I also thought about those 4 being the part of the next core. Unfortunately there is no one around to become the next Hossa who was as instrumental as anyone in winning those 3 Cups.

Patrick Sharp does not get enough credit either. Fast two-way player, center or wing, good for 30 goals a year. That doesn't grow on trees we have not replaced him let alone Hossa.
- rpeters01

So, so true (his play or his impact on the team cohesiveness and morale). Which, despite the smear campaign before the team pulled trigger on trade, was largely positive.

That's one that is a conundrum...let's say it is patently obvious that Lehner has become our #1 based on play and ice time. It's one thing to acknowledge that in game assignments, but it's a very different message handing out the contract for next season mid-season and effectively telling Crawford, "sorry, you're no longer our guy."

Yes, you might want to lock up Lehner before his negotiating leverage is through the roof, but...that might not go over well in the locker room.
- pdx2ord

It's a fair point to make...but...as much as I absolutely LOVE the core and everything they've done for this Franchise and this city...at some point you have to understand that this is a business and at the end of the day you HAVE to do what is right for the team. If Lehner is willing to sign a four year deal for 6M per at the beginning of January and he's playing like a #1 you need to sign him to that deal right then and there. If you don't and he hits FA that number is just gonna go up.

That's one that is a conundrum...let's say it is patently obvious that Lehner has become our #1 based on play and ice time. It's one thing to acknowledge that in game assignments, but it's a very different message handing out the contract for next season mid-season and effectively telling Crawford, "sorry, you're no longer our guy."

Yes, you might want to lock up Lehner before his negotiating leverage is through the roof, but...that might not go over well in the locker room.
- pdx2ord

Soon, most if the guys in the locker room who count will only have seen the injured Crawford.
Corey is done after this year move on already.

Building a new core is tempting and would be a fun exercise to see who management views as that new core.

Another perspective is being solid at every position with a few elite talents sprinkled in here and there. Not all of these prospects will make it but the potential is there to be impact players up and down the lineup.

Forward:
Dach, DeBrincat, Strome, Nylander, Sikura, Kurashev, Entwistle, Barratt, Wise, Soderlund

Defense:
Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Vlasic, Krys, Galvas, Regula, Carlsson, Gilbert, Moberg

Goalie:
Delia, Lankinen, Gravel
- AEL_Fox

So you trade Saad next year before he goes UFA? He will be 28 (in his prime) when his conract ends. Is he part of the baby core as the senior citizen?

Wow for a fringe prospect he sounds like a world beater. Perlini wasn't playing here and wasn't going to get a legit shot to show he can live up to the potential so this was a major win-win trade for both the Hawks and Red Wings.

Wings get a guy who's flashed some good middle six potential at times with his combo of size, speed, and his shot. He played with Dylan Larkin back in Juniors so there's some chemistry there that they could play off of. I'd slot him into the Top 6 with him right off the bat and see what he can do. Might as well do it and see if you can find a cheap offensive weapon to include in your core going forward.

Hawks get a fringe Defensive prospect with size who based on scouting reports sounds amazing so he's a nice piece to add into the fold and see what he can do. It's a solid lotto ticket that you hope can develop into something in the long term. It's cool to see that he's a big guy with size who can carry the puck fairly well, but also is a RHD that plays on the left side. We're lacking some depth on the right side after the golden boys so it's good to add some depth there in the organization.

More than anything, this helps the Hawks clear a roster spot to create some more flexibility this year. We'll see if they get him signed to a deal this offseason but for now I'm good with the move. Wish Perlini nothing but the best of luck and I hope he gets a legit shot to prove why he was a top pick in the draft.
- Savetheembers33

Perlini has this agent Darren Farris who has developed a reputation of being a problem for GM's. Stan was probably happy to send Perlini off to his 3rd bad NHL team. If Perlini doesn't perform, Yzerman won't have any problem telling his agent to FO when he comes looking for a raise for his client.

