stretch pass was part of his lack of a hockey IQ that justifies a pay raise and further commitment long term. Just because he's big and occasionally hits somebody doesn't mean the team should pay north of 4 aav and lock him in a few years.

Obviously the organization is also debating this as they were talking to Winnipeg about dealing him at the deadline AND scratched him a few times.
- SteveRain

So, none of the Hawks D-men should get resigned or a bump in pay because no one could complete a stretch pass. Every single defenseman on this team had a big problem with it.

Yes the team was considering trading him as they should have been with almost every player on the team if the right package came along. With where they are right now that is the best course of action.

To say that he is just big and hits people is to be willfully ignorant and dismissive of all of the stats and analytics (not just the fancy ones). Best GA/60 of any regular D on the team. Best GF% (GF/GA) of any regular D on the team. Those aren't fancy stats, those are simple ones.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF Z. This is simply stating the facts about his play. Yes, he was a disaster with the puck on his blade. Yes, he is slow to process. However, the outcomes when he was on the ice were better than every other regular skating D on this team. That is admittedly a low bar, but it is what it is (especially taking into account that he was the 5v5 ice-time leader on the back end). I wouldn't have a big problem with bringing him back on a 2-3 year deal, on a minor raise, as long as there aren't any NMC/NTC.

So, none of the Hawks D-men should get resigned or a bump in pay because no one could complete a stretch pass. Every single defenseman on this team had a big problem with it.

Yes the team was considering trading him as they should have been with almost every player on the team if the right package came along. With where they are right now that is the best course of action.

To say that he is just big and hits people is to be willfully ignorant and dismissive of all of the stats and analytics (not just the fancy ones). Best GA/60 of any regular D on the team. Best GF% (GF/GA) of any regular D on the team. Those aren't fancy stats, those are simple ones.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF Z. This is simply stating the facts about his play. Yes, he was a disaster with the puck on his blade. Yes, he is slow to process. However, the outcomes when he was on the ice were better than every other regular skating D on this team. That is admittedly a low bar, but it is what it is (especially taking into account that he was the 5v5 ice-time leader on the back end). I wouldn't have a big problem with bringing him back on a 2-3 year deal, on a minor raise, as long as there aren't any NMC/NTC.
- Chunk

Again a stretch pass is a PART of his issue.......jesus

As far as ignorance did you see Fattys' post about the analytics? I'll defer to him.

So, none of the Hawks D-men should get resigned or a bump in pay because no one could complete a stretch pass. Every single defenseman on this team had a big problem with it.

Yes the team was considering trading him as they should have been with almost every player on the team if the right package came along. With where they are right now that is the best course of action.

To say that he is just big and hits people is to be willfully ignorant and dismissive of all of the stats and analytics (not just the fancy ones). Best GA/60 of any regular D on the team. Best GF% (GF/GA) of any regular D on the team. Those aren't fancy stats, those are simple ones.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF Z. This is simply stating the facts about his play. Yes, he was a disaster with the puck on his blade. Yes, he is slow to process. However, the outcomes when he was on the ice were better than every other regular skating D on this team. That is admittedly a low bar, but it is what it is (especially taking into account that he was the 5v5 ice-time leader on the back end). I wouldn't have a big problem with bringing him back on a 2-3 year deal, on a minor raise, as long as there aren't any NMC/NTC.
- Chunk

I agree. And this "bad" trade for Saad, I haven't heard that Stan was offered anything better, either at last years deadline or in the off-season. Doubt Stan would of gotten a better return this deadline, considering Taylor Hall only brought back a second to Buffalo. Then you lose him as a FA for nothing.

Guarantee you Blowman is going to double-down on the trade to justify the original bad decision leaving the Hawks with nothing to show for it.

Expect Z to be re-upped for near $4M for at least 3 years.
- savvyone-1

I hope not...the fact they traded for him in the offseason, scratched him a few times, and accordingly to multiple blue check marks were close to dealing him to Winnipeg.

