Happy 65th birthday!
- Hank_Greenberg

Beautiful

Speaking of DeBrincat, isn't he a Detroit kid? Why not try to trade him to the Wings for AA the 2nd day of the season? I'm sure you can throw in another player/draft pick.
- powerenforcer

From an on-ice perspective, sure. But it would really muddy the water for the team's salary cap issues next summer. It helps that about $3 million in cap space comes off the books next season (Panarin's bonus) but Hartman will be due for a modest increase and there are several other free agents to re-sign or replace.

Overall not impossible, just challenging.

If Johns was making the same mistakes here that he did in Dallas, then Q would have press-boxed him too. Gustafsson made mistakes sometimes because he was fearful of a hit or pressure - Johns made mistakes just because he wasn't thinking. He will pass directly to an opposing player, he had issues exiting his own zone, and his coverage decision were spotty and inconsistent. Not dissimilar from Kempny in some ways. Q would have disliked Johns mistakes as much as those made by Gus or Kempny. It is possible that Johns would have developed better in Q's system than those guys, though, but it's hard to say for sure.

I don't think anyone is opposed to picking up a better 4/5 d-man - I hope Bowman does tbh - but Johns hasn't exactly turned out yet to be "the one that got away" either and warrants pining. Maybe in the future, but he's a pretty risky pick-up as well.

Also I think Rozsival will play like 20 games next year just like he did last.
- L_B_R

It's tough to say how good Johns will be but in context he was the #1 prospect playing in Rockford at the time of the Sharp trade....There is no doubt Nill had Bowman bent over a barrel otherwise he wouldn't have given Johns up.

As far as what Q would tolerate or not-Let's face it for much of the time Q has been here he's had a very strong #1-#4 on the blueline and he leaned on them hard.

But the Hawks can no longer afford to give up top prospects in "uncle" trades and they also can't afford to have young dman not to continue improving when they do play in Chicago.

That's a big reason why Kitchen isn't here and 2 new assistants have been brought in-The last effective dman to spend any real time in the AHL developing was Hammer and that was a long time ago. Also, younger dmen need to learn lessons in Chicago and be able to keep improving and some would say that hasn't happened very often in the last 10 years.

Butcher to sign with the Sabres this weekend. You heard it here first!! (or second...or third....).

Speaking of DeBrincat, isn't he a Detroit kid? Why not try to trade him to the Wings for AA the 2nd day of the season? I'm sure you can throw in another player/draft pick.
- powerenforcer

AA is a RFA. I believe if he is available on day 2 the Hawks can send him an offer sheet for up to $3.9mil and only give up a 2nd round pick.

It's tough to say how good Johns will be but in context he was the #1 prospect playing in Rockford at the time of the Sharp trade....There is no doubt Nill had Bowman bent over a barrel otherwise he wouldn't have given Johns up.

As far as what Q would tolerate or not-Let's face it for much of the time Q has been here he's had a very strong #1-#4 on the blueline and he leaned on them hard.

But the Hawks can no longer afford to give up top prospects in "uncle" trades and they also can't afford to have young dman not to continue improving when they do play in Chicago.

That's a big reason why Kitchen isn't here and 2 new assistants have been brought in-The last effective dman to spend any real time in the AHL developing was Hammer and that was a long time ago. Also, younger dmen need to learn lessons in Chicago and be able to keep improving and some would say that hasn't happened very often in the last 10 years.
- Al

Agree, nice post

It's tough to say how good Johns will be but in context he was the #1 prospect playing in Rockford at the time of the Sharp trade....There is no doubt Nill had Bowman bent over a barrel otherwise he wouldn't have given Johns up.

As far as what Q would tolerate or not-Let's face it for much of the time Q has been here he's had a very strong #1-#4 on the blueline and he leaned on them hard.

But the Hawks can no longer afford to give up top prospects in "uncle" trades and they also can't afford to have young dman not to continue improving when they do play in Chicago.

That's a big reason why Kitchen isn't here and 2 new assistants have been brought in-The last effective dman to spend any real time in the AHL developing was Hammer and that was a long time ago. Also, younger dmen need to learn lessons in Chicago and be able to keep improving and some would say that hasn't happened very often in the last 10 years.
- Al

No doubt Q has had a helluva stable group of DMen to work with over the years, a big reason why the team has been a contender every year.

