I've always liked Saad's game ... plays both ends, speed,size and good penalty kill.
But realistically, if he's getting 6 million ... he should be scoring 30 goals always. His next contract, guessing he will want more ..... he needs to score more for that kind of money. And he has played with both Toews and Kane, and still scores 20 to 25. Good player- good game - too costly

I've always liked Saad's game ... plays both ends, speed,size and good penalty kill.
But realistically, if he's getting 6 million ... he should be scoring 30 goals always. His next contract, guessing he will want more ..... he needs to score more for that kind of money. And he has played with both Toews and Kane, and still scores 20 to 25. Good player- good game - too costly
- chuckdahammer

I predict - his next contract will be for $5MM - certainly not more than his current $6MM.

It’s going to be a tough market for 25-50 guys, which is what he is - with extras, to be sure, but not enough extras to get him to the next pay grade in a down market.

I like what I read and see about Mitchell and Kalynuk but will have to wait and see if they can translate their NCAA success to the NHL. Confidence is high that they can but also wouldn't be opposed to them spending time in the AHL first.
- Theo Fox

I'm still holding out hope that one or two of the rooks show well enough in the lead up to the season that they decide to offload de Haan.

Gotta be careful. Like a lot of people like to say, development is not necessarily linear. Bringing up defenseman early can be a tricky situation. Guys like Keith and Seabrook were allowed to learn on the job. If the Hawks are truly in a rebuild, then you can afford for guys like Mitchell and Boqvist to play on the big club and learn from their mistakes you just need to manage them correctly. Take a few recent examples, Seth Jones was a high pick and was inserted directly into the lineup. While he was OK offensively, he struggled defensively his first few years in the league, but given time he has developed into a top pairing d-man. Shayne Gostisbehere is another story, he exploded in the NCAA finals his last year and came into the NHL with only a handful of AHL games. He produced offensively but struggled to play D, and has not improved in his own end to the point where he was sent down or was healthy scratched. Was it too early? Is he salvageable? These are the questions to worry about.
- TheTrob

No argument here. Development varies player to player and is not always linear as you described.

Hi Theo, thanks for coming out with new blogs so often and encouraging participation with your topics. Stan is going to have to earn his pay and exchange some of these D prospects for top 6 ceiling young forwards, because as you stated, there’s not much there. Luckily we have Dach, Kubalik, Dcat, and maybe Strome already in NHL.
- Angotti

You bet, Angotti.

Yes, the benefit of being deep in one area is using that depth to shore up elsewhere in the system.

I know the Jokiharju-Nylander trade is the latest benchmark. Neither has set the world on fire so there's still time for the Sabres and Hawks to both benefit.

Yet, if I had to have one or the other, I'd still rather have Jokiharju.

Remember at the height of the talent depth, after the first cup, they knew they'd have to dump players.

The idea was you would trade guys you couldn't afford for unproven youngsters, and 1st round draft picks the would over develop in Rockford, fill in in a couple years when the next set up players have to be dealt because of cap.

Rinse, repeat.

Somewhere, along the line, that over develop in Rockford plan went out the window, and its why you are where you are.

It could also why you won 3 cups, as you used those chips for guys that helped you win a cup, but I don't really think so.

Guys who played in Rockford for a bit and made it that I can think of off the top of my head; Danault, Nordstrom, Hinostroza, Schmaltz all have one thing in common...............................
- vabeachbear

Now that the team is affirmed to be in a youth movement, it is time to commit to proper prospect development. Even when the team reaches contender status again, they can still do both of developing prospects the right way while leveraging some of them to obtain missing pieces for amp up a playoff push.

I'm still holding out hope that one or two of the rooks show well enough in the lead up to the season that they decide to offload de Haan.
- Chunk

Given Bowman pretty much saying they expect Mitchell to be in the lineup this season, a veteran is on the outs whether that's de Haan, Murphy, or Seabrook. The latter two make most sense as they are RHD like Mitchell but we'll see.

I can’t remember what I had for dinner last night. There’s no doubt that the decision to trade Saad came down to money.
- Angotti

To be even more specific, it came down to as much as I wanted to keep him, "he isn't as good as the money he will ask for." I think "Zad" will be great perfect for this board, "6 will love him and a half dozen will hate him."

Given Bowman pretty much saying they expect Mitchell to be in the lineup this season, a veteran is on the outs whether that's de Haan, Murphy, or Seabrook. The latter two make most sense as they are RHD like Mitchell but we'll see.
- Theo Fox

Well could be, but it could be taken in the context expectation with injuries (they are inevitable) or rotating in as the 6/7th guy. Also possible they motivate Boqvist by sending him down if he isn't up to expectations. They don't have to fear losing him to waivers at this point. That all said, I'm not disagreeing, I could see them moving someone at the deadline.

