Blackhawks Trade Nick Leddy
Nick Leddy has been traded to the New York Islanders for defensemen Ville Pokka and TJ Brennan and goaltender Anders Nilsson.
Pokka, 20, was a second round pick (34th overall) in 2012. Listed at 5-11 and 200 pounds, the right-handed shot posted 27 points in 54 games last year with Karpat in the SM-Liiga. He played with Teuvo Teravainen on Finland’s WJC team last year.
Brennan, 25, was a second round pick (31st overall) by the Sabres in 2005. He spent last season with the Toronto Marlies (AHL). He has played 40 career NHL games.
Nilsson, 24, appeared in 19 games for the Islanders last season.
According to Chris Kuc, Brennan and Pokka will report to Rockford. Nilsson will remain in the KHL.
The Blackhawks also reportedly sent goaltender Kent Simpson to the Islanders in the deal. Simpson was assigned to the Indy Fuel of the ECHL earlier on Saturday.
Leddy, 23, leaves the Blackhawks organization with 93 points (20 goals, 73 assists) in 258 regular season games. He added two goals and eight assists in 54 postseason games, and was a member of the 2013 Stanley Cup championship team.
Acquired from Minnesota in the now-infamous Cam Barker trade, Leddy left the University of Minnesota after his freshman year and was immediately pressed into the rotation at the United Center when Brian Campbell got hurt at the start of the 2010-11 season.
Leddy was the 16th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft.
Capspace – are we there yet? :-)
So steeg stays?
So Leddy has finally been moved. I was surprised to see Boychuk traded away by the Bruins to the Isles for draft picks. It’s all about the money of course, but I don’t see how the B’s replace him on their back line? Isles just picked up 2 pretty good d men in one day. I don’t think Bowman is done yet with player movement before the season begins. Someone else from the main lineup is likely to be gone by Thursday.
Yes. Hawks are cap compliant. Have about 1.5 in space. They have 6 defenseman right now. Someone will get recalled shortly, unless TVR made the team.
Teravainen got´s a buddy. Good move from Bowman.
I’d rather lose Oduya than Leddy, but I’m guessing the Leddy deal was easier to get done and more valuable in return. The defensive turnovers have been a problem, so let’s hope the situation is improved this season, regardless of which players are on the roster and are paired together. Crawford can’t be hung out to dry like he was many times last season.
Any guesses as to who’s on the third pair to start the season?
I don’t think Stan is done. We still have too many young d-men, but I guess there is no urgency any longer since we are cap compliant.
I am glad Leddy is gone. Now I hope we give Clendening an opportunity to develop as our PP quarterback and Dahlbeck and Johns the opportunity to use their size to clear the front of Crow improving our defense. By his departure, we become more physical and tough regardless of his replacement.
Decent move, not to familar w Pokka but hes a top 5 talent w the Isles. The other guys are nobody. Kent Simpson isnt a huge loss either.
Booman I agree with you! We just became stronger on the back end, cap friendly and we prob picked up another used puck bag as well….apparently, you can never have enough of those laying around! Bring on dahlbeck and johns we need their size and strength!
Does anyone have the espninsider top100 prospect list, where is Pokka listed on that. Thanks.
TT and Dahlbeck sent to Rockford and Cumiskey, Rundblad, and TVR still listed on the roster ????? I don’t get this. Two of these three are going to be with us to start the season. I’m scratching my head. To me Cumiskey and Rundbla(n)d are retreads no one else wanted. TVR, Clendending, Dahlbeck, and Johns should be the names we are seeing. There better be another trade to get some picks for the retreads. All three of these guys are between 180-190lbs yet we need to get tougher. Size equates to toughness and we have it in Rockford!!!
Bowman was holding off on a deal so that he could package in Versteeg’s contract… but then this. Who is going to quarterback our second powerplay unit? Rozsival?
Announcing your 2014-15 Hawks blueline: Keith/Seabs, Hammer/Oduya, ***Rozsival/Cumiskey and Rundblad***. Uh-oh.
Morrisson – I have access, he was ranked #41. Here’s their take:
41. Ville Pokka, D, New York Islanders (Previous ranking: unranked)
2013-14 team: Karpat (Liiga)
2013-14 stats: 54 GP | 6 G | 21 A | 16 PIM
Pokka had a very good season, including a top performance for Finland at the WJC, putting up big points in the Liiga playoffs, playing for the senior-level national team in a few games and being named a finalist for his league’s top defenseman. While Pokka doesn’t have a lot of flash to his game, he’s a really smart defenseman who plays well at both ends.
According to the Vegas oddsmakers, the following teams are the favorites for the cup. I just checked their rosters for the size of their defense core and the number of guys over 200lbs. Blues (6), Kings (6), Bruins (5), and the Ducks (7). The hawks have two Seabs and Rosy (a disabled veteran). The hawks have the smallest average weight for a d-core. Hell, our forwards are heavier than our d-core. How can our d clear the front of the net? Uh-oh is right. I checked the Icehogs site and they have 13 dman on their roster. How many do we need? When we demote one, they’ll have 14.
Booman finally someone gets it! Way to small, too much stick, poke checks and light on the skates, YES speed kills but ya need size on defense especially since we have no size anywhere else. We better hope Boman can find another LEDDY in the mix, i think not, he’s over rated, all we got is KANE and TOWES who are awesome but then what or who? NOT MUCH . . . even Teuvo now gets sent down to what “put on weight?” I think even with small size the kid can play and plays both ends very well, so Boman is shuffling the deck here. ALL WE NEED IS BUFF BACK . . . pretty simple. Bring up RAZ-MUSON!
A series of incredibly stupid moves by the Hawks, mostly because they sent Dahlback down and TVR and Cumisky are still on the roster with Runbad and OleRozy…
Of the 4, there isn’t a single decent 3rd line DMan in the bunch…and how about Q? He wants toughness on his team…best place for toughness has always been on Defence for net/crease protection and winning DZone puck battles…so what does Coach Contradiction do? Loads up on powder puffs on Defence, all with a history of getting INJURED, while encouraging we get rid of Nick Leddy, never gets injured, and has the most speed on the team…then he encourages the signing of CBomb WHO ISN’T BIG. He’s like that crazed midget that runs around giving everyone gut punches…CBomb was a DISASTER the last time with the Hawks, 3 years ago, he was out of the league when we came calling for non-existent help. BRUTAL.
The Hawks just went from the leading Cup candidates to middle of the pack if things stand pat. Plus, there’s no room for Morin and we just dumped Peter Regin, who was our MOST PHYSICAL player in the NY game last night…he’s also fast, and can play most positions, all for Dan Carcillo. Stupid, STUPID, STUPID!!!
