Nah, keep him. He'll be off the books by the time the Sox will truly be competing (hopefully). If you are going to deal anyone, deal Avi. Strike while the iron is hot.
- CanOCorn

I'm fine with Avi getting dealt too. I just think better to get something for Abreu while his value is high too. He will likely be 34-35 before the Sox are playing above .500 ball.

Curious what you Chicago baseball fans think about what the White Sox are doing.

As a Sox fan, I am both excited/scared. 5-6 prospects in the overall top 30 in baseball, 2-3 awesome power arms and lots of overall pitching quality depth.

But it's also all sunshine and roses with prospects, no guarantees of success.

As a HAWK fan, honestly, this is the kind of rebuild I would like to see the Hawks do in 3-5 years. Tear the whole thing down, stock up on HIGH quality prospects and high picks—not the best of the scratch and dent bin and a slow slide to mediocrity like Detroit has.

Really tank for 3 years or so, then come back like the team did from 07-10.

Thoughts?
- John Jaeckel

As a Sox fan, I like this approach much better than the middling approach of the last 10 years. There certainly is risk (hard to replicate the prospect success ratio of the Cubs rebuild), but if even 40-50% of the top prospects can be contributors, they have a chance to be competitive.

To show support for the current approach, I even bought a partial ticket package this year (my third go-around as a season ticket holder!). Plenty of work for Hahn still to do, but I like what they've done so far.

I'm fine with Avi getting dealt too. I just think better to get something for Abreu while his value is high too. He will likely be 34-35 before the Sox are playing above .500 ball.
- onehundredlevel

Cardinals were said to be interested in Avi..

Carson Kelly would be my get from them. He's going to be a good catcher and right now is blocked by Molina. They have a couple decent middle infield prospects (Sosa, Alvarez) too...

A match really does fit here. But that rumor has died down since I last heard it.

I wouldn't trade Avi or Abreu, we have enough prospects already, we need to keep at least a couple proven big league talents. They should both be part of the core in 2-3 years.

I wouldn't trade Avi or Abreu, we have enough prospects already, we need to keep at least a couple proven big league talents. They should both be part of the core in 2-3 years.
- SimpleJack

Jose is a good PR guy too and his contract isn't bad, but just like Avi a blow me out the water offer can't be turned down. Still, I agree no need to move them and I doubt Hahn is actively shopping them. Sox will need a 1b/DH down the line and there is no guarantee they have that coming up (Sheets, Davidson, Collins...lots of questions)

We can't have this both ways, guys. Hawks used Cap to their advantage by signing Campbell and Hossa....while Toews and Kane were on very low contracts. So everyone was fine then when the cap worked in our favor. Now the bill comes due and we have to deal with it. I just don't think people think that part through...they just blame the cap for us not being able to keep our team together. We won three cups...what more can we possibly ask for on how we worked the cap for the first five years or so of the cap era???
- onehundredlevel

What the cap does is level the playing field between high revenue and low revenue teams. We can debate how well it works. I like a hard cap/floor with no loopholes and exceptions (or ways to circumvent the cap... and yes I understand the Hossa contract.) It should be fair and the same for everyone. I expect the cap rules to be different in the next CBA.

Would you feel the same way if our first round pick in 2006 was Erik Johnson and our first round pick in 2007 was Kyle Turris instead of Toews and Kane? Probably not.

Curious what you Chicago baseball fans think about what the White Sox are doing.

As a Sox fan, I am both excited/scared. 5-6 prospects in the overall top 30 in baseball, 2-3 awesome power arms and lots of overall pitching quality depth.

But it's also all sunshine and roses with prospects, no guarantees of success.

As a HAWK fan, honestly, this is the kind of rebuild I would like to see the Hawks do in 3-5 years. Tear the whole thing down, stock up on HIGH quality prospects and high picks—not the best of the scratch and dent bin and a slow slide to mediocrity like Detroit has.

Really tank for 3 years or so, then come back like the team did from 07-10.

Thoughts?
- John Jaeckel

What Rick Hahn has done in the last nine months is absolutely outstanding. As a Sox fan I finally feel KW has taken a step back and is allowing Hahn to show what he can do. What the Sox got in return for Quintana, Sale, Eaton, and Frazier/Robertson/Kahnle is ridiculous. While all the players they have brought in are only prospects, they are very high end and it seems baseball scouting and player development is arguably the best it ever has been. In addition to the moves Hahn has made, he has cleared up almost all of their payroll. I think in 2019 it is they have $4M committed to players! absurd! Also take a look at the players that Hahn drafted this most current draft...Burger and Sheets have middle of the order power and Evan Skoug was an absolute steal in the 7th round.

