Problem is he wants to play center. Why are we trading Saad for guy who was demoted to the 4th line in Montreal? I watched a lot of that series and it was performance based. Domi was passed by KK, Suzuki and Danault. I am not trading Saad for him.
- Elbows15

"We" aren't trading anyone. I just added my two cents to the discussion about Domi after Theo mentioned that he could play center or wing.

https://www.nhltraderumors.me/

reported someone Montreal and CHi are talking a Domi for SAAD trade.

SAAD has slightly better metrics and both are 50 pt guys Domi more a assist person them scorer. SAAD vice versa. max is 2 1/3 years younger 10 lbs lighter. I would only do this if strome was also moved for a winger or off course a true top 4 D.

what do you think Domi gets salary wise?
- kmw4631

Well the minute the Habs acquired Jake Allen and put 15 mil of the flat CAP in the position I thought, could Jake Allen be their temporarily and earmarked elsewhere when the trade dust settled?
Could it me a backup goalie with one year left on his contract and Domi going elsewhere?

How different are Holloway and Byfield?
- Chunk

Major difference is Quint Byfield has years playing in a tough OHL with lost of games and has proven to be a physical fast skilled player with high end hockey IQ and his upside is probably Dach-like or higher because of the speed.

He likes the heavy going and is unphased by physicality.

The ice of the Kings taking the German kid Tim Strudel (now that WAS meant) is based upon the quickness and lack of hesitation in the German League for this kid =to simply react correctly on each and every scoring play. I don't doubt the skill but can we be certain that the action and competition he has seen in the pro DEL is comparable to the OHL schedule and players?

Two years from today I think only one of these two is ready to be an NHL centre candidate and that is Byfield while Tim Stützle playswing until he learns as to what centre ice takes over here....

Byfield hands and over all dominance in his league is evident and Holloway is a projection on our part of diamond in the rough that finds the net once he gets there.

Major difference is Quint Byfield has years playing in a tough OHL with lost of games and has proven to be a physical fast skilled player with high end hockey IQ and his upside is probably Dach-like or higher because of the speed.

He likes the heavy going and is unphased by physicality.

The ice of the Kings taking the German kid Tim Strudel (now that WAS meant) is based upon the quickness and lack of hesitation in the German League for this kid =to simply react correctly on each and every scoring play. I don't doubt the skill but can we be certain that the action and competition he has seen in the pro DEL is comparable to the OHL schedule and players?

Two years from today I think only one of these two is ready to be an NHL centre candidate and that is Byfield while Tim Stützle playswing until he learns as to what centre ice takes over here....

Byfield hands and over all dominance in his league is evident and Holloway is a projection on our part of diamond in the rough that finds the net once he gets there.



- wiz1901

Thanks Wiz. I'd be interested to see how many players who are described as "can play center or wing" actually end up being bona fide centers. I'd guess it's a low percentage.

Well the minute the Habs acquired Jake Allen and put 15 mil of the flat CAP in the position I thought, could Jake Allen be their temporarily and earmarked elsewhere when the trade dust settled?
Could it me a backup goalie with one year left on his contract and Domi going elsewhere?
- wiz1901

Craig Button thinks the deal for Allen is perfect for the Habs. They get a decent backup partner for Carey Price (now 33 yrs old) and Allen has only one year left on his deal. Plus it gives their kid goalies another year to develop in the minors, specifically Cayden Primeau.

Bergevin took note of how well Price played in the playoffs after a long rest.

And who knows what the schedule will look like next season - if they start in December or January you can be sure there will be a whole bunch of 4 games in 6 nights and back to backs. Thats not great for a vet like Price (or Crawford). A capable NHL backup makes sense going forward.

I was a huge fan of Ruutu and Teavo T. The hawks could really use them now.

I watched little Lou Angotti #6 play. Shaw reminds me of him.

D. Hasek #1 for sure...

but also challenging to forget Erik Gustafsson, who never wanted to learn defense, despite all the time the Blackhawks gave him, not to mention his Game 7 playoff losing play when he tried to play 'hero ball' by trying to take the puck across the blue line, with intent on trying to bring it into the offensive zone.

Of course, he was schooled by the Blues player, easily stripping him of the puck and then injury was added to this insult by passing to former hawk Troy Brouwer, who scored the GW goal a few seconds later.

IMO, that play, leading to loss of game and the series, ended Chicago's dynasty of the 2010's... and it wouldn't have happened if it was another player who had wasn't overly focused on offensive.

Welcome aboard Theo!
I know it's before the stated time period but any blog on this subject has to start with the Lou Brock hockey trade of all time: Esposito and Hodge!
- rpeters01

Dollar Bill didn't want to pay Esposito. Fun fact; Phil wanted to finish his career with the blackhawks but the rangers wouldn't make the trade.

