if interested, some really sharp Avs writers are doing the central division roundup and talked about the hawks.

http://bsndenver.com/cent...undup-chicago-blackhawks/
- DDM-Coga

I think it's a pretty good article. All three guys make solid points. One thing they missed that I think will make a big difference in the addition of Panarin - much more so that Tikhonov who got a mention. I understand that he hasn't played in N/A. and isn't even on the roster at this point, and maybe that's why he didn't get a mention. Not only was he one of the top players and scorers in the KHL during the regular season, he was one of the best players and top scorers in the playoffs on the championship team, including playing big when his team came back from a 0-3 series deficit to win 4 straight against Radulov's team. Scoring or assisting on multiple OT winning goals in the playoffs. He was also one of the best players and leading scorers for Russia in the World Cup. I will be shocked if Panarin chokes and doesn't have a big impact on the team.

If I were Saad or anyone in his family I would be praising their agent.
- Al

If money, and money alone, make you happy!

Shouldn't your AVI be in red font?
- StLBravesFan

how you choose to view it is your choice

Would you have been upset if it was just Sadd for Dano? I wouldn't have been.

Just look at AA as a throw in like Morin and Tropp
- vabeachbear

I am being told that the Hawks, including Coach Q, see Anisimov as the immediate key to the deal. They know what Dano projects out to be over the next couple of seasons, but Anisimov is in his prime right now, and if he can become (as the Hawks are SURE that he will) a dominant face-off guy, then he will be a major factor in the Hawks success moving forward because the Hawks know that Patrick Kane doesn't really need too much, but he does need a Centre that can contribute to PUCK POSSESSION...this is why Bowman has wanted AA for so long!

Younger legs mattered a lot in the playoffs....Will those legs belong to TVR, AA and Dano this time??

I would be concerned if Shaw and or Kruger were not here-Otherwise I see no reason to think the upcoming season is a throw away.
- Al

The defense is a questionmark and maybe center depth depending on how well/quickly TT acclimates.

They are very high on Gustafsson, who they feel outclassed all the other prospects in camp, and makes good decisions quickly (huge with Q). Also a lefty who can skate which is a nice complement potentially to TVR or even Hammer, if they wanted to stabilize TVR with Daley.

But between TVR, Gustafsson and Rundblad that is a lot of inexperience and only one guy who is a plus skater from 5-7, which is why the team knows they probably need to add a veteran D at some point.

But assuming those two areas can be solidified, Kruger re-signed, and the players get some rest now the rest of the summer, no reason to think this team can't go very deep.

AA, Dano and Panarin are going to be nice adds I think.

The defense is a questionmark and maybe center depth depending on how well/quickly TT acclimates.

They are very high on Gustafsson, who they feel outclassed all the other prospects in camp, and makes good decisions quickly (huge with Q). Also a lefty who can skate which is a nice complement potentially to TVR or even Hammer, if they wanted to stabilize TVR with Daley.

But between TVR, Gustafsson and Rundblad that is a lot of inexperience and only one guy who is a plus skater from 5-7, which is why the team knows they probably need to add a veteran D at some point.

But assuming those two areas can be solidified, Kruger re-signed, and the players get some rest now the rest of the summer, no reason to think this team can't go very deep.

AA, Dano and Panarin are going to be nice adds I think.
- John Jaeckel

Habs just signed Semin

The defense is a questionmark and maybe center depth depending on how well/quickly TT acclimates.

They are very high on Gustafsson, who they feel outclassed all the other prospects in camp, and makes good decisions quickly (huge with Q). Also a lefty who can skate which is a nice complement potentially to TVR or even Hammer, if they wanted to stabilize TVR with Daley.

But between TVR, Gustafsson and Rundblad that is a lot of inexperience and only one guy who is a plus skater from 5-7, which is why the team knows they probably need to add a veteran D at some point.

But assuming those two areas can be solidified, Kruger re-signed, and the players get some rest now the rest of the summer, no reason to think this team can't go very deep.

AA, Dano and Panarin are going to be nice adds I think.
- John Jaeckel

John, I can vouch for Gustafsson impressing at prospect camp. I went each day and he was very impressive - in decision-making on both ends of the ice and in leadership. Very vocal with his d partners, vocally supporting other players during drills. Strong puck mover and was willing to drop down and block shots even in the camp setting. Not trying to set the bar too high but I think he has some Hjalmarsson to his game.

spare me the condescension BS...ok....i understand full well krugers play and contribution...

my point was in the era of of your top 6-7 players taking up 75% of cap space... your #9 forward is considred "essential"....
- bogiedoc

Wow you still don't get it. Kruger makes the other guys on his line better. Yes "essential", for the Blackhawks. How many teams have a fourth line that they have complete confidence in to shutdown any teams 1st or 2nd line.

