Upon further review, wait and see.
That's about the best conclusion you can come to on all the Hawks' activity yesterday, including their first round draft pick, Finnish and Portland Winterhawks defenseman Henry Jokiharju.
At first, as the trade news came pouring out around noon Eastern yesterday—after weeks of rumors and anticipation—there was a lot of fear mixed with excitement mixed with maybe some relief at the news of Niklas Hjalmarsson and Artemi Panarin being dealt.
I'm not sure, after nearly 24 hours, any of those emotions aren't still valid.
But let's break it all down.
First, none of this was knee-jerk or without a lot of forethought. I will refer you to some quotes from my blog yesterday morning—coming from a quality source:
"Does Chicago REALLY want to move (Panarin)? No. So why is Chicago even listening? Cap space. This is why Chicago is toying with guys like Neal and (Evander) Kane. Their contracts are up next year, both make less than Panarin and actually bring certain qualities that Panarin doesn't."
"The other issue? When Panarin's deal is up in 2 seasons, do you think he is going to want a pay raise? Absolutely. Can Chicago afford it? No".
"Is there a really good chance that Panarin signs elsewhere? 99%."
Stan Bowman set out to do a number of things this summer, as follows:
- Get bigger, faster, younger
- Balance out a roster lacking quality depth, and overloaded at one of the wings (right versus left)
- Backfill some key positions: depth/penalty kill center, backup goalie
- Avoid another Cap-a-Geddon in two years, when not just Panarin's but Hjalmarsson's contracts would expire
All while becoming a better team in 2017-18.
Bowman accomplished the majority of those yesterday. And it definitely came at a cost. marian Hossa, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Marcus Kruger have been my favorite Hawks of this era, in my opinion the three warriors of this team.
But Hossa's time to ride off to Slovakia with his gorgeous bride, beautiful children and 80 million dollars had come.
Kruger is too highly paid for what he does on a cap-strapped team like the Hawks—I believe he will be dealt somewhere soon, like Las Vegas as previously reported here and elsewhere.
Just as I think it's kind of stupid to evaluate Conor Murphy and Laurent Dauphin based on the context of the (former) trainwreck known as the Arizona Coyotes, it is also silly to write Niklas Hjalmarsson off as being on the decline. Hjalmarsson will go out and fight to the last drop of blood, like a Navy SEAL, as long as he has a heartbeat. And he'll be effective when others have given up.
As I have said for several weeks, these were going to be value for value trades. As Bowman noted last night in an interview on NBCSN, he intends for Murphy to step in as a top 4 defenseman on the right side. he certainly has the size, skill and pedigree. he will get the chance to put it all together, likely playing alongside a 2-time Norris Trophy winner. Some risk, but potentially some reward—with a much younger, cost-controlled player.
Dauphin is not going to make anyone forget Denis Savard. and I have a feeling like the guy I believe he is intended to "replace" eventually, Kruger, he will constantly be slagged in Chicago as a "bum who don't score no goalssss." But his value, like Kruger's is defensive tenacity, winning pucks in traffic, as a left-handed pure center who plays well away from the puck and bigger than his size.
Anton Forsberg, acquired in the Saad deal, will likely be slotted as the Hawks' #2 right away. Big, very talented, but raw, sort of like the guy he replaces in Scott Darling. Just not that big and maybe more talented.
Forsberg, when I saw him with Columbus, reminded me bit of a young Craig Anderson: aggressive, confident, might overplay now and then, but a battler with athletic talent.
You hate to lose Artemi Panarin, but there is no question, (and I can't stress this enough—been saying this here since 2015) a big part of the Hawks' game went away along with Brandon Saad two years ago.
What was it? Elite speed on the wing, ability to play a physical cycle game down low.
Potentially it's a win for both clubs and maybe a big win for Chicago because Brandon Saad's game fits Chicago's system and vice versa. His speed—along with some finish ability—brings the stretch pass back to Chicago's arsenal and all the open ice and second guessing by opponents that comes with it.
The Hawks have been looking for this since Saad left, in the form of pursuing Mikel Boedker and Matt Duchene the last couple of years (little known facts not reported by the "legit" media). Now they have it back.
Panarin should rack up big points playing with the gifted and game Alex Wennberg. Potentially a win-win.
But the real litmus test of yesterday's deals will come down likely to how well Murphy, Dauphin and Forsberg assimilate into regular and important roles in Chicago—aided and supported by a great coaching staff and highly accomplished, still quite capable teammates. It's sort of like the youth movement the Hawks attempted to pull off last year—but this one relies on players with some NHL experience and proven ability in the pros.
Are the Hawks a better team this morning, probably not. But what matters more id how good this team is in say February through May—or after a possible next flurry of moves this summer.
Kruger is likely going somewhere (for something). Artem Anisimov, I continue to hear, could be going to Buffalo, Montreal or Las Vegas.
All for now,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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