Alex DeBrincat Makes History, Blackhawks Escape Sharks
Nothing can ever be easy for these Blackhawks.
Chicago came out and played a strong first period. The visiting Blackhawks got on the board first at 4:10 when Alex DeBrincat scored a (gasp!) power play goal.
Contrary to what we may have been led to believe in recent weeks, the Blackhawks are actually allowed to score while having the advantage. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane were credited with the assists on DeBrincat’s 39th of the season.
San Jose challenged the goal, believing contact made with Martin Jones was enough to warrant the goal being overturned. The war room disagreed and the Sharks burned their timeout less than five minutes into the contest.
Two minutes later Connor Murphy unloaded and got a fortunate redirection from a defender’s skate to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Brandon Saad, who had a tremendous first period, was credited with one of the assists on Murphy’s fifth of the season. Artem Anisimov picked up the other helper.
Saad picked up his second assist of the period 4:40 later when Toews tapped in his 33rd of the year.
Erik Gustafsson was credited with an assist on the Toews goal as well.
The three goal lead lasted exactly 60 seconds until Lukas Radil got San Jose on the board. His seventh of the season broke up Corey Crawford’s shutout bid.
In the opening 20 minutes the Blackhawks held a 14-9 shot advantage. Brent Seabrook took two penalties in the first, neither of which hurt the Hawks. But between periods during his television interview with Eddie Olczyk, Saad said staying out of the box would be important for the Hawks to maintain or expand their lead in the second.
A wise piece of advice that sadly wasn’t followed in the following period.
Slater Koekkoek went to the box 42 seconds into the second period. Gustav Nyquist scored on the power play.
At 4:21 the Hawks were able to extend the lead back to two when DeBrincat scored a significant goal – his 40th of the year.
The goal was an important personal benchmark for DeBrincat in what will likely end a lost season in Chicago. DeBrincat becomes the youngest player in Blackhawks history to reach 40 goals in a season. He and Kane also made history together with the goal.
Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat of the @NHLBlackhawks are the second set of U.S.-born teammates in NHL history to each score 40+ goals in a season, joining Kevin Stevens and Joe Mullen in 1991-92 (w/ PIT). #NHLStats #CHIvsSJS pic.twitter.com/WFTPjNBbuj
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 29, 2019
Seabrook went back to the box for the third time in the game only 25 seconds after the DeBrincat goal and the Sharks took advantage again. This time Tomas Hertl was on the scoring end for San Jose.
It took almost ten minutes for either team to score again, and it was the Sharks tying the game as Timo Meier beat Crawford for his 29th of the season.
Two minutes later Chris Kunitz was in the right place at the right time and picked up a significant goal.
No records were made or broken on the Kunitz goal, but it would stand up as the final score in a game that went completely off the rails in the second period.
San Jose out-shot the Hawks 12-5 in the second period but the Hawks hung on to a one-goal lead.
Crawford played well in the third, though he officially only faced nine shots. The Sharks burning their timeout early in the first period came back to bite them late when they could have used it to organize a final attack. Chicago was able to hang on to their one-goal lead for 20 minutes and skated away with a good road victory.
Neither team was called for a penalty in the third period.
Toews put a game-high seven shots on net in the game. In addition to one goal and one assist, Toews blocked one shot and won 13 of 25 faceoffs in 18:38 on the ice.
Saad, Kane and Gustafsson were credited with two assists each in the game. DeBrincat was credited with three shots on net, scoring twice. Dominik Kahun put five shots on net for Chicago.
Murphy had a busy night. In addition to his goal, he led Chicago with six blocked shots and was credited with four hits in 20:45. Koekkoek led Chicago with six hits in the game. Seabrook was credited with three blocked shots and was called for a game-high six penalty minutes.
Chicago’s blue line was credited with three shots on goal – combined.
Crawford made 26 saves in the victory.
Even with VAN and PHI we be 2 games behind. Still could but tuff. Even though we almost and are there to go 15-1-1 in last 17 thats tuff. Not even TAM with a 19 roster could do that and against a weaker sch. 14 of our last 17 are against top 10.
People can say what they will for our short handed roster and not perfect performance, but that sch and trying to go 15-1-1 is, yea its that not our lack of effort and still were this close.
