RumorBreak

Flyers and Golden Knights have a trade in place. Most likely for the 2nd overall pick.
- JRoenick97

is the next story..yes, pigs can certainly fly.

Flyers aren't trading that pick.

Couple of notes:

Average 4C in the NHL skates about 8-10 minutes overall while teams that roll 4 lines in a more structured way have their 4C skating about 12 minutes. 4C are typically deployed against the lowest QOC with medium OZS%. This is true of most 4 mine rotation team as well, outside of ones like the Pens. Most of that does not apply to Kruger, so usage/deployment is not typical of a 4C.

Looking beyond what is typical, in Q's system, the Hawks have had the highest OZS% in the league most seasons, so their offensive centers TOI is somewhat skewed above average (Kane double shifting with an offensive 3rd helped, Shaw benefited from this a lot). How do they have one of the highest OZS%? It's partially thanks to the shutdown/checking lines flipping the ice at one of the highest success rates (more on this below).

Kruger's QOC has gone down since his QOT went down and/or when his line usage changed to be slight more two-way (when Hartman / Panik / Hossa were on his line). They shifted from seeing high QOC to mid QOC, but they saw them even more in the DZ so that Anisimov did not. Looking at shift chart info, it's clear that Kruger's line was used as a possession driver so that Anisimov's line could come out on the OZ (the most common line change was Kruger to Panarin, most DZ to OZ). It's pretty clear when you dig a bit more that Q used Kruger outside the normal parameters of a typical 4C, so to label him as such would be inaccurate.

If you'd like, I have go through a full documentation of his shifting responsibilities over time as it relates to his linemates and role of his lines as the other lines changed. It'll be like novel length though because I am verbose lol. I think it's totally understandable for people to think Kruger's contract is too much, but I think it's a disservice for what he does and how he performs to say he's a 4C.
- L_B_R

Win Draw, dump puck, change lines. Not worth 3.1 million. If he chased the other teams best players like in the Ducks series it would be different. Ya don't pay that money to a faceoff \ PK specialist.

Moreover, losing that 3 million and then having Hossa space, they can throw money at Joe Thornton who can do all of those things, put up 70 points, take a bunch of pressure off Toews, make them harder to play against, and Toews, AA, Thornton up the middle is basically a cheat code.

Annnnnnnnd shuffling the deck and having Thornton feed Panarin or Kane or both. Wow.

Or creating that space for Duchene + another add since they're a minute muncher and productive veteran down is pretty essential and moving Kooga's salary makes that easier.

Its not like the cap isn't a thing anymore.

I'm sorry, but this just doesn't sit right.

I really hope the best for Hossa if this is actually real and would keep him from playing. But I have my doubts.

This has been going on for a while now, and he can no longer play? Nothing to do with the fact that he will only get $1M/year the rest of his contract?

It is just really fishy that this becomes too much right at the time when everyone knew his playing time was about up.

Former Blackhawk Tom Reid recalls bout with skin condition the 'gunk


http://www.chicagotribune...-0507-20150506-story.html

I'm sorry, but this just doesn't sit right.

I really hope the best for Hossa if this is actually real and would keep him from playing. But I have my doubts.

This has been going on for a while now, and he can no longer play? Nothing to do with the fact that he will only get $1M/year the rest of his contract?

It is just really fishy that this becomes too much right at the time when everyone knew his playing time was about up.
- carcus

shocking you would feel this way.

deal with it.

I'm sorry, but this just doesn't sit right.

I really hope the best for Hossa if this is actually real and would keep him from playing. But I have my doubts.

This has been going on for a while now, and he can no longer play? Nothing to do with the fact that he will only get $1M/year the rest of his contract?

It is just really fishy that this becomes too much right at the time when everyone knew his playing time was about up.
- carcus

Your Fellow Blues fans whined about it about 20 pages ago. Its legit. Nuff Said.

why does it seem like every teams expansion pick has been leaked except the blackhawks?

why does it seem like every teams expansion pick has been leaked except the blackhawks?
- hawkshossa81

Great question!!!

why does it seem like every teams expansion pick has been leaked except the blackhawks?
- hawkshossa81

I think its a given they take TVR...

Win Draw, dump puck, change lines. Not worth 3.1 million. If he chased the other teams best players like in the Ducks series it would be different. Ya don't pay that money to a faceoff \ PK specialist.

Moreover, losing that 3 million and then having Hossa space, they can throw money at Joe Thornton who can do all of those things, put up 70 points, take a bunch of pressure off Toews, make them harder to play against, and Toews, AA, Thornton up the middle is basically a cheat code.

Annnnnnnnd shuffling the deck and having Thornton feed Panarin or Kane or both. Wow.

Or creating that space for Duchene + another add since they're a minute muncher and productive veteran down is pretty essential and moving Kooga's salary makes that easier.

