If we have 19/15/22 as the top 3 centres, 88/81/86 as the top 3 RWs, and 72/14 as the top 2 LWs (14 on the 3rd line) I think the top 9 is solid. There is a need at LW, but Shaw can be used there if Stan can re-sign him (fingers crossed). Shaw may not be the ideal LW but he deal well last season and I don't think the salary cap will allow for anything more. I'm not so worried about the combination of the top 3 forwards, Q will try every combination under the sun
- DarthKane

I'm concerned for the reasons listed and because a lot of those guys you listed were in the same roles and this team MIGHTILY struggled to score 5 on 5 which will put extra pressure on the D/50/PP/PK all to make it up for it.

Sophomore slumps are quite common, and its not like he really slumped either(his PPG increased). We don't need TT to be anything spectacular, he just needs to get back to playing the way he did in the 2015 playoffs and i think he will. Still very young, no need to act like he's a lost cause(SteveRain).
- SimpleJack

I think what a lot of us are disappointed with in terms of TT is that what should have been a year in which he improved and developed, it turned out to be one in which he stagnated. Now the question is whether this is what can be expected from him going forward, or if he can improve on what has been seen. The skills are there, the question is more if there is either a willingness to get bigger/stronger, or failing that, the heart to play into the dirty areas and engage play when the going gets tough.

It's not necessarily strictly a size thing. It's a mentality. We can all list plenty of smaller or slightly built players who have no problems when the physical play starts.
- TheTrob

if the skill are there is debatable. All these NHL forwards have a skill set and probably a fine line if you did a skills competition between a vast majority of them. This isn't the 1980s with pure goons out there with no skill. So TTs skills I don't see as a huge step up to what I would see in a Toews, Panarin, Kane, and even Hossa to an extent.

I do agree with the mentality thing but to get to the dirty areas he needs to be confident and now that his body can withstand that punishment and as of now he isn't....so instead of figuring that part out he still looks frail and very timid and it showed with the Blues series where he was physically dominated and even suffered injury.

So until he proves otherwise, I stand by what I see.....

Gustafsson has upside, both offensively and defensively. He just needs to improve with practice. Was solid midway through the season and struggled a bit at the end. The first round wasn't bad at all. One bad turnover that led to a goal in game 7. Keith and Seabrook had worse looks throughout the series and game 7. Gus > Rundblad.
Kid is young and can smooth out his game.
- 93Joe

Agreed. I don't see Rundblad being up to the task for decent playoff hockey minutes. Despite the mistake that Gus made--and owned up to--I'm exponentially more comfortable with him back there. Rundblad is a regular season option only...if that

Here's what I don't understand. You blast me because I'm disappointed in Toews' lack of production. And then it's ok on your end to be "disappointed" in what TT's development should have been?

First year here...............played in 34gms - 4g- 5a- 9pts (.26ppg)
Then this season - First full year - 78gms - 13g-22a-35pts (.45ppg)

He played PP, PK, RW, LW and C - shifting around all four forward lines. Is the sole disappointment that he's not Andrew Shaw? Because he never will be.

Don't label me on the TT bandwagon or anything. If they can trade him and improve the team at his low cap hit - I won't lose a minutes sleep. But my disappointment in a guy anointed the "best player in the league by all GM's" allegedly can't crack 60pts is comical - but the agreement with everyone on a guy that's undersized that just played his first full season, still on his ELC that increased his point production x2 while playing multiple roles - simply because he doesn't go in dangerous areas to get killed?
- PatShart

I agree Toews had his worst season as a Hawks. All year he looked tired and did not have the fire that he normally had. He played in the corners way to many times for my liking. He looked frustrated all year and started fighting more than scoring. In the past he always started a little slow in the beginning of the season but this year he never took charge of the first line by getting some key goals when the game was on the line. Furthermore, the top opponents defensive line most of the year was going against the Kaner line. Bottom Line. Toews was out of shape or not in focus or jus had an off year which can happen to the best of them.

Is it as old/comical or less than the constant bagging on Runblad, Q, Stan, Mashinter, Bickell? Or are those still approved by your standards? And what is the actual shelf life? Let me know.
- PatShart

Yes, it is just as old.