Really good playing by the guys, even if not every game. No pussy quitin.
-Perlini is back to his old self again. Lazy.
-Kunitz had a good game. He only played 8 minutes but I kept noticing him out there…in a good way.
-KoeKKoek…yea…we need an upgrade this summer. No awareness at all on his gaffe.
-Sikura looks good again. He can’t get a point tho.
-Wow. Debrincat. Congrats to him.
Looked like they got up 3 0 and it was what are we suppose to do. Congratulations to Kane and Debrincat on 40 goal seasons, plus Toews may get 35. After this kind of production on seperate lines, not sure why in the most important games of the season, they were put together to basically become a one line team for others teams to shutdowm and lose the balance that was finally bringing some success.
If Kubalik signed, a big physical center drafted and Anisimov moved, Nelson signed for 3c next year and big physical winger after the no.1 pick ready. Have Entwistle and Kurashev if they don’t stick out of camp as legit callup help from Rockford plus a year more development for others, would it be enough with acquisition of top 4 Dman to play with Gus or Joki and Keith with the other. Murphy and Seabrook other pair, depth in Rockford too . A healthy Crawford in goal and solid backup signed with Delia in Rockford.
Is Perlini found gold, a two week star or a big talented 4th liner? We’ve seen everything but the transformations in and out of that were-have been impressive.
I think they loosened up a bit at the start (they knew they are too far out now) and caught the other team and themselves by surprise.
Still don’t understand my Crow has to protect himself?
Watched Entwistle last night and think he will have some adjustments with the quicker pace in the NHL-he was third star and in the London game Boqvist first star-2 more goals.
This season has truly been a roller coaster. Twice they were in a situation where they played a few games in a row that had a direct effect on their playoff possibilities, and they basically lost them all except for the OT win against Colorado. Then, when you think they are completely dead, they beat good teams. They need a couple D, and another good forward that can play both ways. The offseason is going to be real interesting.
Noonan i have watched Entwistle a bit this year and my take is that his play without the puck and pk ability would be an upgrade on this roster right now. His challenge will likely be if he can produce offensively at the Nhl level.
Pretty much into a lot of beers at the 1223am post.
Good for the Hawks for pulling it out in the third after doing their best to give the game away in the 2nd
I have supported KK in the past but his unawareness on the 4-4 goal of the SJ forward was inexcusable – I expect to see Dahlstrom in for him next game
And WTF Perlini – Eddie O correctly pointed out his inexplicable attempt to kick the puck to the Hawks FW rather than use his stick which he could have and instead caused a turnover – idk if that was the play that got him benched – he only played less than 6 minutes total and hardly at all if at all after that play – I didn’t hear about him being injured – anyone else?
With plays like that from KK and Perlini it makes you wonder about their innate hockey IQ and if they’ll ever figure out how to actually consistently play the NHL level game – it takes some longer than others so I’m not abandoning hope but I’d like to see improvement from those two particularly in the remaining games (if they even play)
SJ is not playing well right now so I wouldn’t take too much from this win – it would be typical of CHI to now lay an egg in LA (like they did vs the Kings before when it actually really mattered)
Congrats to Dcat – too little too late I’m afraid for the playoffs (could have used a goal from him last week) but a great year nevertheless
Biskit, yea just forgetting before/the first 65 games. When we had how ever many left and we did not win those two PHI VAN that was basically it/even though still could.
Really since then we ve split the games against the good teams. 2-2 against COL and ARI, and now we beat SAN. We just cant go 15-1-1 thats ridiculous for any team.
Only one team went like that, BOS, in the last 25 games and that was because they have a deeper roster and got on a roll. I mean we went 23-11, thats not 15-1-1, but thats very good for a 3 qtr full roster.
Draft and summer/july 1 should be really exciting for us because we know adding to our core id going to make us deeper. We have lots of space to add what we need.
Wrap, not going against what your saying… too little too late, not thinking its that. Its 15-1-1 is ridiculous to do for last 17 games of the 82. Think its more, no team in hockey, TAM ’19 or any of the dynasty Blackhawks teams are going to go 15-1-1 in last 17 games, its just not realistic, for any team.
