Maybe in a year or two.
- DarthKane

K...wasn't sure how far he was. He clearly projects as a bottom 6 center, but has some attributes that will work well there. He also has done well on the PowerPlay, though he'll probably see very little time there, but his prowess in the circles can only help.

Ya... I don't know why Stan would elect to go with Bouma vs Rasmussen.
- DarthKane

Who says he did? Seems to me that Rasmussen wanted to go to another organization. Rasmussen leaving has absolutely nothing to do with signing Bouma, who likely will start the year in the AHL.

Who says he did? The Blackhawks offered Rasmussen a qualifying offer and he rejected it. Seems to me that Rasmussen wanted to go to another organization. Rasmussen leaving has absolutely nothing to do with signing Bouma, who likely will start the year in the AHL.
- HawkFan27

I am not sure why people are crying over Moose...a very ordinary bottom 6 player, who has been capably replaced by Daulphin, a guy younger and faster. I can find plenty of things to beat up Stan over, but this isn't one of them.

1 year, $725,000. Strange that the Hawks wouldn't re-sign Rasmussen.
- DarthKane

Ouch

I am not sure why people are crying over Moose...a very ordinary bottom 6 player, who has been capably replaced by Daulphin, a guy younger and faster. I can find plenty of things to beat up Stan over, but this isn't one of them.
- kwolf68

I thought I read there was an issue with Moose and the Hawks organization. Not sure what it was...but they like benched for 7 games or so in March....but there was something behind that. Maybe contract related. Maybe a verbal contract agreement reached he backed out on. Thought I heard it from a really good source too...like Scott Powers or something. Anyone know anything about that?

I am not sure why people are crying over Moose...a very ordinary bottom 6 player, who has been capably replaced by Daulphin, a guy younger and faster. I can find plenty of things to beat up Stan over, but this isn't one of them.
- kwolf68

He was a healthy scratch more and more as the year went on yet losing him hurts and is a bad decision by Stan? Just makes no sense.

I thought I read there was an issue with Moose and the Hawks organization. Not sure what it was...but they like benched for 7 games or so in March....but there was something behind that. Maybe contract related. Maybe a verbal contract agreement reached he backed out on. Thought I heard it from a really good source too...like Scott Powers or something. Anyone know anything about that?
- onehundredlevel

Mark Lazerus had it:

The Blackhawks didn’t tender a qualifying offer to forward Dennis Rasmussen, making him an unrestricted free agent and all but certainly ending his tenure with the team.

A source last weekend said the Hawks likely were going to make a qualifying offer to Rasmussen, which would require only the league minimum of one year at $650,000, but something obviously changed.

A versatile and capable bottom-six player, Rasmussen played left wing and center for the Hawks and was a strong penalty-killer. With fourth-line center and penalty-killer Marcus Kruger still likely to be traded to get the Hawks under the salary cap, Rasmussen seemed like an obvious player to bring back.

But another source said the Hawks soured on Rasmussen in March, when he turned down a contract extension, hoping for a bigger bump in pay. Rasmussen promptly was benched for seven of eight games — after playing in 45 of 47 leading up to that point — and the Hawks eventually decided to part ways with him.

They tried Hartman at centre last season, he was better on the wing. Anisimov can't be traded unless Stan also acquires another legit centre. Beyond Toews and Anisimov there's not a lot of NHL experience down the middle. I'm hoping Schmaltz can become the 3C and either Kero or Dauphin emerge as the 4C.
- DarthKane

He can and he might have to trade Anisimov for cap reasons. If we keep him, obviously, that's the best scenario. I do not see anything wrong with letting Schmaltz (or Kero or Dauphin) hone his skills as the third line center. He may not be very good on face offs, but I think his strengths outweigh this weakness. Who knows? He might even get better.

If Anisimov goes, then the risk goes up, but then, the kids need to step up and improve their game. We are all acting like the probability of them doing so is nil to unlikely based on a limited sample size.

Of the top 20 teams in CF%, half were below 50% at the dot. 2 teams were exactly 50%. The top FO team in the league, Anaheim, was 21 st in CF%.

