Angelica, or Whitney?
- powerenforcer

Neither,Ken.

Jokiharju has outperformed Gustafsson this year.
Jokiharju is 19, Gustafsson will be 27 in March.
Jokiharju was a highly regarded prospect, Gustafsson not so much
Jokiharju has the potential to replace Keith as the Blackhawk's #1 defenseman
Gustafsson is best slotted on the 3rd pair and as a PP specialist

From Natural Stat Trick
CF%
Jokiharju 54.65
Keith 50.86
Gustafsson 50.60

SCF%
Jokiharju 53.10
Gustafsson 49.05
Keith 49.03

HDSCF%
Gustafsson 45.48
Jokiharju 44.81
Keith 42.81
- scottak

Thanks for the stats, I'm shocked they align with the eye test, he is our best dman now, plays and thinks the game very well.

I wish The gentle giant would just be a little physical, that body of his could be used as a big advantage, doesn't have to destroy people just knock them off the puck and scare the poop out of them when he's going at someone on the boards,

I loved Shaw, but I don't think he's the answer. His injury record and history of bad/ill timed penalties (see any thread when he was still a Hawk) are not what we need. Just my $0.02.
- resqmed99

I agree , have other needs, although I would like someone like Ryan Reeves on the fourth line.

I still believe Saad is a top 6 player and will be here next year, he has to just get more consistent with his scoring, which I think will come. I also think the cat plays top 6 next year, so all they need is a RW to play with Toews.

Be careful what you wish for with the bolded above, as you trade even one of them away and you will only have one experienced D man to mentor all of these young guys...I think you need both of them to help mentor, and Keith is still a top pairing defenseman in my opinion.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

e


Saad is in his 2nd year back here and hoping next year he gets consistent doesnt seem smart or logically responsible for a team to hold onto a player in hopes.


Losing Keith and or Seabrook IMO doesn't hurt this teams ability with the youth. You have murphy and Gustafson who would assume the elder statesmanship. Dalhstom has really stepped into his role extremely well. J oki, will be more experienced come next year as well as forsling.

Moving outm1mof those guys seems to make sense from a roster spot needing to open up and using that cap space to improve the team upfront.

The few contracts coming off the books is not enough to resign all the rfa and bring in some bottom 6 depth players and be real serious players for even 1 top 6 player. That alone would require an additional 13 million at minimum. Stone panarin Skinner marker laine Matthews I'm sure im miissing a few names but those players whomever hits july1st is going to get paid.

Whoa we win on that trade for this year then lol.

Speedy recovery!!!
- Popsghostly

I'd say we won on that trade hands down

Does anyone know what happened to LBR? I think I talked to her once when I first started posting. I really appreciated her input, and she was pretty damn smart and quick with facts.

Except that they had already been on the team and in the system for years at the point that they won the cup. Although, one thing I forgot about, is that Brookbank is now the assistant coach and can help with coaching the young defensemen. Any chance Seabrook retires and the hawks offer him a coaching job with AHL or ECHL? Probably not is what most of you will say, due to the money.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Mentoring is a uselfull word tossed around but that is the job for the coaching staff . Players whom are ready to make the transition either consistently show signs of growth and maturity or are just a bust. This team needs to get young on the backend again with guys who bring energy , solid defensiveness and the skill to move the puck and help the team win. If This team isn't winning or playing at a 500 level or better Keith and Seabrook mean nothing.

I looked at the big picture the hawks with Kane and toews will always bewotking the cap there’s no way they can add another contract that large and why would ypthe oilers trade there 2 best players to get worst? Also if and that’s a big If mcjesus was available there are multiple teams with better assists and picks then we have I believe buffalo has 3 first rounders
- Abadseed

There's a big difference between toews and kaneer when comparing to drasaitli and mcdavid , those 2 guys won 3 Stanley cups and their first cup in their entry contract.

That's with their the faces of Chicago because they earned it.

Also it doesn't matter who has what or doesn't have , you need to understand that in order to make a trade you need a willing partner as well as each team has a certain direction and type of player they need or position and cap space.

Edmonton might not want to trade a guy for draft picks and say were in a rebuild , they might wantmto turn things around by making a significant blockbuster move to obtain players who can help,you win now.


That's the big picture.

I agree , have other needs, although I would like someone like Ryan Reeves on the fourth line.
- GlennL

Vegas has the best 4th line in the league. Most hits, and surely the most points. Very hard to play against. Carrier single handedly won them the Kings series last year......

Does anyone know what happened to LBR? I think I talked to her once when I first started posting. I really appreciated her input, and she was pretty damn smart and quick with facts.
- I Am The Breadman

I wonder what her opinion of not early signing Tinkerbell to a big deal would be now? In the beginning of the season she seemed darned defensive of him.

