Looking Ahead: The Blackhawks New Forwards
The dust hasn’t completely settled on free agency around the NHL but the Blackhawks were active players in the free agent and trade markets since the Stanley Cup Final ended. Chicago added two defensemen via trade before the end of the league year and then got to work on improving their roster up front.
So what do the additions look like as a whole (thus far)? We’ll start our look ahead series by discussing the forwards.
Note: we updated this breakdown to include Alex Nylander, who was acquired on Tuesday afternoon.
Forward Additions
- Andrew Shaw
Age: 27
5-11, 182
Shoots: Right
Acquired via trade from Montreal
Contract: 3 years, $3,900,000 AAV
2018-19 with Montreal: 63 games, 19 goals, 28 assists, 47 points, 128 hits, 36 blocked shots, 16 takeaways, 47.1% FO, 15:55 ATOI (2:02 PP/gm)
Shaw was brought back into the fold and could be a versatile forward for the Hawks. He’s coming off a career-high 47 points with an offensively challenged Canadiens team last year and his 128 hits would have led the Blackhawks last year. His presence will impact the rotation on the power play and he could slot in anywhere in the top three lines when the dust settles in October.
- Dominik Kubalik
Age: 23
6-2, 185
Shoots: Left
Acquired: via trade with LA Kings
Contract: 1 year, $925,000 AAV
2018-19 with Ambri-Piotta (Swiss): 50 games, 25 goals, 32 assists, 57 points
2019 World Championships (Czech): 10 games, 6 goals, 6 assists, 12 points
When the Blackhawks acquired Kubalik from the Kings in March Stan Bowman told Scott Powers of The Athletic that he expects Kubalik to play in the NHL in 2019-20. He has quick hands and a good shot and showed the ability to create his own show at the World Championships this spring. He’s played with David Kampf in the past and might factor into a third line with Kampf in Chicago.
- Ryan Carpenter
Age: 28
6-0, 200
Shoots: Right
Acquired: signed as free agent
Contract: 3 years, $1,000,000 AAV
2018-19 with Vegas: 68 games, 5 goals, 13 assists, 18 points, 126 hits, 18 blocked shots, 30 takeaways, 52.6% FO, 12:37 ATOI (1:15 PK/gm)
Vegas finished the 2018-19 season ranked 11th in the NHL in team penalty killing with Carpenter being a key forward on the unit. Even with the Blackhawks having increased depth at center heading into training camp, Carpenter likely figures to be a fourth line center who helps improve the penalty kill. His 126 hits would have led the Blackhawks last season.
- Alex Nylander
Age: 21
6-1, 192
Shoots: Right
Acquired: via trade from Buffalo
Contract: 2 years, $863,333 AAV
2018-19 with Sabres: 12 games, 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, 1 hit, 1 blocked shot, 1 takeaway, 12:12 ATOI (0:59 PP/gm)
2018-19 with Rochester (AHL): 49 games, 12 goals, 19 assists, 31 points
Well, here’s you’re go-big-or-go-home swing of the offseason for Bowman. He traded a good young blue line prospect drafted and developed in the organization for Nylander, who was the eighth overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft – 31 picks ahead of Alex DeBrincat. If Nylander is another Dylan Strome, this deal could look good. If he remains the bust he’s been labeled in Buffalo and Henri Jokiharju turns into a legit top-four defenseman, this will be the reverse of the Nick Leddy trade and potentially Bowman’s Waterloo.
- John Quenneville
Age: 23
6-1, 195
Shoots: Left
Acquired via trade from New Jersey
Contract: 2 years, $750,000 AAV
2018-19 with Devils: 19 games, 1 goal, 4 PIM, 21 hits, 7 blocked shots, 5 takeaways, 11:19 ATOI (1:01 PP/gm)
A familiar last name, John Quenneville was a first round pick by the Devils in 2014 (30th overall). Since making his debut during the 2016-17 season he has only appeared in 33 NHL games, however, so this change-of-scenery move might give him an opportunity to find a niche. He signed a two-year deal with the first season being a two-way year, meaning he’ll have to fight for an NHL roster spot.
- Anton Wedin
Age: 26
5-11, 194
Shoots: Left
Acquired: signed as free agent
Contract: 1 year, $925,000 AAV
2018-19 with Timrå IK (Sweden): 32 games, 14 goals, 13 assists, 27 points
The Blackhawks won the bidding for Wedin against 3-4 other teams according to reports. Coach Jeremy Colliton coached against him in Sweden so he knows what the Blackhawks are getting in the winger. He may be a bottom-six role player for the Blackhawks this season and may need some time in Rockford to adjust to the North American game, but Colliton’s knowledge of the player likely means he’ll get a long look in training camp.
- Aleksi Saarela
Age: 22
5-11, 198
Shoots: Left
Acquired via trade from Carolina
Contract: 1 year, $753,333 AAV
2018-19 with Charlotte (AHL): 69 games, 30 goals, 24 assists, 54 points, 12 PIM
This is an intriguing addition for the Blackhawks. Chicago drafted his brother, Antti, in the fourth round this summer. He led the Charlotte Checkers with 30 goals last season and added 15 points in 17 playoffs games in the AHL. A young center who has two full AHL seasons under his belt, Aleksi might be a player who could push for NHL ice time during the coming season.
Projected Blackhawks Lines
Brandon Saad – Jonathan Toews – Patrick Kane
Alex DeBrincat – Dylan Strome – Alex Nylander
Dominik Kubalik – David Kampf – Andrew Shaw
Artem Anisimov – Ryan Carpenter – Drake Cagguila/Dylan Sikura
Note: these lines do not include the following:
- Brendan Perlini – still an unsigned RFA
- Kirby Dach – first round pick will have to earn it (and he might)
- Anton Wedin – will have to beat out a couple players, possible 13th forward
- John Quenneville – will have to beat out a couple players, possible 13th forward
These lines also don’t factor in any additional trades that may come (cough, Anisimov, cough).
Anton Wedin dicide to join the Hawks squad over 2-3 other team …why did so many teams whant this guy ?
What is so special about him ?
Colliton is probably the reason he decide to come in Chicago .
Wishful thinking I know…..
Wouldn’t RFA’s MatthewTkachuk &/or Ivan Provorov look good in the Indian head sweater!
Not a bad looking top 9, maybe Shaw and Saad back a line on their normal wings and give Kubalik a chance with 19 and 88 at some point.
Woould like them to find somebody Anisimovs size but plays like Shaw on the 4th line. Come with a lower caphit too.
I’ll admit it – I’m impatient. I want the Anisimov situation to not drag out all summer long. I’m fine with keeping him if the cap situation can be figured out in some other way but I’m also fine with trading him and in fact I prefer he gets traded only because I think it’s pretty certain he isn’t part of the long range plans so let’s get it done already. The lineup changes with Anisimov on the roster versus not on the roster so it’s impossible to lock in the 13-forwards without the Anisimov situation resolved.
Ah Perlini. Why is his contract still not done? Better not be for more money. I really dislike this player. I find him lazy, low vision and has that ‘me’ vibe aboot him.
I hope the Dzingel/Chicago rumours are false. His corsi numbers are not good to say the least. I doubt it tho since the Hawks are clearing space now and not because of him.
With Anisimov Im guessing they’re trying to get picks back that they lost in the Andrew Shaw deal. Then it would almost be a Anisimov for Shaw deal. I definitely like that as Shaw has way more heart than AA.
EB as Craig Nyr take Anisimov to team up with Panarin again and Brendan Lemieux would look pretty good on the 4th line there.
Maybe get creative and do a Anisimov and Perlini for Lemieux and Ryan Strome deal.
AA and Perlini packaged together does make some good sense
I think it would be tough to do that trade with NYR because they have only $8M in cap space and still need to sign Trouba – who I believe filed for arbitration which means NYR are going to be tied up from doing anything until they know how the Trouba deal turns out.
Yeah true but Nyr supposedly want Kappo and Kravtsov on elcs in lineup too, wanting to move Namestikovs 4m hit too, so that would need to happen too.
Loags sums it up perfectly
Agree getting the picks back is something that Bowman will want to do. Any moves between now and October the priority will likely be to build the roster first and if pick available thats gravy. There will be a number of trades before the next draft, no need to rush out and do that right away.
I don’t think it make sense to get ride of AA for cheap, his price will go up before trade deadline for sure and he is nice depth center for 3rd/4th line to have.
Sign Perlini for 1 year / 1 mil. ‘show me what you can do’ deal (same for which SJ just signed Labanc) and there will be no problem to stay under the cap in October (even less if De Haan will begin the season on LTIR):
Shaw – Toews – Kane
DeBrincat – Strome – Kubalik
Saad – Anisimov – Sikura
Caggiula – Kampf – Carpenter
Perlini
Keith – Gustafsson
De Haan – Murphy
Maatta – Seabrook
Koekkoek
Crawford / Lehner
I like Moonshiner’s lineup. Anisimov will probably stick around until Dach is ready. Need size down the middle.
Shaw turns 28 this month. In earlier threads I posted that he has developed into a higher-skilled player who can play on any line and PP. No one on the Hawks has his mix of skill and toughness who makes like miserable for opponents. They gave up a lot to get him back. Needs to tone down his very aggressive play and stay healthy. What, me worry? (The first goal he scores at the UC, the place is going to rock.)
