And of those two, which one has won the Masterson Trophy. I see one on Dumba's shelf. Just thought he would be an upgrade.
- bjphawkfan

I'm not for or against Dumba. I think the focus is more about bringing up the kids and letting them play. Zaitsev is a serviceable RD in LR system.

I'm really curious and excited to see the blue line kids play in the NHL.

I'm not for or against Dumba. I think the focus is more about bringing up the kids and letting them play. Zaitsev is a serviceable RD in LR system.

I'm really curious and excited to see the blue line kids play in the NHL.
- BetweenTheDots

You had me until you said this. By pretty much every metric you can find, Zaitsev is a dumpster fire as a defenseman. Maybe he was injured, or maybe LR can sprinkle some magic dust on him, but what he's actually showed on the ice has been terrible frankly.

This ain't usually my thing but PIT is really interesting. They resigned their old man core, Letang and Malkin, last yr to term, added Dman Graves, top 6 guy Reilly Smith and bottom 6 guys Eller and Acciara along with new GM Dubas. Nice adds by the way addressing a few needs.

They are definitely in win now mode as the core ages and are 2.3 mil over the cap. I'm assuming they think they have to be bold with the core aging, all are 3 over 35 and little in the pipeline.

Obviously they have to move money out to add. The word is they are looking hard at Karlsson and to do that they gotta be really creative. Or do they look to add a really good 2C in 30 yr old Schiefele moving 36 yr old Malkin to wing?

Are they gonna go all Vegas and screw tomorrow for today and figure it out as they go and load up knowing a Schiefele and Guentzel are only signed for a yr or 4 yrs of Karlsson?

No matter, they have to move money. Would the Hawks take Petry and Granlund at a combined 11.2 cap hit for 2 yrs along with Yegar as the sweetener????? Kid has a ton of upside, plays center, skates pretty well, plays the game fast and has produced big time in Major Junior....... I was pretty sure Yegar would be the kid to fall to 19 and the Hawks would draft him. Would have been interesting if Yegar and Ritchie were there at 19 if Moore was gone.

Would it take more if the Hawks essentially bought Yegar for 2 yrs relief of 11.2 mil? Did not realize this but PIT has their 1st and 2nd rd picks the next 3 yrs and in 2 of those yrs have a 3rd rounder.

Would KD do it, and would Yegar be enough or does PIT have to add a pick too? I think Dubas just might. With the pipeline barren even moving Yegar to give the core a legit 2-3 yrs of a shot they still have plenty of picks to address the pipeline as they go all in for a couple yrs of a cup run.

I looked to see Granlund's recent numbers and noticed how damn good this kid was his draft yr, and all yrs up to his draft yr really, when he went 9th overall. Kid looked like a can't miss putting up 40 in 43 in the top Finnish pro league in his draft yr and went on to have totaled FIVE WJCs where he crushed!!..... His profile showed a long time pt per game NHLer. https://www.capfriendly.c...m/players/mikael-granlund
- Mr Ricochet

If the Penguins were going to talk take our cap overload with the hand, I am fairly certain they would have dealt the selection before the draft pick was made by Penguins & ceremonious hubbub, and press junket these youngsters are subjected to.

There would be absolutely no reason to talk about this deal after the pick was made.

You had me until you said this. By pretty much every metric you can find, Zaitsev is a dumpster fire as a defenseman. Maybe he was injured, or maybe LR can sprinkle some magic dust on him, but what he's actually showed on the ice has been terrible frankly.
- Chunk

He really isn't that much worse than Murphy based on the metrics i see. I also think it doesn't help playing on a bad team with AHL forwards.

If he is as bad as you say then it gives a kid a chance at playing time, which is a win win situation for the Blackhawks

One or two of these guys will eventually be traded to fill other holes, let’s hope KD chooses the right ones.
- Angotti

Realistically if two of those five eventually prove to be NHL quality players the Hawks have done very well. If more of them make the team the Hawks have done even better. The trouble on this site is how the expectations are built to unrealistic expectations then nothing but disappointment can follow.

The difference between bringing Dumba in for D experience vs bringing Hall/Foligno/Perry is that we do have at least somewhat of a semblance of vet presence in the D. The F had absolutely nothing. Someone had to have been brought in there.

