Wasn't replying to you...there has been like 20 posts today about Artem Anisimov. And more in the Blackhawks thread too. It seems like a popular trade target. - matty12345
Gotcha. Yeah, not particularly interested in AA ( Haven't looked at his contract, but if it's short, may not be a bad stop gap if he could be had for a nothing burger)
Location: For me. jack Eichel is bobby ryan….that's it. - Octavarium, NY Joined: 05.05.2011
Jul 10 @ 2:12 PM ET
Gotcha. Yeah, not particularly interested in AA ( Haven't looked at his contract, but if it's short, may not be a bad stop gap if he could be had for a nothing burger) - SDSabre
He could definitely be had for peanuts. The question is, does he make this team better. If no, raise your standards.
Wasn't replying to you...there has been like 20 posts today about Artem Anisimov. And more in the Blackhawks thread too. It seems like a popular trade target. - matty12345
I'd take him. Not for anything really good, but he's a fine insurance policy for Mitts, and $4m isn't bad for 2 years
Blackhawks rookie defenseman Henri Jokiharju shuts down star, opens eyes
By Tom Musick Oct 29, 2018, 11:08pm CDT
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Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has spoke glowingly of 19-year-old Henri Jokiharju. Paul Vernon/AP
Coach Joel Quenneville almost never is quick to praise a young player, particularly a young defenseman.
At best, a player who lacks experience might get the following endorsement: “I didn’t mind him.” Other common critiques by Quenneville include, “He was just OK,” which means something less than OK, and, “He was ordinary,” which is about as bad as it gets.
So it was striking when Quenneville spoke glowingly about 19-year-old defenseman Henri Jokiharju this week.
“I liked him a lot,” Quenneville said after the Blackhawks’ 2-1 overtime loss Sunday to the Oilers. “He had a great start [to the season], and I liked him over the last three or four games. He’s done well.
“He’s out there against top guys. He’s got a tremendous gap; he’s got quickness; he recovers well. He’s going to get better with his stick. He makes a lot of direct plays. He’ll get better in that area, recognize options offensively. But getting exposed to [those] type of assignments at this stage of his career is pretty flattering, but he’s handled it extremely well.”
In other words, Quenneville really doesn’t mind him.
Has he spoken like this about any other young blue-liner? This type of praise typically is reserved for proven veterans, not a baby-faced Finn.
But Jokiharju has earned the off-ice compliments because of his on-ice accomplishments.
Quenneville leaned heavily on Jokiharju and defense partner Duncan Keith to handle the Oilers’ potent top line, which featured superstar Connor McDavid at center along with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kailer Yamamoto on the wings.
It’s a risk for any defender to take on McDavid, who the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby recently said was an “easy pick” for the NHL’s best player. But the risk was even greater for Jokiharju, who entered the showdown with all of 11 games of NHL experience.
RELATED
• Blackhawks fall to Connor McDavid, Oilers in overtime
• Blackhawks bench Jan Rutta, seek answers on defense
As he has done all season, Jokiharju proved to be up to the task. He and Keith subdued the Oilers’ potent top line throughout regulation, although McDavid eventually broke through in the three-on-three overtime while Jokiharju watched from the bench.
“He’s been great,” defenseman Brent Seabrook said. “I thought he was exceptional, the way he played. The way he’s able to skate and move, as a young defenseman, he makes a lot of smart plays. He’s good with the puck, confident with the puck, and he can shoot it.”
Expect more top assignments on the way for Jokiharju and Keith.
It looks as if the pairing will stick for quite some time — something Keith, 35, is eager to embrace.
“I was actually thinking about that before the game Sunday, thinking I’ve bounced around with a few different partners,” Keith said. “It’s a good feeling to know that he’s as young as he is and as good as he is. It definitely bodes well for the team and myself as a partner with him.”
Keith has provided guidance for Jokiharju throughout the season. But the rookie has helped the older guy, too.
