Yeah man your right. It's just that time of the year where all of as fans stop and ponder what if?
I gotta be honest even if Stan doesn't make a deal I would not be upset. I would rather keep the kids instead of trading them for some rentals or over the hill forward. This is a great learning experience for the kids which will be beneficial for the playoffs next season.
- BGKarras

Fixed

Fixed
- 93Joe

Thanks man....

Maxim Shalunov is not now, nor has he EVER been considered an elite talent. He was a 4th round draft pick - that does not shout "elite". And if he is such a dominant player, how is his KHL team missing the playoffs this year??

And the people on this site are making a really bad assumption - just because he is listed as 6'4" and 211 pounds - that does not mean he plays a physical game.

The biggest knock on him in the AHL was his compete level against physical competition - and the KHL is two or three levels down from the AHL, so I don't see how Blackhawk fans are salivating over this player.

He is putting up nice numbers in an inferior league, against lesser competition, on a bigger ice surface - let's pump the brakes here. If he signs an NHL contract, nothing will be guaranteed to him - he is going to have to prove he can play here - and everything they saw from him the first time in Rockford said he had a long way to go.
- dahawks8819

Talent Analysis
Shalunov has a combination of skills and size and plays a direct style that fits the North American game. He likes to play the off-wing and likes going to the net. He is pretty effective in doing this and has the skills to protect the puck with the goal scoring ability to beat opposition goalies. He’s still a bit raw, but has a good shot and size. He looks to be putting those elements together in his first full season in the KHL.

Future
Shalunov is off to a fast start for Sibir Novosibirsk to start the 2015-16 season — showing signs of the player that Chicago scouts felt he could one day become. While numbers don't always tell the whole story, the fact that he is seeing significant ice time in the KHL as a 22-year-old and has been productive is encouraging. With many forward prospects in the Blackhawks' pipeline it is difficult to gauge where Shalunov fits. If he continues to produce points and show progress he could garner interest from other clubs in need of offense.


Read more at http://www.hockeysfuture....unov/#IcGZj1YceaLE1ghY.99

Yeah man your right. It's just that time of the year where all of as fans stop and ponder what if?
I gotta be honest even if Stan doesn't make a deal I would not be upset. I would rather keep the kids instead of trading them for some rentals or over the hill forward. This is a great learning experience for the kids which will be beneficial down the road.
- BGKarras

Here's the thing though the core isn't getting any younger. Had Bowman actually gotten the defenseman he needed last year who knows how far they go?
I'm still hopeful he'll make a decent move for at least a forward. We'll see what happens.

Here's the thing though the core isn't getting any younger. Had Bowman actually gotten the defenseman he needed last year who knows how far they go?
I'm still hopeful he'll make a decent move for at least a forward. We'll see what happens.
- DK002

The Blackhawk's core has one player over 33 (the ageless wonder Hossa), and 2 skaters and 1 goalie 30 to 33, the rest of the core is under 30. People act like every member of the core is near retirement.

Maxim Shalunov is not now, nor has he EVER been considered an elite talent. He was a 4th round draft pick - that does not shout "elite". And if he is such a dominant player, how is his KHL team missing the playoffs this year??

And the people on this site are making a really bad assumption - just because he is listed as 6'4" and 211 pounds - that does not mean he plays a physical game.

The biggest knock on him in the AHL was his compete level against physical competition - and the KHL is two or three levels down from the AHL, so I don't see how Blackhawk fans are salivating over this player.

He is putting up nice numbers in an inferior league, against lesser competition, on a bigger ice surface - let's pump the brakes here. If he signs an NHL contract, nothing will be guaranteed to him - he is going to have to prove he can play here - and everything they saw from him the first time in Rockford said he had a long way to go.
- dahawks8819

I don't mean to offend you, but I don't think you could be any more wrong.

(1) Just because he wasn't an early first round pick doesn't mean he doesn't have certain "elite" traits. Good/quality NHL players are drafted anywhere.