Yeah, I think FOs get overblown in regards to possession. They are one of many different elements to the game.

1 year, $725,000. Strange that the Hawks wouldn't re-sign Rasmussen.
- DarthKane

Or maybe he thought he was worth more and after testing the market, he found out that the league doesn't think so. I like Moose but he is replaceable.

I am not sure why people are crying over Moose...a very ordinary bottom 6 player, who has been capably replaced by Daulphin, a guy younger and faster. I can find plenty of things to beat up Stan over, but this isn't one of them.
- kwolf68

Rasmussen was a possession maintainer - put him with someone who can drive possession, and he's a good complimentary piece. Solid shot suppression and on the PK as well.

It seems like all Rasmussen wanted was to not be paid league minimum again, at least to me. They're paying Bouma, a bad player, $1m so I don't think that's all that big a request. On the surface, he looks like a Ras replacement (more than Dauphin who seems like a Kruger replacement) - C/LW who played plays in a defensive role and on the PK. The difference is that Ras was solid, Bouma is not.

Maybe Bouma doesn't make the team and I don't disagree that Ras is a replaceable player, but I'd rather they have the option of the solid guy who knows the system vs a guy who gives up some of the highest shots against on the PK in the league. It's not a big deal Ras is gone or anything, but it's annoying that Bouma was signed at all. Gotta hope a kid comes in and just knocks Bouma to the AHL.

Who says he did? Seems to me that Rasmussen wanted to go to another organization. Rasmussen leaving has absolutely nothing to do with signing Bouma, who likely will start the year in the AHL.
- HawkFan27

Doesn't change the fact that signing Bouma was a curious move unless he is going to RFD to replace Manshinter in the vet, kiddie protector role.

As a NHL player, he pretty much sucks.

Maybe the Hawks not acquiring a "face off specialist" signals slight change in how they approach the face off. Even though, the face off winning percentage is credited or not credited the individual taking the draw, everyone know that it is more of a team stat. If the center can at least, tie up or neutralize the other center on the draw, it is up to team mates to get in there and win the puck battle ..... drop it to the point or back to the defense. I would not be surprised to see some kind of change in that regard. They now have more players willing to get their nose dirty. We shall see and find out

South Haven
- John Jaeckel

Great place as well. Saugatuck and the dune buggy ride is another favorite. Hope you had a relaxing time.

FWIW, Yannik Perreault was the best I ever saw at the dot. Better than even Mikita. If I was a youngin and wanted to play C in the show I'd pick his brain all day long.

Maybe in a year or two.
- DarthKane

Then there's also Highmore and Noel who could be ready in the same timeline or one additional year.

Same with Sikura after he graduates from Northeastern and joins the Hogs, but I could see him following a similar path as Schmaltz given they are both playmakers who are best suited for offensive roles (i.e. play wing first, then shift to center once they find their NHL legs and learn to play pivot at the pro level).

Great point, Sage. Many times winning the puck off a draw is a 2-3 man effort. And as you mention if your going up a guy you can't beat tie the puck up and let the battle begin......... Another thing overlooked at times as far as AA is with Panarin and Kane as his wingers he did the heavy work of winning pucks along the wall. AA does a lot of ugly work for this club as well as understanding his own zone and a good chance that will continue with Panarin's replacement.
- Mr Ricochet

I was thinking the same thing. Kind of like lacrosse faceoffs.

Maybe the Hawks not acquiring a "face off specialist" signals slight change in how they approach the face off. Even though, the face off winning percentage is credited or not credited the individual taking the draw, everyone know that it is more of a team stat. If the center can at least, tie up or neutralize the other center on the draw, it is up to team mates to get in there and win the puck battle ..... drop it to the point or back to the defense. I would not be surprised to see some kind of change in that regard. They now have more players willing to get their nose dirty. We shall see and find out
- chuckdahammer

I don't know if the lack of possession was a result of bad faceoff men, or because of guys not battling for pucks after the draw. All I can give it is the eye test, and in the Nashville series, the Hawks spent a lot of time chasing the puck instead of moving it up ice. I still would like to see a 3C/4C, 50%+ FO, and PK specialist signed to replace what Kruger was in 2015 before the injury.