Teams that don't consider that essential do so at their own demise.

I have not been much of a believer in the Leafs over the years. With all the hype leading up to a new season, only to finish mediocre at best, I've kinda taken a "whatever, prove it" approach. This year, the optimism is warranted in my eyes. Babcock is the real deal, and Shanahan respectable. They have the right folks running that club. Now, they need the time to make the necessary alterations to change the culture. As they determine who fits and who doesn't, and make acquisitions and promote from within the system while they jettison expendable so, it will take time. But, the fan base is loyal, rabid, and understanding of the situation, so the brass will be given the time and latitude necessary. Toronto is a place where a Blackhawks type resurgence could occur if things fall together.

Huge believer in Babcock is probably the biggest reason for my being bullish on the Leafs going forward. He is an amazing hockey mind and handler of people. The only rain I will throw on your parade is I'm not as high on Lou. He has rightly earned respect for what he has done, but that was a long time ago in a different cap era. Can he adjust? Or has the game passed him by? These are fair questions to be asked and he will help determine the answers.

If the Leafs have a resurgence, it will be good for hockey.
- DoubleMinor

I agree with you. The thing with Lou is, I really don't think he's going to be a normal GM. I think Shanahan had the team he wanted to run the team put together, and just needed that named, experienced guy to round things out. But you can't bring Lou in and name him an asst. GM or senior advisor or anything like that. I suspect Lou took the job because he can help the Leafs management team, but not have to shoulder the workload he has in the past because he's just another part of the "committee" so to speak.

The only reason I think this, is because hiring him doesn't make any sense otherwise, haha. I could be completely off-base, nothing has been said by anyone to make this seem true. Just a suspicion that he wanted less responsibility but to stay in the game a while before retiring. This gives him the opportunity to help out, stay in the game, and mentor some young asst. GMs who can take over the role when he's retired.

The defense is a questionmark and maybe center depth depending on how well/quickly TT acclimates.

They are very high on Gustafsson, who they feel outclassed all the other prospects in camp, and makes good decisions quickly (huge with Q). Also a lefty who can skate which is a nice complement potentially to TVR or even Hammer, if they wanted to stabilize TVR with Daley.

But between TVR, Gustafsson and Rundblad that is a lot of inexperience and only one guy who is a plus skater from 5-7, which is why the team knows they probably need to add a veteran D at some point.

But assuming those two areas can be solidified, Kruger re-signed, and the players get some rest now the rest of the summer, no reason to think this team can't go very deep.

AA, Dano and Panarin are going to be nice adds I think.
- John Jaeckel

Don't disagree about adding a dman and Bowman usually finds a bargain.

Having to go to the market to buy a 6/7 dman with experience is also a function of never developing any in Rockford.

Sam Bennet is going to be one ugly SOB to play against. There is no quit in him, he just keeps coming at you. As a junior player in Kingston he never stopped with or without the puck. Seems the new age NHL star is equal parts skill and tenacity.
- paulr

Tenacious is a great way to characterize him. That is what I'd say that reminded me of Roenick's playoff call up under Keenan. Great skater too. Was really hoping if there was anything to moving Crow to the Flames they could pry Bennett back. Just a dream.

I am being told that the Hawks, including Coach Q, see Anisimov as the immediate key to the deal. They know what Dano projects out to be over the next couple of seasons, but Anisimov is in his prime right now, and if he can become (as the Hawks are SURE that he will) a dominant face-off guy, then he will be a major factor in the Hawks success moving forward because the Hawks know that Patrick Kane doesn't really need too much, but he does need a Centre that can contribute to PUCK POSSESSION...this is why Bowman has wanted AA for so long!
- MexicoHawk

Anisimov might be a real stud in Chicago. I was very high on him before he went to Columbus, and don't think he did a bad job there either. To me he seems like one of those players that really excels when he's got talent around him.

I think Chicago improved through the Saad trade, and I think Columbus did too. It was a lot better of a trade than others I have seen give it credit for. Anisimov could be really scary feeding Kane the puck.

Don't disagree about adding a dman and Bowman usually finds a bargain.

Having to go to the market to buy a 6/7 dman with experience is also a function of never developing any in Rockford.
- Al

or at a minimum, trading away the ones you developed.

They are very high on Gustafsson, who they feel outclassed all the other prospects in camp, and makes good decisions quickly (huge with Q). Also a lefty who can skate which is a nice complement potentially to TVR or even Hammer, if they wanted to stabilize TVR with Daley.


