Justin Lowe: New Year, New You – 15 Blackhawks Thoughts
The Hawks played their first preseason game last night, losing a 4-1 match to the Blue Jackets on the road. They will look to try again for a win tomorrow vs. Detroit (730pm EST).

It's only one game in, but I have some thoughts on individuals from last night's game. I will reserve comments on the overall team game and special teams until there are more veterans in the lineup.

First!

I liked Jokiharu's game as well...You think that they keep him up until Murphy is back and then at that time, possibly send him down to work on things, if he needs to?

Nice article
What would your D pairings be going forward?
Do we carry 7 or 8 D ?
Lastly , do you see a trade coming to get rid of logjam of D?

Thank you!

Kruger, Highmore, Fortin, Noel, Boqvist, and Davidson all impressed me. I like Joki and want to like him a lot, but it was only in flashes. His passes were fine, and has decent speed. He seemed to give up on plays. One was an odd man rush, brcause of a bad line change, but he pursued the man with the puck until our own blueline, and let him shoot, getting bailed out by Delia. I know he's a kid, but he can't be the opposite of Keith. I only heard Kahun's name called once or twice, once was because he shot the puck. I didn't think he made himself noticeable. I agree on Kurashev, great outing but quite a ways away before the big show.

Great article by the way, I do agree with a lot of your observations.

#13) Lazerus is famous for being a pot shot artist in retrospect. Master second guesser.

First!

I liked Jokiharu's game as well...You think that they keep him up until Murphy is back and then at that time, possibly send him down to work on things, if he needs to?
- ToewsdNKanefusd

TnK - real hard to determine that now IMO.

To be honest, I think the Hawks will just be holding on to their butts trying to make it through a Crawford-less October and (potentially) November, all while trying to gel as a team and get the younger players climatized.

Nice article
What would your D pairings be going forward?
Do we carry 7 or 8 D ?
Lastly , do you see a trade coming to get rid of logjam of D?

Thank you!
- CTblackhawkfan

I would like to see a little more in terms of who plays with who, however, gun to my head, I say:

Keith-Jokiharju
Gustafsson-Seabs
Manning-Rutta
Davidson

EDIT: I didn't finish answering all your questions.

I would be shocked if they carry 8 D. I know there was a lot of frustration from the players about that last year.

If Murphy and Forsling were healthy, I could have seen a scenario where a trade could have happened. However, with those injuries and all of the uncertainty, I don't see it. Maybe around Christmas time depending on where the Hawks are at.

I could be completely off base here, but if memory serves correctly when quickly scanning the box score at some point in the game, the FO differential was 21-20 in favor of Columbus. That means that the Hawks must have been absolutely annihalated from there. I could be wrong though

#13) Lazerus is famous for being a pot shot artist in retrospect. Master second guesser.
- 6628

For sure, but the Manning vs. Davidson thing crossed my mind the second the Hawks invited Davidson so I wanted to bring that up.

They are very similar players. I think Davidson might be a better skater though.

I'm really hoping I'm wrong and Manning is an x-factor on the backend. It appears the the Manning-Rutta pairing is shaping up to be Q's shutdown pair. I don't know why Rutta keeps getting put in that position but let's see how it pans out in year 2 for him.

I would like to see a little more in terms of who plays with who, however, gun to my head, I say:

Keith-Jokiharju
Gustafsson-Seabs
Manning-Rutta
Davidson

EDIT: I didn't finish answering all your questions.

I would be shocked if they carry 8 D. I know there was a lot of frustration from the players about that last year.

If Murphy and Forsling were healthy, I could have seen a scenario where a trade could have happened. However, with those injuries and all of the uncertainty, I don't see it. Maybe around Christmas time depending on where the Hawks are at.
- Justin Lowe

Those are the exact pairings I want to see. I want to see the Hawks develop Goose into a top-four role. I really want Q to just let him play his game and not punish him for small mistakes by sitting him or giving him low minutes. 35-40 points is definitely within the realm of possibility over the course of a full season and PP time.

I could be completely off base here, but if memory serves correctly when quickly scanning the box score at some point in the game, the FO differential was 21-20 in favor of Columbus. That means that the Hawks must have been absolutely annihalated from there. I could be wrong though
- TommyHawk

Not sure, but they didn't look good.

Quenneville might have to find a way to get Kampf and his 53% into the lineup on Anisimov's line at some point during the year.

Either that of Toews and Kruger will be taking every important draw.

Those are the exact pairings I want to see. I want to see the Hawks develop Goose into a top-four role. I really want Q to just let him play his game and not punish him for small mistakes by sitting him or giving him low minutes. 35-40 points is definitely within the realm of possibility over the course of a full season and PP time.
- TommyHawk

Agreed on Gustafsson to a degree. The offsense is clearly there and he came back to Chicago with a swagger to his game. He has incredible vision and you can see that when he plays so well with a high-end player like Patrick Kane (Kaner's called him out a couple times last year for having that skill set).

It's the defensive side I really worry about. I think he plays top 4 mins out of necessity this year but ideally I would like to see him in a 3rd pairing offensive D type role.

Hey, hopefully he surprises me and takes a big step forward in his 2-way game this year. At 1.2M for the next couple of years, he could turn into a bargain.

Not sure, but they didn't look good.

Quenneville might have to find a way to get Kampf and his 53% into the lineup on Anisimov's line at some point during the year.

Either that of Toews and Kruger will be taking every important draw.
- Justin Lowe

How much are you expecting the lineup to change, if at all? Do you see other vets come in, or maybe someone not as seasoned, like Debrincat and Kampf? Does T Sikura or Boomhower draw in, any clue or is this a wait until tomorrow situation?