I am holding out hope they do not. Think they can spend 3.5-4 aav in a better spot than Zadorov

I agree. And this "bad" trade for Saad, I haven't heard that Stan was offered anything better, either at last years deadline or in the off-season. Doubt Stan would of gotten a better return this deadline, considering Taylor Hall only brought back a second to Buffalo. Then you lose him as a FA for nothing.
- LAHawk

who said it was a bad trade for Saad? I never did. I was optimistic as I watching Colorado in the bubble, Zadorov was noticeable.

He is still far too inconsistent this far along IMO.....likely why the Hawks tried to flip him at the deadline.....and VERY likely why JC scratched him.

stretch pass was part of his lack of a hockey IQ that justifies a pay raise and further commitment long term. Just because he's big and occasionally hits somebody doesn't mean the team should pay north of 4 aav and lock him in a few years.

Obviously the organization is also debating this as they were talking to Winnipeg about dealing him at the deadline AND scratched him a few times.
- SteveRain

Not defending Z, but according to capfriendly he played 55 of 56 games last season. Don't know if he was injured or scratched for the 56th game.

A proposed trade scerino that could benefit both teams:
Edmonton trades James neal 2021 22nd prospect fill in the blank to Chicago for 4th and the rights to Zadorov or low level prospect fill in the blank. Thoughts opinions. This could also work maybe with Vancouver taking a bad contract like beagle.

Again a stretch pass is a PART of his issue.......jesus

As far as ignorance did you see Fattys' post about the analytics? I'll defer to him.
- SteveRain

If hitting a stretch pass was a problem for the entire team, then the problem is not his alone. In Fatty's other post he also laid out why the stretch passes weren't working because of the issues with predictability of the forwards. That is the point being made. I've already agreed (and listed) to what I think his other flaws are.

Re: the analytics of Z, sure his shot metrics are bad. But look at the entire team. They are crap for everyone. Probably why Fatty said he was about even on a good COL team last year. My stats argument is based on the outcomes of when he is on the ice. Lowest GA/60, and best GF% of any regular Dman (I'm omitting Carlsson, and Regula since they only played a handful of games). That screams that while he may not be great, when he was on the ice the actual (not expected) outcomes were better.

How many times do we have to hear players make light of the Corsi stat? Shot metrics are nice to use to bolster an argument or decision, but in and of themselves, they don't mean much.

If hitting a stretch pass was a problem for the entire team, then the problem is not his alone. In Fatty's other post he also laid out why the stretch passes weren't working because of the issues with predictability of the forwards. That is the point being made. I've already agreed (and listed) to what I think his other flaws are.

Re: the analytics of Z, sure his shot metrics are bad. But look at the entire team. They are crap for everyone. Probably why Fatty said he was about even on a good COL team last year. My stats argument is based on the outcomes of when he is on the ice. Lowest GA/60, and best GF% of any regular Dman (I'm omitting Carlsson, and Regula since they only played a handful of games). That screams that while he may not be great, when he was on the ice the actual (not expected) outcomes were better.

How many times do we have to hear players make light of the Corsi stat? Shot metrics are nice to use to bolster an argument or decision, but in and of themselves, they don't mean much.
- Chunk

I don’t think Zadorov was acquired for his ability to make stretch passes.

A proposed trade scerino that could benefit both teams:
Edmonton trades James neal 2021 22nd prospect fill in the blank to Chicago for 4th and the rights to Zadorov or low level prospect fill in the blank. Thoughts opinions. This could also work maybe with Vancouver taking a bad contract like beagle.
- Scott1977

Scott, In a way he already did that in the Florida trade by taking on Connolly's contract and getting Stillman and Borgstrom. Maybe he has something up his sleeve and will do something similar.

On the other hand if he wants to add those impact players he talked about they will cost $$$ and you don't want to have a lot of dead weight eating up cap space for a couple of years.