“He allows me to play my game, for one thing,” Keith said. “For 19 years old, he’s pretty poised. He’s a great skater, he’s good with the puck, makes smart plays, good defensively. Defense isn’t an easy position to break into, and he’s doing it like a veteran.”
He could definitely be had for peanuts. The question is, does he make this team better. If no, raise your standards. - TheSabresTaco
Not sure if he would make the team better (Honestly haven't watched him play, or the Hawks as much as in years past for obvious reasons). Raising standards is the way to go. Dare I say, Eric (frank)ing Haula. Couldn't help myself. Move along everyone. Disregard this post.
Wasn't replying to you...there has been like 20 posts today about Artem Anisimov. And more in the Blackhawks thread too. It seems like a popular trade target. - matty12345
We have been trying to trade him for a while now but some fans don't understand that if he leaves we have to replace him with someone too, LOL.
Blackhawks rookie defenseman Henri Jokiharju shuts down star, opens eyes
By Tom Musick Oct 29, 2018, 11:08pm CDT
Share
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has spoke glowingly of 19-year-old Henri Jokiharju. Paul Vernon/AP
Coach Joel Quenneville almost never is quick to praise a young player, particularly a young defenseman.
At best, a player who lacks experience might get the following endorsement: “I didn’t mind him.” Other common critiques by Quenneville include, “He was just OK,” which means something less than OK, and, “He was ordinary,” which is about as bad as it gets.
So it was striking when Quenneville spoke glowingly about 19-year-old defenseman Henri Jokiharju this week.
“I liked him a lot,” Quenneville said after the Blackhawks’ 2-1 overtime loss Sunday to the Oilers. “He had a great start - lulags[to the season], and I liked him over the last three or four games. He’s done well.
“He’s out there against top guys. He’s got a tremendous gap; he’s got quickness; he recovers well. He’s going to get better with his stick. He makes a lot of direct plays. He’ll get better in that area, recognize options offensively. But getting exposed to [those] type of assignments at this stage of his career is pretty flattering, but he’s handled it extremely well.”
In other words, Quenneville really doesn’t mind him.
Has he spoken like this about any other young blue-liner? This type of praise typically is reserved for proven veterans, not a baby-faced Finn.
But Jokiharju has earned the off-ice compliments because of his on-ice accomplishments.
Quenneville leaned heavily on Jokiharju and defense partner Duncan Keith to handle the Oilers’ potent top line, which featured superstar Connor McDavid at center along with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kailer Yamamoto on the wings.
It’s a risk for any defender to take on McDavid, who the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby recently said was an “easy pick” for the NHL’s best player. But the risk was even greater for Jokiharju, who entered the showdown with all of 11 games of NHL experience.
RELATED
• Blackhawks fall to Connor McDavid, Oilers in overtime
• Blackhawks bench Jan Rutta, seek answers on defense
As he has done all season, Jokiharju proved to be up to the task. He and Keith subdued the Oilers’ potent top line throughout regulation, although McDavid eventually broke through in the three-on-three overtime while Jokiharju watched from the bench.
“He’s been great,” defenseman Brent Seabrook said. “I thought he was exceptional, the way he played. The way he’s able to skate and move, as a young defenseman, he makes a lot of smart plays. He’s good with the puck, confident with the puck, and he can shoot it.”
Expect more top assignments on the way for Jokiharju and Keith.
It looks as if the pairing will stick for quite some time — something Keith, 35, is eager to embrace.
“I was actually thinking about that before the game Sunday, thinking I’ve bounced around with a few different partners,” Keith said. “It’s a good feeling to know that he’s as young as he is and as good as he is. It definitely bodes well for the team and myself as a partner with him.”
Keith has provided guidance for Jokiharju throughout the season. But the rookie has helped the older guy, too.
“He allows me to play my game, for one thing,” Keith said. “For 19 years old, he’s pretty poised. He’s a great skater, he’s good with the puck, makes smart plays, good defensively. Defense isn’t an easy position to break into, and he’s doing it like a veteran.”
Read (red) this too...like the trade, don't care how Bustlander does assuming this kid pans out to be a top 4 guy.
