For the Breadman!!!!
- glennjpawlak22

Yeah guys, bring me back!

Anisimov is one of the least effective players on the team, from the Athletic:

'In the middle is Artem Anisimov, a player whose 0.97 points-per-60 ranked ahead of only Lance Bouma and Tommy Wingels among forwards last season and whose play-driving ability was second-worst on the team — and equally bad at both ends of the rink. He’s not very effective on the power-play, either.

He could be one of the Blackhawks’ most inefficient forwards, and that’s probably not news, either — it’s just something that became increasingly clear last season without the luxury of being constantly tethered to Patrick Kane. Since Anisimov arrived in Chicago in 2015, he has 57 points in 2,058 minutes spent with Kane, which translates to a respectable 1.66 points-per-60, a second-line rate. In 765 minutes without Kane, he has just 12 points, good for a points-per-60 of 0.94, worse than many fourth-liners. Anisimov’s on-ice shot rates always go down without Kane, too.
... Whoever it is on his wings, it’s likely a marginal player. Anisimov does not have the talent to drive his own line, and it means Chicago is in big trouble after its top six.'

For $4.5 Million a year... no thanks. There's two more years AFTER this year of his pedestrian, ultra-slow play. He's good for one or two slick plays a game when the puck is spoon fed to him in the offensive zone. Other than that he is a big looming stiff with very little hustle and crappy advanced stats. He fails the eye test and the data test. I'm pretty fed up with this guy if you haven't caught on.
- ObeseOprah

Do we really have two more years of AA on the books? thru next season?

Do we really have two more years of AA on the books? thru next season?
- glennjpawlak22

Yes, after this season (2018-19) we will have two more years of AA. He will only get slower, and if the team isn't in top flight... less engaged.

He either barely cuts the mustard with Kane, or does nothing.

somehow this team won 95 games losing their big 125 million pitcher and closer and an erratic offense and playing like 39 of the last 40 days.

today per usual in these games: the winning team got the big hit and big pitch and the losers did not...

do they got one more win in them???

somehow this team won 95 games losing their big 125 million pitcher and closer and an erratic offense and playing like 39 of the last 40 days.

today per usual in these games: the winning team got the big hit and big pitch and the losers did not...

do they got one more win in them???
- bogiedoc

Do they have one more RUN in them?

Can't recall a quality team - that, yes, won 95 games - be so inconsistent in scoring runs. It's either 10 or 1.

Anisimov is one of the least effective players on the team, from the Athletic:

'In the middle is Artem Anisimov, a player whose 0.97 points-per-60 ranked ahead of only Lance Bouma and Tommy Wingels among forwards last season and whose play-driving ability was second-worst on the team — and equally bad at both ends of the rink. He’s not very effective on the power-play, either.

He could be one of the Blackhawks’ most inefficient forwards, and that’s probably not news, either — it’s just something that became increasingly clear last season without the luxury of being constantly tethered to Patrick Kane. Since Anisimov arrived in Chicago in 2015, he has 57 points in 2,058 minutes spent with Kane, which translates to a respectable 1.66 points-per-60, a second-line rate. In 765 minutes without Kane, he has just 12 points, good for a points-per-60 of 0.94, worse than many fourth-liners. Anisimov’s on-ice shot rates always go down without Kane, too.
... Whoever it is on his wings, it’s likely a marginal player. Anisimov does not have the talent to drive his own line, and it means Chicago is in big trouble after its top six.'

For $4.5 Million a year... no thanks. There's two more years AFTER this year of his pedestrian, ultra-slow play. He's good for one or two slick plays a game when the puck is spoon fed to him in the offensive zone. Other than that he is a big looming stiff with very little hustle and crappy advanced stats. He fails the eye test and the data test. I'm pretty fed up with this guy if you haven't caught on.
- ObeseOprah

This aligns big time with what I've been saying about AA. He has not had success without Kane or Panarin (or both) on his wings. I think this might be why he could end up at 2C again. Now, to give him some credit, he has been skating better in this pre-season, but he hasn't done well when he is the one needing to carry the puck.

Went to the Hawks' site a day or so ago, after they sent Sikura on ... the forward group ... a lot of meh. Not sure how you build 3 lines out of that, much less 4.

Without Crawford, I think -well, I try not to. I mean it doesn't even look like it will be entertaining much less effective. I am a little interested in seeing how Kahun does, but I don't know that they have the horses elsewhere in order to allow a forward new to the league the space to be able to do all that much. Depth creates that space... it is also what makes a guy like Anisimov far less effective. Ditto the rest of the penciled in bottom 6.

somehow this team won 95 games losing their big 125 million pitcher and closer and an erratic offense and playing like 39 of the last 40 days.

today per usual in these games: the winning team got the big hit and big pitch and the losers did not...

do they got one more win in them???
- bogiedoc

I think the Rockies will end their season tomorrow.