Bowman and Q just tried to fix something that wasn’t broken and ruined the finished product. I can’t wait for our first game with this 3rd D pairing…and Oduya’s play dropped off last year…wow…we literally did NOT address a single Defensive need after losing to the Kings because we couldn’t ever clear our crease!!!
Tab – Been having trouble accessing the site over the past several weeks. Any technical issues?
I like today’s moves. I’ll take Carbomb over Mashinter any day and he must be well thought of by the veterans for SB and Q to bring him back. I also agree with the earlier post that the acquisition of Pokka was done, in part, to help TT’s transition. Since they have played together at the WJC I would expect that playing together will help both of them transition to North America. Looks like Pokka is a highly regarded prospect who has good size as well. It sure seems like Rockford should have their best team ever and it will be interesting to see how the minutes are distributed among the d-men.
I think we should have a pool to correctly guess the 3rd D-pairing for the Hawks. I was hoping that Dahlbeck would be on it but that doesn’t appear to be the case. My guess at this point is Rozival and Runblad only because one has a contract that we can’t eliminate and SB seems to have a blind spot for Runblad. In this case I hope I am completely wrong although neither TVR nor Cumiskey stood out to me last night.
Brad,
I share your frustration regarding the defense issues however I’m not sure Peter Regin is described as “physical” very often. I don’t think he ever really got a fair opportunity but I don’t see how he could be anything other than a 13th or 14th forward. I’m not following your comment re: Morin as I can’t believe that Mashinter makes the team now that Carcillo is signed.
SB did what needed to be done with Leddy. I was actually pleasantly surprised by what he got for him although my guess that was a consolation for not being able to package someone else with Leddy to make even more cap room (looking at you Steeger). I don’t share the pessimism about the D here. Why would you assume they will keep pairings the same as last year? Leddy was seductive because he could skate and periodically showed flashes of being able to carry the puck. But did anyone really feel comfortable with Leddy out there late in the third period or any time in the playoffs? 3.4 million is way too much to pay for a 6 dman ( they played him at 5 but he’s really a 6). He had 3 years to show development. That said I really hope Runblad and Cuminsky aren’t the two that stay. Would much prefer Hammer/Dahlbeck pairing and Seabs or Oduya with Johns or Clendening. Slide Rozy in whenever we play a slower team from the East. TVR looked a little outmatched last night at times maybe some seasoning in Rockford.
I agree with you Sr Brad the D need to be much better at clearing out the crease for Crawford. It will be interesting to see if anyone claims Regin off waivers.
Hopefully there is another move up SB sleeve to free up more cap space if we need to go after a rental D at the trade deadline.
Since Q and Bowman insist on having a “role player” “agitator” (whatever) on the team, the Half-Full is that Carcillo is better than Mashinter…and, apparently Kane and some of the others like him.
I don’t believe the Hawks have anybody to replace Leddy’s skating/speed. Hopefully they will not open With Rozsival and Rundblad as the 3rd pair. Another move to be made?
Shaw should center Saad and Kane – chemistry. Richards with Bickell and Versteeg (unfortunately still here), unless Morin gets this spot. Kruger, Smith, and Carcillo (not my idea) *could* be an effective 4th line.
Does anybody know anything about Brennan? He was an All*Star (along with Clendening) last season and had great numbers – luck? Smoke and mirrors? King of the AHL D-men?
MS- Brad’s Morin comment
bottom 2 lines
29/65/23
28/16/13
Mo sits!!! at least a lot of the games
Not a good day to be a Hawks fan. Between Car Bomb getting a contract and Leddy being moved for a minimal return you cant help but think Stan had a “bad” day. Im not as concerned w the 3rd pair bc I know there is talent in RFD to make up for Leddy move but I cant help but feel like all these moves dont make the Hawks better.
Are the Hawks better today then the team that lost game 7? No,… Sharp and Hossa get older, and Leddy a nice asset was moved for essentially 1 top 50 prospect. That’s not good enough in my book.
The Islander have some nice pieces including 2 future top 6 centers. Could Leddy and x been good enough of Frans Neilson, its possible.
Also now Morin is odd man out again? WTF
Very sorry to see Leddy go…as I’ve stated in the Carcillo signing comments we lost a valuable and different part of our attack and now just watch…the guy will become Bobby Orr the 2nd over the remainder of his career, just to stick it to us. Well good on the Islanders, they sure have made some forward looking improvements…prediction Isles/Rangers meet in a playoff series first time in a bazillion years. Few of us talking about Brennan,….he sure looks impressive on paper and must be in the same category as Clendening ..at this point we could field an entire team of just defensemen! We will have TT by Christmas, …in favor of the Carcillo deal in light of this and several other reasons as previously posted.
So not yet done,… the Hawks put Regin on waivers top? He was one of the Hawks better 2 way players and they keep a rotation of Cuminski, Runblad, & TVR?
Not sure what SB sees in any of these 3 period. Add in Rosy whose pretty much finished and you have 3 players that have very little upside in my opinion.
Fucking Gorilla Salad tooo uuurgh!
I have never been much of a Leddy fan. He was the right guy to go for cap reasons. I also won’t lose sleep over Regin being dumped. But what infuriates me is this notion that Runblad and Cumiesky can be the 3rd pairing. How the hell do Clendening and Johns get sent down in deference to these two soft as hell journeyman? Make no mistake, Crawford is going to have to show a whole other level to his game to play with this ridiculously thin blueline presence.
Sharp-Toews-Hossa
Saad-Richards-Kane
Bickell-Shaw-Versteeg
Carcillo-Kruger-Smith
I HATE that Versteeg is still here. I also hate Shaw playing Center.
Let’s cut to the friggin chase and get Clendening, Johns, Teuvo and Danault up here now. Get Shaw on the RW where he belongs too. And pray like hell Bickell has his crap together and is ready to work this season.
Just relax and do the Polka!!!
What this trade says to me… Q doesn’t really like 5, 6, 44, 26 ( I don’t like 5,6 either– 26 I still haven’t seen enough, but I am starting to see why he hasn’t been in NHL)… so Getting deeper w/ Brennan ( like someone said = Left handed Cden)… and Pokka, who looks like a solid, strong, high IQ dman, very solid +/- guy thru his early career.
Pokka- seems like keeper!!! and he is a solid 205 lbs.
The Goalie… is Giant, and has some solid #’s… I like the trade. Once again- I was hoping for Isles C, Anders Lee… But Q- knows 5,6,26 are not ready!!!
