19 points in his last 20 games - 33 in 50 so far this year - best PP point they’ve had during this 10 year run - 5th on the team in goals (tied for 5th in league defensemen), 4th in points (16th the league defensemen)....

A threat to score opens up the rest of the ice.

Wouldn’t it be nice to find some way to keep him?
- StLBravesFan

One more thing on this, Sage. Like signing Bickell, the reasoning went the oirganIzation didn't have a player in the system that could replace those skill and that made sense. Same for Gus, right NOW they have no replacement for his skills but a Boqvist, Beaudin, Joki or Mitchell "should" be able to do so in 1, 2 or 3 yrs.

Again, what is their deep playoff run target date and what would the return on Gus be? ......... How's that for straddling the fence? Again I'll defer and can easily make an argument both ways.

You're probably right, at least thru next yr when he becomes an RFA. Stan drafted a Gus in Boqvist. He loves these types.
- Mr Ricochet

Actually Gus will be a UFA by then and if not extended by the next TDL likely gone via trade because he will not re-sign with us.

He's the one compared to Hjalmarsson, right? Those are some big skates to fill.
- I Am The Breadman

Carlsson is in that mold of Hjalmarsson. Maybe not the warrior beast that Hammer was but better offensive skills. Still generally solid defensively.

Where is the franchise? Win next yr at all cost, sign a Mark Stone/Panarin stage? Have a Joki and Bovquist in the top 6 next yr after trading Keith at this TDL for a 1st? Is the target yr for a deep playoff run 1, 2 or 3 yrs?

I will assume they have an organIzational plan and will defer. I'm not and never was a Gus hater, conversely liked a lot what he brought/brings offensively that few can and posted so thru the fog of those who so so so so badly want to be seen as an expert and their one word evaluation, both then and now.

So my answer is what is the plan and what is being offered for him? Quite frankly he fits in the win in 1, 2 or 3 yr window IMO. Can the Hawks put someone over the barrel for an organIzational need (blue chip forward) at the TDL?

Even a guy like me who sees positives in Gus he's only produced over a short period and has not shown a marked improvement in his zone. Not like he's a slam dunk 50+ point Dman at 26 with less than 2 yrs in the NHL.
- Mr Ricochet

That is exactly what you aim to acquire if you move Gus. A frickin' #2 round is not helping this team any time soon. Meanwhile you have to be open to moving him IF you believe in all these dman prospects and get the type forward blue chip prospect we really should be looking to get if possible in the draft. Top six players in this draft are the star difference makers that advance and win because they are that good.

I will be real.curious to see if anCarlsson brings his nice shot and his compete and skill all transfer to NHL. Imagine Gus gone but in Carlsson gain someone who plays defense
I love that any dman skates well

One more thing on this, Sage. Like signing Bickell, the reasoning went the oirganIzation didn't have a player in the system that could replace those skill and that made sense. Same for Gus, right NOW they have no replacement for his skills but a Boqvist, Beaudin, Joki or Mitchell "should" be able to do so in 1, 2 or 3 yrs.

Again, what is their deep playoff run target date and what would the return on Gus be? ......... How's that for straddling the fence? Again I'll defer and can easily make an argument both ways.
- Mr Ricochet

On the 1st bolded part, I would say that goes for Forsling and Dahlstrom as well. This trio of Swedes may be sufficient for the next few years until the "Big 4" prospects emerge in a sequential fashion. Let the prospects mature at an appropriate pace.

Jokiharju is a lock for full-time duty next season as well as finishing up the season in Chicago this year. Not sure if I'd have any of the other 3 next season. Have 1-2 of Boqvist, Mitchell, and Beaudin in the 2020-21 lineup, then the other 1-2 the season after.

Then on the 2nd bolded part, if Gustafsson continues his current dominance on the PP and maintains a 40-50 point pace for a purely offensive D-man, I would expect a 1st or 2nd rounder + prospect as someone else suggested earlier.

Too late, Edmonton retired the chia pet.
- EbonyRaptor

Tallon still has a job. And while everyone is swinging from McPhee's nutsack these days, he is still the guy who traded Forsberg for Erat.

At his $1.2M salary, a cap-strapped team will offer a kings ransom for Gus at next years TDL (providing he keeps up his current pace) if Bowman cannot extend him to a reasonable extension before then.
Until then it might be best to hang on to him until one of young D can step in to take that PP role.
- 67hawks

Got to give Stan credit signing him to a 2 year contract. If if if if he gets the defensive part of playing as a defenseman he could really be something, or if you believe he will be nothing but a #5 specialist dman at 1.2 he should fetch a nice package at the trade deadline next year if he keeps up his offensive production.

I will be real.curious to see if anCarlsson brings his nice shot and his compete and skill all transfer to NHL. Imagine Gus gone but in Carlsson gain someone who plays defense I love that any dman skates well
- jhawk59

In a few years pairing up Carlsson with Boqvist would be nice to complement one another. They've paired up before on Swedish national teams so there's some familiarity there, too.

