Boy that Saad trade is looking better and better

I’m liking 71 at center, especially in his defensive zone. I’ve seen at least 3 back checks that denied scoring opportunities.

22 Davidson looks like he knows what he’s doing. Responsible and positioned well 8n the defensive zone.

Things that I took notice of during the game. Please forgive misspellings. These are just what my young and uneducated hockey eyes saw from forwards, defense, and goal. For anyone who didn't watch, here are some notes, and anyone who did and wants to argue, please call me out. I just talk about players, good or bad, or who have been hyped up. There were many pluses in this 4-1 loss.

1. Ejdsell, not really noticeable as the game went on. Really slow. Good chemistry with Sikura, I like that that is growing. Maybe with a good and somewhat speedy centre between them, could be a good line. Fortin, I loved every shift (biased because I want him on the opening night roster.) He got a goal (in the first minute) with a good set of wheels. Hayden, wasn't bad, unnoticeable. Good for a dman, not so much for a forward. Highmore, a lot of improvement from his cup of coffee with the hawks. I don't mean that in a bad way, I liked him then, and I really like him now. Kahun, a lot of hype, not much to me. Maybe on his was to Germany. Kruger, great at the dot, race to pucks, good board battles. He has some left in the tank, noticeable in his second wind. Kurashev, loved his defensive side of the game, backchecks and blocked shots. Noel, also rooting for this guy to make the roster at some point. Laying people out. Samuelsson, centered a good line. One of the few lines that could maintain good pressure on the Blue Jackets.

2. Power Play, if you saw the hawks circle the perimeter a million times, you saw the young hawks do the same. Kind of sloppy with forced passes. The forwards, collectively, not bad. Maybe too much finesse, between the legs, fancy plays which ended up in blown chances. Had a lot of great chances early on Berube, who was stonewalling us. Let's get that guy in a hawks sweater.

3. Bpqvist, looked great, looked fast, great passing, broke up plays here and there, good positioning, and great offensive weapon. I'm excited for his development in the OHL. Dahlstrom, I thought looked good too. Good stick and good positioning. Davidson, I was hoping he would put in his ten games and that would be it … I'm warming up to the guy. Give him a contract. Hillman, looked slow and sluggish on a lot of plays. I was kind of disappointed. Jokiharju, probably will make the team out of the amount of holes, I don't think he should, or maybe just sheltered on the 3rd pairing. He gave up on a couple of plays, one was an odd man rush. He's young, I get it, let him work those kinks out in the AHL.

4. Penalty Kill, not too good either. Couldn't clear the puck and gave up a goal. They let the other team swarm the net and just watch the goalie with crossed fingers. I have always hated that. Something needs to change. The defense, collectively, with kinks here and there, I'm looking forward to seeing them 2-3 years.

5. Ward, shaky, lost the net at times. Not good as a vet. He did come up with some big saves. Maybe just some rust, not sure, I'm okay with the signing. Delia, shaky, lost the net at times. Okay as a rookie. Big saves and pipe saves on the pp. Was screened a lot, always looked over his shoulder trying to track the puck. They split the game in half. Both gave up pp goals. Wondering what Forsberg has in him, hopefully better than last year. Please come back healthy Crawford.

Boy that Saad trade is looking better and better
- BetweenTheDots

Panarin was invisible tonight against the Hawks C-Team...almost like he wasnt playing - oh wait...

Ward looked good tonight..... lol

Panarin was invisible tonight against the Hawks C-Team...almost like he wasnt playing - oh wait...
- glennjpawlak22

No just saying the Blue Jackets aren't going to be able to sign him, just like the Hawks wouldn't of been able to, how many more years is that Saad contract

Things that I took notice of during the game. Please forgive misspellings. These are just what my young and uneducated hockey eyes saw from forwards, defense, and goal. For anyone who didn't watch, here are some notes, and anyone who did and wants to argue, please call me out. I just talk about players, good or bad, or who have been hyped up. There were many pluses in this 4-1 loss.

