I thought the top line of Sikura-Kahun-Fortin were trying to do too much tonight - like they were trying to force plays rather than go with the flow and make the smart play. Fortin had a bunch of good plays generated by his speed and he showed again he will use his speed to get his shoulder inside the defender and bull rush the net. He's done it at least 3 times and drawn 2 penalties. But, I saw him a number of times leak out for a home run pass before a team mate had uncontested full possession. Those are the types of plays that will keep him in Rockford. I know he's a helluva home run threat but he needs to think defense first a little more often.

For the crappy review I gave Ejdsell after game 1 - he followed up with a much improved game 2 and tonight he played pretty well too. I still think he's more of a fringe player because of his lack of speed/quickness but that long reach of his does compensate for that a bit.

Did anyone see who was the d-man that had the puck bounce off him right into the slot where the St. Louis player one-timed it to tie the score at 3-3. It was on the left side so probably one of the LD's so most likely it was either Beaudin, Hillman or Gilbert but with the only camera being from center ice you couldn't see the number of the player.
- EbonyRaptor

It was Gilbert and I thought he just whiffed on trying to pass it but it could have bounced - it was indeed hard to tell. I felt bad for him because he was having a nice game up until then.

The Hawks prospects ended up with 41 shots to the Blues 16 btw for anyone who is interested. Defensively solid as a whole, extremely aggressive offensively, shouldn't have been as close as it was.

Thanks for sharing. I guess I should have went digging more on twitter.

Do you think Sikura will stick in the NHL this season?
- breadbag

I think it's pretty obvious that Sikura has NHL level skill - skating, playmaking, high IQ, etc etc. He also does seem stronger when protecting the puck and going into high traffic areas. I hope that all translate into him sticking and I bet it does but it's so hard to really know.

I think it's pretty obvious that Sikura has NHL level skill - skating, playmaking, high IQ, etc etc. He also does seem stronger when protecting the puck and going into high traffic areas. I hope that all translate into him sticking and I bet it does but it's so hard to really know.
- L_B_R

The opinions on DeBrincat ran the gamut but most thought he would turn up in the NHL sooner rather than later. He had too much abilityto be dismissed. There is something to be said along the line of Steve Rain's assessment that prospects come and go, so show us u r the real deal.

Remember E Sanipass. D Lecuyer could pound the puck from either side (Right or Left). So many failed #1choices! Tim Higgins was never.the point or goal producer his junior hockey linemates [Bobby Smith, Steve Payne] displayed again once they played in the NHL

So..........(clears throat, cough) I am on the fence if Hayden remains healthy and can ever stick as a top line helper. It would sure be nice to see big body, Knott, develop..

Is there a scrappy forward whom will enjoy the so called cup of coffee. Don't know but Martinsen should stay irreguardless of Hayden's measure of success




.

The right - handed Carlson might have exactly that in his favor as far as making the team. Jokiharju or Carlson?

If you keep Davidson, you could let Hillman play in Rockford. He plays well, then Hillman could be recalled by half season mark. It would bode well his style with an offensive capable prospect as a top or top two pairing for the Icehogs.

As for a bit of a mystery prospect because we have not much hype about him as others - and I suspect Justin is among those not sure about - Tuulola as a left hand dman has lots of competition. I suspect he plays in Rockford or back in Finland. But he is cementing his place in line among genuine prospects by signing. I just do not know if he has an out clause if he doesn't make the team. You can bet your last dollar most of these guys would refuse an ECHL assignment if the Rockford roster is too crowded

remember that some things never change, no matter how much you change them
- vabeachbear

Sadly.

Though I was happier being a Bears fan this morning vs being a Lions fan.

It was Gilbert and I thought he just whiffed on trying to pass it but it could have bounced - it was indeed hard to tell. I felt bad for him because he was having a nice game up until then.

The Hawks prospects ended up with 41 shots to the Blues 16 btw for anyone who is interested. Defensively solid as a whole, extremely aggressive offensively, shouldn't have been as close as it was.
- L_B_R

Well, I definitely stand corrected.

Maybe it was weighted more toward the hawks first 30 mins or so that I missed?

I'll also blame the camera angle, and no HD.

Sadly.

Though I was happier being a Bears fan this morning vs being a Lions fan.
- HawkintheD

Actually, that first half was a good of a half being a Bears fan than the last Super Bowl team.

Let's see if they improve, and see if their conditioning improves. They were gassed on D, and I think they only had like 59 plays. Too easy training camp?????