One more thing on this, Sage. Like signing Bickell, the reasoning went the oirganIzation didn't have a player in the system that could replace those skill and that made sense. Same for Gus, right NOW they have no replacement for his skills but a Boqvist, Beaudin, Joki or Mitchell "should" be able to do so in 1, 2 or 3 yrs.

Again, what is their deep playoff run target date and what would the return on Gus be? ......... How's that for straddling the fence? Again I'll defer and can easily make an argument both ways.
- Mr Ricochet

Mr. R - glad you put “should” in quotes.

No draft pick is a sure thing - oh, I guess, probably the likes of McDavid and a couple others.

And no number of top-five picks assures a long playoff run, let alone Cups or Cup-contention. See Buffalo, Edmonton....

No tank.

At least Gustafsson has proven something over 50 games - no guarantee about the next 50, but something.

First round pick and a prospect? I’d take that for him - not likely to get it, I don’t think.

Some crazy GM offers up a 1st and prospect for Gustafsson and he will be gone.
- Elbows15

in a heartbeat...

Some crazy GM offers up a 1st and prospect for Gustafsson and he will be gone.
- Elbows15

Absolutely, if Bowman can get a Hartman type return for Gus he will be gone, heck I'm sure Bowman would personally pack Gus' bags for a 1st & prospect.. Not only that but Gus really doesn't fit into the Hawks long-term plans given the Hawks last couple of drafts.. Gus is a temporary solution er "plug" until Boqvist, Beaudin, Joker, Krys, Mitchell etc are ready to eat NHL minutes - and that is 2 years away tops... Lets not forget we still have Keith signed for 4 more years and Searbook signed for 5 more years... The Hawks just aren't going to have a spot for Gus unless he significantly improves his defense over the next year or 2.. He's going to have to be damn good to take a spot from one of the kids who all have top 4 potential.. I mean there are only 6/7 spots two of which go to Keith and Seabrook... Of course we have Murphy signed for 3 more years - that leaves 3/4 spots for a slew of defenseman to compete for and you can bet Boqvist, Beaudin and Joker given their development up to this point will be given those roles - that leaves Mitchell, Krys, Forsling, Gus competing for a roster spot IF the Hawks go with 7 defenseman...

Obviously things can and will change, however the Hawks brass will have some interesting decisions to make over the next couple of years.

I will say this tho, I love Seabrook and everything he's done for this franchise and I appreciate his leadership and intangibles, but I think he will become a thorn in the Hawks side by blocking one of these kids who will be NHL ready from stepping into the league... I could really see the Hawks using a buyout in a couple of years (hopefully an amnesty BO) if he refuses to waive his NMC... Obviously the Hawks don't want a dead weight cap hit but if it came down to an old slow Seabrook or a young stud defenseman (Mitchell, Krys) on an ELC - you gotta go with the young stud defenseman...

in a heartbeat...
- bogiedoc

Depends on the team and the draft pick. This power play is working great and Gus is a big part of that, regardless of his deficiencies in his own end. Cannot do it for a pick that will be in the 20s.

Seems like a viable reason. The team knows Jokiharju is a fixture on the blueline for years to come but Forsling, Dahlstrom, Koekkoek, and Hillman are the RFA defensemen whose fate are still TBA.

Dahlstrom is playing everyday in a shutdown role so he seems safe to be resigned, maybe on a 2-way deal.

Forsling and Koekkoek need to rotate playing time so the Hawks can see what they have to base a resigning decision or cut bait via trade to gain draft picks or forward prospects to help restock Rockford as many Hog forwards are UFAs and RFAs this summer.

Hillman should be resigned even if he doesn't get a callup this season. Campbell and Davidson are UFAs so let them walk. Then hopefully add at least one of Mitchell, Beaudin, and/or Krys to the Hogs blueline along with Hillman, Carlsson, Gilbert, Tuulola, Raddysh, and Snuggerud.

Let Boqvist play another year in London. Or the Hawks rush him and he makes the team.
- AEL_Fox

Why sign Dahlstrom to a 2 way contract? I saw someone mention that about Delia on a previous page too. 2 way has nothing to do with waivers anymore in case that's what you're thinking. It only relates to the amount of money a player makes in the AHL or NHL so I don't see the reasoning behind it.

Boqvist, Joki and their 1st?
- Mr Ricochet

I’m thinking they’d want something that would provide more immediate help.

19 points in his last 20 games - 33 in 50 so far this year - best PP point they’ve had during this 10 year run - 5th on the team in goals (tied for 5th in league defensemen), 4th in points (16th the league defensemen)....

A threat to score opens up the rest of the ice.

Wouldn’t it be nice to find some way to keep him?
- StLBravesFan

OK, he’s not freaking Bobby Orr. Last time I looked, he had the 3rd highest high danger shots against in the entire league.

The first job of a defenseman is to keep pucks out of his own net. The 2nd is to contributee offensively. He is awful at the 1st, and excellent at the 2nd.

