Absolutely keep Saad - as this team improves his value will be evident

Kapanen is a better target then Panarin - checks a lot of boxes
I would offer sheet 6m x 5 years
- Colbyboy

Problem is if you pay him 6, he isn't worth that at the moment btw, what are you paying DinkyCat? 9.5?

The guy hasn't played a full NHL season yet.

I don't think anyone ever questioned Strome's hockey IQ - it was more about his physical limitations. Perlini and Puljujarvi problems, on the other hand, is very much a question of hockey IQ. They're both still young so maybe they've got the jitters and they eventually settle down and play better but at this point I'd say it's doubtful. A Perlini for Puljujarvi trade straight up might be worth it.
- EbonyRaptor

I make that trade in a heart beat ..

LETS GO!!! Detroit (still) Sucks!!!
- EnzoD

Yes they still suck, but I miss that rivalry. One of the best in the league, and they went and ruined it.

HAWKS should see what the asking price would be for Puljujarvi RW EDM ,Stan has some luck with top pick pick-ups ..
- oldduffman

Perlini + Forsling + 3rd

Perlini + Forsling + 3rd
- DarthKane

I think a 3rd is overpay
I’d rather dump a B/C level prospect, for the sake of freeing up a contract space for next year

... and make EDM throw in a 3rd/4th, Forsling has to be worth something right

Goons don't deter, they may be able to beat up a guy after he's hurt a teammate but he doesn't deter. I can't believe anyone is suggesting Kassian should be a Blackhawk. The guy can't play hockey.
- paulr

Perhaps someone should interview Gretzky about Mark Messier's role in protecting him. And, he was not even close to being a goon. I think he was saying in a kind way that we have played soft as putty for years, and that other teams have seized upon it. Nothing wrong with having a melon puncher on your team, if you can afford to carry one.

I think a 3rd is overpay
I’d rather dump a B/C level prospect, for the sake of freeing up a contract space for next year

... and make EDM throw in a 3rd/4th, Forsling has to be worth something right
- Slofire94

He’s likely another Yakupov or Duclair, I don’t know if he’s worth the time.

Just as long as it makes sense going for the future and not just a pure rental. They are more than one legit d-man away from being good enough to win a series against a legit playoff team.
- EbonyRaptor

Of course ALL should recognize this yet not all do on this board.

Next subject:

Of course ALL should highly suspect Crawford has issues. One issue (hopefully not true in Crawford's situation) in our society is where drug or alcohol abuse occurs..... Sometimes one thing leads to another. This also happens to people who never had a drug or alcohol problem. For example taking pills even for something like allergies can become out of control.

Maybe Crawford has issues beyond what we know. I just think that he has some pressure trying to reform. He used to like to party. Some of us once did but eventually stopped as we started raising a family. What we can do is to wish him the best. Christian folks would pray about it.

And it would not surprise me if something was overheard in an uber ride. Nonetheless this is very subjective. No journalist is reporting for the record; it is merely noted on a blog site. Holy cow! Maybe a professional who is paid a lot should have their personal driver or some arrangement.

If the Hawks think they are getting in they will add a legit defense-man.
- mrpaulish

Hope your statement is correct. Even one certifiable d-man now would help considerably.

how about that Wc wild card race:

the ducks have gone 5-16-4 since 12/18 and are 3 pts behind the wild with 4 teams ahead of them tied at 59 (1 pt behind)

the only team with a winning record of those 5 teams over the last 10 games is the hawks...

its 6 team loser cage match to see who gets bounced in 4-5 games in round 1...

Hope your statement is correct. Even one certifiable d-man now would help considerably.
- gabriel

Agreed. Would help everything. 5 v 5 and the PK

Agreed. Would help everything. 5 v 5 and the PK
- mrpaulish

How big of an upgrade is Joki on this team right now? Simply by rendering one of the rotation guys (most likely Forsling) out of the line up, I think it’s an improvement, but he’s a legit top 4 right now - at least on this team.

How big of an upgrade is Joki on this team right now? Simply by rendering one of the rotation guys (most likely Forsling) out of the line up, I think it’s an improvement, but he’s a legit top 4 right now - at least on this team.
- Chunk

Its better for him to develop.

Hawks are better with a league wide top 4.

If the Blackhawks win and Jets win in regultion tomorrow your Chicago Blackhawks will be sitting in playoff position.
- mrpaulish

And it'll be the 1st time since November 3rd they have as many wins as regulation losses. I always hear, 3rd times the charm

How big of an upgrade is Joki on this team right now? Simply by rendering one of the rotation guys (most likely Forsling) out of the line up, I think it’s an improvement, but he’s a legit top 4 right now - at least on this team.
- Chunk

I wouldn't be surprised he gets called up at the end of the year, but for now the older kids get a chance in the NHL.

