The thing is that he is ready and they just might be when you're essentially doing the same thing with a 40 year who is running on fumes.
- Bjm84

Not arguing, but bottom line is no one knows how ready or not, how much better or worse an option he is than Timonen, than Blackhawk hockey ops.

if you see him in the Indianhead here before too long (or not), you know how they feel.

M'eh. Rozy is for sure better than Sopel and Nick (frank)ing Boynton, SR. They won with those two.
- Elbows15

Good point

Bure is an interesting comparison JJ, but no way this kid has THAT kind of speed. I didn't see it there, though not many breakaways in the clip. He has tools though and certainly enough speed to work.
- kwolf68

Ability to separate, would say his speed is superior to, for example, Kane, who also has that acceleration/ability to separate. Fatty said it best: he explodes.

You can look at the tape two ways, maybe KHL defensemen are a half a step slower, but its also much bigger ice.

I like the Caps in a low scoring series.
- RickJ

There will be many ugly black and blue marks on Ranger defensemen after this one, for sure. Caps will hit you.

Exactly. Worked last time, Minny will go hard at him again.

Q has been instructing Bickell to shoot his wrister more "even off the wings"... tells me the Hawks want to get DD moving and pepper him for rebounds, etc
- grinder10

Agreed, when Rozy KEEPS IT SIMPLE, he is fine.

Hockey Central ‏@SNHockeyCentral 5m5 minutes ago
Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with Swedish defenceman Erik Gustafsson on a two-year contract.

I have some flyer friends, they say this kid is good

Looks good to me. Pokka will make a run. There is going to be a lot of competition for spots next training camp.

Personally, I like the idea of having experience with youth. And who better to learn from than Keith, Hjalmarsson and Seabrook?

I think they will pick up some scrap heap vet to round it out. Or Rundblad. I am hoping Rundblad is moved.
- Elbows15

I don't think you're going to see that many rookies on the blue line. And I still think many of you will be surprised to see the Pizza Man back.

Ability to separate, would say his speed is superior to, for example, Kane, who also has that acceleration/ability to separate. Fatty said it best: he explodes.

You can look at the tape two ways, maybe KHL defensemen are a half a step slower, but its also much bigger ice.
- John Jaeckel

Definitely. The thing with Kane is he has great acceleration to pull away but I would say only average top end speed(once he is going).

Not arguing, but bottom line is no one knows how ready or not, how much better or worse an option he is than Timonen, than Blackhawk hockey ops.

if you see him in the Indianhead here before too long (or not), you know how they feel.
- John Jaeckel

Assuming he's eligible. Apparently he's not unless there's an injury or the Hogs are eliminated, thanks Sandus

Definitely. The thing with Kane is he has great acceleration to pull away but I would say only average top end speed(once he is going).
- Bjm84

Agreed

I don't think you're going to see that many rookies on the blue line. And I still think many of you will be surprised to see the Pizza Man back.
- John Jaeckel

I am fine with Oduya coming back on a very short term deal. I don't see how though. With the crazy money being thrown at D-men, JO would be crazy to not take it and run. He would be a solid addition to a few teams blue line if they don't expect to be a top pair savior. I am a fan of his.

In fact, without him they never win the CUP in 2013. I thought he was their most consistent Dman the whole playoffs and was just plain outstanding in the Final.

JJ do you know much/see much of Gustafsson?

Definitely. The thing with Kane is he has great acceleration to pull away but I would say only average top end speed(once he is going).
- Bjm84

Kane has outstanding lateral agility. That is where his skating separates itself from others.

I am fine with Oduya coming back on a very short term deal. I don't see how though. With the crazy money being thrown at D-men, JO would be crazy to not take it and run. He would be a solid addition to a few teams blue line if they don't expect to be a top pair savior. I am a fan of his.

In fact, without him they never win the CUP in 2013. I thought he was their most consistent Dman the whole playoffs and was just plain outstanding in the Final.
- Elbows15

I think there is a possibility though that Oduya is done bouncing around this being his 4th team and is looking for stability to finish his career out. I think if he was willing to sign for 2-3 years a 1.5 million or so it could work but I am thinking some team will blow him away with 4 million at 2-3 years and he'll take it. I think it's also going to be difficult for the Hawks to trade or sign a good defensemen with a modest cap hit whilst keeping the kids in Rockford motivated for opportunity(Paliotta, Johns, Pokka, TVR).