But if you look back over the last 6 drafts (2012-2017), they have drafted a total of 19 defenceman. They have exactly zero NHL games played out of that group. And then add on to that guys acquired in trade like Pokka and Gustafsson.

Its almost like the teacher deciding to flunk the entire class. Hello Mark Kelley.

No doubt Q has had a helluva stable group of DMen to work with over the years, a big reason why the team has been a contender every year.

But if you look back over the last 6 drafts (2012-2017), they have drafted a total of 19 defenceman. They have exactly zero NHL games played out of that group. And then add on to that guys acquired in trade like Pokka and Gustafsson.

Its almost like the teacher deciding to flunk the entire class. Hello Mark Kelley.
- RickJ

Well from what I understand the head of the Dmen Developement Department was in fact Mike Kitchen. So long Mike....and listen up Q.

Some franchises never seem to draft dmen very high, Carolina when Rutherford was there had that practice for the most part. They would rather pay up or trade for an establish defender later because of the time it takes to develop them.

As you correctly pointed out the Hawks have drafted dmen but they never make an impact here if they play in Rockford first.

Then the other shoe drops as when guys who were highly touted for years are then sacrificed in trades after their value has diminished. That happens because it's obvious to every scout who watches the Ice Hogs they aren't as good advertised.

That formula needs to change...

Happy 65th birthday!
- Hank_Greenberg

I seem to recall this board blowing up over including Johns as he was pedestal status second coming...
- riozzo

I remember that too.

Like many departs, there was more love from the board boys for our upcomers, any player who is a UFA or RFA or possible available player from any other team, and it seems to be on the other side of their emotional see-saw that sees most of our vets are at the end of their careers, and all our young rostered guys with far too many flaws to EVER be answers at the big league level.

Remember all those angry at the hawks trading KLAS DAHLBECK...you cannot buy the company line on prospects or use any and all of the various stats packs to determine you have the answers.

Like Star's Johns, time will have to make or break his usefulness and readiness to play both ways in the fastest league on Earth.

The Hawks can no longer afford to give up top prospects in "uncle" trades and they also can't afford to have young dman not to continue improving when they do play in Chicago.

That's a big reason why Kitchen isn't here and 2 new assistants have been brought in-The last effective dman to spend any real time in the AHL developing was Hammer and that was a long time ago. Also, younger dmen need to learn lessons in Chicago and be able to keep improving and some would say that hasn't happened very often in the last 10 years.
- Al

I think the reason they decided it is time to load up at Defense in the draft and since they seem to have about a half dozen Swedish defenseman, I bet we are not done seeing them go as sweeteners in trades along the way.

I remember that too.

Like many departs, there was more love from the board boys for our upcomers, any player who is a UFA or RFA or possible available player from any other team, and it seems to be on the other side of their emotional see-saw that sees most of our vets are at the end of their careers, and all our young rostered guys with far too many flaws to EVER be answers at the big league level.

Remember all those angry at the hawks trading KLAS DAHLBECK...you cannot buy the company line on prospects or use any and all of the various stats packs to determine you have the answers.

Like Star's Johns, time will have to make or break his usefulness and readiness to play both ways in the fastest league on Earth.
- wiz1901

I had never heard of Stephen Johns until this moment. Never seen him play, obviously, but there doesn't seem to be anything overly promising about him.

I remember that too.

Like many departs, there was more love from the board boys for our upcomers, any player who is a UFA or RFA or possible available player from any other team, and it seems to be on the other side of their emotional see-saw that sees most of our vets are at the end of their careers, and all our young rostered guys with far too many flaws to EVER be answers at the big league level.

Remember all those angry at the hawks trading KLAS DAHLBECK...you cannot buy the company line on prospects or use any and all of the various stats packs to determine you have the answers.

Like Star's Johns, time will have to make or break his usefulness and readiness to play both ways in the fastest league on Earth.
- wiz1901

Again out of context....Johns was never really mentioned in a rumor to be traded.
He wouldn't have been traded except there was no other way to deal Sharp at that time. So it's not similar to others who had bloated expectations and praised heaped upon them.

It's not the point if he will turnout to be #7-8 or #2....The Hawks traded their best prospect in Rkfrd at the time for really nothing in return. That was my point at the time which was accurate.