Scott, In a way he already did that in the Florida trade by taking on Connolly's contract and getting Stillman and Borgstrom. Maybe he has something up his sleeve and will do something similar.

On the other hand if he wants to add those impact players he talked about they will cost $$$ and you don't want to have a lot of dead weight eating up cap space for a couple of years.
- boilermaker100

good points imo this coming season is still a developmental and transition season. Don't see bowman adding impact players this coming season. The following season yes. As for impact players who? Still think taking a bad contract on and and using that LTRI money to gain assets for the future is best whether its in the offseason or at the tdl.

Gus scores for the Habs, ASF!

Gus scores for the Habs, ASF!
- Angotti

Here's our Conn Smythe winner. Go Gus!!!

Gus scores for the Habs, ASF!
- Angotti

It's got to be a different Eric Gustafsson.....

It's got to be a different Eric Gustafsson.....
- powerenforcer

Another Bowman fail, only got a third rounder for him. Of course this is his 3rd team in 2 years since the trade.

Gus scores for the Habs, ASF!
- Angotti

Gus has more playoff goals than all of the Blackhawks this season. Way to go Stan.

Gus scores for the Habs, ASF!
- Angotti

Gus has more playoff goals than all of the Blackhawks this season. Way to go Stan.


- DarthKane

He’s also been on the ice for more playoff goals against than any Blackhawks this season. Loser.

Montreal never trailed in the entire 4 game series. Wow.

Guarantee you Blowman is going to double-down on the trade to justify the original bad decision leaving the Hawks with nothing to show for it.

Expect Z to be re-upped for near $4M for at least 3 years.
- savvyone-1

No

Montreal never trailed in the entire 4 game series. Wow.
- tvetter

Caufield sets up the OT series winner.

Guarantee you Blowman is going to double-down on the trade to justify the original bad decision leaving the Hawks with nothing to show for it.

Expect Z to be re-upped for near $4M for at least 3 years.
- savvyone-1

Stan can do better than that, $6 million AAV for 6 years.

Tip of the hat to Darth , think he was right on when he said Hawks should draft Caulfield looking ike the steal of the draft. So Darth who ever you think the Hawks should draft this year I'm wth ya.
Not to take anything away from Montreal but the jets may be the worst team I seen in the layoffs ever.
Their top players could not/did not do anything.
Compared to other series this one looked like they were skating in sand

So, none of the Hawks D-men should get resigned or a bump in pay because no one could complete a stretch pass. Every single defenseman on this team had a big problem with it.

Yes the team was considering trading him as they should have been with almost every player on the team if the right package came along. With where they are right now that is the best course of action.

To say that he is just big and hits people is to be willfully ignorant and dismissive of all of the stats and analytics (not just the fancy ones). Best GA/60 of any regular D on the team. Best GF% (GF/GA) of any regular D on the team. Those aren't fancy stats, those are simple ones.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF Z. This is simply stating the facts about his play. Yes, he was a disaster with the puck on his blade. Yes, he is slow to process. However, the outcomes when he was on the ice were better than every other regular skating D on this team. That is admittedly a low bar, but it is what it is (especially taking into account that he was the 5v5 ice-time leader on the back end). I wouldn't have a big problem with bringing him back on a 2-3 year deal, on a minor raise, as long as there aren't any NMC/NTC.
- Chunk

You can't replace everyone and our guys are always worse than the guys we went to get for a pile of junk. Realistically, on defense, 1-2 changes are only possible if you want to improve. Where those two come from are TBD.

Scott, In a way he already did that in the Florida trade by taking on Connolly's contract and getting Stillman and Borgstrom. Maybe he has something up his sleeve and will do something similar.

On the other hand if he wants to add those impact players he talked about they will cost $$$ and you don't want to have a lot of dead weight eating up cap space for a couple of years.
- boilermaker100

There are good players needing to be dumped on Vegas and Toronto for example. Tampa?