Agreed, my main point being that he’s signed next year at a good price. If Jokiharju and/or Boquist make the jump and show flashes on PP2, maybe Gus is a high value trade deadline asset. Maybe Stan doubles his salary this summer to lock him up for $3mil? Lots of good options to have offensively from the defense group. But the d-zone play needs to improve whether it’s personnell, strategy, effort, or all of the above. Given the cap commitments already (& coming to Cat + Strome), not sure Eric Gustafson at a cap hit over $4mil is a luxury Stanley Bowman can afford...
- EnzoD

All good and same as i was thinking. I also have another idea and would like to know if you think it could happen.

I cannot stop thinking how Bowman and M Kelly know that the league trend is to get larger players who can play at speed NOT LIMITED TO DMEN BUT FORWARDS TOO. Wiz mentioned this to me. Below however is my idea

We could try to grab the forward we like best to go with the nice group we presently have. We have at least part of the offer as key ingredient added to induce exchange first round choices. Did you guess that offensive weapon aka Gus. What else would make sense. Nada!

Also needed perhaps.....oh prospect or switch later round choices..One scenario for this to work is when the other GM would be pleased to still get the player he wants a few picks later. We are talking about a switch of #5 and #8-9. (even less space between.picks ?) because the picks are too good to pry away earlier and maybe you don't want to drop lower. There is two good dmen choices whom may be the only dmen taken early and they could drop to the #8-#9 range. But no one knows what another GM may covet


All hypothetical and we cannot really look at moving up even a few spots until the ping pong balls are called out.

What forward would Bowman be excited to trot out with Boqvist, his prize dman. I won't tackle that - others can nominate.

Is Hamilton much of an upgrade over Gustafsson, especially considering the difference in $?
- Ogilthorpe2

Yes. Hamilton very good but apparently a weird dude that would rather hang out in museums and read books instead of play video games or talk hockey 24/7.

Gus is cheap for next year but will want 4 or 5M as a UFA after that if he continues his offensive output. Not that much of a difference in a couple of years.
- boilermaker100

Hmmm 20 goals and 50 points probably pushing 7. Even if he can't defend.

Critiquing the defensive system based on the results presupposes that a different defensive system using the same players would produce better results. I didn't notice the results were better before Colliton took over or to put it a different way - Colliton's defensive system is not producing worse results. The defense has been a clown show all season - pre and post Colliton. Maybe it's a case of the players not being talented enough or dedicated enough to play good defense than a shortcoming of the defensive system being played.
- EbonyRaptor

On paper their corsi, shot shares, blah blah blah were not good but better under Q.

Hawks now only 4 points away from the 4th pick in the draft.

Hawks 63 GP 61 pts
Oilers 62 GP 59 pts
Devils 63 GP 58 pts
Ducks 63 GP 57 pts
Wings 64 GP 55 pts
Kings 63 GP 53 pts
Sens 63 GP 49 pts

Sens (CO) will get the 1st pick.
Wings and Kings probably 2nd and 3rd pick.
But after that...…..

I am cheering for the Hawks to win every game. But if they lose most of them that is not the worst possible outcome. The worst possible outcome is that they win enough games to just miss making playoffs and pick 15th.

Yes. Hamilton very good but apparently a weird dude that would rather hang out in museums and read books instead of okay video games or talk hockey 24/7.
- fattybeef

It's funny how intelligence scares some people. He reads books, doesn't plays video games and he isn't interested in watching mindless television shows and he's looked at with suspicion.

It's funny how intelligence scares some people. He reads books, doesn't plays video games and he isn't interested in watching mindless television shows and he's looked at with suspicion.
- paulr

It's that old mentality where if you're not obsessed with hockey or running your motor at 110% at all times then you suck by default.

While the m2m drives me bananas and the pk is lol and I don't care for how they responded to the young Henri situation - Part of the reason I'd like to see JC given an honest 2 full years chance is because he isn't part of that club and I think that in itself is better for the game.

It's funny how intelligence scares some people. He reads books, doesn't plays video games and he isn't interested in watching mindless television shows and he's looked at with suspicion.
- paulr

Well, we now know why Elbows doesn't like him.

Big question is whether he's willing to do Arnold's powerlifting routine regularly.

Well, we now know why Elbows doesn't like him.

Big question is whether he's willing to do Arnold's powerlifting routine regularly.
- mohel

Or follow the JJ, put on 20 lbs of muscle, regimen that ADB, TT, Kruger never bought into.

Or follow the JJ, put on 20 lbs of muscle, regimen that ADB, TT, Kruger never bought into.
- paulr

It's too bad, really. Those guys could've had decent careers had they done some deadlifts and drank some milk.

Teuvo with a goal and 3 assists so far tonight.
- boilermaker100

20 points in 15 games since he signed his extension, and most of that while playing away from Aho. He's driving his own line now, and it's fun to watch.

It's too bad, really. Those guys could've had decent careers had they done some deadlifts and drank some milk.
- mohel

Better bring your puke bucket to work out with me Pal.

It's that old mentality where if you're not obsessed with hockey or running your motor at 110% at all times then you suck by default.