- John Jaeckel

I like the idea of a Gustafsson-Hjalmarsson pairing with Gustafsson more of s PMD type d-man. Hammer and him can get that Swedish d-pairing thing going. That's if Gustafsson can win a spot out of TC, of course. That you keep Daley in a more sheltered spot when he can play LD with TvR/Rundblad at RD, with also using Daley on the PP.

You guys keep saying this but it doesn't make it any more true.

The truth is, he's a third line center. The Hawks don't really have a fourth line.

Or if you simply insist they're a fourth line, show me another "fourth line" that is routinely sent out against the best players in the league (when most fourth lines in the league have to be sheltered), and maintains offensive zone time like that line does.

Killing penalties matters. Every bit as much as the power play does.

Another thing you need to understand is that because of the above, Quenneville flat LOVES the guy, as does Scotty Bowman (at the very least).

The other thing that needs to sink in is this . . . he's only what, 25? He's done the job asked of him amazingly well, has improved year after year, but he can and probably will get better. He has some hands and playmaking ability and he is only just now really maturing physically.

So that's another way of looking at it that might prove helpful. You can scoff all you want, but this guy is: a) highly valuable to the Hawks and b) there are quite valid reasons for it.
- John Jaeckel

Well done.
4th line center in name only. He is very important to this team.

how you choose to view it is your choice
- Confederate

I choose to view it as a symbol of slavery, which is why they fought the war; and a Jim Crow society and racism, which is how it's been used since the civil war: that's the Heritage part of it.

And many of the same groups that use that flag to promote White Power also use it to promote anti-Semitism - which makes it personal to me.

You certainly have every constitutional right to display it - and probably use it as your avatar - doesn't make you any less of an idiot for actually exercising that right.

THAT'S how I view it.

I agree with you. The thing with Lou is, I really don't think he's going to be a normal GM. I think Shanahan had the team he wanted to run the team put together, and just needed that named, experienced guy to round things out. But you can't bring Lou in and name him an asst. GM or senior advisor or anything like that. I suspect Lou took the job because he can help the Leafs management team, but not have to shoulder the workload he has in the past because he's just another part of the "committee" so to speak.

The only reason I think this, is because hiring him doesn't make any sense otherwise, haha. I could be completely off-base, nothing has been said by anyone to make this seem true. Just a suspicion that he wanted less responsibility but to stay in the game a while before retiring. This gives him the opportunity to help out, stay in the game, and mentor some young asst. GMs who can take over the role when he's retired.
- SolidGoldBricks

Lou could have been like Scotty Bowman is here a "consultant" more or less....But the Toronto front office doesn't have as many pieces in place and lacks experience...So under those circumstances the title fits.

Shanny became a GM in the mecca of hockey without one day of front office experience-Not usually a recipe for success.-Smart hire.

or at a minimum, trading away the ones you developed.
- vabeachbear

Yes...some give-aways, also a price of success.

But the last dman that could be deemed developed in Rockford to play in Chicago with success was Hammer.....And he played in Rockford for about a half season, and that was 10 years ago!

I choose to view it as a symbol of slavery, which is why they fought the war; and a Jim Crow society and racism, which is how it's been used since the civil war: that's the Heritage part of it.

And many of the same groups that use that flag to promote White Power also use it to promote anti-Semitism - which makes it personal to me.

You certainly have every constitutional right to display it - and probably use it as your avatar - doesn't make you any less of an idiot for actually exercising that right.

THAT'S how I view it.
- StLBravesFan

StLou, 100% in agreement with you although I am sure he doesn't care what we think

I choose to view it as a symbol of slavery, which is why they fought the war; and a Jim Crow society and racism, which is how it's been used since the civil war: that's the Heritage part of it.

And many of the same groups that use that flag to promote White Power also use it to promote anti-Semitism - which makes it personal to me.

You certainly have every constitutional right to display it - and probably use it as your avatar - doesn't make you any less of an idiot for actually exercising that right.

THAT'S how I view it.
- StLBravesFan

I agree with you also Sage. Good post!

If Stalberg can score 20 goals for us is it out of the realm of possibilities whoever we plug into that LW position scores at least 15 to 25 goals?
- BetweenTheDots

Like, say, Bickell, for instance?

How about Bickell and CC for the rights to Holtby. Savings of $2-3M and no drop off in goaltender performance.

