You are probably right JJ .... next Duncan Keith not in the organization yet. But Ian Mitchell sounds pretty good and some what similar to Keith. Don't forget that Keith was pretty thin (about 170 lbs) when he first came up, but worked hard to get himself into shape and worked on his game too. The "next Duncan Keith" might be in another body at the moment. The Hawks have several defensemen in the organization that could benefit from bit more LBS and some seasoning.
- chuckdahammer

I have been thinking something similar lately. IMHO, a major factor in Keith being a Norris-caliber defenseman is the fact that he is a freak in the gym. So would prospects like Mitchell or Krys with potential to play a similar style as Keith be solid top-3 blueliners if they amp up the physical strength, endurance, conditioning, mobility, etc. that one can only get by putting in more than the requisite time in the gym? Without this extreme dedication to physical fitness, are Mitchell and Krys undersized yet serviceable bottom-3 puck movers?

I'd add AA and the original Russian Kravchuk. After them Panarin and AZ, you can have the rest.
- HawkintheD

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...t_id=86679&blogger_id=244

Another HockeyBuzz blogger wrote a nice piece about what Kravchuk is doing lately and his relationship with Mike Keenan. Kravchuk, Keenan, and Bobby Carpenter are working with the fairly new KHL team in China.

http://thehockeywriters.c...more-from-jonathan-toews/

Time to earn that $10.5mil Johnny

This schedule makes absolutely no sense to me!!!

http://chicago.suntimes.c...e-dame-for-training-camp/
- walleyeb1

That's training camp....... how about the regular season when we play St. Louis in St.Louis in October, then, not again until 2 times at the end of March and once in April ???? That's 3 times in the last 10 games........how ridiculous is that ???

I have been thinking something similar lately. IMHO, a major factor in Keith being a Norris-caliber defenseman is the fact that he is a freak in the gym. So would prospects like Mitchell or Krys with potential to play a similar style as Keith be solid top-3 blueliners if they don't amp up the physical strength, endurance, conditioning, mobility, etc. that one can only get by putting in more than the requisite time in the gym? Without this extreme dedication to physical fitness, are Mitchell and Krys undersized yet serviceable bottom-3 puck movers?
- AEL_Fox

Keith is also a freak with un-godly VO2 numbers.

That is something that you can't find in a gym and can make a real difference in such a demanding sport like hockey. Especially late in games when most guys start getting their mental and physical wires crossed due to fatigue.

And to see people here clamoring for a Russian player whose only reason to be coming to the NHL is he got kicked out of the KHL for a banned substance is mind boggling. Leave that turd in another bowl.
- kwolf68

First, Zaripov was banned for a substance that otherwise is allowed in the NHL which is why he is allowed to be play here.

Second, he is not some shlub as Malkin wants to play with him.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/NHL/5866

Third, the Hawks need to take some fliers because they don't have the cap room to sign top quality known product (ala Duchene).

NHL.COM released their point projects for forwards...They included anyone they felt would hit 40 points or more which ended up being 187 players or almost exactly 6 players per team. They assume everyone playing close to a full season, which we know isn't the case. Lately it is more like 130-140 players that hit 40+ in reality.

