I know this blog is about defenseman, but I just wanted to point out that when everyone thought my vegas pick was crazy and everyone was all in on Colorado, I think it's safe to say Chicago might have had a better shot facing Colorado than vegas . And hat's off to Vancouver for their play.
- Taylorst1

I don’t think the Hawks would have got past the 2nd round no matter who they faced. I’m happy with their development and the experience the young guns got, that’s enough for me this year.

Vancouver isn’t a Cup contender yet, but they’re on their way. Their defense needs works, but their forwards and goaltending are solid.

I don’t think the Hawks would have got past the 2nd round no matter who they faced. I’m happy with their development and the experience the young guns got, that’s enough for me this year.

Vancouver isn’t a Cup contender yet, but they’re on their way. Their defense needs works, but their forwards and goaltending are solid.
- DarthKane

I agree Vancouver needs to address their defense, but imo they are alot closer than Chicago for contending . Regarding a Chicago vs Colorado series I'll concede your probably right , but I still think if Chicago played the way they did against Edmonton vs Colorado, Chicago probably wins that series . Vegas is just a great team with lots of depth .


My stanley cup pick Vegas Vs Islanders

Winner : VEGAS

Anyone who watched the Dallas/Vegas hitfest last night, please tell me how the Hawks midget/softie lineup could realistically win a playoff series against either of them (or the Islanders or Lightning for that matter). Crow can still win a game or two himself from time to time, but other than Toews, Dach and sometimes Saad, our forwards never help our defensemen defend, and without help (and even with their help), our dmen just aren't quick enough, smart enough, skilled enough or big enough to get the puck out of our dzone.
- BMWChiFan

If Chicago ever got to a second round game- or even certain teams in round one - it would be a Nashville pounding type of embarrassment again.

You might be right on the latter . It was a very well written article regarding saad for domi and how that trade would or could work out including in its article that chicago cant do any buyouts,

Maybe they meant no freebies but just from a purely contract and salary cap standpoint Chicago is locked into keith , murphy , de haan, matta for 3 more years and seabrook is on the hook for 4 years I'm not sure how Chicago can improve its defense or create a opening with a league wide flat cap for the next 3 years.

If we had to guess whom is close enough to get a chance next year ?
- Taylorst1

Assuming Boqvist is a given, Carlsson is closest to hold down a spot on the 3rd pair or as the 7th man.

Mitchell could state his case but there isn't any spots for him or Carlsson until a veteran or two is moved.

Gilbert would be a recall candidate, too, but he's more of in the "break the glass in case of emergency" category than a youngster to invest in and groom as a future starter by granting prime NHL minutes.

With a flat cap and very few teams with enough cap space to take on a seabrook contract whom would be the likely team in your opinion that Seabrook would waive his contract for ? Would it have to be a contender or is it simply any team he feels the coaching staff will appreciate his value ?
- Taylorst1

Hard to say at this point until the storyline plays out during training camp or perhaps the weeks leading up to it depending on how the off season goes as far as player movement and the draft.

As long as hitting and fighting is allowed Gilbert can contribute at the nhl level. He did struggle at times but so did the whole team when he was up. Maybe even try him at forward to get someone physical up there that can be a 7th dman swing forward type guy.

Koekkoek’s situation is an interesting one. I think he’d make a find 7th d-man but I think that role falls to Seabrook. Koekkoek may have more trade value than people think. No, he won’t bring back a king’s ransom but a capable and cost effected #5 - #7 d-man (depending on the team) is worth a mid-round pick. Or maybe Stan gets a college or European prospect that needs a little more time to develop.
- DarthKane

I would jump on a trade of Koekkoek for a mid-round pick. Might as well get something if he's not in the plans moving forward. Can never have enough lottery tickets in the draft.

As long as hitting and fighting is allowed Gilbert can contribute at the nhl level. He did struggle at times but so did the whole team when he was up. Maybe even try him at forward to get someone physical up there that can be a 7th dman swing forward type guy.
- vandymeer23

Wing is a possibility for Gilbert but he would still need to pick his spots better when going for hits.

Plus, there are better wing candidates in the system than him, i.e. Sikura, Hagel, Suter. Kurashev and Entwistle can play wing, too, but are natural centers.

Gilbert is a pretty good skater for someone his size. Oddly, though, he is not sturdy on his skates as he gets knocked over a heckuva lot, at least in the AHL.

And it's not just getting knocked over in a collision but he ends up on his keister more often than desired even on routine plays.

Hard to say at this point until the storyline plays out during training camp or perhaps the weeks leading up to it depending on how the off season goes as far as player movement and the draft.
- Theo Fox

With the expansion draft next year , idach , boqvist are they potential players that Chicago needs to protect , based on this year being burnt off their contract giving them by next summer 2 years according to the rules ?

Too much slow. 2 of them need to be moved at the very least. It hurts them all over the ice. Their lack of speed forces the forwards to try to forecheck with no support along the wall and at the lines. It causes the massive gaps which allows teams to come at the D-men with speed and numbers.

The only, imo, to keep this group and be effective is to pull back and clog the neutral zone. It won't leave much of a transition game unless they can create TOs in the neutral zone.