Am looking past highly injury-prone de Haan and getting excited about Saarela. Middle-six potential. What a good collection of current/potential centers: Toews, Dach, Strome, Saarela, Carpenter, Kampf. Please move AA. Kurashev in 20/21?
Can AA and Perlini be packaged for a 2nd rd pick?
Need to hire an editor:
Shaw turns 28 this month. In earlier threads I posted that he has developed into a higher-skilled player who can play on any line and PP. No one on the Hawks has his mix of skill and toughness who makes life miserable for opponents. They gave up a lot to get him back. Needs to tone down his very aggressive play and stay healthy. What, me worry? (The first goal he scores at the UC, the place is going to rock.)
Am looking past highly injury-prone de Haan and getting excited about Saarela. Middle-six potential. What a good collection of current/potential centers: Toews, Dach, Strome, Saarela, Carpenter, Kampf. Please move AA. Kurashev in 20/21?
Can AA and Perlini be packaged for a 2nd rd pick?
“Can AA and Perlini be packaged for a 2nd rd pick?”
Perlini is the sweetener. Lemon flavour.
Moonshiner i think the Lebanc deal is to help Sharks out caowise but also he is arbitration eligible next summer but not this year, so 1 yr deal they don’t skip arbitration years too.
Wedin I think is a decent two way FW. His good size has him looking like a similiar player to Ben Smith. So thats what special about him. A good defensive FW that can score a little but is good at PK and overall D as a FW.
Would have Wedin and Quennville as back ups to 40 and 64. Decent depth players that are good at D and have size. Might want that instead of small scoring FW like Sikura for certain games. Options.
Saarela is a sleeper and can play 3rd line when 77 has played 9 games and Sikura doesnt stick enough or gets games when someone is hurt for a wk. He should get some games because he could be a scoring 3rd line players. He also has that Ben Smith size.
Loags, Craig posted about Perlini situation in last thread, right beofre this thread, that were not keeping him. Combining him a trade could be good.
15 at deadline makes sense. 77 might be ready for 2nd 40 games? I think 77 is in whole yr or he comes here starting at game 72 and stays.
The biggest thing I see, besides good Defensive FW and D guys, is size and speed. Everyone we added has size and most have speed.
When you look at the 12 FW, which ever ones you have in there, it looks stronger then its been in yrs. We now have a full roster.
I don’t understand how everyone has Sikura penciled into the lineup and even on the top two lines. Sikura didn’t impress at all last season and he was given an extended audition on the tops lines so it’s not that he’s the kind of player who needs to play with higher end talent to produce.
I see these new guys pushing Sikura back to Rockford or into a trade.
I also don’t understand why so many need to knock Artie. I agree that it’s time to trade him, there’s new younger talent that needs to play but Anisimov has always been a good soldier, never complains and plays in whatever role the coaches assign him. He’s a high character guy who always tries hard.
What Mickey Bellerose said.
Sikura is an AHL player at best. Nothing more!!!
Perlini deserves attention, development and a contract! His size, speed, and shot are NHL cailbre.
His potential is much higher than Bowman’s pet hype Sikura.
Yea Bread Man and Anisimov are good players and were kind of here at the wrong time to stay longterm. Sharpys position had 72 then 12. Do not think anything worng with having 72 and 12 just salary cap. We always had the big 4, 19 88 81 10, just those guys were 5.5 and 6 caphits, not 11.6 and 7.5
Bread Man and Aneta were just here at wrong time otherwise. I do feel bad for these two guys because if they were here earlier or later maybe there here then.
Bellrose and Hull65 are correct re sikura. He is the defensive version of Forsling. Perlini has a far higher upside, he has a skillet that can’t be taught. Even though he is still a green coach, Colliton has his pets already as well. And those he doesn’t care for. Human nature.
All this being said, the Hawks don’t have time to waste at the beginning of the season losing valuable points while playing non productive (so far) players like sikura. The fact that the a team like the Blues won the Cup is still disappointing. They may not make the playoffs again next year. If anything happens to their goalie they are done.
We ll see how it plays out.
Iceman agree they don’t have time to waste games, even with the revamped roster finding a playoff spot could still be a challenge. Even if the Blues bubble bursts, Preds, Jets, Avs and Stars all looking strong. Oilers and Coyotes could make 5 teams legitimate playoff contenders instead of 3 in the Pacific division.
Being in a good spot at midseason is probably a key with first half schedule and most of Feb. on the road.
Sikuras role will depend on how well he responds to Collitons system, he has the work ethic, a little chemistry could go a long way.
Sikura got sent down during the season last year and I would bet was told since the offense isn’t clicking go down and work on your 200 ft game. He did that and was noticeable on the ice, shows effort. Perlini has the size to be an effective 200 ft player but shows absolutely no want to. His defense makes Kane look like a selke candidate. Give me the guy that puts fourth an effort all day long. Let Perlini walk please
Tab i’m all for hoping Nylander will be a decent Nhl player, but just don’t see it happening overnight, he hasn”t shown anything close to being a top 6 guy.
Please no more Sikura talk. He is way behind in the prospects depth chart.
SAAD TOEWS KANE
SHAW DACH NYLANDER
DCAT STROME PERLINI
CAGGIULA CARPENTER KUBALIK
Entwhistle, Saarela, Quenneville are all ahead of Sikura. With this lineup, we only have Shaw, Kane, Dcat and Caggiula under 6 feet tall. Kampf is a reserve who can spot Caggiula once and awhile unless we can find a more effeectivee 4th liner like Kuraly from Boston.
Why is Connor Murphy still on this team and Joki is now a Sabre. I like Nylander’s size and potential….I wish we would have given up Mitchell instead…. but now our defence, unless Boqvist makes the team, is on the slow side.
Nylander could not play more than 19 nhl games in buffalo the past 3 seasons and score a whopping 6 goals but he gets traded to BHawks and is instantly penciled in on second line.
Thats insanity
Right now
Saad Toews Shaw
Debrincat Strome Dach
Kubalik Anisimov Kane
Cagguila Carpenter Kampf
Kane get his 20+ mins wherever he s slotted and try to catch some Panarin magic with Kubalik
Keith Gus
Murphy Seabrook
Maatta Boqvist
Dehaan on ltir
Hopefully Maatta and Seabrook are not paired together ever.
Two of Kane, Toews and Debrincat have to be on the same line otherwise one of them would get third line minutes.
I agree with 65. The D will be slow. They will be positioned correctly once they get there but slow. And why is Murphy still here? You mean to tell me that you cannot trade an established 2 line D-man for an under achieving first round forward prospect.
Nylander has done nothing to even be allowed to practice with the second line. A point every other night forward for 3 seasons in the AHL does not constitute a second line NHL forward. I am sure he will make the team seeing the SB has so much invested in the trade and that he is trying to save his neck. I hope just that he can be productive 3 or 4 line for forward. Limiting expectations
Hope I am wrong, Go Hawks
with Joker gone and a lot of new faces onboard, it seems a good time to mothball #28 for good until the organization rights their ongoing wrong.
Now hopefully he’ll let Perlini go waste space on someone else’s team
They are shopping Perlini. Should try to package him with AA for a 2nd rd pick.
What is this team supposed to be now and in the next couple of years? In 2010 we were fast, explosive, full of swagger — able to roll line after line that kept teams on their heels. When that wore off we became more of a puck possession team — willing to pay the price to keep the puck and ultimately doing something with it. The Blues are a heavy team. The Bruins are relentless grinders. The Avs are an up tempo team with their speed and skill (and with Byram and Makar for the ncxt 10 years that is going to get better for them).
What are we? We were drafting for speed and skill. This year size came back in vogue. We were getting younger but now we’ve added a lot of vets. What does it add up to? Where is it going? I just can’t see what it is supposed to look like. Maybe some kind of quilt?
I’m hoping Anismov or Saad gets traded, time to move on from all those bad trades from Columbus. So many bad things with those trades from Forsberg, Panarin, Saad’s decline. I would be fine with trading either and package Perlini with either one. Small tweaks on the lines.
Brandon Saad – Jonathan Toews – Andrew Shaw
Alex DeBrincat – Dylan Strome – Patrick Kane
Dominik Kubalik – David Kampf – Alex Nylander
Pick One??? – Ryan Carpenter – Drake Cagguila
Tab one note about your site, it would be good to start a page with who is next like this page of top prospects. It says Kirby Dach is the #1 prospect and most of us doubt he will make the lineup including you. Prospects VS Next In Line…, just some thoughts. Sikura is #2 and I doubt he will make the team, hopefully he scores 10 goals in the preseason…..
http://committedindians.com/future-hawks-prospect-profiles/
Knox – curious about a couple things. What do you think we can get in return for Saad – what would you accept? Would Panarin instead of Saad have won us a cup the last two years? Do you think Panarin would have signed here for less than $11.6m or whatever he got in NY? If so – for how long and how much?
I only ask because Bowman made it clear he did the trade for salary cap certainty.
What are we?…….Screwed!
Bowman’s job is on he line. His mandate is to make the playoffs to save his job.
Can’t go young that would be a rebuild.
Can’t trade any of the old boys to get a younger core everyone has a long term no trade contract.
Can’t trade for future draft picks as we are in win now mode.
Can’t win the cup… We are not good enough.
T and K window is closing… Must win now you say.
