Tyler Cameron: 5 Blackhawks Thoughts: European Players and Playoffs
Thanks to Lady Luck, a lot of Blackhawks chatter has been surrounding the draft lately. With good reason too, the Hawks now hold the keys of fate for team selecting #4 onward.

I wanted to pop in with a quick 5 thoughts blog which is more rooted in European players, the World Championships and the Playoffs. Here we go.

#juan

It seems as if the hawks are stock up on these similar players looking to hit a home running like panarin again. As look as he doesnt sign to many middle of the road prospects leaving him enough contracts open for the next batch of college and other draft picks why not add.

My thoughts on your thoughts?

Due to the numbers game, the wonder boy Sikura might have trouble making the team.

My thoughts on your thoughts?

Due to the numbers game, the wonder boy Sikura might have trouble making the team.
- Beaver-Warrior

I think you may be right... you can insert a couple other names in there as well:

Sikura, Perlini, Hayden.


I believe there will be some moves to move out a couple forwards and/or defencemen.

I think you may be right... you can insert a couple other names in there as well:

Sikura, Perlini, Hayden.


I believe there will be some moves to move out a couple forwards and/or defencemen.
- Tyler Cameron

Of the three, I think Sikura is on the team at some point. He may not have the ideal frame but even when he wasn’t scoring, he played responsibly and helped create chances.

If Perlini can commit to that he’s staying put.

My thoughts on your thoughts?

Due to the numbers game, the wonder boy Sikura might have trouble making the team.
- Beaver-Warrior

Don't understand the irrational hatred some players cause in some fans. Sikura was a 6th round pick who went the college route and improved his game to the point he was one of the best college players in his junior and senior years. He comes to the Hawks and struggles and goes to Rockford. He's one of the best players on Rockford while there so he comes back to the Hawks. He's noticeably better in all facets except he's snake bit at putting the puck in the net.

He's not a wonder boy. He never was a wonder boy. He's a 6th round pick who plays hard and has a chance to carve out a career in the NHL as a 2-way player with some offensive ability. I applaud him for the improvements he's made and hope he proves his naysayers wrong.

I think you may be right... you can insert a couple other names in there as well:

Sikura, Perlini, Hayden.


I believe there will be some moves to move out a couple forwards and/or defencemen.
- Tyler Cameron

Again - the trouble is less the number of forwards now under contract, but that they’re all / mostly bottom-sixers - maybe one or tr two being top-nine - but probably not a top-sixer in there.

From what I’ve seen - and I haven’t seen much - I would expect Sikura to be the cream rising to the top-nine skater, and surviving the competition. He has scored at every other level, and played 200 feet well in Chicago, on the puck and off. He’ll wind up popping the net some here too.

Don't understand the irrational hatred some players cause in some fans. Sikura was a 6th round pick who went the college route and improved his game to the point he was one of the best college players in his junior and senior years. He comes to the Hawks and struggles and goes to Rockford. He's one of the best players on Rockford while there so he comes back to the Hawks. He's noticeably better in all facets except he's snake bit at putting the puck in the net.

He's not a wonder boy. He never was a wonder boy. He's a 6th round pick who plays hard and has a chance to carve out a career in the NHL as a 2-way player with some offensive ability. I applaud him for the improvements he's made and hope he proves his naysayers wrong.
- EbonyRaptor

I think Beave is being sarcastic.

I'm looking forward to see how Sikura progresses. Once he finds the back of the net I think that will remove the weight from his shoulders and I think he will show he has some offensive upside. What I really like is his all round game and how calm he plays even with the pressure he must feel because he hasn't scored.

Looking forward to the big Kakko/Hughs match-up today.

Don't understand the irrational hatred some players cause in some fans. Sikura was a 6th round pick who went the college route and improved his game to the point he was one of the best college players in his junior and senior years. He comes to the Hawks and struggles and goes to Rockford. He's one of the best players on Rockford while there so he comes back to the Hawks. He's noticeably better in all facets except he's snake bit at putting the puck in the net.

He's not a wonder boy. He never was a wonder boy. He's a 6th round pick who plays hard and has a chance to carve out a career in the NHL as a 2-way player with some offensive ability. I applaud him for the improvements he's made and hope he proves his naysayers wrong.
- EbonyRaptor

He is, at best, a 15 goal a year guy in the NHL with a solid defensive game as well. That’s fine. A good team needs guys like that.

My issue is with JC, or posters here, who start trying to slot him in with Toews/Kane or DCat/Strome. He’s not that guy.

He’s fine, he’s cheap, and he’ll contribute on the bottom 6. Don’t force him into what he’s not. And if a Euro signing is better, he moves down a slot.

I think you may be right... you can insert a couple other names in there as well:

Sikura, Perlini, Hayden.


I believe there will be some moves to move out a couple forwards and/or defencemen.
- Tyler Cameron

I've colored Hayden gone.

I think Beave is being sarcastic.