Especially after we played really hard for 2 mths right before these last 15 games.
If these 17 games wernt the last 17, it would be so magnified the way it is.
Yea we arnt good at what were not and those/certain guys need to get ‘there’ like you said to be on 23man when were deep in 2 yrs.
I guess it doesnt matter how each of us say things or think/feel, we re all in the same boat and mostly agree with what we need to do, to add.
The good thing is we have the cap space to add this summer before july 1. we did not the last two summers. And like Bowman always says, its better to wait and see what you really need then just to add add players left and right, right off the bat.
Wrap, yea thats the main thing for this yr. We did really good, everything we wanted to do. I mean before the 81 games started I do not think any of us though we would do this good. More like between last yr shit show and this yr good play/that had bad shorthanded roster play too.
Point is we did exactly what we needed to for this yr, to prepare for the coming yrs and the high end draft players are closer now. Have the cap space to add and no one relaly lit it up to get a massive raise other then the guys who would expect to. really lines things up good/right for going forward.
This is it though, we have to have to add what we need this summer/draft trades. Cant have anymore tank ufa seasons. It was ok in these two transition yrs but not anymore. Its time to get back and add to roster again, while the young good player get established.
Have a good summer everyone. Its going to be a good one for the blackhawks.
Ian, yea looking good for who we have coming roster wise each yr coming up.
Noonan, I would be happy of 11 is a Kopy/82 kind of player. Someone who can play when we have a quality deep 12 FW.
Biskit, I would put this yr like this
games 1-30, we had tank ufas and not good at D
games 30-70, after making the roster adjustments we played really good and went 23-11-6 and almost made playoffs, being 9 games under .500? thats crazy and just ran out of gas the last 10 or so games.
Not counting out what we suck at and need more a lot more depth, that is coming soon enough.
games 70-80, just too far behind 30 games in and not have enough of the style type of players to play this playoff kind of game.
Overall, still though good to see what were good at and not good at. So we can make the proper tweaks.
Nice to see Cat get off this little schneid he’s been on lately. Hopefully Kaner can do the same so he doesn’t have that stuck in his craw all summer long.
Both of the plays by Koekkoek and Perlini epitomized the problem with both players and the problem is firmly ensconced between their ears. Bonehead plays can not continued to be tolerated. Hopefully Perlini is able to learn because he has the physical ability to be an outstanding winger who I think just tries to be too cute sometimes. Koekkoek doesn’t really have exceptional physical tools so the patience level with his bonehead plays is probably less and deservedly so.
Saad – when his engine is going like it has been lately – he’s probably worth that $6M AAV. He’s probably our most attractive trade chip though so I wouldn’t be against losing him to get a solid top-4 d-man.
Only 6 games left … and then the long drought. I’m going to enjoy these last 6 games no matter the outcome.
Ian I think you may be right-he may do enough of the ‘right’ things but will be hard pressed to produce a lot, but the right combination of line-mates will be a huge factor.
One way or the other who ends up being top 9 will be interesting-lots of bodies in the next year or two but who emerges to go with Saad, Toews, Kane, Cat, and Strome will be interesting.
A minimalist’s approach to last night’s game ….
They went to the net.
They scored.
They went to the box or had bad mental lapses.
The other team scored.
Crawford takes abuse.
No one stands up for him.
Mo – I think we’re on the same page – the Hawks were in too big a hole (last place in Dec.) to dig themselves all the way out but no doubt there has been some significant improvement since that time and with a good summer there should be optimism for next year about getting back to the playoffs
@ER – I’m not for trading Saad – the Hawks need him especially the way he’s playing now and who says he won’t be better next year
Agreed they need a top 4 D but we also need more FWs who play like Saad not less especially someone like Saad who is in his prime years
Stan should find another way to get a top 4 D (UFA or trade) even if it means trading say Mitchell who probably won’t be an impact player for at least 2 years from now – the Hawks need players to make an impact starting next October to maximize the T and K window not 2 years from now
Wrap, I agree I wouldn’t WANT Saad traded but you have to give to get and a top-4 d-man is probably more valuable than a top-6 winger unless that winger is elite – which Saad is not. I don’t have a specific top-4 d-man in mind but anyone that legitimately meets the specs of a top-4 d-man is going to cost more in a trade than only Saad. I would guess a package of Saad AND Mitchell would be the minimum to getting a long-term top-4 d-man.