If Jeremy Coliton gives Toews and Kane the same type of ice time that he did last year and if he forgets to tell them where the Hawks end of the ice is this season will Chicago need to totally revamp their defence again next season?
Setting personal records for time on ice, goals, assists, points looks great on paper.
Someone on the forward lines has to play some DEFENCE.
Will Coliton get his hall of famers to buy in? I hope so!
Kane can’t play the same minutes he played last year. It’s just not smart. He’ll be burned out like he ended up this past season, but perhaps earlier. I do believe he won’t need to, though, with this season’s lineup. 20 plus minutes every night with double shifting was the mark of last year’s team that had to try and outscore teams after getting in a hole. I think that one of Colliton’s roles is to smartly use Toews and Kane as they get longer in the tooth. Last year was desperation. While this year’s bunch may not be world beaters, that absolute desperation should not be there.
@Stape: I had hoped for the rebuild, but more and more I am buying into the idea that Stan’s priority is to save his job. Too many moves (do we really need Maatta AND De Haan) and guys whose injuries are likely to catch up with them before their contracts run out.
I’d have been okay with Krys or Mitchell for Nylander (who, in Larmer terms, is closer to Jeff than Steve).
If there is a Gus re-up on top of everything else that would not be a good sign.
@JORDYHAWK,
The Shaw trade was the trade that I really didn’t like.
Same thing, older injury prone pick up at 3.9 million for picks.
Worst part is these guys will be blocking the younger potential Blackhawks for at least the nex three years.
Gus should be traded now as his trade value to Chicago will never be higher.
I’m worried about a Crawford re-up.
Stan will probably give Crawford 5 more years at 7 million a year with a no trade in there. Would no surprise me at all.
Jordy, no way BUF would take Krys who is not tracking to the NHL. Mitchell is better but not at Joki’s level. Maybe they tried offering Murphy, who I would rather have parted with.
Stape and I are being repetitious about Shaw, but we both think his injuries make him too much of a risk for what the Hawks gave up. A healthy Shaw is a much better player than Maatta or de Haan. We can only hope.
Crawford is one concussion or significant injury away from retirement. I think Lehner will soon be the starter. If Lehner performs well, by February Bowman should offer him 3 years at $6M AAV. Lehner may reject it and look for a sucker like Tallon, who just changed the market with his Bobrovsky signing. If the younger Lehner continues his great play, he may command an insane contract like Bobrovsky,
Pucklogic, I’d agree with you except that would hang Strome out to dry. The Hawks like nostalgic pairings that proved effective in the past, i.e. DeBrincat/Strome, Toews/Saad and Kubalik/Kampf.
Deuce, 2nd line, thats insanity. Hehe.
Only Tallon would overpay for a goalie.
After 5 good moves.
The shtt hath hitith the fan.
There is a player nobody thalk about but still in the system and might be interesting to look at in january – febuary 2020 ..Mathew Highmore who was hurt badly last year …this guy has limited talent maybe but strong guy, big heart , focus , and was having a good start last year . He is 23 and who knows what he can do iff he gets a good start next october.
I also think that we might have a surprise with some kids in Rockford and coming from junior league …. Hagel , Johnson , Beaudin , we might have a surprise .Depending on Colliton and staff . It will be really interesting in September.
Been away due to a family matter but it’s nice to hear all the Hawks talk. Really like Lehner and De Haan moves. I like the fact they got a ‘Shaw’ type player, not sure about Shaw at 3 years, so that’s a ?? for me. Don’t like the Nylander move, although he is very talented, as they put the work in with Joki who not only shoots right but he may turn out to be a solid 3 in the NHL. Teams (Buffalo) give up on ultra talented Top 10 guys for a reason, so if he has a short fall it might be between the ears. (Not always the case, as with Strome.)
Overall enough to be excited about, but so many teams are getting better as well. Big Indian good point about Kane-a motivated, fresh 88 is key.
To me if they need to use Boqvist as the 7th defenseman to play when someone out for extended periods at least. He can play regularly in Rfd when everybody healthy and Dahlstrom or Koekkoek can do the pressbox in a pinch guy role. Running out Dahlstrom and or Koekkoek on a regular basis is just patchwork, use Boqvist or Beaudin who can some real skilled depth dynamics for extended periods and take advantage of their no waiver up and down status.
2010 i like Highmore alot but hard to say where he fits, don’t hear alot of conversation around him from Colliton and Bowman so wouldn’t be surprised if he is moved some time this year. Delia another one who could be moved to a team needing an inexpensive backup with Lehner and Lankinen making him spare change now.
If you are Bowman, you can’t win. Develop young talent, build for the future and you are guaranteed to miss the playoffs again. Nobody on this board would be happy with that. Worse yet, what if that young talent doesn’t work out? Years of frustration (e.g. Oilers).
If you make moves to make the playoffs now (“to save your job”) people aren’t happy because you gave up on some young pieces. I don’t care about whether he saves his job, I just want to see them in the playoffs again because anything can happen. Ask the Blues.
Puck – I think Bowman is trying to do both – make the playoffs and develop younger players to complement the vets at the same time
We’ll see if he’s successful or not – I’m cautiously optimistic
@O6: I ran across a site which provides probabilities of prospects making the NHL. He had Joki at greater than 90% and Nylander at 28%. If his model is any good, it confirms what a bad deal this was. Maybe Krys for Nylander is a reach but Mitchell should have been enough. Bowman had the strong hand here and he made a really weak move.
Pucklogic, i made that comment before that committing full out to winning now and rebuilding for the future is impossible to do without sacrificing one for the other at times, not sure where you fit latest in trade into that though. Tough make both work, hope it happens.
I’m not really upset with the trade because my love for Joki ebbed a bit after his very good start last season. Nylander is more of a “catch lightning in a bottle” hopeful now that he hasn’t lived up to his #8OA draft position yet or to put it into the Stan context – another 1st round reclamation project. It’s an aggressive move by Stan but I’d rather have an aggressive GM than one who is more passive. When you swing for the fences – sometimes you hit a homer and sometimes you strike out.
Having said that, the more “hopeful’s” you have on the team, the lower the probability that enough of them pan out to contribute to team success. The Hawks have acquired (5) former 1st round draft picks in the past year – Strome, Koekkoek, Perlini, Quenneville, and now Nylander. I’m kind of surprised Stan hasn’t acquired Puljujarvi yet. Hopefully one or two of them follow Strome’s path.
Puck – Completely agree with your post. I have to admit the comments on this trade are quite interesting. Many want to dump Murphy – a solid proven NHL player and insert Joki who they seem to believe can quickly become a much better player. Clearly the Hawks believe Nylander has as much upside as Joki, if not more, at a position where the organizational depth is much weaker. Only time will tell but I have to chuckle at the comments that are certain this is the second coming of Esposito and Hodge for Gilles Marotte and Pit Martin trade debacle.
MS how the trade pans out in the end is not the biggest concern. To me that is the issue of not being able to get anything out their first round picks. Except for 19 and 88 they have averaged less than 1 season, 76 games from every no.1 pick since Barker. Making a few trades to bail them out are good arguing points but not the real issue.
MS i have defended his drafting and tried to buy into whats going on as much as anybody. We’re 3 years into a rebuild/ reload and still the yearly trade your no.1 pick away is still happening, just comes a time you gotta say what gives here. Are Boqvist and Dach the future, hopefully so.
Well, anyone is an upgrade from Sikura or Kahun. Nylander has size and so does Perlini. Both of these are ex-1st rounders unlike Sikura and Kahun who are fringe players as well as too light in the corners!!!
Still not sure about Joki leaving buy maybe Nylander finds himself in Chicago.
PERLINI TOEWS KANE
DCAT STROME SHAW
SAAD DACH NYLANDER (great size and skill line)
CAGG CARPENTER KUBALIK
TRADE AA….for draft picks and or a prospect. (2nd rounder because those picks for Shaw were steep)
Ian – I get that we would all feel better if we didn’t trade all of our first round picks but does it really matter? The bottom line to me is whether the team is competitive (making the playoffs with ultimately some shots at the cup). How we get there is really not important to me. Any player in the organization is a possible chip to make the team better. I agree that we are in year 3 of a reload and we need to show that we are competitive again – to me that means making the playoffs, however the salary cap and escalating RFA salaries are really making a GM’s job difficult (see Jets, Winnipeg). The Jets have drafted and developed as good as anyone, have won nothing and are in a tough cap position.
Jordy, thanks for the bad prediction on Nylander. His big problem is he plays soft. So does Perlini. Can only hope this can be worked out with development. Some have penciled him to the starting lineup. Not going to happen without some experience in RFD. This does look like a weak move by Bowman. He should be held responsible for this and any other trade or signing.
Noon/Wrap, thats the thing Bowman did not trade anything, until Buckaroo, that is for the future and added that many role players with size, that are good at D, that are good passers.
The 2nd and 3rd for Shaw, we already got and used in 16 with a 2nd and a 2nd. That alone is better, getting Debrincat is better then any player MTL picks with those picks and we got 3? yrs ahead in development with that, only to not have Shaw for these 3 yrs. Which was only for cap, but Bowman made water into wine with that exchange.
We added that many good players, that are size and D and passers, and only gave up/away Buckaroo in future stock.
Regaurdless of injurys of past. Thats why you need to be deep.
The Shawzer exchange.
