Lasts years team(which was already heavily flawed) lost 2 of its top 4 forwards (Panarin and Hossa), it's 2nd best defenseman(Hammer), Kruger, and Darling.

Add to that another year of decline/wear and tear for 50, 19, 2, and 7 all with crippling contracts.

The return of Saad and the addition of a few new look 4th liners won't be NEARLY enough to save the Hawks downward trajectory.
- SimpleJack

Heavily flawed and they still Won the WC ..geez .Guess there is no other trajectory but down when u finish 1st ...Eh

The Hawks don't have the pick to offer sheet Athanasiou at his value. The compensation for a contract between $1.9m and $3.9m is a 2nd round pick, and the Hawks don't have theirs in 2018 anymore. The Habs have the Hawks 2018 2nd round pick, and considering they are supposedly interested in Athanasiou themselves, they're not likely going to give it back. Anything lower than $1.9m and the Wings will match and they'll figure out the cap after.

The Hawks could offer sheet him for $3.9m+, but that costs a 1st+3rd - that and the actual amount/cap hit is well over his current value. That's almost $4m with only a 37 point projected season under his belt. He's worth more than the Wings likely want to give him, but he's not worth that yet. It'd be like giving Schmaltz $4m after last season. He's exactly the type of player that should get a two-year 'show me' bridge deal in the range of $2-2.5m at most.

Also, when the Hawks talk about wanting flexibility in-season, they're not just talking trade possibilities. If Hossa was put on LTIR in the summer, it pretty much locks their cap and it would be really difficult to make call-ups in case of injury or even audition of prospects. But in regards to trades, putting Hossa on LTIR now would make it extremely hard to make a trade in-season without it involving a rostered player - they would need the cap space.

I'd actually love Athanasiou on the Hawks because I see the potential - he's got middle top 6 potential, but it's hard to see how an offer sheet would work out. If they want him, they would probably need to trade for him.
- L_B_R

No, I think you're born one way or the other.
....
- StLBravesFan

Good one!!

Lasts years team(which was already heavily flawed) lost 2 of its top 4 forwards (Panarin and Hossa), it's 2nd best defenseman(Hammer), Kruger, and Darling.

Add to that another year of decline/wear and tear for 50, 19, 2, and 7 all with crippling contracts.

The return of Saad and the addition of a few new look 4th liners won't be NEARLY enough to save the Hawks downward trajectory.
- SimpleJack

"Manic depression is.... catching my souuuul"

-Jimi Hendrix

"Manic depression is.... catching my souuuul"

-Jimi Hendrix
- kinigitt

I've seen the future, brother, it is murder.

L. Cohen

Lasts years team(which was already heavily flawed) lost 2 of its top 4 forwards (Panarin and Hossa), it's 2nd best defenseman(Hammer), Kruger, and Darling.

Add to that another year of decline/wear and tear for 50, 19, 2, and 7 all with crippling contracts.

The return of Saad and the addition of a few new look 4th liners won't be NEARLY enough to save the Hawks downward trajectory.
- SimpleJack

Who are you and what have you done with Simplejack?

Interesting breakdown in the Athletic of some really bad defensive play. An entertaining read in these dog days of summer:

https://theathletic.com/8...f-the-2016-17-nhl-season/

Who are you and what have you done with Simplejack?
- HawkintheD

He's looking at it with an open mind instead of drinking the Hawk L aid , unlike some pulling their Johnson's over a kid from the wings now! Bowman showed me a lot this summer, he don't care about allegiances , he'll do what needs tobe done when HE feels the right fit! Same for the get TVR and Kruger crap back.

He's looking at it with an open mind instead of drinking the Hawk L aid , unlike some pulling their Johnson's over a kid from the wings now! Bowman showed me a lot this summer, he don't care about allegiances , he'll do what needs tobe done when HE feels the right fit! Same for the get TVR and Kruger crap back.
- wonthecup10

This is a business where you're gauged by winning and Chicago has set the bar very high for themselves. I fully believe that Stan would trade anybody, even Toews or Kane, if the deal made the team better.

The Saad and Murphy trades stung for sure, giving up Panarin and Hjalmarsson was certainly not an easy thing to do. But the deals make plenty of sense. Saad and Panarin is a wash talent-wise (but they bring different skill-sets) but Saad will be around for two more years at the same AAV, that is huge. Not to be overlooked in that deal is Forsberg, he could be a very solid back-up and maybe replace Crawford down the line. People complain about the Seabrook deal, the team could have been in the same position (or worse) with Hjalmarsson when his contract is up in 2 years. I don't think Murphy and Hjalmarsson are direct comparisons, like Saad and Panarin they bring different skill-sets to the team. I suggest we keep an open mind about Murphy and judge him (good or bad) for his on-ice performance and not the fact that he was the guy the cost the team Hjalmarsson.