As usual, nice blog Justin.

Now that we've all agreed that Anisimov isn't a great fit for any team, not just the Blackhawks, what should they do about him? People say he should be traded. Who is going to take him without a real player, prospect, and or draft pick attached? (Hossa) I'm guessing the Hawks have tried to move him, but I'm guessing the asking price is way too high. With his awesome speed, agility and his $4.55 million salary over the next three years who wouldn't want him? About 15 years ago he would have been the prototypical center, except for his lack of speed. He kind of reminds me of Eric Daze, with out the speed or the skill. Will the Blackhawks buy him out or send him to the Rock? Sounds like we might be stuck with him.

It was so funny listening to Foley and Olczyk last week talking about how Ottawa was going to be a bad team this year. I think the Hawks will have a lottery pick and some of their core will be traded this year. I'm thinking Toews, Kane, Keith, and/or Seabrook will be playing in a different sweater in the playoffs. Back to the way it was before Rocky took over.

I think the Rockies will end their season tomorrow.
- SimpleJack

rockies will soon be on their way here, dodgers 5-0 in the 8th

Ha...too funny.

Its not a matter of insubordination...its a matter of common sense.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Q is the best coach in the world when he had the most talent in the league. There is no arguing that. You can never prove a negative, but there are likely a handful of other coaches who could have won cups with Hawks.

I imagine this is what it was like when it was time for the Bears to part ways with Coach Ditka.

Coaches do not take draws, make passes, score goals, or make saves....
- TrueGrit

Fine, change the Coach. But don't expect too much better results from this roster, which is made up of at least 2 centers that can't win a draw anywhere on the ice, a defence group that collectively can't play defence and 2 guys playing net that probably wouldn't be good in a ball hockey league.

So far all you want to reference the example of Mike Sullivan in Pittsburgh, guys like Claude Julien, Phil Housley, Rick Tocchet and Jeff Blashill have done nothing in achieving better results with their new teams. In the NHL, talent thru the 23 man rosters almost always wins the day. And then you can say a robot could have won with a roster like that.

Mike Babcock was the worst coach in the NHL just 2 years ago. Now he has Mathews, Marner, Tavares and a goaltender and the press will be calling him a genius quite soon.

Is something wrong in Willie-land? (play on Wonder Years quote.) When will Nylander get signed and how much? Time is running out.

I think the Rockies will end their season tomorrow.
- SimpleJack

I agree. They're out of gas and it's been a wildly inconsistent year for all of them. The offensive struggles will have to be addressed over the winter. Way too many strikeouts and swings at pitches out of the zone all year.

Hope I'm wrong, but this Cubs team is reminiscent of the '85 Bears. Great team, but one and done I think . Again, I really hope they prove me wrong.

Fine, change the Coach. But don't expect too much better results from this roster, which is made up of at least 2 centers that can't win a draw anywhere on the ice, a defence group that collectively can't play defence and 2 guys playing net that probably wouldn't be good in a ball hockey league.

So far all you want to reference the example of Mike Sullivan in Pittsburgh, guys like Claude Julien, Phil Housley, Rick Tocchet and Jeff Blashill have done nothing in achieving better results with their new teams. In the NHL, talent thru the 23 man rosters almost always wins the day. And then you can say a robot could have won with a roster like that.

Mike Babcock was the worst coach in the NHL just 2 years ago. Now he has Mathews, Marner, Tavares and a goaltender and the press will be calling him a genius quite soon.
- RickJ

New coach has reeinvigirated Kings last year. Yes its a hit or miss as you said but it was obvious for a while this team need new changes behind the bench and GM for a while already. It may not be better but if one does not try one does not eventually hit Sullivan type.
I think this team benefits from Tort life coach who yells and demands instead of succumbing to country club comforting environment which current core adjusted to love.

Over the weekend I started to try and piece together a Hogs roster (not a lineup but just a roster of who is on the team) but it was too much work. I'll try again later if I have time but hopefully the web person can do it before I do, haha.
- AEL_Fox

With Welychka and the local kid McArdle (both under AHL contract) being sent to Indy, their twitter said they were down to 25 players (14 forwards, 8 defensemen, and 3 goalies). I know the latter two groups are correct but I don't know which is the extra forward that needs to be removed.