2nd and 2nd-Debrincat
salary cap requirement
2nd and 3rd- 3yrs behind in development
not having 65 for 3 yrs-salary cap
Water into Wine.
I do not think we havnt gotton anything out of our 1st picks other then 2006 and 2007.
When we looked at the track record of King Tallon and Bowman, Bowman has blown Tallon out of the water. I forget the thread, but basically only Kneeler was a bust for Bowman, every guy he picked in 1st is a good NHL player. There was not any? many? other then 19 88 for Tallon that is.
Another point on this 1st picks and Blackhawks/Bowman thing is this. Who cares if the player isint on our team anymore, the fact is, we draft good NHL players other then Kneeler. Some of those were, like 86, and were casualities of a injury to a player we didnt know he had. Thats noones fault.
Otherwise every 1st we do not have now that we picked and is a goo NHL player, we traded for something of equal, better or worse value, to do what We wanted to do with.
Also think being a dynasty team, we had different circumstances other then keeping everyone the whole way through the dynasty yrs. In that we were chiseling core and reloading with a different role players for every Cup ans some of those were prob 1sts?
Id Tallon was still here, he would have kept the wrong players like Buf and we would not have won in 13 14 15. I think we still win but not be as good as we were with Bowman making the right moves on who to keep.
I mean Bob 10m 7 yrs.
Hull, good post and good lines.
They have strength and skill on each line.
You have Perlini on the first line seriously. Why because he had less assists than Crawford last year?
Also you keep emphasizing Perlini’s size, he doesn’t make any use of it. Have you ever seen him hit anybody ever? He’s a soft player who puts fourth no effort, if they can get Okposo back in a trade it would be a win
Looking at the future a little bit here, but what does everyone think Debrincat is going to want and Strome next year? Everyone including Tab has slated those guys as our Second line. The guys at the end of there contracts next year are Gus, KOKO, Crawford or Lehner, and Caggiula. If all those guys are not on the roster next year that leaves about 10-12 million. If you want to equate Debrincat to Panarin, both guys will probably average around 80 points a year, do the math????? Will Bowman trade away another 80 point a year guy next year????
If Bowman traded any of 12 Bo 77 the place would explode and those kind of players would be the tipping point. Thats not ever going to happen, at least not until there 30 for 12 and 77.
12- 7.5-8m for 5 yrs
17- 5m for 2 yrs bridge and another 2 yr bridge at after that
That has both players to 27 as ufas. These guys are rfa not 27 and ufas.
40- 6ish m for 3-5 yrs?
50- 2m for 1 or 2 yrs or retires
Role players can get whatever works, all >2m.
Thing to remember after seeing how Bowman chiseled out the core in 2010 summer. Thats the blueprints in how he does it, when theres enough to choose from.
So guys like 12 Bo 77, to go along with current core, arnt going anywhere. Everyone else is based on whos here at the right time and fits.
I be curious what Strome % was after he played 21 game in 17 and then his % after he played 20 games in 18. I would bet it closer to Nylanders then Bucks.
You have the 2nd worst defensive team in the league and interestingly enough, you trade away your most NHL ready young defensemen AND you pass on the top d prospect in the draft.
So what does that tell us. For me, it says that Stan and JC believe a big part of the problem is the guys up front and 2 Joki has a similar skill set to other young players that they like more. If they are right, we should be tougher to play against up front, carry more possession and see d prospects filling the funnel with higher ceilings than the joker.
With this latest trade, Murf is staying.
2 44
56 5
4 Bo
7
Hawk one, that makes sense. We should be significantly better then last yr because we have a full roster. Plus the guys we added are all size, some fast, all good at D, all good passers. All of them are role players and we were short on that last yr, PK. When you add it up, to what we had last yr roster wise. Were good again.
Now I think to get better quality we need young wave to come in. But this is the most complete team, and I mean full roster, that weve had since 2017. No question.
The young blue chips we have coming are, Not, hopfuls, they are going to be very good.
@O6: Yeah, I read the soft stuff about Nylander too. Doesn’t go in corners, win puck battles, get to the net. Someone posted the other day that they were encouraged by his highlight package. That’s nice but if you want to see a great highlight package check out Runblad’s — brilliant, but so what. You still gotta muck it and this guy better embrace that or his next club will likely be Malmo. We do not need another Anthony Duclair. We’ll see.
Jordy have to agree in 19 Nhl games Nylander has been credited with all of 2 hits, not to much mixing it up there.
Interesting that Hawks will talk with Ian Mitchell at Prospects Camp about his future, according to Scott Powers.
I doubt he changes his mind since he has already been named Captain at Denver. Still with Henry Jokijariju out of the way. Mitchell might realize that ice time in AHLer would be abundant.
On Nylander. I have a feeling he’s going to come to Chicago with a real purpose. With players like Kane, Toews, Strome, Cat already entrenched, he just has to come here, play to his strengths and fit in.
Hawk One, 3 of those guys up front with some size some have projected for roster are Perlini, Strome and Nylander. All 3 in their Nhl careers have well over 50% O zone starts, usually not on ice for important Dzone fos. Corsi numbers even with the O zone starts show fair number more shots generated for opposing team when any of the 3 are on the ice and amount hits shows very little physical play with not alot of blocked shots among them. Strome if keeps putting up his offensive totals offsets his lack of defense. Unless the other 2 find an offense or become different players not much help for defense looks to be coming there. Strome is a shoo in but don’t see how either of the other 2 make the roster.
Interesting tweet by Powers regarding the possibility of Mitchell changing his mind about signing with the Hawks instead of returning to college.
I wouldn’t doubt that Mitchell’s decision to go back to college next season was part of the calculus in Stan’s decision to trade Joki. He had to consider that Mitchell saw the log jam at RD and may have started thinking about playing two more years in college and reaching free agency. From Mitchell’s perspective – if he probably wasn’t going to make his way onto the Hawks roster in the next couple years – he may as well stay in college and get to pick a team that could offer him a better opportunity.
Stan would have had to see that possibility and if he, Kelly and the team’s talent evaluators assessed Mitchell and Joki to be fairly even in terms of projected ceiling – then why not trade Joki and get something for him and at the same time show Mitchell they are clearing a path for him. In other words – this way they end up with Mitchell and Nylander rather than only Joki because they would lose Mitchell if Joki were still on the team.
Craig, yea I think Nylander plays. I think we ll see more then 12 FW in first so many games. With Haan on ltir and 7 other D, that means 14 FW. So 3 will play, not rotate, but play.
Interesting first 10-20 games wih 77 and 92 playing.
Trading Joki, an ascending player under contract, was a move to retain Mitchell not under contract and who may not sign? Feels plausible, but completely contrary to the forever true “bird in hand is with two in the bush.”
Trading Joki to keep Mitchell, I guess so. Mitchell must be all that, and then some, if remotely true. Encouraging, I guess. I’ m not one to put Joki in the HOF being a nice player and not likely a transcendent player, but I struggle with trade value and upside/risk of Nylander over Joki.
I guess we wait and watch.
Nylander is a home run swing no doubt- apparently the Hawks have liked him for awhile so obviously weren’t put off by his less then stellar career thus far
I agree that Nylander is probably on his last best chance to be a regular top 6 NHLer and I expect him to be extremely motivated at first prospect camp and then training camp (maybe he plays at Traverse City tourney as well)
Whether he starts this October in CHI or gets called up during the year he’ll get his opportunity this year and hopefully he will realize that he better deliver
He’s probably had a pretty smooth ride through his younger years – always a star and never really facing adversity – sometimes players need to see that the end of their runway is not that faraway – the fear of failure is a great motivator
By all accounts he has great puck skills including being an above average skater and good size – there’s no reason for him not to be successful at the NHL level other than what’s between his ears
Hopefully he grabs this golden opportunity
@JORDYHAWK 6:47PM
Speaking of a great highlight package, when the Blackhawks acquired Marco Dano from Columbus in the Saad-Anisimov trade there was a terrific highlight of Scott Hartnell sending Dano a cross-rink pass from left to right. Dano took it all the way in, deaked out the defenseman and scored. I thought we were getting a stud. He turned out to be a dud.
A forward doesn’t necessarily have to battle for the puck, willing to go to the dirty areas and front of the net, forecheck, and backcheck. As long as they are:
1. Superb playmakers
2. Very fast skaters
3. Excellent stickhandlers
4. Great passers
5. Accurate and sneaky shooters
In other words, if they are like Patrick Kane they don’t have to be sandpaper and defenders. Nylander shows some high-end skill but not nearly enough to get a pass on being a softie. We’re going to find out if the Hawks are any better than Buffalo at developing players with this acquisition. And if Perlini is sticking around, they better get him to stop standing around when he doesn’t have the puck.
I wasn’t suggesting that the primary motivation to trade Joki was to improve the odds of signing Mitchell before he chooses free agency – only that it was part of the calculus – it factored in.
I think just as probable as anything else, is that perhaps Stan and crew soured on him for some reason that may not be apparent to outsiders (us). It may have come down to a choice between Joki and Mitchell for who they thought was the best long term fit and they came down on the side of Mitchell. Let’s hope they’re right.
We must think that Beau and Mitch are going to be as good or better or very similar to Buck overall. We going with 2 of these 3.
