Anyone know if Jesse Puljujarvi can play the left side? BarstoolChief had an interesting idea of trading Saad to Edmonton for him.
- Panarin27

I'd think there would have to be a lot more to it for Salary reasons. Edmonton has no space.

There's obvious high end talent there. Reminds me a lot of Teravainen. Do you hold on and hope the light comes on, or move him for hopefully a nice return from a GM who is willing to gamble on his upside?
- John Jaeckel

The conundrum the Hawks face JJ is this; do you get Saad back in the lineup to show his value and move him for some solid pieces? Or do you put him back in the line-up, he continues to suck, and then has zero value in the market. The question is, can you spin the situation at this point to get pieces back, or do you put him back in the lineup and risk him continuing on this path depreciating his already sinking value?

He is what he is. In 5 seasons, he’s been pretty consistent:

Goals 19 23 31 24 18 average 23, skewed by the year with 31, which he never got close to, before or after

Assists 28 29 22 29 17 average 25, with a very poor year last season.

So, if the player will end up reaching the stats on the back of the hockey card, Saad will most likely deliver 20-23 goals and 25 assists playing a regular shift.

The real question is, is 50 points worth $6M per year?
- scottak

A power forward who can win board battles, retrieve the puck when the puck is dumped, provide net front presence playing on Kanes line, absolutely.

I believe the golden knights success last year came from 50/50 pucks, some games they would win 75 to 80% of those in a game which would be the difference in winning and losing

To whoever mentioned dealing Schmaltz, take a lap.

To everyone pondering dealing Saad, are you high?

We are 5 games into the season. Not 30 games, not halfway... 5. Players go through tough patches. Saad struggled last year, as did his most frequent linemates: Jonathan Toews and Player 4 from a teenager's NHL 18.

Saad was a 58% Corsi player last season, that is outstanding. You can write-off advanced stats all you want, and you'll be looking for work along with Brian Burke and other dinosaurs of 20 years ago. Saad drove play to the other end of the ice, and this was on a team that struggled to do just that.

He's on a 33 point pace right now, and that is bad. His Corsi is down so far, and that is bad. He hasn't forgotten how to play well, and 5 games is not enough to indict him for the rest of his career.

We've learned the hard way multiple times (Saad, Panarin, Terravainen, Ladd) that trading a good winger well before the age of 29 is a bad idea. Saad is 25 and will be relied on more once Toews starts declining more and Kane starts to decline. He's locked up at $6MM per, while there are plenty of forwards out there that don't deserve $6MM+ but still get it (Parise, Spezza, Ryan, Krejci, Kesler, Stepan, Eberle, Backes). If Saad keeps up his poor play 30 games into the year, then yes he isn't worth it. Give him time.

If you deal Saad, how terrible is our left wing depth?
Debrincat, Fortin, Kunitz, Kruger. That might make us the worst left wing team in the league. Granted that Fortin is on a bit of a try-out and Kruger is in the amorphous 4th line. Swap him for Sikura, Johnson, Martinsen, or whoever and it's still terrible.


Dealing Saad is a bad idea. You guys need to chill out. When he scores his first goal or puts up 2 assists in a game this place will be an echo chamber of 'glad something finally lit a fire under him'.

One of the worst trades in Hawks history. If not yet it will certainly be remembered that way in a few years as Panarin goes on to be a superstar while Saad contributes here and there as an average joe 3rd liner.

Given how amazing this years combo of Debrincat and Toews has been imagine a top 6 with those 2 on one line and Panarin and Kane in the other...

Thank you Stan. Another brilliant trade.

To whoever mentioned dealing Schmaltz, take a lap.

To everyone pondering dealing Saad, are you high?

We are 5 games into the season. Not 30 games, not halfway... 5. Players go through tough patches. Saad struggled last year, as did his most frequent linemates: Jonathan Toews and Player 4 from a teenager's NHL 18.

Saad was a 58% Corsi player last season, that is outstanding. You can write-off advanced stats all you want, and you'll be looking for work along with Brian Burke and other dinosaurs of 20 years ago. Saad drove play to the other end of the ice, and this was on a team that struggled to do just that.

He's on a 33 point pace right now, and that is bad. His Corsi is down so far, and that is bad. He hasn't forgotten how to play well, and 5 games is not enough to indict him for the rest of his career.

