If Charelli were still a GM there may be a slight chance the Hawks could unload Seabrook, should he agree to waive the NMC.

Unless the Hawks are willing to accept a bad contract in return Seabrook ain't going anywhere and even with a bad contrac in return why would Chicago accept some guy in return for one of the heroes of the cup run? will Stan finally decide to ask them to waive their no movement clauses and trade them?
- paulr

I understand your point. However it's crystal clear that both Seabrook and Keith are at best bottom pairing defenseman and their salaries alone eat up over 12 million.

Murphy is IMO a temporary solution but he doesn't fit into Chicago's long term plan.


I guess would anyone be upset if Stan packaged either Gus or boqvist with Seabrook to move him out ?

Having Keith Seabrook and murphy eliminate roster spots for the young promising defenseman for the next 4 and 5 years that seems untenable.

We all realize Stan needs at least 1 or 2 solid defenseman brought on board this summer, and I get it maybe not next year but most likely a lot of these young defenseman prospects are worst case ready 2 years out.

LOL... Look who came out from his trailer.
- BGKarras

Be interesting to see a break down of those goals and assists.

Must have been a bunch early on. Because I don't believe he scored against the Hawks, and it doesn't seem like he's scored much over the last 4 or 5 years.
- vabeachbear

I understand your point. However it's crystal clear that both Seabrook and Keith are at best bottom pairing defenseman and their salaries alone eat up over 12 million.

Murphy is IMO a temporary solution but he doesn't fit into Chicago's long term plan.


I guess would anyone be upset if Stan packaged either Gus or boqvist with Seabrook to move him out ?

Having Keith Seabrook and murphy eliminate roster spots for the young promising defenseman for the next 4 and 5 years that seems untenable.

We all realize Stan needs at least 1 or 2 solid defenseman brought on board this summer, and I get it maybe not next year but most likely a lot of these young defenseman prospects are worst case ready 2 years out.
- Taylorst1

Livid.

Keith is better than bottom pairing too, and why can’t Murphy be part of the long term solution?

Livid.

Keith is better than bottom pairing too, and why can’t Murphy be part of the long term solution?
- Ogilthorpe2

Imo Keith's better days are behind him. He is not a top defenseman anymore , we've all seen his mistakes this year , I get that people will defend him due to his past and how fond we are of him. I'm just trying to be honest , Keith would be better suited in a bottom or limited ice time roll.

I've read some mixed reviews on boqvist some saying he might be better off as a forward and his defensive side needs work.


Murphy is IMO a temporary solution but, he won't ever be nothing more than a 4 or 5 defenseman and his next contract would mean a raise and Chicago has kids in the pipeline who can come in and cost less and be just as effective

Imo Keith's better days are behind him. He is not a top defenseman anymore , we've all seen his mistakes this year , I get that people will defend him due to his past and how fond we are of him. I'm just trying to be honest , Keith would be better suited in a bottom or limited ice time roll.

I've read some mixed reviews on boqvist some saying he might be better off as a forward and his defensive side needs work.
- Taylorst1

Keith isn’t what he once was, but when what you were was a perennial Norris Candidate, then you can drop quite ways and still be good. He’s probably a 2-3 guy on a really good team, but you’re not gonna replace him with anyone better for similar $. If he’s a bottom pair guy, then your top 4 is probably the best top 4 in the league.

Boqvist has the highest potential ceiling of any current Hawk Prospect.

Not sure why, it happens every year, but don't let the narrative down, Yzerman is a genius that he got him to sign for only 9.5 unlike that idiot Stan who overpaid Toews and Kane at 10.5
- vabeachbear

https://youtu.be/gxwduUtWTGc
Game 6 of the cup final in 2015. Notice the score was still 0-0 here. Stamkos with the big time choke.

Imo Keith's better days are behind him. He is not a top defenseman anymore , we've all seen his mistakes this year , I get that people will defend him due to his past and how fond we are of him. I'm just trying to be honest , Keith would be better suited in a bottom or limited ice time roll.