The white sox are the only team in MLB who have never spent over $100M on a player contract before...can anybody say "Manny Machado" in the 2018 offseason? The future is bright for the South Side! Hahn will for sure round this team out once he starts spending money the way the Cubs did last offseason on Zobrist/Lackey/Heyward

Al I never heard that before. That is a great line.
- powerenforcer

No, but I'm not the best to ask to compare players from different eras. And I'd add he doesn't have to dominate to help. One can optimistically see him have the IQ to get to spots, the release to get shots off and the scorers gift to pot a few. .....

There is a reason DeBrincat fell in the draft when he didn't have an injury or an off year like Saad did. But at the same time the Hawks did think he had something and used a 2nd rounder on him so I'm open to letting his development play out.

We all like skating and size, two things he's short of right now, but it's not a deal breaker. Plenty of players can play fast that don't skate that well. Plenty of guys who use a smallish stout frame to their advantage. If this kid makes it it will be in large part due to his IQ, and we know the Hawks organIzation covets that.

Mentioned this a few threads back that the thing I like best so far about the kid is he gets drafted, comes to camp, doesn't make the cut, sent back to jrs and instead of sulking or coasting he has his very best statistical yr scoring 65 goals and a +60 in the top jr league on earth. That's good, and IMO is a good look into his character.
- Mr Ricochet

You are correct he doesn't have to dominant to help but if you and are talking about a top 6 forward he does need to earn that spot. But maybe there will be a different role or he will earn a top six spot....for now it's probably best to let the hype fade away and see what the future holds...

I was thinking Fortin had an outside chance to stick last year and I will think he will be given a long look this time.

Tracy been reading JJ's threads?

http://www.csnchicago.com...tap-brakes-alex-debrincat

I find it funny that she says that the fans need to tap the brakes when its the media, herself included, that are guilty of hyping prospects

You are correct he doesn't have to dominant to help but if you and are talking about a top 6 forward he does need to earn that spot. But maybe there will be a different role or he will earn a top six spot....for now it's probably best to let the hype fade away and see what the future holds...

I was thinking Fortin had an outside chance to stick last year and I will think he will be given a long look this time.
- Al

Biggest problem is, excluding Hossa we already have 13 forwards up and the only one that could go down without going through waivers is Schmaltz. So there's really only one slot.

Biggest problem is, excluding Hossa we already have 13 forwards up and the only one that could go down without going through waivers is Schmaltz. So there's really only one slot.
- walleyeb1

IF there is someone who earns a spot on the team, then there is someone who deserves to be put on waivers.

IF there is someone who earns a spot on the team, then there is someone who deserves to be put on waivers.
- -Doh-

Good point we'll see maybe Jurco.

Biggest problem is, excluding Hossa we already have 13 forwards up and the only one that could go down without going through waivers is Schmaltz. So there's really only one slot.
- walleyeb1

14 - didn't Rozy slot as a forward one game last year?

Tracy been reading JJ's threads?

http://www.csnchicago.com...tap-brakes-alex-debrincat

I find it funny that she says that the fans need to tap the brakes when its the media, herself included, that are guilty of hyping prospects
- TommyWantWingy

Ummm, yeah.

Thoughts on Kyle Buan getting a look in the bottom 6 (maybe not out of camp) during the year?

Thoughts on Kyle Buan getting a look in the bottom 6 (maybe not out of camp) during the year?
- breadbag

If he is solid in training camp, I feel he deserves a long look to nail down the 13th forward position as a bottom-6 guy. His long stint on the DL derailed his development in Rockford, but he has made the team out of training camp before and he generally has more seasoning coming into this season versus when he did earn a starting job two seasons ago.

I would think he has an inside track above a prospect who is starting their first AHL season (full season to be more precise since guys like Iacopelli and Louis played some Hogs games to end last year).

Tracy been reading JJ's threads?

http://www.csnchicago.com...tap-brakes-alex-debrincat

I find it funny that she says that the fans need to tap the brakes when its the media, herself included, that are guilty of hyping prospects
- TommyWantWingy

It sorta reminds me of collecting hockey cards in Kansas City in the 90's ... oooh the Beckett's has it at this price ... I dunno who he is -but he has to be great!!! On another note- anyone know anyone who wants a Lindros rookie card :/

I swear that several years back that I was reading my own posts in some columns several days after I wrote them... I think it does happen.