If Special K is still playing 15-18 minutes/game next season, the Hawks will be playing for lottery odds.

That being the case, leave all the young D in Rockford, including Boqvist, and let them develop a core chemistry for the following season.

That takes care of expansion requirements and leave buyout options.

Stop tinkering around the edges and get rid of Maatta, Special K and de Haan. That won't be easy but Special K can be let go. Maatta might have some value if other GMs believe the illusion he was good in the PO

de Haan, they are stuck with but he will be on LTIR halfway thru the season anyway.

The Hawks are going to be the same team as last season. Good enough to stay in games but just good enough to lose.

With the expansion draft next year , idach , boqvist are they potential players that Chicago needs to protect , based on this year being burnt off their contract giving them by next summer 2 years according to the rules ?
- Taylorst1

JFC. Learn the rules. Or retain the information when it is supplied to you. Boqvist and Dach DO NOT need to be protected.

Its 1st and 2nd year players. Which Boqvist and Dach will be even AFTER next season.

Wing is a possibility for Gilbert but he would still need to pick his spots better when going for hits.

Plus, there are better wing candidates in the system than him, i.e. Sikura, Hagel, Suter. Kurashev and Entwistle can play wing, too, but are natural centers.

Gilbert is a pretty good skater for someone his size. Oddly, though, he is not sturdy on his skates as he gets knocked over a heckuva lot, at least in the AHL.

And it's not just getting knocked over in a collision but he ends up on his keister more often than desired even on routine plays.
- Theo Fox

Gilbert has played his 50 games. The decision has been reached on him.

/sarcasm

I would jump on a trade of Koekkoek for a mid-round pick. Might as well get something if he's not in the plans moving forward. Can never have enough lottery tickets in the draft.
- Theo Fox

Detroit has only Patrick Nemeth and Alex Biega signed as defenseman next year. I doubt they resign 36 yo. Trevor Daley or Jonathan Ericsson. Assuming Seider plays next year, they need at least 4 defenseman with nhl experience. I can see Bowman trading one or 2;of our defenseman (Matta, Koekkoek) for a couple of draft choices or a prospect.

I would jump on a trade of Koekkoek for a mid-round pick. Might as well get something if he's not in the plans moving forward. Can never have enough lottery tickets in the draft.
- Theo Fox

I would move him for a groupon.

Detroit has only Patrick Nemeth and Alex Biega signed as defenseman next year. I doubt they resign 36 yo. Trevor Daley or Jonathan Ericsson. Assuming Seider plays next year, they need at least 4 defenseman with nhl experience. I can see Bowman trading one or 2;of our defenseman (Matta, Koekkoek) for a couple of draft choices or a prospect.
- LAHawk

Bowman can give them to the Wings out of the goodness of his heart for all I care. Stevie Y did draft Special K. Maybe he will forget he traded him for Rutta and take him back.

Bowman can give them to the Wings out of the goodness of his heart for all I care. Stevie Y did draft Special K. Maybe he will forget he traded him for Rutta and take him back.
- Elbows15

He traded Regula for Perlini. Shoot, I would even take Darren Helm off there hands for one year if Yzerman forces Bowman’s hand

He traded Regula for Perlini. Shoot, I would even take Darren Helm off there hands for one year if Yzerman forces Bowman’s hand
- LAHawk

Too far LA. Too far.

Too far LA. Too far.
- Elbows15

The Kings have Doughty and a bunch of kids (promising, but still kids). Their #1 left d is UFA Ben Hutton. Kings have 3 #2 draft choices this year. Maybe Stan can wiggle one of those (or 1 of 2 third round picks). Remember Blake even in a full rebuild signed Kovalchuk for 3 years.

I would move him for a groupon.
- Elbows15

Wasn’t that the runner up to Kracken for a nickname for the new Seattlefranchise?

I would move him for a groupon.
- Elbows15

Is this a "limit one per customer" Groupon or can we milk the value as far as we can stretch it?

Is this a "limit one per customer" Groupon or can we milk the value as far as we can stretch it?
- Theo Fox

I mean, let's not get greedy here.

The Kings have Doughty and a bunch of kids (promising, but still kids). Their #1 left d is UFA Ben Hutton. Kings have 3 #2 draft choices this year. Maybe Stan can wiggle one of those (or 1 of 2 third round picks). Remember Blake even in a full rebuild signed Kovalchuk for 3 years.
- LAHawk

My fear is he could find a better option than Maatta at that price.

My fear is he could find a better option than Maatta at that price.
- Elbows15

True, Eric Gustafsson

Detroit has only Patrick Nemeth and Alex Biega signed as defenseman next year. I doubt they resign 36 yo. Trevor Daley or Jonathan Ericsson. Assuming Seider plays next year, they need at least 4 defenseman with nhl experience. I can see Bowman trading one or 2;of our defenseman (Matta, Koekkoek) for a couple of draft choices or a prospect.
- LAHawk

Detroit could sent Bertuzzi back in a deal

Detroit could sent Bertuzzi back in a deal
- ikeane

Matta and Nylander for Bertuzzi, done