Blackhawks Acquire Johnny Oduya
On Tuesday evening, the Chicago Blackhawks announced they’re bringing another familiar face back to town.
Chicago traded forward Mark McNeill and a conditional draft pick to Dallas for veteran defenseman Johnny Oduya. Chicago also put defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, who skated with Oduya in two Stanley Cup victories, in IR.
DAL retains 50 per cent of Oduya's salary.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2017
Oduya, 35, spent three-plus years with the Blackhawks, winning the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2013 and 2015. He has one goal and six assists in 37 games this season with Dallas. Oduya’s contract expires after this season.
The pick headed to Dallas is a conditional fourth-round draft pick in the 2018.
If CHI wins two rounds and Oduya plays in 50 per cent or more of CHI games, fourth-round pick becomes a third-round pick to DAL.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2017
Chicago originally acquired Oduya at the deadline in 2012 from Winnipeg, sending a second and third round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft to the Jets.
McNeill, the 18th overall pick in 2011, has appeared in one NHL game. This season, the 24-year-old has 28 points in 58 games with the IceHogs.
I hear dallas retained 50% JO’s salary: this looks like an absolute steal to me: there are very favorable reports about mcneil as a person, but he was never going to crack the nhl lineup in chicago, mostly due to a lack of speed imo
What did I say/post after the St Louis game (as well as prior posts the last month or so) re Van Riemsdyk & Bowman? Bowman has a keen eye, he watches the same games we do.
This is a solid, low cost, safe move. This provides Q the reliabilty on the back end he cherishes in the playoffs. It also slots down Roszival to the 8 spot. Personally, Kempny looks and plays more playoff gritty than Van Riemsdyk. They can rotate in and out as needed and decided upon by Q.
Kudos to Bowman.
I think this is a low risk move that hopefully solidifies the bottom pairing, is insurance in case of an injury and is a guy who was good on the PK. If it doesn’t work out great I don’t think we are giving up much.
I totally agree iceman: this feels like christmas and highway robbery at the same time! what a comfortable old shoe for Q and the team: no need to break him in: I hope he is healthy or will be shortly and hasn’t lost any/much speed: no way we win cup in 2015 without the big four: keith seebs hammer and johnnyO. welcome back johnny!!!
Oh yeah.
Good depth move but he’s definitely lost a step or two.
And we get to hear Pat say…. “Oh do ya?” Grin
Love this move, hope Hjammer’s is not too bad tho.
Meanwhile
Providing Hammer is 100% heading into the playoffs, the top-3 d-men are set and now with Johnny-O coming back he should fit very nicely into his old spot on the 2nd pairing with Hammer. Kempny/Cambell/TvR can figure out the 3rd pairing with my preference of the improved Kempny as the LD on the 3rd pairing with either Campbell or TvR at RD. This gives Q 7 d-men he can trust to put on the ice without having to resort to Rozsival or an inexperienced guy from Rockford.
Dynamite move and even more so with Dallas retaining 50%.
Highway robbery?
Let’s not get too carried away. Hjalmarsson has essentially not played the last 2 games. He took a shot up high, and was seen with his chest wrapped. Anyone ever broke or cracked a rib? It sucks.
This move wasn’t made because TVR had a bad game or 2. This move was made because the number 2 D is hurt. Oduya taps in for Hjalmarsson (not necessarily his minutes or usage) until he returns and in for Roszival after that.
If/when Hammer is healthy, I wouldn’t be surprised if 27 and 6 essentially split games.
Ernie, I’m more optimistic than you are. I realize Oduya is 2 years older than when he was last seen pairing with Hammer and providing an excellent 2nd pairing, often times played against the opponents best line. But, Oduya is a workout freak. I would be more surprised if he isn’t able to step right back in as the LD on the 2nd pairing than if he can. If he is 100% healthy, and supposedly he is now, then it solidifies the top-4 and moves Kempny down to the 3rd pairing which is where he should be until he completes his NHL learning curve. Kempny has made nice improvement over the season and has the size, speed and snarl to be a top-4 d-man but he still makes mental mistakes that would be better made as a 3rd pairing guy.
Team systems make are diff. and 27 knows ours good. This is heat molded/gloves warmed. Were going to see 16 get snarl once hes back to full healthyness.
Meat balls.
I wonder which Oduya we will we get, the turnover machine during the 2015 regular season that everybody on this blog complained about or the one that came back after an injury and was stellar in the playoffs.
Q road 4D to the cup in 2015. remember ryan kessler saying they would pound our 4 D until they cracked? How did that work out kessler? Our 4 played heavy minutes and were almost flawless all the way to carrying the cup. JohnnyO injured one wing along the way and played at least the last series on one arm. He still played almost flawless D.
I will take him 2 years older and a tad slower any day: Morrison’s system comment is spot on. This seems like a significant upgrade at almost zero cost. wonder if there is any understanding about an extension. JO is a free agent this summer.
I bought my season tix the day the Hawks hired the “senior consultant” Scotty Bowman: best hockey brian ever in the NHL: Long may you run Bowmans!
Excellent move bringing back Oduya. This really solidifies the defense for the playoffs. Less reliance on TVR too, which is good because I’m just not a fan of his game. Hjalmarsson is likely on the shelf for several weeks because I strongly suspect he cracked some ribs and best strategy is to let him heal.
Kudos Bowman.
I’m not opposed to the move. I just don’t know what everyone is expecting. His last year in Chicago was really sub par. Then he played out of his mind in the playoffs. He knows when to pinch and when to retreat. He runs hot and cold with his passing. And while he had a good year last year with the Stars (everyone did for them) he has struggled this year offensively.
If he helps the pk down the stretch it’ll be a plus.
I agree with rufus when it comes to Hjalmarsson. Holy shit. It hasn’t snowed in January or February for the first time ever and now this.
4 will be ready with some rest to boot-the Hawks have enough points accumulated to give him a few weeks if needed.
This guy always plays in pain.
…….fine effort for Bowman to get back Oduya…a fairly safe move….hate to say it Tab but I told you so…..lol…..Bowman is a beast!…..his desire to win is off the charts!…..now if we can bring back John Scott( allstar mvp )and Patrick Sharp I’ll be happy….just kidding….GO HAWKS!……
Habs picked up Ott for a sixth. If he plays in playoffs at all though, it falls to a 7th.
Hey Johnny. Franco Harris called. He wants his beard back.
One more time.
HOF from Penn State. What. Where are those beard guys with the clip on du yas.
D corps get deeper and the cost was not dear at all. Oduya knows what Q wants system wise and is also quite familiar with many team mates on ice tendencies. He should slot right in. It was well pointed out by Hawks1961 that Oduya’s play reg season 2015 was very erratic, but then in the playoffs he was outstanding after he came back from being hurt.
Lets hope Nik gets healed up soon, and a big thumbs up to SB!
Lets Go Hawks!
Iff Oduya is back slowly in the game and stays Healty …he will be i think a big + for the Hawks because he knows the guys and the Coach very well snd the system ….big plus …
Exciting times gentlemen. Buckle up and Enjoy the ride. Thanks to Tab for keeping the best Hawks site on the internet going strong.
Mudturtle- good call on the Franco/beard
Thanks man. I know I dated myself with that comment.