Agreed on Karlsson not making sense. The second he signed for that much AAV he hitched his career to the team that signed him for that much.
If SJ is able to assemble a jig saw puzzle across teams to make a trade to appease him, if they need us to be that missing piece, then the other teams will have to pay big.

4 years retaining.. we’re definitely talking a big price.

Realistically if two of those five eventually prove to be NHL quality players the Hawks have done very well. If more of them make the team the Hawks have done even better. The trouble on this site is how the expectations are built to unrealistic expectations then nothing but disappointment can follow.
- paulr

Don't forget anger and blind rage. Those usually closely follow disappointment on the BOD.

If the Penguins were going to talk take our cap overload with the hand, I am fairly certain they would have dealt the selection before the draft pick was made by Penguins & ceremonious hubbub, and press junket these youngsters are subjected to.

There would be absolutely no reason to talk about this deal after the pick was made.
- wiz1901

Disagree here, Wiz. The reason PIT will talk about any/all deals post draft is a huge one. Letang is 36, Malkin is 36 and Crosby is 35. Nough said.

No doubt, the ideal time to make this kinda trade is draft time but it may be so complicated more time is needed to explore options for both PIT and a trade partner(s). What the draft did was give Dubas a time and place that all GM's were gathered in one place to at the very least find out what's available, what and what isn't feasible and set a foundation and parameters of a trade to take home and evaluate.

Love PIT's adds of Graves on D, Reilly Smith in the top 6 and Acciara on the bottom 6. Now, being 2.3 mil over the cap today they need to move money just to become compliant and even more to add. The most likely candidates are Granlund at 5 mil per for 2 yrs, Petry at 6.2 for 2 yrs and Carter at 3.1 for a yr. And shedding any of them does not hurt their production like LVG moving Pacioretty for free, a player that can still play, although Petry can help but his salary for production/age is way outa whack.

Unlike a club like TB the Pens have plenty of draft picks, ad Yegar if the choose, to make this happen. And with father time against their Core 3 PIT has to be bold and be bold now. Just a matter of how, and with who, they pull the trigger(s).

Since everyone, understandably, wants to compare everything to the cup era team…we need KD to find his Patrick Sharp type trade. Maybe Yegar is the new Sharpy?
- Ogilthorpe2

It's too early for me to make a judgement on which forward in the system might turn into a value difference maker like Sharp was but if I had to pick one it might be Guttman. Kid has excellent IQ and motor, is fearless and makes a lot of plays in all 3 zones.

I do think the value players who might bring the value of acquisition cost and on ice production in the Sharp range already in the system could be Del Mastro (4th rd pick) and Phillips (5th rd pick) and maybe you could put Kaiser at that level of value of acquisition cost as a 3rd rd pick.

But yea, cup winning rosters have to have a few players that far outplay the cost of acquiring them cuz a franchise does not have enough picks, and hits, in the 1st and 2nd rds to fill a roster.

If that were to happen, does that mean Yegar will become your new Sharp?
- HawkintheD

Time will tell. Is Yager a d-bag?

Realistically if two of those five eventually prove to be NHL quality players the Hawks have done very well. If more of them make the team the Hawks have done even better. The trouble on this site is how the expectations are built to unrealistic expectations then nothing but disappointment can follow.
- paulr

Agreed. Let's all remember how great Mitchell looked in his years at Denver. He stayed the extra time for more experience and to round out his game. Spent some time in Rockford. He did everything he and the team wanted and he ended up struggling. That's not to say that he can't develop into a good player later (a la Forsling). It's just that there is a timeline for making the Hawks roster and if the situation doesn't fit properly for a player when his time is right, he ends up being moved for other pieces.

There was talk at the draft they were offering Askafrov trade to move into the top end of the draft...
- wiz1901

Yes they did, and it was one of the heavy hitters in the press that reported that. Found that interesting. Does Trotz see Askarov differently than Poile who drafted him in the 11 slot?

Kid was a phenom until he melted down at the WJC his draft yr and still went 11. Same size as Gajun and same style of being a helluv an athlete, but more athletic than Gajun IMO...... Askarov has done well since being drafted and had a fine yr in the AHL this past one. Should see him in the NHL in a couple yrs.