(2) He has also improved his game DRASTICALLY over the course of the past five seasons. You can find articles about how big of a jump he has taken in the past two seasons. Something finally "clicked" for him. You can't base his performance from 20 games in the AHL as a 20-year-old as a basis of him being worth anything or not. You're right in the sense that just because he has performed in the K doesn't mean it'll translate to the NHL, but he's still young and honing his skills, and considering how strapped up the 'Hawks are against the cap, you can damn well bet that they'll give a serious look to further infusing the team with young, cheap ($925K is the max entry-level contract) talent from Europe.

(3) Saying the KHL is two or three levels down from the AHL is just factually incorrect. The KHL is [pretty much a consensus] regarded as the second best league in the world. The AHL is probably 5th or maybe 6th best league in the world (SHL and Liiga are probably better). When players sign contracts to come over from the KHL to the NHL, they do so because they are ready to take the next jump to the best league in the world. They don't come to play in the AHL - they may as well stay in the K.

(4) He actually himself said, within the past month, that he would only come to the NHL if it meant he was guaranteed NHL playing time. He said he wouldn't come back to play in the A, and you can't blame him. Now of course nothing is truly "guaranteed", but I don't see any kids from Rockford banging on the door right now for the 'Hawks moving forward. He's going to be given a hard, hard look by management this off-season because he will definitely have suitors lined up. Fortunately, he's still under 'Hawks control.

(5) Without looking too far ahead, a big body to put on Toews line is something that we've been holding our breaths for all season, haven't we? Regardless of how physical a player he is, he would provide a new (again, cheap), young, different dimension that would help advance this team's [young] depth moving forward. At this point, that's exactly what they need if they want to keep their window of contention open.

I don't mean to offend you, but I don't think you could be any more wrong.

(1) Just because he wasn't an early first round pick doesn't mean he doesn't have certain "elite" traits. Good/quality NHL players are drafted anywhere.

(2) He has also improved his game DRASTICALLY over the course of the past five seasons. You can find articles about how big of a jump he has taken in the past two seasons. Something finally "clicked" for him. You can't base his performance from 20 games in the AHL as a 20-year-old as a basis of him being worth anything or not. You're right in the sense that just because he has performed in the K doesn't mean it'll translate to the NHL, but he's still young and honing his skills, and considering how strapped up the 'Hawks are against the cap, you can damn well bet that they'll give a serious look to further infusing the team with young, cheap ($925K is the max entry-level contract) talent from Europe.

(2) Saying the KHL is two or three levels down from the AHL is just factually incorrect. The KHL is
- TommyHawk[pretty much a consensus] regarded as the second best league in the world. The AHL is probably 5th or maybe 6th best league in the world (SHL and Liiga are probably better). When players sign contracts to come over from the KHL to the NHL, they do so because they are ready to take the next jump to the best league in the world. They don't come to play in the AHL - they may as well stay in the K.

(3) He actually himself said, within the past month, that he would only come to the NHL if it meant he was guaranteed NHL playing time. He said he wouldn't come back to play in the A, and you can't blame him. Now of course nothing is truly "guaranteed", but I don't see any kids from Rockford banging on the door right now for the 'Hawks moving forward. He's going to be given a hard, hard look by management this off-season because he will definitely have suitors lined up. Fortunately, he's still under 'Hawks control.

(4) Without looking too far ahead, a big body to put on Toews line is something that we've been holding our breaths for all season, haven't we? Regardless of how physical a player he is, he would provide a new (again, cheap), young, different dimension that would help advance this team's [young] depth moving forward. At this point, that's exactly what they need if they want to keep their window of contention open.

Totally agree. In support of your statement.....What round was Panarin drafted in?