Justin, yes I’m a Manning fan, but being objective I just don’t see Davidson over him in the lineup. He is more of a journeyman/7D fill in type than an everyday player. Points don’t mean everything, but Manning had almost as many last year alone as Davidson has in 151 career games.

Sure, if Manning starts to falter you can always make a change. Let’s give the #23/#44 combo a chance to gel a bit and see what happens.

How much are you expecting the lineup to change, if at all? Do you see other vets come in, or maybe someone not as seasoned, like Debrincat and Kampf? Does T Sikura or Boomhower draw in, any clue or is this a wait until tomorrow situation?
- I Am The Breadman

Not sure. I know some vets will be inserted at some point tomorrow or in the last road game as per Q. Lineup should be known by tomorrow.

Rumours are Kurashev is heading back to his junior team to join their camp. Could be the same thing for Boqvist as well.

Justin, yes I’m a Manning fan, but being objective I just don’t see Davidson over him in the lineup. He is more of a journeyman/7D fill in type than an everyday player. Points don’t mean everything, but Manning had almost as many last year alone as Davidson has in 151 career games.

Sure, if Manning starts to falter you can always make a change. Let’s give the #23/#44 combo a chance to gel a bit and see what happens.
- boxcar65

Hey, I'm open to being surprised and I don't "hate" Manning. I actually welcome a stay-at-home, tougher defender with character.

My point was more on the financial side. 2.25M for 2 years vs. 1-year @ 800k(ish).

I would have preferred if the Hawks just went out and signed de Haan to a 4 year deal.

Not sure. I know some vets will be inserted at some point tomorrow or in the last road game as per Q. Lineup should be known by tomorrow.

Rumours are Kurashev is heading back to his junior team to join their camp. Could be the same thing for Boqvist as well.
- Justin Lowe

Thank you. More opportunities for someone to get a shot at the big club. I hope to see what Lucas Carlsson brings to the table.

Agreed on Gustafsson to a degree. The offsense is clearly there and he came back to Chicago with a swagger to his game. He has incredible vision and you can see that when he plays so well with a high-end player like Patrick Kane (Kaner's called him out a couple times last year for having that skill set).

It's the defensive side I really worry about. I think he plays top 4 mins out of necessity this year but ideally I would like to see him in a 3rd pairing offensive D type role.

Hey, hopefully he surprises me and takes a big step forward in his 2-way game this year. At 1.2M for the next couple of years, he could turn into a bargain.
- Justin Lowe

Bingo. I vividly remember those back-to-back Boston games in March where Gus looked like a top pairing d-man. He cycled extremely well, ripped off lasers from the back, and made quick decisions both offensively and in his own zone. It was as if he was a completely different player who was playing confidently and allowed to play his game. Lo and behold, he went on a little bit of a streak and had 10 points in 12 games. The talent is clearly there. It’s about Q putting him into position to succeed, and this year more than ever is it vital for the “young vets” as you alluded to step their games up and perform because simply transitioning from Keith/Seabs to Boqvist/Joker/Beaudin is how this team will get hammered. Ease the next wave’s transition by continuing in developing your Goose’s/Rutta’s/Murphy’s who ideally would be integral parts of the team by then.

First off manning and Davidson are similar except manning will stand up for teammates and throw his body around. Which is why he has a contract and Davidson played for 3 different teams last year.
Second I was impressed with Davidson but he should stand out with the rest of the d that dressed. Offensively Henri looked good defense he needs a lot of work. Hayden also disappointed he never really got going he needs to be the grinder that he is.
Martinsen had one nice hit noel and highmore stood out the most. What agitated me was right away in the game riley nash of all people gives ward a snow shower and Hillman and the rest of the guys just stood there. This should never happen especially in preseason when your trying to make a team.

[quote=vandymeer23]

Once a dirty Bruin, always a dirty Bruin.

I would like to see a little more in terms of who plays with who, however, gun to my head, I say:

Keith-Jokiharju
Gustafsson-Seabs
Manning-Rutta
Davidson

EDIT: I didn't finish answering all your questions.

I would be shocked if they carry 8 D. I know there was a lot of frustration from the players about that last year.

If Murphy and Forsling were healthy, I could have seen a scenario where a trade could have happened. However, with those injuries and all of the uncertainty, I don't see it. Maybe around Christmas time depending on where the Hawks are at.
- Justin Lowe

I don't know about putting Keith with a young guy that he has to cover for. Keith is best suited being his rover self, and I don't think he does it as well when he is trying to cover for someone else.

Did not see the game . But if our top line or to be 3rd line was a combined minus 5 and our PP reverted back to the same old thing and PK was bad yikes !! . I think I will buy a lose for Hughes bumper sticker ..

I do not believe Jokiharju should be rushed let him go down to the A to play top minuets under a teaching coach .Not be berated up here and lose confidence . Rushing young D man has been a recipe for disasters since biblical times .

And let's get Forsberg in there ,he ready to make step up or it may time to cut bait . If Crow not ready Forsberg should get the chance to take the rains ,Ward can be there to pick up the pieces like he did with Darling last year if Forsberg bottoms out .

I don't know about putting Keith with a young guy that he has to cover for. Keith is best suited being his rover self, and I don't think he does it as well when he is trying to cover for someone else.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I'm totally with you! Keith needed a guy like Hammer or Seabs, if he is new and improved. They already put in their time as babysitters in 2 different seasons, wasn't good.

I think I will buy a lose for Hughes bumper sticker ... -oldduffman

Just trying it out, how about, "Don't do jack for Jack"
Yay or nay?

Outshot, outhit, out faced off, lots of fancy pants perimeter play.

Maybe its not the players, but the scheme.