Tanner said Rundblad was a diamond in the rough and Cody Franson was/is better than Seabrook.
- John Jaeckel

also thinks Gormley is a top 4 nhl dman, along with rundblad

Panarin second on the team in +/-. More than a one way player obviously.
- Savoy

When your line scores 40-45% of your team's goals, there's a good chance you're gonna have a high +/-.

He's a nic eplayer. Saad fits the Hawk system like a glove and that's proven.

I think it's kind of "off" to do a straight up comparison between the two. I think both players will do well, possibly better, in their new environs. That's how a value for value deal works.

Saad will open up the ice for the Hawks with his speed, as he did on two Stanley Cup teams. He never really got to do that in Cbus, at least in part because there was not Duncan Keith or Brent Seabrook to find him up the ice.

I'm excited for both teams, and I follow both teams.

Yep. That was th eissue for Saad, I believe.

All that said, Wennberg is the guy he will play with and I suspect that will be very productive offensively.
- John Jaeckel

Panarin got an awful lot of room because of 88 on the ice. I'm not sure Wenneberg will have the same effect, but we shall see

I'm no scout just a goof who watches teenagers play and know a tough little SOB who has north-south speed and grit when I see one. To say he's a message board legend makes me grit my teeth and most times I can walk away without responding but not with a kid like this who pays the price. You see it at 16 you know it's in his DNA .........May never be a 5-600 game NHLer but a tough little hombre with some skill. Not unlike a few of the Pens bottom 6 guys.
- Mr Ricochet

Oh, totally agreed. I should have clarified what I meant—just that. NOT the 1LW that some were selling him as last summer here.

Yes there is more to hockey than points, and Saad doesn't bring those other elements. I had him in fantasy hockey last year he was a streaky bum.

He would go 5 games and score 8 points, then he would go 10 games and score 1 assist.

Saad had 24 hits and 22 blocked shots the entire season. Barely more than Phil Kessel.

Ok, he doesn't throw hits and he doesn't block shots.. Maybe he's good at stealing the puck?

He ranked 88th in the NHL in "takeaways" with 43 on the season. Decent, but not great.

Not saying that Saad is a bad hockey player, but I think Panarin is at least 1 or 2 levels above him.

It's like comparing Crosby to Krejci
- bochangs

With Hossa gone/done. Saad can play the PK. Panarin does not.

Panarin got an awful lot of room because of 88 on the ice. I'm not sure Wenneberg will have the same effect, but we shall see
- PatShart

Wennberg is nifty AF. And as a true C, he plays alot closer to Arty than Kane did.

there has go to be something more to the hammer trade. Hawks just see something in Murphy that no one else does?
- kevndevries

I thought there were a lot of astute observations on the moves in the last blog. Might be worth a read for you.

https://twitter.com/mirtl...status/878314485101895681

I just know the Hawks loved Dauphin as a Kruger-type defensive center in the draft a few years ago, but AZ got him ahead of them in rd. 2, and Murphy is a nice developable, future top 4 guy who can play 3rd pair this year

BUT, I think there is now a question on D that will need to be addressed/backfilled somehow.
- John Jaeckel

Annnnd Murphy is huge and locked in for 6 years.

Annnnd Murphy is huge and locked in for 6 years.
- fattybeef

5. I've seen "6 years" for Murphy a couple times here. Everything I see says he's signed for next 5 years.

Panarin second on the team in +/-. More than a one way player obviously.
- Savoy

Panarins deployment was 83% offensive zone vs 17% defensive zone. Of course he had a high plus minus.

Well I think if anything the Hawks got a bit more physical on the back end. I mean, assuming Campbell isn't returning...

Kempny, Rutta, Murphy likely to play some of the minutes played by Hjalmarsson, TVR and Soupy last year. Overall, a bit bigger and more likely to throw hits.
- breadbag

Lotta new blood. I can see a slowish start and hopefully a runaway freight train come next Spring.