Both players are wild in net, Askarov more so. Not much technicality to their games relying on athleticism and reflexes. Tough to do in the modern NHL with the speed of the players and puck, whip of the sticks and crazy skill.

A reason I loved Hrabel so much. 6ft 6in kid covers most of the net, is very technical with the athleticism to bail him out if needed. ..... A wonderful blend of styles that Askarov and Gajun don't have, at least not yet.

Yes they did, and it was one of the heavy hitters in the press that reported that. Found that interesting. Does Trotz see Askarov differently than Poile who drafted him in the 11 slot?

Kid was a phenom until he melted down at the WJC his draft yr and still went 11. Same size as Gajun and same style of being a helluv an athlete, but more athletic than Gajun IMO...... Askarov has done well since being drafted and had a fine yr in the AHL this past one. Should see him in the NHL in a couple yrs.

Both players are wild in net, Askarov more so. Not much technicality to their games relying on athleticism and reflexes. Tough to do in the modern NHL with the speed of the players and puck, whip of the sticks and crazy skill.

A reason I loved Hrabel so much. 6ft 6in kid covers most of the net, is very technical with the athleticism to bail him out if needed. ..... A wonderful blend of styles that Askarov and Gajun don't have, at least not yet.
- Mr Ricochet

Worked decent for Stalock.

Agreed. Let's all remember how great Mitchell looked in his years at Denver. He stayed the extra time for more experience and to round out his game. Spent some time in Rockford. He did everything he and the team wanted and he ended up struggling. That's not to say that he can't develop into a good player later (a la Forsling). It's just that there is a timeline for making the Hawks roster and if the situation doesn't fit properly for a player when his time is right, he ends up being moved for other pieces.
- Chunk

Yet there is 6 more promising defensive prospects on the horizon?
Nothing wrong with being optimistic its a much better place to be then pessimistic, or i should say seeing the glass as half full works for me.

I still can't believe we got Bedard, KD has his work cut out for him but looks to me the future is so bright i got to wear shades

Yet there is 6 more promising defensive prospects on the horizon?
Nothing wrong with being optimistic its a much better place to be then pessimistic, or i should say seeing the glass as half full works for me.

I still can't believe we got Bedard, KD has his work cut out for him but looks to me the future is so bright i got to wear shades
- BetweenTheDots

I posted the other day that it is great to see the overall potential depth of defensemen that the Hawks have coming up. I'm rather optimistic, but also a realist. Some of the guys we are high on won't pan out, will get injured, or will simply need to be moved due to either a logjam, or needed players in other areas.

It's not really a negative to point out the obvious.

Hey, look at that Hinostroza signed with the Pens. Good for him finding a way to stay in the league. Always seemed to have a good attitude and work ethic.

Interesting to look at that Pens roster. It has shades of the 2016-2017 Hawks. Just praying to extend that Playoff Window open.

Yes they did, and it was one of the heavy hitters in the press that reported that. Found that interesting. Does Trotz see Askarov differently than Poile who drafted him in the 11 slot?

Kid was a phenom until he melted down at the WJC his draft yr and still went 11. Same size as Gajun and same style of being a helluv an athlete, but more athletic than Gajun IMO...... Askarov has done well since being drafted and had a fine yr in the AHL this past one. Should see him in the NHL in a couple yrs.

Both players are wild in net, Askarov more so. Not much technicality to their games relying on athleticism and reflexes. Tough to do in the modern NHL with the speed of the players and puck, whip of the sticks and crazy skill.

A reason I loved Hrabel so much. 6ft 6in kid covers most of the net, is very technical with the athleticism to bail him out if needed. ..... A wonderful blend of styles that Askarov and Gajun don't have, at least not yet.
- Mr Ricochet

I love it that Trotz is the GM in Nashville now.

I read a lot of the evaluations of Gajan and many of them said he plays bigger than his size? I've also read at times he does lose his net? Like you say Rico, GMing is hard.

I posted the other day that it is great to see the overall potential depth of defensemen that the Hawks have coming up. I'm rather optimistic, but also a realist. Some of the guys we are high on won't pan out, will get injured, or will simply need to be moved due to either a logjam, or needed players in other areas.