To be even more specific, it came down to as much as I wanted to keep him, "he isn't as good as the money he will ask for." I think "Zad" will be great perfect for this board, "6 will love him and a half dozen will hate him."
- rpeters01

For Zadorov, it will be interesting to see how much rope the Hawks give him. I think there is a risk that with the Hawks telling him he has potential to grow his game, he might be asked to do things he isn't good at or he might try to do too much himself versus just playing his game and sticking to his strengths. I hope he keeps it simple and just tries to do what he knows best.

When I start the blogs featuring the top prospects at F, D, and G, I plan to add in best case scenarios for projected ceiling and ETA to the NHL.

While there aren't any top 6 forward prospects beyond Reichel, the rest who are middle and bottom 6 players have the traits to play the right way with high compete and commitment to defense.
- Theo Fox

Which is why I am excited to see some Rockford kids graduate to the NhL. I see a nice mix of skating pursuit toughness. Barret I hope can be trigger; I want to see his skating. Can he improve skating. He is a yapper and will go along boards to battle for puck. A skill guy, he is what Strome is not. Rooting for Soderlund and wondering if Bowman has given up on Fortin

Well could be, but it could be taken in the context expectation with injuries (they are inevitable) or rotating in as the 6/7th guy. Also possible they motivate Boqvist by sending him down if he isn't up to expectations. They don't have to fear losing him to waivers at this point. That all said, I'm not disagreeing, I could see them moving someone at the deadline.
- breadbag

That's true. Mitchell or even Kalynuk could grace the lineup, maybe not necessarily on opening day and perhaps not more than just cups of coffee. Good problem to have if they prove worthy of being starters on D.

Boqvist does seem to be in the plans for the starting blueline. When asked about Zadorov, one of the reasons why Bowman and crew are high on him is that he would help protect Boqvist who the team is aware will be a target by other teams.

I can’t remember what I had for dinner last night. There’s no doubt that the decision to trade Saad came down to money.
- Angotti

I'm guessing Italian?

Given Bowman pretty much saying they expect Mitchell to be in the lineup this season, a veteran is on the outs whether that's de Haan, Murphy, or Seabrook. The latter two make most sense as they are RHD like Mitchell but we'll see.
- Theo Fox

Nice blog Theo! Assuming Zad plays with Boqvist, I think they will need Seabrook to play with Mitchell and some have talked about Keith and Murphy? We will see but I agree, Seabrook, Murphy and deHaan won't all be on the team. I'm not convinced 4k won't be back???

That's true. Mitchell or even Kalynuk could grace the lineup, maybe not necessarily on opening day and perhaps not more than just cups of coffee. Good problem to have if they prove worthy of being starters on D.

Boqvist does seem to be in the plans for the starting blueline. When asked about Zadorov, one of the reasons why Bowman and crew are high on him is that he would help protect Boqvist who the team is aware will be a target by other teams.
- Theo Fox

I agree that is the plan for Boqvist, but I just don't know that he is a lock to be there if he regresses at all or they decide he needs to get some fire (much like they did with Schmaltz) and they send him down to prove he belongs in the NHL.

Nice blog Theo! Assuming Zad plays with Boqvist, I think they will need Seabrook to play with Mitchell and some have talked about Keith and Murphy? We will see but I agree, Seabrook, Murphy and deHaan won't all be on the team. I'm not convinced 4k won't be back???
- rpeters01

Given that there are too many bodies in the forward ranks and blueline, retaining Caggiula and Koekkoek just don't seem to be in the cards unless significant movement of players out of Chicago happens.

Don't pay attention to the line and pair combinations, just want to write out the overflow of personnel:

Suter - Toews - Kubalik
Nylander - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Shaw
Janmark - Wallmark - Nylander
Highmore - Kampf - Carpenter
Smith

Keith - Murphy
de Haan - Seabrook
Zadorov - Boqvist
Carlsson - Mitchell
Seeler

Taking Smith and Seeler out of the equation, the forwards need to shed 2 players and the defense needs to shed one player.

I agree that is the plan for Boqvist, but I just don't know that he is a lock to be there if he regresses at all or they decide he needs to get some fire (much like they did with Schmaltz) and they send him down to prove he belongs in the NHL.
- breadbag

I agree, no youngster should be a lock if they really should go to Rockford for more seasoning.

Just not sure if Colliton sees it that way. In his interview today, he stated that he essentially wants the youngsters to sink or swim as they (assumedly the coaches and veterans) will support them.

