BTW the Hawks got a first and second round pick in the Byfuglien trade as well, which they used to select C Kevin Hayes and D Justin Holl.

The move was strictly a salary cap move. They would have loved to keep him.
- hereismike1

I read we got picks, I didn't know who we got. Thanks for the info.

Hayes, "the one that got away."

I'm not thrilled by AA centering 8 and 88. He seems to put a brake on their speed.
- Beaver-Warrior

AA’s speed or lack thereof has always been an issue playing with Kane and speedy LW of the day.

The #NHLDucks will be without Corey Perry for five months.https://t.co/nuvQuCUmIY

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 26, 2018

The #NHLDucks will be without Corey Perry for five months.https://t.co/nuvQuCUmIY

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 26, 2018

- DarthKane

Why, was he doing coke with Lethera? Mcl coke, what's the difference?

He was already on the decline, and I think it got steeper.

When I was at the Traverse City at the tournament I keep saying none of these players are ready for the NHL.
Boqvist is a year away as is Jokiharju. The only forward that I thought had a chance was Fortin he has the speed for the pro game.
I know everyone wishes and hopes that Sikura or Ejdsell make it but they are not ready also. None of the other defensemen there were even close.
- Hockeygirl222

Boqvist just turned 18 so he is a very young 18. However, he has superlative skill. He has speed in defending and working up ice. He also has positioning. It may be that there will be times when he will be seem under-sized in front of the net but that is the trade-off for the skill-set. He will never be big even at 20. I would like him to make the team and play - nothing makes you advance more than challenging situations.

It’s not just rust that needs to be shaken off for 2 and 7.

This is who they are now. Slow, below average defenseman that will get routinely abused by opponents with speed. And the worst part is they’re supposed to be our top pairing/best 2 defenseman. Get used to it.
- SimpleJack

Keith and Seabrook need to evolve their games if they plan to play many more years. The elite versions of themselves are in the past but they can still be steady, effective veterans who can be difference makers if they simplify their games. Make the smart, simple, and fundamental play. Keith needs to stop being mister fancy pants, i.e. spin moves that result in turnovers and goals against like last night's game.

While I respect Keith's public statements about wanting to play into his 40's and hope he can do that, especially in a Hawks sweater until he retires, he needs to revolutionize his game to a more sustainable and reliable version or else he risks being the old veteran who thinks he can just do the same thing he did in his prime. He has the smarts and athleticism to consistently flip the ice. Just simplify and make wise choices. Don't need to be ultra conservative but make safe plays.

The same applies to Seabrook.

2019 slogan should change from ONE GOAL to

IF

It allows both hope and sad reality to potentially coexist

2019 slogan should change from ONE GOAL to

IF

It allows both hope and sad reality to potentially coexist
- Return of the Roar

I am in that state, but that slogan is too on the nose with rebuild. Front office doesn't like that word.

We need Lucy with her psychiatrist stand and 5 cent tin can, with a sign that reads back in 15 months. That also implies rebuild.

There will be no slogan this year.

Keith and Seabrook need to evolve their games if they plan to play many more years. The elite versions of themselves are in the past but they can still be steady, effective veterans who can be difference makers if they simplify their games. Make the smart, simple, and fundamental play. Keith needs to stop being mister fancy pants, i.e. spin moves that result in turnovers and goals against like last night's game.

While I respect Keith's public statements about wanting to play into his 40's and hope he can do that, especially in a Hawks sweater until he retires, he needs to revolutionize his game to a more sustainable and reliable version or else he risks being the old veteran who thinks he can just do the same thing he did in his prime. He has the smarts and athleticism to consistently flip the ice. Just simplify and make wise choices. Don't need to be ultra conservative but make safe plays.

The same applies to Seabrook.
- AEL_Fox

They should seriously consider the 1-3-1 system with what they have to work with.

And no talk of boring play. Boring wins outweigh "exciting" losses any day in my book.

Quenneville said he's going to explore splitting up Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook tomorrow.

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) September 26, 2018

The #NHLDucks will be without Corey Perry for five months.https://t.co/nuvQuCUmIY

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 26, 2018

- DarthKane

They should seriously consider the 1-3-1 system with what they have to work with.

And no talk of boring play. Boring wins outweigh "exciting" losses any day in my book.
- Return of the Roar

The championship Devils teams from 15-20 years ago come to mind. Boring as heck to watch but they won 3 Cups during that span and almost had a 4th but lost to the Avs in the Finals.

Boqvist just turned 18 so he is a very young 18. However, he has superlative skill. He has speed in defending and working up ice. He also has positioning. It may be that there will be times when he will be seem under-sized in front of the net but that is the trade-off for the skill-set. He will never be big even at 20. I would like him to make the team and play - nothing makes you advance more than challenging situations.
- Z3Hawk

I think it's one of those "it depends" things. Throwing one player into the deep end may speed up his development and have no ill effects whereas a different player could be set back by it. I think erring on the side of caution is usually the correct path to take unless there is no doubt the player is extremely confident and wants to embrace the challenge.

Quenneville said he's going to explore splitting up Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook tomorrow.

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) September 26, 2018

- DarthKane

Explore is a funny word for fix a screw-up

The championship Devils teams from 15-20 years ago come to mind. Boring as heck to watch but they won 3 Cups during that span and almost had a 4th but lost to the Avs in the Finals.
- AEL_Fox

So Cam Ward will be Marty Brodeur, Gustaffson will be Scott Stevens and Keith can be Scott Niedermeyer. Should be easy to duplicate.