Its not like the cap isn't a thing anymore.
- fattybeef

Not arguing that it still couldn't be good to trade Kruger, just said it's not accurate to label him a 4th liner. I'd think about keeping him myself, but that's not a decision I'm in charge of so it's just a random girl's opinion on the interest lol. And I'm just going to copy/paste a previous comment of mine to show my thoughts on a trade:

Kruger's cap hit is only not worth it when the team is cap strapped - they are not really anymore. If they can pick up a possible replacement (a Paquette or Riley Nash type, not a Dominic Moore), then it's a good value swap. Or pick up a better center option for 2C with room, great. But if either such a player is not out there, then I keep Kruger as he's 1) excellent at his role and 2) it's been hard for centers to please Q.

Also just a note, Kruger's line did not dump the puck much - they forced a stoppage of play with goalie freeze so full line change could happen or kept puck in OZ so that change-on-the-fly could happen. Kruger was one of the best forwards to do this. This all in the micro stats projects where transitions are covered.

why does it seem like every teams expansion pick has been leaked except the blackhawks?
- hawkshossa81

Some of the picks they've made are just awful. Was kind of hoping they'd be decent this season.

why does it seem like every teams expansion pick has been leaked except the blackhawks?
- hawkshossa81

When you look at the Hawks' unprotected list, TVR is the best of the bunch for his skills (as a solid 5/6 guy) at his cap hit.

It also exposes on paper why, after the core players, this team has NO depth.

why does it seem like every teams expansion pick has been leaked except the blackhawks?
- hawkshossa81

Because the Hawks deal for them to get Kruger and TVR was revealed days ago???

Because the Hawks deal for them to get Kruger and TVR was revealed days ago???
- Iggysbff

Reports today were saying that the Hawks were keeping Kruger

I'm sorry, but this just doesn't sit right.

I really hope the best for Hossa if this is actually real and would keep him from playing. But I have my doubts.

This has been going on for a while now, and he can no longer play? Nothing to do with the fact that he will only get $1M/year the rest of his contract?

It is just really fishy that this becomes too much right at the time when everyone knew his playing time was about up.
- carcus

45 points in 75 games with the lowest TOI in his career and his playing time is about up?? The dude could play until he was 45 if not for this bacterial/fungus issue.

When you look at the Hawks' unprotected list, TVR is the best of the bunch for his skills (as a solid 5/6 guy) at his cap hit.

It also exposes on paper why, after the core players, this team has NO depth.
- Return of the Roar

That's why they need to trade assets for depth

Idk if this was posted so sorry if this is a repeat:

@wyshynski
Bill Daly said Blackhawks informed NHL about Hossa's situation "weeks ago." NHL will rule on Marian Hossa situation, and cap considerations of Blackhawks' decision on what to do with him. Likely by July 1.

When you look at the Hawks' unprotected list, TVR is the best of the bunch for his skills (as a solid 5/6 guy) at his cap hit.

It also exposes on paper why, after the core players, this team has NO depth.
- Return of the Roar

There were also a good bit that were exempt, like Panarin, Schmaltz, and Kempny.

Question for the panel assuming that hossa does go on LTIR when does that go into effect. Is July 1st or at the beginning of the regular season, I ask because could the hawks sign a free agent say to pto for (example hazel) with the idea that a verbal and handshake agreement is agree upon and that hazel would sign that contract after hossa is put on LTIR also would hazel be able to participate in training camp and learn the systems. Or is this all not legal under the current CBA.

Reports today were saying that the Hawks were keeping Kruger
- hawkshossa81

https://mobile.twitter.co...77617672447340544/photo/1

http://stats.nhlnumbers.com/teams/VGK?year=2018

Former Blackhawk Tom Reid recalls bout with skin condition the 'gunk


http://www.chicagotribune...-0507-20150506-story.html
- walleyeb1

That condition sounds pretty horrible.

Amazing, the stories on precedents seemed ready to roll today. Reid is even a former Blackhawk.

Looks like the cries of "cheater" may have been anticipated. Wish the brain trust gamed out the 2016 TDL this well.

@wyshynski

NHL will rule on Marian Hossa situation, and cap considerations of Blackhawks' decision on what to do with him. Likely by July 1. /1

45 points in 75 games with the lowest TOI in his career and his playing time is about up?? The dude could play until he was 45 if not for this bacterial/fungus issue.
- EnzoD

Yes, it is about up, even if he wasn't going through this skin issue.

He is getting old. Everyone knew the last few years when he would be making $1M a year were years that were very questionable for Hossa, even being the great player he is.

Had a great year, but the desire to put your body through an NHL season in your late 30s/40s when you are not going to be paid much has to be very low for any player. Which is why you just don't see that happen. The guys that are playing at that age (Doan/Jagr/etc) aren't getting $1M/year.

Kruger is a 4C. If the Hawks can move his out of whack contract they should do so in a heartbeat. A 3C should have no chance of going scoreless.
- Z3Hawk

No.

There were also a good bit that were exempt, like Panarin, Schmaltz, and Kempny.
- L_B_R

Which is why the only way out now is complete rebuild, or reuniting Panarin with his KHL buds for a haul in return.