Tyler Cameron: Thankful for Hockey Things
While I'm not an American citizen and I already had my share of turkey in October for Canadian Thanksgiving, I think it's fitting to stop to give thanks.

It doesn't matter what time of the year it is or what country you live in, it's always great to stop and be thankful for what you have.

In terms of the Blackhawks; there's a lot to be thankful for and I will go through a few topics now:

Tyler,

Great opening to your blog. We should all be thankful for what we have and try to be good human beings.

And a thank you from us to you for writing this blog, providing your insights and stimulating the hockey conversation.

Very thankful for Tyler and his Blackhawks write-ups.

I'm hoping Caggiula and Strome are 100% ASAP.

Not sure what to think about Sikura. I'm convinced he is an NHL level player. This Blackhawk regime has proven time and again they take care of the boys, so if not in Chicago, I'm certain they will look for a trading partner to make a good deal.

And here's hoping they're able to continue their success against Dallas against Colorado.

Tyler Cameron: Thankful for Hockey Things

While I'm not an American citizen and I already had my share of turkey in October for Canadian Thanksgiving, I think it's fitting to stop to give thanks.

It doesn't matter what time of the year it is or what country you live in, it's always great to stop and be thankful for what you have.

In terms of the Blackhawks; there's a lot to be thankful for and I will go through a few topics now:
- Tyler Cameron

From the last blog. I like Sharpie a lot. But people on this blog act like he came out of the womb scoring goals. In his first 117 games he had 19 goals and 38 points.

Kubalik has 5 goals and 9 points in his first 22 games.

Tyler

Thanks so much for your efforts. Fair, balanced, knowledgeable, respectful, considerate, informative and passionate. Everything our news reporting in the USA isn’t. I am grateful.
- -Doh-

From the last blog. I like Sharpie a lot. But people on this blog act like he came out of the womb scoring goals. In his first 117 games he had 19 goals and 38 points.

Kubalik has 5 goals and 9 points in his first 22 games.
- -Doh-

Same...love Sharpie, and thank you!

There is a lot of misrepresentation and history re-writing that goes on here. Comical at times, but accuracy has no place when fashioning a narrative.

I do not have a clue as to why someone reportedly has soured on D Sikura. I am really curious to hear anything about his fall from grace if/when he leaves the organization

I do not have a clue as to why someone reportedly has soured on D Sikura. I am really curious to hear anything about his fall from grave if/when he leaves the organization
- jhawk59

Dylan Sikura had a good start to his AHL season but his scoring has dried up lately. If he is not putting up points, I do not see what he can offer to the club that an all-round player like Highmore can.

Same...love Sharpie, and thank you!

There is a lot of misrepresentation and history re-writing that goes on here. Comical at times, but accuracy has no place when fashioning a narrative.
- HawkintheD

Sharp was a no one when we traded for him. Borderline 4th line guy for Philly. Kubalik is never going to be Sharp or Sharp lite. He doesn’t have the speed. Sharp was one of the fastest guys on the Hawks in his prime. 2010 Sharp wasn’t the same guy as the 2015 Sharp most of us remember.

I actually don’t like the Dach to Getzlaf comparison. I think Dach is a better skater and more agile. He kind of reminds me of a young Eric Staal before he got stuck on some crap teams and before Edler wrecked his knee at the Worlds.

Very thankful for Tyler and his Blackhawks write-ups.

I'm hoping Caggiula and Strome are 100% ASAP.

Not sure what to think about Sikura. I'm convinced he is an NHL level player. This Blackhawk regime has proven time and again they take care of the boys, so if not in Chicago, I'm certain they will look for a trading partner to make a good deal.

And here's hoping they're able to continue their success against Dallas against Colorado.
- 35Tony0

Caggiula is in his contract year and has had an LTIR stint for concussions 2 years in a row. One has to think he may have a difficult time getting a new contract. And that is too bad because I like him as a player but I would not take a chance on a new deal with him.

Thanks Tyler for all that you do - it is appreciated!

Tyler, thank you for your timely and thoughtful blogs. The space you create for our online community to share and listen to each others' thoughts is a nice space to retreat to away from the daily grind. Hope all is well in the Cameron household.