Connor McDavid, C, EDM -- 95
Sidney Crosby, C, PIT -- 92
Nikita Kucherov, RW, TBL -- 87
Patrick Kane, RW, CHI -- 82
Jamie Benn, LW, DAL -- 80
Nicklas Backstrom, C, WSH -- 80
Auston Matthews, C, TOR -- 78
Evgeni Malkin, C, PIT -- 78
Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, STL -- 77
Jack Eichel, C, BUF -- 77
Tyler Seguin, C/RW, DAL (INJ.) -- 77
Mark Scheifele, C, WPG -- 77
Brad Marchand, LW, BOS -- 76
John Tavares, C, NYI -- 76
Ryan Getzlaf, C, ANA -- 75
Steven Stamkos, C, TBL (INJ.) -- 73
David Pastrnak, RW, BOS (RFA) -- 73
Patrik Laine, RW, WPG -- 72
Leon Draisaitl, C/RW, EDM -- 72
Joe Pavelski, C/RW, SJS -- 72
Blake Wheeler, RW, WPG -- 71
Alex Ovechkin, LW, WSH -- 70
Phil Kessel, RW, PIT -- 69
Johnny Gaudreau, LW, CGY -- 69
Artemi Panarin, C/LW, CBJ -- 67
Mitchell Marner, C/RW, TOR -- 66
William Nylander, C/RW, TOR -- 66
Filip Forsberg, LW, NSH -- 65
Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, WSH -- 65
Ryan Johansen, C, NSH (INJ.) -- 65
Claude Giroux, C, PHI -- 65
Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, WPG -- 65
Cam Atkinson, RW, CBJ -- 65
Jeff Skinner, LW, CAR -- 65
Max Pacioretty, LW, MTL -- 64
Mike Hoffman, LW/RW, OTT -- 64
Sean Monahan, C, CGY -- 63
Aleksander Barkov, C, FLA -- 63
Jakub Voracek, RW, PHI -- 63
Patrice Bergeron, C, BOS -- 62
Mikael Granlund, C/RW, MIN -- 62
Jeff Carter, C, LAK -- 62
Jordan Eberle, RW, NYI -- 62
Alexander Wennberg, C, CBJ (RFA) -- 62
Alexander Radulov, RW, DAL -- 60
Jonathan Toews, C, CHI -- 60
Taylor Hall, LW, NJD -- 60
Brayden Schenn, C/LW, STL -- 60
Jake Guentzel, C/LW, PIT -- 60
Anze Kopitar, C, LAK -- 59
Jonathan Drouin, LW/RW, MTL -- 59
Brandon Saad, LW, CHI -- 59
James van Riemsdyk, LW, TOR -- 59
Logan Couture, C, SJS -- 59
David Krejci, C, BOS (INJ.) -- 59
Wayne Simmonds, RW, PHI -- 58
Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, FLA -- 58
T.J. Oshie, RW, WSH -- 58
Mark Stone, RW, OTT -- 58
Jason Spezza, C/RW, DAL -- 58
Ryan O'Reilly, C, BUF -- 58
Corey Perry, RW, ANA -- 57
Sebastian Aho, LW/RW, CAR -- 57
Eric Staal, C, MIN -- 57
Nathan MacKinnon, C, COL -- 57
Mats Zuccarello, RW, NYR -- 57
Henrik Zetterberg, C/LW, DET -- 56
Anthony Mantha, LW/RW, DET -- 56
Rickard Rakell, C/LW, ANA -- 55
Viktor Arvidsson, LW/RW, NSH -- 55
Max Domi, LW, ARI -- 55
Jaden Schwartz, LW, STL -- 55
Kyle Okposo, RW, BUF (INJ.) -- 55
Mika Zibanejad, C, NYR -- 55
Sam Reinhart, C/RW, BUF -- 55
Tyler Johnson, C, TBL -- 55
Bryan Little, C, WPG -- 55
Joe Thornton, C, SJS (INJ.) -- 55
Bo Horvat, C, VAN (RFA) -- 55
Ryan Kesler, C, ANA -- 54
Nazem Kadri, C, TOR -- 54
Tyler Toffoli, C/RW, LAK -- 54
Kyle Turris, C, OTT -- 54
Andre Burakovsky, LW/RW, WSH -- 54
Alex Galchenyuk, C/LW, MTL -- 54
Matt Duchene, C/RW, COL -- 54
Vadim Shipachyov, C/LW, VGK -- 54
Anders Lee, LW, NYI -- 53
Jakob Silfverberg, RW, ANA -- 53
Marcus Johansson, LW, NJD -- 53
Nino Niederreiter, LW/RW, MIN -- 53
Alexander Steen, C/LW, STL -- 53
Derek Stepan, C, ARI -- 53
J.T. Miller, LW/RW, NYR -- 53