If anyone is interested in where Murphy falls in with the other Hawks defenders when it comes to protecting the blue-line, here it is (click to make bigger):



Notes:
Last year was Seabrook's worst year at zone breakups - he's usually a bit closer to Hjammer. Rozsival's sample size is really really skewing his results. Keith is the unmarked Indianhead.
- L_B_R

Thanks, LBR.

What exactly is the graph? Controlled skate in entries on that Dman's side of the ice or simply a controlled entry into the zone while that Dman is on the ice?

Watching a Rozi or Sopel from above live you really get just how slow they are and how well they play angles. You can't be that limited physically and still be in the game.

Thanks, LBR.

What exactly is the graph? Controlled skate in entries on that Dman's side of the ice or simply a controlled entry into the zone while that Dman is on the ice?

Watching a Rozi or Sopel from above live you really get just how slow they are and how well they play angles. You can't be that limited physically and still be in the game.
- Mr Ricochet

It's individual stats.

There is something to note on these charts - some of the best guys are listed in the 'bad'/'passive' regions because this just isn't what they're asked to do: Keith, Karlsson, Burns, Doughty, etc. It's often about system and I think that's important context not always given in these charts. Micro stats are great, but even they need context.

Nashville is probably the most 'breakup' oriented team in the league. Carolina, Florida, Montreal, and Washinton are the others. Most other teams have a mix depending on role.

Watch some of reeves fights, my takaways:
1. wins against much shorter opponents
2. falls to the ice fast if outmatched
3. avoids fights with tougher opponents
4. looks for the highlight reel punch or gets out of the confrontation
- riozzo

Reaves has always been known as a spot picker just look at when him and John Scott would be on the ice together, Cam Janssen had more balls then Reaves ever will. 10 years ago when orr, mcgratton, godard and boogard were around reaves would be eaten alive.
Top fighters Ive seen in a hawks jersey since ive been a fan which is the late 90s.
Ryan Vandenbussche, Bob Probert, Jim Vandermeer, James Wisnewski, Dave Manson and Mark Janssens, Brad brown and Jamie Allison weren't bad. And in old videos I watched Steve Smith Stu Grimson and Behn Wilson were all very tough.

Thoughts on Kyle Buan getting a look in the bottom 6 (maybe not out of camp) during the year?
- breadbag

In some of my Cap Friendly work he made the team out of camp, at least for 1 day,

(he's about the lowest salaried forward in the system).

Reaves has always been known as a spot picker just look at when him and John Scott would be on the ice together, Cam Janssen had more balls then Reaves ever will. 10 years ago when orr, mcgratton, godard and boogard were around reaves would be eaten alive.
Top fighters Ive seen in a hawks jersey since ive been a fan which is the late 90s.
Ryan Vandenbussche, Bob Probert, Jim Vandermeer, James Wisnewski, Dave Manson and Mark Janssens, Brad brown and Jamie Allison weren't bad. And in old videos I watched Steve Smith Stu Grimson and Behn Wilson were all very tough.
- vandymeer23

Mike Peluso and Bob McGill. And #3!

I remember when we brought in Enrico Ciconne, Jim Cummins...

In some of my Cap Friendly work he made the team out of camp, at least for 1 day,

(he's about the lowest salaried forward in the system).
- vabeachbear

Cap friendly has all three goalies included on the 22 man roster in which we are $35k over the cap. What is with that? Makes no sense at all. I saw your lineup and thought that made the most sense.

It's individual stats.

There is something to note on these charts - some of the best guys are listed in the 'bad'/'passive' regions because this just isn't what they're asked to do: Keith, Karlsson, Burns, Doughty, etc. It's often about system and I think that's important context not always given in these charts. Micro stats are great, but even they need context.

Nashville is probably the most 'breakup' oriented team in the league. Carolina, Florida, Montreal, and Washinton are the others. Most other teams have a mix depending on role.
- L_B_R

I'd love to see Ulf implement a more aggressive breakup style for our system. Kempny seems like he'd be pretty good at it. Seabrook is a great blueline breakup guy who has been asked to babysit more so he's a LOT less aggressive now.