Not sure why everyone is panicking over putting Carcillo in the everyday lineup? While he’s an upgrade over Bollig and much better than Mash, I’ll bet he sits as much as he skates and the forwards are largely still in the predicted mix we’ve been speculating all summer (Morin and Versteeg are also rotators depending on how well they’re playing.) Regardless, the O is the least of our worries.
The big issue is D. Obviously we all knew Leddy or Oduya was going to be traded. We also knew that would leave us with Rozy (untradeable), and 1-2 new/young 3rd pairing options. While I strongly prefer bigger/younger guys such as Johns or Dahlbeck, SB and Q obviously don’t think they’re ready. Story is not yet over, but if they’re not ready, it’s reasonable to be VERY concerned with 3rd pairing until further notice.. Nothing new to see here, been the same concern all offseason..
I want to see Johns or Dahlbeck on 3rd pair. Where these small D men here to see who can play a similar style to 8. Why else would they all be the same style/size. Its like they have the wrong 3 up/down.
That’s sucks for Mo, for now.
Bottom line is (like some guy said) Teravainen, Johns or Dahlbeck will be good to go for the 2nd40games and all of these pissed off thoughts will be in the mirror. We still have the depth we talked about all summer. Just need to get the right guys on the 23man & in lineup.
I’d rather trade rosy/oduya for a single 7th round pick. Nielsen doesn’t “improve” us and 2 ahl dmen… weren’t we all debating who was going to play cuz we have those? Right now leddy is a good young dean. A solid 4th. Oduya/rosy offer us nothing after this year. If our guys don’t progress ( which we assume the will) then we are screwed. Good luck Nick. I always liked him and I wish him the best!
Where you putting TT, Rufus? He needs minutes and won’t get them on the 4th line.
agree w/everybody – Hawks are “significantly” weaker for no real reason. If this was a planned move by Stan or a force out of Leddy by Q than there are serious egos running out of control. Don’t always agree with Sr Brad but this was beyond stupid. Combine that with the casual play of this preseason and there is a serious hurting ahead. damn! what a mess.
Why does everyone keep thinking some rockford rookies will be up by Christmas? It didn’t happen last year and won’t happen now. There should be no reason why Richards can’t be the 2nd line center for most of te season, if not all of it. Tt is still a little too small and if he isn’t lighting it up in rockford he won’t be up as soon or be as productive if he does. The bottom pairing will probably be our weak point for awhile until closer to the trade deadline. If any injury to our defense happens, a rfd rookie will come and play and will probably be sent back down even though he plays well. It will probably be similar to the pirri and morin situation from last year except this year it will happen with our defense. Fortunately our top 5 d minus Leddy won us a cup two years ago and should give us a good chance this year. Should be a great year, so enjoy it. Don’t let the third pairing ruin a good year and roster
For those suggesting the Hawks are “significantly weaker”…you realize we’re talking about a 5th/6th defenseman, right? Every team rolls out turnstiles in your bottom pair.
Leddy was going to start costing the Hawks too much to keep as a 5th/6th after this season, and because of his youth, was going to net you a better return without sacrificing as much this year. He was always suspect 1 (or 1a if you thought someone was dumb enough to trade for Versteeg).
Hawks have the cap space and roster space to have both Dahlbeck and Clendening be the third pair…provided they move Cumiskey and TVR. Didn’t realize Van Riemsdyk was making 925 at the NHL level.
I too wish Nick Leddy the best…a very good Hawk!
At this point, I would rather see the Hawks roll out the rookies and let them play through their mistakes…by game 50/60 you know that Dahlbeck, Clendening and Johns would all have worked through their mistakes, nervousness and be ready for the post season. The same with TT…if the Ranger’s game showed anything, its that he’s ready…he was so calm on the ice, he wasn’t panicking and looking around for anyone trying to line him up…he played his game (he also scored our only PS).
Cumisky, Runblad, Rozy and CBomb wouldn’t be starting on ANY OTHER NHL lineup this season, and yet all 4 are set for game one. CBomb with part of one preseason game under his belt. Add to that JVR still on the roster over Dahlbeck (makes NO SENSE as he hasn’t played as well as Klas and had a tough night in NY) and we have a small, injury prone D corp that can’t take a strong forecheck.
Let TT centre the 3rd line with Shaw on the wing, start Dahlbeck and move up Clendening and Johns one at a time and work them into the starting lineup. Does anyone here actually think that we are going to win another cup this season with Rozy, Runbad, Cumisky, TVR and CBomb in our lineup? I don’t, and 3 weeks ago, I didn’t see anyone beating us for the Cup this season…
Oh and Bowman stocked up on more promising prospects, while setting back more of his own current prospects, again, for older vets, out of the NHL, who no one else wanted. Stan Bowman, architect of one of the best farm systems in hockey, just afraid to let anyone play with them…
Also I loved how Q reiterated yesterday, before the Rangers game, that he hates staged fights and CBomb goes out and gives him exactly that 3 minutes into the game…how does anyone here actually think that CBomb can play responsible hockey? When has he demonstrated it?
Morin was our best forward down the stretch last season, and with Shaw, was our best forward through preseason, playing hard, 2 way hockey with lots of effort and grit…he’s rewarded by splitting time with a guy that no one in the NHL wanted???
I’ve always liked 8. It seems like a bad time to give up on him. Maybe it works to his advantage on a personal level. I hope so. I think he deserved better here but it happens. He’s probably breathing easier now without that boot on his throat
I agree with Brad…play TT, Clendening, Dahlbeck, & Johns now. Live through their mistakes and let them learn at the NHL level. How do you think Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook learned.
I really have a hard on for the size of our defense core. I checked all NHL rosters. The Hawks have 2 guys over 200lbs, Canucks have 3, Sabres have 4, and everyone else has 5, 6, or 7. My question then becomes, why can’t the Hawks find a sizeable puck moving dman? Let’s think of that next time someone dogs Crow for his goaltending. He has the smallest dcore that can’t move people out from in front of the net.
Like Nick says, calm down and let’s see what happens. I know this has me riled up and I have to take his suggestion to heart.
I was hoping Leddy would stay-so good luck!
Brennan has good size-6’1 and about 215 and it was a mystery why he didn’t get called up from the Marlies last year. Counting the playoffs he had 31 goals last year, more than any player on the team–as a defenceman! (He won the best d-man award in the AHL last year and I saw him play a few times on TV last year. He can play and even though he’s known for his offense he does a reasonable job in his end and doesn’t mind the rough stuff.
Still it’s his 5th organization? and you have to wonder why.
A lot of pessimism on this site-cheer up the real stuff starts soon and we`ll be OK.