I think the reason they decided it is time to load up at Defense in the draft and since they seem to have about a half dozen Swedish defenseman, I bet we are not done seeing them go as sweeteners in trades along the way.
- wiz1901

Maybe but I'm in the minority-I think when the Hossa mess is settled Bowman goes out and gets another dman with experience.

Maybe but I'm in the minority-I think when the Hossa mess is settled Bowman goes out and gets another dman with experience.
- Al

I don't think there is very much quality available but if he is fishing at the bottom of a barrel Stan should be able to locate the likes of former 1st round busts like Jared Tinordi or Griffin Reinhart somewhere. Or God forbid, Clayton Stoner.

I don't think there is very much quality available but if he is fishing at the bottom of a barrel Stan should be able to locate the likes of former 1st round busts like Jared Tinordi or Griffin Reinhart somewhere. Or God forbid, Clayton Stoner.
- RickJ

Cody Franson could be a decent cheap pick-up.

Cody Franson could be a decent cheap pick-up.
- BINGO!

Cheap because he's mediocre.

Cheap because he's mediocre.
- RickJ

Yeah, but I'd rather have "Definitely Mediocre" than "Probably Garbage"

I remember that too.

Like many departs, there was more love from the board boys for our upcomers, any player who is a UFA or RFA or possible available player from any other team, and it seems to be on the other side of their emotional see-saw that sees most of our vets are at the end of their careers, and all our young rostered guys with far too many flaws to EVER be answers at the big league level.

Remember all those angry at the hawks trading KLAS DAHLBECK...you cannot buy the company line on prospects or use any and all of the various stats packs to determine you have the answers.

Like Star's Johns, time will have to make or break his usefulness and readiness to play both ways in the fastest league on Earth.
- wiz1901

Please take him back... please.

What a JOKE!!!! Will NHL Network be setting aside an hour of programming for this....

Per SecondCityHockey.com: Will Butcher, the top NCAA free agent and 2017 Hobey Baker award winner, will announce his team of choice Sunday.

Well from what I understand the head of the Dmen Developement Department was in fact Mike Kitchen. So long Mike....and listen up Q.

Some franchises never seem to draft dmen very high, Carolina when Rutherford was there had that practice for the most part. They would rather pay up or trade for an establish defender later because of the time it takes to develop them.

As you correctly pointed out the Hawks have drafted dmen but they never make an impact here if they play in Rockford first.

Then the other shoe drops as when guys who were highly touted for years are then sacrificed in trades after their value has diminished. That happens because it's obvious to every scout who watches the Ice Hogs they aren't as good advertised.

That formula needs to change...
- Al

I think this was one of Bowman's bigger mistakes that went largely unnoticed. He really let the situation in Rockford deteriorate. Hopefully Colliton can turn things around. Although it looks like he's starting out with basically the same staff that were there when Dent left.

What a JOKE!!!! Will NHL Network be setting aside an hour of programming for this....

Per SecondCityHockey.com: Will Butcher, the top NCAA free agent and 2017 Hobey Baker award winner, will announce his team of choice Sunday.
- glennjpawlak22

Erie Otters?

Again out of context....Johns was never really mentioned in a rumor to be traded.
He wouldn't have been traded except there was no other way to deal Sharp at that time. So it's not similar to others who had bloated expectations and praised heaped upon them.

It's not the point if he will turnout to be #7-8 or #2....The Hawks traded their best prospect in Rkfrd at the time for really nothing in return. That was my point at the time which was accurate.
- Al

In this cap era, when you get cap space it can be equated to getting someone back. How you use the cap space is what you received for the player you traded.

I don't think there is very much quality available but if he is fishing at the bottom of a barrel Stan should be able to locate the likes of former 1st round busts like Jared Tinordi or Griffin Reinhart somewhere. Or God forbid, Clayton Stoner.
- RickJ

With $5.275 mil in cap space from Hossa being LTIR'd on day 2 a trade is possible, and not all bottom of the barrel.

In this cap era, when you get cap space it can be equated to getting someone back. How you use the cap space is what you received for the player you traded.
- -Doh-

Agree to a point....The way they were able to get the cap space is by dealing a player they didn't want to in Johns....Or in the case of Nick Leddy basically giving him away at the 11th hour for nothing because they couldn't evealuate his role correctly the year before.