Before the game, I kept telling myself they'll be a better team in Nov than they are now, which hasn't been the case in a long time. We'll see.

btw, kind of like that Mack guy's potential.

I don't have any stats to back me up either, just what I was watching. 5v5 they passes and shot a lot from the slot and dots, with lots of crashing to the net. PP was a bit more outside but then the Blues prospects had a much better PK than the other two teams the Hawks faced. They scored on two PPs last game so something was working.

Noel kind of reminded me of Shaw with his energy and scrappiness in front of the net.

On the ultra positive side, Hillman-Jokiharju had a great game. They've been the solid defensive pair the last two games but they kind of stepped up into the action more (likely because Boqvist was out and Beaudin was less dynamic with Tuulola as his partner). Jokiharju stood out the most of the d-men.
- L_B_R

Nice to read that observation. I wasn't able to watch the game but, I'm pulling for the kid.

Alright!
Toews can retire now, move back to Canada.
Perfect tie-in with ONNIT announced by Breakthru Beverage Corp in yesterday's Chicago Tribune:

Breakthru Beverage Group, the alcohol wholesale business co-led by Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, announced plans Monday to invest $9.2 million in CannTrust, a Canadian marijuana producer.

Breakthru has signed a letter of intent to become the exclusive distributor for CannTrust as recreational marijuana is set to become legal in Canada on Oct. 17. In doing so, Breakthru joins a growing number of major alcohol companies to recently invest in the global potential of the burgeoning marijuana industry. Giant beer companies such as Molson Coors — parent company of Chicago-based MillerCoors — and Constellation Brands, which bases its beer business in Chicago, are planning to develop and sell cannabis-infused drinks in Canada.

Go Johnny Go.
I can see it now -- Toews and Keith hitching their wagons to this latest announcement. Maybe they should do it now, ahead of the season.

Alright!
Toews can retire now, move back to Canada.
Perfect tie-in with ONNIT announced by Breakthru Beverage Corp in yesterday's Chicago Tribune:

Breakthru Beverage Group, the alcohol wholesale business co-led by Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, announced plans Monday to invest $9.2 million in CannTrust, a Canadian marijuana producer.

Breakthru has signed a letter of intent to become the exclusive distributor for CannTrust as recreational marijuana is set to become legal in Canada on Oct. 17. In doing so, Breakthru joins a growing number of major alcohol companies to recently invest in the global potential of the burgeoning marijuana industry. Giant beer companies such as Molson Coors — parent company of Chicago-based MillerCoors — and Constellation Brands, which bases its beer business in Chicago, are planning to develop and sell cannabis-infused drinks in Canada.

Go Johnny Go.
I can see it now -- Toews and Keith hitching their wagons to this latest announcement. Maybe they should do it now, ahead of the season.
- savvyone-1

Immobiliare!

The Bears’ game last night made me____________
- EnzoD

1) think Fox was still head coach.

2) happy that I still have the Cubs to cheer for.

Actually, that first half was a good of a half being a Bears fan than the last Super Bowl team.

Let's see if they improve, and see if their conditioning improves. They were gassed on D, and I think they only had like 59 plays. Too easy training camp?????

Before the game, I kept telling myself they'll be a better team in Nov than they are now, which hasn't been the case in a long time. We'll see.

btw, kind of like that Mack guy's potential.
- vabeachbear

He's ok. I'm projecting him to be pretty good by the end of the season.

New coach, new offense with a 2nd year QB. Mack missed all of training camp and was an absolute beast in that first half. Smith missed all of camp and his first play resulted in a sack.

A lot of the experts have them as an 8-8 team and I don't think that's a stretch.

FYI, Hawks play Wild for third place at 5:30PM today at prospect tournament

FYI, Hawks play Wild for third place at 5:30PM today at prospect tournament
- bhawk1s

Beat me too it.

Hopefully they can come through with another "W". A 3-1 record with a lot of individual positives would be a nice overall showing.

Wonder if it's Lankinen or Gravel getting the start today?

Alright!
Toews can retire now, move back to Canada.
Perfect tie-in with ONNIT announced by Breakthru Beverage Corp in yesterday's Chicago Tribune:

Breakthru Beverage Group, the alcohol wholesale business co-led by Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, announced plans Monday to invest $9.2 million in CannTrust, a Canadian marijuana producer.

Breakthru has signed a letter of intent to become the exclusive distributor for CannTrust as recreational marijuana is set to become legal in Canada on Oct. 17. In doing so, Breakthru joins a growing number of major alcohol companies to recently invest in the global potential of the burgeoning marijuana industry. Giant beer companies such as Molson Coors — parent company of Chicago-based MillerCoors — and Constellation Brands, which bases its beer business in Chicago, are planning to develop and sell cannabis-infused drinks in Canada.

