov - word is that now O'Rielly has been traded to St. Louis... Montreal and NYI are in the market for a C. This is good if the Hawks are looking to move Anisimov. The only problem is that the Hawks would need to find a replacement for AA. So, the deal would really have to make sense/allow room to trade/sign someone.


Overall, pretty disappointed that Stan didn't secure a top 4 d or someone with that potential (sorry, Manning is not that).

Also, if they were adding a depth forward... I would have liked to see someone with C/FO ability (like Wingels, Richardson, Grant) and not Kunitz.

I'll be back tomorrow with more (hopefully).

Stay tuned.

Is Rockford the only place the Hawks can send him now that he’s signed the entry level deal?
- jhawk159

I believe players must be at least 19 or 20 year old to play AHL. He plays in Sweden for two years. Then see how his development looks. This much seems obvious. But also Bowman has to read into any equation how the kid's body fares playing against men at age 20. I wouldn't expect to hear he is chisled man - child as Saad has been described.