1. Ejdsell, not really noticeable as the game went on. Really slow. Good chemistry with Sikura, I like that that is growing. Maybe with a good and somewhat speedy centre between them, could be a good line. Fortin, I loved every shift (biased because I want him on the opening night roster.) He got a goal (in the first minute) with a good set of wheels. Hayden, wasn't bad, unnoticeable. Good for a dman, not so much for a forward. Highmore, a lot of improvement from his cup of coffee with the hawks. I don't mean that in a bad way, I liked him then, and I really like him now. Kahun, a lot of hype, not much to me. Maybe on his was to Germany. Kruger, great at the dot, race to pucks, good board battles. He has some left in the tank, noticeable in his second wind. Kurashev, loved his defensive side of the game, backchecks and blocked shots. Noel, also rooting for this guy to make the roster at some point. Laying people out. Samuelsson, centered a good line. One of the few lines that could maintain good pressure on the Blue Jackets.

2. Power Play, if you saw the hawks circle the perimeter a million times, you saw the young hawks do the same. Kind of sloppy with forced passes. The forwards, collectively, not bad. Maybe too much finesse, between the legs, fancy plays which ended up in blown chances. Had a lot of great chances early on Berube, who was stonewalling us. Let's get that guy in a hawks sweater.

3. Bpqvist, looked great, looked fast, great passing, broke up plays here and there, good positioning, and great offensive weapon. I'm excited for his development in the OHL. Dahlstrom, I thought looked good too. Good stick and good positioning. Davidson, I was hoping he would put in his ten games and that would be it … I'm warming up to the guy. Give him a contract. Hillman, looked slow and sluggish on a lot of plays. I was kind of disappointed. Jokiharju, probably will make the team out of the amount of holes, I don't think he should, or maybe just sheltered on the 3rd pairing. He gave up on a couple of plays, one was an odd man rush. He's young, I get it, let him work those kinks out in the AHL.

4. Penalty Kill, not too good either. Couldn't clear the puck and gave up a goal. They let the other team swarm the net and just watch the goalie with crossed fingers. I have always hated that. Something needs to change. The defense, collectively, with kinks here and there, I'm looking forward to seeing them 2-3 years.

5. Ward, shaky, lost the net at times. Not good as a vet. He did come up with some big saves. Maybe just some rust, not sure, I'm okay with the signing. Delia, shaky, lost the net at times. Okay as a rookie. Big saves and pipe saves on the pp. Was screened a lot, always looked over his shoulder trying to track the puck. They split the game in half. Both gave up pp goals. Wondering what Forsberg has in him, hopefully better than last year. Please come back healthy Crawford.
- I Am The Breadman

Great info for those of us who couldn’t watch closely. Thanks for the effort that went into it. Disappointing about the special teams. Sigh.

Great info for those of us who couldn’t watch closely. Thanks for the effort that went into it. Disappointing about the special teams. Sigh.
- pdx2ord

Yes, more of what we saw last year with the special teams.

On a positive note, I like what I saw in Highmore tonight. I don't remember seeing that speed last year when he came up. And Boqvist looked better to me than he has at any time during this pre-season when I have watched him.

Great info for those of us who couldn’t watch closely. Thanks for the effort that went into it. Disappointing about the special teams. Sigh.
- pdx2ord

Thanks for reading the novel. All it was missing was it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Figuratively and literally.

I will have more thoughts tomorrow but there was a lot to like tonight. I am not too concerned with the loss with the team they put on the ice.

Really liked:

Kahun
Kurashev
Highmore
Anisimov
Dahlstrom

I feel that it is more amazing to see Bowvist not look too terrible than Hillman. But fesite age difference, whom was in a more competitive level of play last season?
- jhawk59

Boqvist is going to be really good!

22 Davidson looks like he knows what he’s doing. Responsible and positioned well 8n the defensive zone.
- scottak

Based on what I have seen, I think he gets signed -if not by us then by someone else.

Ejdsell is so unbelievably slow it’s painful to watch.

Based on what I have seen, I think he gets signed -if not by us then by someone else.
- 67hawks

I think the plan was to sign him as the 6th/7th all along. Just like Franson last year.

I thought he looked good tonight.

Ejdsell is so unbelievably slow it’s painful to watch.
- SimpleJack

Not impressed by Ejdsell tonight.

I would like to see Kahun or Highmore on that line next game.

While he isn't as young and inexperienced, I thought Gus was looking pretty good so far this camp and tonight.

While he isn't as young and inexperienced, I thought Gus was looking pretty good so far this camp and tonight.
- breadbag

He was the leader back there tonight and did a great job as a "young" "vet".

He's going to play an important part on the Hawks D this year. They would be smart to put him on the 3rd pairing and deployed as an offensive/PP specialist.