This is a business where you're gauged by winning and Chicago has set the bar very high for themselves. I fully believe that Stan would trade anybody, even Toews or Kane, if the deal made the team better.

The Saad and Murphy trades stung for sure, giving up Panarin and Hjalmarsson was certainly not an easy thing to do. But the deals make plenty of sense. Saad and Panarin is a wash talent-wise (but they bring different skill-sets) but Saad will be around for two more years at the same AAV, that is huge. Not to be overlooked in that deal is Forsberg, he could be a very solid back-up and maybe replace Crawford down the line. People complain about the Seabrook deal, the team could have been in the same position (or worse) with Hjalmarsson when his contract is up in 2 years. I don't think Murphy and Hjalmarsson are direct comparisons, like Saad and Panarin they bring different skill-sets to the team. I suggest we keep an open mind about Murphy and judge him (good or bad) for his on-ice performance and not the fact that he was the guy the cost the team Hjalmarsson.
- DarthKane

And don't forget the Dauphin - perhaps a very usable bottom-6 center (which are not in abundance in Chicago).

And don't forget the Dauphin - perhaps a very usable bottom-6 center (which are not in abundance in Chicago).
- StLBravesFan

Agreed. Both the Forsberg and Dauphin "throw-ins" could be solid parts of their respective deals. I don't expect them to be the 1G and 1C, but if Forsberg can be a solid back-up of Dauphin a reliable 4C and penalty killer that goes a long way to help replenish the team's depth.,

Who are you and what have you done with Simplejack?
- HawkintheD

LOL

This is a business where you're gauged by winning and Chicago has set the bar very high for themselves. I fully believe that Stan would trade anybody, even Toews or Kane, if the deal made the team better.

The Saad and Murphy trades stung for sure, giving up Panarin and Hjalmarsson was certainly not an easy thing to do. But the deals make plenty of sense. Saad and Panarin is a wash talent-wise (but they bring different skill-sets) but Saad will be around for two more years at the same AAV, that is huge. Not to be overlooked in that deal is Forsberg, he could be a very solid back-up and maybe replace Crawford down the line. People complain about the Seabrook deal, the team could have been in the same position (or worse) with Hjalmarsson when his contract is up in 2 years. I don't think Murphy and Hjalmarsson are direct comparisons, like Saad and Panarin they bring different skill-sets to the team. I suggest we keep an open mind about Murphy and judge him (good or bad) for his on-ice performance and not the fact that he was the guy the cost the team Hjalmarsson.
- DarthKane

.


My point exactly !Conner Murphy will be fine , Ulfie will see to it, he'll use the body instead of that stick checking crap Kitchen employed.

Agreed. Both the Forsberg and Dauphin "throw-ins" could be solid parts of their respective deals. I don't expect them to be the 1G and 1C, but if Forsberg can be a solid back-up of Dauphin a reliable 4C and penalty killer that goes a long way to help replenish the team's depth.,
- DarthKane

IMHO, replenishing the team's depth is a major priority just as much as is managing the cap and maybe even more so than adding more elite players at top-6 forward or top-4 defense. The latter will be more important down the line as the likes of Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, and Crawford really are at the end of their rope, but the immediate need is the former. Strong drafts, better player development in Rockford, and astute acquisitions all contribute to rebuilding depth.

IMHO, replenishing the team's depth is a major priority just as much as is managing the cap and maybe even more so than adding more elite players at top-6 forward or top-4 defense. The latter will be more important down the line as the likes of Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, and Crawford really are at the end of their rope, but the immediate need is the former. Strong drafts, better player development in Rockford, and astute acquisitions all contribute to rebuilding depth.
- AEL_Fox

Forsberg and Dauphin improve the team's depth now, plus the Saad/Murphy deals put the Hawks in a better position for the future. Signing guys Hartman, Hayden, Kempny and Schmaltz will be easier with the cost certainty that Saad and Murphy bring (which we all know was part of the reason for these deals).