Elias Lindholm, C/RW, CAR -- 53
James Neal, LW/RW, VGK -- 52
Conor Sheary, LW/RW, PIT -- 52
Evgeny Dadonov, RW, FLA -- 52
Kyle Palmieri, RW, NJD -- 52
Chris Kreider, LW, NYR -- 52
Mikko Koivu, C, MIN -- 52
Ondrej Palat, LW, TBL -- 52
Teuvo Teravainen, C/LW, CAR -- 52
Kevin Hayes, C/RW, NYR -- 52
Patrick Marleau, C/LW, TOR -- 51
Matthew Tkachuk, LW, CGY -- 50
Zach Parise, LW, MIN -- 50
Nick Foligno, LW/RW, CBJ -- 50
Nico Hischier, C, NJD -- 50
Vincent Trocheck, C, FLA -- 50
Charlie Coyle, C/RW, MIN -- 50
Henrik Sedin, C, VAN -- 50
Patric Hornqvist, RW, PIT -- 49
Joshua Ho-Sang, RW, NYI -- 49
Brock Boeser, RW, VAN -- 48
Daniel Sedin, LW, VAN -- 48
Tyler Bozak, C, TOR -- 48
Artem Anisimov, C, CHI -- 48
Rick Nash, LW/RW, NYR -- 47
Tomas Hertl, C/LW, SJS -- 47
Mikael Backlund, C, CGY -- 47
Gustav Nyquist, LW/RW, DET -- 47
Dylan Larkin, C/RW, DET -- 47
Mikko Rantanen, LW/RW, COL -- 47
Radim Vrbata, RW, FLA -- 47
Bobby Ryan, RW, OTT -- 47
Victor Rask, C, CAR -- 47
Nick Schmaltz, C/LW, CHI -- 46
Robby Fabbri, C/LW, STL (INJ.) -- 46
Ryan Strome, C/RW, EDM -- 46
Clayton Keller, C, ARI -- 46
Brayden Point, C/RW, TBL -- 46
Richard Panik, LW/RW, CHI -- 46
Tomas Tatar, LW/RW, DET -- 46
Tanner Pearson, LW, LAK -- 46
Evander Kane, LW, BUF -- 45
Milan Lucic, LW, EDM -- 45
Nolan Patrick, C, PHI (INJ.) -- 45
Brendan Gallagher, RW, MTL -- 45
Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, EDM -- 45
Gabriel Landeskog, LW, COL -- 45
Justin Williams, RW, CAR -- 45
Jonathan Marchessault, C/LW, VGK -- 45
Mathew Barzal, C, NYI -- 45
Patrick Sharp, LW/RW, CHI (INJ.) -- 45
Tyson Jost, C, COL -- 45
Paul Stastny, C, STL -- 45
Adam Henrique, C, NJD -- 45
Derick Brassard, C, OTT (INJ.) -- 45
Jordan Staal, C, CAR -- 45
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, EDM -- 45
Sam Gagner, C/RW, VAN -- 45
Kyle Connor, LW, WPG -- 44
Jakub Vrana, LW/RW, WSH -- 44
Kevin Fiala, LW/RW, NSH (INJ.) -- 44
Brock Nelson, C/LW, NYI -- 44
Patrick Eaves, RW, ANA -- 43
Jussi Jokinen, LW, EDM -- 43
Jason Zucker, LW/RW, MIN -- 43
Dylan Strome, C, ARI -- 43
Travis Konecny, C/LW, PHI -- 43
Martin Hanzal, C, DAL -- 43
Anthony Duclair, LW/RW, ARI (RFA) -- 43
Vladislav Namestnikov, C/LW, TBL -- 43
Phillip Danault, C/LW, MTL -- 43
Sven Baertschi, LW, VAN -- 43
Pavel Buchnevich, LW/RW, NYR -- 43
Ivan Barbashev, C/LW, STL -- 42
Scott Hartnell, LW, NSH -- 42
Jason Pominville, RW, BUF -- 42
Andreas Athanasiou, C/LW, DET (RFA) -- 42
Mikkel Boedker, LW/RW, SJS -- 42
Michael Frolik, RW, CGY -- 42
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, C, OTT -- 42
Boone Jenner, C/LW, CBJ -- 41
Frans Nielsen, C, DET -- 41
Timo Meier, LW/RW, SJS -- 41
Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, CBJ -- 41
Craig Smith, RW, NSH -- 41
Patrick Maroon, LW, EDM -- 40
David Backes, RW, BOS -- 40
Brandon Dubinsky, C, CBJ (INJ.) -- 40
Spencer Foo, C/RW, CGY -- 40
David Perron, LW/RW, VGK -- 40
Loui Eriksson, LW/RW, VAN -- 40
Sam Bennett, C/LW, CGY (RFA) -- 40
Reilly Smith, RW, VGK -- 40

