It says that Philly signed him as a UFA out of college. Last year he left to go to the KHL.
- BearsnHawks

There are 2 by the same name. Philly has/had the centerman. Edmonton drafted the defenceman. Who's who?

Is this the guy who Edmonton drafted but he didn't come over to play for? He's a big boy.
- RickJ

Don't think so. Undrafted, played a little with the Flyers. Listed at 5'10" 180.

Know who Panarin reminds me a bit of on tape . . . Pavel Bure.
- John Jaeckel

JJ that is exactly what I thought! Not to cast the guy as anything he hasn't proven yet in the NHL, but his play reminded me of Pavel.

There are 2 by the same name. Philly has/had the centerman. Edmonton drafted the defenceman. Who's who?
- RickJ

Philly had the defensemen and signed him out of college from Northern Michigan.

Here is his bio:

http://www.eliteprospects...om/player.php?player=5545

Agree totally with what you are saying.

I hated that Vermette trade but now I have to think that they had some of these signings in minds and figured a first rounder at 26 - 30 was worth giving up. If Panaren was put into this year's draft, where would he be selected, probably in the first half of the 1st round?

So take it one step further - if Stanley went to the draft in June and came away with Panaren, Kyle Baun and Kero I think everybody would be over the moon with excitement.
- RickJ

I know this is a strong draft but I think he would probably be a top 10 pick. He seems to be a guy with top 6 potential who is NHL ready now. Only negative is that if he isn't on the roster we will lose him.

Know who Panarin reminds me a bit of on tape . . . Pavel Bure.
- John Jaeckel

Good call, John. As I posted earlier in the thread, I am a huge KHL/SKA/Panarin fan, watched every game he played this season - he is the real deal. Massive coup by Stan Bowman to get this done.

Philly had the defensemen and signed him out of college from Northern Michigan.

Here is his bio:

http://www.eliteprospects...om/player.php?player=5545
- BearsnHawks

This is the kid the Hawks just signed.
http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=15372

Says Rockford/Blackhawks. Edmonton originally drafted him in the 4th round.

I know this is a strong draft but I think he would probably be a top 10 pick. He seems to be a guy with top 6 potential who is NHL ready now. Only negative is that if he isn't on the roster we will lose him.
- BearsnHawks

Definitely. And he is a top 10-level pick who isn't going to take 3 or 4 years to develop. I cannot fathom him not making the roster next year.

This is the kid the Hawks just signed.
http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=15372

Says Rockford/Blackhawks. Edmonton originally drafted him in the 4th round.
- MNHawk

Another strong signing! Haven't seen as much him as Panarin (SHL coverage is hard to get in the U.S.) but I did see all of his games with Frolunda in the Champions League. Might not start the year with Hawks, but could definitely be a guy that gets a callup and contributes.

Another strong signing! Haven't seen as much him as Panarin (SHL coverage is hard to get in the U.S.) but I did see all of his games with Frolunda in the Champions League. Might not start the year with Hawks, but could definitely be a guy that gets a callup and contributes.
- BreakoutHockey

Don't think so. Undrafted, played a little with the Flyers. Listed at 5'10" 180.
- Kentxo

Different player.

Philly had the defensemen and signed him out of college from Northern Michigan.

Here is his bio:

http://www.eliteprospects...om/player.php?player=5545
- BearsnHawks

Same name. Different player.

http://www.secondcityhock...contract-entry-level-2015

Gustafsson is a 6'0, 176-pound, lefty-shooting defenseman. A 2012 draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers (93th overall), he has played for Frölunda of the SHL for the past two seasons, and previously played in Djurgården's junior system (Marcus Kruger's former team). To be clear, this is not the 26-year-old of the same name who previously played for the Philadelphia Flyers. Here's more on the Hawks' new Gustafsson via eliteprospects.com:

A skilled defenseman with some nice offensive skills. Can quarterback the powerplay and able to log big minutes. Has good vision and an edge to his game. Good release.

Agree totally with what you are saying.

I hated that Vermette trade but now I have to think that they had some of these signings in minds and figured a first rounder at 26 - 30 was worth giving up. If Panaren was put into this year's draft, where would he be selected, probably in the first half of the 1st round?

So take it one step further - if Stanley went to the draft in June and came away with Panaren, Kyle Baun and Kero I think everybody would be over the moon with excitement.
- RickJ

If Stan can recoup some 1st, 2nd, 3rd round picks in trades before the draft this will a big year for the system. I also think these signing may indicate that some of the drafted prospects (like McNeil) may be included in packages to get teams to take Bickell or Sharp's full salary or perhaps to pull more quality back. All the talk on Isles thread is about needing a scoring winger to play with Tavares....

This is the kid the Hawks just signed.
http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=15372

Says Rockford/Blackhawks. Edmonton originally drafted him in the 4th round.
- MNHawk

Awesome, this kid is even younger and bigger. Hopefully he skates well too.

If Stan can recoup some 1st, 2nd, 3rd round picks in trades before the draft this will a big year for the system. I also think these signing may indicate that some of the drafted prospects (like McNeil) may be included in packages to get teams to take Bickell or Sharp's full salary or perhaps to pull more quality back. All the talk on Isles thread is about needing a scoring winger to play with Tavares....
- tredbrta

Sharp? I'll take Anders Lee and or Matt Martin plus a pick/prospect, please.

I think the Hawks can beat the wild.....however, unlike vs Nashville and unlike vs Minnesota the previous 2 years, the Hawks will have to be VERY VERY VERY good to do so.

In the end I can't ignore the trends....this has been a mediocre team since Reiff's death. Their PK is on a downward spiral. Contribute that to what you want, but Ben Smith maybe was more important then originally thought, and I love what Desjardin brings but guys like Kruger haven't been good enough on the PK to stop this slide.

You also have a horrid PP, that is still doing the same idiotic drop pass in the neutral zone it was doing back in 2008.

For the Hawks to win....the PK will have to be early season good. Corey Crawford will have to erase Nashville and remember his regular season success. Guys like Bickell, Shaw, Versteeg, Vermette, Teravanien will HAVE to contribute offensively and pot the dirty goals that allow you to advance in the playoffs. Q will HAVE to hide Timonen in the home games and keep him away from speed guys. Same for Rozsival. Hawks have to score 1st and not allow the Wild to keep them to the outside and JAM up the neutral zone.

There are just far too many realistic things to ignore. Yeah, the hawks beat Nashville but they beat Nashville without Weber for 99% of the series, a 1 legged Fisher, a Luongoesq display by Rinne, and still had Jones and Wilson run a train on them.

I think the Hawks should win but I just can't think or ignore that ALL of the above is magically going to correct itself against a very deep and talented opponent now where as for the past 5 months it still hasnt'.

Wild in 6.....and before calling me a hater or whatever else, read my post. I want the Hawks to win, but there are too many things here to overcome to beat a top notch opponent.

Same name. Different player.

http://www.secondcityhock...contract-entry-level-2015
- tredbrta

Even better!

Sharp? I'll take Anders Lee and or Matt Martin plus a pick/prospect, please.
- Bjm84

Neither of those players will be traded for Sharp. Lee is as close to untouchable as Saad. He is an RFA as well. Maybe, if they have trouble signing him. His agent is Neil Sheehy.

I could see a deal for Neilsen and/or Griffin Reinhardt - who has been a disappointment for them but may be solid here.

Same name. Different player.

http://www.secondcityhock...contract-entry-level-2015
- tredbrta

Just perused his Twitter quickly...seems like a good character