Numbers have some value in the right context, but at the end of the day, its the Ws and Ls.

e


Saad is in his 2nd year back here and hoping next year he gets consistent doesnt seem smart or logically responsible for a team to hold onto a player in hopes.


Losing Keith and or Seabrook IMO doesn't hurt this teams ability with the youth. You have murphy and Gustafson who would assume the elder statesmanship. Dalhstom has really stepped into his role extremely well. J oki, will be more experienced come next year as well as forsling.

Moving outm1mof those guys seems to make sense from a roster spot needing to open up and using that cap space to improve the team upfront. and that is with Crawford still on the books.

The few contracts coming off the books is not enough to resign all the rfa and bring in some bottom 6 depth players and be real serious players for even 1 top 6 player. That alone would require an additional 13 million at minimum. Stone panarin Skinner marker laine Matthews I'm sure im miissing a few names but those players whomever hits july1st is going to get paid.
- Taylorst1

I actually broke it all down in a comment to an earlier blog, and the Hawks as they stand currently, would have enough cap space to sign a top 6 forward, a bottom 6 forward and a backup goalie in the offseason while signing the RFA's.

and 13 million is right around what they would have in cap space for next season with a cap of 82 mil. and that is with Crawford still on the books.

That Delia kid is good

So much so that it may drive a goalie out of the city. What would it take to take one of Ward/Crawford off your chest?

Rittich has been a top 5 goalie while Smith has been a bottom 5 goalie this year... Need a sturdy backup netminder if they want to make some noise in the playoffs.

Guessing Hawks are going to try and load on picks and prospect.

Cam Ward hasn't been stellar but he's been behind a rough looking defence this year. I'd like to see him back in red for a 2020 3rd/4th round pick?

That Delia kid is good

So much so that it may drive a goalie out of the city. What would it take to take one of Ward/Crawford off your chest?

Rittich has been a top 5 goalie while Smith has been a bottom 5 goalie this year... Need a sturdy backup netminder if they want to make some noise in the playoffs.

Guessing Hawks are going to try and load on picks and prospect.

Cam Ward hasn't been stellar but he's been behind a rough looking defence this year. I'd like to see him back in red for a 2020 3rd/4th round pick?
- LittleBroDougie

First, I think you'll be fine with Rittich, he was amazing last night.

Both CC and Ward have NMC, so they'd have to waive to head to Calgary. Plus, no idea if CC even makes it back this season, or ever. But yes, if he'd waive, I'd take a 3/4 round pick for him. He's not part of the long term plan.

I was in Calgary for the 88 Olympics. Beautiful city.

Of course the guys that whine about Panarin this that or the other thing... that never gets old, does it???

Nevermind ... but considering where the proverbial 'corner' was - sure they have ... there was a time when they'd be down 3 goals in an instant and then the frustration set in.

It, more or less, led to almost all of Keith's penalty minutes in a single game which looked due to frustration.

DBC's goal --- am pretty sure 56's back pass to Kane at the blue line would have given most coach's a heart attack ... as it looked like a textbook 'how to go offsides' pass ... but of course, it worked. It probably shouldn't have :D

U am somewhat perplexed with the decision to send Sikula down and moreover his usage and development since signing.

I get it that certain players are put in certain roles, so you do not expect Sikula to be recalled to play in the role of say Kruger. I see the bigger picture is that Strome is the guy either Bowman and or Collitin want to give TOI preference and this leaves Anisinov and Sikura competing against each other as next (albeit third line) offensive center.

Obviously you do not sit out a veteran big center like AA and Sikura benefits therefore more by playing a larger role in Rockford.

Eventually AA is going to be moved. At that time both AA and Sikula change of address may actually be advantageous in terms of both players - capable offensive producers their skill level portends- .putting up better higher numbers.

Maybe that was Stan's plan all along? I want to be clear, however, that I am not saying Sikula ia a savior or next scoring champion. But he is skilled enough to approach an aveage point a game.

When he finally receives the opportunity

I actually broke it all down in a comment to an earlier blog, and the Hawks as they stand currently, would have enough cap space to sign a top 6 forward, a bottom 6 forward and a backup goalie in the offseason while signing the RFA's.

and 13 million is right around what they would have in cap space for next season with a cap of 82 mil. and that is with Crawford still on the books.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

If they only have 13 million in cap space mathematically they are and can not go after or sign a top 6 player. In order to resign all their players rfa and dabble in a few low key bottom 6 depth players while maintaining some minimal cap space 13 million works. However to accomplish all that and have real serious money to target 1 top 6 they will need over 20 million easily. PANARIN, stone , Skinner, laine, marmer,Matthews, Duchene your starting point is easily 9 million and could go as high as 13 million. If you only have 13 million in available cap space their is no way Stan can even go down that path,


And I'm just spit balling but I think Stan wants to leave himself with cap space to make any in season moves if need be. So 20 million might be close but not enough.