Dylan Sikura had a good start to his AHL season but his scoring has dried up lately. If he is not putting up points, I do not see what he can offer to the club that an all-round player like Highmore can.
- 67hawks

Sikura did have a dry spell after his hat trick two weeks ago but has picked it up point-wise the past few games. Even during the drought, he was still one of the best players Hogs each game.

IMO, Sikura is every bit of an all-around player as Highmore. Sikura can play middle 6 while Highmore as well as Wedin are more of bottom 6 forwards.

I liked that Highmore got the first call up. Agree with Tyler that had he not been injured most of last year, he would likely have ended the prior season on the Hawks and may have been on the team to start this current year.

Between Wedin and Sikura, I would have much rather have seen Dylan. Anton is a nice player but the rewarding of which Hog players get recalled over others doesn't seem merit based (this stems back to the Boqvist recall).

Caggiula is in his contract year and has had an LTIR stint for concussions 2 years in a row. One has to think he may have a difficult time getting a new contract. And that is too bad because I like him as a player but I would not take a chance on a new deal with him.
- 67hawks

Yeah, I'm worried about Caggiula's long-term health and how that bodes for how the team handles his next contract. If it's just too risky to re-sign him, that opens up a spot in the bottom 6.

Smith could also be a goner by next summer.

Would love to see Entwistle compete for a 4th line spot next fall. He could be ready by then.

Sikura did have a dry spell after his hat trick two weeks ago but has picked it up point-wise the past few games. Even during the drought, he was still one of the best players Hogs each game.

IMO, Sikura is every bit of an all-around player as Highmore. Sikura can play middle 6 while Highmore as well as Wedin are more of bottom 6 forwards.

I liked that Highmore got the first call up. Agree with Tyler that had he not been injured most of last year, he would likely have ended the prior season on the Hawks and may have been on the team to start this current year.

Between Wedin and Sikura, I would have much rather have seen Dylan. Anton is a nice player but the rewarding of which Hog players get recalled over others doesn't seem merit based (this stems back to the Boqvist recall).
- AEL_Fox

To me a middle 6 forward has to score. Didn’t see that from Sikura when he was up last year. Sikura, Wedin, and Highmore are bottom 6/fringe NHL guys until they prove otherwise. I think they are calling up guys that can help in a specific roll and to take a look at them. I think the front office know what they have in Sikura and want to see if others can bring anything more.

Thank you Tyler for all your work here on the Blackhawk board.

If 76% currently in a playoff spot at Thanksgiving make the playoff that means 24% of the teams not currently in a playoff spot make the playoffs. So 3 or 4 teams not in playoff position now will make the playoffs.

Sikura did have a dry spell after his hat trick two weeks ago but has picked it up point-wise the past few games. Even during the drought, he was still one of the best players Hogs each game.

IMO, Sikura is every bit of an all-around player as Highmore. Sikura can play middle 6 while Highmore as well as Wedin are more of bottom 6 forwards.

I liked that Highmore got the first call up. Agree with Tyler that had he not been injured most of last year, he would likely have ended the prior season on the Hawks and may have been on the team to start this current year.

Between Wedin and Sikura, I would have much rather have seen Dylan. Anton is a nice player but the rewarding of which Hog players get recalled over others doesn't seem merit based (this stems back to the Boqvist recall).
- AEL_Fox

So Sikura was beaten out of an NHL berth in training camp by Cagguila, Nylander, Kubalik and to a much lesser extent Dach. It might be that Colliton doesn't think he fits this Hawk roster very well and I think lack of size probably has a lot to do with it. And Highmore likely fits better to a 4th line role or he may just be in town for a week so because he is more versatile and deserves a major league pay cheque short term.

Next up IMO will be taking a look at other defenceman in Rockford - maybe Macosham or Holm. They will want to see what they have before making any trades. (And Bowman must or should be looking at what the Jets have been able to do using call ups to help with their decimated NHL defence).

Tyler,

Great opening to your blog. We should all be thankful for what we have and try to be good human beings.

And a thank you from us to you for writing this blog, providing your insights and stimulating the hockey conversation.
- boilermaker100

You are most welcome.

You guys and gals are the reason I can continue to write. We have a great community here!

A better way to give current playoff pairings is to use PPG (point per game), which then evens out the games played differences between teams.

