I was in favor of signing Dzingel because I thought he could be a 20+ goal depth scorer at a reasonable cost. I've changed my mind after watching a bunch of Columbus games after he was traded there. Big time disappearance and maybe it was at least partially due to the Tort's effect where he ended up in Tort's doghouse - but Torts generally doesn't put players in his doghouse without good reason and usually that reason is poor effort and that is why I've changed my mind about wanting Stan to sign Dzingel.

I do remember, and as you posted it... he scored a goal. So if for some horrible reason Stan does sign Dzingel, you better be on here every game of the season dogging his ass so he keeps scoring.
- Chief4Feathers

That was exactly what happened, hahahaha!! Glad you remembered! If he signs with us (please dear God, no) I'm up for the mission to verbally tear him a new ass.

I was in favor of signing Dzingel because I thought he could be a 20+ goal depth scorer at a reasonable cost. I've changed my mind after watching a bunch of Columbus games after he was traded there. Big time disappearance and maybe it was at least partially due to the Tort's effect where he ended up in Tort's doghouse - but Torts generally doesn't put players in his doghouse without good reason and usually that reason is poor effort and that is why I've changed my mind about wanting Stan to sign Dzingel.
- EbonyRaptor

I don't have any issues with Dzingle but I think Stan needs to focus his UFA efforts on the team's needs - bottom 6 defensive forwards (especially for the PK) and defense. Dzingle doesn't check either box.

I would rather sign the likes of Tanev or somebody like that.

He didn't look too good in the playoffs eh, Rick?

He's been a scoring machine in the regular season though.

Will be interesting to see if he looks to re-sign in CLB or looks to test the open market.
- Tyler Cameron

I'm sure you have noticed what guys like Kuraly, Acciari and Wagner mean to a winning playoff team. The Hawks have none of those types.

Dzingel probably thinks he's worth $7M on a new deal. He has stats playing with a loser where the games don't matter. I wouldn't ever go beyond about $4M on a 3 year deal and even then I don't want him. They would be better off spending it on Jeff Skinner and I would even question that.

Give me a Marcus Johansson anytime over Dzingel. Or offer sheet Andreas Johnsson at the cost of a 2nd round pick.

I'm sure you have noticed what guys like Kuraly, Acciari and Wagner mean to a winning playoff team. The Hawks have none of those types.

Dzingel probably thinks he's worth $7M on a new deal. He has stats playing with a loser where the games don't matter. I wouldn't ever go beyond about $4M on a 3 year deal and even then I don't want him. They would be better off spending it on Jeff Skinner and I would even question that.

Give me a Marcus Johansson anytime over Dzingel. Or offer sheet Andreas Johnsson at the cost of a 2nd round pick.
- RickJ

The new age hockey "experts" think you're wrong. Apparently defense, experience and the ability to play in a physical environment are all passe.

I'm back here to beat this dead horse some more ... trade Gustafsson to Toronto for RFA rights to Kapanen and the last year of the $5.3M Horton contract.

Toronto is simply not going to sign RFA's Marner, Kapanen and Johnsson and replace Hainsey and Gardiner on defense with the available cap space. They will need to lose players - probably more than one.

Gustafsson would be a cheap replacement for Gardiner, albeit for only one season. Horton's contract can almost be looked at as a placeholder for the additional cap space needed to re-sign Cat, Strome and Kahun next summer - or at lease $5.3M toward the cap space needed. The Hawks will need that cap space next summer so it really can't be used this summer anyway.
- EbonyRaptor

There's an article on nhltraderumors that explains various scenarios for Toronto making the cap, including putting players on LTIR, making some trades. and playing with the minimum 20 man roster.

Too bad Kadri blew his stack again during the playoffs. He would have been a nice 3C for the Hawks, but I am now turned off by him.

There's an article on nhltraderumors that explains various scenarios for Toronto making the cap, including putting players on LTIR, making some trades. and playing with the minimum 20 man roster.

Too bad Kadri blew his stack again during the playoffs. He would have been a nice 3C for the Hawks, but I am now turned off by him.
- boilermaker100

Kadri's lack of maturity and discipline has been on display his entire career. He is also looking for a huge contract. I don't want, and never have wanted, this idiot anywhere near the Blackhawk roster.

Kadri's lack of maturity and discipline has been on display his entire career. He is also looking for a huge contract. I don't want, and never have wanted, this idiot anywhere near the Blackhawk roster.
- paulr

My guess is Brendan Shanaban will be ordering Kadri a cab in late June to take him to the Toronto Airport - destination Ottawa or Glendale, Arizona. The Leafs have had enough of that moron.

