I agree with you. Makes me wonder if there is more we haven't heard in this story.
- breadbag

Totally possible.

I think a lot of it came down to Pacioretty implying he was going to wait to sign (obvs he didn't) and that Montreal really wanted him gone before camp opens (he is all reporters ask about at events, even golf ones). Montreal didn't save any cap space - they actually added $300k - so idk.

Pacioretty signed an extension in Vegas - 4 years x $7m.

If Patches was willing to sign an extension, Montreal should have been able to get more for him imo. Oh well.
- L_B_R

Seems like the deal is cheap and short.

Four years at 29, not starting until he’s 30 - ends when he’s 35 - too late for another hi-value deal, I would think.

Wouldn't read into it too much. Training camps are about to break by the end of the week, Bergevin was getting short on runway, had to make a deal and take pretty much the best offer available at this point.

Tatar isnt a dump by any means, but he lessened the value of that package if MTL had to take him in return and especially if it was contingent on Patches signing an extension. Pretty vanilla return for Patches when you factor all that in. Its a great return if its non extended
- Stan_Bowman

Pretty much the Nick Leddy situation all over again. Wait too long and you get tied up pretty quick.

Kane can’t play with Toews long term, because of Kane’s defensive deficiencies.

JT will still be sent out for D zone face offs at critical times, and PK has trouble covering people and getting the puck out of his own zone.

That’s why Hossa was the prefect fit to play along side the Captain. He was outstanding defensively, in addition to being an elite goal scorer.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a Hossa replacement on the roster.
- scottak

When Toews-Kane were on a line together and Toews got the defensive draws, Kane just didn't go out with him most of the time. And while not for huge periods, the times that Toews-Kane were together for a round or three in every playoff they've won kind of worked out well.

The getting the puck out of his own zone thing is really false though - Kane has one of the highest exit rates in the league, though he obviously took less than players who are deployed there more often. Kane has higher success rates in all zone than 90% of all players.

Pretty much the Nick Leddy situation all over again. Wait too long and you get tied up pretty quick.
- Chunk

Kind of but with one key difference - Bowman was trying to find a way to keep Leddy (and Oduya) but ran out of options while Bergevin has been trying to offload Pacioretty for at least a full season. The Hawks got a cup after that decision but the Habs are admittedly in a slight rebuild.

Pacioretty signed an extension in Vegas - 4 years x $7m.

If Patches was willing to sign an extension, Montreal should have been able to get more for him imo. Oh well.
- L_B_R

I think they did ok, Nick Suzuki (13th overall in the 2017 draft) is a top notch prospect with a decent chance of making the team.

When Toews-Kane were on a line together and Toews got the defensive draws, Kane just didn't go out with him most of the time. And while not for huge periods, the times that Toews-Kane were together for a round or three in every playoff they've won kind of worked out well.

The getting the puck out of his own zone thing is really false though - Kane has one of the highest exit rates in the league, though he obviously took less than players who are deployed there more often. Kane has higher success rates in all zone than 90% of all players.
- L_B_R

Can’t dispute the numbers, but I’ve seen Patrick lose the puck in the D zone multiple times on the same shift more than I’d care too. Maybe it was just last year, but I’m much more comfortable starting his shift in the O zone

Kane can’t play with Toews long term, because of Kane’s defensive deficiencies.

JT will still be sent out for D zone face offs at critical times, and PK has trouble covering people and getting the puck out of his own zone.

That’s why Hossa was the prefect fit to play along side the Captain. He was outstanding defensively, in addition to being an elite goal scorer.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a Hossa replacement on the roster.
- scottak

Lol. Nah. They won't play together cause Q likes to spread out talent rather than stack it all on one line.

Hossa would have been a perfect fit with just about anyone.

Query. I'm starting to get warmed up for the season, can one of you remind me how many cups the Hawks have won and when?? I want to make sure no one and I mean no one forgets....
- PREDX1

When your team wins something ( not just president trophies) you will be allowed on the stage to talk with us until then get get back on the floor and away with you! Go on scadaddle and take bozo Diaper rash with you.

Query. I'm starting to get warmed up for the season, can one of you remind me how many cups the Hawks have won and when?? I want to make sure no one and I mean no one forgets....
- PREDX1

Welcome back Hillrod.

I think they did ok, Nick Suzuki (13th overall in the 2017 draft) is a top notch prospect with a decent chance of making the team.
- walleyeb1

I don't think it's a bad trade, just not the value of Pacioretty. This comes off as a rental trade which is typically something like a 1st + top prospect. Getting a high quality center is great but you'd think Montreal could have gotten a little more if Patches was willing to sign.

Tatar's addition was because Vegas is almost at their contract limit (they're at 48) and because they're going to need the space possibly this season (trade for Panarin, E.Karlsson, etc) and definitely for the future (raise to Patches ate into it some already but they have 4-6 RFA/UFAs that need raises next season, some of them possibly large.