19 points in his last 20 games - 33 in 50 so far this year - best PP point they’ve had during this 10 year run - 5th on the team in goals (tied for 5th in league defensemen), 4th in points (16th the league defensemen)....

A threat to score opens up the rest of the ice.

Wouldn’t it be nice to find some way to keep him?
- StLBravesFan

The trouble with the type of defenseman Gustafsson is is that he's strictly an offensive player who excels on the power play. His current salary allows the Hawks the luxury of keeping him because they can spot him. In two years he's a UFA and his point total will command a huge contract and suddenly an offense only defenseman ceases to be a luxury. If Gustafsson signs a first pairing contract but isn't capable of the duties expected of a first pairing guy the Hawks have a mess on their hands. It's imperative the coaching staff and Gus work on his defensive game so that in two years he plays defense well enough for the Hawks to sign him long term. The question I have is Gustafsson capable of putting in the time and effort to playing solid defense to go with his strong offensive game?

The trouble with the type of defenseman Gustafsson is is that he's strictly an offensive player who excels on the power play. His current salary allows the Hawks the luxury of keeping him because they can spot him. In two years he's a UFA and his point total will command a huge contract and suddenly an offense only defenseman ceases to be a luxury. If Gustafsson signs a first pairing contract but isn't capable of the duties expected of a first pairing guy the Hawks have a mess on their hands. It's imperative the coaching staff and Gus work on his defensive game so that in two years he plays defense well enough for the Hawks to sign him long term. The question I have is Gustafsson capable of putting in the time and effort to playing solid defense to go with his strong offensive game?
- paulr

I'm not sure he has the instincts to play D at the NHL level.

OK, he’s not freaking Bobby Orr. Last time I looked, he had the 3rd highest high danger shots against in the entire league.

The first job of a defenseman is to keep pucks out of his own net. The 2nd is to contributee offensively. He is awful at the 1st, and excellent at the 2nd.
- scottak

shhh...don't talk like that...you get people upset around here...

Depends on the team and the draft pick. This power play is working great and Gus is a big part of that, regardless of his deficiencies in his own end. Cannot do it for a pick that will be in the 20s.
- KMFDMLight

a much needed qualification...a top 15 = cya
a bottom 10 1st round...ahh maybe not...need another player thrown in

One thing that is clear, the Hawks are a better team right now with Gus than without him. Subtract him from the roster and this team is likely dead last. If there is a good return for him in trade, go for it. He makes mistakes, but he brings a net positive impact to the team.

Big thing right now is that our 3rd line is dreadful. Saad - Kampf - Kruger. Sticking a 2nd line player with two 4th line players doesn't upgrade the line to a good 3rd line. Hawks absolutely need to move AA. It is so overdue, but they need to free up space to get an actual 3C. Maybe someone will be ready to step into the bottom 6 or they can sign more depth, but right now, the bottom 6 is still weak weak weak.

Carlsson is in that mold of Hjalmarsson. Maybe not the warrior beast that Hammer was but better offensive skills. Still generally solid defensively.
- AEL_Fox

Okay, just making sure I got my prospects right. Thanks.

I’m thinking they’d want something that would provide more immediate help.
- walleyeb1

Think you're right. Think Kaner posted Dcat, Joki and a 1st. Probably an offer OTT would like cuz as you mention Dcat would help now, especially assuming Styone and or Duchene will be gone.

Think you're right. Think Kaner posted Dcat, Joki and a 1st. Probably an offer OTT would like cuz as you mention Dcat would help now, especially assuming Styone and or Duchene will be gone.
- Mr Ricochet

Doesn't matter what Ottawa wants. Colorado has their pick. He meant to get that pick from the Avalanche

Got to give Stan credit signing him to a 2 year contract. If if if if he gets the defensive part of playing as a defenseman he could really be something, or if you believe he will be nothing but a #5 specialist dman at 1.2 he should fetch a nice package at the trade deadline next year if he keeps up his offensive production.
- BetweenTheDots

And this was when Gus was shackled up by Q and his systems, benched for a gaffe. You make a great point. Signing Gus to a great team friendly contract may end up getting them a top 6 player or a Gus who is a yearly 50+ point guy.

Great point, Dots.

OK, he’s not freaking Bobby Orr. Last time I looked, he had the 3rd highest high danger shots against in the entire league.

The first job of a defenseman is to keep pucks out of his own net. The 2nd is to contributee offensively. He is awful at the 1st, and excellent at the 2nd.
- scottak

The first job of any hockey player is to score more goals than the other guy. In 1974 a Dman did that by being a barbed wire fence in his zone. In 2019 some do it that way, others like Karlsson, Burns, Giordano, Klingenberg, Yandle, Letang, Josi do that by scoring then you get the freaks like Doughty, Subban, Hedman who do both but they cost 100 mil.

More than one way to skin a cat, man. In a hard cap world a GM and coach needs to put together a puzzle that scores more than it gives up no matter how ugly it's done.