Long time reader, first time poster. JJ, thanks for all you do on here and Happy New Year!!
- Ironhawk

Thank you, IronDude

JJ,
To reiterate what others have said, Thank you for what you do here! I do not post here very much, But read almost everything, Along with a lot of other teams bloggers. And you are hands down the best of them all! Happy new year to you and the rest of the posters here.

Ps. Jack Skille with 4 minutes 52 seconds of ice time. Wondering if his new years resolution will be to "work hard and have a good attitude"?
- camfor

Thank you camfor, all the best in 2016

Agree completely.

When I actually try to compose a post and not just agree it takes me an inordinate amount of time. I could never have a blog and post every day or two. So it's with great respect for the efforts of especially JJ but all of the people who take the time to contribute to this site. Agree or not with the content, I can't go more than a few hours without checking the latest posts. I really enjoy this site. Happy new year to da whole bunch of yuz.
- 6628

Thx 66, as always

A couple things to note. The best thing Danault is bringing is energy, heart and hard work. The effort he is putting out there is infectious and helps the rest of the team play with a little more bounce in their step. His line-mates especially have been stepping it up. Let's hope he can keep it up.

Scuderi is what he is and won't be a major factor for or against for the Hawks. The upside is that he seems to have more left in the tank than Timonen did last year, so at least there is that.

Darling had a rough night but like many have said, he just needs a bit more playing time. He did make some nice saves, especially on a few breaks the Avs had.

Gus is playing well for a young D and clearly likes to join the rush, which should help improve the offensive woes. Good to see the D rounding into shape, but just need that extra help up front....

He's actually playing pretty well. Remarkable improvement over Scuds. Even though we're eating a mil of Scuds contract (which I hate), I'd do that deal 100 times over because that's how bad he was here.

I always figured he'd be playing with your AHL team within a month of the deal. Strictly a cap move for you guys. Scuds has been toast for 3 years.
- madmike71

The plan was at the time that deal was made to bring Gustafsson back up and play him. I don't think the Hawks had any illusions about Scuderi beyond him being a #7 with some experience—and cap savings.

Gustafsson was still around the blue line when Johnson scored. He was beaten badly at the line when he tried to jump up at the line. It happens. He may have been confused by all the players in the area since the Avs had about nine men on the ice. But he did get beat.
- TTtime

Fixed.

Agreed, he was beaten, but that is something that he will need to work on. Not for lack of physical ability but rather judgment which is his issue right now. Not playing against Jonas Nordqvist in the SEL anymore.

Fixed.

Agreed, he was beaten, but that is something that he will need to work on. Not for lack of physical ability but rather judgment which is his issue right now. Not playing against Jonas Nordqvist in the SEL anymore.
- John Jaeckel

Meh. Every D-man in the league gets beat. It doesn't change the fact I like a lot of what I have seen from Gustafsson. He will learn when to be aggressive and way to stay back. Hell, Keith still makes that mistake occasionally. (once a game)

As far as half the bench on the ice at that time, I was trying to refrain from female doging about the refs. Who were just plain awful last night and are lucky someone didn't seriously hurt with some of the crap they let go. Though, Shaw did seem a little dinged up after Beachemin took his feet out from behind and then decided to push his face into the ice and punch Shaw a few times in the face while Mutt showed restraint.

Another excellent post KWolf, one of your best and IMO you are right on all of your points. I wanted to go over a few of the most salient ones...

To those who are still a little worried about Danault because he is an unproven rookie, the one thing I can say to you is that Phil is wired differently from most young people. He is very humble, wise and yet self assured for someone so young. If there is a young player that will continue to get better and not "flatten out" its Phillip Danault. As for "missing his assignment" by allowing the opposing Centre to skate free after a lost draw, its because sometimes he's trying to do too much, he wanted to make up for his "mistake" (a DZone lost draw) by following the puck...Q will have reminded him to "stay within himself" and to remember his responsibilities...trying to "save the world" isn't one of them...he'll learn.

There was a great comment made by another regular on Guftasson playing with such confidence, as if he EXPECTS success...that is so true. And while, yes, it will "cost" the Hawks from time to time, I don't see Q putting him into the "coach's kennel" because Guftasson plays the way Hawk defenders MUST play if we are going to generate sufficient offence with all the back checking our forwards do. Mistakes happen, Q understands this, what he won't accept is mistakes by guys doing the wrong things in the wrong manner. If EG was delaying on moving the puck out of the DZone and then made erratic passes, that's a ticket to the dog house because that's NOT what Hawk DMen are supposed to do. I think that EG has the ability to slot ahead of TVR over the next month as the #4 DMan because his style of game is IDENTICAL to what the Hawks play, TVR is doing an admirable job of learning to become this kind of defender, but there is an instinctual difference in their games.

