Not sure about the worst FA signing, but definitely the dumbest. They had plenty of top end talent up front and no defensemen, shoot, they make our current set of defensemen look like HOF’s. For the money they gave Tavares, they could have signed Larsson and McCabe.
- Angotti

I am fine with them being in cap hell.

One constant in many of these teams that make it deep into the playoffs, they all have had really really solid hard to play against dmen, for years. I don't see this ever changing in the NHL.

One constant in many of these teams that make it deep into the playoffs, they all have had really really solid hard to play against dmen, for years. I don't see this ever changing in the NHL.
- BetweenTheDots

They are also able to generate offense from the back end, too. Not always points but getting the puck in transition quickly. Creating space in the O-zone.

Like Oduya and Hammer. Both were defensively sound. Make quick decisions or in Oduya's case, use his skating to start the transition. In the O-zone, both were very good at movement to open up lane. Neither put up a lot of points but were important to creating offense.

To me, it isn't about only being sound in their own zone but also getting the puck out of their own zone.

Hammer and Oduya we also very good at denying zone entries. Keith was a beast at that in prime.

It'll be interesting this year as much of a block head Murphy is, he's hard to play against. Now you add a few more meat and potato dmen into the mix who can actually play defense without the puck. Have we now become a team harder to play against? You have good defensive centers in Toews, Johnson and Dach it'll be interesting.

It'll be interesting this year as much of a block head Murphy is, he's hard to play against. Now you add a few more meat and potato dmen into the mix who can actually play defense without the puck. Have we now become a team harder to play against? You have good defensive centers in Toews, Johnson and Dach it'll be interesting.
- BetweenTheDots

The Murphy hate is strong in this one.

They are also able to generate offense from the back end, too. Not always points but getting the puck in transition quickly. Creating space in the O-zone.

Like Oduya and Hammer. Both were defensively sound. Make quick decisions or in Oduya's case, use his skating to start the transition. In the O-zone, both were very good at movement to open up lane. Neither put up a lot of points but were important to creating offense.

To me, it isn't about only being sound in their own zone but also getting the puck out of their own zone.

Hammer and Oduya we also very good at denying zone entries.
- Elbows15

To me that's part of being sound in your own zone, when you have a chance you make a play.

I'm not a huge fan of Jones but one thing he is really really really good at is eye hand coordination last year i was really impressed how he could catch a puck with his stick in mid air to keep possession and either make a play out of his own zone or keep it inside the blue line and maintain offensive possession.

The Murphy hate is strong in this one.
- Elbows15

Stan should re-up Murphy. 4 years @ $4.5 million AAV.

The Murphy hate is strong in this one.
- Elbows15

I'll become a bigger fan if one of these years on the pk he doesn't allow a stretch pass behind him.

They are also able to generate offense from the back end, too. Not always points but getting the puck in transition quickly. Creating space in the O-zone.

Like Oduya and Hammer. Both were defensively sound. Make quick decisions or in Oduya's case, use his skating to start the transition. In the O-zone, both were very good at movement to open up lane. Neither put up a lot of points but were important to creating offense.

To me, it isn't about only being sound in their own zone but also getting the puck out of their own zone.

Hammer and Oduya we also very good at denying zone entries. Keith was a beast at that in prime.
- Elbows15

Is that what your fancy charts say, or have you actually seen these guys play?

Stan should re-up Murphy. 4 years @ $4.5 million AAV.
- DarthKane

He should wait until he sees how this season goes. If David Savard can bring back some decent assets at the TDL, Murph should get a decent return.

I'll become a bigger fan if one of these years on the pk he doesn't allow a stretch pass behind him.
- BetweenTheDots

Of all the issues on this team, Murphy is the least of their worries.

Is that what your fancy charts say, or have you actually seen these guys play.
- Ogilthorpe2

Never watched a minute.

Never watched a minute.
- Elbows15

I suspected as much.

Stan should re-up Murphy. 4 years @ $4.5 million AAV.
- DarthKane

I have slowly liked Murphy more & more since the Hammer trade, I'd be fine with that.

I'll become a bigger fan if one of these years on the pk he doesn't allow a stretch pass behind him.
- BetweenTheDots

Since he won't be paired with the big Oaf, I say the odds are certainly better.

I have slowly liked Murphy more & more since the Hammer trade, I'd be fine with that.
- I Am The Breadman

He has certainly outplayed Hammer since the trade.

Since he won't be paired with the big Oaf, I say the odds are certainly better.
- Elbows15

Every year Elbows, every year and it's a few times a season

It's nice the big oaf is gone for sure

I suspected as much.
- Ogilthorpe2

A detailed summary is all I need.

Every year Elbows, every year and it's a few times a season
- BetweenTheDots

Let's be honest here. If Murphy is on the ice, he is your default to take the blame for goals. I get it. We all have those players.


Sadly, the Hawks have far too many of them for me.

He has certainly outplayed Hammer since the trade.
- Elbows15

The problem is the Murphy of 2021 is being compared to Hammer of 2010-2015

Let's be honest here. If Murphy is on the ice, he is your default to take the blame for goals. I get it. We all have those players.


Sadly, the Hawks have far too many of them for me.
- Elbows15

That's fine i sure hope he doesn't have anymore of these bone head plays, but this is Murphy we are talking about, so i agree to disagree, he has a warrior mentality which i like but when it comes to thinking the game, not so much

He should wait until he sees how this season goes. If David Savard can bring back some decent assets at the TDL, Murph should get a decent return.
- Elbows15

This is Stan we’re talking about. He’ll be lucky to get a conditional 6th for Murphy.

The problem is the Murphy of 2021 is being compared to Hammer of 2010-2015
- paulr

Nah the problem with Murphy is he's being compared to a competent NHL dman

This is Stan we’re talking about. He’ll be lucky to get a conditional 6th for Murphy.
- DarthKane

What’s the condition? Might be worth it.

I sure hope McCabe is better than Murphy?