In and Out = most overrated burger in America.

Nobody makes better Italian beef, or sausage for that matter, than me.
- Ogilthorpe2

What time's your drive thru open?

What to do about Gustafsson? Or better put - what is the best way to get the most value out of Gustafsson - keep him and re-sign him or trade him?

First, what is the expectation for 2019/20? Can the Hawks be a Cup contending team or will 2019/20 be another stepping stone toward Cup contending status in 2020/21 or later? The answer to that question plays into the decision on how best to use Gustafsson. If the Hawks will not be Cup contenders next season (and the odds are they will not be), then keeping Gustafsson and letting him get to UFA after 2019/20 is to waste the value he brings to the organization. So we're back to the only viable options are to either re-sign him or trade him.

On the re-sign him side of the equation - how much Cap space should be allocated to Gustafsson and will it be enough to re-sign a 60-point d-man? Especially considering the timing that Gustafsson's new AAV would come online the same time as DeBrincat, Strome, Kahun, Crawford (or replacement) and others. If the market determines Gustafsson should get $5M+ - can the Hawks afford that given the other Cap priorities? Especially considering the other d-prospects are more offensive than defensive meaning there would be a level of redundancy that doesn't address the need for better defensive d-men.

On the trade him of the equation - he would be one of the few attractive trade chips the Hawks have to use this off-season. A 60-point d-man with an AAV of $1.2M should be a plum choice for a team looking for offense from the back end even with there being only 1-year remaining on that contract.

I lean toward trading him, but if not - then be sure to re-sign him because having him play in a season we won't contend for the Cup only to see the Hawks get nothing for him when he leaves after next season is not good asset management.
- EbonyRaptor

If you look at the amount of cash strapped teams there are (even after the cap increase), who can afford Gus at $5 mil.? The ones that can, are probably not going to want to commit to that salary for any term for a guy who is 28, and is really one dimensional. I say keep him, if he becomes decent defensively, and you don't think you can sign him, he should get a great haul at the TDL.

Thanks for the recommendations!

Agree on your other post about some burgers and other foods are just nostalgic even though there are likely better ones out there. Buffalo Joe's wings is nostalgic because I spent nearly 15 years living and working in Evanston but there are much better wings around the city and burbs.

My wife and I would always hit up White Castle anytime we saw Harold & Kumar on TV. Even if we saw Kal Penn and John Cho in other movies or TV shows, we'd still go get a crave case.
- AEL_Fox

I grew up near Evanston and went to Buffalo Joe's regularly. First kid was born at St. Francis, we used to go to Buffalo Joe's for suicide wings before Lamaze class.

Beef - Al's $6.50, Johnnies - $4.50, Combo Al's $8.50, Combo at Johnnies - $4.50. Peppers at Al's .60, Johnnies, .39
Fries - Al's $2.65, Johnnies - $1.36 Double Sausage - Al's $5.95, Johnnies $3.65

I could eat twice as much food that tastes better at Johnnies for the comparable cost at Al's

Don't get me wrong Al's is not bad, but If I had to list my favorite beef places in and around Chicago, Al's would probably fall in around the 5-7 slot.
- TheTrob

Meh. I will pay the difference every time.

Nothing wrong with an occasional Whopper, and a double cheeseburger still brings back some childhood memories. Doesn't make them comparable to a really good burger but something to be said for just plain old nostalgia once in a while. Heck I'll even eat a sack of White Castle every now and then because something way back in the reptile brain craves them, not because they are good per se.
- TheTrob

I haven’t had McDonald’s burger in 25 years. Don’t think I could stomach one any more.

What to do about Gustafsson? Or better put - what is the best way to get the most value out of Gustafsson - keep him and re-sign him or trade him?

First, what is the expectation for 2019/20? Can the Hawks be a Cup contending team or will 2019/20 be another stepping stone toward Cup contending status in 2020/21 or later? The answer to that question plays into the decision on how best to use Gustafsson. If the Hawks will not be Cup contenders next season (and the odds are they will not be), then keeping Gustafsson and letting him get to UFA after 2019/20 is to waste the value he brings to the organization. So we're back to the only viable options are to either re-sign him or trade him.

On the re-sign him side of the equation - how much Cap space should be allocated to Gustafsson and will it be enough to re-sign a 60-point d-man? Especially considering the timing that Gustafsson's new AAV would come online the same time as DeBrincat, Strome, Kahun, Crawford (or replacement) and others. If the market determines Gustafsson should get $5M+ - can the Hawks afford that given the other Cap priorities? Especially considering the other d-prospects are more offensive than defensive meaning there would be a level of redundancy that doesn't address the need for better defensive d-men.

On the trade him of the equation - he would be one of the few attractive trade chips the Hawks have to use this off-season. A 60-point d-man with an AAV of $1.2M should be a plum choice for a team looking for offense from the back end even with there being only 1-year remaining on that contract.

I lean toward trading him, but if not - then be sure to re-sign him because having him play in a season we won't contend for the Cup only to see the Hawks get nothing for him when he leaves after next season is not good asset management.
- EbonyRaptor

Trade him next season at the TDL. Let someone else regret paying him. Part of his appeal is how cheap he cost.

Meh. I will pay the difference every time.
- Elbows15

To each his own.

