I wouldn't be surprised he has not made an impact. He could be bait for expansion. But do not see Tuch type development here. Might be too soon for Bowman to give up. Incentive ladden deal perhaps.

Late add: would be great if he turns ornery and develops as your namesake 15 times a game very nice ......ha do not expect it though
- jhawk59

Only over 35 contracts and ELCs can have "incentive" bonuses. He qualifies for neither.

As far as playing hurt, I sincerely think that could be said of a lot of guys who get ragged on by commenters. The NHL is a hard game played by incredibly tough guys. Period.
- 35Tony0

I would not surprised if Seabs is playing with a broken/fractured bone in his foot. Some may ask, well then why not LTIR him? Well here is my thought.....Maybe they kept him in the lineup with the hoping that he will waive his NMC, but now that they are winning, and he declined, they are in a tough position to take him out of the lineup. I'm wondering if after the TDL , as things clear up, we will get a report if he is ailing. JMO.

This
Most likely scenario
Wondering whom fetches more: Gus or Keith. Take it or leave it offer for Keith with trade partner betting limited interest in Keith due to his ability to nix a deal.

On other hand if Gus keeps.scoring say a quick five more tallies - some GM might be willing to offer a good prospect to get this weapon Gus for playoffs. Yes/no?
- jhawk59

Duncan Keith by a mile. No comparison. Gus is not someone you trade for in playoff push looking for experience and depth.

Now Perlini is hurt? LOL. The only thing hurt is his ass from sitting on the bench so much.

As far as playing hurt, I sincerely think that could be said of a lot of guys who get ragged on by commenters. The NHL is a hard game played by incredibly tough guys. Period.
- 35Tony0

As some have pointed out on this board, too many players are cutting their teeth in the NHL instead of AHL. In that light, Perlini should be viewed as an Alex Killorn type from Tampa, great skating power forward, with a plus shot. Only difference is, Alex Killorn did not break into the NHL until he was 23....Perlini is 22 now, playing his 3rd season in the league.

I am not saying this to just stir the pot. Perlini has been playing hurt for longer than most think. And yes, he has not really found a groove yet.

He is part of the long term solution here. He is the type of player that will thrive in this system. Those pegging him as bottom six long term will be wrong. The NHL is no longer top 6 and bottom six, it is top 9 and even top 12 on good teams.

I will take all the barbs, but predict by March, most will be singing a different tune. Would like him with Kamph and Saad over Kruger. I think when healthy, he will get his chance there.
- TrueGrit

Do you know anything specifically about an injury, or are you saying he just looks like he is playing hurt?

Now Perlini is hurt? LOL. The only thing hurt is his ass from sitting on the bench so much.
- Elbows15

Take it for what its worth,

You should enjoy this, now you have one more player to complain about. That is so novel....

Duncan Keith by a mile. No comparison. Gus is not someone you trade for in playoff push looking for experience and depth.
- TrueGrit

By the time they have fallen out of playoff push contention, it will be too late to trade Keith in season. This team has just enough to push for a spot but fall short. In order for this ultimate experience, the goaltending must stand tall as well.

Only over 35 contracts and ELCs can have "incentive" bonuses. He qualifies for neither.
- Elbows15

I am not a betting sort of fan but I do not believe most knew this. Thanks.

I just hoping that if they keep Gus, they can get his next contract right. His value might be hard to pin down given the up and down nature of this game. My money will be on him getting traded in the next 12-13 months.

I hope Sikura continues to progress or maybe one of the guys having a good run in Jr might surprise next camp. Something to add to the third line. I do think the Hawk need to add at least 1 second line type guy to bump some talent down to the 3rd line. Maybe that plus a 3C would help, but obviously depends on what money they can move.

What do you think about Perlini right now?
- breadbag

I'm leaning towards what you're predicting with Gustafsson, thinking the Hawks will retain him until next TDL wanting to get as much out of him to let the top D prospects continue to develop one more year before he cashes in. He's likely due a hefty raise with term and it may be best that the Hawks invest that money in the up and coming blueliners instead.

That would be ideal to strengthen the top 6 so that a current one like Saad can solidify the 3rd line along with a bonafide 3C. That would take a lot, though, to subtract from the current top 6 leaving just Toews, Kane, DeBrincat, and Strome. One scenario is an NHL ready 1st rounder fills one of those top 6 spot with a free agent pickup like Stone filling the other.

A more viable scenario could be keeping Saad in the top 6 and find a top 6 winger as well as least a 3C and a 3W to play with Kahun or Sikura if both aren't in the lineup next season. IMHO, Kahun is a "nice to have" player but not a "must have" while Sikura needs a full season to prove which one he is.

As for Perlini, he seems like a player who has the right tools to be a middle 6 winger but just doesn't have the killer instinct to bring it every game. A player with his skill set should be able to dominate shifts but he just doesn't.

Take it for what its worth,

You should enjoy this, now you have one more player to complain about. That is so novel....
- TrueGrit

Hey Grit. You seem pretty positive on most of the current roster. Are there any that you are not impressed with? I’d be fine with Gus if he wasn’t as bad as he is in his own end (the turnovers are infuriating). I also am not a fan of HAyden and Kruger any longer.

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=97532

Thanks, Rico. I'm by no means an expert by any stretch of the imagination. I just read a lot and find different sources to research online and like to share with our community here. Whatever I can do to contribute while also learning from y'all, too, is what makes this one of my favorite pastimes besides actually watching the Blackhawks play.
- AEL_Fox

Thank you both for all that you bring here, outside of you two and
maybe one or two others, both of yours input is the only reason I
came here to see what is happening in Hawk world.

Thanks again Rico and Fox.