Bowman did say at draft that it fun to think about how good the, more then one/he said bunch of pmd we have/Four Horsemen, with Vlasic. How there were different options for pair with them and Vlasic.
A lot of very good posts here tonight. Scott Powers is reporting that Perlini is likely seeking $2 Million per year. Yikes. Already. No wonder he will sit in limbo all the way up to camp. No way. Unfortunately, Stan should have insisted on a 3rd round pick with Strome for Schmaltz. To repeat, it was Arizona and Chayka calling Stan asking about Schmaltz repeatedly not Stan calling Chayka about Strome. Stan had leverage and wasted it on having Perlini be the sweetener.
On Henri. I spoke to an NHL contact of mine last weekend and specifically asked him about HJ, he said HJ was likely to be traded. He did not know when or to who, but he told me with the Hawks defense acquisitions via trades, HJ was not going to play in Chicago this upcoming season. In addition I was told, the Hawks like the “guys they have behind him “.
One more thing to keep in mind before blasting me, the Hawks and their staff truly believe that almost all of the talent lies in the first several picks of the draft. They are enamored with high end talent. It’s why Bowman is raving about Alex Nylander being such a standout talent in 2016. It’s why Bowman said he “Loves” what Kirby Dach brings. It’s why they really like Slater K. It’s why they traded for Dylan Strome. The philosophy is that incredible talent and skill is available at the top end of the draft. Period.
Guys in the 2nd round are findable in the 6th round. It’s not a theory. It’s what they espouse to.
When the Hawks took HJ at 29th overall, they liked him, they were not in love with him. For Stan, trading a guy he liked, HJ, for a guy whose talent he loved, Nylander, is a huge coup. Feel free to disagree with the philosophy, but the Hawks staff is in lockstep when it comes to getting guys with huge upside.
Craig understand your point but the fact is they don’t have a 1st rd draft pick on the current roster of their own since Toews and Kane and outside a promising half season from Strome nothing to show for it so far. In fact Denbrincat is only other fwd on roster they drafted and they didn’t trade away.
Lets hope it works but trying to get alot of mileage from reclammation projects is normally what you see from expansion teams not established franchises.
Like alot of young guys coming but just not sure how many if any i will be watching play for Blackhawks anymore since if your not a top 10 reclammation pick you apparently suck.
See Capfriendly showing Dach with 2.85m in performance bonuses all 3 years of his elc. Would be about 5.35m this year with 12 and 17 and Boqvist about would make it about 6.2m in overages. Barely over amount they be allowed to push out without counting against caphit.
If Kahun and Joki were on the roster that would’ve been another 3.3m in performance bonuses to account for, may have played a part in the trades, so Dach and Boqvist aren’t blocked there from making roster.
@O6: LOL, I also thought/hoped Dano would be a little dynamo. He has pretty much fizzled though and did not receive a qualifying offer. Maybe he next ends up in Europe (which I think is where Sikura should head, but that’s a different conversation).
@Ian: yeah, I think it makes the most sense to draft well and patiently develop your picks rather than try to make hay out of other teams rejects. Another thing that bothered me in the last two drafts is that all three top picks were reaches. Dach wasn’t a huge reach, but a reach nevertheless. Boqvist (ahead of Bouchard and Dobson) was a reach. Beaudin was also. Is the consensus always wrong?
Yeah did you watch Dobson this year, led his 2nd team in 2years to Memorial Cup, playing 40 mins in each of the semi and final games this year, got quite a future ahead of him.
Ebony: yeah, I know. Not shooting the messenger in the least. With respect to making pre-emptive moves to show Mitchell the love, I have no problem with it, provided it works. And, I have no reason to believe it won’t work.
Craig: thank you for sharing 2 very interesting nuggets. So there is a philosophy/strategy!! I guess it’s apparent, after reading your comments. By extension, they believe in their ability to assess draft talent and selecting ‘Cat I’m the R2 would be an example of their talent assessment skill rather than a lucky bounce. The idea that talent beyond the first 15-20 picks is interchangeable isn’t a new one, hearing it said elsewhere. Beyond the 2nd, all talent has a hole or another, and probably far too many variables exist to project and prioritize making 3rds and 6ths literally the same value. In hockey when evaluating 18 y.o. high schoolers, who can truly argue otherwise. In which case, I come back to a comment I made elsewhere, it’s obvious Stan and co. believe picks are currency and fungible. Again, not going to nitpick in the larger context. Stan’s approach to the international market is also notable bringing more proven skill and talent into the org.
Also Craig, it would be interesting to know whether your league connections believe the Hawks got fair value for HJ.
I do not know every 1st pick, but to me guys like Schmaltz and Hartman still count.
If we traded a 1st pick of ours for another teams 1st then that still counts as having a 1st of ours.
Now these other trades were we get a guy who was a 1st for Rutta or something, those I not sure.
Good posts by people and different ideas.
Blackhawks are doing something and we wouldnt throw away or do things that would wreck the roster.
I mean Cagiluga for Manning.
Thats why I trust our scouts more then any other teams. Because we pick guys like Debricat and Saad in the 2nd round.
Overall though, even if people donot kike trading Buckaroo, why are people so ‘its all over now’ because of ? trade. Its just one player. I know its a player from the young wave, but still.
I wanted the Four Horsemen to come in at same time and were loaded at D like NAS did. Well we didnt want King Byram and traded one of the Horsemen.
So like that other guy said, MS I think, do not care how we do it, just do it. To make the rooster loaded again.
86 doesnt count by the way.
What 1st did we give up on and are good players, other then 86 Hartman Schmaltz.
Is it that people think we traded a top pair D guy in Buckaroo or that are afraid were going to trade every 1st we get from every yr, except 77, in the coming yrs.
To me only Danault was a waste of a 1st.
11- Kneeler
12- 86 doesnt count part of Bicks caphit
13- hartman for 1st/Beau douesnt count
14- Schmaltz for 1st/Strom doesnt count
15- no pick, stanley Cup
16- no pick, conference finals/Cup
17- Buckaroo
18- Bo Beau
19- Dach
Only see Danault and Buckaroo as being wasted since 2011. Kneeler was Bowmans only bad 1st pick.
How many 1st of King Tallon are NHL players.
Nylander’s profile is similar to Perlini’s. Both are very good skaters with a good shot. Both show a lack of intensity and need to learn to play away from the puck. Nylander, however, is the better playmaker, passer, and stickhandler. Has more potential than Perlini.
BUF and ARI are not good organizations with a record of developing players. Stan is obviously banking on this when taking a chance on a high pick who has underperformed. Nylander is very young. Will withhold judgement on this trade for a full year.
If Perlini wants $2MM a year then he’s smoking some recently decriminalized stuff too much. Not enough of a resume’ to warrant that kind of money. I thought his game had some periodic spark to it, but it was just that, periodic.
When the draft was taking place, the analysts were talking about the possibility of the Blackhawks picking up Byrum when their 3rd overall pick was on the board. A couple of folks on the talking head panel were advocating Chicago getting Byrum. Someone asked if Chicago had anyone in their system as good as Byrum is right now. There was a simultaneous shout of “NO!!!” from all of the other panelists, like they couldn’t believe the question had even been asked, followed by rumblings of the likes of “no way” etc. etc. Now that’s just those guys talking, but it made me think that whatever our own ideas of the talent the young defensive corp in the Blackhawks system has, it may not be looked upon highly by other people. Hence, someone like Jokiharju being traded didn’t surprise me.
Guys gotta get healthy and stay healthy. Forwards have to adopt a very defensive minded game. If both of those don’t become reality, then Lehner/Crawford are in for tough times.
Mo thats kinda scary, couldn’t find a 1st rd pick in the last 10 years that became a regular player for the team.
Find it funny that a player who comes in as an underachiever, everybody thinks give him a chance its not his fault blah blah blah. When somebody suggests giving Kampf a chance with better linemates or give a draft pick thats underavhieving a better opportunity to succeed instead, run him out of town is the answer.
With regards to Jokie, there is one point a lot of people have missed and that is coach Q liked him. So he must have seen something in him. I am not a Bowman fan. He has no plan that I can see . He is just trying to save his job. De Hann and Maatta both have injury issues. DeHann may not be back until November. Who replaces them if they get hurt. Look at the Avalanche D with Maker, Girard , Byram, and Zadorov.
Sakic has a plan
Nothing scares the hens away faster than a loaded rooster.
Sorry Mo … couldn’t help it. :=)
Perlini may not be a first line player but he can skate with Toews and Kane. Gives JC options by dropping him with Strome and Dcat as well.
The key now since we still have not traded AA and lost out on Dzingel which is too bad, is to make sure we are not a slow team. Perlini has great speed. Why Bowman is already thinking of shopping him like Duclair (signs Dunitz instead?) last year makes no sense to me. Just like signing Sikura for that much money who has no trade value either.
After Toews at center, STROME, AA and CARPENTER are supper slow skaters. Then add on the back end MAATTA, MURPHY, DA HAAN and SEABS, we have an average skating team….might infact be too slow.
So, I hope Bowman realizes his number one priority is to trade AA and give SAAD DACH and NYLANDER a good look. And sign Perlini.
Obviously Bowman is feeling the heat. The proof remains he has Saad, Shaw, DCat as the only players he has actually drafted which is a terrible stat for GM.
And not calling up Joki last year when the HAWKS were offcially out of the playoffs but instead gave Gilbert….(another bust)… a game was odd and a little unfiar to Joki.