I'm looking forward to see how Sikura progresses. Once he finds the back of the net I think that will remove the weight from his shoulders and I think he will show he has some offensive upside. What I really like is his all round game and how calm he plays even with the pressure he must feel because he hasn't scored.
- paulr

Me being sarcastic? Naaaaa, Never.

He is, at best, a 15 goal a year guy in the NHL with a solid defensive game as well. That’s fine. A good team needs guys like that.

My issue is with JC, or posters here, who start trying to slot him in with Toews/Kane or DCat/Strome. He’s not that guy.

He’s fine, he’s cheap, and he’ll contribute on the bottom 6. Don’t force him into what he’s not. And if a Euro signing is better, he moves down a slot.
- scottak

Bingo, hence my comment about the number game. But hey, I'm a hater.

I think Beave is being sarcastic.

I'm looking forward to see how Sikura progresses. Once he finds the back of the net I think that will remove the weight from his shoulders and I think he will show he has some offensive upside. What I really like is his all round game and how calm he plays even with the pressure he must feel because he hasn't scored.
- paulr

OOPS - sorry Beave.

Again - the trouble is less the number of forwards now under contract, but that they’re all / mostly bottom-sixers - maybe one or tr two being top-nine - but probably not a top-sixer in there.

From what I’ve seen - and I haven’t seen much - I would expect Sikura to be the cream rising to the top-nine skater, and surviving the competition. He has scored at every other level, and played 200 feet well in Chicago, on the puck and off. He’ll wind up popping the net some here too.
- StLBravesFan

Yup. Too many guys being forced to play above their pay-grade because there is not enough top 6 talent any longer.

We saw that a couple of years ago with TVR in a top 4 d-man role. TVR is a safe, reliable bottom 6 d-man who can see spot duty in the top 4. He was just out over his skis in a consistent top 4 role.

OOPS - sorry Beave.
- EbonyRaptor

No problems.

I think you may be right... you can insert a couple other names in there as well:

Sikura, Perlini, Hayden.


I believe there will be some moves to move out a couple forwards and/or defencemen.
- Tyler Cameron

This is the key. I think Stan will move out a couple forwards this summer, either to get help on defense or free up rosters space.

Not that we need another lineup discussion but I'll post one anyone because it's Monday and I don't want to work. Based on the fowards who ended theseason with Chicago and are still under contract:

OPEN - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - OPEN
Saad - Anisimov (flight risk) - Kahun
Cagguila - OPEN - OPEN
Hayden (flight risk)

Open Roster Spots - 4

RFAs:

Kampf
Perlini
Sikura
Johnson

Rockford / Prospects (signed)

Kubalik
Nilsson
Highmore
Kuraschev
Soderlund
Entwistle
Wedin

There are plenty of open roster spots and I think there will be even more. I would be surprised to see AA and Hayden on the opening day roster (note: I am not advocating a trade, this is just what I anticipate). I would also expect Kampf and Sikura to be re-signed. Kampf can be a solid 4th lines and Sikura had a strong finish to the season in Chicago and Rockford. Perlini will likely be re-signed, but less likely than the other two. I could see him as part of a deal in the summer.

The only prospect I could see making the team (to start) is Kubalik. Highmore (if healthy) will likely get a shot eventually but he'll start in Rockford. Kuraschev and Entwistle will be watched closely, they could get a cup of coffee with the big club at some point.

I am not so obsessed with who is a "top 6" talent, than forwards that play 2 ways and play hard with the ability to chip in with goals now and then. Boston has one line and Krecji, they seem to be doing allright.

I am not so obsessed with who is a "top 6" talent, than forwards that play 2 ways and play hard with the ability to chip in with goals now and then. Boston has one line and Krecji, they seem to be doing allright.
- LAHawk

There aren't too many teams that actually have six top-6 forwards. Chicago has five, but Saad seems to be on the third line to create depth. Chicago's issues last year where's scoring, it was defense.

It's likely that their offensive game will regress a bit, but that will be ok if their defense is improved. While not flashy, moves like signing guys like Tanev are exactly what this team needs (in addition to drafting Caufield).

of the 3 hayden is for sure the one looking in from the outside. Perlini scored 12 goals in 46 games and he cannot be sent to Rockford. Sikura I think still has options so he would be the one that would go before Perlini imo.

Koekkoek resigned by Blackhawks, 1 year $925,000, per NHL.com

Koekkoek resigned by Blackhawks, 1 year $925,000, per NHL.com
- scottak

Make me wonder what the Blackhawks plans are are for Forsling.

Kook did not impress me in his short audition .Decent price ,hope he proves me wrong

Make me wonder what the Blackhawks plans are are for Forsling.
- walleyeb1

I think he might be part of a package with other assets (AA?) going away. He might be a serviceable 3rd pair guy for someone.

Koekkoek's underlying numbers were significantly better than Forsling & Dahlstrom. KK also fits Stan's recent proclivity for grabbing high draft picks who haven't yet panned out with their original club.