If I'm not mistaken, there may have been a recent article (Scott Powers?) conjecturing that Shalunov would want the same deal as Panarin and Kempny: have an NHL roster spot or go back to the KHL. No option to be sent to the AHL.
- AEL_Fox

Anybody remember the year Shalunov was part of the Russian team that came over to Canada for the world challenge with games again 17 year old all star games from all three of the major Canadian Junior leagues?
He decided to shoot the puck f
rom the opposite end and put it in the crowd behind the goalie ( no netting back then) and got a delay of game penalty?

I'd make sure he was fluent in English so he head what the coaching staff would have to repeating to him over and over and over...

Btw the world challenge was were I decided Ryan O'Reilly was a really good all around hockey player who was a sleeper...so don't did Colorado

I don't mean to offend you, but I don't think you could be any more wrong.

(1) Just because he wasn't an early first round pick doesn't mean he doesn't have certain "elite" traits. Good/quality NHL players are drafted anywhere.

(2) He has also improved his game DRASTICALLY over the course of the past five seasons. You can find articles about how big of a jump he has taken in the past two seasons. Something finally "clicked" for him. You can't base his performance from 20 games in the AHL as a 20-year-old as a basis of him being worth anything or not. You're right in the sense that just because he has performed in the K doesn't mean it'll translate to the NHL, but he's still young and honing his skills, and considering how strapped up the 'Hawks are against the cap, you can damn well bet that they'll give a serious look to further infusing the team with young, cheap ($925K is the max entry-level contract) talent from Europe.

(3) Saying the KHL is two or three levels down from the AHL is just factually incorrect. The KHL is
- TommyHawk[pretty much a consensus] regarded as the second best league in the world. The AHL is probably 5th or maybe 6th best league in the world (SHL and Liiga are probably better). When players sign contracts to come over from the KHL to the NHL, they do so because they are ready to take the next jump to the best league in the world. They don't come to play in the AHL - they may as well stay in the K.

(4) He actually himself said, within the past month, that he would only come to the NHL if it meant he was guaranteed NHL playing time. He said he wouldn't come back to play in the A, and you can't blame him. Now of course nothing is truly "guaranteed", but I don't see any kids from Rockford banging on the door right now for the 'Hawks moving forward. He's going to be given a hard, hard look by management this off-season because he will definitely have suitors lined up. Fortunately, he's still under 'Hawks control.

(5) Without looking too far ahead, a big body to put on Toews line is something that we've been holding our breaths for all season, haven't we? Regardless of how physical a player he is, he would provide a new (again, cheap), young, different dimension that would help advance this team's [young] depth moving forward. At this point, that's exactly what they need if they want to keep their window of contention open.

Wow - it's amazing how the Hawk fans on this site see things from young players that just aren't there.

When it comes to being ready for the NHL, the leagues you named all play on bigger ice surfaces, with very little contact. It's a BIG adjustment to the NHL game - that's why most go to the AHL to acclimate to the North American game.

I can't state enough how big an adjustment it is - just ask Kempny - who can't seem to see ice time for more than a game or two at a time - and has been benched in game on more than one occasion. And he was considered the most NHL ready d-man to come out of the KHL last year.

A fourth round draft pick from five years ago is not coming over here as a first line option for this Hawks team - that is just too big of a reach. And if he and his agent start dictating terms to Hawks management about playing time, my bet is he will remain in Russia for at least another year. Q will not give him time - based on an ultimatum - that would set a bad precedent in their locker room.

Shulanov is going to have to prove to this coaching staff that he is willing to compete for the puck in tough areas, and play a 200 foot NHL game, before he will earn their trust. And I don't see that happening so far into the current season. Again, too big of a reach.

If he is wiling to go through prospect camp this summer, and open the eyes of the coaching staff (think Fortin), then he may earn a spot next October. But for the Hawk fans here holding out hope for him as a savior this year, I would not hold your breath for it.

Dont know if thats true. The 2015 Cup team wasnt a real big hitting team and they won it. Heck the Ducks pounded on the Hawks for 7 games and lost. This team appears to be coming together at the right time. Duchene would have been a fantastic grab, but the cost would have been steep.