#1 St. Louis vs. WC2 Nashville
Colorado vs. Winnipeg

#2 Edmonton vs WC1 Dallas
Arizona vs. Vancouver

Vancouver actually has the 8th worst PPG, but would be 3rd in their division, so wouldn't be considered a Wild Card.

Hawks are knocking on the door, currently 9th in PPG (1.04 per game).

Interestingly, the top 2 PPG teams are St. L and Boston, so they've not had any post Stanley Cup blues this season.


Keep up the fun blogs!

Sikura did have a dry spell after his hat trick two weeks ago but has picked it up point-wise the past few games. Even during the drought, he was still one of the best players Hogs each game.

IMO, Sikura is every bit of an all-around player as Highmore. Sikura can play middle 6 while Highmore as well as Wedin are more of bottom 6 forwards.

I liked that Highmore got the first call up. Agree with Tyler that had he not been injured most of last year, he would likely have ended the prior season on the Hawks and may have been on the team to start this current year.

Between Wedin and Sikura, I would have much rather have seen Dylan. Anton is a nice player but the rewarding of which Hog players get recalled over others doesn't seem merit based (this stems back to the Boqvist recall).
- AEL_Fox

I don’t have a preference between Wedin, Sikura and Highmore. I think it all comes down to which guys can make the most of the opportunity they’re given. I think Wedin and Highmore could find their niche in the bottom 6. I think Sikura could fill a role in the top 9, but I’m starting to lose confidence that he’ll get that chance in Chicago.

To me a middle 6 forward has to score. Didn’t see that from Sikura when he was up last year. Sikura, Wedin, and Highmore are bottom 6/fringe NHL guys until they prove otherwise. I think they are calling up guys that can help in a specific roll and to take a look at them. I think the front office know what they have in Sikura and want to see if others can bring anything more.
- bhawks2241

That's a fair assessment as far as Sikura, Wedin, and Highmore being bottom 6 prospects until proven otherwise. My outlook on each of them is based on potential from their play in Rockford.

To your point, Kubalik, Dach, and Nylander have all played bottom 6 this season with time up in the top 6 as well. Some of the deployment reasoning is sheltering and developmental. Yet, Dach and Nylander are ultimately top 6 talents while Kubalik is middle 6.

So Sikura was beaten out of an NHL berth in training camp by Cagguila, Nylander, Kubalik and to a much lesser extent Dach. It might be that Colliton doesn't think he fits this Hawk roster very well and I think lack of size probably has a lot to do with it. And Highmore likely fits better to a 4th line role or he may just be in town for a week so because he is more versatile and deserves a major league pay cheque short term.
- RickJ

That could very well be it. Merit isn't the only reason for call-ups so fit within a system as well as type of player needed are also factors. With Caggiula on LTIR, the opening may have called for player of his ilk and Highmore does fill it better than Sikura or Wedin.

However, with Strome in concussion protocol, a prospect like Sikura with skill, vision, and hockey sense could have been the fill in. Instead, management went with Wedin who isn't stellar at any one thing and is simply an industrious worker. Nothing wrong with that if that fits what Colliton needs.

Next up IMO will be taking a look at other defenceman in Rockford - maybe Macosham or Holm. They will want to see what they have before making any trades. (And Bowman must or should be looking at what the Jets have been able to do using call ups to help with their decimated NHL defence).
- RickJ

I think this is true and would be a good move by management since the Rockford blueline will be crowded again with more prospects likely to join the ranks next year in Mitchell, Moberg, and possibly Regula and Galvas. Some decisions need to be made as to who to retain and who to let go.

Holm, McCoshen, and Tuulola's contracts expire this summer while Gilbert and Carlsson have one more year on their ELCs. If some or all aren't in the long-term plans for the Hawks, try to ship them out for new assets.

I don’t have a preference between Wedin, Sikura and Highmore. I think it all comes down to which guys can make the most of the opportunity they’re given. I think Wedin and Highmore could find their niche in the bottom 6. I think Sikura could fill a role in the top 9, but I’m starting to lose confidence that he’ll get that chance in Chicago.
- DarthKane

Couldn't agree more: whoever gets the call needs to make the most of the opportunity. I think your projected water level for each of them is spot on.

Also, I tend to agree that it's starting to appear that Sikura may not be in the Hawks plans anymore and may need to find his chance elsewhere.