First, Zaripov was banned for a substance that otherwise is allowed in the NHL which is why he is allowed to be play here.

Second, he is not some shlub as Malkin wants to play with him.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/NHL/5866

Third, the Hawks need to take some fliers because they don't have the cap room to sign top quality known product (ala Duchene).
- hankscorpio

What do think Zaripov would even want to sign for? Dadonov and Shipachyov both just got $4m+, and while they're younger, you'd think he'd be looking at them as references. Then again, his agent also apparently said he wanted a one-year 'prove it' contract so that could bring it down. Still, it feels unlikely that the Hawks will be able to entice Zaripov here.

Though just to note, Malkin pretty much wants to play with any and all Russians.

Perfect, Jurco for 2LW!
- DarthKane

I don't think it would happen, but what if it did? The curious case of Thomas Jurco is interesting. His point production has decreased each year in the league.

0.42
0.29
0.14
0.03

Along with it, his shots per game declined year over year, but his deployment ozone vs dzone have dropped as well.

OZ DZ
67.5 32.5
52.2 47.8
46.5 53.5
52.3 47.7 (this increased as the Hawks deployed him more in the ozone, but that wasn't the case with Detroit)

Can the Hawks get him back on track? I'd think he doesn't have much confidence at this point, but I'd think he needs to be one of those guys getting offense first minutes and he needs to shoot the puck. He didn't have a great 13 games since arriving in Chicago, but would be good to see what he does in camp. Maybe slotting him on an offensive line with Kane would maximize what he can bring to the table.

Not saying it will happen, but just wondering if Jurco can reverse his downward spiral and earn a chance to contribute in a more meaningful way. He is still one of the younger forwards on the roster at 24 years old.

That's training camp....... how about the regular season when we play St. Louis in St.Louis in October, then, not again until 2 times at the end of March and once in April ???? That's 3 times in the last 10 games........how ridiculous is that ???
- Hawkytalk

It just seems strange that it's running concurrent with the preseason.

First, Zaripov was banned for a substance that otherwise is allowed in the NHL which is why he is allowed to be play here.

Second, he is not some shlub as Malkin wants to play with him.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/NHL/5866

Third, the Hawks need to take some fliers because they don't have the cap room to sign top quality known product (ala Duchene).
- hankscorpio

Powers:

The Blackhawks have reached out to Zaripov, according to a source.

NHL.COM released their point projects for forwards...They included anyone they felt would hit 40 points or more which ended up being 187 players or almost exactly 6 players per team. They assume everyone playing close to a full season, which we know isn't the case. Lately it is more like 130-140 players that hit 40+ in reality.

Patrick Kane, RW, CHI -- 82
Jonathan Toews, C, CHI -- 60
Brandon Saad, LW, CHI -- 59
Artem Anisimov, C, CHI -- 48
Nick Schmaltz, C/LW, CHI -- 46
Richard Panik, LW/RW, CHI -- 46
Patrick Sharp, LW/RW, CHI (INJ.) -- 45

- breadbag

Those look realistically possible to me, although I would venture to say Keith gets 40+ points (50+ if he completely regains his mojo). Hartman may as well (maybe 40 on the nose). Seabrook is possible as well, but he and Hartman may be in the 35-40 range instead.

Those look realistically possible to me, although I would venture to say Keith gets 40+ points (50+ if he completely regains his mojo). Hartman may as well (maybe 40 on the nose). Seabrook is possible as well, but he and Hartman may be in the 35-40 range instead.
- AEL_Fox

Keith likely does, but the list was forwards only.

Powers:

The Blackhawks have reached out to Zaripov, according to a source.
- walleyeb1

How old is this cat?

How old is this cat?
- wonthecup10

52

How old is this cat?
- wonthecup10

Danis Zaripov is
36 yrs.old.
Still really good in traffic and remarkably strong.

I told you they were looking at him.

The Rangers have made inquiries....
and as much as I want to concur that he may want a 4 mil deal like the other two new Russian NHLs, Dadonov and Shipachyov, he's coming with baggage and playing with the idea he is the new Panarin to Kane might seem like a road to redemption...


It makes his agent Dan Milstein busier than the average NHL agent at the end of August. His phone buzzed in both directions as teams checked in on his client, Zaripov, to perform their due diligence, while Milstein made outgoing calls to find the right fit.

“Teams are inquiring,” Milstein told The Athletic on Tuesday afternoon. “I don’t have anything concrete yet from any of the clubs. Everybody knows him and everybody has seen him at different international tournaments. He’s a playoff player.”

Ideally, Zaripov would like to build that reputation as a playoff player in the NHL. Milstein suggested that playing on a contender, not money, is the focus right now for a player who won three World Championships for Russia.

“He’s the most decorated Russian player outside the NHL,” Milstein said. “It’s about playing on a team that has a chance.”

That’s the initial hope, but the pool of Stanley Cup contenders isn’t usually one that can spend money in free agency at this point in the year. The Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks are capped out(until Hossa's $ becomes available game two). Penguins center Evgeni Malkin would likely love to have him on his wing, but a Pittsburgh source indicated that the Penguins were “probably” not interested in him at this point. The Rangers have backed off after showing early interest.