Sr. Brad, since Q and Stan want an “agitator” (or whatever it is Carcillo brings), he’s the 4th line RW…so, Morin *SHOULD* have the 3rd line RW (- I know, he’s actually a LW, but shoots right) spot they’ve handed to Versteeg. If he’s shown anything so far, it escapes me…and, I’m fairly certain I’m not alone with this opinion.
Cumiskey is another – to me, he looks like he should be a depth player in Rockford, but somebody claims he can really skate, etc. Rundblad still looks lost…maybe he’s pacing himself (ha, ha…) – what was Bowman thinking? Van Riemsdyk looks like he has skill – if they’re auditioning somebody to “replace” Leddy, he could be the one, but it’s difficult to imagine a jump from college right into the NHL(?). We’re stuck with Rozsival and probably Rundblad (he’s signed).
I like Leddy. The Hawks haven’t had a d-man who could skate like that since/except Doug Wilson. I realize he’s still learning, but Leddy often didn’t *finish* on offense, and at times seemed pressured into turnovers – but, to be honest, he was burdened by revolving partners and Q’s lack of confidence in him…still he was an asset, and as Sr.Brad said, “a very good Hawk! Leddy was due to be paid next year, unfortunately when Saad should be locked-up long-term and the Toews/Kane contracts get expensive, so he was the best option to move now.
They don’t have to rush TT – with the top six set, getting experience in Rockford might be the best thing. I agree with whoever pointed-out that Shaw’s speed fits better with Saad and Kane (compared to Richards) and, obviously 20/65/88 have “chemistry” together. Richards with Bickell and Morin (Versteeg more likely) could be a very good 3rd line.
I don’t feel they’ve fallen from “favorite” to “middle-of-the-pack” – “…Like Nick says, calm down and let’s see what happens.” GO HAWKS!!
Wow, I’m surprised by all the Leddy love. The Hawks traded a 5/6 d-man for prospects and they are going to be terrible this year? They will be fine and who knows who will be playing in the last pairing, but there are a lot of options. I like the one competition and we will see by the Spring who is the best.
Also I agree there is another move to be made. Stan likes a little cap flexibility and they don’t really have it right now.
Q was an NHL D man… he knows D… imo-he wasn’t impressed w/ 5, 6, (44 looks ready on D side- but is more like a stay at home guy… limited O side)…
I can honestly see Pokka (real smart, ( TT smart), thicker body type),,, and/or TJ leap-frogging some of the Current Hogs and making team next year… the Bio on TJ- Howitzer shot, skates well (better than Cden???/ I think that is Cden’s weakness), 215 lbs., and Started playing Hockey Late (so I assume SB thinks possible late bloomer)…
throw in a 6’5″ athletic goalie!!!
I still like the move (considering someone had to leave- and SB gets nothing for 23,32)
and less for 27 (who is more valuable for just 1 year- than 8)
Wall and NJ Dave totally agree with you both. And while it sucks that Carcillo takes up one of the allotted contract spots I think his situation/playing time works itself out. If the team demonstrates team toughness ( not just fighting) there will no need for him. And as much as Q likes his tough guys he hates defensive miscues and dumb penalties more.
To say the Hawks go from a top team to a middle of the road team because they trade an expensive 6 dman I think is a bit of an overreaction. They need to tweak their existing roster and most importantly is improve on their most glaring weakness their power play!
It’s going to be a good year, let’s save the hate for where it belongs…The Leafs! ( sorry that’s the Mtl part of me talking now)
You can look all you want at the size (or lack there of) of the Hawks defensive players, the way the NHL is these days size does not matter. Foot speed, quickness, agility and hockey intellect are what teams want. I could care less how big any player is in the NHL. The bigger they are, the slower and less agile they are.
In the NHL, for now, “time of possession” and puck control are what every team wants to excel at. The bigger they are the less agility they have. I will take a defenseman that can skate and move the puck over a “big body” guy who can’t cross his feet fast enough when he comes out of the corner with the puck.
I’ll take one Duncan Keith over a Zdeno Chara, anyday. I’ll take a Torey Krug over Chara, anyday. This is a wide open game, now. Foot speed and agility are everything.
What teams are trying to do is match up speed WITH size on the back end. Too many big, lumbering D men and suddenly the small shifty forwards are running all over the place.
Remember the “big, bad Bruins” that were going to knock the snot out of the smaller Hawks players in 2013? By the third period, Chara, Lucic and the rest of the Bruin clan had NOTHING left in the tank. In Boston, they are saying that Chara is a “dinosaur”…..no speed, no agility, no puck control.
I have to agree with Wall, here. Q was a “D” man, so he knows what a good “D” man needs to be successful in the NHL. Let’s see how things work out over the first 6-8 weeks with this roster. Remember, “it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish”.
Bullshit Reg…we just lost to the Kings in the WCFinal because SIZE MATTERS! They stood in front of our net and we were powerless to move them. There are LOTS of bigger, puck moving DMen in the league…in the NHL today, and that’s the NHL where the LA Kings are the team to beat, YOU MUST HAVE at least one larger, physical DMan on each pairing…you have to. Keith has Seabs, so that can work…Oduya has Hammer, but Oduya was so weak on the puck and turnover prone on Defence during the playoffs, that he didn’t clear the puck and then was chasing the puck to no avail. The 3rd line has NO ONE who can play effective 2 way defence and don’t even try to say that Rozy is physical, he’s lost every aspect to his game.
In OT vs. the Rangers did you see Runbad skate the puck back, on offence, to point from the corner and promptly take the puck back over the blue line creating a brutal offside? Besides being incredibly dumb, that shows ZERO awareness. Cumisky never hit a soul in preseason, and TVR is nervous defensively and non physical. Most 3rd D pairings line up against teams 4th lines, and in the NHL right now there are a number of teams that have good 4th lines like the LA Kings and most teams have BIG 4th lines…they would destroy our 3rd D pairing. We would never be able to regain possession once the puck was in our own zone.
This is not frustration from the Leddy trade. Someone had to go and Nick who was not overly physical can be replaced. Oduya is the one who should have gone as he is an UFA at the end of the year and his play fell off last year, plus he’s small and NOT PHYSICAL. Leddy was younger, faster and more physical (plus we controlled his contract after the season). The frustration is that Q’s ridiculous answer to our team defence woes is to find a spot for the irresponsible CBomb on the 4th line (at the expense of Morin and Regin), and have a 3rd D pairing competition of 4 guys who NO OTHER NHL TEAM would start this year (TVR might be able to start for a rebuilding team). Rozy is done…Cumisky was never a decent NHL’er and has been out of the NHL for 5 years…Runblad has been dumped from 3 organizations and can’t get any ice time, plus he did not have a good preseason here even without a forecheck.