Go Johnny Go.
I can see it now -- Toews and Keith hitching their wagons to this latest announcement. Maybe they should do it now, ahead of the season.
- savvyone-1

A little excessive, don't you think? I thought the logic was you eat when you smoke weed, not drink.

Beat me too it.

Hopefully they can come through with another "W". A 3-1 record with a lot of individual positives would be a nice overall showing.

Wonder if it's Lankinen or Gravel getting the start today?
- Justin Lowe

Pronman in the Athletic today listed Sikura, Ejdsell, Beaudin and Fortin as his standouts for the tourney so far.

Haven’t seen the games but it sounds like some others have played well too,

Beat me too it.

Hopefully they can come through with another "W". A 3-1 record with a lot of individual positives would be a nice overall showing.

Wonder if it's Lankinen or Gravel getting the start today?
- Justin Lowe

Do you know why Boqvist was not in the lineup last night?

Alright!
Toews can retire now, move back to Canada.
Perfect tie-in with ONNIT announced by Breakthru Beverage Corp in yesterday's Chicago Tribune:

Breakthru Beverage Group, the alcohol wholesale business co-led by Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, announced plans Monday to invest $9.2 million in CannTrust, a Canadian marijuana producer.

Breakthru has signed a letter of intent to become the exclusive distributor for CannTrust as recreational marijuana is set to become legal in Canada on Oct. 17. In doing so, Breakthru joins a growing number of major alcohol companies to recently invest in the global potential of the burgeoning marijuana industry. Giant beer companies such as Molson Coors — parent company of Chicago-based MillerCoors — and Constellation Brands, which bases its beer business in Chicago, are planning to develop and sell cannabis-infused drinks in Canada.

Go Johnny Go.
I can see it now -- Toews and Keith hitching their wagons to this latest announcement. Maybe they should do it now, ahead of the season.
- savvyone-1

Maybe you should stop constantly whining and stfu?

Pronman in the Athletic today listed Sikura, Ejdsell, Beaudin and Fortin as his standouts for the tourney so far.

Haven’t seen the games but it sounds like some others have played well too,
- HawkintheD

I keep hearing about Sikura and Beaudin in the tournament.

Beaudin will go back to Drummondville, but it's exciting to hear that he's playing so well.

I would be shocked if Sikura didn't start the season with Chicago, he seems to be on the same path as DeBrincat.

With Ejdsell and Fortin I'm waiting to see how they perform is training camp before getting too excited. I'm not saying they won't perform well but I want to see how they react to stiffer competition.

TRADE:

To #Rangers
D Adam McQuaid

To #Bruins
D Steven Kampfer
2019 4th round draft pick
conditional 7th round draft pick

I keep hearing about Sikura and Beaudin in the tournament.

Beaudin will go back to Drummondville, but it's exciting to hear that he's playing so well.

I would be shocked if Sikura didn't start the season with Chicago, he seems to be on the same path as DeBrincat.

With Ejdsell and Fortin I'm waiting to see how they perform is training camp before getting too excited. I'm not saying they won't perform well but I want to see how they react to stiffer competition.
- DarthKane

Ejdsell feels a bit like a less gritty/physical Bickell with size and a deadly wrist shot.
I would not be surprised to see him in the bottom 6 if he can keep pace better this season.

Ejdsell feels a bit like a less gritty/physical Bickell with size and a deadly wrist shot.
I would not be surprised to see him in the bottom 6 if he can keep pace better this season.
- breadbag

I don't see both Hayden and Ejdsell making the team to start the season, it will be interesting to see which one makes it. My guess would be Hayden, but I've been wrong before.

TRADE:

To #Rangers
D Adam McQuaid

To #Bruins
D Steven Kampfer
2019 4th round draft pick
conditional 7th round draft pick
- walleyeb1

Victor Ejdsell leads all players in shots for the tournament with 9. #Blackhawks

— The Rink (@TheRinkOfficial) September 11, 2018

I typically don't like to propose hypothetical trades, but with the recent announcement/disaster in Ottawa would a swap of Schmaltz for Duchene (I have no idea what other pieces would need to be involved) be of any interest?

Duchene seems to have the same skillset, but with better faceoff numbers (which is what we are all clamoring for):

typically between 55-65 points, decent defensively, and career 53% at the dot.