There will be many ugly black and blue marks on Ranger defensemen after this one, for sure. Caps will hit you.
- John Jaeckel

I'm not sold on Barry Trotz as a coach when it gets down to this stage of the playoffs, but the Rangers might just be the best matchup for the Caps.

And as you suggest, they will try to pound McDonagh and Staal. Hope it is a long, physical series. Ovi is a little dinged up right now.

Kane has outstanding lateral agility. That is where his skating separates itself from others.
- Elbows15

Agreed....

I think there is a possibility though that Oduya is done bouncing around this being his 4th team and is looking for stability to finish his career out. I think if he was willing to sign for 2-3 years a 1.5 million or so it could work but I am thinking some team will blow him away with 4 million at 2-3 years and he'll take it. I think it's also going to be difficult for the Hawks to trade or sign a good defensemen with a modest cap hit whilst keeping the kids in Rockford motivated for opportunity(Paliotta, Johns, Pokka, TVR).
- Bjm84

I doubt Oduya signs, in Chicago or anywhere else, for less than $3 mil a year.

I think there is a possibility though that Oduya is done bouncing around this being his 4th team and is looking for stability to finish his career out. I think if he was willing to sign for 2-3 years a 1.5 million or so it could work but I am thinking some team will blow him away with 4 million at 2-3 years and he'll take it. I think it's also going to be difficult for the Hawks to trade or sign a good defensemen with a modest cap hit whilst keeping the kids in Rockford motivated for opportunity(Paliotta, Johns, Pokka, TVR).
- Bjm84

He hasn't really bounced around that much. NJ, Atl/PEg and Chg. He would be nuts to sign for 1.5. He is worth more than that. I would love t for him to be around for a couple more seasons to ease the transition for some the young guys as an extra vet presence. I just dont see how he accepts making less than a guy like Engelland and the likes.

>JJ, spot on regarding Hawks cycle -- I think the Hawks ability to run a 5-man cycle in the Wild OZ is indeed one of the series keys -- Wild could not contain the 5-man cycle all series last year
>Another key to me for the Hawks is puck movement speed -- Hawks need to move the puck more quickly in all situations -- puck speed is usually a reflection of thinking speed -- and there is another level the Hawks need to get to "upstairs"
>Third big key is attacking Wild in layers through the neutral zone -- Wild often play an offshoot, Lemaire-Devils trap and Wild love to counterattack from it -- which they do very well -- Wild not as effective going 200 feet
>Puck protection will be crucial not only on faceoff wins but all over the ice -- Wild will not give up on very many plays
>Hawks need to be the team that plays "between the dots" -- keep your house clean and be in DD's kitchen all series
>While some are giving the Wild the "intangibles" edge, since this is year 3 playing the Hawks, I give that edge to the Hawks -- after Round 1, championship players begin to get a whiff of how much closer the Cup is
>And they take their games to level needed to hoist it

I doubt Oduya signs, in Chicago or anywhere else, for less than $3 mil a year.
- MNHawk

I agree. He's a Stanley Cup champ and a solid second pairing D-man and I certainly think a team with cap space and a need in the top four will pay him.

He hasn't really bounced around that much. NJ, Atl/PEg and Chg. He would be nuts to sign for 1.5. He is worth more than that. I would love t for him to be around for a couple more seasons to ease the transition for some the young guys as an extra vet presence. I just dont see how he accepts making less than a guy like Engelland and the likes.
- Elbows15

Truth.

I believe this is the Erik Gustafsson the Hawks signed...

http://www.eliteprospects....php?player=15372&lang=en

Originally drafted in 2012 by the Oilers. Another 23 year old and I found him listed as 6' & 200 lbs elsewhere.

I am fine with Oduya coming back on a very short term deal. I don't see how though. With the crazy money being thrown at D-men, JO would be crazy to not take it and run. He would be a solid addition to a few teams blue line if they don't expect to be a top pair savior. I am a fan of his.

In fact, without him they never win the CUP in 2013. I thought he was their most consistent Dman the whole playoffs and was just plain outstanding in the Final.
- Elbows15

I have a pretty good idea how they bring back Oduya, and create the cap room to do it.

Hockey Central ‏@SNHockeyCentral 5m5 minutes ago
Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with Swedish defenceman Erik Gustafsson on a two-year contract.

I have some flyer friends, they say this kid is good
- FourFeathers773

It's not the same player, literally. The Blackhawks signed a different Erik Gustafsson than the one that played for Philly.

JJ do you know much/see much of Gustafsson?
- FourFeathers773

Heard this AM they see him as a "Hjalmarsson" type, love his competitiveness and 2-way game