Hey Theo, just some other takes on various available names you mentioned. It's not always as easy as you think being a GM :



Hickey:

You probably weren’t surprised to see Thomas Hickey pass through waivers. By all accounts, Hickey was the ninth defenseman on the depth chart. Guys like Erik Gustafsson and Sebastian Aho likely leapfrogged him. We also have to factor in Hickey’s $2.5 million cap hit. By going through waivers, and passing, the Isles clear $1.125 million on the cap.

Even if Hickey was up higher on the depth chart, his cap hit would have surely placed him in the AHL this year.

Moore:
As for Moore being waived, one could argue that came as a surprise despite the fact that the 30-year-old rearguard played in just five games last season before having season-ending hip surgery and was also a frequent healthy scratch when he was able to play. With the rash of injuries on the blue line that the Boston Bruins seemingly have dealt with the last three seasons, had appeared to secure his spot as the seventh defenseman. Moore had two assists, four hits, seven blocks, and got into a fight in three preseason games. On Friday, Cassidy actually credited Moore for always bringing a competitive spirit to practice every day.

“Johnny Moore always brings some juice to that, so it was good,” Cassidy said when discussing what was a very competitive practice and scrimmage on Friday.

Now Moore will either be bringing that competitiveness to another NHL team or to the Providence Bruins.

Kempny:
The move to place Kempny on waivers wasn’t surprising after the defenseman’s training camp. He was trying to come back from three traumatic injuries — all to his left leg — in the past 2½ years.

He tore his hamstring in 2019, then had surgery to repair a torn Achilles’ tendon in October 2020. In May, he suffered a medial collateral ligament sprain.

By waiving him, the Capitals clearly felt he wasn’t ready to play at an NHL level. Laviolette said Thursday that “every game” had been getting better and had been praising Kempny’s efforts, but he also noted that the left-shot defenseman was experiencing a bit of a learning curve in camp.

Kempny said he was “pain free” physically but the mental reads on the ice were the biggest problem.

“I just need to do the reps and be in those situations in a game because it’s different in a practice, let’s be honest here,” Kempny said after his first preseason game. “I don’t have a problem with the system. It’s the matter of to get used to it and all will be fine with that.”

Hey, at least he is self-aware.

Erik Gustafsson on what went right for him in 2018-19 when he recorded a career-high 60 points: “I played with Kaner.” 😂 #Blackhawks

Hey, at least he is self-aware.

Erik Gustafsson on what went right for him in 2018-19 when he recorded a career-high 60 points: “I played with Kaner.” 😂 #Blackhawks
- Chunk

God help us when the computers inevitably become self aware…

I have no problem with the Gus signing. They can pick their spots on playing him offensively and his defensive shortcomings are exaggerated. I think this allows them to send Mitchell down and let him work on his game in the minors. If he doesn't work out, 800K is just buried easy.

God help us when the computers inevitably become self aware…
- Ogilthorpe2

By then I'll have picked out my tiny house in the middle of nowhere Scotland and surrounded myself with the finest brown liquor I can afford. It won't matter to me at all.

Jeremy Colliton on what’s next for Collin Delia and Malcolm Subban: “I don’t think that’s something that’s been totally nailed down. We like them both. We’re happy we still have them because both of them, to me, have proven they can play. But we’ll see what happens.” #Blackhawks

I have no problem with the Gus signing. They can pick their spots on playing him offensively and his defensive shortcomings are exaggerated. I think this allows them to send Mitchell down and let him work on his game in the minors. If he doesn't work out, 800K is just buried easy.
- breadbag

There’s no issue with Gus as long as he’s used properly. Mostly as the 7D and spelling off the likes of de Haan on back-to-backs. Once Jones and Kalynuk are healthy he’s the #8 d-man or waived. If JC tries to play Gus regularly the Hawks are in trouble.