Even the mighty Hawks win most of their games by one goal. Just look at last year…we went to OT almost every game and then LOST because we don’t excel in the SO. All these moves by Bowman just made it HARDER for us to keep pucks out of the net, to help/protect CC, and to play team defence. If our GAA goes up over last year’s, we will be HARD PRESSED to make the playoffs in the Western Conference…and that’s no joke. 98 points might not cut it, and that’s what we are staring at right now.
Corey Crawford has always been a goaltender that is as good as his Defence. Rozy, Cumisky and Runblad shouldn’t be in the NHL, and TVR is NOT READY…and we are making a run for another Stanley Cup? Come on…
None of this would be a big issue had Bowman not given Rozy anything more than a 1 year contract coming off the cup win. A 2 year deal, with a limited no trade clause was completely CARELESS as a GM, as NO OTHER GM would have given Rozy anything like that, including the money! And had Q/Bowman KEPT Ryan Stanton last year, you know the big, strong DMan starting in VAN where they like him, then we wouldn’t be in this position…the bonehead mistakes by our MGT group over the last 12 months have cost this franchise. A 2nd round pick for David Runblad? In which universe does that make sense? Cumiskey has been out of the NHL for 5 years, you think there might be a reason why?
Dahlbeck and Clendening had phenomenal seasons in Rockford last year…they are ready, let them play. Stephen Johns might need a couple of months in Rockford, but he will be ready this year. Play the kids who we have drafted and developed and get rid of these STUPID FA signings…Bowman has been a disaster signing FAs and resigning guys at the end of their careers…
That’s the spirit, Reg.
Brad- I agree on the Rosey– 2 yr. deal???
I also, thought all summer- SB could/should have kept Frolik… and In my eyes 67’s PK + Defensive awareness would have put The Hawks over the Kings last year…
Still really don’t like Cdening… He isn’t a good enough skater for top 4 D man-imo…
That is why SB/Q stacked up with more D guys…
Reg Dunlop- is right D men w/ good speed/footwork/stick-is were it’s at…
to add- Pokka is smart/responsible/ and very thick (reports 205-215lbs. for 6’0)- means he is small enough to move feet, and thick enough to move someone off the puck… the guy has some BIG shoulders in Bio photo.
I am calling it now… Pokka replaces Oduya w/ Hammer on 2nd “Shut down pairing”
next year, he has IQ, RH, and has won every where he has played.
Sr Brad- to add to Reg’s point on D men…
This TJ Brennan kid -put up better offensive #’s in AHL, and IS bigger than Cden… WHY isn’t he in the NHL??? Cuz- teams don’t like his D/Skating enough (seems very similar to Cden (who has great vision, O passing)- but isn’t there yet.
The real hope on TJ is that he started skating late- so may be late bloomer.
Reg- I will say not ALL big D men are slow/less agile… (but they are special when you find one- Daughty, Weber, Jones, even 7 moves well for size)… but I get your point/agree. Pokka at 210 lb ish… is like a Marchand body type… which allows him to be quick AND strong… built like a fire-hydrant.
Brad, I think what you are seeing in the Hawks management is lack of “trust” with the young players. That’s not unusual when you have an “older”, experienced coach who once skated in the NHL, in my opinion. These young guys make one mistake in a game and they are on the bench, which is an antiquated way of thinking.
It’s also very possible that Stan Bowman’s father, Scotty, has some influence in this, also. Scotty was notorious for benching young players after making a mistake, instead of throwing them back out on the ice to correct the problem.
Something is going on within this organization that we do not know about. It could be a power struggle with the coach and the GM, it could be a trust issue with the GM’s dad, the GM and the coach, it could also be an issue with managing the cap and the ability to judge NHL talent by the GM……..who knows?
To me, it is easier to judge young talent than it is older NHL players. Brad is right, we have NHL ready players in Rockford. But you don’t know if a guy can really play at the NHL level until he plays at the NHL level. With young talent you have time to develop the player and his game. With older players you have to try and change something or make it better when they have been making the same mistakes for years. As you get older your mind is much more difficult to change and adjust, TAKE IT FROM ME!! LOL. I’d rather have John’s or Dahlbeck up here than Cumiskey.
Every GM and coach believes that they are smarter than the next guy. So if Stan picks up Cumiskey and he does pretty well, he can always say “yea, I found that guy on the scrap heap and I turned his game around because I know what I am doing”. To me, the GM’s and coaches are using way to many computer numbers to judge a player. I think the computer numbers are only part of what makes a hockey player. Nothing can measure a players heart and desire and you need both to play hockey.
I agree with most of you guys…….I just can’t figure out this management team and what their agenda is for this year and the future. But I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt because they have 2 Stanley Cups and I have none.
I understand that a move had to be made… but I couldn’t be sadder that it’s Nick Leddy. I’ve been a pretty obvious fanboy of his since he came in to the league. He is ridiculously skilled and will probably explode this year getting more minutes with the Islanders. I would not be surprised if he posted over 40 points. The Islanders just got dangerous out in the east with the moves they made.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rozy land on LTIR after a few weeks and the Hawks brass realizes he just can’t keep up anymore. But damn is that 3rd d pairing going to be a mess. Especially now that they don’t have a one man breakout to retrieve the puck and possess it all the way to the other end.
Those clamoring for physical d-men that move people out of the crease… uhhh, have you watched the Hawks? Their strategy is to leave people alone in the front of the net and eliminate passing/shooting lanes. They don’t push bodies because that just causes more congestion and opens up more space in the slot.
The signing of Carcillo is still garbage. He doesn’t make the team better and he’s blocking elite prospects in the Hawks system. Stupid.
Great thoughts Wall, Reg and JS…
JS, if the Hawks “just block shooting lanes” then why did the Kings own them in the WCFinals scoring an avg. of almost 4 goals a game? If teams have puck possession and can pass at the point, then you can’t get to a shot blocking position unless you just STAY THERE (see Zus) and give up scoring chances left and right.
No matter how much anyone thinks Hockey has changed, it is still the same SIMPLE game. To score goals, you get bodies in front of their goalie and fire pucks at the net. This is all Q has said since he arrived here, yet he coaches a team that likes to play patty-cake along the boards and allow opposing goalies to stone them because they can see EVERY SHOT! Our lone “screen guy” on the team is Andrew Shaw (all 5’10” 180 lbs of him). To keep pucks out of your net let your goalie see the shots coming. That’s how Scotty Bowman won all those hockey games…that’s how Q won all those hockey games. Yet he comes to Chicago and WE DO NEITHER? WTF?
