Having defensively minded forwards that also put on plenty of offensive pressure sure doesn't hurt.
- mohel

Unfortunately, right now most of our forwards are one or the other, not both.

I’ll do it for $1mil
- TheTrob

I would say most people here would do it for $100K, even if current salary is more, press box role would be less stressful.

Interesting, in 14-15, van Riemsdyk had a CF of 60.05%, Erixon was at 57.14% & Rundblad was 56.87.

Keith was over 55%
- scottak

#legend

Teams are stuck with these contracts and there is little to nothing they can do about it? They could stop giving them out.
- -Doh-

Well yeah that's the obvious answer for it, but we all know that's not gonna happen. Plus at the time, more so when re-signing your own guys, you feel obligation in one form or another to pay the guy for what he has done and what he could do and end up paying for it like the Hawks have on Seabrook. That's their fault for giving him the deal that they did, but the fact that there is absolutely nothing they can do about hurts the sport. Instead of being able to restructure contracts or workout buyouts that don't count against the cap you have teams with millions in cap space they can't use or contracts being traded to help low-end financial teams reach the cap floor. That should change. The team should be obligated to pay the contract to the player no matter what. I'm not saying that they shouldn't have full guaranteed deals, but if a bad deal happens they should be able to find a way to work with the player to benefit team and player. Just my two cents.

For such a superior team how are the Preds only 3 points ahead of the Hawks. Im thinking a team that goes through the motions many nights. I have a feeling they will come out and think they will just be able to dominate us, we'll see.

Gus most definitely would be the first to be moved if the Hawks fall out. After that one of Murphy, de Haan, and Maatta could be dangled as well to help clear the way for Boqvist, Mitchell, and Beaudin in the next year or so here. Lot depends on the Seabrook situation as well.
- Savetheembers33

Beuadin won't ever be a regular NHL player He isn't very good

Unfortunately, right now most of our forwards are one or the other, not both.
- Chunk

Yeah, I believe you're correct. Maybe they're still thinking a lot about one or the other?

Beuadin won't ever be a regular NHL player He isn't very good
- GPHawksfan

Aren't you supposed to be working on a cure for cancer?

You know that with Ceci playing solid hockey, skating 22:00 a night and in the plus column they have a solid top 3 in Reilly, Muzzin and Ceci. And with Reilly and Barrie able to be #1 PP guys with Muzzin a solid PP guy too they ain't as bad off as say last yr. Ceci seems an upgrade over Gardiner on that roster and of course they added Barrie.

Dare I say it's the Babcock system that's in question?
- Mr Ricochet

Mr. R - can I suggest you watch more Leaf games in their entirety.

Their blueline is very weak as a group and without Frederick Anderson's heroics they have 3 or 4 more losses in the column.

And Tyson Barrie is said to be looking for $8M per on a new contract next year. He aint that good and fortunately for the GM he will have no cap space to pay him.

Mr. R - can I suggest you watch more Leaf games in their entirety.

Their blueline is very weak as a group and without Frederick Anderson's heroics they have 3 or 4 more losses in the column.

And Tyson Barrie is said to be looking for $8M per on a new contract next year. He aint that good and fortunately for the GM he will have no cap space to pay him.
- RickJ

And again Toronto has no reliable back-up goaltender, so Anderson will be worn down again IF Toronto made the playoffs.

A thought came to me about Gus. He put up 60 points in say 50ish games under Colliton, and on this roster has the best PP skills of all Dmen it would seem.

The PP didn't quite click to start the yr and the losses piled up but replacing Gus with Keith on the #1 PP seemed a bit quick, but ok. It has since been 5ish games that Keith has remained the #1 PP Dman.

If the Hawks are in it at the TDL I don't feel they would hand over the reigns of the PP to a teenager in Bovquist on a team in a battle for a playoff spot. Could it be that the long look at Keith on the #1 PP is to see if they can move Gus and still compete for a playoff spot without hurting the PP?

In other words can Gus be moved and the Hawks still have a solid enough PP to get into the playoffs with Keith as the PP QB?
- Mr Ricochet

Hmm yeah idk if that's something that can be done because the best way to showcase him is for him to get top PP1 minutes to boost his numbers. The key is going to be what the team does. If the Hawks play well with Gus in the lineup and are in Playoff contention it'd be hard to see them move him at or before the deadline unless they are absolutely sure Boqvist can jump in and take his minutes without skipping a beat and there's not guarantee that will happen. Now, if the team falls out then he will be the first guy to go and they will need to showcase and shelter him as best as they can to maximize their return. I'm sure he could flourish in a role on a team as a #5 or #6 D-Man playing 12-15 minutes a night and running PP1 for a team that is set in their top four

And again Toronto has no reliable back-up goaltender, so Anderson will be worn down again IF Toronto made the playoffs.
- LAHawk

They will be trying out a new one tomorrow night in Pittsburgh.

If Anderson ever got hurt for an extended period, the Loafs miss the playoffs.

I love watching the Leafs lose. The media in TO is just waiting to blow up Babcock and Kyle Dubas.

The biggest thing I see since the tweak in the system, is that it appears the Hawks are starting to get their swagger back. As I mentioned in the last blog, I have never seen Gus so pumped up and animated, not only on his goal, but on the penalty shot call against Crow. Also ADB going after McNabb was awesome. Also, love seeing the aggressiveness on the forecheck. fun to see other teams have problems getting it out of their own zone, and having extended periods of time chasing Blackhawks around for a change.