If you look at the amount of cash strapped teams there are (even after the cap increase), who can afford Gus at $5 mil.? The ones that can, are probably not going to want to commit to that salary for any term for a guy who is 28, and is really one dimensional. I say keep him, if he becomes decent defensively, and you don't think you can sign him, he should get a great haul at the TDL.
- LAHawk

I meant contending teams that would look at picking up Gustafsson more or less as a rental only for the full season rather than the short term rental of a TDL acquisition. I would advocate the Hawks keep him if they were a contending team - even if they couldn't afford to re-sign him after next season. I would also advocate the Hawks spend the ~$5M to re-sign him if they didn't have a parade of redundant d-prospects coming online over the next few years.

Trade him next season at the TDL. Let someone else regret paying him. Part of his appeal is how cheap he cost.
- Elbows15

It really depends on can and if he develops defensively at all.

You have him on the cheap next year. If he starts the season and shows no improvement you either move him at the trade deadline, or try and lock him up for a couple of years on a reasonable deal of around $3mil for 2-4 year term.

Trade him next season at the TDL. Let someone else regret paying him. Part of his appeal is how cheap he cost.
- Elbows15

Agreed, unless someone wants him bad enough this summer to make Stan an offer he can’t refuse.

I know this can be a fiery debate over a grilled burger versus a griddled burger. I generally like griddled if given the choice but there are good grilled ones, too.

Never been to Au Cheval but know people rave about it as much as Kuma's Corner.

I know it's fast food but I also like Culver's cheese curds. Good selection of frozen desserts. I grew up in a small farm town in Illinois where Dairy Queen was the only game in town so their frozen desserts were always a treat.
- AEL_Fox

The problem with Kumas - as with all of the other pile-on-the-toppings places - is that they lose track of the meat.

The only thing a hamburger needs is top-quality beef, a nice cheese, some seasonings, and a very good bun. Cooked medium rare.

No ketchup, mustard, onions, ham, prosciutto, lettuce, tomato....

The problem with Kumas - as with all of the other pile-on-the-toppings places - is that they lose track of the meat.

The only thing a hamburger needs is top-quality beef, a nice cheese, some seasonings, and a very good bun. Cooked medium rare.

No ketchup, mustard, onions, ham, prosciutto, lettuce, tomato....
- StLBravesFan

Yup.

If it’s too messy or hard to eat I don’t want it either.

Sometimes less is more.

Trade him next season at the TDL. Let someone else regret paying him. Part of his appeal is how cheap he cost.
- Elbows15

I suppose the return at the TDL may be better than an off-season trade, but it won't land a top-4 d-man at that time. So if the primary objective is to acquire a top-4 d-man - using Gustafsson in a trade package at the draft or in the off-season may help accomplish that objective.

Agreed, unless someone wants him bad enough this summer to make Stan an offer he can’t refuse.
- Ogilthorpe2

How about Gustafsson and our 1st round pick for Trouba? Or something like that.

Yup.

If it’s too messy or hard to eat I don’t want it either.

Sometimes less is more.
- Ogilthorpe2

It's OK to eat a messy burger or dog/brat with a knife/fork ... jes sayin.

How about Gustafsson and our 1st round pick for Trouba? Or something like that.
- EbonyRaptor

Something like that. I’m leery of Trouba’s health, but Gus + 1st pick (unless they win the lottery) for a top 4 d-man

How about Gustafsson and our 1st round pick for Trouba? Or something like that.
- EbonyRaptor

Only if we can agree to a contract with him that makes sense before the trade. He is an RFA.

Yup.

If it’s too messy or hard to eat I don’t want it either.

Sometimes less is more.
- Ogilthorpe2

Sometimes...sometimes it's not. It's all preference, so give me a good gooey cheeseburger from Portillo's with the works. Nothing wrong with a few condiments, some onion slices, tomato, pickles and lettuce.

Just like a dog, some mustard and kraut is good but drag it through the garden Chicago Style's even better...IMHO.

How about Gustafsson and our 1st round pick for Trouba? Or something like that.
- EbonyRaptor

Trouba is an RFA who is already at $5.5, what's it going to cost to sign him? Not sure if you want to give up top 10 pick either unless you are getting a sure young top pairing guy.

Trouba is an RFA who is already at $5.5, what's it going to cost to sign him? Not sure if you want to give up top 10 pick either unless you are getting a sure young top pairing guy.
- TheTrob

Yeah got a feeling he’s going to be looking to cash in.

It's OK to eat a messy burger or dog/brat with a knife/fork ... jes sayin.
- EbonyRaptor

Crap like this is not a burger, it’s a mess....

Something like that. I’m leery of Trouba’s health, but Gus + 1st pick (unless they win the lottery) for a top 4 d-man
- Ogilthorpe2

Yeah - not if the Hawks win the lottery - only if their pick out of the top-10.

I don't know what is "too much" to pay for Trouba. It's all a little like monopoly money to me. I suppose I'd cash in a couple hotels on Boardwalk and Park Place and pony up around $7.5M for him. Don't know if he would agree to that but I don't think the Hawks should go higher than that.

Crap like this is not a burger, it’s a mess....


- Ogilthorpe2

YEESH! I wouldn't even let my knife or fork touch that monstrosity.

Meh. I will pay the difference every time.
- Elbows15

Whatever, Rockefeller.

It really depends on can and if he develops defensively at all.

You have him on the cheap next year. If he starts the season and shows no improvement you either move him at the trade deadline, or try and lock him up for a couple of years on a reasonable deal of around $3mil for 2-4 year term.
- TheTrob

He has put up 60 points. I think 3M/AAV is pretty much hopeless at this point. Even 5M may be a stretch. He will be a UFA at the end of this deal. Someone will offer him more.