Do I?
- Tyler Cameron

guess that abbreviation doesn't work when the blogger's name is Ty. I meant thank you

guess that abbreviation doesn't work when the blogger's name is Ty. I meant thank you
- Elbows15

Ha. Fair.

Which is why I emphasized it.

I don’t know whether he’ll come around or not - maybe (probably) less than a 50% chance - I just don’t like giving up on his combination of size, skating, skill at only 23 - they can always bury almost all of his cap hit in Rockford (assuming he’s not at $2MM).

One of my poster-children for spending good development time in the “A” from juniors, not directly to the pros (only 17 games in Tucson).
- StLBravesFan

I agree, i'd give him a chance, i couldn't stand the way Kane made no effort to play defense early in his career, and he's improved especially when Mayers was signed. To many here are willing to not give players a chance to turn things around when they come from a lesser franchise.

I cares.

Size, decent skater, CAN score (even his first two years in Phoenix, about a goal per 60 - and he did have those two weeks here), only 23.

If (IF) they can turn his mind around and have him play consistently with some urgency....

It’s not like they have an abundance of top-6 Wings in the system.
- StLBravesFan

I'm also guessing we are probably older than these guys who are saying he's a waste of a contract and just let him go.

I'm also guessing we are probably older than these guys who are saying he's a waste of a contract and just let him go.
- BetweenTheDots

I understand each sides point regarding Perlini. Perlini has the size , speed and on paper he is everything your looking for in your forward.

Chicago fans young and old have seen this time and time again with young players that even after seeing them play , we keep believing that player will take the next step and more times than not it doesn't materialize.


I'm of the belief that if Stan can resign him to a team friendly show me deal that allows Stan and JC to still have room in salary cap space to fill the roster without playing the daily managing the salary cap because their right up against it, then I think everyone is okay with that.

Perlini lacks the mental confidence and his commitment each and every shift seems to be missing.

That's my take

My view with the additions and subtractions stan has made will result in the sum of the parts is greatly improved above and beyond and individual part. Matta alone like any other player has his strengths and weakness's; but hopefully his addition and that of Dehahn along with maturing of gus and any young guy "surprise" supplies a much greater whole. Proper slotting and TOI, proper zone starts, improved pk, etc. And no further regress in #7 and 2. Keith should not be playing upwards of 27 minutes a game anymore.

My view with the additions and subtractions stan has made will result in the sum of the parts is greatly improved above and beyond and individual part. Matta alone like any other player has his strengths and weakness's; but hopefully his addition and that of Dehahn along with maturing of gus and any young guy "surprise" supplies a much greater whole. Proper slotting and TOI, proper zone starts, improved pk, etc. And no further regress in #7 and 2. Keith should not be playing upwards of 27 minutes a game anymore.
- bogiedoc

I agree -and they STIL have to get past St. Louis, Nashville, Winnipeg, Dallas,and Colorado - not to mention the #4and #5 teams in the West.

Won’t be easy to make the post-season in the Western Conference

I agree -and they STIL have to get past St. Louis, Nashville, Winnipeg, Dallas,and Colorado - not to mention the #4and #5 teams in the West.

Won’t be easy to make the post-season in the Western Conference
- StLBravesFan

Won't be easy but I do think both WPG and NSH have taken a step back. Without Subban NSH's defense is still good but definitely not as good. I think Duchene will be a good addition but I just don't see them as the top of the division anymore.

WPG's defense looks a lot worse and I think they took a big step backward.

Also, for grins Second City Hockey added another top 25 under 25 player yesterday, and coming in at #8, none other than Brandon Perlini.

I'd be fine if the team can sign him to a team friendly deal and would love for the light bulb to turn on for him...but I can also see him playing the bulk of his career overseas.

Won't be easy but I do think both WPG and NSH have taken a step back. Without Subban NSH's defense is still good but definitely not as good. I think Duchene will be a good addition but I just don't see them as the top of the division anymore.

WPG's defense looks a lot worse and I think they took a big step backward.

Also, for grins Second City Hockey added another top 25 under 25 player yesterday, and coming in at #8, none other than Brandon Perlini.