We've learned the hard way multiple times (Saad, Panarin, Terravainen, Ladd) that trading a good winger well before the age of 29 is a bad idea. Saad is 25 and will be relied on more once Toews starts declining more and Kane starts to decline. He's locked up at $6MM per, while there are plenty of forwards out there that don't deserve $6MM+ but still get it (Parise, Spezza, Ryan, Krejci, Kesler, Stepan, Eberle, Backes). If Saad keeps up his poor play 30 games into the year, then yes he isn't worth it. Give him time.

If you deal Saad, how terrible is our left wing depth?
Debrincat, Fortin, Kunitz, Kruger. That might make us the worst left wing team in the league. Granted that Fortin is on a bit of a try-out and Kruger is in the amorphous 4th line. Swap him for Sikura, Johnson, Martinsen, or whoever and it's still terrible.


Dealing Saad is a bad idea. You guys need to chill out. When he scores his first goal or puts up 2 assists in a game this place will be an echo chamber of 'glad something finally lit a fire under him'.
- ObeseOprah

Well, with the changes in Canada it could be true!

One of the worst trades in Hawks history. If not yet it will certainly be remembered that way in a few years as Panarin goes on to be a superstar while Saad contributes here and there as an average joe 3rd liner.

Given how amazing this years combo of Debrincat and Toews has been imagine a top 6 with those 2 on one line and Panarin and Kane in the other...

Thank you Stan. Another brilliant trade.
- SimpleJack

The trade wasn't made to be a player for player wash. You know that! It was a cost certainty and tougher brand of hockey move.

When Q was asked after practice whether Saad will play tomorrow - he said "We'll see, maybe". A crack in the door? If Saad plays - who sits? Hopefully Kunitz and not Fortin.

One of the worst trades in Hawks history. If not yet it will certainly be remembered that way in a few years as Panarin goes on to be a superstar while Saad contributes here and there as an average joe 3rd liner.

Given how amazing this years combo of Debrincat and Toews has been imagine a top 6 with those 2 on one line and Panarin and Kane in the other...

Thank you Stan. Another brilliant trade.
- SimpleJack

Nah, he did us a favor, instead of a great regular season team and one and done in the playoffs, we can realistically rebuild this team sooner. Stanley Cups are not sustainable, you get windows to win them, we won 3 and if we're blessed in 3 years to have our defense in order we might just might be able to pull off a few more

Nah, he did us a favor, instead of a great regular season team and one and done in the playoffs, we can realistically rebuild this team sooner. Stanley Cups are not sustainable, you get windows to win them, we won 3 and if we're blessed in 3 years to have our defense in order we might just might be able to pull off a few more
- BetweenTheDots

If that’s the case then why not trade Panarin for a package of prospects and picks?

Oh well....at this point just gotta pray Saad comes back and improves so he at least regains some value on the trade market.

You people are insane. It's been 5 games and you're ready to trade Saad. Get a grip.

Probably the same people who pondered trading 'problematic' Kane for Ryan Miller, or Ryan Kesler. I can't wait to bring this idiotic thread back up in a month when Saad is back to normal and everyone has moved onto the next whipping boy, which should be Anisimov or Manning.

You people are insane. It's been 5 games and you're ready to trade Saad. Get a grip.

Probably the same people who pondered trading 'problematic' Kane for Ryan Miller, or Ryan Kesler. I can't wait to bring this idiotic thread back up in a month when Saad is back to normal and everyone has moved onto the next whipping boy, which should be Anisimov or Manning.
- ObeseOprah

If a move is there that improves the team you do it. But yes, we're being reactionary and need to let the first quarter play out.

When Q was asked after practice whether Saad will play tomorrow - he said "We'll see, maybe". A crack in the door? If Saad plays - who sits? Hopefully Kunitz and not Fortin.
- EbonyRaptor

Well we are playing the Yotes who have Osterle and Hino - Saad should be able to 'dominate' them....

You people are insane. It's been 5 games and you're ready to trade Saad. Get a grip.