I've read some mixed reviews on boqvist some saying he might be better off as a forward and his defensive side needs work.


Murphy is IMO a temporary solution but, he won't ever be nothing more than a 4 or 5 defenseman and his next contract would mean a raise and Chicago has kids in the pipeline who can come in and cost less and be just as effective
- Taylorst1

If Keith were on any of the top 5 NHL teams he would be in their second pairing. He would still be the guy who is used in all defensive situations. And I bet without having to play with guys who are borderline NHL players with forwards who understand how to play defense he would make far less mistakes too.

Keith isn’t what he once was, but when what you were was a perennial Norris Candidate, then you can drop quite ways and still be good. He’s probably a 2-3 guy on a really good team, but you’re not gonna replace him with anyone better for similar $. If he’s a bottom pair guy, then your top 4 is probably the best top 4 in the league.

Boqvist has the highest potential ceiling of any current Hawk Prospect.
- Ogilthorpe2

That's my point with Keith his best days are behind him, however in a limited roll here in chicago he can still be effective , that's where I see him assuming Murphy's role on the bottom or limited ice time.

But with Keith and Seabrook age, salaries, and the insane amount of time left on their contracts it really hampers Chicago's ability to utilize toews and Kanes years left to retool and shoot for another cup run.

If Keith were on any of the top 5 NHL teams he would be in their second pairing. He would still be the guy who is used in all defensive situations. And I bet without having to play with guys who are borderline NHL players with forwards who understand how to play defense he would make far less mistakes too.
- paulr

That's a fair point. But reality is Chicago's only path for improving is having the flexibility in cap space as well as through the draft. It makes no sense to waste toews and Kanes last final years of their contract missing the playoffs or just making the playoffs due to constraints created by age , bad contracts.

That's a fair point. But reality is Chicago's only path for improving is having the flexibility in cap space as well as through the draft. It makes no sense to waste toews and Kanes last final years of their contract missing the playoffs or just making the playoffs due to constraints created by age , bad contracts.
- Taylorst1

So in your estimation, there's no room to improve from within?

Colliton having the ability to not only run a camp but having about 60 or so games of NHL coaching experience to draw on and knowing what he has in his current players...how best to utilize them, line them up, etc.

Also, some natural progression and growth from a number of players who really just played their first full season in the NHL like Strome, Kahun and Kampf or some of the other younger players as well: Perlini or Forsling, or hell even DeBrincat.

Imo Keith's better days are behind him. He is not a top defenseman anymore , we've all seen his mistakes this year , I get that people will defend him due to his past and how fond we are of him. I'm just trying to be honest , Keith would be better suited in a bottom or limited ice time roll.

I've read some mixed reviews on boqvist some saying he might be better off as a forward and his defensive side needs work.


Murphy is IMO a temporary solution but, he won't ever be nothing more than a 4 or 5 defenseman and his next contract would mean a raise and Chicago has kids in the pipeline who can come in and cost less and be just as effective
- Taylorst1

Someone has to clear a crease. Murphy and once in a while Seabrook and KooKoo are the only ones who don't just play shinny stick in front of their goalie. I'm not saying Murphy is an awesome D man, but he has a clue and gives an honest effort. Until one of the young guys proves he can be physical in a timely manner in front of his goalie Murphy can't be "replaced".

So in your estimation, there's no room to improve from within?

Colliton having the ability to not only run a camp but having about 60 or so games of NHL coaching experience to draw on and knowing what he has in his current players...how best to utilize them, line them up, etc.

Also, some natural progression and growth from a number of players who really just played their first full season in the NHL like Strome, Kahun and Kampf or some of the other younger players as well: Perlini or Forsling, or hell even DeBrincat.
- HawkintheD

The entire purpose of a salary cap is to draft, develop and compete in a limited window of opportunity before salaries start to make decisions harder .


We all agree Chicago's defense sure it got a little better in the 2nd half of the season, but the number of high percentage dangerous shots and the pk made them last in the league.