It's a fair point to make...but...as much as I absolutely LOVE the core and everything they've done for this Franchise and this city...at some point you have to understand that this is a business and at the end of the day you HAVE to do what is right for the team. If Lehner is willing to sign a four year deal for 6M per at the beginning of January and he's playing like a #1 you need to sign him to that deal right then and there. If you don't and he hits FA that number is just gonna go up.
- Savetheembers33

Yeah, hence the conundrum. And, yes, the business concerns have to outweigh sentimentality at this point. I'm hoping one of the goalies makes it obvious to all, including their fellow players, who is the future. Then, much less risk of impact to room.

Perlini has this agent Darren Farris who has developed a reputation of being a problem for GM's. Stan was probably happy to send Perlini off to his 3rd bad NHL team. If Perlini doesn't perform, Yzerman won't have any problem telling his agent to FO when he comes looking for a raise for his client.
- RickJ

If Perlini does not impress with Detroit, he will be playing alongside Duclair in Ottawa.

All prospects are a risk, some just more than others. But I like that Stan acquired this type of d-man rather than another small puck-moving type.
- DarthKane

Agree. You already have drafted 3 of those in Boqvist, Mitchell and Beaudin and that might have been another factor in the Jokiharju trade.

They drafted a bigger dman in Vlasic, Gilbert could end up being a player who eats some minutes and now they’ve added another potential guy in Regula.

I also thought about those 4 being the part of the next core. Unfortunately there is no one around to become the next Hossa who was as instrumental as anyone in winning those 3 Cups.
- boilermaker100

I wouldn't say that about Hossa. I mean, don't get me wrong, Hossa is on another level as far as how great he was on both ends of the ice with that puck, but they might be in position to sign a FA in a few years that can be that elite level difference maker for them. Hossa was the main key IMO to taking this team to the next level.

I also thought about those 4 being the part of the next core. Unfortunately there is no one around to become the next Hossa who was as instrumental as anyone in winning those 3 Cups.

Patrick Sharp does not get enough credit either. Fast two-way player, center or wing, good for 30 goals a year. That doesn't grow on trees we have not replaced him let alone Hossa.
- rpeters01

So, so true (his play or his impact on the team cohesiveness and morale). Which, despite the smear campaign before the team pulled trigger on trade, was largely positive.
- pdx2ord

Sharp was one of the best trades this Franchise ever made. At the time he was a fringe 4th line player who wasn't even getting a chance in Philly and when he came here they gave him the chance to play top minutes and develop and he became an absolute sniper for them and provided that huge secondary punch this team or any team needs to win (sound familiar to a situation going on now?). It is a real shame that things went the way they did before he got traded to Dallas. Should have ended better for him. That was part of the reason why I was glad they brought him back for that one year deal so he could walk away on better terms.

Wow this probably is gonna be a deal that they truly regret giving out. He'll be 30 once this deal kicks in which takes him to 38 Smashville might have their own Seabrook deal killing them down the line as well
- Savetheembers33

Fits in with yesterday's discussion. Josi had the Preds by the short hairs. He's too old for that length deal, for sure. But they are right in the middle of a Cup window. Were they gonna let their best defenseman walk? Or trade him for picks or prospects?

I'm sure there will be some Nashville fans that say they should've signed him for less term, as if that was an option.....

Perlini has this agent Darren Farris who has developed a reputation of being a problem for GM's. Stan was probably happy to send Perlini off to his 3rd bad NHL team. If Perlini doesn't perform, Yzerman won't have any problem telling his agent to FO when he comes looking for a raise for his client.
- RickJ

Everything I heard was that Stan really liked Perlini and wanted to give him a chance but it was JC's decision not to play him. Maybe his agent was an a$$ to deal with Stan was sick of dealing with him. No doubt he's gonna have to perform if he wants to stick in the NHL and earn a contract for more tan the league minimum.

Yeah, hence the conundrum. And, yes, the business concerns have to outweigh sentimentality at this point. I'm hoping one of the goalies makes it obvious to all, including their fellow players, who is the future. Then, much less risk of impact to room.
- pdx2ord

Yeah I agree. I hope that Lehner continues to play at a high level so that the guys, while they love Crow, can see that he gives them the best chance to win. I still would like to see Crow play well this year when he draws in and maybe even get a shot elsewhere next year. I know he's from Montreal and grew up a fan of them. Perhaps he goes back home. Especially if the rumors are true that the Habs are looking at trading Price.