Annnnd Murphy is huge and locked in for 6 years.
- fattybeef

Hopefully the stick check ballet is over on defense and these boys with Ulf's help start to play with a little more nasty...

Hoping Stan isn't done yet...still some moves to be made...

also wouldn't mind them signing the local kid Wingels...

Panarins deployment was 83% offensive zone vs 17% defensive zone. Of course he had a high plus minus.
- JRoenick97

Don't argue with fanboys or trolls. They simply look for stats to advance their narrative.

Think this got lost in the whirlwind other blog, but where does Raddysh fit in? Strictly Rockford for now, or could see some NHL time this year? Didn't realize he was the other "A" with Debrincat

Yes there is more to hockey than points, and Saad doesn't bring those other elements. I had him in fantasy hockey last year he was a streaky bum.

He would go 5 games and score 8 points, then he would go 10 games and score 1 assist.

Saad had 24 hits and 22 blocked shots the entire season. Barely more than Phil Kessel.

Ok, he doesn't throw hits and he doesn't block shots.. Maybe he's good at stealing the puck?

He ranked 88th in the NHL in "takeaways" with 43 on the season. Decent, but not great.

Not saying that Saad is a bad hockey player, but I think Panarin is at least 1 or 2 levels above him.

It's like comparing Crosby to Krejci
- bochangs

Puck retrieval and possession monster. High end talent offensively. Big body and protects the puck well.

Tied his career high in points in freakin Columbus with no power play time. 50 ES points is kind of a big deal.

If he played with Kane he'd be a +30 goalscorer. Grinding it out with Toews and the stupid cycle - stuff crap they do hell get his 50 points and be an effective 2 way player.

Seriously, who here isn't ridiculously anxious for the next presser when some reporter asks Q about losing Hammer. I think we get even odds of either crying uncontrollably, or throwing the mic.

Curious if the the saad/bread deal was going to happen regardless of the Hossa situation....

Panarin second on the team in +/-. More than a one way player obviously.
- Savoy

Wrong forum, he plays for the Blue Jackets now. It's spelled C-O-L-U-M-B-U-S. Might want to head over there before he gets a restraining order.

He's a hack. He knows stirring up a rabid fanbase is the only way he'll get viewers.
- howiehandles

I don't read his "blog". straight to comments. First page tells me his insanity level.

Lotta new blood. I can see a slowish start and hopefully a runaway freight train come next Spring.
- Mr Ricochet

as long as they are still playing on or about the first day of summer - all will be good.

True... but I won't miss the infuriatingly predictable cross-zone pass from Kane to Panarin for the one-timer on every power play.
- Chief4Feathers

I won't miss seeing #72 on the back of the Indianhead giving up the puck at the blue line and not trying to chase it down as the opposing player heads in on Crawford.

I won't miss seeing #72 on the back of the Indianhead giving up the puck at the blue line and not trying to chase it down as the opposing player heads in on Crawford.
- StLBravesFan

What about filling Hoss's spot? We still are no deeper on the left side and are weaker on ther right. I love the Panarin for Saad trade, but we are still a worse team than a week ago

When your line scores 40-45% of your team's goals, there's a good chance you're gonna have a high +/-.

He's a nic eplayer. Saad fits the Hawk system like a glove and that's proven.

I think it's kind of "off" to do a straight up comparison between the two. I think both players will do well, possibly better, in their new environs. That's how a value for value deal works.

Saad will open up the ice for the Hawks with his speed, as he did on two Stanley Cup teams. He never really got to do that in Cbus, at least in part because there was not Duncan Keith or Brent Seabrook to find him up the ice.

I'm excited for both teams, and I follow both teams.
- John Jaeckel

this is a very good hockey trade for both teams...i am surprised cbj moved saad...
hoosa gone...they needed a big 2 way forward..also 4 years of contract control vs 2 for panarin...