Dalhstom is a 6 or 7 defenseman , Keith if paired with a proven top defenseman would be 3 or 4 .

Gus his offensive side is great , but defensively he makes a lot of mistakes and he has 1 year left before his next contract is he worth 4 to 8 million? Not to mention

Strome and debrincant will be up for raises at the same time.

Perlini has ? Marks

Kahun is a 3rd line player he is MIA more often than not
Kampf is a nice bottom pairing, but he lacks the grit needed for the role he is playing.

Sikura had his time up here and has nothing to show for it, maybe he is a late late bloomer, but he can't finish , he is a 1 and done player.

If Keith were on any of the top 5 NHL teams he would be in their second pairing. He would still be the guy who is used in all defensive situations. And I bet without having to play with guys who are borderline NHL players with forwards who understand how to play defense he would make far less mistakes too.
- paulr

Somebody speaking rationally about DK ? Can't be.

The entire purpose of a salary cap is to draft, develop and compete in a limited window of opportunity before salaries start to make decisions harder .


We all agree Chicago's defense sure it got a little better in the 2nd half of the season, but the number of high percentage dangerous shots and the pk made them last in the league.


Dalhstom is a 6 or 7 defenseman , Keith if paired with a proven top defenseman would be 3 or 4 .

Gus his offensive side is great , but defensively he makes a lot of mistakes and he has 1 year left before his next contract is he worth 4 to 8 million? Not to mention

Strome and debrincant will be up for raises at the same time.

Perlini has ? Marks

Kahun is a 3rd line player he is MIA more often than not
Kampf is a nice bottom pairing, but he lacks the grit needed for the role he is playing.

Sikura had his time up here and has nothing to show for it, maybe he is a late late bloomer, but he can't finish , he is a 1 and done player.
- Taylorst1

No! Sikura is a very good player if you watch the game beyond scoring goals. He is one of the top 3 or 4 Hawk forwards defensively, as a rookie. He also had plenty of scoring opportunities. Watch the game, not the score sheet

Someone has to clear a crease. Murphy and once in a while Seabrook and KooKoo are the only ones who don't just play shinny stick in front of their goalie. I'm not saying Murphy is an awesome D man, but he has a clue and gives an honest effort. Until one of the young guys proves he can be physical in a timely manner in front of his goalie Murphy can't be "replaced".
- 6628

The glaring problem is the defense. Sure we have kids in the pipeline andmthats a gradual process.

But their is no way this same group can or should come back next year and expect a better outcome.

If we're stuck with Keith and Seabrook, that's over 12 million tied up into 2 guysnwhos best days are well behind them.

Chicago realistically needs to proven Nhl defenseman either by trade or free agency and that won't come cheap. Then you have to realize Chicago still needs to spend some money on fixing their forwards and improving the bottom 6 and adding maybe 1mor 2 top forwards with leaving cap room for strome and Debrincat according to Stan.


In reality either Keith or Seabrook need to go just to create cap space for future resignings and bring up Johki next year .

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=98958

No! Sikura is a very good player if you watch the game beyond scoring goals. He is one of the top 3 or 4 Hawk forwards defensively, as a rookie. He also had plenty of scoring opportunities. Watch the game, not the score sheet
- paulr

Then he is best suited in a limited role, he played enough games to at least showcase himself and he can't finish.

Maybe you trade him for the next strome.

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=98958
- Justin Lowe

Thank god. I was about to post something I’d regret

yepyep. But to be fair, CBJ are playing on a different level. This series reminds me of the hawks v preds series a few years back. Hawks played with no energy and couldn't get anything going. CBJ seems to have everything going for them.

Defense limiting chances.
Bob not choking.
Offense is consistently generating chances.
- RedRevenge

It was the 3-0 comeback in the 1st game immediately followed by the very poor discipline in the 2nd game. This team is in its own head now

There won’t be compliance buyouts in the next CBA.
- StLBravesFan

Pretty sure its what i just said.