Is Perlini worth $2M? At this point I would agree with the prevailing opinion of the fans that he is not worth $2M. BUT … there is some formula based on games played, productivity, and probably other stuff that teams and player agents use and Perlini falls into that $2M range. Like it or not – that’s the way it is. Doesn’t mean the player won’t sign for less but it isn’t a matter of Perlini thinking he’s worth more than he is based on the formula used by NHL teams.
Look at the 2 guys just signed by Montreal:
Joel Armia scored 19, 29, and 23 points the last 3 seasons and got a $2.6M x 2 year deal.
Artturi Lehkonen scored 28, 21 and 31 points the last 3 seasons and got a $2.4M x 2 year deal.
Perlini scored 21, 30 and 21 points the last 3 seasons.
Probably do with Perlini like lebanc and sign him for one year at a lower hit and he can go to aritration next year, unkess he has a taker who wants locked up for 2 yrs, probably part of the reason he wants to move him. Won’t be able to afford arbitration for players next year with ithers to sign.
I know were still going to get roster loaded and be a top team again. Were going to win again.
This and any other trade moves could be one or so less good players to work with though.
ER, I actually put rooster on purpose to see if people were paying attention.
I know the guy who thinks I do not know how to speak correctly loves it.
Good one Mo. I love your posts and passion for our Hawks. Don’t change a thing.
Ebony. After reading Scott Powers most recent column in which he elemented out the Hawks forwards, it appears (to me at least ) that either they keep Anisimov and move Perlini or keep Perlini and trade Anisimov.
The problem is there is not a lot of demand for either. Why would a GM trade for Anisimov when he can sign D. Brassard ?
Why would a GM give up a draft pick for Perlini ? When he would then have to overpay him at $2 million?
In both cases. They won’t. Stan should have demanded Strome and a 2nd pick for Schmaltz. Chayka wanted Schmaltz badly. We did NOT want Strome nearly as badly.
Anisimov is a good 3rd line Center. Big guy. Worthy of 45 points. But in a cap era that’s not worth $4.5 Million, Dzingel got 3.3 Million. That’s what the market is.
Solution. Anisimov to Buffalo for Matt Hunwick and a 4th rounder.
Hunwick wears the “C” in Rockford and is off the books after this season.
1. Trade Anisimov
2. Acquire Cody Eakin for Brendan Perlini, Dylan Sikura and late draft Pick
3. Lineup
Nylander – Toews – Kane
DeBrincat – Strome – Saad
Kubalik – EAKIN – Shaw
Caggiula – Carpenter – Kampf
Quenneville
Keith – Gustafsson
Maatta – Murphy
de Haan – Seabrook
Koekkoek
Lehner
Crawford
Cody Eakin (good 3rd center) UFA after 2019-2020 so 3.850M$ off the board
Give time to Kirby Dach to be ready for the spot
Please don’t sign Perlini, unless AA can be moved. Would not pay him more than $1.5 AAV for two years. Better to let him walk. He is like Duclair with a little less skill. Poor play away from the puck.
Trade bad or mediocre defenders, now that we traded for two and have possibly three horsemen coming up within a year:
Dahlstrom is awful. Would gladly trade him for a 4th rounder. Maybe a 5th.
Murphy for a 2nd rd or FW prospect/player.
Gus for a high 2nd rd or FW prospect/player.
KK had the second highest Corsi-For. Would keep him around if one or two of the others were traded.
I will admit I may see the game through a different set of eyes than many here. But last year, Murphy was the only defender on the ice I trusted to be near in position and to potentially make a defensive play last year. I get that his feet aren’t the swiftest, but I must be watching a different game of hockey from what most on this board have been watching.
Who played better defense than him last year? Wasn’t Joki – that argument should be over now. Gus? Seriously? Keith? Probably his worst defensive year of his career. Seabrook (I shakes me head so hard that I nearly falls out of me chair)? One of the 25 other guys who played third pair on the team? We gave away Kempny the year before!!
Help me out here. Why all the hate on Murphy? By this standard no one on last year’s team should be back as a defenseman.
I like Murf. Think it should be 44 5 for 2nd pair shutdown pair. But people want this one fast one not one off one def pairs. Still can have the shutdown 2nd pair and that.
I am not about sell high and be left with noone except 25 picks. Keep who is better, like Murf, and get rid of who isint as good. Like we have 3 new 4m caphit Defensemen. After this yr or so keep who belongs and just trade buyout the other. Do not, have to sell high and get rid of the better player, because sell high nonsense.
Mo if after Dehaan comes back him and Murphy are 2nd pair, your left with Seabrook and Maatta as 3rd pair. Both of them regress when paired with slower partners, the both are better with a mobile partner to help/bail them out in the speed area. Like to see Maatta Boq.vist now as 3rd pair to start year. Murphy no speedster with Seabrook in that case, but if Keith and Gus together that be the options.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see a 3rd line on opening night of Saad Anisimov Sikura towards end of season Colliton seemed to like that combination. Kubalik with 19 and 88 to start and 12 17 65 line.
Carpenter between 91 and 64 and Quenneville in the box. If Perlini the only roster cha.nge before then, but may be others yet.
If Perlini signed, cap room needed to fit him, if as Craig said not alot of interest in Anisimov cap hit right who else is moved. With Dehaan out for a bit, may not want to move a defenseman. Perlini could probably be signed for less than 2 for one year and moved for a low rd pick or something.
Silent agree with you on Murphy being the most dependable in his own end last year. If you at stats it would seem would seem when all healthy this year that Dehaan and Seabrook were used more offensive situations/starts last year and should be paired together. Murphy and Maatta were used more in a shutdown role and should be used together there, assuming Keith and Gus are top pairing.
Not counting Keith and Gus the numbers for blocks and hits were pretty good and similar for other 4. All 4 would surpass a hundred in both areas over a full season. Perhaps approaching 200 in some cases.
Possession numbers shows both Murphy and Maatta with decent numbers considering high d zone starts. Seabrook a bit lower at 50/50 zone starts and Dehaan good corsi but mostly ozone starts he was used for.
So pairings would seem by those numbers to be for normal 5 on 5
Keith Gus
Dehaan Seabrook
Murphy Maatta
Off course situational play and special teams dictate alot towards amount of ice time.
Some wingers are more effective playing their off hand. It may be oversimplified, but snipers are better off hand, whereas drivers are better strong hand.
The sniper (think DCat) gets a better angle toward the net, gets the puck on his stick a tick sooner and has a better hand/eye for one-timers because the puck doesn’t have to travel across in front of him.
The driver (think Saad) has the advantage of keeping his body between the puck and the defender as he drives to the net. His best play is to have the puck on his stick as he bears down on the goalie.
Some wingers can play either side and there isn’t a noticeable drop in their effectiveness while others are clearly better on one side versus the other – regardless whether the player has LW or RW next to their name. The two wingers I mentioned above are noticeably better at LW – Saad on his strong hand and DCat on his off hand.
Watching Kubalik highlights – he scores almost exclusively from the right side with one-timers and snap-shots. Sometimes options are limited when constructing line combinations but I think the best case scenario to have Kubalik succeed as a rookie in the NHL is to play him on his off hand at RW.
Thought maybe Kubalik more of a right winger at first too. Thrn watched him at WC and he played left wing very effectively and comfortably. Elite speed down the wing and definitely a big league shot from the wing too.
I also don’t understand the desire by some to get rid of Murphy. He got a chance to play last year after returning from injury and was a +12 in a shutdown role. He has excellent size and a reasonable contract. I also seem to be one of the few who think Dahlstrom is still a decent prospect. Last year was his first chance for extended play and in 38 games (same as Joki) he was +9 (Joki was -7). I know +/- plus minus is a weak stat but Dahlstrom played mostly with Murphy as a defensive pairing. He is not going to win the Norris trophy but he is signed for $800k for 2 years and can be a decent 5,6,7 d-man. Why would you trade him for a middle round pick who will have a less than 50% of ever making the NHL in 3-5 years?
Thats pretty good pairs. What people do not talk about that is going to be way better with these Defensemen is that they are good at passing. So we that is going to go well with the new system. Huge difference.
ER, good thought. By that unless 65 plays left, 82 plays 3rd line then.
10 23 72 12 played left with right shots like you said, shooters.
? 19 88
12 17 65
20 15 82
91 40 64
I know we had tank ufas, but as soon as Dals and Murf came back, we were night and day difference better as a team. There was the FWs to 17 11 91.
So know we have two more better Defensemen, from that. Like another jump up.
I like a 20 19 65 line.
Cycle all day long.
Just guessing… but by Feb 1….
Kubalik-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Nylander
Shaw-Dach-Saad
Cagguila-Carpenter-Kampf
Yeah good chance Dach sticks i think, if he does that likely out Sikura out of the picture. Can see Anisimov moved by then for sure but not as sold as you on Nylander for next year, see him as more of a project than Strome, maybe 21 he will be a regular.
I’m with Ian on Nylander. Going from an average AHL player to the second line on the Hawks is a stretch. Hope we’re wrong.
Tab, hope you’re right about Nylander. Am feeling more optimistic about this trade than most. Dach is going to be amazing.
Like those lines to, as others peoples. I think thats what were all going to like is that because were deep again we have lots of options for the lines.
