Would you take 6-4 the remainder of October? 6 at home, 3 against the East. It would put the Hawks at 8-4-1 after the first month.

@MIN
STL
ARI
@CBJ
TBL
ANA
NYR
@STL
EDM
@VAN

Would you take 6-4 the remainder of October? 6 at home, 3 against the East. It would put the Hawks at 8-4-1 after the first month.

@MIN
STL
ARI
@CBJ
TBL
ANA
NYR
@STL
EDM
@VAN
- scottak

"We are just gonna take this one game at a time".

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.
- I Am The Breadman

No team is overpaying for Anisimov. Likely untradeable period. Can’t compare to Hartman who was/is young and a former First Rounder who has had NHL success. Became tradeable because of perceived attitudinal problems - there are always teams who will bite in these circumstsnces.

No team is overpaying for Anisimov. Likely untradeable period. Can’t compare to Hartman who was/is young and a former First Rounder who has had NHL success. Became tradeable because of perceived attitudinal problems - there are always teams who will bite in these circumstsnces.
- Z3Hawk

Cbj put out offers for him. Not what Bowman wanted. I would not say untradeable. You doubt the craziness of tdl. Are you saying Arty hasn't had nhl success? I get what you're saying in terms of player and coach relationship. Another benefit of Hartman, last year of contract. Arty has 3 (?) years left but I wouldn't say totally unreasonable.

I'll just leave it at agree to disagree because we're both on the side of the hawks.

Fortin is a product of the Hawks marketing machine. He’s over-hyped and Fortin will be back in Rockford within a week.
- DarthKane

Maybe he is recalled because someone wants to see how he looks utilizing speed on forecheck. We do not really have anyone else with his speed.

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.
- Chunk

I prefer to see Highmore there, give them a few weeks
and see what they can bring.

The 4th line as you have it should work also.

I prefer to see Highmore there, give them a few weeks
and see what they can bring.

The 4th line as you have it should work also.
- gazza53

I'll fix the third line for you
Sack of rocks-Anisimov-Fortin
I agree, like the fourth line

Maybe he is recalled because someone wants to see how he looks utilizing speed on forecheck. We do not really have anyone else with his speed.
- jhawk59

Kahun

I prefer to see Highmore there, give them a few weeks
and see what they can bring.

The 4th line as you have it should work also.
- gazza53

I think that fourth line sticks for a bit. I actually really like it. Now we have to construct a better 3rd line. Maybe Fortin and Sikura ends up being the wings with AA centering....still hoping we deal for another forward/center!

I think that fourth line sticks for a bit. I actually really like it. Now we have to construct a better 3rd line. Maybe Fortin and Sikura ends up being the wings with AA centering....still hoping we deal for another forward/center!
- SoftServe

Not sure Stan has the go ahead to get either, they
seem to be going with this hand as is

I prefer to see Highmore there, give them a few weeks
and see what they can bring.

The 4th line as you have it should work also.
- gazza53

I really don't get why people are so high on Highmore. I think he'll be another bottom 6 forward who can't find the net at the nhl level.

Not sure Stan has the go ahead to get either, they
seem to be going with this hand as is
- gazza53

Maybe for the time being. But given the resurgence of 19, and the way Kane is playing. Maybe they see how good CC is when he gets back and if Forsling can solidify the D and ultimately decide to go for it.

I really don't get why people are so high on Highmore. I think he'll be another bottom 6 forward who can't find the net at the nhl level.
- SoftServe

Are you saying people should be less high on Highmore?

Are you saying people should be less high on Highmore?
- DarthKane

Actual photo of Less Highmore

I really don't get why people are so high on Highmore. I think he'll be another bottom 6 forward who can't find the net at the nhl level.
- SoftServe

Playing on the 3rd line w/Fortin AA is bottom six
and its not that I'm so HIGH on HIGHMORE

but I think that this combo might click and if so
it gives Stan another trading chip, we can't trade
Kunitz

Playing on the 3rd line w/Fortin AA is bottom six
and its not that I'm so HIGH on HIGHMORE

but I think that this combo might click and if so
it gives Stan another trading chip, we can't trade
Kunitz
- gazza53

Hahah. I'm glad everyone likes High on HIGHmore. I know what your saying, but imo I don't think he'll provide scoring in the bottom 6 and that's something the Hawks need.

D pairings when Forsling returns. Go!

Hahah. I'm glad everyone likes High on HIGHmore. I know what your saying, but imo I don't think he'll provide scoring in the bottom 6 and that's something the Hawks need.
- SoftServe

Take back the weed, take back the cocaine baby
Take back the pills, take back the whiskey too
I don't need them now your love was all I was after
I'll make it now that I can get high on Highmore....

