Sikura, as I predicted all summer, is 165lbs soaking wet and no Johnny Hockey or Patrick Kane. Was not suprised he did not make the team, even as many of you had him locked into a Top 6 forward spot.


So Joel puts his 30yr old center with more mileage than most 36yr old centers with two players both under 170lbs so he has NOBODY to help him win board battles, establish net front presence, and do the "dirty work"
- EnzoD

Not to nitpick but Kahun is 174 lbs.

I'd rather have Kahun and Debrincat on Toews' wing than Kunitz, Martinsen, or some other poor producer who can't put up any points.

I'm going to wait a few games before damning the Toews line. There's a much bigger issue with this team with the third line. All three players produce points at a 4th line rate at 5v5, the only one with some puck carrying ability is Kampf. I'm hopeful that Kampf's great camp (I thought he was good, Joel thought he was great) can translate into a very good year.

Boqvist is probably going to be a player
- fattybeef

And that is based upon.......

Hopefully this isn't foreshadowing for the entire season... Anton Forsberg hurt in practice.

Colin Delia being recalled and rushed to Ottawa.
- Justin Lowe

Is this how we get around the waivers issue with Forsberg??

Not to nitpick but Kahun is 174 lbs.

I'd rather have Kahun and Debrincat on Toews' wing than Kunitz, Martinsen, or some other poor producer who can't put up any points.

I'm going to wait a few games before damning the Toews line. There's a much bigger issue with this team with the third line. All three players produce points at a 4th line rate at 5v5, the only one with some puck carrying ability is Kampf. I'm hopeful that Kampf's great camp (I thought he was good, Joel thought he was great) can translate into a very good year.
- ObeseOprah

Kampf and Kruger are decent centers for the bottom two lines. The problem with the bottom six is the supporting cast can't put the puck in the net very often.

The top six (well, top five, and that's even generous) has one scoring monster (Kane), two centers that don't engage on the boards, one that can't win faceoffs, and none of the wingers can hold pucks in unless they revert to perimeter passing that results in low percentage shot chances. So they are primarily a one rush and done group. My concern here is that the coaching staff overestimates the speed these six bring, and lacking the physical ability to keep the puck in the O zone, they are committing to a speed game when they don't have the horses to run one.

Going to look much like last year with maaaaaaybe a bit better D, but much worse goaltending.

And that is based upon.......
- Return of the Roar

Have you watched any of Boqvist's play? It's fairly evident that he can be a major play driver in the future. He plays smart, has one of the best wrist shots I've ever seen on a prospect, and could be a very dynamic offensive defenseman.

That said, everything is 'hopeful' with a prospect. He could fizzle out or just never cut it here, but I think he'll be a solid and exciting player for the Hawks soon.

Have you watched any of Boqvist's play? It's fairly evident that he can be a major play driver in the future. He plays smart, has one of the best wrist shots I've ever seen on a prospect, and could be a very dynamic offensive defenseman.

That said, everything is 'hopeful' with a prospect. He could fizzle out or just never cut it here, but I think he'll be a solid and exciting player for the Hawks soon.
- ObeseOprah

Yes, I have seen him play, and yes, there are some things to be hopeful about in his game. He is 18, hopefully not fully grown into his body yet, but likely still a lot to learn about the game at the lower levels before he should get a sniff of the NHL again. If it were me - 2020/21 season is the goal for his NHL debut.

Kampf and Kruger are decent centers for the bottom two lines. The problem with the bottom six is the supporting cast can't put the puck in the net very often.

The top six (well, top five, and that's even generous) has one scoring monster (Kane), two centers that don't engage on the boards, one that can't win faceoffs, and none of the wingers can hold pucks in unless they revert to perimeter passing that results in low percentage shot chances. So they are primarily a one rush and done group. My concern here is that the coaching staff overestimates the speed these six bring, and lacking the physical ability to keep the puck in the O zone, they are committing to a speed game when they don't have the horses to run one.

Going to look much like last year with maaaaaaybe a bit better D, but much worse goaltending.
- Return of the Roar

What are these statements based on? Eye test? Toews has been engaged on the boards his whole career. Debrincat and Schmaltz both have a relatively high percentage of shots from close to the net (I'm pretty sure it was LBR who posted their charts a while back). We have no idea what Kahun brings, but the fact that he has moved his way up to the top 6 is saying something about his overall game. Admittedly he had a bad year last year, but Saad drives middle of the ice as well.

