Theo Fox: Select Cuts Thoughts on what became an eventful off day for the Blackhawks as they waived Collin Delia and Malcolm Subban, reassigned Alex Nylander, and have reportedly signed Erik Gustafsson.

Plus, participate in a readers' poll to make season predictions!

Long season

Gus …….. UGH!!!!!!!!
It really sends a message that the Harks are not interested in improving team defense. ASF big time!!!!!

My prediction (and probably wishful thinking) - neither Colliton nor Gus are with the Hawks by Christmas.

Tough questions on the poll!
Blackhawks website not showing GusGus' signing as of 5:30 CST this morning. We will see what the day brings.
Two more sleeps until the season opener!

The Gustafsson signing is baffling. Theo makes some good points that he is a one-trick pony that had never scored close to his 60 pt. season before then or after.

Is he really the type of player the Hawks need right now for a successful season? They had no better options already in camp?

I don't understand it unless Stan reads HB and realizes since he is sending Nylander down that the board will need a whipping boy.

The Gustafsson signing is baffling. Theo makes some good points that he is a one-trick pony that had never scored close to his 60 pt. season before then or after.

Is he really the type of player the Hawks need right now for a successful season? They had no better options already in camp?

I don't understand it unless Stan reads HB and realizes since he is sending Nylander down that the board will need a whipping boy.
- Rota's Rooter

The bolded's obvious. So much energy wasted on sweating Nylavender passing through waivers when the real threat was Stan bringing back another ex-Hawk.

Like some mentioned in the last thread, I'd be surprised if Gus wasn't signed merely to man the press box. That way when Kalynuk and eventually Jones come back, they can send Mitchell, Galvas and possibly Kalynuk to RFD.

I tend to give the Hawks player personnel department the benefit of the doubt on drafting, FA, trades, etc. figurinng they have more info and experience than I do.

Sorry, this morning, they're morons!

Gus makes zero sense. If you only wanted a minimum D man to sit in the press box, you could of signed a D man, who you know, could play D.

The only scenario I could come up with that made any sense is that they are hiring him to eventually be a coach, and he's going to start that process now.

You know, all going pretty decent, last preseason game successful, Captain looks to be back and in good condition health wise, letting the young guys go down and develop, things looking up, and they have to go and sign Gus.

Sometimes I think these GMs just can't help themselves and shoot themselves in the foot, gotta give the fan base something to be pissed about............

My guess is that Gus’s $800K is being used to get the Hawks as close to $81.5 mil. On day 1 so they get the full use of Shaw’s LTIR on day 2

My guess is that Gus’s $800K is being used to get the Hawks as close to $81.5 mil. On day 1 so they get the full use of Shaw’s LTIR on day 2
- LAHawk

Also likely. I've also heard Gus is a decent teammate so maybe they figure he won't put up a huge stink if he's not playing.

My guess is that Gus’s $800K is being used to get the Hawks as close to $81.5 mil. On day 1 so they get the full use of Shaw’s LTIR on day 2
- LAHawk

The NHL minimum salary is $750,000 - so anyone they put on the roster would have at least that as a cap hit.

From Lazarus (and I’m not sure he got them all):

Former Blackhawks reacquired by Stan Bowman:

Brian Campbell
Daniel Carcillo
Adam Clendening
Vinnie Hinostroza
Nikolai Khabibulin
Marcus Kruger
Andrew Ladd
Jeremy Morin
Johnny Oduya
Brandon Pirri
Brandon Saad
Patrick Sharp
Andrew Shaw
Kris Versteeg (twice)

Doesn’t include Gustafsson.

Gustafsson coming to town and all anyone can hear from the great communicators office, the best defense is a great offense.

I won powerball a few months back. I gave the Hawks 2MM in "Advertising" to sign Gus and drive you all crazy for another year.

Who says money can not buy happiness???

Also likely. I've also heard Gus is a decent teammate so maybe they figure he won't put up a huge stink if he's not playing.
- HawkintheD

You could sign me.

I will sit in the press box. The benefit of having me over Gus, is that I'll never ever, no matter what the situation, will see the ice...............

I won powerball a few months back. I gave the Hawks 2MM in "Advertising" to sign Gus and drive you all crazy for another year.

Who says money can not buy happiness???
- TrueGrit

$2MM spent to drive people following a blog crazy. It shows how smart you are and why we value and respect your opinion and comments so much.

Stan was confused--thought he was signing Rundblad.

$2MM spent to drive people following a blog crazy. It shows how smart you are and why we value and respect your opinion and comments so much.
- Ztra

Its all relative. 2mm to me now is like 20bucks for the average guy.

My guess is that Gus’s $800K is being used to get the Hawks as close to $81.5 mil. On day 1 so they get the full use of Shaw’s LTIR on day 2
- LAHawk

The NHL minimum salary is $750,000 - so anyone they put on the roster would have at least that as a cap hit.

Stlouisbravesfan

The 5 defenseman not on the NHL roster, plus Regula and Mitchell ALL make more than Gus at $800K. This was a salary cap maneuver, nothing more, northing less.

My guess is that Gus’s $800K is being used to get the Hawks as close to $81.5 mil. On day 1 so they get the full use of Shaw’s LTIR on day 2
- LAHawk

The NHL minimum salary is $750,000 - so anyone they put on the roster would have at least that as a cap hit.

Stlouisbravesfan

The 5 defenseman not on the NHL roster, plus Regula and Mitchell ALL make more than Gus at $800K. This was a salary cap maneuver, nothing more, northing less.
- LAHawk

I sure hope so

On top of the fact that he didn't blow the coaching staff away with his play this preseason, I think Nylander was sent down because he is still trying to get his knee back in game shape.

I'm not shedding a tear at all that he was sent down, but just adding some context to it. He was cleared to come back, but from what I understand, he hadn't had all that much time to get into game shape. Hopefully, he gets his mind right and learns to develop.

I said it before we traded him first time. Why don't we give Gustafsson a shot at wing. He's quick, moves the puck well and has some scoring touch. Plus, he is absolutely worthless defensively, which matters a lot less for wingers. Good chance it won't work, but feel like they have nothing to lose by giving it a shot in Rockford.

There may have been other options available on defence but could those players mentioned be available for only $850K?

Other than Jones what other options do we have to play the point on the powerplay? The other guys are not PP type defencemen so I have no problem signing Gus, especially at the reported salary.

I said it before we traded him first time. Why don't we give Gustafsson a shot at wing. He's quick, moves the puck well and has some scoring touch. Plus, he is absolutely worthless defensively, which matters a lot less for wingers. Good chance it won't work, but feel like they have nothing to lose by giving it a shot in Rockford.
- Hawkeynation

Because he himself has been asked this question and said that he would be a disaster at it. It is not as simple as "good offensive defenseman would make a good winger". There are different responsibilities, and abilities needed to play wing vs D. He's had years to try and improve defensively and hasn't. What makes you think learning an entirely new position would look like? Sorry, don't mean to come off as crass, but this has been been beaten to death so many times.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Blackhawks officially sign Erik Gustafsson to a 1-year, $800k contract.
7:02 AM · Oct 11, 2021·Twitter for iPhone

My bet is when Kalnyuk and Jones comes back, Gus gets waived, in the meantime, he is there for salary cap purposes.

If Gustafsson dresses, it means the Hawks will either have to dress 7 d-men (which makes zero sense) or they will not be able to roll three defensive pairings, especially on the road.

Hopefully we see a lot of Mitchell and Gustafsson becomes a depth guy period.