Assuming you imply Keith is the best defender and also assuming you define "defender" to mean in the d-zone - I may be swinging my vote toward Koekkoek on that one. Still early - only a handful of games, but I'm liking what I'm seeing from coo coo in the d-zone.
- EbonyRaptor

He isn't better than Keith. Not even close in fact. Special K had his ass saved more than once by Forsling last night. That said, its fine. He has limited NHL experience and its part of the learning curve. BUT, he isn't close to Keith defensively.

With our defense it is just as likely to win or loose by a football score. I wonder when Johns is returning from injury. Heiskenen, Klingman, Liddell is good. Murphy, Keith, Koekkoek is very comparable but the team defense and goaltending edge i give to Dallas.

Last shot wins
- jhawk59

Johns will likely not play this year. He cant make it through 2 days of the post concussion protocol. Klingberg is an atrocity in his own end. Maybe a step above Gus as far as daily Pizza's served. Lindell and Heiskenen as well as Polak who has been a nice add for them are there top D. But they have zero scoring. If the Seguin line is contained, they lose.

IMO Arty plays a soft game for a big guy and disappears way too often. His contract isn't bad, but he isn't a bargain either considering how often he lacks intensity. He can go to the net and collect some points off the back of skilled players making plays around him, but when he plays with actual 3rd line talent his line is often outmatched. The Hawks need better for the money, because of the top heavy roster. They can't afford to pay a below average 3C 4-5 million dollars.
- breadbag

AA has his faults but he is far from soft. He is one of the few who goes to the net consistently. He also gets involved in boards battles regularly and wins his fair share.

People thinking 3rd line centers aren't going to cost 4.5M are delusional.

AA has his faults but he is far from soft. He is one of the few who goes to the net consistently. He also gets involved in boards battles regularly and wins his fair share.

People thinking 3rd line centers aren't going to cost 4.5M are delusional.
- Elbows15

The only way you trade AA is if you get a young-ish (under 28) and cost controlled #4 Dman in return. You may have to add pick(s)/Prospect(s) to get that 4D back, but it would be a net gain IMO. David Kampf was the 3C before his broken foot, so really Anisimov had been relegated to 4th line duty when the Hawks are healthy.

Does the fact that he's 23 (24 over the summer) concern you as far as his ceiling goes, pallie? If he were 19, there'd be time for improvement in the physical aspects of the game.
- mohel

There a world of difference between training in college and being under the tutelage of professional trainers.

AA has his faults but he is far from soft. He is one of the few who goes to the net consistently. He also gets involved in boards battles regularly and wins his fair share.

People thinking 3rd line centers aren't going to cost 4.5M are delusional.
- Elbows15

This is also correct, especially the money part. The hypocrisy is astounding - let's pay some old UFA's big money and complain about this contract at the same time.

The only way you trade AA is if you get a young-ish (under 28) and cost controlled #4 Dman in return. You may have to add pick(s)/Prospect(s) to get that 4D back, but it would be a net gain IMO. David Kampf was the 3C before his broken foot, so really Anisimov had been relegated to 4th line duty when the Hawks are healthy.
- EnzoD

Kampf shouldn't be slotted above AA. AA is the better player and that line has a little something going on the last two games. And I am a fan of Kampf. Kruger is the one getting in the way of Kampf.

There a world of difference between training in college and being under the tutelage of professional trainers.
- Elbows15

Fine, I'll give him another week.

This is also correct, especially the money part. The hypocrisy is astounding - let's pay some old UFA's big money and complain about this contract at the same time.
- mohel

Who said that?

Kampf shouldn't be slotted above AA. AA is the better player and that line has a little something going on the last two games. And I am a fan of Kampf. Kruger is the one getting in the way of Kampf.
- Elbows15

But that's like, your opinion man. The Head Coach of the Chicago Blackhawks was playing Kampf above Anisimov in the lineup, whether you agree with it or not. And that makes Anisimov expendable for the right return.

He isn't better than Keith. Not even close in fact. Special K had his ass saved more than once by Forsling last night. That said, its fine. He has limited NHL experience and its part of the learning curve. BUT, he isn't close to Keith defensively.
- Elbows15

I didn't phrase my post well (sometimes I struggle with the English - it being my first language and all ) - what I meant to say was that Keith is the best defender but I may be changing my vote for second best defender to KooKoo.

