Boquist assigned to the OHL Knights

so much for playing the remaining preseason games
- gazza53

This is a good thing. Boqvist was always going to London, it's good that they've sent him back after he's played relatively well. This should keep his confidence up.

You wouldn't keep Boq over Manning even if he is better than Manning right now, because you take into account where they are in their respective careers. Manning is what he is, Boq is on a development path to becoming something significant, unless you screw that up by playing him at a level he is not ready for yet and stunt his growth.

Many careers in hockey never became what they could have been by being rushed to the NHL. Boq is a slight guy too who has had concussion issues.
- hereismike1

Manning is atrocious and should not be in the line up.

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

Imo Sikura isn't a lock

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
- AEL_Fox

I think Forsling will go to Rockford for conditioning but he'll be back-up quickly. I would guess that Forsling will return earlier than anticipated, I think he'll be playing in Rockford by the third week of October and back in Chicago by mid-November.

Keith - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Forsling - Jokiharju
the rest

Imo Sikura isn't a lock
- SoftServe

But he's Q's best buddy, he's known him forever.

I think Forsling will go to Rockford for conditioning but he'll be back-up quickly. I would guess that Forsling will return earlier than anticipated, I think he'll be playing in Rockford by the third week of October and back in Chicago by mid-November.

Keith - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Forsling - Jokiharju
the rest
- DarthKane

Murphy is a long time away ... or is this your pairings when he returns?

But he's Q's best buddy, he's known him forever.
- I Am The Breadman

I think Forsling will go to Rockford for conditioning but he'll be back-up quickly. I would guess that Forsling will return earlier than anticipated, I think he'll be playing in Rockford by the third week of October and back in Chicago by mid-November.

Keith - Murphy
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Forsling - Jokiharju
the rest
- DarthKane

I could roll with that. Can that be any worse than Manning and Rutta patrolling the blueline?

Wasn't the main defense of the Murphy Hammer trade that Hammer is getting old and was hurt most of last season?

Well it looks like that scenario is going to be reversed this year.

For everyone who thought that trade was alright, but the Saad-Panarin deal was the only one that sucked, prepare to have your ass handed to you this season.

It is best for his development. Look towards the future hawks
- I Am The Breadman

Agree, but a cup of coffee at this stage wouldn't be outrageous

Agree, but a cup of coffee at this stage wouldn't be outrageous
- gazza53

I'm not against Boq or Joki, I am so excited to see them in the indianhead. But in the future. Why rush them now? Maybe a couple games, I'm not against that. I don't want their first year of contracts burned if they aren't ready. Even when they come to the big league they won't be totally ready, but at least seasoned on what to expect. Better than an 18/19 year old thrown in the deep end.

Murphy is a long time away ... or is this your pairings when he returns?
- I Am The Breadman

Yes

Watch the home opener against the Leafs. Should be a good test.
- Return of the Roar

You mean like last year?

I'm not against Boq or Joki, I am so excited to see them in the indianhead. But in the future. Why rush them now? Maybe a couple games, I'm not against that. I don't want their first year of contracts burned if they aren't ready. Even when they come to the big league they won't be totally ready, but at least seasoned on what to expect. Better than an 18/19 year old thrown in the deep end.
- I Am The Breadman

IIRC, if you are sent back to Jr/Europe at or under the 9 game mark, it does not count as a year on your Entry level Contract.

Yes
- DarthKane

I really want to like it. Forsling was good with Rutta ... until they weren't. Forsling needs to take that next step. After surgery, it might not be doable. I hope he does. Joki needs to take his first step. I hope he can.

IIRC, if you are sent back to Jr/Europe at or under the 9 game mark, it does not count as a year on your Entry level Contract.
- EnzoD

I know there is a trial period before the contract starts. I was saying I'm fine with a handful of games, just nothing beyond eating his first year of his contract up. Thanks though.

Sending Boqvist to London isn't only the best move for his development - it's also the best move for the Hawks d-corps. We all saw that dumpster fire last night - the 6 d-men that will play when the real games start should get these last two preseason games to improve upon their play. It would have been fun to see Boqvist play the last two preseason games but he would have been taking minutes better used by one of the other guys.

Wasn't the main defense of the Murphy Hammer trade that Hammer is getting old and was hurt most of last season?

Well it looks like that scenario is going to be reversed this year.

For everyone who thought that trade was alright, but the Saad-Panarin deal was the only one that sucked, prepare to have your ass handed to you this season.
- hereismike1

Thanks, tips

Sending Boqvist to London isn't only the best move for his development - it's also the best move for the Hawks d-corps. We all saw that dumpster fire last night - the 6 d-men that will play when the real games start should get these last two preseason games to improve upon their play. It would have been fun to see Boqvist play the last two preseason games but he would have been taking minutes better used by one of the other guys.
- EbonyRaptor

Agreed. Mentioned it today that the defence needs to gel... and quickly.

With suspect goaltending and a bad track record last year at playing actual defence... they need to be solid from game 1.

It sounds obvious but I think this team will be able to score and if the D has nice chemistry from the get-go will be vital to a strong start and maybe cover up said suspect goaltending.

I have read a few articles about last nights game. Alot of focus on the bad. Rightfully so I guess. The goalie was not even remotely ready to play. The deference was rusty and out of sync.

What I would like to talk about is the power play, Net front presence, Speed, and Toews.

The power play was great. This new setup appears to be working for the team.
Net Front presence. Toews was all around the net and in front of it.
The team was generating speed thru the zones.

Anyways. I think there was some positive signs from last night. What did you like about last night?

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

To evaluate that... let's look at who is on a 2-way first of the bubble players at forward:

* Sikura
* Kampf
* Johnson
* Kahun (has Euro clause)

When looking at that, my guess is Sikura. He might be sent to play with his brother in Rockford to get his feet wet as a pro.

I thought he was a lock but he hasn't impressed and guys like Kampf, Kahun and Johnson have leaped him.

The other option is of they send Martinsen down but Q seems to like him. I doubt he would be claimed but he would have to clear waivers.

I have read a few articles about last nights game. Alot of focus on the bad. Rightfully so I guess. The goalie was not even remotely ready to play. The deference was rusty and out of sync.

What I would like to talk about is the power play, Net front presence, Speed, and Toews.

The power play was great. This new setup appears to be working for the team.
Net Front presence. Toews was all around the net and in front of it.
The team was generating speed thru the zones.

Anyways. I think there was some positive signs from last night. What did you like about last night?
- Hawks_For_Life

I would like to see that PP keep moving the puck like that.

My guess is Gustafsson takes that spot of Boqvist on the top PP.

Let Keith and Seabs stay on PP2.

I would like to see that PP keep moving the puck like that.

My guess is Gustafsson takes that spot of Boqvist on the top PP.

Let Keith and Seabs stay on PP2.
- Justin Lowe

Or Jokiharju?

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.
- EbonyRaptor

I see that Boqvist has been optioned to London. As I said he just turned 18 in August so he is a very young 18 so that move is easily made and highly defensible. Part of my wishing him to stick in Chicago has to do with the fact that he is special, has elite skill, when so many of the Hawks’ D look simply so average or even below average. Just tired of watching them I suppose as it is depressing.

Or Jokiharju?
- SoftServe

Yeah, I prefer Gustafsson and Jokiharju as the PP QBs over Keith and Seabrook but see seniority taking precedent.