1) What the acceptable scoring level is. - Zero reason he shouldn't be around the Jaime Benn level - 35-40g - 75-80pts
- PatShart

It seems to me that Patrick Kane has set the standard in point production for players paid more than $10m AAV at 100+. It's clear that Toews is becoming a bust, and we're headed toward ever more diminishing returns. Or maybe he's judged by a different metric than point production.

Yes, it is just as old.



It seems to me that Patrick Kane has set the standard in point production for players paid more than $10m AAV at 100+. It's clear that Toews is becoming a bust, and we're headed toward ever more diminishing returns. Or maybe he's judged by a different metric than point production.
- tgentry1084

Don't feed the Blackhawk troll Pat Shart.

CapFriendly ‏@CapFriendly 2h2 hours ago
#CapFriendly CONFIRMED
Michal Kempny #Hawks
1 yr ELC - $700,00 cap hit
+ $225,000 GP bonuses
+ $212,500 'A' bonuses
+ Euro Assignment clause

I know his name has come up here as a potential free agent target, but we can cross him off the list:

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 2h2 hours ago
This one is for Gord, too: BOS and Kevan Miller agree to a four-year, $10 million extension. $2.5M AAV.

Is it as old/comical or less than the constant bagging on Runblad, Q, Stan, Mashinter, Bickell? Or are those still approved by your standards? And what is the actual shelf life? Let me know.

As far as your questions of my expectations of the highest paid player who's point production has decreased each of the last 4-5 years when he should be hitting his prime?
1) What the acceptable scoring level is. - Zero reason he shouldn't be around the Jaime Benn level - 35-40g - 75-80pts
2) who would be a better replacement and/or what package of players are you trading him for - I'm assuming this is more of the "fantasy talk" realm where both you and I know they aren't trading him....but Crosby/Malkin both come to mind as 2 better right off the top. Toews' numbers have been more in line with Bergeron (very good player at 6.875mil) than at superstar payday level. And if EDM called and offered McDavid - or TOR wants to give Matthews, I'd make the deal before the phone was hung up.

But it's TT's fault he wasn't producing with Toews. Or Hossa couldn't finish on that line. Or because Saad wasn't there. Or Shaw wasn't skilled enough. Or the matchups didn't favor him. Or...or...or....

Maybe less jet skiing and more off ice workouts for Toews this summer and hopefully the points don't keep decreasing as they have.
- PatShart

19 is the man. One of the best 2 way C in the game. The guy has led us to 3 Cups and has scored countless big goals in big games. He's usually in the Selke discussions every year. He like the rest of the team just looked fatigued this year. He's not a Crosby style scorer, but the perfect balance of grit and big play ability not to mention a top face off guy. So where is your issue with him again?

Cut some slack. 19 is the guy every team in this league would love to have. He will bounce back this year as will 81, 2, 7 and 4.

Don't feed the Blackhawk troll Pat Shart.
- Dannyboy

Toews had a bad year. No question.

Toews has some stake in that but I also think if you were to pair with him kane or panarin that changes very quickly.......again look at toews linemates and all the opposing D did was focus on stopping the only viable scoring option.

I can sit here and think of at least 15 chances Hossa had from the slot on in where he fired it right into the pads and missed the chance.

As well as 15/88/72 did this year, baring a major miracle I think they need to split up 72/88 up to make this more then a 1 line team.

One thing to remember is our international scouting staff has been very good. Ranta, Gus, Moose, Sved, Panarin have all been better then what was expected of them when you factor how highly they were regarded as Free agent prospects.

also Gus is 24 (3/14), Sved turned 25 today, TVR turns 25 7/24, Kempny turns 26 on 9/8. So Sved TVR are all within 10 months of each other so thinking we are going to get a lot more of of those guys might be a reach. IE Kempny was the best 1 or 2 defenders on a good Czech team at 25, What have the others guys done to this point? I think he will be our 4 best defender irrelevant of where he slots as long as he is on the Left side.
- kmw4631

Here's the other thing I've always heard, doesn't it take D-men typically 100-200 games before the light turns on and they hit their stride? Just saying considering many of these guys were rookies or haven't even played in the NHL yet.

Yes, it is just as old.