Dave,
I think the another trade/move is 32 to ltir. Right now we have 1.5 capspace. Add a D man & role w 22man roster (13/7) because were set for FW.
1.5
-.600 for Dahlbeck
+2.2 for Rozy ltir & -.800 for Johns
2.3
Other when a FW is out temp. & 86 up, we have 2.3 accumulating-deadline-capspace. Teravainen in has us at 1.4 for deadline (which we can be a higher caphit then 1.4). Were we can add a good D man.
As we well know the Central Division is stacked..the margin for error is very tiny and the Pacific Division likely more so..the entire West is one big minefield…I’m trusting that Stan and Q know exactly what they are doing…It is quite puzzling about Cominsky, TVR, Mashinter , slightly understandable about Carcillo. One big known is that we have the best reserves on the planet tucked away in Rockford gaining valuable experience. I ‘m thinking this year plays out a bit diffently than the traditional past years and a PhaseII is rolled out in January and other teams don’t know what hit ’em. Well, its a nice thought anyway.
Never bought into the hype surrounding Leddy’s signing, so not sorry to see him a victim of his salary. Also, Hawks seemed to have learned nothing from their handling of the Hayes brothers. Morin pointed his lawyers, Smith and Wesson, at the Hawks to get their attention. Play me or Trade me. Again we are looking at NHL retreads on D. How many NHL retreads have the Hawks entertained on D in Q’s career in Chytown? At least in the NFL, rookies get more than the eqiuvalent of ten hockey games to prove themelves. At this point Morin should have asked Q whether he wanted Morin to walk on the water or part it.
Reg Dunlop pointed out a possible power struggle, unknown to us, with Stan, Q and Scotty…that is a possibility. Stan is a big analytics guy, and successfully so, even to the point where the Blackhawks analytics are “their own and slightly different than other teams”. Q is likely somewhere in between old school and new school and Scotty may buy in up to a point but knows hockey left, right and upside down and would default to a traditional stance. Its just a theory…it may cause some tension from time to time. As Sr. Brad and others have pointed out, its seems all wrong at the moment. We shall see how it all unfolds….as previously stated the margin for error in the Central is tiny.
Excellent comments by everyone as usual. Im going to be very curious to see how the roster looks against Dallas. At the end of the day when you look at it today your top 6 forwards are set, your top 4 dmen are set. Thats better then most teams on a given night.
So we are really talking about depth moves. The Hawks 3rd line is pretty set too. I dont like how car bomb comes in off the street and gets a contract when the Hawks have plenty of better options IMO. Im not sure Morin is ever going to get a fair look. Because when he got his chance he produced. Its not bad having guys waiting and deserving to play but it sucks to waste mins for car bomb, manshiter, and other goons.
My big complaint w Q has been not using his depth correctly. If he does this team can absolutely win another cup this season
Very good SSHM …great post…agree 100% re Morin….I was 25 feet away from Scott Darling for two periods and the guy was outstanding. He is a big dude!…Got the shutout in a 5-zip winner and was real excited at the final buzzer. D helped him out last 2 minutes a lot and Oilers had some pretty bad puck luck. Then thats it for him…down he goes…”thanks for the shutout, your gone”..”geez coach what do Ihave to do, score a goal as well?” …hope we see this fellow in at least one game this year…I know it takes forever to become a NHL goalie but it all sort of goes to whats happening and what SSHM, Sr. Brad and many others are saying. Have no doubts we will see TT soon and Rockford Dmen coming up. Carcillo likely wont skate that much…we are too good with our youngsters to allow this to go off the rails…
I believe it’s way to early to make judgements about how Hawks 3rd d pairing pans out. Last year it was a turn style with Leddy and someone else. Like some other guys on this page I have felt the Hawks needed to get a little more physical with this lineup D corps included. Unless we get a trade Rozy is going to play. I say play him against certain teams and sit a fair share. If we have to keep him, he must be kept fresh. He is a smart player. Between Rockford hopefuls, and the FA guys let’s see his this plays out when
games start counting.
I think Q messed up Leddy years ago. He was always the whipping boy. I hope he prospers with the Isles. Salary cap issues suck but that’s the way it is. I still think another move takes place before Thurs. While u have been a Versteeg supporter I have been surprised by the continuation of his mental mistakes through the preseason. His skating is vastly improved, but there are plug in kids that have more upside that are far cheaper. For me Steeger should be on a very short leash by Q. Wise up or sit.
Hawks should be very competitive. I want TT in the lineup. If the Hawks play strong team D they will be in the hunt. Meanwhile LA has the Cup bullseye on their collective backs. Kings won’t sneak into postseason this year. Sorry for any typos. I am on my phone.
Let’s Go Hawks!
Mining Man- just fyi, the analytics head reports directly to Scotty Bowman, not Stan
Aren’t they ~$47K over the cap with both TvR and Cumiskey on the roster?
Kevin,
We over 1.47 now. You add a D man, say Dahlbeck @ .600 and role with a 13/7 roster we have around .900 (3m if we ltir 32).
26, etc gets waived to Rockford. That is what Im thinking, not sure until R.
Morrison, “That’s the spirit, Reg.” — good one!
(“That’s just great, Anita!”)
Brad- not saying I agree with it, but that is what they tend to do. Even on the PK they leave the guy out front stand there by themselves.
Also, I’m not understanding breaking up Oduya and Hammer over Keith and Seabrook. Oduya and Hammer took on the toughest competition last year with the hardest zone starts. Makes more sense in my head to break up 2/7.
My head is spinning, conspiracy theories, carbombs, and internal strife…. what if the SBs are giving Q what he wants this year and if it doesn’t work they will have Mike Babcock to turn to next year? Still no extension for him in Detroit beyond this year and who else could you replace Q with? Chitown becomes hockey town and the Madhouse keeps on rockin!
I agree with Brad and the others that Rundblad, Cumiskey, Rozy, and TVR are not the answer at 3rd pairing. Give Clendening, Dahlbeck and Johns a chance. Look what Babcock did with Detroit last year. He made the playoffs with alot of AHL players. Q’s weakness is his willingness to give his young players a chance. And TT looks ready too. By the way, the Kings did quite well without an enforcer over the last 3 years.
JS- doesn’t really bother me which of the D pairs they split up although Keith/Seabrook seemed to struggle when they were apart last season. This preseason (I know it was only preseason) but Hammer and Dahlbeck seemed to play well together. Hammer is just so versatile he can play with almost anyone. Also longer term with Oduya being a UFA at the end of the year it’s hard to conceive that he will be resigned and establishing chemistry with Hammer and a younger D might be good for down the road. But I definitely don’t think the Hawks should try a new D5/D6 pairing with two unproven dmen. But knowing Q’s propensity for switching line combinations I’m sure we’ll see a lot of different pairings for a while.