I also think he would be a nice upgrade for this team right now

Yes they still suck, but I miss that rivalry. One of the best in the league, and they went and ruined it.
- gabriel

When I first moved up here, they were in the same division and I could catch up to 3 games a year at the Joe and got a bonus game in 2013 in the playoffs.

Proximity and history say they'll always be rivals but it would be great if they were still in the same division.

Perhaps someone should interview Gretzky about Mark Messier's role in protecting him. And, he was not even close to being a goon. I think he was saying in a kind way that we have played soft as putty for years, and that other teams have seized upon it. Nothing wrong with having a melon puncher on your team, if you can afford to carry one.
- gabriel

That's just it though. That role has gone the way of the dinosaur.

Unless that player is also good and has a larger role than gooning it up, a team likely wouldn't be carrying one of those players if they have Cup aspirations.

I wouldn't be surprised he gets called up at the end of the year, but for now the older kids get a chance in the NHL.

I also think he would be a nice upgrade for this team right now
- BetweenTheDots

Wonder what is going through his mind right about now? He was an (over?)confident kid when he was up before and he has to know he's better than many of the guys playing with the big club right now. Wonder what Stan and the coaches have given him as justification?

I wouldn't be surprised he gets called up at the end of the year, but for now the older kids get a chance in the NHL.

I also think he would be a nice upgrade for this team right now
- BetweenTheDots

Was in Rockford on Sunday for the Hogs game and Jokiharju stood out a lot. His passing was amazing, top notch,on the tape, hard and fast. Positioning was sound good gap all game. One assist on a really nice shot. And he got his shots thru to goal, like we saw him do with the big club. Hawks could use all of that right now, but I’m glad they’re thinking longer term than right now — because they need to (I was also at the CBJ game and the OTT defense optional goal fest).

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=97859

Wonder what is going through his mind right about now? He was an (over?)confident kid when he was up before and he has to know he's better than many of the guys playing with the big club right now. Wonder what Stan and the coaches have given him as justification?
- pdx2ord

I really hope is isn't pissed off about being at Rockford. I think it is obvious that he has a spot on this team for years to come (barring health). Maybe the team wanted to get him away from Keith, because we all remember what he said about this league not being a development league (or something similar). Or, maybe he wanted to get away from Keith. You never know.

Was in Rockford on Sunday for the Hogs game and Jokiharju stood out a lot. His passing was amazing, top notch,on the tape, hard and fast. Positioning was sound good gap all game. One assist on a really nice shot. And he got his shots thru to goal, like we saw him do with the big club. Hawks could use all of that right now, but I’m glad they’re thinking longer term than right now — because they need to (I was also at the CBJ game and the OTT defense optional goal fest).
- Marlowe

Thanks for the update Marlowe.

I still see Jokiharju up with the Hawks after the deadline at some point.

Problem is if you pay him 6, he isn't worth that at the moment btw, what are you paying DinkyCat? 9.5?

The guy hasn't played a full NHL season yet.
- Elbows15

Agree - there’s risk but it’s the new NHL.
Bridge deals don’t exist so the Leafs won’t be able to sign Kapanen at 2 mil
The Cap in 5 years will be $120 M- maybe

Teams need to evaluate his talent & the upside - if they feel as I do than there will be an offer sheet & Toromto with Cap space tied up in
Tavares- Nylander- Kadri-Matthews & Marner will not match.

Better deal for a 2nd than trying to sign Panarin at $10- $11

DB is 5 x $7.5

From the Ottawa blog, Duchene to sit out the their next game on Thursday to avoid possible injury. Looks like he'll be traded soon. According to the writer, NSH, WPG, CGY, NYI, VGK likely trade partners.

Stone may re-sign with the Senators. Dzinglel may or may not get traded.

That's just it though. That role has gone the way of the dinosaur.

Unless that player is also good and has a larger role than gooning it up, a team likely wouldn't be carrying one of those players if they have Cup aspirations.
- HawkintheD

No doubt the guy would have to contribute, agreed. I simply lament the fact that the policing of the game itself, has been removed from the players who know what's going on. Malkin's sneaky knee to the head of Crawford was made possible, in part, by the mere fact that he could do so without repercussion.

It's a fine line and the league is morphing into something much different than before.
But, without forms of instant retaliation made acceptable, goons on the sneak will be able to continually flourish. We've simply replaced definitions of what a goon actually is.