Probably the same people who pondered trading 'problematic' Kane for Ryan Miller, or Ryan Kesler. I can't wait to bring this idiotic thread back up in a month when Saad is back to normal and everyone has moved onto the next whipping boy, which should be Anisimov or Manning.
- ObeseOprah

https://youtu.be/RlAjmO2dVqQ

Well we are playing the Yotes who have Osterle and Hino - Saad should be able to 'dominate' them....
- glennjpawlak22

I think you meant quotes around "should be able", not "dominate" haha

I think you meant quotes around "should be able", not "dominate" haha
- I Am The Breadman

probably should have quoted both....should actually be a good game, Yotes have outshot each of their opponents but cannot light the lamp. I will be interested to see how the ex hawks are playing

I'll second the "no need to trade Schmaltz" sentiment. If there is a smart hockey trade....okay, but the kid is helping the team win games. He isn't a problem and he is only going to get better. He might not be a center long term, but that isn't a huge deal on a team that lacks top 6 players.

probably should have quoted both....should actually be a good game, Yotes have outshot each of their opponents but cannot light the lamp. I will be interested to see how the ex hawks are playing
- glennjpawlak22

Ain't that the way outshoot your opps. and you can't find the back of the net. It shows puck dominance, but maybe not always high danger shots. If it's from the blueline, there better be a redirect or screen. One and done won't cut it. Hawks do that a lot too.

You people are insane. It's been 5 games and you're ready to trade Saad. Get a grip.

Probably the same people who pondered trading 'problematic' Kane for Ryan Miller, or Ryan Kesler. I can't wait to bring this idiotic thread back up in a month when Saad is back to normal and everyone has moved onto the next whipping boy, which should be Anisimov or Manning.
- ObeseOprah

It’s been an entire season(last year) and 5 games. He’s regressing and comparing him to Kane is ridiculous. Saad is an average winger based on what we’ve seen since his return to Chicago and if possible trading him to free up more cap space and improve the future outlook for the franchise isn’t a bad idea at all.

You people are insane. It's been 5 games and you're ready to trade Saad. Get a grip.

Probably the same people who pondered trading 'problematic' Kane for Ryan Miller, or Ryan Kesler. I can't wait to bring this idiotic thread back up in a month when Saad is back to normal and everyone has moved onto the next whipping boy, which should be Anisimov or Manning.
- ObeseOprah

Same crowd that constantly called for trading Hossa and that Hossa was "done" and couldn't score anymore when he had a down year. Only after he was gone did they realize how much he meant to the team.

I'm NOT saying Saad is Hossa, just saying that at times it is better to be patient than to over-react to short term issues

I'll second the "no need to trade Schmaltz" sentiment. If there is a smart hockey trade....okay, but the kid is helping the team win games. He isn't a problem and he is only going to get better. He might not be a center long term, but that isn't a huge deal on a team that lacks top 6 players.
- breadbag

Spoken like a true genius. I'll be third to the notion.

Quoted from Eklund's rating: Who's for real and who's in real trouble.

#3. The Chicago Blackhawks...for real?

Yes.. I picked them 3rd in the division for a reason and again from my whacky predictions...#9. Cam Ward will have the Blackhawks in the playoff hunt into January This team is still too close to being called a dynasty to just be discarded and DeBrincat is proving 100% to be the real deal.

The Hawks are...for real

It’s been an entire season(last year) and 5 games. He’s regressing and comparing him to Kane is ridiculous. Saad is an average winger based on what we’ve seen since his return to Chicago and if possible trading him to free up more cap space and improve the future outlook for the franchise isn’t a bad idea at all.
- SimpleJack

Actually false. He is not regressing. His advanced stats numbers actually show that he is no-where near what his goal + assist numbers suggest. Puck Luck, pressing a little too hard, etc. I'm guessing that if you were an LAK fan, you would have been the ones calling to dump Kopitar when he had a 12 goal season.

Actually false. He is not regressing. His advanced stats numbers actually show that he is no-where near what his goal + assist numbers suggest. Puck Luck, pressing a little too hard, etc. I'm guessing that if you were an LAK fan, you would have been the ones calling to dump Kopitar when he had a 12 goal season.
- TheTrob

why is Q demoting him from Line 2 to Line 4 to White Shirted

Actually false. He is not regressing. His advanced stats numbers actually show that he is no-where near what his goal + assist numbers suggest. Puck Luck, pressing a little too hard, etc. I'm guessing that if you were an LAK fan, you would have been the ones calling to dump Kopitar when he had a 12 goal season.
- TheTrob

Okay for the love of god Saad isn’t Kopitar, he’s not Kane, he’s not Hossa. He’s an average winger that’s currently a healthy scratch because of how much he’s regressed. I do believe in advanced stats but at times they can also be misleading. The Hawks as a team last year finished 4th in 5v5 CF%. But as we all know the actual results were that of a below average team. Saad was brought here to “reform a connection with Toews on the top line and produce offense”. Not get demoted to the bottom 6 and spark rumors of attitude/lack of motivation issues.