I saw him interviewed and when asked what he needs to work on he answered skating.
- EbonyRaptor

It´s no secret to him for sure. He is a good kid and really hope he makes it someday. If something he has that nose for the net. Likes to score. Will be watching him closely next season in FEL.

Ace up my sleeve? About as probable as when JJ said the Hawks were potentially trading up for the no.1 pick with Tallon the year they took Eklbad

Bowman with an 'ace up his sleeve". The fact he has really done very little, other than waste 6 million dollars on aging/washed up/not good free agents, may not be a bad thing. Just call it a summer and hit camp with this crew and tell Bowman to clock out a bit early today.
- kwolf68

Is Bowman's "Ace up his sleeve", once Seattle is announced as a franchise, Hossa will be traded there for "future considerations"?

For the folks who went to the Chicago Pro League games last night, what did you think? See that DBC got another hat trick. Vinnie seemed to be trying to emulate Kane.

They had said Toews and Kane might be playing, but not this night, at least.

The hyped guys like Boqvist/Joki/Mitchell are great and exciting but primarily offensive focused.

Someone will have to play defence in the future - that's where a guy like Carlsson could come in handy.
- Justin Lowe

Agree. It's coincidental, too, that the top defensive prospects in Boqvist, Jokiharju, and Mitchell are both RHD and offensively gifted, so grooming defensive partners for them would provide balance and a blueline that can actually defend.

Carlsson is definitely a candidate to fill that role. Hillman, Gilbert, and Shea as well (all college guys). Beaudin may be able to as well as he has been praised for strong play on both sides of the ice.

For the folks who went to the Chicago Pro League games last night, what did you think? See that DBC got another hat trick. Vinnie seemed to be trying to emulate Kane.

They had said Toews and Kane might be playing, but not this night, at least.
- pdx2ord

https://www.nbcsports.com...chicago-pro-hockey-league

CSN Chicago had a brief clip of the game, mainly focusing on DeBrincat's hat trick. From the limited footage, it seems like an all star game: zero defense or hustle to break up plays. For an exhibition, that's a good thing so nobody gets hurt. Just stay in shape, get reps in, and entertain the fans.

Hawks ranking in The Athletic:

21. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous ranking: No. 21

The Blackhawks slightly upgraded their roster with three signings at the opening of free agency. Stan Bowman says he’ll still explore trades. If nothing gets done, it’ll be a disappointing offseason for fans who expected more after the team missed the playoffs last season. — Scott Powers

Of course another real defense-man would help.


But its all about Corey.



As Metallica would say "Nothing else matters..."

Im more obsessed with Corey's status than Topanga
- mrpaulish

https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/video/alex-debrincat-scores-hat-trick-chicago-pro-hockey-league

CSN Chicago had a brief clip of the game, mainly focusing on DeBrincat's hat trick. From the limited footage, it seems like an all star game: zero defense or hustle to break up plays. For an exhibition, that's a good thing so nobody gets hurt. Just stay in shape, get reps in, and entertain the fans.
- AEL_Fox

Thanks for that. I watched some of the stream and was admittedly bored for the reasons you mention. Also wondering how the arena was for the fans. I've been there for practices, but not for a formal game. Wondering if they have concessions, etc. Heard the music and announcers, but that was it.

I prefer wingers play their off side. Soderlund is left shooting LW and Nordgren is right shooting RW, at least that's what their bio says. I'd rather have them switch to off wing and would love to see a prospect camp line of Nordgren-Wise-Soderlund.
- EbonyRaptor

As a fan who has never played the game, what is the advantage of being a RH shooting RW? The only thing I can think is that it is for defensive reasons.

Thanks for that. I watched some of the stream and was admittedly bored for the reasons you mention. Also wondering how the arena was for the fans. I've been there for practices, but not for a formal game. Wondering if they have concessions, etc. Heard the music and announcers, but that was it.
- pdx2ord

One of the posters on this blog (HawksHype, I think) bought tickets for the game and can maybe speak about the game itself and the rink.