A thought came to me about Gus. He put up 60 points in say 50ish games under Colliton, and on this roster has the best PP skills of all Dmen it would seem.

The PP didn't quite click to start the yr and the losses piled up but replacing Gus with Keith on the #1 PP seemed a bit quick, but ok. It has since been 5ish games that Keith has remained the #1 PP Dman.

If the Hawks are in it at the TDL I don't feel they would hand over the reigns of the PP to a teenager in Bovquist on a team in a battle for a playoff spot. Could it be that the long look at Keith on the #1 PP is to see if they can move Gus and still compete for a playoff spot without hurting the PP?

In other words can Gus be moved and the Hawks still have a solid enough PP to get into the playoffs with Keith as the PP QB?
- Mr Ricochet

I think Gus lost his spot on the #1 PP because he was playing awful, even on the PP. He seems to have rediscovered his offensive game. It will be interesting to see if they let him back on the #1 PP. I think Kubalik or Boqvist could QB the PP too. But I agree with you that the Gus situation will be an interesting one to watch all year (or until he is traded).

The biggest thing I see since the tweak in the system, is that it appears the Hawks are starting to get their swagger back. As I mentioned in the last blog, I have never seen Gus so pumped up and animated, not only on his goal, but on the penalty shot call against Crow. Also ADB going after McNabb was awesome. Also, love seeing the aggressiveness on the forecheck. fun to see other teams have problems getting it out of their own zone, and having extended periods of time chasing Blackhawks around for a change.
- LAHawk

Great post.

Hmm yeah idk if that's something that can be done because the best way to showcase him is for him to get top PP1 minutes to boost his numbers. The key is going to be what the team does. If the Hawks play well with Gus in the lineup and are in Playoff contention it'd be hard to see them move him at or before the deadline unless they are absolutely sure Boqvist can jump in and take his minutes without skipping a beat and there's not guarantee that will happen. Now, if the team falls out then he will be the first guy to go and they will need to showcase and shelter him as best as they can to maximize their return. I'm sure he could flourish in a role on a team as a #5 or #6 D-Man playing 12-15 minutes a night and running PP1 for a team that is set in their top four
- Savetheembers33

If the Hawks are in playoff contention just how much impact on the overall team can a 6th defender who is a liability most of the time on defense have? If he is playing well and they are in contention and they trade him I think they are still in contention with his replacement. You might lose a little on the PP and offensively, but you would pick it back up defensively. The loss/gain this season would be negligible and if you gain a high pick or a highly rated prospect you have to pull the trigger.

If the Hawks are in playoff contention just how much impact on the overall team can a 6th defender who is a liability most of the time on defense have? If he is playing well and they are in contention and they trade him I think they are still in contention with his replacement. You might lose a little on the PP and offensively, but you would pick it back up defensively. The loss/gain this season would be negligible and if you gain a high pick or a highly rated prospect you have to pull the trigger.
- -Doh-

You are right on.

And again Toronto has no reliable back-up goaltender, so Anderson will be worn down again IF Toronto made the playoffs.
- LAHawk

Lets say the Hawks are out by TDL, who would you want from Tor for Crawford? That will boost their PO goaltending. Hawks can even offer max salary retained considering CCs contract expires. Possibly a second rounder with conditions to become first rounder based on performance + prospects or etc

Lets say the Hawks are out by TDL, who would you want from Tor for Crawford? That will boost their PO goaltending. Hawks can even offer max salary retained considering CCs contract expires. Possibly a second rounder with conditions to become first rounder based on performance + prospects or etc
- squishy24

Crow has a limited nmc. Not sure who is on the list, or if he'd waive.

Does Tallon and Q values Seabs’ “leadership, intangibles and cup experience”? I would offer max salary retained (all duration of contract) + some low picks, B prospects for Pysyk and +

Does Tallon and Q values Seabs’ “leadership, intangibles and cup experience”? I would offer max salary retained (all duration of contract) + some low picks, B prospects for Pysyk and +
- squishy24

I like this a lot if possible but the question is how sweet the sweeteners would have to be and how much salary of course...

Crow has a limited nmc. Not sure who is on the list, or if he'd waive.
- mohel

Im aware of the nmc. I also know CC recently bought a condo here in chicago. From his point of view, he has a chance to win a cup and he just have to be in Tor for maybe 6months

Not a lot of change. No sign of Caggiula yet.

Charlie Roumeliotis‏Verified account @CRoumeliotis · 11m11 minutes ago

#Blackhawks lines and pairings in Nashville:
Saad-Toews-Nylander
DeBrincat-Strome-Kane
Shaw-Kampf-Kubalik
Carpenter-Dach-Smith

Keith-Gustafsson
de Haan-Seabrook
Maatta-Murphy/Koekkoek

I like this a lot if possible but the question is how sweet the sweeteners would have to be and how much salary of course...
- Popsghostly

I would go max salary retain for the duration of the contract. So maybe thats 3.8 to 3.9 dead capmoney until 2024 for the hawks

I would go max salary retain for the duration of the contract. So maybe thats 3.8 to 3.9 dead capmoney until 2024 for the hawks
- squishy24

Unless you can do it for a swap of some mid-round picks, I'm not taking a loss on Seabrook. No retained money, and no top level prospects. We've finally gotten back to a place where we have a lot of good prospects (and first round picks).