D. Hasek #1 for sure...

but also challenging to forget Erik Gustafsson, who never wanted to learn defense, despite all the time the Blackhawks gave him, not to mention his Game 7 playoff losing play when he tried to play 'hero ball' by trying to take the puck across the blue line, with intent on trying to bring it into the offensive zone.

Of course, he was schooled by the Blues player, easily stripping him of the puck and then injury was added to this insult by passing to former hawk Troy Brouwer, who scored the GW goal a few seconds later. Of course, Gus had a 2nd try at correcting his mistake, but can't stop the 2nd guy from passing to TB.

IMO, that play, leading to loss of game and the series, ended Chicago's dynasty of the 2010's... and it wouldn't have happened if it was another player who had wasn't overly focused on offensive.
- DontKnowNutin

Announcer describes his play as "there's always a malfunction. EG tries to get to cute in the neutral zone....".
Don't watch if the memory is to painful: https://www.nhl.com/video...d%22%3A%20277350296%20%7D

Do you think Montreal acquiring Jake Allen, is a way to send him as part of a Saad, Domi trade.
- LAHawk

I hope not

- DarthKane

I would not be surprised if management sees Seabrook as a LTIR guy?
- rpeters01

I do not see the basis for assuming he will continue a battle with injuries. I think everyone (including Seabrook) wants to see how capable he is at playing the way he used to...maybe still slow but not as much as he had become.

I do not know if it is worth saying again: just maybe a smart old player with drive to succeed and desire to pad his bank account for his family before he retires....will be very focused and will push himself. So does he get like L Murphy ....a master at playing the angles on defense? Can he become a better version of Rozy from Rozy's last fling. Interesting and loyal fans should be curious and cheering him on

Trading Saad for Domi just doesn't make sense.Who will take Saad's place on the top 3 lines.ok,we put Domi at center on the 3rd line,bye bye Strome but we still don't have a lw on Toews line or any other line.The only way is for the Hawks to trade Strome and a d man to maybe get one.Why then?Just sign Strome,and go from there.

I do not see the basis for assuming he will continue a battle with injuries. I think everyone (including Seabrook) wants to see how capable he is at playing the way he used to...maybe still slow but not as much as he had become.

I do not know if it is worth saying again: just maybe a smart old player with drive to succeed and desire to pad his bank account for his family before he retires....will be very focused and will push himself. So does he get like L Murphy ....a master at playing the angles on defense? Can he become a better version of Rozy from Rozy's last fling. Interesting and loyal fans should be curious and cheering him on
- jhawk59

As I've said before, I'm bullish on Seabrook. I may simply be foolish, but after reading about the pain and physical limitations that he has been dealing with for the last five years, I can't help but think of how much better he can be.

I've got some experience with my own and others big injuries. It is really amazing how much more you can do when not only your body, but your mind, is not constantly dealing with pain.

Trading Saad for Domi just doesn't make sense.Who will take Saad's place on the top 3 lines.ok,we put Domi at center on the 3rd line,bye bye Strome but we still don't have a lw on Toews line or any other line.The only way is for the Hawks to trade Strome and a d man to maybe get one.Why then?Just sign Strome,and go from there.
- Tatoo

In my opinion, Strome is not a great fit for this team unless he suddenly figures out how to be quicker and play better D. He is great when his line can dictate the play, but he is too often not in that position. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he can improve considering his age, but he would have to come out into camp like that.

I could write almost the same thing for Nylander, but he is definitely a better skater.

To answer your question, I would say that Domi would take Saad's place (in theory) as he plays better on wing than center.

Glad to see you writing here Theo. Always enjoy the information you share!

I do not see the basis for assuming he will continue a battle with injuries. I think everyone (including Seabrook) wants to see how capable he is at playing the way he used to...maybe still slow but not as much as he had become.

I do not know if it is worth saying again: just maybe a smart old player with drive to succeed and desire to pad his bank account for his family before he retires....will be very focused and will push himself. So does he get like L Murphy ....a master at playing the angles on defense? Can he become a better version of Rozy from Rozy's last fling. Interesting and loyal fans should be curious and cheering him on
- jhawk59

I am cheering him on he's one of my favorite players. I'm reading tea leaves (he thought he could play in the playoffs and management said "no," but not to deHaan) and looking at multiple serious surgeries combined with his age.

Craig Button thinks the deal for Allen is perfect for the Habs. They get a decent backup partner for Carey Price (now 33 yrs old) and Allen has only one year left on his deal. Plus it gives their kid goalies another year to develop in the minors, specifically Cayden Primeau.

Bergevin took note of how well Price played in the playoffs after a long rest.

And who knows what the schedule will look like next season - if they start in December or January you can be sure there will be a whole bunch of 4 games in 6 nights and back to backs. Thats not great for a vet like Price (or Crawford). A capable NHL backup makes sense going forward.
- RickJ

Excellent points. The compact nature of games for the next season is key and may not play into what Crawford may be expecting as far as playing as much as possible.

