I would add to this:

Although you desire to have a large size center like AA, and while they have worked togetherl to garner points, now is the time to trade his too high salary and too high age given the direction this team going. Bowman really needs to bring in a younger large size center. This new center may arrive via draft or trade. Would help a lot if the new guy is proficient face offs and can handle some rough and tumble play.
- jhawk59

AA is similar to a Bozak or Dubinsky and only 29. Bozak makes 4.2 and Dubinsky makes 5.8. AA at 4.5 is about par for a 40 point center that isn't great at anything but doesn't suck at anything either.

Not sure where that unicorn you're looking for comes from.

Nah, he plays free safety so Kane and who ever is on that other side can run around all over the place.

Its also an automatic 40 points which has a fair amount of value. He is a north south, win board battles, do nothing flashy, do nothing real dumb, fundamental hockey player. Was the perfect compliment for Kane and Panarin, was having a career year between Schmalz and Kane before injury.

He's not that bad.

All up and down the line up - gap coverage, yielding the blue line and poor coverage from the wing players have caused a lot of defensive problems. Lot of new faces in a lot of important positions.

A proper off season and the coaching staff \ management deciding on an identity for this team would go a long way to sorting some of the issues out.
- fattybeef

People poopting on Anisimov have some real short memories. Before he got hurt, who led the team in goals? Who led the team in goals for the first half of the year last year? Everyone clamors for a guy who goes to the net, and he's the guy. He's only 29, big body, can skate, and has decent hands and you guys want to move him out? Who are you going to replace him with? Yeah, he's struggling now, but so is literally everyone but Schmaltz, ADB, and Hinostroza. The kids are carrying the team right now. AA goes as the team goes, but when they are on, he's a goal machine. His main problem is he need to be 2C with Kane , but Schmaltz has taken that over. I'd be willing to be if you leave him on the left side of that second line, He'll start picking up in a few games.

AA is similar to a Bozak or Dubinsky and only 29. Bozak makes 4.2 and Dubinsky makes 5.8. AA at 4.5 is about par for a 40 point center that isn't great at anything but doesn't suck at anything either.

Not sure where that unicorn you're looking for comes from.
- fattybeef

Thank you. Literally any team would love to have AA playing for them.

The only way this team gets a player with term is if they give up a formidable asset. Guys like Bouma, Wingels and Kempny aren't worth diddly. They are 4th liners and a 7th defenceman who will probably be scratched in the playoffs. If they want to shake things up then it's guys like Anisimov and Hartman that will bring in the pieces. Keith has a lot of hockey left but is in decline. He would be a huge get for any playoff team and would bring in a huge reward considering his contract and leadership. Stay ahead of the curve Stan...unlike the others.
- walter34

We have 3 games against Calgary, Dallas, and Minnesota within this week. We could potentially lose all 3. In that event we should be in full trade mode and that should include Keith. He could put some team over the top and he may agree to go to that situation.
It seems like we have several Keith type replacements in our system. I would not give up young players on team friendly contracts like Hartman. Anisimov, I would move but the remaining years on his deal make that easier said than done. Maybe a team like Arizona or Vegas with cap space would do it because they could manage that cap hit for a couple of years and would have a use for a player like Anisimov.

Thank you. Literally any team would love to have AA playing for them.
- JRoenick97

This is the reason why I would trade AA now. He is the type of player that playoff teams are looking to add, and his salary is not too high that they can't take on. Is AA the type of player that the Hawks build around? No, he is a nice player to have but is replaceable with the proper scouting and draft. This is where is comes to Bowman. It is his turn to fleece the other teams trying to find those players to make a big push to the cup. A late 1st round pick and a prospect for AA - sign me up. The mini rebuild has started - the Penguins when through the same thing a 5 or so years ago, now they are back to back champs. No reason we can't do the same.