Forsberg and Dauphin improve the team's depth now, plus the Saad/Murphy deals put the Hawks in a better position for the future. Signing guys Hartman, Hayden, Kempny and Schmaltz will be easier with the cost certainty that Saad and Murphy bring (which we all know was part of the reason for these deals).
- DarthKane

Agree on all accounts. If Panik builds upon last season, then I feel he should be on that list as well once his current contract is up.

Agree on all accounts. If Panik builds upon last season, then I feel he should be on that list as well once his current contract is up.
- AEL_Fox

For sure. If Panik can improve from last season that would be amazing, I am hoping he can be a steady 20/20 guy (15/15 guy at worst) and still bring a physical game.

I think folks in Chicago will warm up to Murphy once he settles in with his new team and coaches. He isn't some unknown or question mark as some fear because they haven't watched him. He isn't directly comparable to Hjalmarsson but he is also 6 years younger. He was drafted by a weak team but

- Former 1st round pick (established level of talent)
- he has more than 250 games under his belt already at age 24.
- His role/responsibility has increased year over year
- His performance has improved year over year
- Signed for 5 more seasons under 4 million


Hjalmarsson got a lot of praise around here for his shot blocking and defensive play, but he wasn't without his own faults at times. He was a warrior and took abuse game after game, but he also struggled at times with giving the puck away. He improved and limited some of it, but early in his career it was the awful blind ring around the boards that almost always went to the attacking forward. More recently he struggled at times with moving the puck past just getting it over the blueline. The other top minute D for the Hawks have these same issues at times, but they also provide a lot more upside offensively to go with it.

Point is, Hjalmarsson is a good defender but he wasn't perfect in Chicago. He had areas that were lacking. Murphy will have his drawbacks too. The guy was not on the best team, but he was playing in the NHL at an age when most others are still learning the NHL game in the AHL. Murphy is posed to have his peak/prime years ahead and Hammer is at the point where the decline (while likely minor) starts to creep in. There are exceptions to every rule but Hjalmarsson has played some hard minutes.

I think folks in Chicago will warm up to Murphy once he settles in with his new team and coaches. He isn't some unknown or question mark as some fear because they haven't watched him. He isn't directly comparable to Hjalmarsson but he is also 6 years younger. He was drafted by a weak team but

- Former 1st round pick (established level of talent)
- he has more than 250 games under his belt already at age 24.
- His role/responsibility has increased year over year
- His performance has improved year over year
- Signed for 5 more seasons under 4 million


Hjalmarsson got a lot of praise around here for his shot blocking and defensive play, but he wasn't without his own faults at times. He was a warrior and took abuse game after game, but he also struggled at times with giving the puck away. He improved and limited some of it, but early in his career it was the awful blind ring around the boards that almost always went to the attacking forward. More recently he struggled at times with moving the puck past just getting it over the blueline. The other top minute D for the Hawks have these same issues at times, but they also provide a lot more upside offensively to go with it.

Point is, Hjalmarsson is a good defender but he wasn't perfect in Chicago. He had areas that were lacking. Murphy will have his drawbacks too. The guy was not on the best team, but he was playing in the NHL at an age when most others are still learning the NHL game in the AHL. Murphy is posed to have his peak/prime years ahead and Hammer is at the point where the decline (while likely minor) starts to creep in. There are exceptions to every rule but Hjalmarsson has played some hard minutes.
- breadbag

Hjalmarsson was a warrior for the Hawks, no doubt about it. No matter who's shot he blocked Hammer seemed to bounce back the next shift. The only knock against Hjalmarsson is more situational than on-ice. When his contract is up he'll be 32 and likely looking for more money. Does the team really want to lock into a long term big money deal for an aging defenseman? They already did that with Seabrook and the situation would be worse with Hjalmarsson.

I am excited to see what Murphy can bring, but I am excpecting it will take him some time to get acclimated to his new environment.

Blackhawks Top 25 Under 25 for 2017: newly-acquired Connor Murphy is No. 5

https://www.secondcityhoc...25-under-25-connor-murphy

Luke Fox of Sportsnet: At the start of free agency Pierre LeBrun tweeted that Florida Panthers defenseman Jason Demers nixed a trade to the Vancouver Canucks. Demers has an eight-team no-trade list. Demers when asked about LeBrun’s report.