I know I’m going to get a lashing for this from Sr. Brad but you are all over on the size thing-(and before you get too upset I do realize you are talking about the Hawks D only)
“Honestly, size is over rated” this was from an earlier post a few days back-Now it is “Bullshit Reg…we just lost to the Kings in the WCFinal because SIZE MATTERS!” lol
I think, as I said earlier that it does matter but not at the expense of skill and speed-the Hawks D is small and we do need to get bigger and as was said by many, including Sr. Brad, is what we have now in camp is a lot of 6 ft. 190lbs,
It’s October 5th, Leddy is gone and the Hawks are Cap compliant. Everything that has happened in the past is done and can’t be undone. The season is about to start and the Hawks are a very good team with as good a chance to win the 2015 Cup as any team and that puts me in a celebratory mood.
Enough squabbling – be happy.
Noonan, I was speaking about DMen where size/strength does matter…its hockey 101. I have said the same thing all summer. I don’t like your inference.
ER, based on where we are at right now with Q deciding to keep EIGHT DMEN for now, with only 12 forwards and Carcillo on a 1 way contract and Rozy injured (thankfully)…this means that Morin will be sent down…that there are no options for the 4th line other than Carcillo, who was sitting at home eating peanut butter sandwiches and playing nintendo until the Hawks called. Also, he has decided to split Hammer and Oduya and today Oduya was skating with Runblad, while Cumiskey and TVR were skating with Hammer. You have to be kidding me, right? Oduya and Runblad skating 18 minutes a night against BIG 3rd and 4th lines? They will get killed!
Three weeks ago we looked like the best bet for the SC, and right now, we are back to same bullshit mistakes that Q made last year with WORSE players. Not one of the following players if they were released today would find themselves starting for another NHL team, NOT ONE…Rozy, Cumiskey, Runblad, CBomb and TVR. And we are supposed to be NHL favourites! Rozy is done and we couldn’t trade him for a bag of hammers. Cumiskey was out of the NHL for over 4 years. Runblad has been dumped by 3 organizations and none of them even gave him much NHL ice time. TVR is promising, but NOT READY and is still weak defensively, especially with his physicality, or lack there of. Plus he was outplayed by Dahlback in Training Camp!
Corey Crawford is only as good as our defence. Last year our GAA went up .5 from the SC year…with CBomb on the 4th line, and with this selection of DMen, it will go up that much again this year, and that just might put us out of the playoffs in the Western Conference. Last year many of our games went into OT, where we proceeded to lose. You think this is going to get better with this crew?
The future of this hockey is NOT with Cumiskey, Runblad, Rozy, or CBomb…its with Jeremy Morin, TT, Klas Dahlbeck, Adam Clendening and Stephen Johns. Play them now! They will do a better job right now than the pathetic group that are standing in their way and by games 40/50, they will be “over the hump” professionally and building bonds with the other DMen, which is building on the future. All Q has done now is delayed this transition for a bunch of stiffs who are going to fail. BRUTAL.
SrB, they haven’t even played a game yet. Morin won’t get sent down because he would have to go through waivers and would certainly get claimed. Besides, by my count nobody needs to get sent down because they (1) are Cap compliant, and (2) don’t have more than 23 on the roster: 2 goalies (Crawford, Raanta), 8 d-men (Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Oduya, Rozsival, Rundblad, TvR, Cumisky) and 13 forwards (Sharp, Toews, Hossa, Saad, Shaw, Kane, Bickell, Richards, Versteeg, Smith, Kruger, Morin, and Carcillo)
I like the idea of splitting up Hjalmarsson and Oduya because the young d-men get paired up with a solid veteran, and as Q said he can always re-unite 4-27 at the end of periods or in tight games. The bottom line is that the young d-men need to be ready to play by the playoffs and certainly by next season.
Let the Hawks play a game or two before commencing the wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth … is all I’m saying.
Well Sr. Brad makes a good case and it certainly makes sense. It also makes sense that Stan and Q know what they are doing. We hope, I think. Morin, TT, Dahlbeck, Clendening and Johns will be up this year in an accelerated program. Just a wee bit more time required getting ready. These guys are too valuable to ruin a NHL career by bringing them in too soon. We see most of them by January. Just buying some time. That is a scenario that makes sense to me. However, I do understand Brads frustration and his points are valid.
Last year at this time we were discussing Ryan Stanton and Mike Kostka. Things have a way of working themselves out.
The Hawks have to keep 8 D Men because Rozy is hurt and won’t be ready to start the season. I would imagine they are as close to the cap as they are so they can put Rozy on LTIR and then have more payroll flexibility because the cap will be higher. Or maybe Rozy won’t be LTIR’d this season, but I kind of think it might happen. You know how nagging those “shoulder injuries” can be.
As far as the rest, if they roll out the lines they had in practice the other day, the Hawks will be a scary bunch on offense. The back end will need some work, but even without Leddy, they are capable of throwing out 2 of the best defensive pairings in the league.
The lines from practice were: (I think, I was kind of in the middle of a nap when I saw it yesterday)
10/19/81
20/65/88 (Richards has to start the season on the second line, right? Otherwise it’s a PR nightmare)
29/91/23
28/16/11
Remember how many opportunities that 4th line had to score last year but they were anchored by human waste Brandon Bollig? Good chance that line is lethal with a faster and more aware skater they can actually retrieve the puck.
Q loves to have an enforcer on his 4th line for whatever the reason. I think Morin can fill that role as well or better than Carcillo…..I think Morin is also a better fighter than Carcillo. Here’s the rub. If Carcillo is in the penalty box alot, hey he is doing what he is sent to do. If Morin is in the box alot, well he is young and can’t be trusted so to the doghouse you go.
JS I can live with those lines but it is the D pairings that I will be scared to see roll out.
In Q we trust.
Kyle Cumiskey, David Rundblad, Trevor van Riemsdyk and now Daniel Carcillo. Don’t talk to me about the Hawks great farm system (eg Clendening, Johns, Dahlbeck, etc) when not one prospect makes the roster but 4 – count ’em 4 retreads make this team.
Either Q or Bowman are nuts or these guys ain’t that good. Can’t have it both ways.
Hawkfacts- I agree on you comment “Hawks Farm system” – over rated (especially Cden)… but TvR is not a “retread” — THAT is not a Hawk FACT!!!