So, so true (his play or his impact on the team cohesiveness and morale). Which, despite the smear campaign before the team pulled trigger on trade, was largely positive.
- pdx2ord

Excellent post by rpeters. Sharp also brought some snarl to the Hawks, and played well defensively. Sharp was better than all the kids on the Hawks, with the possible exception of Cat (too early to tell on Dach).

Fits in with yesterday's discussion. Josi had the Preds by the short hairs. He's too old for that length deal, for sure. But they are right in the middle of a Cup window. Were they gonna let their best defenseman walk? Or trade him for picks or prospects?

I'm sure there will be some Nashville fans that say they should've signed him for less term, as if that was an option.....
- mohel

The Preds also have Ryan Ellis signed for another 7 years that takes him until he is 34. Turris is another poop contract they have, and not sure Ryan Johansson is worth $8 mil. Forsberg is signed for another 2 years at $6mil, when he becomes UFA at 28.

he is only 5 months older then Dach and D and both tall D generally take some time to grow into there body and grow into the position. We don't have any big RD other then murp so in 2-3 years we may need one. he looks even bigger then Dach. I guess now the 12 forwards are SET. Smith being the healthy scratch. and Seabs being the scratch when murph comes back. Lehner in goal. we should run those for 10 games (maybe play Craw if its back to back)

It's a fair point to make...but...as much as I absolutely LOVE the core and everything they've done for this Franchise and this city...at some point you have to understand that this is a business and at the end of the day you HAVE to do what is right for the team. If Lehner is willing to sign a four year deal for 6M per at the beginning of January and he's playing like a #1 you need to sign him to that deal right then and there. If you don't and he hits FA that number is just gonna go up.
- Savetheembers33

Uncle Lou Lamiorello watched Lehner all of last year and didn't think he was worth a huge long term commitment. Neither did Buffalo before that. So after 15 or 20 games the Hawks should dive into the deep end with him?

I suggest they fix the defence in front of the goaltender properly first - that always makes puck stoppers look great.

Fits in with yesterday's discussion. Josi had the Preds by the short hairs. He's too old for that length deal, for sure. But they are right in the middle of a Cup window. Were they gonna let their best defenseman walk? Or trade him for picks or prospects?

I'm sure there will be some Nashville fans that say they should've signed him for less term, as if that was an option.....
- mohel

They had to give him the deal they did if they wanted to keep him. However, they should have played it smarter and learned from the error of the rivals who made the same mistake with Seabrook. That deal at least made a lot more sense because the team was coming off it's third Stanley Cup win with him playing a major role in those championships. There wasn't any reason at the time to believe his play would drop off a damn cliff like it has in the past few years.

If I were the GM, and I know he's great now and you're trying to win a Cup now, but I would have seriously considered trading him to re-stock the farm. Now they're gonna have to live with that contract after giving him a NTC.

Excellent post by rpeters. Sharp also brought some snarl to the Hawks, and played well defensively. Sharp was better than all the kids on the Hawks, with the possible exception of Cat (too early to tell on Dach).
- mohel

I'd actually like to see DBC try to mirror Sharp's game...think it is best suited to his skillset and instincts. Seemed earlier this year, he was trying to be more like a power forward/grinder and was not succeeding at any aspect of the game.

Excellent post by rpeters. Sharp also brought some snarl to the Hawks, and played well defensively. Sharp was better than all the kids on the Hawks, with the possible exception of Cat (too early to tell on Dach).
- mohel

Great point by him but also misses the point to a bit...though you hit it.

It’s too early to tell on a lot of these guys what they actually become. One of the pluses on Dach was good defensive zone awareness and a good 2 way game. Who’s to say he doesn’t eventually become the heir apparent to the Hossa mantle.

Not saying he will, but too early to write the book on any of these guys.

Take it from the Hoss’s mouth. He even mentions he didn’t become the great defensive player he did until he played with Datsyuk.