Blackhawks Top 25 Under 25 for 2017: newly-acquired Connor Murphy is No. 5

https://www.secondcityhoc...25-under-25-connor-murphy
- DarthKane

For those who just want to see the list:

No. 25: Forward Artur Kayumov
No. 24: Forward Nathan Noel
No. 23: Forward Anthony Louis
No. 22: Goaltender Wouter Peeters
No. 21: Defenseman Luc Snuggerud
No. 20: Forward Laurent Dauphin
No. 19: Forward Tomas Jurco
No. 18: Forward Tim Soderlund
No. 17: Forward Matheson Iacopelli
No. 16: Defenseman Ian Mitchell
No. 15: Defenseman Ville Pokka
No. 14: Goaltender Anton Forsberg
No. 13: Forward Vinnie Hinostroza
No. 12: Forward Alexandre Fortin
No. 11: Defenseman Chad Krys
No. 10: Forward John Hayden
No. 9: Defenseman Lucas Carlsson
No. 8: Forward Dylan Sikura
No. 7: Defenseman Henri Jokiharju
No. 6: Defenseman Gustav Forsling
No. 5: Defenseman Connor Murphy

My guess as to the top 4 (not necessarily in this order): Saad, Hartman, Schmaltz, DeBrincat. Kero turned 25 last month. Saad turns 25 in the fall.

For those who just want to see the list:

No. 25: Forward Artur Kayumov
No. 24: Forward Nathan Noel
No. 23: Forward Anthony Louis
No. 22: Goaltender Wouter Peeters
No. 21: Defenseman Luc Snuggerud
No. 20: Forward Laurent Dauphin
No. 19: Forward Tomas Jurco
No. 18: Forward Tim Soderlund
No. 17: Forward Matheson Iacopelli
No. 16: Defenseman Ian Mitchell
No. 15: Defenseman Ville Pokka
No. 14: Goaltender Anton Forsberg
No. 13: Forward Vinnie Hinostroza
No. 12: Forward Alexandre Fortin
No. 11: Defenseman Chad Krys
No. 10: Forward John Hayden
No. 9: Defenseman Lucas Carlsson
No. 8: Forward Dylan Sikura
No. 7: Defenseman Henri Jokiharju
No. 6: Defenseman Gustav Forsling
No. 5: Defenseman Connor Murphy

My guess as to the top 4 (not necessarily in this order): Saad, Hartman, Schmaltz, DeBrincat. Kero turned 25 last month. Saad turns 25 in the fall.
- AEL_Fox

Beat me too it. Their cut off is October 1st. I think Saad's birthday is later in the month. DeBrincat is getting a lot of hype. I have a lot of doubt that his game can grow into NHL level.

For those who just want to see the list:

No. 25: Forward Artur Kayumov
No. 24: Forward Nathan Noel
No. 23: Forward Anthony Louis
No. 22: Goaltender Wouter Peeters
No. 21: Defenseman Luc Snuggerud
No. 20: Forward Laurent Dauphin
No. 19: Forward Tomas Jurco
No. 18: Forward Tim Soderlund
No. 17: Forward Matheson Iacopelli
No. 16: Defenseman Ian Mitchell
No. 15: Defenseman Ville Pokka
No. 14: Goaltender Anton Forsberg
No. 13: Forward Vinnie Hinostroza
No. 12: Forward Alexandre Fortin
No. 11: Defenseman Chad Krys
No. 10: Forward John Hayden
No. 9: Defenseman Lucas Carlsson
No. 8: Forward Dylan Sikura
No. 7: Defenseman Henri Jokiharju
No. 6: Defenseman Gustav Forsling
No. 5: Defenseman Connor Murphy

My guess as to the top 4 (not necessarily in this order): Saad, Hartman, Schmaltz, DeBrincat. Kero turned 25 last month. Saad turns 25 in the fall.
- AEL_Fox

You're probably right. I would order them as follows - 4. Debrincat, 3. Hartman, 2. Schmaltz, and 1. Saad.

No this season obviously, but in the future I am excited to see what Carlsson and Sikura bring to the table.

You're probably right. I would order them as follows - 4. Debrincat, 3. Hartman, 2. Schmaltz, and 1. Saad.

No this season obviously, but in the future I am excited to see what Carlsson and Sikura bring to the table.
- DarthKane

Sikura and Carlsson are at the top of my list, too. Not counting those who have some NHL experience already (no matter how much), the other prospects who I am most interested in are Fortin, Soderland, Krys, Mitchell, Snuggerud, and Jokiharju.

Of these, Sikura, Fortin, and Snuggerud could each get some time with the Hawks as early as this season (Fortin possibly out of training camp if he really impresses, Snuggerud if blueline depth is exposed, and Sikura after the NCAA season ends like Hayden did last year).