As for Scuderi, what I was told is that Coach Q wanted him as a replacement for Rozy should his ankle continue to be a problem. Bowman has a plan for Scuderi should his play continue to decay. I personally think that Scuderi is playing through an injury right now and should get better, not worse. He knows exactly what the Hawks are asking from him, and if he is healthy enough, he can deliver. At least with a group of bottom 4 defenders in TVR, EG, Rozy and Scuderi, the Hawks have a chance at making a deep playoff run, with Daley and Runblad on the roster, it simply was NOT going to happen.

I always defend Kane because IMO there isn't a better 200' player in hockey, plus he's the best Captain in professional sports. His "problem" this season was epitomized once again last night, he is skating with wingers that CAN'T FINISH great scoring chances. Once again, Toews scored a non 5 on 5 goal with OTHER line mates. If Hossa and a combo of Dano, TT and Shaw had between them 25+ goals right now (as they should), we wouldn't be hearing a single word about Toew's play. The fact is, no matter how much JJ wants to resist calling it what it is, Hossa has flat out lost his scoring touch and there is literally no production from the left side all year long. Toews needs at least one line mate who can finish, or much of his hard work is being wasted. Ebony Raptor's idea of moving Hoss to LW and giving Dano a chance at 1st line RW is FAR from a bad idea at this point.

Someone posted yesterday that they thought that Anisimov was still just a 3rd line Centre, benefitting from playing with Kane...wow. AA has PROVEN that he was a not only a nice addition, but well worth the cost of his new extension contract. Benefitting from actually playing the game I can tell you that "computer game" lineups don't often work. For players like Kane and Panarin to be able to play their games, they must have a Centre who will unselfishly work the corners to get/retrieve pucks and then crash the net to create open space, which AA has done to perfection this season. And, if he can get his FO% over 50%, he will look a like a BARGAIN at $4 million per.

As for Scott Darling, how do you explain a situation where he let in two soft goals and yet made countless excellent saves? He's young, inexperienced and rusty. No one knows this better than Q. The only reason that CC played the last 9 straight games was that the Hawks were a work in progress trying to replace both Daley and Runblad and running 2 to 3 lines. Q knew that the Hawks needed as many points as possible during this stretch and thus he ran the risk of "stale dating" Darling. The more SD plays, the better he will get. He is going to make a good #1 goalie when the time comes.

One final point to caution everyone about last night's win. The Hawks won because our defence was much improved by using only 5 guys (thanks to EG) and our ONE scoring line had another productive game, after being held mostly in check over the last few weeks. Why did Kane's line "rebound" last night? Because Roy refused to look at how teams were shutting this group down, and decided to continue playing his "fast paced" attack game against the Hawks. All this did was give Kane's line the necessary space to generate chances, and THEY FINISH! The WC and our own division will NOT be as generous as the season progresses. The Toews line MUST start contributing regular 5 on 5 goals or the Hawks simply won't make it out of the first round and that is now all on Stan Bowman to find someone who can skate with Toews and Hossa who can finish because the current roster doesn't feature this player (unless of course its the wondrous Brandon Mashinter).
- MexicoHawk

Thanks Mex. As usual tons of great points. But the one bolded is the most interesting to me. Centers NEED finishers. And the Hawks must find them. Whatever options exist MUST be explored. Hell, if we can FIND that player IN HOUSE it means no trade is necessary (unless they really want to beef up the Defense by going after a Top 4 type player, which wouldn't hurt my feelings). I think you win with Defense anyway....

Thanks Mex. As usual tons of great points. But the one bolded is the most interesting to me. Centers NEED finishers. And the Hawks must find them. Whatever options exist MUST be explored. Hell, if we can FIND that player IN HOUSE it means no trade is necessary (unless they really want to beef up the Defense by going after a Top 4 type player, which wouldn't hurt my feelings). I think you win with Defense anyway....
- kwolf68

This.

The plan was at the time that deal was made to bring Gustafsson back up and play him. I don't think the Hawks had any illusions about Scuderi beyond him being a #7 with some experience—and cap savings.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, the only thing that baffles me is why we had to take back ANYTHING at all. Daley IS a serviceable player and there HAD to be more than 1 team out there other than Pittsburgh that was interested. Scuderi can NOT be the best deal.

Call everyone and offer Daley for some prospect...who cares what kind, just any. And when that team balks say OK...Ill give you Daley for a 6th round pick. Its not like Daley is paid THAT terribly much.