Anisimov had 15 goals last year and is 31. He costs 4.5 mill for the next two years
Middlestadt had 12 goals last year and is 20. He is cost controlled.
I will eat my shoes if Casey doesn't score more goals next year than AA. - matty12345
Anisimov is a perfect 3C, and can capably fill in as a 2C (see 2016+17 centering Panarin + Kane). Hawks NEED to shed Cap Space, and there is a good chance that Dach makes the team out of camp and plays 3C with Saad-Shaw on his wings.
We have been trying to trade him for a while now but some fans don't understand that if he leaves we have to replace him with someone too, LOL. - BlackhawkMike
I brought it up in your thread. One of your guys said Matej Pekar and a 5th. I would take that deal.
Location: For me. jack Eichel is bobby ryan….that's it. - Octavarium, NY Joined: 05.05.2011
Jul 10 @ 2:21 PM ET
Anisimov is a perfect 3C, and can capably fill in as a 2C (see 2016+17 centering Panarin + Kane). Hawks NEED to shed Cap Space, and there is a good chance that Dach makes the team out of camp and plays 3C with Saad-Shaw on his wings. - EnzoD
Question for you and Mike. Does AA make the Sabres better as an almost full time 2C, who will need to be relied on heavily for a 200' game and plenty of FOs
Location: For me. jack Eichel is bobby ryan….that's it. - Octavarium, NY Joined: 05.05.2011
Jul 10 @ 2:23 PM ET
I brought it up in your thread. One of your guys said Matej Pekar and a 5th. I would take that deal. - jcragcrumple
I don't want to be the guy who says all prospects have more value than most NHLers, but, if AA can't make the Sabres a better team at 2C, you might as well keep moving. It's a waste of a likable asset.
Now if it was Tyler Johnson, I'd be all for it. In a larger deal of course.
Question for you and Mike. Does AA make the Sabres better as an almost full time 2C, who will need to be relied on heavily for a 200' game and plenty of FOs - TheSabresTaco
Mitts has not proven he can take the roll you have slotted him in and make the team better. It is possible. But it is unproven. Just like last year when Botts thought he could.
Mitts has not proven he can take the roll you have slotted him in and make the team better. It is possible. But it is unproven. Just like last year when Botts thought he could.
A year can make all the difference. Or not. - TheSabresTaco
Lines 2 and 3 are really interchangeable. You can swap Reinhart and Mojo and call it line 2. Or just balance the ice time. I sound like a broken record, but Anisimov is what we wanted from Berglund
Mitts has not proven he can take the roll you have slotted him in and make the team better. It is possible. But it is unproven. Just like last year when Botts thought he could.
A year can make all the difference. Or not. - TheSabresTaco
I mean when we finally played him with Reinhart he had 6 points in 9 games. The problem was he didn’t get the PP time and was essentially playing 11 minutes a night most nights with nobody.
Mitts has not proven he can take the roll you have slotted him in and make the team better. It is possible. But it is unproven. Just like last year when Botts thought he could.
A year can make all the difference. Or not. - TheSabresTaco
mitts did look better at the end when he got a few decent players on his wing
I think it's more lack of depth last season on the wing
adding vesey, johansson and olofsson should help IMO
I mean when we finally played him with Reinhart he had 6 points in 9 games. The problem was he didn’t get the PP time and was essentially playing 11 minutes a night most nights with nobody. - Swedish_Jesus
Location: For me. jack Eichel is bobby ryan….that's it. - Octavarium, NY Joined: 05.05.2011
Jul 10 @ 2:30 PM ET
Lines 2 and 3 are really interchangeable. You can swap Reinhart and Mojo and call it line 2. Or just balance the ice time. I sound like a broken record, but Anisimov is what we wanted from Berglund - jcragcrumple
I mean when we finally played him with Reinhart he had 6 points in 9 games. The problem was he didn’t get the PP time and was essentially playing 11 minutes a night most nights with nobody. - Swedish_Jesus