Those there are ideal and pretty much stacking the lines for each line and what each guy is good at, and with balance.
Yea people got overboard on the Buckaroo trade, but
Dach Baybaaaaay!
https://www.icethetics.co/jerseywatch
Anyone got any info on our new jerseys.
I thought the white collar was removed on the new jerseys.
When Strome went to Ahl he put up big numbers, just a matter of getting it together at Nhl level. Nylander over 3 Ahl seasons has been average at best, so especting the same immediate results may be wishful thinking.
ER, what yr did they start that white towel around neck 2018? We havnt been in playoffs with that collar. Get rid of that collar and in playoffs.
Yeah Mo – I think the white collar was just this past season – maybe the season before too but that’s it. So yeah, we haven’t been in the playoffs with the white collar. All the more reason to get rid it.
Ian, Morrison and ER. Fresh information. Trade coming for either Anisimov or Perlini. It sounds like a deal is in place. I do not know which guy. It sounds like the start of the week. We are getting a player or prospect back.
Those Whalers jerseys brought some vibes. Were going to get some vibes with new or right back to where we started from, sweaters.
Craig, if you’re correct and one of Anisimov or Perlini is heading out of town – then I hope it’s Anisimov with the provision that the player coming back is a center. I’f not, then I hope it’s Perlini because I don’t want Kampf playing 3C.
ER. I wish. I knew more. When I asked about draft picks i was told No.
Pretty sure 65 will play center until 77 is ready to. 40 and 64 need to the new 16 and 67 4th line checking line.
Hope it’s Anisimov for Joclyn Lemieux’s nephew. Then give him #26 to wear.
Interesting to see who is coming and going, think with a number of defensively minded 2way 3c options, be fine if AA moved but Perlini for more of a grittier, defensively 2way winger would seem likely at this point too.
JR would like that one. Like to see some size with an edge to their game. Right now theres Perlini, Anisimov and Strome who play a no bigger than Kane and Debrincat physical game. Hit numbers support that too, throw in Nylander 2 hits in 19 Nhl games. Putting size in lineup that doesn’t play big, just to have size over more skilled players isn’t addressing the short comings on the grit side Bowman said he wanted to address with forwards. Dach if be sticks helps some though more of a hard to play against disturber than a real physical force from what i saw of him.
91 and 65 play 36 lbs heavier then they are.
We could use some guys like Burr and Eags and Bicks.
Perlini had what, the one eight game hot streak? Duclair had something similar for Jackets this year. Those streaks are fools gold. What matters is what you bring game-in game-out even if you aren’t scoring. Perlini plays soft for the most part and that’s not likely to change. Let’s get what we can for him.
Perlini scored 14 goals the yr before, didnt see how he scored those goals but if they were like the goals he got this yr, yea totally agree with that.
Those arnt hot stretches like 81 and 10 have, those are streaks.
We need guys who score 5-10 goal and play good regularly. Not guys who score 10-14 goals but are like that.
None of that stinking root beer.
For a long time, have been blogging that Perlini stands around and plays soft. At this stage of his development, this becomes hard to change. I compared him to Duclair (
July 13, 2019 at 12:23 am). The hope is that Nylander can be coached to improve on similar deficiencies. From what I have read, he has more potential than Perlini.
Would rather have Perlini than Sikura on my roster. Sign Perlini for one season and package Sikura (O goals in 3 seasons) and AA for draft picks. Give Dach, Saad and Nylander a whirl. I agree, Pewrlini is an enigma but he was the best player at the outdoor classic and had a great strecth of 10-12 games until JC did his dogbouse routine while Sikura was getting icetime for not scoring a single.
Still like his size, speed and… all traits that make him an NHL player.
Hold the presses – there’s breaking news … Hull doesn’t like Sikura!!!!!!
OKAY, that’s not breaking news since he repeats that about every third time he posts. But there is breaking news. It appears Hull has revealed a heretofore undiscovered season that Sikura has scored 0 goals in the NHL. For the rest of, it appears Sikura scored 0 goals in the 5 games he played and the end of the 2017/18 season and 0 goals in the 2018/19 season … but that adds up to only 2 seasons. So I’m anxiously waiting for Hull to reveal the 3rd season in which Sikura scored 0 goals.
Using exaggeration to support your incessant harangue of Sikura isn’t a good look.
Hull Sikura gives a full effort and will start to score. Perlini has scored a few gials but probably never will give a complete effort. Perlinis style of play negates his size advantage. As for speed and quickness, Perlini maybe wins stride to stride but thats about it.
Would rather have both Perlini and Sikura NOT on my roster. Perlini is more skilled but afraid of contact. At least Sikura does not stand around and has improved his defensive game. Am still doubtful he is an NHL player. Assuming Nylander and/or Dach do not make the team until later in the season, the Hawks again are going to have a shaky bottom six.
Just read that Nylander has always avoided contact. He will not go to the corners or front of the net. Can only hope the Hawks can work with him on this. Even if Nylander shows improvement in these areas it is unlikely that he will be physical enough to play bottom six. Dach is already way ahead of Nylander in having a complete game.
Just to add about Nylander: He still needs work on his skill level to earn a top six spot. His lack of toughness will not enable him to fill a bottom six spot.
Prospect camp starts tomorrow – but no scrimmages until Friday. Hopefully the beat writers will be there filing reports and sending tweets.
Looking at Capfriendly trying to determine which teams have the cap space to take on Anisimov, but it’s not cut and dry because there are still a few teams that have RFA’s to sign.
The Rangers seem like they would be a good landing spot for AA but they still have Trouba to sign which will probably eat up the cap space they have. The only team that makes sense is Ottawa with Pageau coming to the Hawks. That saves the Hawks $1.4M this season and Pageau comes off the books after the season.
The current cap space is $2M with only 10 forwards under contract. That would go up to $3.4M with the Anisimov/Pageau exchange. Send Dahlstrom down to Rockford and the cap space would be $4.3M. Bring up Kubalik and Nylander and you have 12 forwards, 7 d-men and $2.5M in cap space. Leave $1M for in-season moves and that leaves $1.5M to sign Perlini. If he won’t sign for that – trade him.
Hey guys had a really not night with best of best friends. Time to release the negative in this the past 3 yrs. Shes really been bogus. Selfish yes but bogus is the right word.
Bill and Ted excellent adventure. Didnt have that at all.
Thats what it takes to win the Cup. Dedication.
Whooooo is it.
Interwsting to see some talk on Reese Johnson, i said before he has potential to add to the roster. Righthanded center who wins alot of fos, grity greasy hard to play against type who can score.
Ian Agree with you on Reese …this guy is a real warrior with all the tools to reach the Nhl in a few years
I also like Hagel but dont know if he will have the strenght to reach nhl … he looks fragile for Nhl
Been away for a few days and just catching up – lots of good comments to read
Hopefully this trade you refer to Craig happens so we can have a more solidified idea of who is in play for the roster come October- especially AA and less so Perlini
I don’t hate AA but long term I don’t see how he fits in CHI and Stan is gonna need his cap space so IMO better him than Perlini although wouldn’t be shocked if it’s eventually both and agree that Shaw can play 3c until Dach is ready
Silent, Ian and I know there were others – totally agree on Murphy – everyone is tradeable of course but I also saw Murphy as the most reliable defender last year
I like that line up Tab – I think you want Saad on the left though- keeping my fingers crossed on Nylander – if he could actually fill a top 6 role that’s a huge get for the Hawks but it’s all just wishful thinking until he proves himself
Yea when we look at it longterm and even midterm 15 and 11 prob arnt here anyways.
91 could play on a line and 65 can center for a while until those guys are really ready.
Mo lots of options for 3c if Anisimov is moved, if Dach makes team, he likely starts there. Then you have 19-88, 12-17 and 20-77 for your top 3 lines and find a winger for each line, with whats available or maybe still to come back. Even though some people disagree, Kampf could start the year at 3c and do a competent job until somebody in Rockford was ready, could be a couple options there after a month or 2, Kurashev, Johnson, Entwistle all maybe able to fill that role after a little time there.
Thats what Bowman said I think after draft. That we are going to have lots of center depth and be stronger at center for the coming yrs. Something we didnt have in 2009-2012. He might not have only meant elite centers 19 17 77 but also several other guys like some of the ones you just mentioned.
Frozal was a center and having guys play RW that are and can play center is good to have like that. Then when deep I mean quality deep you get that deadline player and your talking 65 16 67 kind of stuff.
Craig, your “guy” said done deal with either Anisimov or Perlini to happen early this week … I guess that would technically include tomorrow so it could still happen early this week. Is your guy sticking with the done deal tip?
Any day this wk could be considered beginning early of wk, in the way they talk. Prob meant as early as.
Nothing new to report. I have a feeling it’s Perlini and we are not getting much in return.
Was told the Hawks would not mind if Anisimov is the number 3 Center as they are trying to “win now”. Totally focused on this year.
There really is no need to trade 15 just to do or to be ready for young wave coming. Until they are ready, which isnt far, 15 will pretty much be at contract anyways.
https://twitter.com/BHTVeric/status/1150879127374835712/video/1
Craig, I agree with you. The Hawks have $2.04M cap remaining and need more forwards. Hope they package both AA and Perlini. Would a decent prospect or a 2nd rd pick suffice?