It's not really a negative to point out the obvious.
- Chunk

It wasn't really directed at you, just seems as though others are bothered by fans who are optimistic.

Worked decent for Stalock.

- Chunk

Stalock is a good athlete and as we have seen when he's on he's a very good goalie. But he, and those who play his style, are good when they have their best fastball, not so much when they don't.

That's where having a technical foundation comes into play. You can be good when you don't have your best fastball and elite if you have athleticism as part of your game too.

The best example of that IMO is Carey Price. Quiet, quiet and quiet making save after save (never hurting himself getting out of position to make a save) then when a barrage comes he has the athleticism to make crazy stops when plays breakdown, his D makes mistakes or the opponent hits overdrive.

I think the best throwback goalie in my time is Mike Quick. Kinda guy who comes out 3 feet above his crease leaving cavernous space behind him for the opponent to exploit moving the puck side to side....... A lesser goalie of that style is Stalock who can look foolish being 4-5 out of his net when a goal is scored into the wide open net.

Like a pool shooter as an example. An elite shooter always makes a shot with the next 1 or 2 shots in mind leaving himself set up for the next shot while making one. Then there is the shot maker. He's not too worried about the next shot just plays the game with his innate ability to make shots. He goes as far as his shot making will take him where the technical player goes as far as working the table will take him. ....... Now, you get a player who can work the table and is a shot maker you have an elite pool shooter.

Same for goalies.

Well Allen has been playing the RD position, i believe after the trade he's actually been paired with Korchinski, so maybe one less car crash
- BetweenTheDots

They played together for a couple games and that was it. KK played with Hanzel and Allan played with Nashville prospect Prokop

I have read that Gibson is extremely unhappy in Duck land and he say's he will not play for them.
- bjphawkfan

This was debunked by Gibson and his agent. It was a supposed insider just spouting off his beliefs

They played together for a couple games and that was it. KK played with Hanzel and Allan played with Nashville prospect Prokop
- GPHawksfan

Thanks for letting me know. The article sounded like they were going to continue with the pairing. Funny how they leave that poop out. I did hear him say a little while ago he wants to get better at playing the right side, i wonder if that's what he'll be doing in Rockford.

Since everyone, understandably, wants to compare everything to the cup era team…we need KD to find his Patrick Sharp type trade. Maybe Yegar is the new Sharpy?
- Ogilthorpe2

Perlini, Strome, Nylander, Duclair, Borgstrom, Gaudette, Dano, IDK just to name a few.

It wasn't really directed at you, just seems as though others are bothered by fans who are optimistic.
- BetweenTheDots

I'm not bothered; I know you'll windsock from optimistic to surly pessimist within a few shifts of game one. Of the preseason.

Disagree here, Wiz. The reason PIT will talk about any/all deals post draft is a huge one. Letang is 36, Malkin is 36 and Crosby is 35. Nough said.

No doubt, the ideal time to make this kinda trade is draft time but it may be so complicated more time is needed to explore options for both PIT and a trade partner(s). What the draft did was give Dubas a time and place that all GM's were gathered in one place to at the very least find out what's available, what and what isn't feasible and set a foundation and parameters of a trade to take home and evaluate.

Love PIT's adds of Graves on D, Reilly Smith in the top 6 and Acciara on the bottom 6. Now, being 2.3 mil over the cap today they need to move money just to become compliant and even more to add. The most likely candidates are Granlund at 5 mil per for 2 yrs, Petry at 6.2 for 2 yrs and Carter at 3.1 for a yr. And shedding any of them does not hurt their production like LVG moving Pacioretty for free, a player that can still play, although Petry can help but his salary for production/age is way outa whack.

Unlike a club like TB the Pens have plenty of draft picks, ad Yegar if the choose, to make this happen. And with father time against their Core 3 PIT has to be bold and be bold now. Just a matter of how, and with who, they pull the trigger(s).
- Mr Ricochet

Hopefully Dubas knew this prior to the draft.

Wiz's point is that Pittsburgh would have traded their pick prior to making the pick, since that is when it had its highest value. They didn't do so.