Rockford sucks. Moving too many up to Chicago doesn't sound like a plan for success for the NHL team.
- rpeters01

Hagel, Entwistle, Kucherov et al probably won't be on the scene til 21/22. They will eventually replace the Shaw, Smith and Cags types. In the cap world, got to keep bringing in the low cost replacements.

I know the Hawks are very short on top 6 talent in the pipeline but the bottom 6 could be quite solid. Assuming the top 6 can beef up in other ways, the teams with the best 3rd and 4th lines will routinely be the more competitive teams.

Middle 6 potential: Barratt, Nordgren, Kurashev, Teply, Wise

Bottom 6 potential: Entwistle, Hagel, Hakkarainen, Highmore, Saarela, Slavin, Soderlund

I bolded the prospects who have the highest potential to make it to the NHL, IMO. The others are either too early to tell or need to get past injury setbacks.

Altybarmakyan has middle 6 potential but all Russian prospects are in the "believe it when I see it" category to not only want to play in North America but actually work hard to stay beyond a year.
- AEL_Fox

No Sikura?

No Sikura?
- StLBravesFan

Me thinks that ship has passed.

Hagel, Entwistle, Kucherov et al probably won't be on the scene til 21/22. They will eventually replace the Shaw, Smith and Cags types. In the cap world, got to keep bringing in the low cost replacements.
- boilermaker100

Except you can get true NHL players cheap, the Andrew Dejardain Jokim Nordstrom types.

How that the Hawks are pretty much out of the Playoffs, who is most likely moved?

Who would you want to get moved?

Who can bring back the greatest return?


I'm hoping for a full rebuild now. Saad, Debrincat, Gus, Lehner, Maata, and Crawford should all look to get moved.

Simplify. Nylander needs to learn to not try to make every play a highlight reel. He has gotten better a bit as the season has worn on. To me, it is almost like he trying to decide what to do. In the NHL, time and space is quickly taken away.
- Elbows15

I agree. It looks like he still tries to do things that worked for him when he was younger and dominating lesser competition.

As to the other youngster Dach... man is he going to be beast when he develops. He has already adjust to the physicality and is much more aware of the fact guys are going to try and run him into next week. He has actually been looking to lay reverse hits lately.

I actually think he has surprisingly good speed/skating and it seems to be getting better as the season progresses. You can't teach the reach he has either.... too bad he is stuck in jail with a snake bit Dcat and Strome.

I like him with Saad and Kane. That line could be an absolute force next year. A big center like Dach is perfect for Kane too. I imagine that would extend the number of years he remains elite.

How that the Hawks are pretty much out of the Playoffs, who is most likely moved?

Who would you want to get moved?

Who can bring back the greatest return?


I'm hoping for a full rebuild now. Saad, Debrincat, Gus, Lehner, Maata, and Crawford should all look to get moved.
- RedRevenge

You keep DCat (his value is too low right now and he is young with cost certainty the next few years), listen to offers for Saad, and move Lehner, Maata, Crow, and Gus for whatever you can get.

No Sikura?
- StLBravesFan

I still like Sikura and think he can make it next year. Extra development in the AHL is doing him good. Would love for him to make it with the Hawks.

Just unsure if there will be room on the big roster for him. He could be better off making it elsewhere with openings that fit his skill set.

Except you can get true NHL players cheap, the Andrew Dejardain Jokim Nordstrom types.
- rpeters01

Sure. Like a Carpenter type. Doesn't hurt to have a few of those types in the system. Unfortunately, not much 1st or 2nd line talent in Rockford. Hawks definitely have to address that in the post Kane/Toews years which will be here before you know it. Dach and maybe Nylander are future top 6. Need a few more.

Edit Also Cat, Strome could for in the top 6. Not expecting 40 goals every year from Cat, but 25-30 would be nice. Strome has to show more.

Maybe a 3rd liner? All the 4th line spots are taken.
- boilermaker100

Kurshaev Hagel Wise/Slavin. Omits the Penn State kid what is his name Barrett. Eeventually if Barrett then minus (ship) Strome elsewhere. The future make up of the team is promising because I believe bottom lines can play with aggression, speed, grit, reliable defensively and a modicum of talent. A Kyrs or whomever on third pair (Carlsson) with the proposed candidates on lines three and four, will surprise with their chipping in offensively. Roll four strong lines. But adding one more top six and resolving the Strome/DeBrincat issue needs to occur/not on going. Next season Strome DeBrincat either earn a job or loose a job.

You keep DCat (his value is too low right now and he is young with cost certainty the next few years), listen to offers for Saad, and move Lehner, Maata, Crow, and Gus for whatever you can get.
- bhawks2241

Anyone disagree with this: why?

https://www.scout.com/hoc...ahead-of-henri-jokiharju/



Hmm, ahead of Joker, Hmm................

I agree. It looks like he still tries to do things that worked for him when he was younger and dominating lesser competition.

As to the other youngster Dach... man is he going to be beast when he develops. He has already adjust to the physicality and is much more aware of the fact guys are going to try and run him into next week. He has actually been looking to lay reverse hits lately.

I actually think he has surprisingly good speed/skating and it seems to be getting better as the season progresses. You can't teach the reach he has either.... too bad he is stuck in jail with a snake bit Dcat and Strome.

