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

These Swedish fools need to get some unique names

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.
- RickJ

Caps can deliver the lumber: OV, Brouwer, Ward, among others

It seems that young Mr. Gustafsson had zero interest in playing for Edmonton, so like NCAA players he worked in Sweden until he was a FA.

ProHockey Talk has a bit on it as well...

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...ee-out-of-swedish-league/

These Swedish fools need to get some unique names
- FourFeathers773

Keeps the jersey cost down when they play for the national team.

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

I can get to the how. Likely would be the better term I guess.

OMG Hawks are getting McDavid. Crawford ans Sharp to EDM for the number 1. Solid deal in my books.

It seems that young Mr. Gustafsson had zero interest in playing for Edmonton, so like NCAA players he worked in Sweden until he was a FA.

ProHockey Talk has a bit on it as well...

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...ee-out-of-swedish-league/
- ArlingtonRob

I sure hope he turns out better than Tim Erixon who had no interest in playing for Calgary.

And then the Rangers, Blue Jackets and Hawks had no interest in watching him play for them.

I sure hope he turns out better than Tim Erixon who had no interest in playing for Calgary.

And then the Rangers, Blue Jackets and Hawks had no interest in watching him play for them.
- RickJ

the more the merrier Rick. Better chance of finding something. Also. Guys are going to have to work their asses off to get a shot. I like it. I like it. A lot.

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

Sure. Hard to tell by just some highlights. I saw some Alexander Mogilny there. Either Bure or Mogilny would be fine with me.

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

Also the best hands in the league and in terms of being able to move laterally at speed, only an uninjured Crosby is as (maybe slightly more with his size) shifty. Datsyuk in his prime is probably the best example. #magician

Very true.

I think a major reason why Q is looking at 86 in and 23 out, and I am a BIG 23 fan, is because of 23's tendency to turn the puck over high in the offensive zone and create rushes the other way. 86 seems to have a much better defensive hockey acumen then 23 and is more responsible.

If 23's offensive numbers aren't there, and so far they haven't been, then he doesn't have a solid argument to stay in the lineup.

The shots against trend is one that scares me. Minnesota has a lot more skill guys who will capitalize if they continue to get 30+ shots a game. Hawks forwards really need to help out in the zone and the coverage.

I also hate the passive box on the PK. Saw multiple Hawk forwards way out of shooting lanes high up in the zone against Nashville and allowing them to move the puck towards the net or down near the goal line and quickly back over to the slot. Wilson alone had at least 1 goal and probably 6 chances because of it.
- SteveRain

86 probably manages the puck better.

Also, the only fast high skilled player on the blues (Tarasenko) exploded when he had some time and space. Hossa + Kane + TT up the right side is a silly amount of skill and one ought to be able to exploit Minn in the same way and more consistently.

I just posted this in the Wild thread in response to the playoff fan rant that the Wild are being disrespected:

"TELLING STAT:

In the regular season, which I believe Scandella and Spurgeon played in (haha), the leading scorer (by far) for either team was Patrick Kane: 8 points in 4 games (he did not play in the 5th game that Dubnyk and the Wild won). They were 3-1 with Kane in the lineup versus the Wild, and that includes one game where Dubnyk played and I believe Kane scored (although the Wild won).

Oh, the 2nd and 3rd (tied) leading scorers in the series were Toews, Bickell and Richards.

That suggests, regardless of who Yeo played on who, a bit of a matchup problem."

I just posted this in the Wild thread in response to the playoff fan rant that the Wild are being disrespected:

"TELLING STAT:

In the regular season, which I believe Scandella and Spurgeon played in (haha), the leading scorer (by far) for either team was Patrick Kane: 8 points in 4 games (he did not play in the 5th game that Dubnyk and the Wild won). They were 3-1 with Kane in the lineup versus the Wild, and that includes one game where Dubnyk played and I believe Kane scored (although the Wild won).

Oh, the 2nd and 3rd (tied) leading scorers in the series were Toews, Bickell and Richards.

That suggests, regardless of who Yeo played on who, a bit of a matchup problem."
- John Jaeckel

BOOM.

I just posted this in the Wild thread in response to the playoff fan rant that the Wild are being disrespected:

"TELLING STAT:

In the regular season, which I believe Scandella and Spurgeon played in (haha), the leading scorer (by far) for either team was Patrick Kane: 8 points in 4 games (he did not play in the 5th game that Dubnyk and the Wild won). They were 3-1 with Kane in the lineup versus the Wild, and that includes one game where Dubnyk played and I believe Kane scored (although the Wild won).

Oh, the 2nd and 3rd (tied) leading scorers in the series were Toews, Bickell and Richards.