This off season he went the cheap route and could have landed a top 6 for 7 million and he didn't do it because he didn't have enough money overall.

That Delia kid is good

So much so that it may drive a goalie out of the city. What would it take to take one of Ward/Crawford off your chest?

Rittich has been a top 5 goalie while Smith has been a bottom 5 goalie this year... Need a sturdy backup netminder if they want to make some noise in the playoffs.

Guessing Hawks are going to try and load on picks and prospect.

Cam Ward hasn't been stellar but he's been behind a rough looking defence this year. I'd like to see him back in red for a 2020 3rd/4th round pick?
- LittleBroDougie

Colin "The Realia" Delia

U am somewhat perplexed with the decision to send Sikula down and moreover his usage and development since signing.

I get it that certain players are put in certain roles, so you do not expect Sikula to be recalled to play in the role of say Kruger. I see the bigger picture is that Strome is the guy either Bowman and or Collitin want to give TOI preference and this leaves Anisinov and Sikura competing against each other as next (albeit third line) offensive center.

Obviously you do not sit out a veteran big center like AA and Sikura benefits therefore more by playing a larger role in Rockford.

Eventually AA is going to be moved. At that time both AA and Sikula change of address may actually be advantageous in terms of both players - capable offensive producers their skill level portends- .putting up better higher numbers.

Maybe that was Stan's plan all along? I want to be clear, however, that I am not saying Sikula ia a savior or next scoring champion. But he is skilled enough to approach an aveage point a game.

When he finally receives the opportunity
- jhawk59

Sikura does not play center. He has offensive skills but he showed he is not ready yet. He is too easily knocked off the puck and is not enough of a dynamic skater to avoid getting knocked off the puck. He can make quick plays so I'm optimistic he can find his niche at some point but that isn't now.

If they only have 13 million in cap space mathematically they are and can not go after or sign a top 6 player. In order to resign all their players rfa and dabble in a few low key bottom 6 depth players while maintaining some minimal cap space 13 million works. However to accomplish all that and have real serious money to target 1 top 6 they will need over 20 million easily. PANARIN, stone , Skinner, laine, marmer,Matthews, Duchene your starting point is easily 9 million and could go as high as 13 million. If you only have 13 million in available cap space their is no way Stan can even go down that path,
- Taylorst1

Matthews and Laine, 10-13M yes, anyone else no way (besides MAYBE Marner but chances are him and Matthews are gonna have to take SOME less money if they wanna win a cup together with all the guys they got). Panarin, Stone, Skinner, Duchene are in the 8-10M range. If ANY of those guys wants over that then you take a hard pass.

As much as we need another Top 6 Forward, it only makes sense to go for one of them if they are not looking to break the bank.

That's why Panarin makes sense for this team, even though most people would argue that. I think people don't give credit to the fact that he has ties to this team and whether we traded him or not, he still has an affinity for this team. He took a discount on his last deal with the Hawks, because he knew they had cap problems and he wanted to help the team. If he really has a desire to play in a big city and return to the Franchise that give him a shot in the NHL with one of his best buds in Kaner, than its possible he'd be willing to take a touch less to come back to help us out once again. Like I've said before, I would not be shocked if Bowman and Panarin's agent had an understanding that the Hawks would be trading him to Columbus for the two years to help rebuild the team and clear cap space to bring him back. It would make a ton of sense as to why they still have not used the cap space they gained from the Hossa trade and why they signed guys to cheap one and two year deals this offseason. Not banking on it happening, but I can definitely see it being a possible outcome should he hit FA this summer.

If they only have 13 million in cap space mathematically they are and can not go after or sign a top 6 player. In order to resign all their players rfa and dabble in a few low key bottom 6 depth players while maintaining some minimal cap space 13 million works. However to accomplish all that and have real serious money to target 1 top 6 they will need over 20 million easily. PANARIN, stone , Skinner, laine, marmer,Matthews, Duchene your starting point is easily 9 million and could go as high as 13 million. If you only have 13 million in available cap space their is no way Stan can even go down that path,


And I'm just spit balling but I think Stan wants to leave himself with cap space to make any in season moves if need be. So 20 million might be close but not enough.

This off season he went the cheap route and could have landed a top 6 for 7 million and he didn't do it because he didn't have enough money overall.
- Taylorst1

Agree. The Hawks have to clear about $8M in cap space to be a player in the top free agents - and that's net clear - not just trade $8M in salary. If Anisimov's $4.5M is traded that is really a net cap reduction of about $3.5M because he has to be replaced by a player making around $1M in the best case scenario. The Hawks will pick up about $1.5M by not re-signing Kruger so if Anisimov is traded with no salary coming back and Kruger not re-signed that adds up to $5M - still $4M-$5M short of getting into the Panarin/Stone sweepstakes.