I'd be fine if the team can sign him to a team friendly deal and would love for the light bulb to turn on for him...but I can also see him playing the bulk of his career overseas.
- HawkintheD

Just looking at goalies in our division, not a fan of Grubauer, Rinne 36 yrs old minus top 4 dman, Bishop history of injury issues, Hellebuyck he's okay but again minus top 4 dman, Wild ehhh, the Blues we'll see if the kids the real deal and they will have to deal with teams coming at them every night.

Kurashev is #7 in the Second City Hockey 25 Under 25. Interesting tidbit:

He played his first AHL two games with new skates and gear since there was a hold-up in customs, and Rockford head coach Derek King said he “protected him a little bit” during his three-game stint because of it.

I noticed Kurashev playing conservatively on offense yet his defensive support and effort in all zones were on point. Even during the few times he had the puck, he showed poise and sound fundamentals.

Once he does have more confidence and freedom to take off this season, he will still show the same composure, non-flashy game and still be an impact forward.

Won't be easy but I do think both WPG and NSH have taken a step back. Without Subban NSH's defense is still good but definitely not as good. I think Duchene will be a good addition but I just don't see them as the top of the division anymore.

WPG's defense looks a lot worse and I think they took a big step backward.

Also, for grins Second City Hockey added another top 25 under 25 player yesterday, and coming in at #8, none other than Brandon Perlini.

I'd be fine if the team can sign him to a team friendly deal and would love for the light bulb to turn on for him...but I can also see him playing the bulk of his career overseas.
- HawkintheD

Kurashev is #7, he will be an exciting story in Rockford. As for the remaining 6, I’d have to figure:

Dach, Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Strome and Debrincat.

My order (from 6 to 1) would be:

Beaudin, Mitchell, Boqvist, Dach, Strome, Debrincat.

Kurashev is #7 in the Second City Hockey 25 Under 25. Interesting tidbit:

He played his first AHL two games with new skates and gear since there was a hold-up in customs, and Rockford head coach Derek King said he “protected him a little bit” during his three-game stint because of it.

I noticed Kurashev playing conservatively on offense yet his defensive support and effort in all zones were on point. Even during the few times he had the puck, he showed poise and sound fundamentals.

Once he does have more confidence and freedom to take off this season, he will still show the same composure, non-flashy game and still be an impact forward.
- AEL_Fox

One thing I did disagree with in this SCH article was how they characterized Kurashev as creating offense from the perimeter. Even the shot heat maps they had in the article show Kurashev as making an impact from the circle and in the slot.

Generally, that's what I'm liking about many of the high-potential forward prospects: they will go wherever needed to score and not get pushed to the outside. Dach, Kurashev, Entwistle, Barratt, Hagel, Kubalik.

Although lower on the depth chart in terms of overall skill and potential, Soderlund fits this bill as well and may be the tops in terms of fearlessness.

Kurashev is #7, he will be an exciting story in Rockford. As for the remaining 6, I’d have to figure:

Dach, Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Strome and Debrincat.

My order (from 6 to 1) would be:

Beaudin, Mitchell, Boqvist, Dach, Strome, Debrincat.
- DarthKane

That's the exact order I have the top 6 rounding out for the 25 under 25.

I'm also guessing we are probably older than these guys who are saying he's a waste of a contract and just let him go.
- BetweenTheDots

I have to admit though, i had no patience for Schmaltz or Manning, so nevermind

I have to admit though, i had no patience for Schmaltz or Manning, so nevermind
- BetweenTheDots

The Schmaltz contract will make every fourth year or whatever year is eligible, forward in the league want to go to arbitration.

Kurashev is #7, he will be an exciting story in Rockford. As for the remaining 6, I’d have to figure:

Dach, Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Strome and Debrincat.

My order (from 6 to 1) would be:

Beaudin, Mitchell, Boqvist, Dach, Strome, Debrincat.
- DarthKane

Is Mitchell included, given that he hasn't signed yet?