I will have more thoughts tomorrow but there was a lot to like tonight. I am not too concerned with the loss with the team they put on the ice.

Really liked:

Kahun
Kurashev
Highmore
Anisimov
Dahlstrom
- Justin Lowe

Agreed mostly - though though Anisimov was just okay and that Dahlstrom was good in a safe but not exciting way.

I'd add Sikura and Fortin to that list, personally. Sikura obviously has NHL level skill and hockey IQ - he was a little limited by his linemates though imo, but he and Fortin were making the other team fall back with their speed. Fortin battled more than I'd seen him before, went down low a lot more. That's a quality to his game he'll need to keep up.

The only thing I really noticed about Anisimov is how much quicker he looks when on the ice with Edjsell who is not NHL speed. Edjsell is fine when he's in in the OZ but him being so slow from one zone to the next vexing to watch.

And I'd add Noel as an honorable mention. Reminded me again of Shaw in terms of pugnacity in the corners and in front of the net. He'll need to learn Shaw's ability to funnel that energy and effort into having the puck more, though.

Not impressed by Ejdsell tonight.

I would like to see Kahun or Highmore on that line next game.
- Justin Lowe

Here is a question for the group...if Ejdsell were to work at it and get to NHL speed or beyond, does he have the instincts to match NHL foot speed?

Good post. Agree on both points and hope that's something that we see more of during the upcoming season and beyond.

"Plays big" is the operative term, too, as you stated. Height and weight can be factors but I care most about the competitive drive to pursue every puck, consistency to defend the house like your life depends on it, and courage to stick up for your mates.
- AEL_Fox

THANKS. Another factor in "playing big" .... play hard on the puck ... FIGHT FOR POSITION to gain puck control ! A big body helps but not necessary Actually, it's the lower body strength that is key. Like a basketball player willing to fight for positioning of rebound

Agreed mostly - though though Anisimov was just okay and that Dahlstrom was good in a safe but not exciting way.

I'd add Sikura and Fortin to that list, personally. Sikura obviously has NHL level skill and hockey IQ - he was a little limited by his linemates though imo, but he and Fortin were making the other team fall back with their speed. Fortin battled more than I'd seen him before, went down low a lot more. That's a quality to his game he'll need to keep up.

The only thing I really noticed about Anisimov is how much quicker he looks when on the ice with Edjsell who is not NHL speed. Edjsell is fine when he's in in the OZ but him being so slow from one zone to the next vexing to watch.

And I'd add Noel as an honorable mention. Reminded me again of Shaw in terms of pugnacity in the corners and in front of the net. He'll need to learn Shaw's ability to funnel that energy and effort into having the puck more, though.
- L_B_R

Based on what you've seen, would you expect Sikura to be tried in place of Kunitz on Line 1? Or, still too much of a leap? DBC would have to swing over to LW, so maybe not a good idea.

I will have more thoughts tomorrow but there was a lot to like tonight. I am not too concerned with the loss with the team they put on the ice.

Really liked:

Kahun
Kurashev
Highmore
Anisimov
Dahlstrom
- Justin Lowe

Noel also i thought was the best forward start to finish. Dahlstrom looked good stay at home d paired with a puck mover. Could be something

Based on what you've seen, would you expect Sikura to be tried in place of Kunitz on Line 1? Or, still too much of a leap? DBC would have to swing over to LW, so maybe not a good idea.
- pdx2ord

Who knows what Q is thinking tbh. Q usually at least likes to leave rookies in the lower lines to ease them into NHL, unless they're getting end of season tastes, so he might still prefer Sikura on the 3rd. I'm not sold on Debrincat facing top comp as is, so itd be hesitant to put a rookie up there as well, even an older one like Sikura. Saad-Toews-Sikura is an optimal line in my brain but I also like Saad-Schmaltz-Kane as a line option. The top 6 could potentially be really fun, if they click.

If Sikura did go on the 1st in place of Kunitz, I have no idea where Kunitz would go, honestly. Q seems in love with that 4th line (poor Kampf) and a 3rd line of Edjsell-AA-Kunitz couldn't out skate Rozsival carrying Handzus on his back.

If it was me, I'd have Kahun in over Edjsell and Kampf in over Martinsen.

https://www.hockeyfeed.co...ts-for-2018-19?ref=trevor

Brock Nelson and/or Anders Lee next summer!!!