Its no big deal, they have 3 games in 4 nights. A 39 year old won't dress for all of those games so he gets the opening game with a 'weak' opponent. Hayden probably gets the weekend games against tougher teams.
- RickJ

Why does Hayden need to sit for? Sit Martinsen then he's a 28 year old known commodity.

There is absolutely no point in having Martinsen and Kunitz in the lineup. Zero. It wouldn't be a big deal if we knew Q wasn't going to do this all season. Can't wait for Kunitz to get some top line minutes too.

What are these statements based on? Eye test? Toews has been engaged on the boards his whole career. Debrincat and Schmaltz both have a relatively high percentage of shots from close to the net (I'm pretty sure it was LBR who posted their charts a while back). We have no idea what Kahun brings, but the fact that he has moved his way up to the top 6 is saying something about his overall game. Admittedly he had a bad year last year, but Saad drives middle of the ice as well.
- Chunk

Do yourself a favor and watch a few games isolating your attention only on what Toews is doing in the O zone. Yes - eye test. Not even close to the player he was three seasons ago.

Schmaltz and ADB get many of their close proximity shots as a result of rushes after entry.

Kahun is in the top six more because he may be the best of who is left rather than if he really belongs there. More to come on him I suppose, but I'm not expecting Rick Nash in his prime type presence for sure. Sadly, that is what that line needs.

Saad - dude has a lot to prove this year. All the tools, but its in the results.

Why does Hayden need to sit for? Sit Martinsen then he's a 28 year old known commodity.

There is absolutely no point in having Martinsen and Kunitz in the lineup. Zero. It wouldn't be a big deal if we knew Q wasn't going to do this all season. Can't wait for Kunitz to get some top line minutes too.
- bhawks2241

Who is better defensively? Who is more responsible in their assignments? What has Hayden shown thus far that puts him head and shoulders above either of them? Because he is younger?

You don't think Q is going to do everything he possibly can to win with what he is given? I'm not saying Hayden is bad. I'm not even saying that he isn't better in the attributes I listed above. I'm saying I wouldn't get too caught up in which bottom six guy suits up on a given night.

Who is better defensively? Who is more responsible in their assignments? What has Hayden shown thus far that puts him head and shoulders above either of them? Because he is younger?

You don't think Q is going to do everything he possibly can to win with what he is given? I'm not saying Hayden is bad. I'm not even saying that he isn't better in the attributes I listed above. I'm saying I wouldn't get too caught up in which bottom six guy suits up on a given night.
- Chunk

I agree with bhawks that Martinsen has no place in the lineup other than to bash skulls. He's this year's Mayers/Bollig/Carcillo/Bouma/Scott, there to stop our players from getting run at but will not contribute anything of value.

Do yourself a favor and watch a few games isolating your attention only on what Toews is doing in the O zone. Yes - eye test. Not even close to the player he was three seasons ago.

Schmaltz and ADB get many of their close proximity shots as a result of rushes after entry.

Kahun is in the top six more because he may be the best of who is left rather than if he really belongs there. More to come on him I suppose, but I'm not expecting Rick Nash in his prime type presence for sure. Sadly, that is what that line needs.

Saad - dude has a lot to prove this year. All the tools, but its in the results.
- Return of the Roar

I can't argue with most of what you said here (aside from ADB and Schmaltz, we will have to agree to disagree on what we see there).

That said, you said previously that Toews doesn't engage on the boards. He does. He has been less effective at it recently, but he certainly does engage.

You said Saad is a perimeter player. He's not, he was just ineffective scoring last year. I admit he struggled last year, but I'm disagreeing with your classification of their attributes, not their effectiveness.

Your last sentence is spot on and ultimately all that matters.

Is this how we get around the waivers issue with Forsberg??
- 67hawks

Hit him in the head with a puck?

I agree with bhawks that Martinsen has no place in the lineup other than to bash skulls. He's this year's Mayers/Bollig/Carcillo/Bouma/Scott, there to stop our players from getting run at but will not contribute anything of value.
- ObeseOprah

Why do you say that? If he puts up the same 13-17 pts that Hayden did last year, what is the difference? What if Martinsen IS better with defense/position/responsibility/consistency?

Again, I like the way Hayden plays. All energy, will stand up to guys, seems to attack the net, etc... But what has he shown that is demonstrably better than Martinsen? Battle of fourth liners.

In just my humble opinion, I don't think he has anywhere near the skill of Panarin. That is an unfair comparison in my books.
- breadbag

Kahun-a is lucky to make top 6, he needs to prove that's where he belongs.