Getting a guy like Tatar goes a long way in terms of really helping the balance of the 4 lines. If we can nab Palat ever better.
- z1990z

I get ya ,but my Analogy earlier in the day is my sentiment, " go for the hot babe while you got the game" screw the 2am landsharkin, " otherwise hit the seven eleven for a gallon of milk and the trib"! Duchene or stand pat is my thinking!

I mentioned this two days ago. I said they would keep Vinny and Forsling for cap space before deadline.
- onehundredlevel

Capfriendly now shows them with 4.1 million at trade deadline. Oduya at 3.8. I see a trade at deadline for him.

Isnt Shalunov not even an option until next season anyway?

Like even if his team misses the playoffs, he couldn't just come over to the Hawks and throw on an Indian Head sweater right away for a game, right?
- BlazinMike

I'm not sure if when he would be available. Shipachyov, though, was supposedly available in December. Not sure if that's true anymore or if it was ever true.

Totally agree. In support of your statement.....What round was Panarin drafted in?
- -Doh-

In my redraft,third overall:

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/redraft/2010/

To try and compare Shalunov to a ultra skilled mosquito with super edging ability, toughness, and a cannon...is simply ludicrous.

I am up at all hours when Russian games play and the bigger Shalunov is no Panarin.

You want me to say it again?


Minor pro point totals don't tell the tale on if a guy project as a high end NHLer .

The Russian kid from the old Atlanta Thrasher draft who Winnipeg didn't sign (after he was playing in Canada with Saginaw and Barrie but went back....Ivan Telegin....he is a nice NHL player at the lower lines if he wants to come over because he is good enough to fit in THAT role and will have no issues being asked to be in that role....a bit different than if a guy fails as a skilled forward / SCORER, does Shalunov have the stick to it ness to embrace ANY 200 role he is asked to play with fervor to apply backside pressure LIKE Anisimov does?
That is what has to be determined before you or I decide to quibble that he is the next Panarin....or not

Or not btw...

Dont know if thats true. The 2015 Cup team wasnt a real big hitting team and they won it. Heck the Ducks pounded on the Hawks for 7 games and lost. This team appears to be coming together at the right time. Duchene would have been a fantastic grab, but the cost would have been steep.

Getting a guy like Tatar goes a long way in terms of really helping the balance of the 4 lines. If we can nab Palat ever better.
- z1990z

This is when we cue in the infamous Kesler line: "No human can withstand that many hits."

RumorBreak ‏@RumorBreak 28m28 minutes ago
More
#CHI - Heard at a point they had interest in JVR/Duchene, but not likely to happen. Depth moves may come though: Iginla/Vrbata/Vanek.
1 reply 1 retweet 4 likes
Reply 1 Retweet 1
Like 4

I think you all need to back down the expectations and understand the target level is more Sharp.
A guy they are already comfortable with and won't cost a lot.

RumorBreak ‏@RumorBreak 28m28 minutes ago
More
#CHI - Heard at a point they had interest in JVR/Duchene, but not likely to happen. Depth moves may come though: Iginla/Vrbata/Vanek.
1 reply 1 retweet 4 likes
Reply 1 Retweet 1
Like 4
- mrpaulish

No thank you
Absolutely not.

Wow - it's amazing how the Hawk fans on this site see things from young players that just aren't there.

When it comes to being ready for the NHL, the leagues you named all play on bigger ice surfaces, with very little contact. It's a BIG adjustment to the NHL game - that's why most go to the AHL to acclimate to the North American game.

I can't state enough how big an adjustment it is - just ask Kempny - who can't seem to see ice time for more than a game or two at a time - and has been benched in game on more than one occasion. And he was considered the most NHL ready d-man to come out of the KHL last year.

A fourth round draft pick from five years ago is not coming over here as a first line option for this Hawks team - that is just too big of a reach. And if he and his agent start dictating terms to Hawks management about playing time, my bet is he will remain in Russia for at least another year. Q will not give him time - based on an ultimatum - that would set a bad precedent in their locker room.