Yeah, hence the conundrum. And, yes, the business concerns have to outweigh sentimentality at this point. I'm hoping one of the goalies makes it obvious to all, including their fellow players, who is the future. Then, much less risk of impact to room.
- pdx2ord

Only conundrum is with the fans. So far it's been an easy choice. Lehner is badly out playing Crawford and the 5v5 stat is BS. All you need are your eyes.

They had to give him the deal they did if they wanted to keep him. However, they should have played it smarter and learned from the error of the rivals who made the same mistake with Seabrook. That deal at least made a lot more sense because the team was coming off it's third Stanley Cup win with him playing a major role in those championships. There wasn't any reason at the time to believe his play would drop off a damn cliff like it has in the past few years.

If I were the GM, and I know he's great now and you're trying to win a Cup now, but I would have seriously considered trading him to re-stock the farm. Now they're gonna have to live with that contract after giving him a NTC.
- Savetheembers33

I'm thinking that the fans see an open Cup window and are gonna bring out the pitchforks if you close it on them.

Uncle Lou Lamiorello watched Lehner all of last year and didn't think he was worth a huge long term commitment. Neither did Buffalo before that. So after 15 or 20 games the Hawks should dive into the deep end with him?

I suggest they fix the defence in front of the goaltender properly first - that always makes puck stoppers look great.
- RickJ

Buffalo didn't sign him because he was never consistent and didn't live up to the hype that he had coming over from Ottawa. He only flashed playing well at times. But to be fair, their Franchise hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire with their decisions over the past two decades and they never had a great team in place in front of him to succeed.

The whole situation with New York and Lou is interesting. I don't think it had to do with his talent. I think it was two fold. One, I think Lou wanted to make a splash and get Bob this offseason but wasn't able to do so he settled with Varlamov because he was able to get him to sign to the term he wanted (also I think him being Russian and their top prospect being Russian as well helped that as well). Then, I think as good as a guy as Robin is and how commendable it is that he's stepped up and spoken about his battles with mental health and his personal battles, I think that effected the interest teams had in him in FA.

If he's playing at a truly elite level like he did last year for the Hawks lets say at the end of Janaury or around the All Star Break I would look into signing him long term yes. While I agree with you, you can win with an average Goalie and a great Defense as we did with Niemi in '10, but with the amount of uncertainty with the backend between having Keith and Seabrook on the decline, Matta, Murphy, and de Haan kinda in the middle to back end D-Pairing level, and we really don't know what we'll have with Boqvist, Mitchell, or Beaudin signing him to about a four year deal gives you that window to allow for him to hold the fort down while they develop so that by the time his deal is up so will there's and you can pay the kids and have the next Goalie ready waiting in the wings. Whether that's Delia, Lankinen, Gravel, or whoever.

I'm not saying pay him no matter what. He has to prove it and if he does then they would be wise to get a deal done before the season ends and he hits FA.

I'd actually like to see DBC try to mirror Sharp's game...think it is best suited to his skillset and instincts. Seemed earlier this year, he was trying to be more like a power forward/grinder and was not succeeding at any aspect of the game.
- pdx2ord

Sharp was six foot 200 pounds one of the fastest skaters in the league. Dinky will never be that guy.

So you trade Saad next year before he goes UFA? He will be 28 (in his prime) when his conract ends. Is he part of the baby core as the senior citizen?
- LAHawk

Good call on Saad. I would re-sign him to a reasonable extension to be a veteran presence. Can be effective anywhere in the top 9.

Kubalik and Kampf are also possible fixtures to lock up depending on seeing a longer and consistent track record.

I'm thinking that the fans see an open Cup window and are gonna bring out the pitchforks if you close it on them.
- mohel

Lmao you're right on that. I know as a fan I would be pissed if they traded one of our best prospects BUT lets say they decided to keep PK Subban instead traded Josi for an even bigger package of players. You would still have a top level defense on the back end, but also would be able to get out of that contract sooner before Subban's level of play falls off and you would be able to recoup a better package of draft picks and/or draft picks from whoever than what they got for Subban.

Either way, they made their choice and if they win a cup at some point I doubt anyone will complain to the level us Hawks fans have about Seabrook's deal and be happy that they got their one Cup