I just can't believe Scuderi (who is so done) was the best he could do. But I guess he was.

[quote=MexicoHawk]

As for "missing his assignment" by allowing the opposing Centre to skate free after a lost draw, its because sometimes he's trying to do too much, he wanted to make up for his "mistake" (a DZone lost draw) by following the puck...Q will have reminded him to "stay within himself" and to remember his responsibilities...trying to "save the world" isn't one of them...he'll learn.

I raised this concern about Danault and no doubt it's easily correctable.

Thing with Phillip that has really impressed is his JUMP. Dude has great wheels, and even more impressive since he's coming back (I believe) from hip surgery. Credit to him and Goodman and co. for getting him back so STRONG.

Question is, what does Danault's emergence do when Kruger is ready to return ?

And P.S. Toews is THE LAST guy anyone should be worrying about.

Just wondering what would have to be done to take advantage of Krugs LTIR, and other moves to get as much cap space as possible.

It took a bunch of moves on Hockeys cap, but was able to squeeze up to 3 mil in cap space.

So it is possible to get to that much, a roster player going in the trade (remember a roster player at this point in time may be a Rockford guy who has a low number and is up to keep as much space available as possible) as say 3.5 - 3.75 in a trade.

I assuming, no one will take Bickell of course.

It would be interesting to see financial ramifications to keeping 50% of his salary as opposed to buying him out this summer.
- vabeachbear

Just off the top of my head. Right now we're $1,604,445 below the cap, but that's a 22 man roster. So the first thing would be to call up one morning f the $925,00 guys from Rockford (Haggerty).

That gets us to $679,445 below the cap. Then it's a matter of some moves on paper. Need to send down a cheap waivers exempt player or two and replace with costlier ones.

Moose salary is $575,000 so send him down and call up Dano at $925,000. That adds $350,00 to the cap. So now $679,445 - $350,00 = $329,445 under the cap. If you want to get as close as possible, (again purely paper move) send down Gustafsson at $667,500 call up Polka at $925,000. Adds $257,500 to the cap. So we end up at $329,445 - $257,500 = $71,945 under the cap.

Seeing Gustafsson out there on the 3 on 3 OT was very telling for me.

Seeing Gustafsson out there on the 3 on 3 OT was very telling for me.
- walleyeb1

His agility and vision to make stretch pass appear to be a huge asset in the 'new o/t'.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/report-blackhawks-rundblad-could-be-heading-to-europe/

The good news is Rundblad won't be a 90 minute drive from the UC. No chance of a quick call-up from Switzerland.
- scottak

Eli got his Christmas miracle?

JJ, the only thing that baffles me is why we had to take back ANYTHING at all. Daley IS a serviceable player and there HAD to be more than 1 team out there other than Pittsburgh that was interested. Scuderi can NOT be the best deal.

Call everyone and offer Daley for some prospect...who cares what kind, just any. And when that team balks say OK...Ill give you Daley for a 6th round pick. Its not like Daley is paid THAT terribly much.

I just can't believe Scuderi (who is so done) was the best he could do. But I guess he was.
- kwolf68

Plus we have another year of carrying this totally dead cap space of $2M plus.

First, I am not "beholden" to being right, just happy. Second, I never said that Daley was the "ideal" replacement for Oduya, just that Daley's speed, skill and experience should have allowed him to transition as a top 4 DMan into Q's system. I was clearly wrong, as Daley never proved that he could do this. Knowing the game a little bit, I believed that Daley should have been able to adapt...he didn't. And guess what, after stating that TVR hadn't shown very much in 19 NHL games, I have even been very flattering towards TVR's play all season long...its amazing how well being objective about things works.
- MexicoHawk

You weren't wrong about Daley. If you can play 10+ seasons in the NHL as a top 4 guy and be a + player in that time you are one of the best 125 players in the world at that position. Daley was as advertised. He skated well and was a + player with the Hawks. As advertised, no (on ice) surprises. One can pound minutiae, for whatever fits their purpose best, but reason/numbers/eye test shows he was as advertised to/for Q and StanBowPops&McD.

The guy with the cups didn't like him, so he's gone. Hawks get a "predictable" (insurance at the very least) 6-7th Dmen with cap savings for a THIRD pairing vet in the hard cap world. If they can do better as the season progresses Scuderi will be moved out, but at the very least he's insurance and at best a 6-7 guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLiqHGLaXmQ

Just not true. Watch the replay, the goal starts at 3:24 of the video. Gus engages at the blue line, then skates alongside Johnson as Johnson moves down the boards. Gus is crossing the faceoff dot when the shot comes from outside and below the dot. He kept the puck carrier outside the dot along the boards.
- scottak

Kind of a perfect storm of bad luck. The kid was just coming on the ice for a line change so he didn't see the whole "play", which was only 20 feet in front of him, as he took his position which was a bit too inside for "that" play. Now he's flatfooted and Johnson has speed built up.

