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Sunday, July 21, 2013

We May Be Looking At the Wrong Blackhawk...

It just occurred to me that maybe,...just maybe, the Blackhawks are looking at NOT doing anything with Sheldon Brookbank, or may,....but, what if they are really looking at dealing Niklas Hjalmarsson instead? Crazy? Don't underestimate Stan and his ability to wheel and deal.

Here we go.....Here are some scenarios that I think could be happening.


Alright,...we know that the Hawks are going to have to bring up a few forwards. NO doubt. We also know that right now, the way things stand, that would mean bringing up 5 guys from Rockford. WOOOOOE...that's a lot.

So, with the current roster as it is, the Hawks actually decrease in ability. So, here is what I am thinking.

Let's say that Stan is looking to load up on defensemen that are Hjalmarsson type guys. ( i.e. puck carrying defensemen, that can block shots, protect the blue line, pinch players against the boards, fight for pucks and can send pretty tape to tape passes on stretch plays) Well, that you have JUST done by signing Mike Kostka.  Sure,...we know the dollar figures aren't out yet, but I guarantee it isn't for a cool $1 mill.   That would definitely clear up some cap space.




Michael Kostka (Defenceman) 6'1"/210# Shoots:R DOB: 28Nov 85



The Other person that fits that role is:

Ryan Stanton: I think that Stanton NOW would take a backseat to Kostka. I don't see why Bowman would sign Kostka simply to fill an AHL roster. However, if Kostka doesn't pan out, then Kostka and his two way contract could go to Rockford and Stanton could come up.





2012-13 Season Notes
-Named Rockford's Top Defensemen for a second straight season
-Set career highs with 21 assists and 24 points
-Had a goal, the game winning goal, added an assist and was named the #1 Star of the Game in Rockford’s 2-1 win over Milwaukee on 4/2/13
-Appeared in his 200th career game with Rockford on 2/13/13 and set a career high with his 15th career assist
-Set an IceHogs record by playing in 147 consecutive games from 2/26/11 to 2/13/13
2011-12 Season Notes
-Named Rockford’s Top Defenseman
-Marked two assists in Rockford’s 2-1 win at Peoria on 3/3/12
-Potted a goal in Rockford’s 3-1 win at Milwaukee on 3/2/12
-Tallied a career-high three assists and was a +4 in Rockford’s 7-3 win over Peoria on 11/25/11
-Was a +3 in Rockford’s 6-4 win at Peoria on 10/28/11


2010-11 Season Notes

-Named the IceHogs Most Improved Player for the 2010-11 season
-Assisted on Rockford’s game-winning goal and was a +3 in the IceHogs 5-4 overtime win at Chicago on 4/10/11
-Had two goals, including the game-winner, and was named the #1 Star of the Game in Rockford’s 5-1 win over San Antonio on 3/23/11
-Notched his second straight multi-point game on 2/25/11 at Peoria, chipping in two assists in Rockford’s 4-2 win
-Scored his first career professional goal and an assist in Rockford’s 4-3 loss at Chicago on 2/23/11
-Chipped in two assists in Rockford’s 8-5 win over Texas on 12/8/10
-Marked an assist in Rockford’s 3-2 shootout win at Grand Rapids on 11/26/10
-Had two assists, first career multi-point game, five PIMs and a +3 in Rockford’s 4-0 win at Abbotsford on 10/15/10



You don't lose much with Stanton, and really...isn't Stanton ONLY lacking NHL experience? (Look at who his NHL team is? hard to get that call up eh?) Would Ryan Stanton be playing in the NHL if he played for many other NHL team affiliates? Both Kostka and Stanton can replace Hjalmarsson.

You also have the last option,...which is Adam Clendening. He is probably the MOST TALENTED of the three.  At 5'11"/ 190# he is slightly smaller, but his game SURELY makes up for it.



2012-13 Season Notes
-Finished third in the AHL among defenseman scoring with 46 points and led all blueliners with 37 assists
-Named a 2nd team AHL All-Star and Rockford's Rookie of the Year
-Notched three assists in Rockford's 7-4 win at Oklahoma City on 3/9/13
-Chipped in two assists in Rockford’s 4-3 loss to Oklahoma City on 1/26/13
-Marked two assists in Rockford's 4-2 win at Lake Erie on 11/23/12, his third straight multi-point game
-Recorded second straight two-point outing with a goal and an assist in Rockford's 5-4 win over Peoria on 11/21/12
-Notched his first professional multi-point game (1g-1a) in Rockford’s 3-2 loss at Houston on 11/18/12
-Netted his first career goal in Rockford’s 6-5 victory over Lake Erie on 11/3/12
-Dished out an assist against San Antonio on 10/25/12 to mark his first professional point
-Made professional debut on 10/19/12 at Peoria in Rockford's 2-1 loss
2011-12 Season Notes
-Shared the lead among Hockey East defensemen with a career-high 33 points (4g-29a) in 38 games with the Terriers
-Named a Hockey East First Team All-Star
-One of two sophomores selected to the All-New England Division I All Star-Team
-Had back-to-back three assist games on 1/14/12 (at Harvard) and 1/20/12 (vs. Providence)
-Scored his first goal of the season against Cornell on 11/26/11 to help the Terriers to a 2-1 overtime victory


2010-11 Season Notes
-Apart of Team USA’s gold medal winning team at the 2010 IIFH World U18 Championships with a 3-1 victory over Sweden
-Was named as one of the defensemen to the IIFH World U18 tournament All-Star team and as one of Team USA's three top players
-Hockey East Honorable Mention All-Star
-Tied for fourth on Boston in scoring with 26 points on the strength of a squad-best 21 assists
-Runner-up for Hockey East Rookie of the Month in February
-Named a Hockey East Top Performer on four separate occasions (1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 2/28)



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