This is the reason why I would trade AA now. He is the type of player that playoff teams are looking to add, and his salary is not too high that they can't take on. Is AA the type of player that the Hawks build around? No, he is a nice player to have but is replaceable with the proper scouting and draft. This is where is comes to Bowman. It is his turn to fleece the other teams trying to find those players to make a big push to the cup. A late 1st round pick and a prospect for AA - sign me up. The mini rebuild has started - the Penguins when through the same thing a 5 or so years ago, now they are back to back champs. No reason we can't do the same.
- spudrock512

Bingo

We have 3 games against Calgary, Dallas, and Minnesota within this week. We could potentially lose all 3. In that event we should be in full trade mode and that should include Keith. He could put some team over the top and he may agree to go to that situation.
It seems like we have several Keith type replacements in our system. I would not give up young players on team friendly contracts like Hartman. Anisimov, I would move but the remaining years on his deal make that easier said than done. Maybe a team like Arizona or Vegas with cap space would do it because they could manage that cap hit for a couple of years and would have a use for a player like Anisimov.
- 67hawks

I would sure like to be apprised of who these Keith type replacements are that are growing organically somewhere in the system. Who might they be?

@CapFriendly

#BlackHawks will lose some of their roster flexibility tonight when Vinnie Hinostroza plays in his 80th NHL game, resulting in any loan to another league now requiring the Chicago forward to pass through waivers.

I would sure like to be apprised of who these Keith type replacements are that are growing organically somewhere in the system. Who might they be?
- RickJ

Ian Mitchell is the d-man we have in college that models his game after Keith.

Ian Mitchell is the d-man we have in college that models his game after Keith.
- JRoenick97

And Forsling.

@CapFriendly

#BlackHawks will lose some of their roster flexibility tonight when Vinnie Hinostroza plays in his 80th NHL game, resulting in any loan to another league now requiring the Chicago forward to pass through waivers.
- JRoenick97

I'm fine with that, the way Hinostroza is playing there should be no discussion of him going back to Rockford.

The only upcoming roster challenge could be the goalie situation once Crawford returns. Realistically Glass should be sent to Rockford, but at this point who really knows.

The team will need to create a roster spot for Sikura (*fingers crossed*), I could see Bouma or Wingels traded to accomplish that. Edit: Kampf could be sent to Rockford too, although that would not be ideal.

Ian Mitchell is the d-man we have in college that models his game after Keith.
- JRoenick97

And Jokiharju
Smallish puck moving defencemen

People poopting on Anisimov have some real short memories. Before he got hurt, who led the team in goals? Who led the team in goals for the first half of the year last year? Everyone clamors for a guy who goes to the net, and he's the guy. He's only 29, big body, can skate, and has decent hands and you guys want to move him out? Who are you going to replace him with? Yeah, he's struggling now, but so is literally everyone but Schmaltz, ADB, and Hinostroza. The kids are carrying the team right now. AA goes as the team goes, but when they are on, he's a goal machine. His main problem is he need to be 2C with Kane , but Schmaltz has taken that over. I'd be willing to be if you leave him on the left side of that second line, He'll start picking up in a few games.
- JRoenick97

He had two hot stretches earlier in the year, sandwiched with some 'meh' performance. His first 10 games he was pretty awful. He got hot for a bit off and on. Then he scored once in December and hasn't scored since then. Defensively he can be okay, but sometimes his soft play is frustrating as faster players get a step on him and around him.

He can be a useful player, but he has his own issues too. Some coaches say that love because they can move up and down the lineup, but AA, is only useful when you put two extremely talented wingers on the ice with him. When he is on, he is good, when he is off, he is pretty invisible. He is hurt frequently and his value was never going to be higher than it was. It would be great if they could get some consistency in his game. I do think they could have moved him to fill in a gap on the roster (and other assets/prospects) and then signed another C with size to the roster.

I'm fine with that, the way Hinostroza is playing there should be no discussion of him going back to Rockford.

The only upcoming roster challenge could be the goalie situation once Crawford returns. Realistically Glass should be sent to Rockford, but at this point who really knows.

The team will need to create a roster spot for Sikura (*fingers crossed*), I could see Bouma or Wingels traded to accomplish that. Edit: Kampf could be sent to Rockford too, although that would not be ideal.
- DarthKane

Agreed. Hino has earned an NHL roster spot by paying his dues and performing.