ER – maybe for a team with cap considerations taking back $6 million is not something they could afford and therefore they would be interested in prospects draft picks and young players on ELC
Sikura Mitchell and a 2nd say
If Sikura, Mitchell and a 2nd could get a legit top-4 d-man that is not over 30 and will be under contract for 5+ years – count me in.
If we trade any of the Four Horsemen, its got to be for a Defesnemen thats 22-27/prime of prime yrs player.
There has been a lot of conversation here over the past couple years concerning Brandon Saad versus Artemi Panarin, and which is the winner in the trade. Apples versus apples, let’s look at some numbers this year:
Panarin vs Saad
games played 74 vs 75
goals 27 vs 23
assists 52 vs 22
plus 10 vs -7
PIM 23 vs 12
PP goals 6 vs 5
PP assist 11 vs 1
short handed goal 0 vs 3
short handed assist 0 vs 0
Game win goals 8 vs 3
OT goals 4 vs 0
shots 180 vs 186
shot % 15 vs 12.4
You pick which team is better, which player gets to play on the top PP unit, which player gets more top line minutes in the year, and then compare the offensive numbers. Then talk about the defensive side of the game and which player even plays on the PK, gets the tough defensive assignment, the quality of the usual line he plays on etc. Then consider work ethic. One will be demanding $8m or so next year while the other gets $6.5 .
It comes down to whether you value an all around game or a one-way player who really has no interest In the other side of the game. I get it – goals are pretty and usually the standard by which we view our star players. Everyone loves a goal scorer and gets bored watching defense. I don’t know how different the numbers would be if Saad had comparable playing time on the top PP unit, or spent most of the year playing with top line players. You can even argue that top line players on the Hawks has frequently consisted of Kahun or Perlinni or Sikura for Saad. Panarin has had better quality players around him most of the season.
I’ll still take Saad in this exchange and not look back, even when Panarin scores his 40 goals (career high 31 with Chicago). I look for Saad to take a step forward next year with a coach interested in watching him play well and enjoy his time on the ice rather than having Saad looking over his shoulder worrying about which seat he gets in the press box next game.
Should he be traded for a top 4 Dman? Interesting question. I think he is worth a 3/4 player, but not likely a 1/2 player. But I also agree that moving him now when you have nobody in the system behind him that brings what he brings night in and night out makes less sense. A 3/4 Dman with youth and a great contract – maybe. Otherwise, I keep him. Defense takes effort and a lot of it. Most goal scorers don’t want to do the hard work, just get the applause for turning the light on. The Hawks need scoring forwards who can help keep the light behind their goalie turned off. Toews is the same type of player with a bunch more skill. Name me two others on the team. While I am not a big fan of statistics because they simply don’t catch intangibles, I think most fans have gotten to see what Saad can bring to the team that don’t show up statistically, and can remember the way he plays in the playoffs. Panarin has disappeared for CLB in the last 20 games while Saad was a mess In the first 20, getting bounced around by the coach. I just can’t make a case for Panarin being the more valuable player.
I welcome someone taking the other side and am willing to listen.
Silent Spot, I’m with you on this one.
Panarin is incredibly skilled. He’s improved in some ways over what he was when he was in Chicago, which was great then, too.
But I don’t think the Blackhawks need to spend that kind of capital on Panarin when you look at what the team is lacking in overall team depth and defensive responsibility.
Saad has played well this year IMO, and I would like him to stay regardless of whether he would go at the expense of Panarin. I’m for keeping Saad as one of the top 6 guys up front. His consistency is a bit of an issue, but that could pretty much be said about a ton of guys on the team.
Sikura has promise, but if he can be packaged the right way, at this particular time in the Blackhawks’ makeup, I’m for him being dealt. He’s got great upside but he may need to be moved as part of a deal for proven commodities that can step in next season. If he develops into an All Star elsewhere, so be it. It would be giving up what needs developing, for what you need now that is already developed.
Just my two cents (or less) worth.