Jeremy Colliton on what’s next for Collin Delia and Malcolm Subban: “I don’t think that’s something that’s been totally nailed down. We like them both. We’re happy we still have them because both of them, to me, have proven they can play. But we’ll see what happens.” #Blackhawks
- Chunk

I can see Stan wanting to keep both, but managing playing time in Rockford will be challenging. Soderblom needs to be the priority with Subban working along side him. I’d send Delia to Indy or trade him anywhere for a fresh start. Now that Delia has cleared waivers he might have some trade value.

I can see Stan wanting to keep both, but managing playing time in Rockford will be challenging. Soderblom needs to be the priority with Subban working along side him. I’d send Delia to Indy or trade him anywhere for a fresh start. Now that Delia has cleared waivers he might have some trade value.
- DarthKane

Agreed. It is nice to have a number of guys that can at least fight for AHL time. Competition in as many places as possible is a good thing.

Hey, at least he is self-aware.

Erik Gustafsson on what went right for him in 2018-19 when he recorded a career-high 60 points: “I played with Kaner.” 😂 #Blackhawks
- Chunk

Anyone not thinking Kane had a say in bringing him back would be a little naïve.

Outside of Seth Jones, there is no power play defensemen on the roster.

Dehaan has NO offensive awareness...

Until Kalynuk gets back.

I would put Subban with Soderblom at Rockford and bury Delia in Kokomo.
- LAHawk

Fixed.

Hey Theo, just some other takes on various available names you mentioned. It's not always as easy as you think being a GM :



Hickey:

You probably weren’t surprised to see Thomas Hickey pass through waivers. By all accounts, Hickey was the ninth defenseman on the depth chart. Guys like Erik Gustafsson and Sebastian Aho likely leapfrogged him. We also have to factor in Hickey’s $2.5 million cap hit. By going through waivers, and passing, the Isles clear $1.125 million on the cap.

Even if Hickey was up higher on the depth chart, his cap hit would have surely placed him in the AHL this year.

Moore:
As for Moore being waived, one could argue that came as a surprise despite the fact that the 30-year-old rearguard played in just five games last season before having season-ending hip surgery and was also a frequent healthy scratch when he was able to play. With the rash of injuries on the blue line that the Boston Bruins seemingly have dealt with the last three seasons, had appeared to secure his spot as the seventh defenseman. Moore had two assists, four hits, seven blocks, and got into a fight in three preseason games. On Friday, Cassidy actually credited Moore for always bringing a competitive spirit to practice every day.

“Johnny Moore always brings some juice to that, so it was good,” Cassidy said when discussing what was a very competitive practice and scrimmage on Friday.

Now Moore will either be bringing that competitiveness to another NHL team or to the Providence Bruins.

Kempny:
The move to place Kempny on waivers wasn’t surprising after the defenseman’s training camp. He was trying to come back from three traumatic injuries — all to his left leg — in the past 2½ years.

He tore his hamstring in 2019, then had surgery to repair a torn Achilles’ tendon in October 2020. In May, he suffered a medial collateral ligament sprain.

By waiving him, the Capitals clearly felt he wasn’t ready to play at an NHL level. Laviolette said Thursday that “every game” had been getting better and had been praising Kempny’s efforts, but he also noted that the left-shot defenseman was experiencing a bit of a learning curve in camp.

Kempny said he was “pain free” physically but the mental reads on the ice were the biggest problem.

“I just need to do the reps and be in those situations in a game because it’s different in a practice, let’s be honest here,” Kempny said after his first preseason game. “I don’t have a problem with the system. It’s the matter of to get used to it and all will be fine with that.”
- Chunk

Seriously, did he not shoot himself in the foot. Wouldn't he be better off saying he's still injured and not "all the way back?" Then they would have to keep him.

Anyone not thinking Kane had a say in bringing him back would be a little naïve.

Outside of Seth Jones, there is no power play defensemen on the roster.

Dehaan has NO offensive awareness...

Until Kalynuk gets back.
- TrueGrit

Or... Stan just found the cheapest healthy body with whom he had some experience, and he does not consult players on minor preseason moves.

