When he was drafted, the Hockey News had Jared Spurgeon as Jokiharju's comparable. While hitting a wall may happen, I think Jokiharju has already eclipsed the Spurgeon level. If he can maintain consistency, I think a comparable of Josi, Pietrangelo, or Letang may not be out of the question. All 3 are great on both sides of the ice.
- AEL_Fox

Jared Spurgeon is 5'9" 167lbs vs JOKI who is 6' 193lbs per Hockey Reference

Fortin had some tough injury problems last year. However, injuries or not he had all of 4 goals in 53 games. In the play-offs during Rockford’s run played 1 game with no points. I’ve said before that he has to turn his good attributes into actual production at some point.
- Z3Hawk

You can do things and not find the scoresheet. Yes, beneficial to the team point production wise, but sometimes your blocking shots or stealing the puck and clearing the zone and your not the assist primary or secondary. You were the catalyst though.

I don't know 100% if this is a new development, but Forsling practicing with the team.
- breadbag

Great news. I expect big things, that next step, from Fors. I also saw you said Joki is sick/flu like symptoms. Hopefully he's good to go against Minny. I'm still calling an ot game and an offsides call to screw us. I think there were 3 last year. Always against Minny.

Decently well?? I'll defer to you and LBR, but Todd Cordell noted his elite advanced stats through 3 games in the Hotstove post today. Eye test, Assist totals, advanced stats....just looking like a stud IMO. Outstanding, excellent, superb are the adjectives I'd use to describe Henri thus far.
- EnzoD

Decently well. Hahaha. I guess Toews is just an average goal scorer these first 3 games too, right? I think Joki has earned higher roles and more mins per game. Maybe not all at once, but more situations, pk or pp. He's running pp1 for practice.

You can do things and not find the scoresheet. Yes, beneficial to the team point production wise, but sometimes your blocking shots or stealing the puck and clearing the zone and your not the assist primary or secondary. You were the catalyst though.
- I Am The Breadman

Anisimov is a good example of this. Even during his two year stint centering Kane and Panarin, those two were racking up points yet he was around a 0.50 PPG pace both seasons. He would've been closer to a PPG player if assists were given out for the little things to help generate goals.

Even now without elite players on his wings, Anisimov still provides value to the team. Yes, he could do more but he's far from useless. This bodes well for the Hawks if they retain him or if they dangle him for a trade down the line.

EDIT: Anisimov was 0.55 PPG and 0.70 PPG when Kane and Panarin were his linemates.

Anisimov is a good example of this. Even during his two year stint centering Kane and Panarin, those two were racking up points yet he was around a 0.50 PPG pace both seasons. He would've been closer to a PPG player if assists were given out for the little things to help generate goals.

Even now without elite players on his wings, Anisimov still provides value to the team. Yes, he could do more but he's far from useless. This bodes well for the Hawks if they retain him or if they dangle him for a trade down the line.
- AEL_Fox

Totally agree, his defensive side of the game is taking off since he lost Kane and Panarin as wingers. He might get Kane and Schmaltz as wingers as the season drags on and Saad continues in his downward trend. Dear God .... He was one of our pkers, but that is becoming more of his game. I want more points, but he still parks in the blue paint. At least he's working on his speed.

Totally agree, his defensive side of the game is taking off. He was one of our pkers, but that is becoming more of his game. I want more points, but he still parks in the blue paint. At least he's working on his speed.
- I Am The Breadman

Agree on your take on his defense and speed.

He's no speed demon but I think his speed is fine. There have been a few breakouts he has had so far this season where he showed that he's no slug.

You can do things and not find the scoresheet. Yes, beneficial to the team point production wise, but sometimes your blocking shots or stealing the puck and clearing the zone and your not the assist primary or secondary. You were the catalyst though.
- I Am The Breadman

Your argument is a better one once a certain level of production is reached. Fortin had very poor production, minimal production last year during the regular season. I don’t believe he was hurt for the Hoggies’ play-offs and if this is true he was a healthy scratch for basically the entire play-offs, playing one game. I like Fortin and his potential but I think Q will make him earn it.

Your argument is a better one once a certain level of production is reached. Fortin had very poor production, minimal production last year during the regular season. I don’t believe he was hurt for the Hoggies’ play-offs and if this is true he was a healthy scratch for basically the entire play-offs, playing one game. I like Fortin and his potential but I think Q will make him earn it.
- Z3Hawk

I understand. He's still a big question mark because he hasn't played a full season. I hope Q makes him earn it. All players need to earn. Fair and equal treatment.

Anisimov is a good example of this. Even during his two year stint centering Kane and Panarin, those two were racking up points yet he was around a 0.50 PPG pace both seasons. He would've been closer to a PPG player if assists were given out for the little things to help generate goals.

Even now without elite players on his wings, Anisimov still provides value to the team. Yes, he could do more but he's far from useless. This bodes well for the Hawks if they retain him or if they dangle him for a trade down the line.

