Justin Lowe: One Decision Made It looks like the Blackhawks coaching staff just had one decision made for them in regards to how the defence looks in October.

It was announced that Gustav Forsling has undergone right wrist surgery that will keep him out 14-weeks. That would put that at the beginning of November.

First

hey Raleigh, if Carolina is looking for a centre, wouldn't Anisimov be the perfect guy to help in their second overall pick Andrei Svechnikov transition? I know the kid speaks a bit of English, but nothing like Carolina adding a double aid with a player like him...

Wiz, who would you want in return?

Pretty expensive 7th defenceman.

That defence reminds me of the big three Montreal had in 1977.

Wiz, who would you want in return?
- 6628

Rask

Article from Kuc in The Athletic re: how Q plans to change it up this year.

https://theathletic.com/4...-still-right-for-the-job/

“There are some tweaks to the system but at the end of it, you always have to be a little bit careful because Joel has had great success doing what he’s done,” Dineen said. “You’re always evolving, you always want to get better, you always want to have those little tweaks. You don’t want to get stale. There is a real balance between putting in and saying you’re going to change for the sake of change. There is a little bit of a gray area.

“Certainly, there will be some tweaks … that we think will help benefit our guys. There will be a balance between what has made Joel as successful as he has been and a little bit of new ideas that we feel can help our team with the mix that we have.”

I'm skeptical of Q's ability to and willingness to change, after, for example, watching him shut down the new PP approach that was working, but it sounds like he has moved a bit on the latter. So, I do hope it garners rewards for the team and the morale.

Justin, you and Darth are spot on with that blueline projection. I'm penciling in pretty much the same thing.

I could see Dahlstrom and Hillman being the first call ups with Hillman having the potential to have staying power.

Although I think they may need a full year in Rockford first, Gilbert and Carlsson may at least earn a cup of coffee to see what they can bring. They do bring defensive balance like Hillman. Gilbert and Hillman could be the missing links as far as gritty, physical stay at home defenders with Carlsson not too far off in that mold.

A dark horse in camp could be someone like Raddysh. Sound, unassuming, under the radar yet effective. Maybe Snuggerud as he almost made the team a year ago before a camp injury derailed him.

Certainly no guarantee, but I pretty expect Murphy and Ruta to be better this year. Ruta looked good early on and after being hurt, was not the same. He has one year of experience to be acclimated to the North American game. Murphy struggled early on but looked better in the later portion of the year. One year under his belt, should only help him. I would like to see what Gilbert has to offer in the preseason.

hey Raleigh, if Carolina is looking for a centre, wouldn't Anisimov be the perfect guy to help in their second overall pick Andrei Svechnikov transition? I know the kid speaks a bit of English, but nothing like Carolina adding a double aid with a player like him...
- wiz1901

Valentin Zykov is there and speaks Russian.

And the Canes director of Forward Development is Sergei Samsonov.

I thought the knock on Gilbert was that he wasn't a good skater, even for a "big guy". If that's not the case or he has improved in that area then Gilbert might just be an NHL d-man after all.

Pretty expensive 7th defenceman.
- 67hawks

Sunk cost.

I'm skeptical of Q's ability to and willingness to change, after, for example, watching him shut down the new PP approach that was working, but it sounds like he has moved a bit on the latter. So, I do hope it garners rewards for the team and the morale.
- pdx2ord

Skeptical about this 3 Cups?

hey Raleigh, if Carolina is looking for a centre, wouldn't Anisimov be the perfect guy to help in their second overall pick Andrei Svechnikov transition? I know the kid speaks a bit of English, but nothing like Carolina adding a double aid with a player like him...
- wiz1901

You would think so, but some of the local reports here have been saying that the Canes management is hesitant of dealing with the Hawks again. Might be the result of Darling coming in out of shape and having a bad year (which could turn around this year), but who knows.

I thought the knock on Gilbert was that he wasn't a good skater, even for a "big guy". If that's not the case or he has improved in that area then Gilbert might just be an NHL d-man after all.
- EbonyRaptor

Are you talking about Dennis Gilbert?

In his draft year some other draft publication was ripping me g=for not having him ranked in the top 60...
Gilbert's feet balance and movement is good, but isn't a "speed" player. He is better when he sticks to playing inside his strengths, positioning and active stick, using his size to rub on the guys in the blue paint.
I think I would catagorize him at this juncture as improving but soimeone you at this point as competition for any Carl Dahlström defenders...guys who have size, think fast and good feet in the defense game (closing gaps, active stick) and the ability to eventually eat minutes as a 3rd pair player, with upside.

I hope that helps...

You would think so, but some of the local reports here have been saying that the Canes management is hesitant of dealing with the Hawks again. Might be the result of Darling coming in out of shape and having a bad year (which could turn around this year), but who knows.
- RaleighHawk

I don't know if Bowman was behind Darling's results.

new management may be taking baby steps because they are new, and don't have cell phones to check on things.