Maybe the Hawks not acquiring a "face off specialist" signals slight change in how they approach the face off. Even though, the face off winning percentage is credited or not credited the individual taking the draw, everyone know that it is more of a team stat. If the center can at least, tie up or neutralize the other center on the draw, it is up to team mates to get in there and win the puck battle ..... drop it to the point or back to the defense. I would not be surprised to see some kind of change in that regard. They now have more players willing to get their nose dirty. We shall see and find out
- chuckdahammer

This is a good perspective on what the Hawks need to do in general, not just faceoffs. A lot of the game is winning puck battles all over the ice and just wanting it more. A primary reason for the first round sweep this past post-season is because the Hawks failed to do this.

Low center of gravity, strong core and arms, quickness—willingness and competitive ness.

Like anything else: a combination of physical attributes, skill that can be taught and desire to be good at it
- John Jaeckel

Mixed in with a little albeit illegal shenanigans...

As usual, I am a blog behind:

Interesting quote from Babcock that 2 of the following 4 will be leaving: Bozak, Kadri, JVR and Komarov
https://twitter.com/apetr...status/882330615588245504
- Marlowe

He is talking about subtractions after:

they secure a solid defenseman,

and have to start shelling out dollars because no bridges for their youngster big three.

And i heard talk that each Mathews/Eichel guy with ANY NHL club is going to EXPECT McDavid like money or only a dollar or so less...no chance they might not be McDavid.

A few might start the negotiations soon.

It seems that if you draft top three, that player is never going to aggree to a bridge deal...and all youngsters are trying to never bridge...yikes!

So many of you here STILL are THINKING fat cap addition the likes of Galchenyuk, Radulov, even lesser lights with ALL OF YOU THINKING oh, there is CAP SPACE...YOU DISREGARD THE RE-UP, THE ufa price b/c even the lesser lights are not values...

so instead finding a way to secure Komarovs JvRs, or Bozeks (all not all available NOW BUT IN THE FUTURE when Cap reality hits Lou Lamariello square in the dome) the hawks have to navigate to hold a steady course until game two....

I'm at the point where i like our forwards as is, and while of course i would like another top 6 LW to play with Kane and AA i don't think its completely necessary, and i would much rather look to add another defenseman.

Still think we'd be better positioned to roll 4 lines including 3 legit scoring lines if we put Saad and Panik on a "3rd" line centered by Schmaltz, with Sharpie and Hartman joining Toews on the top line. But hey I'm sure we'll see all sorts of combos. And its very important that someone like Hayden or Fortin can take that next step.

Watching the hocks on nhl. I hope the coaches coach them to shoot this year.

Cha cha

Lil Artis 24th. Gonna miss that kid.

LA

As usual, I am a blog behind:




He is talking about subtractions after:

they secure a solid defenseman,

and have to start shelling out dollars because no bridges for their youngster big three.

And i heard talk that each Mathews/Eichel guy with ANY NHL club is going to EXPECT McDavid like money or only a dollar or so less...no chance they might not be McDavid.

A few might start the negotiations soon.

It seems that if you draft top three, that player is never going to aggree to a bridge deal...and all youngsters are trying to never bridge...yikes!

So many of you here STILL are THINKING fat cap addition the likes of Galchenyuk, Radulov, even lesser lights with ALL OF YOU THINKING oh, there is CAP SPACE...YOU DISREGARD THE RE-UP, THE ufa price b/c even the lesser lights are not values...

so instead finding a way to secure Komarovs JvRs, or Bozeks (all not all available NOW BUT IN THE FUTURE when Cap reality hits Lou Lamariello square in the dome) the hawks have to navigate to hold a steady course until game two....
- wiz1901

No, JVR, Bozak and Komarov are all available. All 3 are on the last year of their deals and the Leafs will look to move them. Provided the deal makes sense to them. The only one who can't be easily replaced from their system and cheaper is JVR. JVR is the asset most likely to be packaged to obtain a D-man. If they decide to go that way.

BTW. There were TWO Raddysh on the Erie Otters last season. One a D-man and the other a RW.