That was exactly what happened, hahahaha!! Glad you remembered! If he signs with us (please dear God, no) I'm up for the mission to verbally tear him a new ass.
- I Am The Breadman

Serendipity... I started sarcastically defending Gustafsson during the middle of the season (sporting my fictitious Gustafsson jersey, of course) and he starts to put up points. Go figure...

The new age hockey "experts" think you're wrong. Apparently defense, experience and the ability to play in a physical environment are all passe.
- paulr

So says Count de Monet, Head of the High Order of Lavender Sniffers and hockey expert extraordinaire.

I don't have any issues with Dzingle but I think Stan needs to focus his UFA efforts on the team's needs - bottom 6 defensive forwards (especially for the PK) and defense. Dzingle doesn't check either box.

I would rather sign the likes of Tanev or somebody like that.
- DarthKane

As far as priorities, the defense and bottom 6 forwards who are defensively responsible difference makers are at the top. A top 6 forward is nice to have but not need to have.

Yes, a player like Tanev fits the bill for 4th line winger.

In the last blog a few mentioned trading with the Flames to regain Frolik which I fully support. Even when he was a Blackhawk, he was defensively solid but then he became a prototypical 3rd liner by complementing his defense with being a 0.50 PPG forward ever since leaving Chicago except for a bad year in 2017-18 but bounced back strongly this past season (over 0.50 PPG and rise from career worst -19 to career best +24).

IMO, a competitive 3rd line would be comprised of all forwards who are great in all zones and can provide secondary scoring at a 0.50 PPG clip (give or take). Current players at that level are Saad, Anisimov, and Kahun. Sikura could realistically get there. Perlini and Kubalik are wild cards. Add Frolik to the mix and the 3rd line starts to look pretty good.

As far as priorities, the defense and bottom 6 forwards who are defensively responsible difference makers are at the top. A top 6 forward is nice to have but not need to have.

Yes, a player like Tanev fits the bill for 4th line winger.

In the last blog a few mentioned trading with the Flames to regain Frolik which I fully support. Even when he was a Blackhawk, he was defensively solid but then he became a prototypical 3rd liner by complementing his defense with being a 0.50 PPG forward ever since leaving Chicago except for a bad year in 2017-18 but bounced back strongly this past season (over 0.50 PPG and rise from career worst -19 to career best +24).

IMO, a competitive 3rd line would be comprised of all forwards who are great in all zones and can provide secondary scoring at a 0.50 PPG clip (give or take). Current players at that level are Saad, Anisimov, and Kahun. Sikura could realistically get there. Perlini and Kubalik are wild cards. Add Frolik to the mix and the 3rd line starts to look pretty good.
- AEL_Fox

The PK gets better too with a guy like Frolik, high-motor and constantly bird-dogging for the puck.

Because HockeysFuture sucks, and Hockey DB tends to be old school and still errors on the side of caution, because so many Euros are asked to return to the traditional "shoot left = LW) and don't (didn't) get that luxury to walk in and be an off-handed winger.
- wiz1901

Noted.

Then do you feel Kubalik is a RW? How about Perlini? Sikura? Caggiula? Kahun? Hayden? (Understanding that they can flip flop depending on need.) But what would say is their natural position or the one they are best at or the position you would play them at if you were the head coach and could fill in around them.

How much do you think it matters to the players? (Obviously making the club, getting ice time and playing on the top lines would be their priorities.)

Serendipity... I started sarcastically defending Gustafsson during the middle of the season (sporting my fictitious Gustafsson jersey, of course) and he starts to put up points. Go figure...
- Chief4Feathers

It was 2 sweaters, iirc. It is Magic Gus, btw.

The Frolik acquisition, I fully endorse that idea. Always a player I loved.

The PK gets better too with a guy like Frolik, high-motor and constantly bird-dogging for the puck.
- Chief4Feathers

I like Frolik a lot too. But if salary is an issue, the Flames have a few younger guys that would be worth poaching - Sam Bennett, Austin Czarnik and/or Garnett Hathaway. And then Bowman could unload cement skates John Hayden.

The PK gets better too with a guy like Frolik, high-motor and constantly bird-dogging for the puck.
- Chief4Feathers

Yes, adding a Frolik and a Tanev would really help the PK as well. Personnel is half the battle. Then see how Colliton and staff can tweak strategy to strengthen the other half.

If you look at the defensemen taken in the 1st round, those that have played a significant amount of games, most are still with the original team that drafted them.

It makes me realize that the idea of trading for a top 4 defenseman is very remote. Teams just don't give them up.