I like him with Saad and Kane. That line could be an absolute force next year. A big center like Dach is perfect for Kane too. I imagine that would extend the number of years he remains elite.
- bhawks2241

Agree on Dach. Even within this season you see the growth in his physical game. He is not only starting to dish out but the other team is just bouncing off of him lately when they do run him.

Having a budding beast center like Dach is very exciting. Solid already across the entire ice sheet.

In the upcoming draft, center prospects like Byfield or Lundell are enticing to add to the depth.

Agree on Dach. Even within this season you see the growth in his physical game. He is not only starting to dish out but the other team is just bouncing off of him lately when they do run him.

Having a budding beast center like Dach is very exciting. Solid already across the entire ice sheet.
- AEL_Fox

Well except for at the dot.... but I think that will come with time.

You keep DCat (his value is too low right now and he is young with cost certainty the next few years), listen to offers for Saad, and move Lehner, Maata, Crow, and Gus for whatever you can get.
- bhawks2241

This makes the most sense. Maybe get a 1st and a prospect for Saad, a 1st for Lehner. I don't think we will sign Lehner so move him and maybe sign him this summer if his value drops.

Oh, and while Saad has more goals, both Strome (31 pts) and Debrincat (37 pts) have more points than Saad who has 28 points.
- Googlyeyes

That's true but its also true that their play away from the puck (Strome and DeBrincat) is a liability. There's a reason why we're trading Gustavson despite him scoring 60+ points last year. Gotta be a competent two way player, whether you're a forward or Dman.

DeBrincat was given a massive extension solely because he averaged over 30 goals in his two seasons. When he's not putting up goals, his deficiencies are amplified.

That's true but its also true that their play away from the puck is a liability. There's a reason why we're trading Gustavson despite him scoring 60+ points last year. Gotta be a competent two player, whether you're a forward or Dman.
- catrisc

Saad kills penalties.

Anyone disagree with this: why?
- jhawk59

I keep Saad.

https://www.scout.com/hockey/nhl/news/nick-seeler-is-projected-to-be-the-130-defenseman-the-rest-of-the-season-behind-carson-soucy-and-ahead-of-henri-jokiharju/



Hmm, ahead of Joker, Hmm................
- vabeachbear

In age, for sure

This makes the most sense. Maybe get a 1st and a prospect for Saad, a 1st for Lehner. I don't think we will sign Lehner so move him and maybe sign him this summer if his value drops.
- rickboardman

Stan would pack Lehner's bag himself if he could get a 1st.

This team is pretty much done. All we can hope for with some luck is to draft in the top 5 of the draft. Stan has a plan but it's not working. On a side note it feels good to be free again!

Their inability to produce with the talent they have is maddening.
There are a few obvious problems. #1 is that everyone defers to Kane and expects him to perform Kane like magic without helping him out. Give him the puck and stand around is not an option. If everyone is in motion, Kane has the vision and passing ability to make the "magic" happen, if everyone is standing, it's too easy to pressure and overplay Kane and kill the opportunities.

A bigger issue is expecting Gus to be a PP QB. I'm sorry, but he is just too dumb. Watch his choices when he has to make a decision with the puck. Dump when you should pass, pass when you should shoot, poor reads leading to short handed goals, and man oh man, how many times has he put teammates in awful positions with just terrible passes. Boqvist may have been a little tentative on the PP, but even as a 19 year old he made better decisions than Gus.
- TheTrob

Your spot on. Chicago power play is so predictable that teams stack the blue line or pressure relentlessly. Kane can't do everything .

This is probably the Bowman mcDonough understanding. So we should quit calling for Colliton and Bowman to be axed. Actually I still have a problem with Bowman since I want more accountability. This comes with a better system and more quantity wise grit and willingness to battle along boards. Playoff is key exposes this if it is lacking. I do believe Bowman will draft well but this Colliton system has me disgusted. Probably both are coming back though. I await poster Rick to comment on my post which addresses some of this. Be had a good read on everything always imho
- jhawk59

You make some great points. My personal opinion bowman has long over stayed his welcome. The icing on the cake was this season's utter failure . JC had the off season to put in place and build a system and prepare his team and he missed the mark . Stan had the off season with plenty of cap space to rebuild this team to compete.

https://www.scout.com/hockey/nhl/news/nick-seeler-is-projected-to-be-the-130-defenseman-the-rest-of-the-season-behind-carson-soucy-and-ahead-of-henri-jokiharju/



Hmm, ahead of Joker, Hmm................
- vabeachbear

Of course, that's a fantasy hockey website. And a fantasy hockey ranking.
I believe the Blackhawks, and the rest of the NHL, are attempting to play actual, rather than fantasy, hockey.

You make some great points. My personal opinion bowman has long over stayed his welcome. The icing on the cake was this season's utter failure . JC had the off season to put in place and build a system and prepare his team and he missed the mark . Stan had the off season with plenty of cap space to rebuild this team to compete.
- Taylorst1

Wasn't it you who liked all the off season moves and predicted the Hawks to win the Central. Yes you changed your tune a month or two into the season. So if you were wrong in your earlier prediction, what credibility do you have saying now that Stan and JC basically suck because of the off season transactions?