Nicholas Beaudin have a shot at 1st or 2nd team???

Nicholas Beaudin have a shot at 1st or 2nd team???
- BlackhawkMike

Definitely. I like his game a lot.

I separated LH and RD on purpose and I selected Carlsson and Krys due to age and motivation in their 3rd prospect camps each.

Definitely. I like his game a lot.

I separated LH and RD on purpose and I selected Carlsson and Krys due to age and motivation in their 3rd prospect camps each.
- Justin Lowe

Makes sense, thanks and great work here as usual too.

Thanks for that. I watched some of the stream and was admittedly bored for the reasons you mention. Also wondering how the arena was for the fans. I've been there for practices, but not for a formal game. Wondering if they have concessions, etc. Heard the music and announcers, but that was it.
- pdx2ord

Yes and how crowded was it?

Definitely. I like his game a lot.

I separated LH and RD on purpose and I selected Carlsson and Krys due to age and motivation in their 3rd prospect camps each.
- Justin Lowe

I think Krys may surprise and possibly leap frog his way up the D depth chart. He struggled during his freshmen year at BU with his play without the puck, but his coaches were happy with how he worked hard on his defense to really become a more complete player during his sophomore year. Hope that upward trend continues as a junior.

Although I'd like him to stay in college all 4 years, I think Krys will leave after junior year like Hillman and Gilbert did. Mitchell may depart Denver after 2 years of college. I could see Shea staying all 4 years at Northeastern, though (I believe he's a junior).

Minor news: Ejdsell has changed his jersey # to 16 with Kunitz coming on board and taking his customary 14.

I think Niklas Nordgren & Jake Wise will stick out, IMO they were steals. They'd be 2nd round picks in most "normal" drafts, but this past draft was deep so a lot of teams got lucky.. Niklas Nordgren is a pure goal scorer, a DeBrincat type - and like DeBrincat the knock on him is his size, and I wouldn't be shocked if he was ready next season, much like DeBrincat... Teams will be kicking themselves for letting him slip. IMO, Nordgren makes up for the fact the Hawks passed on Wahlstrom.

I'm EXPECTING Adam Boqvist to stick out, he'd be a top 3 pick in most "normal" drafts - not to mention he was ranked top 5 pretty much all season until the final rankings.. So yea, I would expect he sticks out...

I would expect Henri Jokiharju to impress - this is his time to shine, and the Hawks could really use him (depending on how well he does of course) but if he's not ready, then he's not ready - no need to rush him. However he will certainly get his 10 games to start the season..

At any rate our defense is still broken, Jokiharju could be a nice add but I'm not expecting much out of him if he makes the team.... I would rather Jokiharju get top 4 minutes in the AHL than play 10 minutes a night with the Hawks...

Friedman: 👀


Hearing CHI/ARIZ working on deal where Coyotes take Marian Hossa’s contract. Believe Hinostroza is part of deal

Friedman: 👀


Hearing CHI/ARIZ working on deal where Coyotes take Marian Hossa’s contract. Believe Hinostroza is part of deal
- mrpaulish

Stan. . .

Friedman: 👀


Hearing CHI/ARIZ working on deal where Coyotes take Marian Hossa’s contract. Believe Hinostroza is part of deal
- mrpaulish

I like the idea of getting rid of Hossa's contract BUT not at the price of Hinostroza..

Friedman: 👀


Hearing CHI/ARIZ working on deal where Coyotes take Marian Hossa’s contract. Believe Hinostroza is part of deal
- mrpaulish

Ughh. Don’t want to lose Vinny...

Stan. . .

- pdx2ord

Well, if true Hawks looking at 10m in cap space right ?

I hear you guys, I like Vinnie but freeing up the Hossa money could make actual impact trades possible.



maybe

Well, if true Hawks looking at 10m in cap space right ?
- mrpaulish

Yeah, IF he has a handshake deal for a proven star, then I can understand this. If it's a salary dump, then I still shake my head.