Broadhurst LW
Fortin LW
Iacopelli RW
Edjsell LW
Highmore C
Knott LW
Louis C / LW
Maletta C
Nilsson C / LW
Noel C
Pelletier LW
Samuelsson C / LW
Schroeder C / RW
Sikura, D. LW / RW
Sikura, T. C / LW


Campbell LD
Carlsson LD
Dahlstrom RD/LD
Gilbert LD
Hillman LD
Raddysh RD
Snuggerud LD
Tuuloa LD

Delia G
Lankinen G
Tompkins G

Fine, change the Coach. But don't expect too much better results from this roster, which is made up of at least 2 centers that can't win a draw anywhere on the ice, a defence group that collectively can't play defence and 2 guys playing net that probably wouldn't be good in a ball hockey league.

So far all you want to reference the example of Mike Sullivan in Pittsburgh, guys like Claude Julien, Phil Housley, Rick Tocchet and Jeff Blashill have done nothing in achieving better results with their new teams. In the NHL, talent thru the 23 man rosters almost always wins the day. And then you can say a robot could have won with a roster like that.

Mike Babcock was the worst coach in the NHL just 2 years ago. Now he has Mathews, Marner, Tavares and a goaltender and the press will be calling him a genius quite soon.
- RickJ

Respectfully, you are making my case. Of course talent means a lot. The idea that Babcock was the worst coach? Kind of crazy talk. In case you have not noticed Hockey Canada does not let Q close to any national coaching opportunities.

I have said this many times in the past, which gets lost in all my hyperbole, but at the end of the day, if you are not able to get all the players to buy in, it is much more efficient to change the coach then 20 plus players.

Coaches, and all managers in any walk of life, are drawn to the challenge of taking whatever resources they are given and maximizing the organization objectives/goals.

It appears that many coaches have dealt with far more adversity in losing key players for extended periods of time, and still finding a way to keep their teams competitive (making playoffs). Hawk fans go thru extended mental gymnastics every year to "just know" that Toews has some injuries that will require multiple off season surgeries... and that Q's hands are tied.

My comment is centered, not on the fact that the hawks have fallen back in the pack, it is just in how they have done it. Clearly, regardless of talent, there is a disconnect in how this team competes night in and night out. That, to me, is a reflection of the coach.

While I knock Q, I will not take away what has been accomplished. Pro sports is what have you done for me lately. Contorting our minds and wishing for yesteryear, wastes the current opportunity in front of us. Before you trade your core, switch the coach and the message. Reinvigorate the group before its too late.

With Welychka and the local kid McArdle (both under AHL contract) being sent to Indy, their twitter said they were down to 25 players (14 forwards, 8 defensemen, and 3 goalies). I know the latter two groups are correct but I don't know which is the extra forward that needs to be removed.

Broadhurst LW
Fortin LW
Iacopelli RW
Edjsell LW
Highmore C
Knott LW
Louis C / LW
Maletta C
Nilsson C / LW
Noel C
Pelletier LW
Samuelsson C / LW
Schroeder C / RW
Sikura, D. LW / RW
Sikura, T. C / LW


Campbell LD
Carlsson LD
Dahlstrom RD/LD
Gilbert LD
Hillman LD
Raddysh RD
Snuggerud LD
Tuuloa LD

Delia G
Lankinen G
Tompkins G
- L_B_R

Seriously lacking RD

Seriously lacking RD
- tvetter

Yeah, which is part of why they took back to back RDs with their top picks recently imo.

And tbf Dahlstrom def plays both sides and Carlsson did at the rookie tournament. Could be a leg up for those guys long-term if they can play both.

New coach has reeinvigirated Kings last year. Yes its a hit or miss as you said but it was obvious for a while this team need new changes behind the bench and GM for a while already. It may not be better but if one does not try one does not eventually hit Sullivan type.
I think this team benefits from Tort life coach who yells and demands instead of succumbing to country club comforting environment which current core adjusted to love.
- vshun

Not really Quick being healthy invigorated the team, they still had trouble scoring

Am i hearing this right CC has been cleared to play?

Check out @NHLBlackhawks’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/NHLBl.../1046881693452226560?s=01

If CC is healthy, if they limit the breakaways, if the kids take another step they'll compete for a final play off spot

Yeah, which is part of why they took back to back RDs with their top picks recently imo.

And tbf Dahlstrom def plays both sides and Carlsson did at the rookie tournament. Could be a leg up for those guys long-term if they can play both.
- L_B_R

Thank you for the Hogs roster update.

As far as blueliners who can play both sides, I think Hillman is capable as well.

Am i hearing this right CC has been cleared to play?
- BetweenTheDots

What!!!!!
🤗