Or... Stan just found the cheapest healthy body with whom he had some experience, and he does not consult players on minor preseason moves.
- Chunk

Pure naivety.

Seriously, did he not shoot himself in the foot. Wouldn't he be better off saying he's still injured and not "all the way back?" Then they would have to keep him.
- rpeters01

You are likely right. As a fan, I really appreciate the honesty when a player is this candid, but it probably didn't do him any favors.

This is what I like about the non-North American players. They tend to be a lot more honest about personal and team assessments, because they don't think negative takes are being rude. It's just the truth as they see it. A lot of my friends are either Czech or Swedish. It's a nice change from people hedging their actual thoughts.

Pure naivety.
- Ogilthorpe2

Thanks Captain Obvious.

An unready Mitchell is better then Gus. Hilarious move by the organization.

The idea that AHL provides any development value is silly at best. Whose theast decent player to spend time "maturing there". If players today aren't ready out of college (especially a 3 or 4 year player) or junior then they probably aren't going to amount to much. Who was the last top 3 defender or not journeyman player to go that route?

An unready Mitchell is better then Gus. Hilarious move by the organization.

The idea that AHL provides any development value is silly at best. Whose theast decent player to spend time "maturing there". If players today aren't ready out of college (especially a 3 or 4 year player) or junior then they probably aren't going to amount to much. Who was the last top 3 defender or not journeyman player to go that route?
- fattybeef

Duncan Keith?

An unready Mitchell is better then Gus. Hilarious move by the organization.

The idea that AHL provides any development value is silly at best. Whose theast decent player to spend time "maturing there". If players today aren't ready out of college (especially a 3 or 4 year player) or junior then they probably aren't going to amount to much. Who was the last top 3 defender or not journeyman player to go that route?
- fattybeef

If true, then the league will be 80% European in not too many years - if the Euro pro leagues are the only organizations developing talent so that when the skaters come over here at 23 years old, they’re ready for The Show.

Fixed.

- rpeters01

Perfect.

Duncan Keith?
- Ogilthorpe2

Obviously

An unready Mitchell is better then Gus. Hilarious move by the organization.

The idea that AHL provides any development value is silly at best. Whose theast decent player to spend time "maturing there". If players today aren't ready out of college (especially a 3 or 4 year player) or junior then they probably aren't going to amount to much. Who was the last top 3 defender or not journeyman player to go that route?
- fattybeef

Just on the Hawks? Brouwer, Bolland, Keith, Byfuglien. More recently - Hagel, Kurashev.

Also, Yanni Gourde, Tyler Johnson, and numerous others. Players have to develop somewhere. It may be overseas, college, or the AHL. Not everyone can just be drafted and ready to come into the league. To say the AHL can't/doesn't develop talent is simply untrue.

Cap friendly updated. C. Jones on LTIR, Kalynuk and Regula on SOIR, Shaw moved from LTIR to IR. Entwistle and Kurashev to the minors. Cap hit at 82.1M. Gus not shown maybe his contract becomes official when Shaw placed on LTIR again.

Cap friendly updated. C. Jones on LTIR, Kalynuk and Regula on SOIR, Shaw moved from LTIR to IR. Entwistle and Kurashev to the minors. Cap hit at 82.1M. Gus not shown maybe his contract becomes official when Shaw placed on LTIR again.
- boilermaker100

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
1h
Blackhawks transactions just now:
- Subban and Delia assigned to AHL
- Entwistle and Kurashev also assigned to AHL, but as paper moves for cap purposes; they're expected to be recalled tomorrow
- Caleb Jones to LTIR
- Kalynuk and Regula to normal IR

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
1h
This'll be the Hawks opening roster on Weds:

F (14): Kane, DeBrincat, Johnson, Toews, Kubalik, Kurashev, Dach, Hagel, Borgstrom, Carpenter, Khaira, Entwistle, Gaudette, Strome

D (7): Seth Jones, Murphy, McCabe, de Haan, Stillman, Mitchell, Gustafsson

G (2): Fleury, Lankinen