If they are planning on going with AA as 3c, you have to think ltir is in play, to go with 13f and 7d will put them within .5m of ceiling without Perlini contract.
Leave no wiggle room to call anybody up with just normal ir. Unless another contract moved things will be tight.
Plus still will have bonus overages to make room for before next July and rfas signings next summer aftrr July 1st.
At least likely AA + 2d either move 2 d or move 1d and not extend Gus. That still may not be enough.
I personally have a hard time understanding why a team that was supposedly in a good position cap wise this season would back themselves so close up against the cap.
Did the Hawks trade for one of their four million dollar injury prone players to quickly? Are the Hawks so tight against the cap that they will now get less value in trades because they are now in this position and the other GM’s know it?
“Win now” sounds great, Gus now has the highest trade value that he will ever have as a Blackhawk and guess what, we will not trade Gus because he has a “win now” value to the team. Problem is holding onto the Gus contract until next year his trade value will drop and the Hawks will be unable to extend him anyway. Basically losing Gus for a bag of pucks or just not be able to afford his next contract.
I hope “win now” mode means win the Cup not just win a playoff spot.
Stape not really sure yet, if the moves were a designed as go for it ploy or done out of necessity to stay playoff competitive with the other teams in the conference.
Almost in some ways feels like they were forced to abandon their rebuild as Bowman indicated last season they would continue next year, in order to be playoff competitive now.
I have no inside knowledge on what happened but it seems likely that Lehner becoming available changed their off season plan, and while I’m usually a proponent of “sticking to the plan”, sometimes things happen and you need to be nimble enough adjust the plan. I think getting Lehner was a good move and the overall effect will be positive and worth the change in plans.
Agree ER – I think Lehner was 5 million that didn’t have budgeted to spend on a goalie but also agree that when he became available it was a smart move to grab him
So maybe getting both Maatta and deHaan in hindsight looks like one too many but at that point they didn’t know about Lehner
EB before Lehner who i said before i felt was unexpected, there was Maatta, De haan and Shaw which aren’t exactly sticking to a rebuild plan material.
The T&K window will not remain open indefinitely and based on how some of these RFA contracts are playing out it is not a slam dunk that Dcat and Strome will be signed for a reasonable number. This is just today’s NHL – hard to plan very far in the future. I think it makes sense to try and go for it this year.
Ian, I guess it depends on the definition of “rebuild plan”. My understanding of “rebuild” would require much more of a tear down than I believed the Hawks were willing to do. They weren’t going to trade Toews or Kane and probably not Keith either. It seemed pretty obvious the plan was to leverage T&K while that window was still open. Therefore, the options were limited because they weren’t trading Toews, Kane and Keith and Seabrook’s contract is unmovable. The plan is to improve the team enough to make the playoffs and hope the core players can drag the rest of the team across the finish line. While trying to achieve two objectives – making the playoffs this season and improving enough to be a legitimate Cup contender – the reality is the new wave of core players aren’t ready to be key players yet so the best possible scenario for 2019/20 is to make the playoffs and see what happens. And I’m OK with that.
I was saying since quite awhile that the 19 and 88 window needed addressed, but do think its likely that the desire to be competitive for playoffs i mentioned earlier, was the intent behind these moves, more so than maybe than the going for it in 19 and 88 window.
After not being a playoff team last 2 seasons, i think to get there this year they did what they felt they had to do.
Come on guys isn’t it really a Stan Bowman and John McDonough window?
Win now at all cost or you are fired window!
I do not think were in a, win now, mode. I think its a, lets have a full roster every yr from now on, mode.
CLB was different with all there top players being ufas. Same with NAS, a top 3 team, gets those kind of players at deadline and what. Same with TB best 82 game roster. STL build for playoffs, barley makes playoffs, good when there. So win now seems like those teams.
I like the fact that were in a, lets have a full roster every yr from now on, mode. Not play short handed like the last 2 yrs and 2011, because we had to. Once were able to use cap and have a full roster, we did every time.
ER, I like that Lehner to the group.
Also, Colliton has a huge say in the player moves. Joki is gone, Kahun is gone, Hayden is gone, Perlini likely is soon to be gone. With the exception of Kahun, all of those guys were scratched at one time or another. Safe to say, Colliton was not a big fan.
Stan also remarked that Colliton spoke by phone with Robin Lehner to convince him to come to Chicago. So JC is not only fully on board, he seems to be in total lockstep with Stan.
Compare that to Joel getting blindsided by the trades of Panerin and Nik H. And storming out of the United Center.
Thats why I always called it a reload, because unless we traded most of 19 88 20 2 7 50 12, like other teams did to there cores and they have no top 10 team of prospects coming like we do. Thats a rebuild or building the roster. No need to argue, were not now, but last yr I forget when people used the, word, they liked and called it that but what were doing is what were doing and its not a rebuild or build roster. Nor do I think its a win now mode.
I think its another reload like we did in 2012 and 2014. With the main purpose to actually have a full roster to have a legitimate fair chance to win. Then with young wave coming, were just going to get better. I mean weve been going to this point for a couple yrs with getting the older half of the core with young core like 12 and maybe 17. 81 and 10 and 4.
You really only need to look at BOS with a core just as old and not as good as ours, hasnt ever been.
As soon as they got there 5 good young players, there young wave, bang they were top 5 again. They do not play in hardest division since re alignment and didnt have to play TB, thats why they were there, with a team like CAR not WAS. Point is they are a borderline top 5 team now with an older core and 5 good young players/young wave, Pastrinak and 4 others.
We have Debrincat and 5 others coming and Dach is a franchise player.
Craig – and on the flip side the acquisitions of players such as Weisse and Fleishmann at considerable cost (Danault) and to have Q not play them much if at all
JC and Stan seem to be more in sync
Btw not a criticism necessarily of Q (who I generally supported) but just an observation
It’s a different relationship between Coach and GM than when Q was here and with a young coach I think that’s a good thing – give him what he thinks he needs to be successful – after all it’s likely both Stan and Jeremy’s jobs hang in the balance
I love Q and Hoss and Hammer. Were doing a new system we need to be in full sinc to whatever were doing, like your saying. Why did we have a dynasty, Islanders, Oilers, Red Wings, Blackhawks since what 50 s, because we have the best organization in the league. So its important that that stays the same. same page.
I’m wondering when One of the beat Reporters asks Stan if he plans to extend Gustafson. He never gets mentioned when he says deBrincat and Strome will need new contracts.
Mo agree its not win cup at all costs but getting backin to playoffs has certainly taken priority over playing the young guys. Alot is going to come down much chemistry this roster will have, how effective Collitons system is for them, injuries and being able to sustain level of play.
Bowman will try to get who Colliton wants for sure because if it doesn’t pan out, the next coach would be somebody elses hire.
Craig i always remember Colliton’s comments when i think of Gus. He sais he will make a fine top 4 defenseman for some team.
STAPE, completely agree with you. Bowman and McDonough are under pressure to make the playoffs and a serious run. Why else would they use significant cap for three injury-prone players, one on the DL who may never get back to top four quality?
Also, as much as I like Dach, the fact that he is the most NHL-ready center was a major reason in selecting him over Turcotte.
Craig , you are right when you say Colliton is in charge ..the guy is on a mission , he wants a team that will work hard everynight and who love hockey …i really trust him since i saw what he did in Rockford 2 years ago .
Now i want to see what he can do with the New Hawks in the next few years ( 2-4 years)
New style of coaching and Having Crawford beside him will probably help because of experience .
Hope Dash will not be push in Nhl to early, he is maybe physicaly ready ut probably not ready Mentaly …he is a kid ..ok a big kid ?
Wasnt going agasint what Stape was saying. Just thats what I think and have called it from when everyone everywhere was calling it, there name for it.
I like the new system, if teams had figured our out. Not sure that teams didnt know what we were doing, just that they or no team could stop us, when we had a full roster and the right kind of players for. 2015 you see TB were faster then us, a little.
That wasnt the start, it was that TB was very young roster with new wave of young players which all are fast basically and they had a full roster of that because none of there playes were on higher caphits yet. It was that we wernt faste or as fast as other teams and it took the quality of a roster we had in 15 to beat such a fast team. That, made TB way better then there were at the time. Brought competition closer.
So, this is good to do new system and get the right kind of players for it. Its an entirely different league, with every team being fast. Thats why ANA LA and old BOS were left in the dust. If we didnt transition like we did, we would get 5 Kirby Dachs and be like EDM and BUF.
Were looking good now, and when that wave comes were going to be deep like TB was in 15, but there wont be any team like 13 14 15 16 Blackhawks in league anymore. Plus teams wont have the advantage on us for speed, we ll be as fast and faster then whoever.
Its all coming around.
For the 2020 season I am glad we have a full roster to be able to play again. We had to play shorthanded in 2011 2018 2019 because of salary cap and then reloaded.
This yr is going to be fun because we havnt had that since 2012-2016 seasons. Once Dach and some others are ready for the 21 season, from then on its pick up the pace time.
By then we ll know which of the trades and ufas we got this draft summer are going to keep and not and some of young wave will be ready. So really the 21 season were more finetuned and 2 top 6 skill quality players. Bo and Dach will be very good right off the bat.
Thats prob the best feeling right now is that were full roster again deep.
Zack Smith for Anisimov goid bottom 6 guy
That’s “very soon”. A bit more cap space.