The kid may have seen Denault coming on the backcheck and thought he had inside help deep. He could have thought he could make the play at the blueline and saw he couldn't but instead of getting caught in the middle continued, which is what he should do.

Turns out he couldn't make the play and Denault, nicely IMO, stayed with his check to the inside and Johnson beat a flatfooted Gustafsson to the dot. Darling allows a softie.

Perfect storm of bad luck. Line change during a rush that's right on it, Gustafsson is flatfooted, the opponent has a head of steam coming through traffic with options, he either misreads help or the ability to stand up Johnson and Darling whifs.

It happens and I bet you next time Gustafsson will allow a bit more cushion, at least that's the hope.

His agility and vision to make stretch pass appear to be a huge asset in the 'new o/t'.
- philco28

The kid's head is up, and that's the first part of the trigger. Seems to be his instinct, to look for that stretch pass. Seems to have nice speed of thought with the puck.

You weren't wrong about Daley. If you can play 10+ seasons in the NHL as a top 4 guy and be a + player in that time you are one of the best 125 players in the world at that position. Daley was as advertised. He skated well and was a + player with the Hawks. As advertised, no (on ice) surprises. One can pound minutiae, for whatever fits their purpose best, but reason/numbers/eye test shows he was as advertised to/for Q and StanBowPops&McD.

The guy with the cups didn't like him, so he's gone. Hawks get a "predictable" (insurance at the very least) 6-7th Dmen with cap savings for a THIRD pairing vet in the hard cap world. If they can do better as the season progresses Scuderi will be moved out, but at the very least he's insurance and at best a 6-7 guy.
- Mr Ricochet

He has a LNTC that apparently wasn't required to be removed for the trade to you guys. So is that still in place now he's with a new team? If so the only move that may be made is to Rockford which gives you another 900k or so (which is better than a kick in the balls everyday of the week! ). Doubt you find another organisation willing to take him that he's willing to go to.

Rob Scuderi pretty much showed in just under 7 minutes TOI why he is nothing more than a 7th, emergency defenseman at this point. Which is fine along as the 6 guys in front of him stay healthy.

I'm sure more than me has gloated about this trade... but

Enjoy that waste of life Suckderi

Just off the top of my head. Right now we're $1,604,445 below the cap, but that's a 22 man roster. So the first thing would be to call up one morning f the $925,00 guys from Rockford (Haggerty).

That gets us to $679,445 below the cap. Then it's a matter of some moves on paper. Need to send down a cheap waivers exempt player or two and replace with costlier ones.

Moose salary is $575,000 so send him down and call up Dano at $925,000. That adds $350,00 to the cap. So now $679,445 - $350,00 = $329,445 under the cap. If you want to get as close as possible, (again purely paper move) send down Gustafsson at $667,500 call up Polka at $925,000. Adds $257,500 to the cap. So we end up at $329,445 - $257,500 = $71,945 under the cap.
- walleyeb1

Ya that's very close to what I did on the fake GM site. Was able like I said to get to about 3.6 of cap space I believe.

I guess when we start seeing moves like this, it will be a sign they are getting ready to LTIR Kruger, and then trade for someone.

Plus we have another year of carrying this totally dead cap space of $2M plus.
- 67hawks

Wonder if he'll be bought out at the end of the year. Can't remember if you're limited as to how many buyouts a team can have.

I'm sure more than me has gloated about this trade... but

Enjoy that waste of life Suckderi
- Guile

Enjoy paying 1.1 of his salary this year and next. He is what he is and can be dealt, benched, bought out, waived, or put in the AHL. Pens fans have plenty more to worry about than how Scuderi is playing in Chicago

Excellent points...the main aspect to moving Daley for Scuderi is that it has meant being able to play Erik Guftasson while still having a 7th DMan...
- MexicoHawk

Yo Mex, any thoughts on why the Hawks tried Rundblad and Svedberg before Gustafsson? Then tried Gustafsson, sent him back keeping both Rundbald and Svedberg before axing Rundbald, sending Sved down and bringing back Gustafsson?

Jury is still out on Gustafsson obviously but the dates these guys played showed they thought more of Sved and Rundblad (twice) than Gustafsson, at least starting in late October.