It seems to me that Patrick Kane has set the standard in point production for players paid more than $10m AAV at 100+. It's clear that Toews is becoming a bust, and we're headed toward ever more diminishing returns. Or maybe he's judged by a different metric than point production.
- tgentry1084

Further, starting in 2009-2010, and excluding the lockout year, the Blackhawks top five (5) point producers have averaged the following:

09-10: 68.4 (Patrick Kane, 88)
10-11: 65.0 (Jonathan Toews, 76)
11-12: 62.4 (Marian Hossa, 77)
13-14: 67.2 (Patrick Sharp, 78)
14-15: 57.6 (Jonathan Toews, 66)
15-16: 66.6 (Patrick Kane, 106)

It seems to me that Toews didn't really need to produce at the exact same level this year because other players picked up the slack. It's easy to say that Toews needs more points, especially because he's making so much money, but it looks like his production was roughly made up for.

Not sure why many have been ragging on Gustafsson.

He was a rookie this past season who had 14 points and was a +11 in exactly half of a season this year. If he would have skated in all 82 games and would have finished with ~25 points, that would have been a pretty solid rookie campaign for a player that skated third-pairing minutes.

Not every rookie is going to have an all-star type campaign. He had a fine season overall. Sure he had his fair share of rookie mistakes, but that's not something that he can't build off of. Look at the growth that TvR had from last season to this season. If we can see something similar of Goose that will go a long way towards stabilizing the back end.

If Kempny lives up to the profile and his work in the KHL translates to the NHL, this defense should be much better heading forward and shouldn't be a concern.

The attention should absolutely turn to finding that first-line winger to play with Toews and provide offense. Can't expect Kane to have another 100+ point campaign to magically carry the offense again.
- TommyHawk

Just for sake of comparison -
15-16 Gustafsson - 41gms - 0g - 14a - 14pts +11 29hts - 37blks
14-15 Runblad - 49gms - 3g - 11a - 14pts +17 23hts - 38blks

Both can be sent back to Europe as far as I'm concerned

Like the signings today. Eagerly awaiting the cap to be announced for next year. It would be really nice if the Hawks found a way to keep Andrew Ladd, who has openly stated he would like to take a discount to play for the Cup with this team over the next few years. Find a way to get rid of Bickell, and use that salary on Ladd.

Just for sake of comparison -
15-16 Gustafsson - 41gms - 0g - 14a - 14pts +11 29hts - 37blks
14-15 Runblad - 49gms - 3g - 11a - 14pts +17 23hts - 38blks

Both can be sent back to Europe as far as I'm concerned
- PatShart

Gus is a rookie, Rundblad is not. Give Gus some time.

CapFriendly ‏@CapFriendly 2h2 hours ago
#CapFriendly CONFIRMED
Michal Kempny #Hawks
1 yr ELC - $700,00 cap hit
+ $225,000 GP bonuses
+ $212,500 'A' bonuses
+ Euro Assignment clause
- DarthKane

Was going to post this DK, beat me to it.

Looks like Stan is at it with getting salary cap creative. Only 700k for Kempny's salary hit and any performances pushed to next year.

Was going to post this DK, beat me to it.

Looks like Stan is at it with getting salary cap creative. Only 700k for Kempny's salary hit and any performances pushed to next year.
- TyCamScore

That's exactly what I thought, good move by Stan to defer at least $225,000 to the following season. If Kempny sticks I think it's safe to assume he hits the games played bonus.

Toews didn't actually have that bad of a season. Watching him play, he was still solid. He scored 28 goals, the same as he has in the previous two seasons. The only thing that slipped was his assists, which lets be honest, is the result of a lack of finish on his wings.

He played well defensively and was pretty much our best PK forward all year. He dominated at the dot. He was his usual self, just lacked linemates that are clicking or of a top 6 quality. Hossa struggled and missed some time. Also, the LW on his line was a revolving door most of the year. Shaw did okay, but still isn't a top 6 guy. The line of Toews/Hossa/Ladd was pretty darn good in the playoffs, but just didn't finish. They had a huge amount of chances.

Toews is fine.

I know +/- is a blah stat, but how can Kane only be a +17 when you score 106 points. Everyone knows that Toews sucks and even he was a +16.

I mean - how can you when a championship with either of these two!!!

What's that??? They have won 3???

No way!!!

(Yes, of course I am kidding...just poking the bear...)

Was going to post this DK, beat me to it.

Looks like Stan is at it with getting salary cap creative. Only 700k for Kempny's salary hit and any performances pushed to next year.
- TyCamScore

agreed.

love the creativity and lets hope he pans out.