That suggests, regardless of who Yeo played on who, a bit of a matchup problem."
- John Jaeckel

I don't get caught up in all this and I think it means nothing. The Wild outskated the Hawks in the series last year. Hawks lucky to win that series and if not for crazy good play by 50 they wouldn't have. I hope Dub turns into a pumpkin and I hope all these matchups manifest themselves as noted above. Until that speculation, hopes and dreams are realized, the Hawks IF they are the favorite should only be a slight favorite and this smells of a 6 or 7 game series where it could be anyone's game.

Panarin's Slapshot reminds me a lot of Ovi, No? And he's pretty slick

Yeah but now he has Keith next to him instead of Leddy. The forwards need to get their asses back to give all of the Dmen support. Not just Rozy. I get that I am more of a fan of Rozy than most. I think he will be fine. He played very well in games 3 and 4 in the last series. He was decent in 6 too. Matchups are crucial for him at this stage of his career. I really believe he will come through.
- Elbows15

Rozy has some good upside too. He does pass well and does well playing a heavy style game. Like you said, he's got to get the puck off his stick quicker. That'll be key in this round.

I don't get caught up in all this and I think it means nothing. The Wild outskated the Hawks in the series last year. Hawks lucky to win that series and if not for crazy good play by 50 they wouldn't have. I hope Dub turns into a pumpkin and I hope all these matchups manifest themselves as noted above. Until that speculation, hopes and dreams are realized, the Hawks IF they are the favorite should only be a slight favorite and this smells of a 6 or 7 game series where it could be anyone's game.
- kwolf68

This years team is significantly better than last years, especially up the middle. Timonen isnt that far off from Boynton. Y'all remember him.

Minnesota had issues with Tarasenko. The only game breaking player on the Blues. No way they can contain 81 and 88 for 7 games. None. Add 20 and 19 to the mix and oh boy. 86 with 10 on the other side is a serious Wildcard (see what I did there) and should be able to do some scrub killing. Lets not forget 65 on the 4th line has some finish and Richards has been playing excellent hockey.

It'll be a hard series and probably awful to watch at times but the only way the Hawks lose is with a catastrophic injury (like Keith or Hammer or Seabs) or awful goaltending.

the more the merrier Rick. Better chance of finding something. Also. Guys are going to have to work their asses off to get a shot. I like it. I like it. A lot.
- Elbows15

Camp is gonna be interesting this summer...lots of new faces and crowded.

Johns ideal partner on the Hawks? Keith. If TVR comes back to the level before he was hurt will slide in next Hammer. OR Paliotta is he shows he is ready. IMO.
- Elbows15

I wouldn't rule out Pokka making a push either. He's young, but has decent size/weight and plays a nice game. He just may be further along than Paliotta right now--though summer & camp could change all that. However, Pokka is also getting some great playoff game experience right now--in contrast to Paliotta.

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

The one highlight i cant stop watching is when he skates the length of the ice, blows by the entire opposition, and right when he crosses their blueline he dekes out like 2 guys, then the clip stops....lol. But DAMN does he have some serious speed. Not willing to compare him to one of the fastest most explosive skaters ever......but he's certainly very, VERY fast.

Our newest Hawk has friends in the league.

Gabriel LandeskogVerified account
‏@GabeLandeskog92
Proud of my boy @ErkanGustafsson on signing his first NHL deal! Can't wait to run you over each and every shift!
Reply Retweet Favorite

I am waiting for Dubynk to turn back into a pumpkin. This is the same goof from Edmonton who regardless of talent around him, was just horrible when he faced the Hawks.
- SteveRain

The D around him right now is incredibly underrated and extremely sound. The D in Edmonton, despite their highly touted forwards, was always a joke.

It seems that young Mr. Gustafsson had zero interest in playing for Edmonton, so like NCAA players he worked in Sweden until he was a FA.

ProHockey Talk has a bit on it as well...

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...ee-out-of-swedish-league/
- ArlingtonRob

Where did you see he had no interest in singing in ED? it looked to me from the article comments that Ed was full of D man prospects that were signed. Also don't we have limit of 50 guys under contract? Seems like we are signing allot of guys,

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

Agreed. You'd already mentioned this prior to one of my comments on Pokka

Where did you see he had no interest in singing in ED? it looked to me from the article comments that Ed was full of D man prospects that were signed. Also don't we have limit of 50 guys under contract? Seems like we are signing allot of guys,
- kmw4631

That was my personal commentary...speculation.

You may be correct...but considering recent history, would you want to play blueline for the Oil? I think I'd prefer to stay home, make a good living, and wait for another opportunity that wasn't on the Canadian prairie near the treeline.

Yes, they are signing many guys...which tells me significant turnover will be happening soon.

Mark Lazerus @MarkLazerus · 2h 2 hours ago
Following the Klas Dahlbeck trade, Gustafsson fulfills the #Blackhawks' minimum requirement of having 97 percent of all Swedish defensemen.