First, let me remind everyone that I very much like Corey Crawford as a goaltender. However, as for the discussion here on Crawford, understand this, Crawford at $6 million is NOT "good value", but it isn't money poorly spent either. CC has done his job in CHI fairly consistently, and shows signs of getting better and better with the 2 weaknesses in his game (rebound control and crease positioning). I think that this coming season and the next two years (if he is still here) we may very well be able to proclaim that there is "good value" in his deal.

But the reality is this Hawks team can win Cups with a variety of goalies! To think otherwise is simply romanticism. In 2010, Huet fell absolutely apart and the Hawks were forced to turn to a European rookie in Antti Niemi. And while Niemi showed flashes of what he would become in SJ, he was largely widely erratic, especially in the Cup final vs. Philly and we still won in 6 games! I would comfortably suggest that the Hawks would have won Cups in 2013, 2014 and 2015 with at least HALF of the goalies in the NHL! And that statement is not designed to diminish CC's contributions. But Crawford is often his OWN WORST ENEMY between the pipes, largely because he still has work to do with his positioning and movement. However, Corey also possesses a real fiery, tenacious side that allows him to overcome bad games, and return to form relatively quickly!

So at $6 million per season his salary is "average" for a goalie with his numbers combined with his successes. But remember this, the Hawks win when they absolutely "have to" because of the sheer will of their core, in particular, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. There are lots of players who are part of the Hawk's core, but it starts with Coach Q and these two players. Thus, no matter what these three are paid, it is "good value"...because without these three, even if Crawford was in net, WE WOULDN'T HAVE WON THESE 3 CUPS! And the opposite is true, with these three and without Crawford, we would still would have won.

Crawford is a GOOD NHL goalie, in the top half of a league filled with good goalies! And if money wasn't an obstacle he would finish out his career in CHI and the Hawks would be thrilled with the results. However, this NHL is regulated by monetary limits and Crawford's $6 million will always be a problem because you first have to pay Toews, Keith, Kane, Hossa, Seabrook and Hammer BEFORE you consider what's left! That's not an attack on Corey, that's just the reality in Chicago!

spare me the condescension BS...ok....i understand full well krugers play and contribution...

my point was in the era of of your top 6-7 players taking up 75% of cap space... your #9 forward is considred "essential"....
- bogiedoc

Take the CONTEXT of the comment into consideration. Coach Q was asked "with the roster as it is right now, what is needed to have a chance at repeating"...obviously Marcus Kruger IS THE #1 missing ingredient! That is what Q is saying!

First, let me remind everyone that I very much like Corey Crawford as a goaltender. However, as for the discussion here on Crawford, understand this, Crawford at $6 million is NOT "good value", but it isn't money poorly spent either. CC has done his job in CHI fairly consistently, and shows signs of getting better and better with the 2 weaknesses in his game (rebound control and crease positioning). I think that this coming season and the next two years (if he is still here) we may very well be able to proclaim that there is "good value" in his deal.

But the reality is this Hawks team can win Cups with a variety of goalies! To think otherwise is simply romanticism. In 2010, Huet fell absolutely apart and the Hawks were forced to turn to a European rookie in Antti Niemi. And while Niemi showed flashes of what he would become in SJ, he was largely widely erratic, especially in the Cup final vs. Philly and we still won in 6 games! I would comfortably suggest that the Hawks would have won Cups in 2013, 2014 and 2015 with at least HALF of the goalies in the NHL! And that statement is not designed to diminish CC's contributions. But Crawford is often his OWN WORST ENEMY between the pipes, largely because he still has work to do with his positioning and movement. However, Corey also possesses a real fiery, tenacious side that allows him to overcome bad games, and return to form relatively quickly!

So at $6 million per season his salary is "average" for a goalie with his numbers combined with his successes. But remember this, the Hawks win when they absolutely "have to" because of the sheer will of their core, in particular, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. There are lots of players who are part of the Hawk's core, but it starts with Coach Q and these two players. Thus, no matter what these three are paid, it is "good value"...because without these three, even if Crawford was in net, WE WOULDN'T HAVE WON THESE 3 CUPS! And the opposite is true, with these three and without Crawford, we would still would have won.

Crawford is a GOOD NHL goalie, in the top half of a league filled with good goalies! And if money wasn't an obstacle he would finish out his career in CHI and the Hawks would be thrilled with the results. However, this NHL is regulated by monetary limits and Crawford's $6 million will always be a problem because you first have to pay Toews, Keith, Kane, Hossa, Seabrook and Hammer BEFORE you consider what's left! That's not an attack on Corey, that's just the reality in Chicago!
- MexicoHawk

Without Crawford in net you believe the Hawks would have won the two Cups?