While the m2m drives me bananas and the pk is lol and I don't care for how they responded to the young Henri situation - Part of the reason I'd like to see JC given an honest 2 full years chance is because he isn't part of that club and I think that in itself is better for the game.
- fattybeef

I also believe part of Qs demise was not working with Daley then he's traded for a pylon and wins 2 SCs while Q is saying we can't win with defenseman like that, then comes along Kempny same (frank)ing situation, in today's NHL not only do you have to be able to coach, think the game well, but you have to develop players at this level.

Have to think long term in regards to Hossa's money. They also got Entwhistle in the deal who is having a good season in juniors. It also gives them more flexibility moving forward.

Vinny has always had that skill, tho. I watched him a lot when he was at Notre Dame and he was electric every time he was on the ice. He just needs to find his niche and be more consistent in all aspects.

I root for Vinny. He is a good kid.
- Elbows15

Good kid, has worked hard to get to where he's at. Nice to see local kids in the NHL. I have watched him play since mites.

All that being said, Vinny on the Hawks this season doesn't do anything to move the needle. He, like Nordstrom, Ben Smith, Colin Fraser, Andrew Desjardins, and others are just fillers. Every team needs a few guys with energy, who can move around the lineup and play responsibly, but for the most part they are a dime a dozen and interchangeable.

Yes. Hamilton very good but apparently a weird dude that would rather hang out in museums and read books instead of play video games or talk hockey 24/7.
- fattybeef

He's fine. His teammates seem to love him in Raleigh.

Of course, winning cures all.

20 points in 15 games since he signed his extension, and most of that while playing away from Aho. He's driving his own line now, and it's fun to watch.
- BINGO!

I can see a very similar career trend for Schmaltz. TT is now 24. Nick is 22. He trend maybe be slower because it was interrupted with his ACL injury. But he will be a pretty good 2nd line center or wing. I am glad to see him succeed. I hope Schmaltz does too.

I also believe part of Qs demise was not working with Daley then he's traded for a pylon and wins 2 SCs while Q is saying we can't win with defenseman like that, then comes along Kempny same (frank)ing situation, in today's NHL not only do you have to be able to coach, think the game well, but you have to develop players at this level.
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah, I think Q was stubborn and didn't give much leeway to players who didn't fit into his systems or the style he wanted to play (perish the thought that you wanted your defensman to be sound in their own end), but lets not foll ourselves into the narrative that Daley and Kempny were big reasons why the Pens or Cap won those Cups. Let's not forget that Rundblad has his name on a cup too.

I can see a very similar career trend for Schmaltz. TT is now 24. Nick is 22. He trend maybe be slower because it was interrupted with his ACL injury. But he will be a pretty good 2nd line center or wing. I am glad to see him succeed. I hope Schmaltz does too.
- -Doh-

I don't think the sentiment on here was ever that neither of them could play or be successful. I think the knock on both was more due to their lack of physicality and engagement, especially when games got chippy. In Schmaltz's case it was also his reluctance to shoot, and in TT's case it was because he was not the next Kane, as he was billed to be.

For what it's worth, I think Gustafsson is a real nice player, but he's older than Hamilton, and the odds that this kind of production is a one-off are pretty high.

I don't know enough about Gus to comment on how his D play compares, but I can say that when Dougie is on his game, he's mean as hell.

Yeah, I think Q was stubborn and didn't give much leeway to players who didn't fit into his systems or the style he wanted to play (perish the thought that you wanted your defensman to be sound in their own end), but lets not foll ourselves into the narrative that Daley and Kempny were big reasons why the Pens or Cap won those Cups. Let's not forget that Rundblad has his name on a cup too.
- TheTrob

They didn't keep them from winning them? They played quite a few minutes in the playoffs as well, except when Daley got hurt in the 2016 eastern conference championship series. Daley>Scuderi hands down

Yeah, I think Q was stubborn and didn't give much leeway to players who didn't fit into his systems or the style he wanted to play (perish the thought that you wanted your defensman to be sound in their own end), but lets not foll ourselves into the narrative that Daley and Kempny were big reasons why the Pens or Cap won those Cups. Let's not forget that Rundblad has his name on a cup too.
- TheTrob

Yes, sir. People - such as the Board Hockey Wizards - would often say Q hated kids. He didn't - he played whoever played his way, regardless of age. And sat those who didn't, regardless of age.

Yeah, I think Q was stubborn and didn't give much leeway to players who didn't fit into his systems or the style he wanted to play (perish the thought that you wanted your defensman to be sound in their own end), but lets not foll ourselves into the narrative that Daley and Kempny were big reasons why the Pens or Cap won those Cups. Let's not forget that Rundblad has his name on a cup too.
- TheTrob

Agree here but, coulda woulda shoulda, perhaps having a Daley would have helped us win that close 7-game St. Louis series. Would have given us a solid top 4 given we lost Oduya in the off season. Same could be said for Keith missing game 1 too with the suspension.

Yes, sir. People - such as the Board Hockey Wizards - would often say Q hated kids. He didn't - he played whoever played his way, regardless of age. And sat those who didn't, regardless of age.
- mohel

I find it strange a coach would do that.

I find it strange a coach would do that.
- paulr

Yes, it is an odd approach, eh?

Yes, sir. People - such as the Board Hockey Wizards - would often say Q hated kids. He didn't - he played whoever played his way, regardless of age. And sat those who didn't, regardless of age.
- mohel

I completely agree, and as any sport things change and if you don't grow or evolve with the sport you're left behind.