Take back the weed, take back the cocaine baby
Take back the pills, take back the whiskey too
I don't need them now your love was all I was after
I'll make it now that I can get high on Highmore....
- StLBravesFan

Willie!!!

I would say "can you take me highmore" but you guys probably hate Creed/don't know them.
So I'll just go with "smoke on the highmore."

D pairings when Forsling returns. Go!
- SoftServe

Keith - Jokiharju
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Forsling - Manning
Davidson/Rutta (one will be sent down/traded)

I believe Manning can play both sides so that's why I have him at RD.

Actual photo of Less Highmore


- breadbag

What the hell are they doing to him in Rockford!?!? He became older than Scotty Bowman in the blink of an eye. Good thing Fortin got recalled, Highmore could have been a mistake.

Hahah. I'm glad everyone likes High on HIGHmore. I know what your saying, but imo I don't think he'll provide scoring in the bottom 6 and that's something the Hawks need.
- SoftServe

I get what you are saying about Highmore. He as well as Kampf, Johnson, and Kruger are 4Cs if slotted properly. Spot duty on the 3rd line is fine. If this is the case, then there is redundancy of players (or depth if that term is better) at 4C or 4th line forwards which means some of them will need to be shipped out or not resigned when their contract expires. Use this next year to see who is best.

For me, with existing players and prospects in Rockford, I would roll Anisimov with Sikura and either Hayden or Fortin on the 3rd line. Leaning towards Fortin, actually. Anisimov is the space creator and net crasher, Sikura is the playmaker, and Fortin is the disruptor with his speed.

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.

Ekblad hit a big wall in his sophomore year but some of that was arguably tied to not having Campbell as his partner to provide a veteran partner to continue mentoring him. It would be great if Jokiharju continues to pair up with Keith for mentorship and reduce the likelihood of hitting a major slump.
- AEL_Fox

Mr. Fox just a point of clarification. You stated, " I think Jokiharju has already eclipsed the Spurgeon" Did you mean at Spurgeon's current level or at the same development stage. If it was the current level, I would respectfully differ. Spurgeon is great with the puck in outlets and seam passes who also runs the 2nd unit PP (Suter runs the 1st). He is a slightly better skater and despite his size he manages to hold his own and not get "exposed" due to his size in the D zone with good skating, active stick, and play recognition. However, if the Joker continues to development (no reason to suggest differently) he will have a higher ceiling thus ultimately become better than Spurgeon.

I get what you are saying about Highmore. He as well as Kampf, Johnson, and Kruger are 4Cs if slotted properly. Spot duty on the 3rd line is fine. If this is the case, then there is redundancy of players (or depth if that term is better) at 4C or 4th line forwards which means some of them will need to be shipped out or not resigned when their contract expires. Use this next year to see who is best.

For me, with existing players and prospects in Rockford, I would roll Anisimov with Sikura and either Hayden or Fortin on the 3rd line. Leaning towards Fortin, actually. Anisimov is the space creator and net crasher, Sikura is the playmaker, and Fortin is the disruptor with his speed.
- AEL_Fox

100% agreed with you here Mr. Fox, you and especially me have been touting Dylan Sikura all along. I think a month or two of racking up points and therefore the "swagger" that comes with will do him well. And I am right with you on the 3rd line with some potential offensive mojo.

Mr. Fox just a point of clarification. You stated, " I think Jokiharju has already eclipsed the Spurgeon" Did you mean at Spurgeon's current level or at the same development stage. If it was the current level, I would respectfully differ. Spurgeon is great with the puck in outlets and seam passes who also runs the 2nd unit PP (Suter runs the 1st). He is a slightly better skater and despite his size he manages to hold his own and not get "exposed" due to his size in the D zone with good skating, active stick, and play recognition. However, if the Joker continues to development (no reason to suggest differently) he will have a higher ceiling thus ultimately become better than Spurgeon.
- D2D

I spoke prematurely or misspoke on where Jokiharju is now. I'd agree today's Spurgeon is better than today's Jokiharju. Once Jokiharju hits his full potential, though, he should eclipse Spurgeon.

Why do I say that? Jokiharju could potentially be a #1 while Spurgeon isn't a #1 with the Wild and likely not on most teams.

Regardless, I'd still be happy if Jokiharju "tops out" at Spurgeon level. A Spurgeon comparable isn't a consolation prize, it's a hefty compliment.

I do like Spurgeon a lot and is a defender I've always wanted the Hawks to pursue. Great example of a small blueliner who is effective in all zones and pretty durable.