Goalie signing is interesting. See if that expansion draft even takes place this year, because I believe hes' only on a 1 yr deal so.......makes you wonder if SB is really exploring his viable trade options in 33/50?

That's exactly what I thought, good move by Stan to defer at least $225,000 to the following season. If Kempny sticks I think it's safe to assume he hits the games played bonus.
- DarthKane

agreed and would have to see it but doubt the schedule A will hit....usually calder related, points related, etc.

So at worst you carryover 225K. Not a huge deal and like you said, if he hits that everyone wins. NOt a monster bonus like 72.

Is it as old/comical or less than the constant bagging on Runblad, Q, Stan, Mashinter, Bickell? Or are those still approved by your standards? And what is the actual shelf life? Let me know.

As far as your questions of my expectations of the highest paid player who's point production has decreased each of the last 4-5 years when he should be hitting his prime?
1) What the acceptable scoring level is. - Zero reason he shouldn't be around the Jaime Benn level - 35-40g - 75-80pts
2) who would be a better replacement and/or what package of players are you trading him for - I'm assuming this is more of the "fantasy talk" realm where both you and I know they aren't trading him....but Crosby/Malkin both come to mind as 2 better right off the top. Toews' numbers have been more in line with Bergeron (very good player at 6.875mil) than at superstar payday level. And if EDM called and offered McDavid - or TOR wants to give Matthews, I'd make the deal before the phone was hung up.

But it's TT's fault he wasn't producing with Toews. Or Hossa couldn't finish on that line. Or because Saad wasn't there. Or Shaw wasn't skilled enough. Or the matchups didn't favor him. Or...or...or....

Maybe less jet skiing and more off ice workouts for Toews this summer and hopefully the points don't keep decreasing as they have.
- PatShart

Really? Leaving management out of this one, you're going to compare him to Bickell, Rundblad and Mashinter? They are the bottom of the roster, and they are bad. They deserve all the bashing they get.

Not sure how many GM's would trade him for Malkin. Malkin hasn't been healthy for a whole season in 8 years, in his career malkin is a +57, Toews a +157 among other things. The Crosby vs. Toews argument has been kicked around forever. Natural scorer vs. leadership/defense/intangibles.

If the Hawks were in true rebuild mode you maybe would entertain a Toews for McDavid or Matthews, but as the club is currently situated it would be a resounding no. McDavid may truly be a generational talent, who knows, he still has a lot to prove. Matthews even more.

You're talking about a player who has led his team to 3 cups. How many does Sid and Geno have? Benn? McDavid? Bergeron? Kopitar? Ovechkin? Like it or not you ARE paying him for past performance and accomplishments, and removing him leaves a much bigger whole to fill, even with multiple players than his $10.5 mil will get you.

Really? Leaving management out of this one, you're going to compare him to Bickell, Rundblad and Mashinter? They are the bottom of the roster, and they are bad. They deserve all the bashing they get.

Not sure how many GM's would trade him for Malkin. Malkin hasn't been healthy for a whole season in 8 years, in his career malkin is a +57, Toews a +157 among other things. The Crosby vs. Toews argument has been kicked around forever. Natural scorer vs. leadership/defense/intangibles.

If the Hawks were in true rebuild mode you maybe would entertain a Toews for McDavid or Matthews, but as the club is currently situated it would be a resounding no. McDavid may truly be a generational talent, who knows, he still has a lot to prove. Matthews even more.

You're talking about a player who has led his team to 3 cups. How many does Sid and Geno have? Benn? McDavid? Bergeron? Kopitar? Ovechkin? Like it or not you ARE paying him for past performance and accomplishments, and removing him leaves a much bigger whole to fill, even with multiple players than his $10.5 mil will get you.
- TheTrob

They really need a head exploding emoji on here......

I can't believe the hatred for 19. Fair to call him out after this year? Sure....like anyone else they didn't hit their "one goal" Fair to question his linemates? Yep.

However, for what he does.....faceoffs, PK, PP, points, defensive game, offensive game, important minutes, intangibles worth every penny of the 10.5 he gets and I'd pay him 10.5 1000 times out of 1000 times if I had a choice between paying Toews 10.5 million or Kopitar 10 million.

Don't feed the Blackhawk troll Pat Shart.
- Dannyboy

So apparently you're allowed to name call because you disagree. I'd respond, but I get banned because I'm not a cronie