Silent – agree on Panarin as much as I like him the Hawks can do better with the $9 million or so it would cost to get him
An upgrade at 3C and a top 4 Dman would be at the top of my wish list – if you can move AA I think you can do both and AA’s nmc expires after July 1 so it’s a realistic scenario
Understand wanting now not 2 yrs from now, but we want to be loaded in 2yrs from now/or heading to that as high end draft players start prime yrs. It would mean less of a wave for that top 4 now. Which might work just dandy.
If only way to get a top pair is to trade 20 and then you got to add a player like 20, have to. Then ok but for a regular top 4/2nd pair defensemen, nah. Theres got to be a way to do it without trading 20 or a Four Horsemen. If its a top pair defensmen, yes yes because we want any of the Four Horsemen to be that and then thats one top pair guy right there anyways.
Silent, Saader is 6.0 caphit and I would count fancy 3 on 3 goals, but I know what your saying and thats what I think and was happy Bowman got Saader back that summer. It was one of those fukk yes (20) then fukk no (4) moments.
Also think I would take 72 back if hes in the 8m area, not 10 or more area, whilt keeping 20. I would rather have 20 though for reason you said and other reason.
Funny thing is people said what a fukkup by Bowman during the first 10 games. Thats when I said you can always cut a tree down later, you cant put it back. What happened Saader went on a ‘normal’ stretch for him and got his 25 goals even with that stuff in first 10/nothing when he did suck.
To me we need a Hoss, Sharpy and Hammer and other players back. And I mean players that are like them maybe not as good/81. To me 12 is the new 10. When Sharpy was in the prime of his prime yrs he scored 35. De bob lee swagger cat is a hair better, cool. Who ever is the guy to do what Hoss does, might be a hair less, that is prob Saader now.
Whats left to get, what we need, another Hammer.
Ian, has a good idea for our next Bolly. That 3 line center.
Forgot to say, 72 is regular season guy, not that I do not think he cant be good player player/on a deep team. He didnt get that chance here, yet.
We know Saader from his first few yrs, so we know how good he really is. That CLB dum-bass coach screwed him up. So like Silent said I think he starts to emerge in the coming seasons and becomes a beast again.
I also think Dcat is a better teammate than Panarin, meaning I think Dcat likes to help his teammates rather than wants them to help him. I feel he is less selfish than Panarin and will be a lot easier to bridge contract after next season. Panarin is a better player with Kane, who is very unselfish with the puck and is happy to help linemates. Panarin got spoiled.
Dcat has a lot of room to grow: fewer turnovers leaving his defensive zone, needs to be banging in the corners better (shows when with Toews that he doesn’t work hard enough there) and improving his defensive play and desire. But boy, can he bury the puck with that lightening release and he knows how to get to the soft open areas. I think he can be a real stud – pretty easy call huh? I like him better with Strome, who I also think has a very good future. He can really see the ice and he loves being a setup man.
Sikura – skates well, better backchecking with each game, finding open areas, but obviously needs to turn the light on to feel like he belongs. A little soft on his skates, I think he is lost on the right wing. He doesn’t know how to protect the puck and use his strength over there. Hasn’t figured out how to use his speed on that side to get past players when he has the puck. Probably best suited on the left side until he hits a few homers. Saad had a similar problem but sorted it out, mainly because he is stronger on his skates. Sikura needs more seasoning, but his time is running out. Late bloomer?
Kahun – curious what kind of improvement we see next year. Can he be a top six? Skates well, works hard, but doesn’t get much accomplished. Tries to play defense and is getting better at it. Hands aren’t bad.
Kampf – I believe what he brings is underrated here on this board, but I do agree that he isn’t gonna be a 20-25 goal guy. Probably a lifer at the bottom six, but a very good one when he matures. Decent at the dot – when he doesn’t get tossed – though statistically down a bit this year (may be influenced by being on the checking line that faces #1 centers a lot). Reminds me a lot of Krueger early in his career. Kills penalties. Ultimate role player and a necessary part of a team.
Perlinni – got his 15 minutes of fame a couple weeks ago. Want more? WORK AT IT. Plain and simple. He will be as good as he works to be. Skates, nice release, but prefers the OLAY form of defense a bullfighter employs. Move your feet (and not to kick the puck to the open ice). Time for him to decide if he likes the NHL or not. I think he can be pretty good in the 25 – 30 type range per year. But has to work harder and cut down on poor penalties and laziness. DuClair anyone?