Agree. The Hawks have to clear about $8M in cap space to be a player in the top free agents - and that's net clear - not just trade $8M in salary. If Anisimov's $4.5M is traded that is really a net cap reduction of about $3.5M because he has to be replaced by a player making around $1M in the best case scenario. The Hawks will pick up about $1.5M by not re-signing Kruger so if Anisimov is traded with no salary coming back and Kruger not re-signed that adds up to $5M - still $4M-$5M short of getting into the Panarin/Stone sweepstakes.
- EbonyRaptor

is Ward signed for this season only? if yes, you pick up $2MM by having Delia as CC backup? and if CC is gone, then you pick up another 2-4MM

That Delia kid is good

So much so that it may drive a goalie out of the city. What would it take to take one of Ward/Crawford off your chest?

Rittich has been a top 5 goalie while Smith has been a bottom 5 goalie this year... Need a sturdy backup netminder if they want to make some noise in the playoffs.

Guessing Hawks are going to try and load on picks and prospect.

Cam Ward hasn't been stellar but he's been behind a rough looking defence this year. I'd like to see him back in red for a 2020 3rd/4th round pick?
- LittleBroDougie

I’m seriously beginning to think we may have see Crawford’s last game.

Matthews and Laine, 10-13M yes, anyone else no way (besides MAYBE Marner but chances are him and Matthews are gonna have to take SOME less money if they wanna win a cup together with all the guys they got). Panarin, Stone, Skinner, Duchene are in the 8-10M range. If ANY of those guys wants over that then you take a hard pass.

As much as we need another Top 6 Forward, it only makes sense to go for one of them if they are not looking to break the bank.

That's why Panarin makes sense for this team, even though most people would argue that. I think people don't give credit to the fact that he has ties to this team and whether we traded him or not, he still has an affinity for this team. He took a discount on his last deal with the Hawks, because he knew they had cap problems and he wanted to help the team. If he really has a desire to play in a big city and return to the Franchise that give him a shot in the NHL with one of his best buds in Kaner, than its possible he'd be willing to take a touch less to come back to help us out once again. Like I've said before, I would not be shocked if Bowman and Panarin's agent had an understanding that the Hawks would be trading him to Columbus for the two years to help rebuild the team and clear cap space to bring him back. It would make a ton of sense as to why they still have not used the cap space they gained from the Hossa trade and why they signed guys to cheap one and two year deals this offseason. Not banking on it happening, but I can definitely see it being a possible outcome should he hit FA this summer.
- Savetheembers33

As much as you want to be cautious, Their is no way Stan can come out of july1st without a big fish signing. He has said He is all In on PANARIN. Stone makes almost 8 million not sure how he takes 8 million.

These free agents are a good young crop and the bar was set last year with Tavares. Now your not getting anyone of these guys for less than 9 million minimum they all know it and they will get paid.


The bottom line Stan needs 20 million otherwise don't hold your breath for any big fish signings. 13 million doesn't get it done.

is Ward signed for this season only? if yes, you pick up $2MM by having Delia as CC backup? and if CC is gone, then you pick up another 2-4MM
- glennjpawlak22

Crawford is the lynch pin. If he doesn't come back than Chicago needs 3 million for a veteran back up, but his salary of 6 million can't be used because his salary counts towards the cap until day 2 of the season then they can LTIR him that means you need available cap space to play with .

I think they are hoping Crawford will mentor Delia and back up Delia.

Agree. The Hawks have to clear about $8M in cap space to be a player in the top free agents - and that's net clear - not just trade $8M in salary. If Anisimov's $4.5M is traded that is really a net cap reduction of about $3.5M because he has to be replaced by a player making around $1M in the best case scenario. The Hawks will pick up about $1.5M by not re-signing Kruger so if Anisimov is traded with no salary coming back and Kruger not re-signed that adds up to $5M - still $4M-$5M short of getting into the Panarin/Stone sweepstakes.
- EbonyRaptor

Stan in order to set himself up to be a serious player, Keith and or Seabrook plus anismov have to get moved with minimal future cap tied up in any big contracts.

They have interest in Dzingel he will be a free agent he would compliment a solid 3c but he will probably cost 3.5 to 4 million.

Perlini will require a raise how much and does Stan bring him back ?

Kampf will be getting a raise also Delia, forsling, dalhstom I think so even guys on the cheap now are 2.5 to 4 million.

Maybe you move saad that's 6 million hasn't been the player we expected or hoped he would be to inconsistent.