Low contracts are not the fly in the oinment for them. Versteeg Shaw are bargains as will be Artemy, Baun and the Rockford grads...
- wiz1901

Yes but fielding a roster of 4-5 170-180 lb players is probably not a good idea.

I'm not sure I could be more excited than I am about the impending signing of Artemi Panarin.

I am a huge KHL and SKA St. Petersburg fan - watched every game Panarin played this season. He is the real deal. Only 5'11" but strong, tough to knock off the puck. Great playmaker, great vision, great shot. Top power play performer - think Kane on the power play, except setting up behind the net instead of along the half-wall. Big game player. Two way player.

- BreakoutHockey

Sounds somewhat like Tarasenko reports before he came over

Does anyone know why this Russian we are going to sign wasn't drafted?

Yes but fielding a roster of 4-5 170-180 lb players is probably not a good idea.
- Bjm84

Neither is fielding a roster with 4-5 big players with no experience to fit under the cap.

Does anyone know why this Russian we are going to sign wasn't drafted?
- BearsnHawks

I would guess...for the same reasons many Russians aren't drafted.

Grew up in the boonies.
Smallish player.
Late developing.
Many N. American scouts don't trust Russians to leave the motherland so don't waste the pick.
At the time he was draftable, perhaps made it known he wouldn't leave mother Russia.

Pick one or several.

I would guess...for the same reasons many Russians aren't drafted.

Grew up in the boonies.
Smallish player.
Late developing.
Many N. American scouts don't trust Russians to leave the motherland so don't waste the pick.
At the time he was draftable, perhaps made it known he wouldn't leave mother Russia.

Pick one or several.
- ArlingtonRob

I don't know about late developing, their teams have been very competitive at the World Jr Championships the past 6 or 7 years.

The authorities have wanted to keep their best kids in Russia to play in the KHL and until the collapse of oil pricing, teams there paid their best players pretty big money, usually tax free, and some under the table stuff too. Wouldn't you find that to be preferable to riding the buses between Peoria, Rockford and Cleveland?

Russia produces great hockey players, its just that so many of them don't care for the North American hockey scene, especially outside of the NHL. And once the regular season ends and they realize no money being paid during the playoffs, they want to head for home.

Not sure if anyone has posted this link for Panarin info...

Sounds like the contract is interesting....NHL or bust

http://www.thehockeynews....awks-but-its-nhl-or-bust/
- ArlingtonRob

Not that I've seen. Thanks.

People can pan it all they want. THIS is a win win for the Hawks and Panarin. If he makes the team then the kid can play. If he doesn't he gets an idea of what it takes here but gets to go back to the KHL and the Hawks gain the contract slot back. Little risk but a potentially high return. Worst case scenario - he barely makes the team and then becomes a liability. He probably isn't that much of a cap hit. TWT.

I don't know about late developing, their teams have been very competitive at the World Jr Championships the past 6 or 7 years.

The authorities have wanted to keep their best kids in Russia to play in the KHL and until the collapse of oil pricing, teams there paid their best players pretty big money, usually tax free, and some under the table stuff too. Wouldn't you find that to be preferable to riding the buses between Peoria, Rockford and Cleveland?

Russia produces great hockey players, its just that so many of them don't care for the North American hockey scene, especially outside of the NHL. And once the regular season ends and they realize no money being paid during the playoffs, they want to head for home.
- RickJ

I was just throwing a number of possibilities out there, not suggesting any of them apply to Panarin.

I would guess the reasons for not drafting Russian players are in many ways the same reasons N.A. players aren't drafted.

I was just throwing a number of possibilities out there, not suggesting any of them apply to Panarin.

I would guess the reasons for not drafting Russian players are in many ways the same reasons N.A. players aren't drafted.
- ArlingtonRob

The Lightning have some pretty good players that they drafted and were willing to wait for. For one, that backup goalie of theirs is going to put Bishop out of a job soon.

Not that I've seen. Thanks.