Yeah Krugs was around that 45% his first yr, then that faceoff coach and Krugs was a crazy 55-57% until got camerooned cheapshot on wrists.
I like 64 and do not care if he only score 5 goals, not many 4th liners score 10. How may goals did Krugs score in his prime yrs before he got wrists slashed.
I am routing for Perlini to be like Kopy/82 was. A good player not great that can play with good players and contribute but fill the lines with quality depth so we can roll 4 lines of quality.
When he ready and what player/from our players in past compares to Hagel.
Silent S-not defending Panarin-but he was over the top with Kane-trying to find him to the detriment of his own goals ans some great chances to shot. Anyway, Panarins’ days with the Hawks are over.
Perlini– I hope your wrong but not sure you are. Why would a team throw in (to sweeten the pot) a 12th overall 6ft. 3″ guy that can actually skate, with some skills if they weren’t confident in their assessment? Is it interest, personality, hockey IQ? Campbell called him another Alex Tuch, but that guy wouldn’t embarrass himself with only showing up for two weeks now and again. The NHL scrape yard is full of these players, I hope he proves us wrong.
(That 4/5 game stretch was damn impressive)
I’m interested to see what Kubalik will bring, as Craig mentioned in another post, Bowman intends on signing him after world championships and expects to be in top 9 next fall.
Perlini’s spot would seem the obvious one, from what i have seen he is not scared of the physical play in front of the net. He has decent size and scouts say he has willingness to engage and puck battle. May fit with 12 and 17, not sure just how familiar him and Kahun are with each other, if any past chemistry there or not.
Silent Panarin has done very well without Kane and Kanes endorsement of him says plenty. Kampf a very good role player but would be happy if first he becames a 10 to 13 goal guy let alone 20 to 25.
Sikura snake bit on goals this season, but the rest of his play will likely earn him a leash early next season to have a chance to start producing.
If we do not get a power FW/top 6 at draft/ufas, I want to get a top Defensmen and that 3 line center Ian said.
Anyone know if Kubalik has been playing right side or left? I know he shoots right but I am curious which side he plays. A right handed scorer would be great for the 2nd PP unit too where Dcat works his magic, maybe allowing us to go 45-60 seconds on the PP before changing. This crap of sticking the PP guys out there for all 2 minutes kills us when even strength occurs. I get the lack of 2nd unit guys available to Colliton, but I really hope he doesn’t do the 2 minute thing next year.
Agree Perlinni looked like a special player – for 2 weeks. It’s on him now to be that player more often. Sure looked like he was enjoying it.
Double digit goals for Kampf would be great!
Panarin’s 52 assists say a lot about his vision and ability to get the puck to a line mate. That’s a big number for a wing. In Chicago he had 47 and 43 for his 2 seasons. That line was awesome for sure.
Why do we usually show up against the better teams in the west??
Kubalik seem to have played mostly right side this season. Seems to have good playmaking vision too as he is shown in the middle on a 1-3-1 pp in some clips on him, moving the puck around quite well. His play without the puck will definitely be something to watch, if he is motivated there or not.
Agree this teams play is very frustrating on who and when they show up against.
Debrincats extension will likely be alot more than that. Good for Schmaltz though.
Because we know we have to play good to bet other top teams. We tend to play to level of other teams sometimes and that is where these ? against bottom 10 teams comes from. We ve done that for yrs.
7 years, wow. I guess a lack of elite talent on the team that may be paid 9+ million will allow a team to do the per year, but don’t get the length.
Well Ian, that seems to make Kane and Kubalik almost interchangeable if Kubalik can get us 30 goals. And that would be huge for Colliton and his matchups. Dcat works the left side with Strome well, but not so much with Toews. Toews likes more grind and cycle, suited better for Saad or Caggiula. But I like those 2 guys on a line together for checking/scoring purposes. Does Kampf develop better hands to feed those guys? All three are defensively responsible. Ideally then, we need a left wing who can cycle with Toews but score when given the opportunity. Sikura? I think that’s a leap of faith right now, or does he find his way to 3rd line and Saad or Caggiula goes to top line? I still like the idea of looking at moving up in the draft and getting that piece of the puzzle – if it is there. AA, while definitely serviceable as a 3C and the 2nd PP guy in front of the net, would be the preferred trade for me.