Crawford was at the team golfing event today. Well enough to golf doesn't mean well enough to play hockey but it's nice to see him out and about.

He was a target at one point by Stan for a PTO.

Not sure why they went more on the Davidson route, but I think he could be a nice depth signing if he performs well on his PTO. If he doesn't pan out, he can and will be sent to RFD.
- Justin Lowe

Isn't it true that if a PTO doesn't pan out- then they can also just be gone -there is no reason, whatsoever to even sign a guy in that case -so I don't know why Rockford is even in the conversation.

Isn't it true that if a PTO doesn't pan out- then they can also just be gone -there is no reason, whatsoever to even sign a guy in that case -so I don't know why Rockford is even in the conversation.
- steve-hist-sdc

JL is talking about post-signing a real NHL contract, if it looks like Davidson isn't working out long-term (like say by Christmas he's not in the top 7), they can always send him down to Rockford.

I am kind of hoping the Hawks can balance there lines out with a power forward type on each line. Somebody to go to the greasy areas, chase down pucks and be strong in the cycle game ... big as to not get knocked off the puck very easily. At the moment, Saad is the only power forward in the top six. So I am hoping for a big body to emerge, such as Hayden or Ejdsell .... we will see. This would leave guys like Kahun and Sikora on the pivotal third line ... and they both are getting some chemistry playing together on a line at the prospects tournament.

I can possibly see more line shuffling, at least at the start of the season, with several new faces. Kane-Schmaltz-Debrinkat could be a dynamic line, with the chemistry developed at the worlds between Kane and D-kat but lack of size on that line might be an issue. Certain matchups and game situations could see that line creating match up problems for the opposition. Coach Q, we know already, has expressed the likes of Saad-Schmaltz-Kane on a line ... sounds good ... but then do
you put Toews-Sikura together with the likes of maybe a power forward type ... Ejdsell or Hayden ???? Crazy thought .... what if the Sikura-Kahun-Fortin line at the tournament becomes third line ... they are doing pretty good right now. You could then move Anisimov up the be the "big forward" spot in the top six. Probably won't happen but something to think about
- chuckdahammer

Maybe Anisimov and a 2nd to Minnie for Niederreiter, Nino?

Or send Rutta and maybe a D prospect to Edm for RNH or just
Rutta for Puljujärvi, Jesse?

Edm needs cap space to sign Nurse and Wild want make to make
a move but I doubt AA/2nd for NN would be doable from the wild point
of view

JL is talking about post-signing a real NHL contract, if it looks like Davidson isn't working out long-term (like say by Christmas he's not in the top 7), they can always send him down to Rockford.
- L_B_R

This. Thanks LBR.

Crawford was at the team golfing event today. Well enough to golf doesn't mean well enough to play hockey but it's nice to see him out and about.
- L_B_R

Excellent news. Maaaaaybe... just maybe we see him on the ice taking shots soon.

I sure hope so for him as a person before him as a hockey player.

Positive thoughts.

Excellent news. Maaaaaybe... just maybe we see him on the ice taking shots soon.

I sure hope so for him as a person before him as a hockey player.

Positive thoughts.
- Justin Lowe

Well said. His health and family comes first

If anyone has a link for the game tonight please post it I have missed the previous 2 games and would love a chance to catch tonights.

If anyone has a link for the game tonight please post it I have missed the previous 2 games and would love a chance to catch tonights.
- eagle50

fox sports go.com

Search word Prospect - hawks game will come up - enjoy!!!

if you want to re-watch Sat game:
https://www.foxsportsgo.c...nes-vs-chicago-blackhawks

Paging Mr. Bowman... paging Mr. Stan Bowman....

McKenzie: "By all accounts, Nurse's contract negotiations are not going well at all. So we'll have to wait and see on that." #Oilers

— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) September 10, 2018

If anyone has a link for the game tonight please post it I have missed the previous 2 games and would love a chance to catch tonights.
- eagle50

Here's the link from Blackhawk TV:

https://www.nhl.com/black...tl/t-277437096/c-60937103

Here's the link from Blackhawk TV:

https://www.nhl.com/black...tl/t-277437096/c-60937103
- EbonyRaptor

Starting lineup here: https://twitter.com/goice.../1039288233916608517?s=19

Here's the link from Blackhawk TV:

https://www.nhl.com/black...tl/t-277437096/c-60937103
- EbonyRaptor

Thanks.😊

Paging Mr. Bowman... paging Mr. Stan Bowman....

McKenzie: "By all accounts, Nurse's contract negotiations are not going well at all. So we'll have to wait and see on that." #Oilers

— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) September 10, 2018

- DarthKane

You mean paging Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard......