he was a RFA he took a 2 year 6 mil deal. I agree after they traded him to coloumbus he was going to wait it out but all accounts he loved Chicago and was shocked he was traded. I think he would have taken a LT deal back 4 years ago in CHI.
- kmw4631

For how much, because after year 2 you are buying up his UFA years, so if he was going to sign for longer, it would of been for much more money.

Now do the Sharks blue line.
- Chunk

Another fine example, I'm sure they'll regret that contract way sooner than later

Another fine example, I'm sure they'll regret that contract way sooner than later
- BetweenTheDots

Those contracts. EK, Burns and Pickle.

Edit - then there's 32 year old Logan Coture, with six more years at $8M each.

To think, some here had Wilson as an upgrade over Stan.....

Yesterday BlackhawkUp wrote their top six Blackhawk rookies of this past season. I believe you and I rank them differently than Nimrit Singh, the writer.

His list: Laakinen, P Suter, Hagel, kurashev, KalynuK, Mitchell

My list: Laakinen, Hagel, Suter, Kalynuk, Kurashev, Mitchell

I likely switch Suter and Kalynuk if the latter had played more games.

Suter was always late covering his man and a goal was scored against us. He did score more, looked like he might score more than he did based on early season play. Kurashev disappeared for a couple large stretches of games. Suter is not cut out to be a top six unless he scores more.
- jhawk59[/img]

If I ranked the top 6 rookies, I would go with:

1) Hagel
2) Lankinen
3) Kalynuk
4) Suter
5) Kurashev
6) Mitchell

Beaudin is a close 6th to Mitchell.

Not enough games played but Hardman and Entwistle would get more consideration if their limited games could be extrapolated to at least half the season.

I like Kurashev and Mitchell but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them start the season in Rockford next year. Suter and Hagel and good middle 6 forwards and should return. Kalynuk’ s same size was small but he showed enough to get neither shot at the show.
- DarthKane

I could see that, too, i.e. Kurashev and Mitchell and perhaps Beaudin starting in Rockford next season. They may not be down there the entire season but at least to begin with.

Kalynuk, IMO, has the staying power because of how dependable he is in his zone. Yes he has warts to work on but they're not any more egregious than what the veterans commit.

He thinks defense first, then activates. When he does activate, he's quite good at it with his fluid skating and cradling of the puck.

We shall see, Don't be upset just because you didn't think of the possibility.

We shall see, Don't be upset just because you didn't think of the possibility.
- Shady1962

Kk, I'll make a note of that.

What is your definition of "impact player"?
- Chunk

A player who has an impact on the game.

Like pornography: the courts couldn’t define it, but said “I know it when I see it”.

I haven’t seen it, except in deBrincat in his first, second, and fourth seasons.

YMMV.

I am going to join Paul and Rick on the Habs couch. I apologize in advance for the 7-bean chili I had yesterday....

A player who has an impact on the game.

Like pornography: the courts couldn’t define it, but said “I know it when I see it”.

I haven’t seen it, except in deBrincat in his first, second, and fourth seasons.

YMMV.
- StLBravesFan

I was going to use that exact quote! I believe that was Potter Stewart who used that line in a Supreme Court opinion.

In a hockey player, it is clear when you see it, imo.

I think it's difficult to really see what you have in a young player when the blue line is extremely bad. The most common complaint is how we are being constantly outshot? Is that all the D's fault no its a 5 man team fault.

Did we have 9 players score their 1st goal this year? screams very young, inexperienced team. So you have all these new players with a bad blue line playing in their own end most of the night. Definitely not a recipe for a cohesive 5 man team being constantly interchanged by the coach.

1 thing i really like is Bowman is bringing plenty of people in and creating an open competition, he didn't have the luxury to sit Strome last year, so messages are being sent, European free agents and disgruntled draft picks are being signed to play here.

I was watching the Avs game last night, believe it or not that team would be better with Hagel on it than Saad. His hands are brutal

Before we decide what a player is or isn't, let's let them get some games under their belt, a study shows a forward reaches his prime around 27 years old.
- BetweenTheDots

I dunno that +/- 20 goals over a 82 game season for 9 years indicates brutal hands.

I was going to use that exact quote! I believe that was Potter Stewart who used that line in a Supreme Court opinion.

In a hockey player, it is clear when you see it, imo.
- mohel

Yes, in a Supreme Court case about obscenity.

Justice Stewart’s full quote: I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description ["hard-core pornography"], and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it, and the motion picture involved in this case is not that.

Why would Kubs be gone?

Wouldn't Kubs be better if he was playing with a top 6 center? I really think so
- BetweenTheDots

I'm not picking on you but this statement and line of thinking in general.

Wouldn't any player be better if they were playing with a top 6 center?

I've read people say Strome would be fine if he had high level wingers. Who wouldn't? Strome irks me. A #3 overall pick and he needs better wingers to play with?

Sorry. I expect him to make the wingers on his line better.

Where is VopatsRash? I missed the game but this site deserves a Nashville Predator game summary from him doesn't it? Maybe he's working on the brand new team banner celebrating playoff qualification in a 56 game season.

I'm not picking on you but this statement and line of thinking in general.

Wouldn't any player be better if they were playing with a top 6 center?

I've read people say Strome would be fine if he had high level wingers. Who wouldn't? Strome irks me. A #3 overall pick and he needs better wingers to play with?

Sorry. I expect him to make the wingers on his line better.
- Rota's Rooter

Yes, sir! This is correct.

but maybe you dont have to trade teravinen or panarin. panarin probably takes a long term deal 7.5 to 8 for 8 years instead of bridge deal.
- kmw4631

Does Teuvo or Panarin instead of Seabrook get the Hawks to the Cup Finals? I don't think so.

If Seabs takes a huge discount and agreed to 5 mil per that gives you 2.5 mil in additional cap space. Maybe you keep Teuvo for a couple of additional years but that doesn't get the Hawks to another Cup.

So do we know yet If Toews Is suffering from a medical Issue or Is there more to the story? I have a feeling that J.T. Is Disgruntled with Bowman and don't be surprised If Stanley Is frantically on the phones trying to work out a trade that works for Toews and the Hawks.
- Shady1962

Let's try this one more time.

In order for a team to place a player on LTIR and to take advantage of any salary relief and to have his insured salary paid by the company that insured it, an independent (non-team) medical expert needs to verify the diagnosis.

That was done to the satisfaction of the NHL in Toews' case and Kucherov and Stamkos.

It's not public what is wrong with Toews and it very well may be nothing definitive but it is certainly not that Toews is having a hissy fit.

I could see that, too, i.e. Kurashev and Mitchell and perhaps Beaudin starting in Rockford next season. They may not be down there the entire season but at least to begin with.

Kalynuk, IMO, has the staying power because of how dependable he is in his zone. Yes he has warts to work on but they're not any more egregious than what the veterans commit.

He thinks defense first, then activates. When he does activate, he's quite good at it with his fluid skating and cradling of the puck.
- Theo Fox

I'd be shocked if Kurashev started in Rockford next year. Didn't he play the entire season with the Hawks?

I'm not picking on you but this statement and line of thinking in general.

Wouldn't any player be better if they were playing with a top 6 center?

I've read people say Strome would be fine if he had high level wingers. Who wouldn't? Strome irks me. A #3 overall pick and he needs better wingers to play with?

Sorry. I expect him to make the wingers on his line better.
- Rota's Rooter

Right, but Kubalik was a 7th rounder that was acquired for a 5th. He's scored a lot of goals and when paired with Saad and Toews was part of a great shut down line that drove possession, and scored. When paired with Saad and Kampf, they were one of the better defensive lines, but did not score as much.

If we are looking at Kubalik, his first year he scored a ton of goals. His second year, he still scored goals, but also added a playmaking element to his game. Both years, he has been above average defensively (not that he doesn't have room to grow there, but he's been good defensively).

I don't think anyone is going to debate you (at least with a very convincing argument) that Strome has lived up to his draft status.

I dunno that +/- 20 goals over a 82 game season for 9 years indicates brutal hands.
- fattybeef

I never got the dislike (or dismissal) of Saad. He was never overpaid. He was paid precisely in line for what he provided. About 50-ish points per year and solid 3-zone play, and could actually cycle the puck down low. What is the problem?

I'd be shocked if Kurashev started in Rockford next year. Didn't he play the entire season with the Hawks?
- bhawks2241

I think it depends on whether or not Toews returns. Then there's Nylander returning and possibly Strome on the team still. If those 3 are in the lineup, Kurashev may not have a spot.

It gets muddier when factoring in the future of Kampf, Hagel, Gaudette, Hinostroza, and Suter as well as Carpenter and Connolly.

I wouldn't mind if Kurashev made the Hawks roster again but it's a matter of where he plays. If there's no spots, it doesn't hurt for him to play 1C in Rockford until there's an opening.

DeBrincat - Dach - Kane
Nylander - Toews - Kubalik
Suter - Strome - Hagel
Entwistle - Kampf - Hardman

Kurashev?

Possibilities: Carpenter, Connolly, Gaudette, Hinostroza

I'm not picking on you but this statement and line of thinking in general.

Wouldn't any player be better if they were playing with a top 6 center?

I've read people say Strome would be fine if he had high level wingers. Who wouldn't? Strome irks me. A #3 overall pick and he needs better wingers to play with?

Sorry. I expect him to make the wingers on his line better.
- Rota's Rooter

Yes and no. How many points would Kane score if he played an entire season with Kampf and Carpenter?

I think it depends on whether or not Toews returns. Then there's Nylander returning and possibly Strome on the team still. If those 3 are in the lineup, Kurashev may not have a spot.

It gets muddier when factoring in the future of Kampf, Hagel, Gaudette, Hinostroza, and Suter as well as Carpenter and Connolly.

I wouldn't mind if Kurashev made the Hawks roster again but it's a matter of where he plays. If there's no spots, it doesn't hurt for him to play 1C in Rockford until there's an opening.

DeBrincat - Dach - Kane
Nylander - Toews - Kubalik
Suter - Strome - Hagel
Entwistle - Kampf - Hardman

Kurashev?

Possibilities: Carpenter, Connolly, Gaudette, Hinostroza
- Theo Fox

I'm ok with those lines, but would prefer:

ADB-Toews-Kubalik
Hagel-Dach-Kane
Suter-Strome-Nylander
Entwistle-Kampf-Hardman

1) Toews and Kubalik showed great chemistry in those last couple of months before the COVID shut down.
2) I think Toews would thrive with 2 shooters given his playmaking ability
3) This could be a really good shut down line with the improvements ADB and Kubalik showed on the defensive side.
4) If Kane can't get Dach going, who can?
5) Hagel and Dach retrieving the puck for Kane can get him back to scoring 25+ goals per year, while still getting almost an assist per game.

I never got the dislike (or dismissal) of Saad. He was never overpaid. He was paid precisely in line for what he provided. About 50-ish points per year and solid 3-zone play, and could actually cycle the puck down low. What is the problem?
- Chunk

He signed for 6X6 when the cap was $75 million, that priced him out of Chicago. Saad is neither an elite playmaker or goal-scorer, but rather a complementary winger. He is perfect for the Av's as he is arguably the 6th-7th best forward on the team. For $3.5-$4 mil (Kubalik's salary), I wouldn't mind Stan resigning him, anything more, let him get paid elsewhere.

I am going to join Paul and Rick on the Habs couch. I apologize in advance for the 7-bean chili I had yesterday....
- mohel

No problems, I’m lactose intolerant and I just had a cheese pizza and a milkshake