Hawks will have to look hard at Byram to see if he really projects to be a top 4.
- Rota's Rooter

Usung common sense and the fact that Bowman and Kelliy said that in an organizational meeting held after all the hockey is done and before the draft .....at that time all the scouts , Scotty - everyone offers input and they try to come up with a consensus whom to take with their #1.

I am guessing that opinion is diverse on the dman but more likely most could agree Hughes then Cozens. If Dach skated better i think he is in that consideration. I move Turcotte down a bit because he seems more complimary than the force driving a line. I might be wrong but that is my guess on him.

Also perhaps they trade Gus conditional if a hard nosed forward is available. They could try for two hard nosed yet talented forwards with idea being this type forward in top six is preresiquite to win in playoffs.

Another direction is to snag a goaltender. Or if the teally like someone like Broberg: sounds like he could develoo into a top pair guy and has the Keith type skating he uses in coverage. I am basing that on wiz scouting report at draftsite.org. Lots of tough decisions, eh?!

I like Frolik a lot too. But if salary is an issue, the Flames have a few younger guys that would be worth poaching - Sam Bennett, Austin Czarnik and/or Garnett Hathaway. And then Bowman could unload cement skates John Hayden.
- RickJ

Plus, I’m tired of the “getting the band back together” mentality. It was great, now it’s over. Move on. I get that people are comfortable with what they know, but we don’t need to recycle all of the names from Championship teams past.

Usung cimmon sense and the fact that Bkwman and Kekky said that in an organizational meeting held after all the hockey is done and before the draft .....at that time all the scouts , Scotty - everyone offers inout and they try ti come uo with a consensus whom to take with their #1.

I am guessing that opinion is diverse on the dman but more likely most could agree Hughes then Cozens. If Dach skated better i think he is in that consideration. Also perhaps they trade Gus cinditiinal if a haed nosed firward is available. They could try for two hard nised yet talented forwards with idea being this tyoe firwards in too sux is preresiwuite to win in playoffs. Another directiin is to snag a giamtender. Broberg sounds like he coukd develoo into a top pair guy and has the Keith type skating he uses in coverage. Lots of tough decisions, eh?!
- jhawk59

What dialect is that?

- DarthKane

Hilarious!!!👍

Man I miss that guy. There are some great Q gifs.
- EbonyRaptor

I was just thinking the exact same thing as I was responding to Darth.

What dialect is that?
- Ogilthorpe2

i fixed the typo and such within a couple of minutes. Need to be careful to check before hitting send. Maybe i should have changed the BOLD. My point is that despite all the talk on this board even Stan has a difficult time determining whom to select. Lots of good first round talent this year. Maybe you could fly in to whatever city and attend each year. Be our microphone and reporter behind the scenes.

I'm back here to beat this dead horse some more ... trade Gustafsson to Toronto for RFA rights to Kapanen and the last year of the $5.3M Horton contract.

Toronto is simply not going to sign RFA's Marner, Kapanen and Johnsson and replace Hainsey and Gardiner on defense with the available cap space. They will need to lose players - probably more than one.

Gustafsson would be a cheap replacement for Gardiner, albeit for only one season. Horton's contract can almost be looked at as a placeholder for the additional cap space needed to re-sign Cat, Strome and Kahun next summer - or at lease $5.3M toward the cap space needed. The Hawks will need that cap space next summer so it really can't be used this summer anyway.
- EbonyRaptor

I really like this idea, but only if you are certain Beaudin or Boqvist or Joki can reasonably fill the PP QB role in the top 4, plus that the Hawks could have a short 2 year deal on a guy like Stralman. I like Kapanen a lot and taking on Horton's 1 year left makes a lot of sense for the Hawks to get an asset back.

I really like this idea, but only if you are certain Beaudin or Boqvist or Joki can reasonably fill the PP QB role in the top 4, plus that the Hawks could have a short 2 year deal on a guy like Stralman. I like Kapanen a lot and taking on Horton's 1 year left makes a lot of sense for the Hawks to get an asset back.
- Budi1782

If your idea done then there is no news splash July 1 of an E Karlsson sign. Karlsson in a big dollar three year deal to show by example how to be a new age dman? After three years he gets new tag as old age dman. By then enough prospects have and are graduating to nhl defense. If Karlsson then might trade Gus and use the pick on a hard nosed forward or goaltender

I really like this idea, but only if you are certain Beaudin or Boqvist or Joki can reasonably fill the PP QB role in the top 4, plus that the Hawks could have a short 2 year deal on a guy like Stralman. I like Kapanen a lot and taking on Horton's 1 year left makes a lot of sense for the Hawks to get an asset back.
- Budi1782

I'm thinking Bo Byram takes over as PP QB.