Shulanov is going to have to prove to this coaching staff that he is willing to compete for the puck in tough areas, and play a 200 foot NHL game, before he will earn their trust. And I don't see that happening so far into the current season. Again, too big of a reach.

If he is wiling to go through prospect camp this summer, and open the eyes of the coaching staff (think Fortin), then he may earn a spot next October. But for the Hawk fans here holding out hope for him as a savior this year, I would not hold your breath for it.
- dahawks8819

I agree with you on your last point. Also agree that no one can say if he or any other prospect will pan out whether at the projected line or role on the big club or to make the team at all.

One thing that may be the case for Shalunov is that maybe he takes to feedback well and works hard to improve on what the Hawks player personnel are telling him. Schmaltz has been described to be just like that as he immensely improved from year to year at North Dakota, especially his play without the puck. And he seems to have made some marked improvements since his recent demotion to Rockford. One likely piece of feedback was shoot the puck more which he did for the Hogs and seems to be doing more with the Hawks after the recall.

Another prospect who may be similar to Schmaltz in terms of marked improvement year to year in college is Sikura at Northeastern. I remember Bowman saying that Sikura was one of the players who stood out most at prospects camp. And I believe that Sikura has been top 5 in NCAA scoring all season. He may or may not pan out as an NHL player but, like Schmaltz, he at least takes to instruction from Hawks player personnel and has improved play to speak for it.

In my redraft,third overall:

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/redraft/2010/

To try and compare Shalunov to a ultra skilled mosquito with super edging ability, toughness, and a cannon...is simply ludicrous.

I am up at all hours when Russian games play and the bigger Shalunov is no Panarin.

You want me to say it again?


Minor pro point totals don't tell the tale on if a guy project as a high end NHLer .

The Russian kid from the old Atlanta Thrasher draft who Winnipeg didn't sign (after he was playing in Canada with Saginaw and Barrie but went back....Ivan Telegin....he is a nice NHL player at the lower lines if he wants to come over because he is good enough to fit in THAT role and will have no issues being asked to be in that role....a bit different than if a guy fails as a skilled forward / SCORER, does Shalunov have the stick to it ness to embrace ANY 200 role he is asked to play with fervor to apply backside pressure LIKE Anisimov does?
That is what has to be determined before you or I decide to quibble that he is the next Panarin....or not

Or not btw...
- wiz1901

Wow - it's amazing how the Hawk fans on this site see things from young players that just aren't there.

When it comes to being ready for the NHL, the leagues you named all play on bigger ice surfaces, with very little contact. It's a BIG adjustment to the NHL game - that's why most go to the AHL to acclimate to the North American game.

I can't state enough how big an adjustment it is - just ask Kempny - who can't seem to see ice time for more than a game or two at a time - and has been benched in game on more than one occasion. And he was considered the most NHL ready d-man to come out of the KHL last year.

A fourth round draft pick from five years ago is not coming over here as a first line option for this Hawks team - that is just too big of a reach. And if he and his agent start dictating terms to Hawks management about playing time, my bet is he will remain in Russia for at least another year. Q will not give him time - based on an ultimatum - that would set a bad precedent in their locker room.

Shulanov is going to have to prove to this coaching staff that he is willing to compete for the puck in tough areas, and play a 200 foot NHL game, before he will earn their trust. And I don't see that happening so far into the current season. Again, too big of a reach.

If he is wiling to go through prospect camp this summer, and open the eyes of the coaching staff (think Fortin), then he may earn a spot next October. But for the Hawk fans here holding out hope for him as a savior this year, I would not hold your breath for it.
- dahawks8819

Where has last year's article of affection the great Viktor Tikhonov gone when you have a LW spot open and need to fill it? Please come back Viktor.