For tomorrow and beyond...

* Forsberg in net (redemption time!)

* Seabs and Keith look like they may be breaking up... as a pair that is.

* Q is happy with Johnson and Kampf and looks like they've made the team.

* They are going with 22 on the roster which means 1 more D and 1 more Forward will be cut.

For tomorrow and beyond...

* Forsberg in net (redemption time!)

* Seabs and Keith look like they may be breaking up... as a pair that is.

* Q is happy with Johnson and Kampf and looks like they've made the team.

* They are going with 22 on the roster which means 1 more D and 1 more Forward will be cut.
- Justin Lowe

Who do you think in your opinion that gets cut?

So Cam Ward will be Marty Brodeur, Gustaffson will be Scott Stevens and Keith can be Scott Niedermeyer. Should be easy to duplicate.
- RickJ

If it were only that easy. The current Hawks are a far cry from those Devils teams.

Who do you think in your opinion that gets cut?
- BGKarras

My preferences:
Forward: Sikura makes it over Martinsen
Defense: Davidson over Boqvist ***
Goalie: Delia gets sent down to start in Rockford

*** If Q is open to a brief trial of an 8 on the blueline, then keep both Davidson and Boqvist so that the rookie can get at least a 9-game regular season trial, then decide from there whether to send him to London. Either way, retain Davidson for veteran insurance given the injuries to Murphy and Forsling.

In all other circumstances, I'm against 8 on D but think a brief go at it is okay as long as the goal is to get down to 7 players by the 10th game.

My preferences:
Forward: Sikura makes it over Martinsen
Defense: Davidson over Boqvist ***
Goalie: Delia gets sent down to start in Rockford

*** If Q is open to a brief trial of an 8 on the blueline, then keep both Davidson and Boqvist so that the rookie can get at least a 9-game regular season trial, then decide from there whether to send him to London. Either way, retain Davidson for veteran insurance given the injuries to Murphy and Forsling.

In all other circumstances, I'm against 8 on D but think a brief go at it is okay as long as the goal is to get down to 7 players by the 10th game.
- AEL_Fox

Hayden is still trying to make it, right? Or did he already make the team?

So these are the locks: toews, debrincat, kahun-a, kane, schmaltz, anisimov, saad, kunitz, kampf, johnson, and kruger. Sikura, hayden, and Martinsen are left.
D: keith, seabs, rutta, manning, gus. Is that even right? Plus injuries throw a wrench. Is Joki a lock?

Hayden is still trying to make it, right? Or did he already make the team?

So these are the locks: toews, debrincat, kahun-a, kane, schmaltz, anisimov, saad, kunitz, kampf, johnson, and kruger. Sikura, hayden, and Martinsen are left.
D: keith, seabs, rutta, manning, gus. Is that even right? Plus injuries throw a wrench. Is Joki a lock?
- I Am The Breadman

You're right, Hayden isn't a lock yet (neither are Kampf or Johnson until we see the final lineup). My guess is something like (based on current lineup trends this pre-season):

Kahun - Toews - DeBrincat
Schmaltz - Anisimov - Kane
Saad - Kampf - Sikura
Johnson - Kruger - Hayden
Kunitz

Keith - Jokiharju
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Manning - Rutta
Davidson (maybe Boqvist)

Ward
Forsberg
(Crawford until he's ready)

You're right, Hayden isn't a lock yet (neither are Kampf or Johnson until we see the final lineup). My guess is something like (based on current lineup trends this pre-season):

Kahun - Toews - DeBrincat
Schmaltz - Anisimov - Kane
Saad - Kampf - Sikura
Johnson - Kruger - Hayden
Kunitz

Keith - Jokiharju
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Manning - Rutta
Davidson (maybe Boqvist)

Ward
Forsberg
(Crawford until he's ready)
- AEL_Fox

Thanks.

When Murphy and Forsling heal, where do you slot them? Maybe time might only answer that.

I see Kunitz in the line-up. Not where I want him, but you know Q.

Boquist assigned to the OHL Knights

so much for playing the remaining preseason games

Boquist assigned to the OHL Knights

so much for playing the remaining preseason games
- gazza53

It is best for his development. Look towards the future hawks

Thanks.

When Murphy and Forsling heal, where do you slot them? Maybe time might only answer that.

I see Kunitz in the line-up. Not where I want him, but you know Q.
- I Am The Breadman

Now knowing that Boqvist is sent to London for the year, Davidson is pretty much a lock.

Keith - Jokiharju
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Manning - Rutta
Davidson

Once Murphy and Forsling return from the DL:

Forsling will start in Rockford and eventually earn a call up. I see he and Dahlstrom as the top choices for call-ups, then Hillman but he could benefit for as long as needed in the AHL. Eventually I see Forsling either replacing Gustafsson with the other getting traded as early as this season for draft picks or a forward prospect.

Murphy will be on the DL longer in comparison but I see that making one of Davidson or Rutta expendable (i.e. let go/traded). Possible scenario is that Murphy himself gets traded but I imagine he'd have to play some regular season games with the Hawks first so that other teams know they're not getting damaged goods.

Keith - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Manning - Jokiharju
Davidson/Rutta