Pokka – will leapfrog most of these D “Prospects”… Johns might be the one who is on Par w/ Pokka
Re: Runbad- the guy skates smoothly, big shot, nice reach,,, but get him on D boards…
he falls down almost every other battle- WEAK!!! Scared of contact… I can’t believe he is still here!!!
Wall – good point, although he was undrafted and is all of 4 months younger than Leddy. Still don’t get all the Stephen Johns love – seems more Brent Sopel than Brent Seabrook to me.
All I know is that this is the 2nd year in a row where everybody else got better and the Hawks didn’t. (especially on D) Gotta believe that’s gonna show the first time somebody gets hurt.
TJ Brennan’s name has not been mentioned much. He is 6’1″ at about 215 lbs. so he is pretty big. He had good year in the AHL last year, about a point per game. He is fast and a good skater…..but was a minus 10 on a very good team.
Anyway, my fear is this. Leddy, good, bad, overrated, underrated, whatever…held up his partner well at the expense of his own side. Time after time you would see his skate out of position to come to the aid of particularly Rosy. Who steps into those shoes now.
I agree, SB is not done. There is no way Rosy “anchors” the 3d pairing. Whoever partners with Rosy is gonna need to step up big time, or you will see the top 4 with 26 minutes each on a nightly basis.
That’s an excellent point Hawkfacts…the Blackhawks cannot comment on having a good system when Bowman/Q won’t give prospects roles on the team in the face of 3 retreads and Rozy…
Excellent comments JS and Wall!
Like ER, I am going to sit back and watch the first three weeks and then see where we are. I sense disaster because last year most games went into OT where we lost. With this group of 8 DMen and Carcillo skating on the 4th line our team defence suddenly looks worse, if it is we are going to end up on the wrong side of a lot of 1 goal games. Remember guys, most of our games are in the Western Conference and our monster division…these teams are loaded with size designed to forecheck the Hawks small defence into the ground…and this offseason Q and Bowman went and made us OLDER, SMALLER and SLOWER! So we will see.
I will check in with you after the first couple of weeks…hopefully I will be proven wrong, and the Hawks will have a good start, but I doubt it, right now based on the lineups I saw. Thanks for listening!
My question on Brennen, and i apoligize if someone else said this… But he got waived… if he was such a “good” piece to trade for… shouldn’t he get claimed by a team with less D? Ottawa perhaps?
Then the trade looks like Leddy for Pokka (cuz with Neilsson in the KHL, im not counting him)… If brennen does clear, how does that make him any better than Clendening/Dalhbeck? and then if he is better than Clen/Dalh… what does that say about those guys?
I still think it hardly seems like the right value for leddy. wish would would have either gotten more or traded less… (i.e. Oduya for a cheap pick).
Oh well… with our top 9 FWD and top 3 D, we are still playoff locks baring catastrophe. We will be in the hunt for the cup and thats all that matters. No panicing until we have lost 3 games in a playoff series…
SrB- unfortunately I agree, Hawks are smaller, Older, slower (mostly cuz older)…
I also think they could be in for a rude awakening… especially on the Offensive side…
the 2nd half of last year and Playoffs… seems like the Hawks were losing in the Odd-man rush category to their opposition… reason is two-fold- D isn’t man enough to win/clear zone… and forwards weren’t as fast/good (see 26, 52)- these issues look like they could be worse (at least D side)
Mike- It is odd… TJ B is suppose to be good skater, howitzer shot, 216 lbs. (makes him one of the thickest/strongest guys (at least on Hawks D)… yet -10 on a GOOD team??? that is kind of HARD to do!!! How many starters did the Hawks have last year that were minus guys (I think 26, and 29)… and we know 26 sucked- and I thought 29 sucked most until PO’s last year…
Brad, agree like you I will withhold judgement. But with 7 of the first 12 at home and only 4 of those against playoff teams, no excuses for a bad start
In a related note “On Monday, the Leafs put veteran tough guys Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren on waivers, a significant shift in philosophy”
The Blackhawks sign Daniel Carcillo (with Mashinter, Labrie, etal in the wings) demoting Regin, Teravainen, Danault, etc
Bizarro world
RFD has 9 defenseman on their roster, including Cam Barker? Was Cam Barker signed to a contract that wasn’t reported? The Ice Hogs are showing him the roster along w the 2 new guys from the Islanders? Odd.
The reason I’m bringing this up is that is IF Runblad, Cuminski & TVR don’t work out they can ALL be sent down and any 1 of those 11 and be brought up. Excited that real hockey is starting soon!
Just to Clarify Neilsson rights were traded he does not have a NHL contract. If he signs here is completely debatable. He looked AWFUL for the Islanders last year in the few looks I saw of him.
TJ Brennan anyone???
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/30/will-anyone-give-tj-brennan-a-shot/
Tim G no one was going to give us anything that good. SB had to make a trade. Someone brought this up the other day sorry i can’t remember who. Could this be SB letting Q make the calls on the roster knowing he will do just what he did. Thus a reason to let him go?
TimG- once again…this screams Q doesn’t really think any of these D guys is complete, NHL ready guy… So it becomes a Numbers game…flood the Hogs w/ Plenty of D prospects that all seem “Near” ready… and eventually one/two of these guys will blossom or take the next step… Cden/Brennan appear to be clones on the O-side…
I have always thought Cden to be average skater (which doesn’t cut it on Hawks), and TJ is supposed to be good skater… and he is bigger… so the only thing in my eyes holding him down- would be horrible decision making??? Unless what I read about his above average skating is off!!!
SSHM, like I said, a minus 10 on a very good team does not bode well for this player. Maybe he should think about converting to a winger.
@ Mike, I agree TJ Brennan is clearly no one to get overly excited about. Your -10 comment is 100% accurate. Honestly the only player in that deal to be concerned about is Pokka.
Mike57, interesting theory but Babcock would never do that. If the Hawks did let Q go (which they wouldn’t), Chicago would be the most attractive job in the NHL. Babcock wouldn’t leave Detroit- of all places- to come here. He’s good friends with Q and wouldn’t go around his back like that. It would create bad PR for both teams
Chicago lets 2-time Cup winning coach go
Detroit allows beloved Cup winning coach go to hated rival
I had Nick Leddy’s back on this page several times and I am sad to see him go. But 2 things are true: (1) Leddy was odd man out in Chicago, he didn’t fit here financially, he probably would never have overcome Q’s scowl, and his style and talent (speed, skating) was not the priority required on the Blackhawk blueline right now. (2) Nick Leddy will shine in a different sweater, will enjoy more offensive freedom, will put up some very good numbers, may be an All-Star, will get paid. The Islanders are looking up.