If he re-signs, I have no doubt he will be the starter but not sure if it's in the best interest of the team for him to play almost every game if it will be 4 games a week.

Even in an 82-game season and when healthy, Crawford typically plays 67% of the games (55-59 games). Take that percentage for 3 games per week, then that's not starting in one of those games.

For a 4 or even 5 games in a given week as part of a compact schedule, he's sitting out one but ideally 2 of those games.

To your point, a capable backup is paramount. But so is Crawford being realistic with how many games he should expect to play, at least going week by week.

I would not be surprised if management sees Seabrook as a LTIR guy?
- rpeters01

I do not see the basis for assuming he will continue a battle with injuries. I think everyone (including Seabrook) wants to see how capable he is at playing the way he used to...maybe still slow but not as much as he had become.

I do not know if it is worth saying again: just maybe a smart old player with drive to succeed and desire to pad his bank account for his family before he retires....will be very focused and will push himself. So does he get like L Murphy ....a master at playing the angles on defense? Can he become a better version of Rozy from Rozy's last fling. Interesting and loyal fans should be curious and cheering him on

In my opinion, Strome is not a great fit for this team unless he suddenly figures out how to be quicker and play better D. He is great when his line can dictate the play, but he is too often not in that position. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he can improve considering his age, but he would have to come out into camp like that.

I could write almost the same thing for Nylander, but he is definitely a better skater.

To answer your question, I would say that Domi would take Saad's place (in theory) as he plays better on wing than center.
- Chunk

Very well put. I am willing to give a little more leash to Strome and Nylander but I would be lying if I didn't admit disappointment in them not progressing as impact players as I wish they would have after the hiatus.

They didn't necessarily need to have grown leaps and bounds like Dach did, who still has flaws to work out and physical maturation to get through as a teenager. But I just hoped Strome and Nylander would've moved the needle more in the Edmonton and Vegas games.

Assuming they're both on the team, they need to prove more substantial and sustained growth in 2020-21 to solidify job security in the longer run.

Glad to see you writing here Theo. Always enjoy the information you share!
- breadbag

Thanks, breadbag!

I will share as much as I can while also continuing to learn from you all is well. It's great to be part of an online community that has sustained conversations by knowledgeable fans who are open to talking, learning, and debating.

Sometimes when a sports legend dies we are saddened and hurt by the reality that a hero or a favorite person who once was part of our sports fabric - the daily to monthly and the annual pastime of our youth was to watch the stars be. ..Well the stars even if they played on the opposing team

Tom Seaver, a Cy Young award winner whom toiled briefly for the White Sox in the twilight of his career, died at 75. He was a wholesome image for kids and adults for so long as a Mets player. I respected him. A link to the past for sure but ironically a link to the tragic time in our lives today since he was afflicted with dementia the past year then came the covid.

There are hockey players too whom have passed recently. But most of us on this hockey board are all around sports fans and either recall Seaver stymie us or you may have read about his exploits

C est la vie or however the expression goes. And life goes on.

Sometimes when a sports legend dies we are saddened and hurt by the reality that a hero or a favorite person who once was part of our sports fabric - the daily to monthly and the annual pastime of our youth was to watch the stars be. ..Well the stars even if they played on the opposing team

Tom Seaver, a Cy Young award winner whom toiled briefly for the White Sox in the twilight of his career, died at 75. He was a wholesome image for kids and adults for so long as a Mets player. I respected him. A link to the past for sure but ironically a link to the tragic time in our lives today since he was afflicted with dementia the past year then came the covid.

There are hockey players too whom have passed recently. But most of us on this hockey board are all around sports fans and either recall Seaver stymie us or you may have read about his exploits

C est la vie or however the expression goes. And life goes on.
- jhawk59

Tom Terrific - won 25 and the Cy Young for the Mets team that beat out the Cubs in 1969 - won his 300th pitching for the White Sox.

Alef ha-shalom.

Sometimes when a sports legend dies we are saddened and hurt by the reality that a hero or a favorite person who once was part of our sports fabric - the daily to monthly and the annual pastime of our youth was to watch the stars be. ..Well the stars even if they played on the opposing team

Tom Seaver, a Cy Young award winner whom toiled briefly for the White Sox in the twilight of his career, died at 75. He was a wholesome image for kids and adults for so long as a Mets player. I respected him. A link to the past for sure but ironically a link to the tragic time in our lives today since he was afflicted with dementia the past year then came the covid.

There are hockey players too whom have passed recently. But most of us on this hockey board are all around sports fans and either recall Seaver stymie us or you may have read about his exploits

C est la vie or however the expression goes. And life goes on.
- jhawk59

I had the good fortune to watch Tom Seaver vs Mike Witt. Behind home plate 6th row up. Great pitching duel and could really appreciate how good these hitters are, both guys were throwing serious heat in comiskey Park. I think it was the 84 season and Sox won. Really a nice night, what a talent