I think there is too much extreme opinion on both sides of the discussion on Shalunov. I've made multiple posts over the last several week regarding Shalunov, including a couple posts today discussing the position of his KHL team and whether or not his team may make the playoffs and thereby delay the potential for him coming over and signing with the Hawks. Apparently the several posts I made convinced another poster that I was over the top in my enthusiasm for Shalunov and he cautioned me to not think Shalunov was a "savior". The discussion went on to involve other posters and now we have posts decrying that Shalunov shouldn't be compared to Panarin.

Mercy!

I haven't read every post from today and the past days so I don't know if others have been comparing Shalunov with Panarin - I can only say I haven't seen it and I know I haven't made any comment or comparison that Shulunov is anything close to Panarin.

Here's my take on Shalunov and it's not any more over the top than my naturally optimistic attitude shapes my opinion on many of the Hawks prospects. I see Shalunov as a player who is older now and playing much better than he did when he spit the bit playing in North America a few years ago. He has good size and shoots the puck. I have no idea how good or bad he will be in the NHL and neither does anyone else. But I do know he wouldn't cost the Hawks any assets to sign and his ELC wouldn't be cost prohibitive so I see it as a no lose situation for the Hawks. If he signs and he can be an effective NHL player - then happy days. If he still sucks - then no big deal and we move on.

I'm a Hawks fan who enjoys being optimistic about prospects. I know they don't all turn out but so what? What's the harm in being optimistic?

I think there is too much extreme opinion on both sides of the discussion on Shalunov. I've made multiple posts over the last several week regarding Shalunov, including a couple posts today discussing the position of his KHL team and whether or not his team may make the playoffs and thereby delay the potential for him coming over and signing with the Hawks. Apparently the several posts I made convinced another poster that I was over the top in my enthusiasm for Shalunov and he cautioned me to not think Shalunov was a "savior". The discussion went on to involve other posters and now we have posts decrying that Shalunov shouldn't be compared to Panarin.

Mercy!

I haven't read every post from today and the past days so I don't know if others have been comparing Shalunov with Panarin - I can only say I haven't seen it and I know I haven't made any comment or comparison that Shulunov is anything close to Panarin.

Here's my take on Shalunov and it's not any more over the top than my naturally optimistic attitude shapes my opinion on many of the Hawks prospects. I see Shalunov as a player who is older now and playing much better than he did when he spit the bit playing in North America a few years ago. He has good size and shoots the puck. I have no idea how good or bad he will be in the NHL and neither does anyone else. But I do know he wouldn't cost the Hawks any assets to sign and his ELC wouldn't be cost prohibitive so I see it as a no lose situation for the Hawks. If he signs and he can be an effective NHL player - then happy days. If he still sucks - then no big deal and we move on.

I'm a Hawks fan who enjoys being optimistic about prospects. I know they don't all turn out but so what? What's the harm in being optimistic?
- EbonyRaptor

Bowman can't make any good moves because he overpaid for Kruger Seabrook & Crawford.
Plus he lost Tevo due to Bickell contract.

Yes bring back Rungblad & Tikonov. BRUTAL

Now we get to watch more Desjardins & Tootoo. BRUTAL

Capfriendly now shows them with 4.1 million at trade deadline. Oduya at 3.8. I see a trade at deadline for him.
- onehundredlevel

you don't need 3.8 Mil to make that trade. It's prorated

Capfriendly now shows them with 4.1 million at trade deadline. Oduya at 3.8. I see a trade at deadline for him.
- onehundredlevel

You getting paid by the post, this was your point last hour...

Watching the Blows-Canucks game. Referees are just terrible at looking on that I-Pad at challenged plays. The identical play as the Hawks-Minn game where Parise didn't clear the zone happened when the Blows player didn't exit before the puck came back in. And of course, a goal. Even the almighty Panger was saying off-sides...as obvious as in the Hawks game. Unbelievable they got it wrong again. Got to get bigger I-Pads or give the refs magnifying glasses whenever they look. Horrible. Can't Toronto overturn that? Or at least correct the obvious mistake?