11. Chicago Blackhawks: Joseph Veleno, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)

The Blackhawks are a little light on high-end center prospects, and this about the spot we could start to see centers go. Veleno's stock has yo-yoed a bit this year, but he's currently trending up, as are his numbers since being traded to Drummondville. A gifted playmaker, Veleno has good speed and plays a responsible two-way game.

I would sure like to be apprised of who these Keith type replacements are that are growing organically somewhere in the system. Who might they be?
- RickJ

They pretty much grow on trees. The Wings had all sorts of Lidstrom type replacements waiting to jump in the lineup...til of course they didn't.

I do think the Hawks are better situated and seem to be building some organizational depth on defense with some guys that could be ready in a few years, Forsling obviously sooner; but yeah those types of guys aren't easy to find so hoepfully at least a few pan out.

Ian Mitchell is the d-man we have in college that models his game after Keith.
- JRoenick97

Ya, 19 year old college boy who's probably 4 years minimum away from being an NHL'er - if he ever makes it. That isn't a replacement for Keith, that's just a kid in the system who got drafted last 2nd round.

Nor is Forsling. But at least he's learning the ropes the hard way as a pro.

I'm fine with that, the way Hinostroza is playing there should be no discussion of him going back to Rockford.

The only upcoming roster challenge could be the goalie situation once Crawford returns. Realistically Glass should be sent to Rockford, but at this point who really knows.

The team will need to create a roster spot for Sikura (*fingers crossed*), I could see Bouma or Wingels traded to accomplish that. Edit: Kampf could be sent to Rockford too, although that would not be ideal.
- DarthKane

Or - if Forsberg is the goalie of the future - he should go back and get some work.

If Crawford comes back, anywhere near his pre-injury form, he will play probably 20 of 25 games (assuming that's when he comes back). Glass can handle 5 games - I'd like Forsberg to get more work than that.

I would move anybody that is as old or Older then Teows and kane. I would play Forsberg and not glass. for 2 reasons. 1) he has been as good or better and 2) he could grow into a starting cheap goalie if we ever decided to move Craw.

AA h as value because he scores goals!!! people should look at points, Ass and primary assists. Differently. AA is a 25 goal coring center if he plays 75-80 games a year. He does not get allot assists but I would take a goal over a assists every day.

There is so much wrong with this team right now that even if get in as a 8 seed if we got a good offer for Keith, AA, Wingels, Sharp, we should do it.

Ya, 19 year old college boy who's probably 4 years minimum away from being an NHL'er - if he ever makes it. That isn't a replacement for Keith, that's just a kid in the system who got drafted last 2nd round.

Nor is Forsling. But at least he's learning the ropes the hard way as a pro.
- RickJ

Nobody said he was a Keith replacement, someone said we have a couple Keith like prospects and I named the one that specifically models his game after him.

And Jokiharju
Smallish puck moving defencemen
- 67hawks

Jokiharju's game ins't much like Keith's though. He's much more of an offensive D-man. Like Campbell.

@MarkLazerus

Blackhawks this morning:

DeBrincat-Toews-Duclair
Anisimov-Schmaltz-Kane
Hinostroza-Kampf-Jurco
Sharp-Hartman-Saad

2 seasons ago, that 4th line is a second line anywhere.

@ByScottPowers

Connor Murphy isn’t on the ice for the Blackhawks morning skate. Artem Anisimov is present after missing yesterday’s practice. Corey Crawford still isn’t practicing with the team yet.

Or - if Forsberg is the goalie of the future - he should go back and get some work.

If Crawford comes back, anywhere near his pre-injury form, he will play probably 20 of 25 games (assuming that's when he comes back). Glass can handle 5 games - I'd like Forsberg to get more work than that.
- StLBravesFan

Forsberg would have to pass through waivers, I don't see the Hawks risking that.

@ByScottPowers

Connor Murphy isn’t on the ice for the Blackhawks morning skate. Artem Anisimov is present after missing yesterday’s practice. Corey Crawford still isn’t practicing with the team yet.
- JRoenick97

Powers said yesterday that he thinks Murphy would be the healthy scratch for tonight's game.