Lots of moving parts, but would welcome with open arms a Kubalik who can fit top six. The pieces are coming together.
Thats where I am thinking the mentality of the young wave will be different because they have had to earn their wins and always play hard to win/kind of thing. A young wave of good fast players that swarm around the ice forechecking and relentless.
Wow! AZ needs scoring, not fancy skating. Good luck to AZ and Schmaltz. Incredible deal for him. AZ betting heavy on Schmaltz being their guy.
I kinda like AZ better without Doan, Mike Smith and Raffi Torres. I hope they get in, but doubt it will happen.
Noonan, was thinking the same. 8 wouldnt get 6m in CHI. A team like ARI, it happens. I liked schmaltz and still do but I like 17 better.
It reminds me of Havlat and Hossa. Everybody liked 24 but liked 81 better. Think the same for 8 and 17. I like Strome better.
What about a ballsy line of 20/11/91. Can them play center.
Schmaltz new deal probably sets the mark for Strome at around the same which means Cat will probably be at least a couple million more. Hopefully both of them come in under a combined $14M.
I think some expectations for Kubalik may be a little too high. I would set the ceiling for Kubalik at around what Kahun has done in his first season, which currently is 12 goals and 35 points. Kubalik is bigger than Kahun but Kahun seems like a better skater and puck handler.
64 prob better idea for center.
Ian whats that 3rd line center guy you said.
20/Ian/91
ARI, now that the douches and golden globe actor are gone, their ok. The SW Hawks to go with the SE Hawks. Why did Chia pet leave, just when the NW Hawks were getting started.
EB, Debrincat extension should be a priority when allowed to after July 1st, likely could be 8m a year range. Would wait a year on Strome and see how he looks after another year, rather than jump the gun, value may not be as high then.
SS it seems when Toews has to carry the defensive load and be the net front presence as with 12 and 88, it takes away from his all around game and his offense drops. When he has a Saad, Cagguila with him to help with that he seems to be better player. A goal scorer there maybe a Kurashev if not Kane at some fit on other side with them. I am hoping they draft a big skilled center with no.1 pick, who’s development can trend up as Toews begins to slow down. Strome and Anisimov when playing with skilled players can be very good support down the middle but when on a line with others don’t seem to make their linemates better and struggle trying to do too much not playing to their strengths. Others in system too far away to predict their ceiling to count on them yet, so getting a future top center should be a priority this year.
Powers reporting that Caggiula is back in the lineup tonight – Perlini out. Curious to see if Colliton re-unites the 91-19-88 line.
Also Dahlstrom in and Koekkoek out.
Interesting the guys who made the two most bonehead plays last game are out of the lineup tonight. I like that.
I like waiting on 17 caphit. Would a bridge make sense for Strome.
De bob lee swagger cat is like Sharpy in prime yrs. His was 6m so this is a few yrs from when 10 signed that so whats the inflation from 6m to now.
Good to see 91 back before game 82 so people do not have to Worry about one of the guys with that kind of thing again.
D cat is a good little player…he is not a leader in this team…pay him accordingly 3.5 -4 mill…. If we are to be competitive and remain able to re build , sign him to a short term deal… if some of our 2-3-4 line guys could score with more consistency this team would be a lot less one dimensional
Just watching the game …56 ..1 dimensional…Please Stan ..make us a tougher team..grit ,toughness Required ….. good drafts ……. 15 has a roll …but not at 4-5 million
@2010, I was reading an article on the Athletic where it was being speculated that DeBrincat was going to earn around 8 mil per season based on what other comparable players are/were getting. I think it is completely unrealistic to expect DeBrincat to sign for less than that.
The speculation is that it is going to cost the Hawks in the neighborhood of 13-15 mil per year to sign both Strome and DeBrincat after their rookie deals are up.
Apparently RFA’s are starting to get their money earlier than before…
It’s getting tougher to get players to outperform their contracts when they are getting big money earlier.