Hopefully this isn't foreshadowing for the entire season... Anton Forsberg hurt in practice.

Colin Delia being recalled and rushed to Ottawa.
- Justin Lowe

Starting off great. I like Delia, if he gets called into battle, I hope he can hold his own. Hope Berg makes it back soon. Any word on injury or severity?

Have you watched any of Boqvist's play? It's fairly evident that he can be a major play driver in the future. He plays smart, has one of the best wrist shots I've ever seen on a prospect, and could be a very dynamic offensive defenseman.

That said, everything is 'hopeful' with a prospect. He could fizzle out or just never cut it here, but I think he'll be a solid and exciting player for the Hawks soon.
- ObeseOprah

He ran the pp like nobody's business during preseason.

Yes, I have seen him play, and yes, there are some things to be hopeful about in his game. He is 18, hopefully not fully grown into his body yet, but likely still a lot to learn about the game at the lower levels before he should get a sniff of the NHL again. If it were me - 2020/21 season is the goal for his NHL debut.
- Return of the Roar

So there is something to like? I'll ask you your own question. What are you basing your organizational analysis on when you say there is no transformational talent in the pipeline. I would agree with you on the forwards but how are you basing your evaluation where the dmen are concerned?

Yes, I have seen him play, and yes, there are some things to be hopeful about in his game. He is 18, hopefully not fully grown into his body yet, but likely still a lot to learn about the game at the lower levels before he should get a sniff of the NHL again. If it were me - 2020/21 season is the goal for his NHL debut.
- Return of the Roar

Boqvist will be playing next year in the NHL. He has just turned 18 and all he needs to do is work on his strength which will come. He was better than the Joker but they did the right thing in letting him play one more year in juniors.

Who is better defensively? Who is more responsible in their assignments? What has Hayden shown thus far that puts him head and shoulders above either of them? Because he is younger?

You don't think Q is going to do everything he possibly can to win with what he is given? I'm not saying Hayden is bad. I'm not even saying that he isn't better in the attributes I listed above. I'm saying I wouldn't get too caught up in which bottom six guy suits up on a given night.
- Chunk

Unless you think Hayden (the subject of the quote) has the potential to be better than the "just a guy" bottom-sixer we're used to seeing.

Then you need to play him consistently even if he hasn't yet shown to be better than Kunitz, Martinsen, or any other topped-out bottom-line vet the they may throw out there.

Yes, I have seen him play, and yes, there are some things to be hopeful about in his game. He is 18, hopefully not fully grown into his body yet, but likely still a lot to learn about the game at the lower levels before he should get a sniff of the NHL again. If it were me - 2020/21 season is the goal for his NHL debut.
- Return of the Roar

On that basis no draft pick should ever be thought of as "transformational". Scouts are a thing for a reason and when you look back at how he played in the preseason there's a reason he almost made his NHL debut this year. Kid has great skating and a phenomenal shot, granted his strength is suspect, give him 1-2 more years and I bet you he cracks the lineup. Also do yourself a favor and look at his ohl highlights so far, he's on another level.

So there is something to like? I'll ask you your own question. What are you basing your organizational analysis on when you say there is no transformational talent in the pipeline. I would agree with you on the forwards but how are you basing your evaluation where the dmen are concerned?
- HawkintheD

Many of these prospects are too far away to even have them on the NHL radar. See: McNeill, Beach, and the litany of highly touted prospects across the league that never make it for what ever reason.

There was enough in the early game of those prospects that eventually went bust to be excited about until they began the journey up the totem pole.

I just think a guy who is off to play with the London Knights this year has some pole yet to climb, but yes, there are some things about his game today to be optimistic about.

McDavid, Matthews...those are transformational talents. But so was Lidstrom drafted 53rd overall.

I'm not seeing anyone yet in the org that is of that caliber.

Jmho, it will take a minimum of 3 years, realistically the core isn't what it used to be, it looks like they trained the asses off which I'm grateful for but it's more about the next generation going forward.

And that is based upon.......
- Return of the Roar

On that basis no draft pick should ever be thought of as "transformational". Scouts are a thing for a reason and when you look back at how he played in the preseason there's a reason he almost made his NHL debut this year. Kid has great skating and a phenomenal shot, granted his strength is suspect, give him 1-2 more years and I bet you he cracks the lineup. Also do yourself a favor and look at his ohl highlights so far, he's on another level.
- Ehstripes

First sentence - exactly.

Yes - two years and he makes the lineup.

Against peers he is on another level. At that level.