Is Mitchell included, given that he hasn't signed yet?
- mohel

Of course he is. He is still a part of the organization. The nomadic Russians are included and they aren't signed yet, either. Probably never will be, IMO

I'm also guessing we are probably older than these guys who are saying he's a waste of a contract and just let him go.
- BetweenTheDots

Sage is for sure. Not sure what age has to do with Perlini's lack of effort on most nights, though. Even after having his ice time cut in seemingly every game and being a scratch in a couple.

Fixing lazy hockey players is a hard thing to accomplish. At this point we all have spent far too much time on him. We probably care more about his career than he does.

Sage is for sure. Not sure what age has to do with Perlini's lack of effort on most nights, though. Even after having his ice time cut in seemingly every game and being a scratch in a couple.

Fixing lazy hockey players is a hard thing to accomplish. At this point we all have spent far too much time on him. We probably care more about his career than he does.
- Elbows15

To my untrained eye, I felt like Perlini seemed more unaware of what the heck he was doing in the dzone. Never saw him agressive on fore or backcheck (speaking to the effort commentary) but I think it is likely some combo of effort/IQ/confidence/comfort. The tantalizing offensive burst for one week has taken up a lot of real estate in this boards' headspace. My gut says that someone like Highmore is the extra forward and not Perlini despite all of the focus he's getting right now.

To my untrained eye, I felt like Perlini seemed more unaware of what the heck he was doing in the dzone. Never saw him agressive on fore or backcheck (speaking to the effort commentary) but I think it is likely some combo of effort/IQ/confidence/comfort. The tantalizing offensive burst for one week has taken up a lot of real estate in this boards' headspace. My gut says that someone like Highmore is the extra forward and not Perlini despite all of the focus he's getting right now.
- phantasmo

I’d take a player like Highmore or any other who gives a solid, consistent effort across the whole ice over Perlini especially as a depth player.

I’d easily take Sikura, too, over Perlini if it came down to just those two.

https://www.the-rink.com/...collars-finally-revealed/

New uniform collars unveiled. Pictures of Boqvist and Dach.

https://www.the-rink.com/chicago-blackhawks-new-collars-finally-revealed/

New uniform collars unveiled. Pictures of Boqvist and Dach. Devils got new collars too.
- AEL_Fox

Unreal. Is the cape optional?

https://www.the-rink.com/chicago-blackhawks-new-collars-finally-revealed/

New uniform collars unveiled. Pictures of Boqvist and Dach.
- AEL_Fox

Not AS bad as the Little Orphan Annie ones, but still horrible design. How is this so hard for them?

Wouldn't expect jersey sales to pick up much from this change.

https://www.the-rink.com/chicago-blackhawks-new-collars-finally-revealed/

New uniform collars unveiled. Pictures of Boqvist and Dach.
- AEL_Fox

Better than last year, not as good as the Reebok.

One thing I did disagree with in this SCH article was how they characterized Kurashev as creating offense from the perimeter. Even the shot heat maps they had in the article show Kurashev as making an impact from the circle and in the slot.

Generally, that's what I'm liking about many of the high-potential forward prospects: they will go wherever needed to score and not get pushed to the outside. Dach, Kurashev, Entwistle, Barratt, Hagel, Kubalik.

Although lower on the depth chart in terms of overall skill and potential, Soderlund fits this bill as well and may be the tops in terms of fearlessness.
- AEL_Fox

Not often does a fan base get excited about the bottom six. In the next few seasons our fans can. Some prospects are on top pairs and forward lines, too. Just not a supreme talented scorer or power forward is among the prospects, though. So i have been a propronet of looking to the draft for that elusive power forward. Such a player should fit in well as players like Toews Kane DeBrincat and Strome could attain greater point totals. The veterans skilled and smart would really show how great they are when their game is opened up to more possible scoring feats with a Dach and another power forward aboard.

If a power forward arrives vis -a -vis the draft does appear the more sensible and possible course of action. It is too early to know if trading to move up in the draft is an option. Gus could be central to the discussion. We may find him difficult to trade if his game is much better this coming season. But this is just one idea right now and at trade deadline or after the season we may have other ideas to ponder. A power forward should be the next type impact player to seek - this I am firmly believing.