The problem in my opinion, is the Hurricanes are in no rush to unload the two bigger names out there, asked for the moon and that shut down the conversations now that the teams offices are on summer vacation.

That and the fact there are solid reasons to not see defender Justin Faulk as solid 2 way defender...you can look at the points and the poor plus / minus all day and decide which side is correct, but I bet every GM checked with his staff and they said help feed the hesitations in trading too. much to Carolina for him.

I think the new Hurricanes can afford to judge their players slowly and not be rash...Calgary wanted this to kids and were willing to offer Hamilton Ferland and disgruntled Fox to get him...nothing wrong with thinking Hamilton is an offensive producer...but the rest of the league probably viewed the long term upside of Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm over Skinner or Faulk b/c they are cheaper and there is reason to see their upside.

Valentin Zykov is there and speaks Russian.
And the Canes director of Forward Development is Sergei Samsonov.
- BINGO!

Zykov has 12 nhl games in two season and do we know if Samsonov originally hired in 2004 will be around?

I am not gonna believe any Zykiov scouting report you throw up, because last preseason you were selling Rask and Lindholm as guys who you wouldn't trade for Toews and his equals...

You would think so, but some of the local reports here have been saying that the Canes management is hesitant of dealing with the Hawks again. Might be the result of Darling coming in out of shape and having a bad year (which could turn around this year), but who knows.
- RaleighHawk

The other issue is cap space.

The Canes have $45~ million spent next season already and only 5 forwards locked up (Staal, Necas, Svechnikov, Zykov, Rask).

Aho And Teravainen are likely going to cost $14-15 million combined themselves.

hey Raleigh, if Carolina is looking for a centre, wouldn't Anisimov be the perfect guy to help in their second overall pick Andrei Svechnikov transition? I know the kid speaks a bit of English, but nothing like Carolina adding a double aid with a player like him...
- wiz1901

Would make sense to me Wiz.

Although AA would have to wave to go there, which isn't out of the questions.

However, if he does, the Hawks would need a C in return or find one somewhere else unless they go with:

Toews
Schmaltz
Kruger
Kampf / PTO / FA (like Vermette, Winnik, Letestu, etc)


That wouldn't be strong enough to compete night in and night out IMO. Also, if one of them go down, you don't have a lot in Rockford - maybe Ejdsell (he looks to be a better W), Luke Johnson or Jordan Schroeder.

Are you talking about Dennis Gilbert?

In his draft year some other draft publication was ripping me g=for not having him ranked in the top 60...
Gilbert's feet balance and movement is good, but isn't a "speed" player. He is better when he sticks to playing inside his strengths, positioning and active stick, using his size to rub on the guys in the blue paint.
I think I would catagorize him at this juncture as improving but soimeone you at this point as competition for any Carl Dahlström defenders...guys who have size, think fast and good feet in the defense game (closing gaps, active stick) and the ability to eventually eat minutes as a 3rd pair player, with upside.

I hope that helps...
- wiz1901

Yep, thanks Bill.

Living in the Chicago area we usually get a few ND games on local TV every season so I caught a handful of games over the past few years, focusing on Hinostroza and Gilbert. Gilbert seemed more aggressive in the o-zone his first two seasons than he was last season - almost like he was coached to be more of a stay at home d-man than getting caught up ice and not having the speed to recover back into the d-zone fast enough. Maybe the games I saw were more than the exception than the rule but he seemed to be chasing the play back into his zone more than you would want. So last season he didn't join the rush as much and didn't venture too deep into the o-zone as much and I'm thinking that may have been more by design - as in the coach telling him he isn't Erik Karlsson so if he wants to play in the NHL he needs to become a solid stay at home d-man.

The other issue is cap space.

The Canes have $45~ million spent next season already and only 5 forwards locked up (Staal, Necas, Svechnikov, Zykov, Rask).

Aho And Teravainen are likely going to cost $14-15 million combined themselves.
- BINGO!

They have been trying hard since the deadline to trade Staal and their efforts with a salary eat went nowhere...

Brandon Manning may be rugged, but not in a good way. He's also not a stay at home defenseman lol

Brandon Manning may be rugged, but not in a good way. He's also not a stay at home defenseman lol
- bulet13

ha. I keep hearing this from Philly fans (my brother is a hardcore Flyers guy as well).

I guess we will have to find out for ourselves as Hawks fans - for better or for worse.

ha. I keep hearing this from Philly fans (my brother is a hardcore Flyers guy as well).

I guess we will have to find out for ourselves as Hawks fans - for better or for worse.
- Justin Lowe

Q likes his Rozy style D. He has another one now.

They have been trying hard since the deadline to trade Staal and their efforts with a salary eat went nowhere...
- wiz1901

Seems unlikely. Brind'amour loves that guy. They're trying to trade Skinner and Faulk though to get more cost certainty going forward.