EDIT: Anisimov was 0.55 PPG and 0.70 PPG when Kane and Panarin were his linemates.
- AEL_Fox

With respect I think you are over-valuing Anisimov. Anisimov basically has little trade value at this time. If he is involved in a trade it will basically be to move his contract. The so-called 3rd line is basically built around him and the jury is still out concerning whether this line will be able to score at all.

You can do things and not find the scoresheet. Yes, beneficial to the team point production wise, but sometimes your blocking shots or stealing the puck and clearing the zone and your not the assist primary or secondary. You were the catalyst though.
- I Am The Breadman

Like Toews on ADB's goal against Toronto.

With respect I think you are over-valuing Anisimov. Anisimov basically has little trade value at this time. If he is involved in a trade it will basically be to move his contract. The so-called 3rd line is basically built around him and the jury is still out concerning whether this line will be able to score at all.
- Z3Hawk

No argument here in terms of Anisimov being trade bait as he has seems to have been for over a year now. Agree that the jury is out on whether he can be an effective 3rd liner in the long run. He is most valuable when he plays with skilled linemates. If he's the most skilled on his line, then that's not a good thing as he's more of a complementary player than the engine.

You can do things and not find the scoresheet. Yes, beneficial to the team point production wise, but sometimes your blocking shots or stealing the puck and clearing the zone and your not the assist primary or secondary. You were the catalyst though.
- I Am The Breadman

That is true... unless your name is Jonathan Toews.

Cant believe these bums couldnt win against Toronto to go 3-0. Lame, i might stop watching the rest of the season.

That is true... unless your name is Jonathan Toews.
- DarthKane

In which case, only scoring matters.

Sad article about a now-homeless Joe Murphy.

https://www.freep.com/sto...oit-red-wings/1565171002/

Interesting stats from The Athletic today on NHL team stats:

Hawks are the 8th oldest team in the league with 27.8 years old. This is only .6 higher than the average.

Hawks are 5th shortest team in the league with 72.8, average is 73.2.

Hawks are the 2nd lightest team in the league at 194.2 pounds, average is 199.3.

Hawks lead the league with number of undrafted players (Kunitz, Kahun, Rutta, Manning, Martinsen, Kampf).

Also, Anisimov is garbage. This has been elaborated and generally agreed upon countless times. He goes to the paint and that is his only asset.

Terrible advanced stats, terrible scoresheet stats, terrible play driving, terrible eye test, terrible hustle.

"Quick hit...start here..Per MULTIPLE sources, the Canadiens and Sabres have picked up discussions with the Oilers regarding a possible to deal to acquire Darnell Nurse."

Do you think the Hawks could get in on Nurse?

Q has 3rd highest odds of being the first NHL coach to be cut loose this season.

"So with the 2018-19 campaign underway, it’s never too early to start wondering whether any teams could be on the verge of a move. Usually teams thinking about a swap won’t pull the trigger until close to December or even after the new year, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t already a handful of teams with an eye on the future."-hockeyinsider

http://hockeyinsider.com/...st-bets-to-make-a-change/

With respect I think you are over-valuing Anisimov. Anisimov basically has little trade value at this time. If he is involved in a trade it will basically be to move his contract. The so-called 3rd line is basically built around him and the jury is still out concerning whether this line will be able to score at all.
- Z3Hawk

Around the trade deadline, teams in need of center depth, Arty will get an over payment. Hartman's return was huge during his down year.

Like Toews on ADB's goal against Toronto.
- tvetter

That was one I was going to key in on. Beat me to it. Respect. Stuff like that happens all the time. Ael fox brought out stuff with Arty on the Kane and Panarin. He stood in front of the net, but wasn't always the beneficiary of those goals, but was a big factor in scoring.

That is true... unless your name is Jonathan Toews.
- DarthKane

This year. Not year ago or 2 years ago Toews. His 10.5 schmil couldn't buy a goal haha.

Teams that struggle to even win one cup are going to hate the hawks again in a few years...I can just see it now... "How do the Hawks always seem to get great players...while we are always stuck in suckville."

Now, how can anyone rag on Bowman if this comes to fruition...he should be considered one of the greatest GM's if he puts together another string of cup contending teams in a few years.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

The Kool-Aid is strong in this one.

I didn't see that anyone already posted this yet, but:

Scott Powers‏Verified account @ByScottPowers · 3h3 hours ago

Quenneville said Forsberg was fine. Fortin is expected to play tomorrow. Jokiharju will travel to Minnesota. Oct. 18 is still the target date for Crawford.

Scott Powers‏Verified account @ByScottPowers · 5h5 hours ago

Blackhawks lines
DeBrincat-Toews-Kahun
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Kunitz-Anisimov-Fortin
Hayden-Kruger-Kampf

I still would prefer Hayden on the 3rd line in place of Kunitz, but I'm liking these bottom lines a bit more.