Colliton also stated that he would prioritize a youngster over a veteran so they get the experience even if the youngster will struggle or has not shown strength in a particular area.

The example given was Dach on faceoffs where he wins only a third of his draws. Stick him out there for key faceoff situations even over Toews and Kampf who are stronger at the dot.

That's fine say early in the game but not in crucial times of the game.

Not sure if I agree with his philosophy but Colliton is the coach.

I'm still holding out hope that one or two of the rooks show well enough in the lead up to the season that they decide to offload de Haan.
- Chunk

Sure.
But they can't expect to get much in return.
Maybe a 4th round?

It sure seems we will have a topsy turvy season with a lot of kids. Especially on defense. And especially if the kids do not have a veteran in their pair. I will have some hope if Murphy and Keith are here for the entire season. Carlsson should be fine but he has to learn and should not be paired with a rookie right off the starting line. If there is an injury to a veteran, i expect Seabrook will go in. At least first half of schedule Colliton will try to keep a veteran with a relatively newbie.

I do fear Boqvust could be in Rockford maybe not too long though. He just needs to get stronger and have good support from his pair. He very well could be descent, defensively, once he has enough strength and his confidence will come.

One big issue I have beyond the inexperienced among dmen, is that our young dmen get whacked, get concussed unmerciful. We need someone each shift that will dish out the same crap teams would target the skill largely not really physical young dmen.

Sure.
But they can't expect to get much in return.
Maybe a 4th round?

It sure seems we will have a topsy turvy season with a lot of kids. Especially on defense. And especially if the kids do not have a veteran in their pair. I will have some hope if Murphy and Keith are here for the entire season. Carlsson should be fine but he has to learn and should not be paired with a rookie right off the starting line. If there is an injury to a veteran, i expect Seabrook will go in. At least first half of schedule Colliton will try to keep a veteran with a relatively newbie.

I do fear Boqvust could be in Rockford maybe not too long though. He just needs to get stronger and have good support from his pair. He very well could be descent, defensively, once he has enough strength and his confidence will come.

One big issue I have beyond the inexperienced among dmen, is that our young dmen get whacked, get concussed unmerciful. We need someone each shift that will dish out the same crap teams would target the skill largely not really physical young dmen.
- jhawk59

Yup. I don't expect anyone to really get a lopsided deal anymore. There is so little movement available on every team, most trades are going to be relatively even. Hence a mid-round pick for de Haan.

Yup. I don't expect anyone to really get a lopsided deal anymore. There is so little movement available on every team, most trades are going to be relatively even. Hence a mid-round pick for de Haan.
- Chunk

Unloading dahaan's salary and getting a 4th sounds good to me

Given that there are too many bodies in the forward ranks and blueline, retaining Caggiula and Koekkoek just don't seem to be in the cards unless significant movement of players out of Chicago happens.

Don't pay attention to the line and pair combinations, just want to write out the overflow of personnel:

Suter - Toews - Kubalik
Nylander - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Shaw
Janmark - Wallmark - Nylander
Highmore - Kampf - Carpenter
Smith

Keith - Murphy
de Haan - Seabrook
Zadorov - Boqvist
Carlsson - Mitchell
Seeler

Taking Smith and Seeler out of the equation, the forwards need to shed 2 players and the defense needs to shed one player.
- Theo Fox

Agreed, highlighted area would be D-prospects for F-prospects and then a cheap young 4k could be useful. But as you said, that's the only way I see it happening unless deHaan and Murphy both go without Defense coming back which is also possible?

Given that there are too many bodies in the forward ranks and blueline, retaining Caggiula and Koekkoek just don't seem to be in the cards unless significant movement of players out of Chicago happens.

Don't pay attention to the line and pair combinations, just want to write out the overflow of personnel:

Suter - Toews - Kubalik
Nylander - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Shaw
Janmark - Wallmark - Nylander
Highmore - Kampf - Carpenter
Smith

Keith - Murphy
de Haan - Seabrook
Zadorov - Boqvist
Carlsson - Mitchell
Seeler

Taking Smith and Seeler out of the equation, the forwards need to shed 2 players and the defense needs to shed one player.
- Theo Fox

Theo, you listed Nylander twice unless you have some intel about Willie being traded here.

The lineup on NHL.fr :
[url] https://www.nhl.com/fr/ne...ks-de-chicago/c-319483500

Sent with @NHL

Theo, you listed Nylander twice unless you have some intel about Willie being traded here.
- boilermaker100

Better...Alex is being cloned.

Theo, you listed Nylander twice unless you have some intel about Willie being traded here.
- boilermaker100

Thanks for catching that! Meant to list Pirri.