The only way you trade AA is if you get a young-ish (under 28) and cost controlled #4 Dman in return. You may have to add pick(s)/Prospect(s) to get that 4D back, but it would be a net gain IMO. David Kampf was the 3C before his broken foot, so really Anisimov had been relegated to 4th line duty when the Hawks are healthy.
- EnzoD

Appraising value in this trade deadline.....

Hagelin from Kings to Caps for a 3rd & conditional 6th. Hagelin was acquired by Kings earlier this season in exhange for T Pearson

Appraising value in this trade deadline.....

Hagelin from Kings to Caps for a 3rd & conditional 6th. Hagelin was acquired by Kings earlier this season in exhange for T Pearson
- jhawk59

Carl Hagelin has 2 goals and 6 assists in 38 games! Anisimov for a 1st and A prospect is the new demand!

Hawks vs Avs tomorrow night in Chicago should be a battle! Hawks 5-3 win
- EnzoD

I think it's going to be one of those 'the wheels fall off' type of game, the Hawks are due for one of those.

Johns will likely not play this year. He cant make it through 2 days of the post concussion protocol. Klingberg is an atrocity in his own end. Maybe a step above Gus as far as daily Pizza's served. Lindell and Heiskenen as well as Polak who has been a nice add for them are there top D. But they have zero scoring. If the Seguin line is contained, they lose.
- nickmo2699

Thanks for input. Wow Klingberg that bad. Had no idea he was so bad. Maybe he has regressed somewhat.

I think it's going to be one of those 'the wheels fall off' type of game, the Hawks are due for one of those.
- DarthKane

The last two games felt like that, even though they won them.

But, but, but....those four give up 2 goals per game. Each....
- mohel

I know you are joking but Strome's line is pretty scary in their own zone. Both Strome and Dinky need to get better. For all the hand wringing about Sikura's TOs, Dinky, especially, has a whole lot of Versteeg in him around the blue lines. He can and should be better there.

AA has his faults but he is far from soft. He is one of the few who goes to the net consistently. He also gets involved in boards battles regularly and wins his fair share.

People thinking 3rd line centers aren't going to cost 4.5M are delusional.
- Elbows15

safe to say AA is a 'Hockey Player'

Who said that?
- EnzoD

Lotsa people. Dutch, Panarin, #4 d-man. And more! Every big name UFA will require huge money for term into their mid to late 30's. And soon, the board will bark about what a crap deal it is.

Thanks for input. Wow Klingberg that bad. Had no idea he was so bad. Maybe he has regressed somewhat.
- jhawk59

He's always been a guy that hid his defensive deficiencies behind solid offensive numbers. Sound familiar?

This is fair, i think it would be more effective if the hockey players didn't know these stats existed, but they do and i believe can skew them. I've heard agents bring this garbage in when it's time to negotiate a contact.

I mean there were at least 10 shots last night that shouldn't of even counted they were so weak, but that's my issue.
- BetweenTheDots

That’s why they also publish ‘scoring chances’ & ‘high danger scoring chances’. Much better than Corsi, which is just total shots generated, with no account of quality.

And, you can have a scoring chance without taking a shot. Puck rolls off the stick of a guy on a clear break away. Scoring chance, no Corsi shot attempt.

Who do you start on Friday? Ward or Delia?
- LAHawk

Ward.

I think it's going to be one of those 'the wheels fall off' type of game, the Hawks are due for one of those.
- DarthKane

You mean the past two haven't been? final score aside, they gave up 11 goals in two games. I know it is a ton to ask, but I would love to see them hold a team to one goal.

Kid is a 5th round draft choice. Has 9 points in his 21 games. One of the few players sporting a plus Corsi at ~54%. He has already beaten the odds just to be in the NHL given his draft position. Yes, he made a terrible pass last night but most overlook the 3 stellar defensive play he made.

He is a rookie who has mostly been getting inconsistent ice time. But let's judge him after 50 or shifts.
- Elbows15

Perlini?

John Tortorella has always liked AA. Says he knows how to play the game. (Unlike Anthony Duclair).
- RickJ

So trade AA straight up for Duclair....


jk