People can pan it all they want. THIS is a win win for the Hawks and Panarin. If he makes the team then the kid can play. If he doesn't he gets an idea of what it takes here but gets to go back to the KHL and the Hawks gain the contract slot back. Little risk but a potentially high return. Worst case scenario - he barely makes the team and then becomes a liability. He probably isn't that much of a cap hit. TWT.
- tredbrta

Shouldn't be...he's 23 and would slot into an ELC similar to undrafted NCAA players like Kyle Baun and Tanner Kero. Little financial risk for the Hawks and like you said, if Artemi doesn't make the NHL roster he could choose to return to SKA St. Petersburg and the Hawks retain the roster spot.

Let's all hope this works out for everyone.

I am so sorry to break these bubbles, but

He is far less than official heights weights, 170, more like 164 lb.s

What he is on the large ice is a buzzing ant that can sting you quickly and before you know, it but please, don't state "facts" that rah-rahs.

All you have to is pause any of the World Junior footage and you see his real size against Canada, whose player inof may also be exaggerated too, but you probably have seen some of the Canadian guys already in the big leagues, and know their size.
Gaze at Artemy.

I am not doubting his skill, heart, or playing strength.

Just saying that you can't assume transitions for North American junior STARS, midlevel prospects or older Euros until they actually hit the North American sheets and see what the "phone booth" looks like with flting trees all around.

No one is more excited and hopeful that he succeeds as a brilliant StanBo replacement than me. I have been so happy that they already are at work replacing their lost first round picks and supplanting this upcoming weak UFA market, along with filling in the area a skill and scoring, something a bit thin in their talent pool at this juncture.


And he's something else I need to sound off on.
Again not being a fanboy.
Tevo Teravainen is strong on the puck, not as you described, weak. His stature and muscles needs much more, to aid in his work away from the puck working to take them away.
When that 42 11 86 checking line was in full swing,T was working that down low area and they weren't knocking him off any pucks, and he was eluding pressure. If he wasn't strong on it the plays he made would not have ensued.
Sure you can say TT needs to be even stronger on the puck, but is is indeed a biiger stretch to assume you or I can have an opinion that Artemy already is stronger on the puck than TT before he has played a game!
- wiz1901

No bubbles to break here, Mr. Runblad has shown us that videos do indeed lie. Only disagreement I have is I would not describe TT as "strong", effective because he is quick and evasive yes, but not "strong". The scouting report on Artemy is strong and hard to check off the puck, but we will see how that translates into the NHL.

You know what i love about these Prospects signing with the Blackhawks. It shows that the hawks are a organization that is a destination and players want to come here. well done work by the front office and Rocky for spending the cash it takes. If it works out we have 3 nice prospects for nothing but that cash!

Cool...Lightning lead 1-0

So...

...the refs were calling it tight early.

Now, interference is encouraged.

You know what i love about these Prospects signing with the Blackhawks. It shows that the hawks are a organization that is a destination and players want to come here. well done work by the front office and Rocky for spending the cash it takes. If it works out we have 3 nice prospects for nothing but that cash!
- SaskHawkFan

I rather have kids who are willing to fight their asses off to wear the Indianhead than some stairwell poopting self entitled twerp.

You know what i love about these Prospects signing with the Blackhawks. It shows that the hawks are a organization that is a destination and players want to come here. well done work by the front office and Rocky for spending the cash it takes. If it works out we have 3 nice prospects for nothing but that cash!
- SaskHawkFan

Agreed, and the undrafted prospects are typically a bit older than entry draftees, so a bit more mature physically, a little less doubt what they will turn into. So you know what you are spending your cash on.

Controversy in Tampa...what the...?

Controversy in Tampa...what the...?
- ArlingtonRob

Boy that was really questionable and interesting...

ETA - who said a 1-0 game couldn't be interesting?

Boy that was really questionable and interesting...
- stljam

So did they call off-setting interference penalties? If so...that may be a first.

So did they call off-setting interference penalties? If so...that may be a first.
- ArlingtonRob

Roughing vs interference

Roughing vs interference
- stljam

Refs saved the Wings in game 7 in 2013 against the Hawks...until OT that is...and now they've kept them in the game here.

Interesting indeed.

Sweet...bank shot for Stralman

Very entertaining 7th game.

Sweet...bank shot for Stralman
- ArlingtonRob

best ENG I have seen in a long while....

Now if the Blues can trade one cock for another (Hitch for Bab)

Eat that shut out Detroit...

Cool

Now....what will Babcock do?