Most of the heavy lifting on roster construction is done, so spending on a KHL import can be a challenge.

It’s one reason Milstein appears to be casting a wide net in generating interest in the Russian star.

Milstein represented Pavel Datsyuk and has some connections to the Red Wings. That was one of the calls he made when trying to help identify a place for Zaripov.

“I reached out to [GM] Ken [Holland],” he said. “Due to my relationship with the Wings, I reached out to them.”

And while it may be a stretch to put the Red Wings on the list of contenders to sign him, they’re connected to the process.

Zaripov signed a two-year contract with Ak Bars Kazan in the KHL before his suspension. His departure left the team with a need for offense on the wing.

According to an NHL source, that’s the KHL team that has extended a one-year contract to Red Wings restricted free agent Andreas Athanasiou.

If Athanasiou accepts the KHL offer and leaves, suddenly the Red Wings would have a need for offense on the wing, perhaps raising the urgency to look at a player like Zaripov.

The hockey world is indeed a small one.

Zaripov is 36 years old but coming off an impressive performance in the KHL playoffs where he scored 15 goals in 18 playoff games. That followed a regular season in which he had 45 points in 56 games.

He certainly can provide offense but his age has caused trepidation from some around the league.

“He’s highly-regarded,” said one Western Conference executive. “Age would be the big thing for teams looking at him. If we were talking about a North American free agent who was 36, we’d all be saying he’s too old.”

“He’s got decent hands and a decent offensive mind,” said an NHL GM. “But I’m not going to take a flyer on him. I don’t see the upside.”

One talent evaluator said Zaripov is a guy who would definitely help a power play and is strong below the hashmarks.

“It’s going to be based on fit,” he said. “But it’s a free player.”

That’s the upside. Zaripov is a player who can add offense and a club wouldn't have to give anything up to sign him. For contending teams, he’s someone who has proven he can succeed on the biggest stages. For rebuilding teams, he may just become a one-year player who gets flipped at the deadline.

But at the very least, he’s added a little intrigue in late August.

“He’s determined,” Milstein said. “He has a lot to prove.”

What do think Zaripov would even want to sign for? Dadonov and Shipachyov both just got $4m+, and while they're younger, you'd think he'd be looking at them as references. Then again, his agent also apparently said he wanted a one-year 'prove it' contract so that could bring it down. Still, it feels unlikely that the Hawks will be able to entice Zaripov here.

Though just to note, Malkin pretty much wants to play with any and all Russians.
- L_B_R

see above.

52
- DarthKane

Is this another hair brained scheme someone came up with? I thought this guy is already in his late 30's, maybe he can bring Arkhypov and Marha with him on a package deal???? Notttttttt!
Gonna go with kids first , but don't kid yourself and believe Eklunds who's in on what player and who is not. I am sure Uncle John has SB monitoring the Colorado and many other situations,I am one not buying into the " cap crunch" and no room. If the right situation presents itself, Bowman will make it work! Like I stated in an earlier post, he's not about worrying about PR stuff, fanboy jersey wearing crap or for that matter , players personalities, he's in the business of making his team better .


Edit: just read Wiz's post...... Got it!

Keith likely does, but the list was forwards only.
- breadbag

Cool. Sorry, misread that part of your post.

Red Wings offer PTO to David Booth.

Red Wings offer PTO to David Booth.
- AEL_Fox

Stan is clearly asleep at the wheel again

Radke going to play in Finland after Hawks don't offer him a contract.

https://www.secondcityhoc...nland-blackhawks-prospect

Zaripov would be a nice plug and play. Add to that Kane does not need any real verbal communication as evidenced by his time with Panerin. With Anisimov in the middle, it makes a lot of sense.

The thing is there really is no reason to get into a Will Butcher or Jimmy Vesey type auction. The Hawks do not have time for high maintenance players or agents in September

Zaripov would be a nice plug and play. Add to that Kane does not need any real verbal communication as evidenced by his time with Panerin. With Anisimov in the middle, it makes a lot of sense.

The thing is there really is no reason to get into a Will Butcher or Jimmy Vesey type auction. The Hawks do not have time for high maintenance players or agents in September
- Omahawk

Assuming the Hawks are able to sign Zaripov and he puts up 20-25 goals, then it doesn't matter if he's on the other side of 30 years old because he would only be need for 1-2 years and not be a long-term fixture. Three upsides to this scenario:

1) The Hawks have a serviceable if not solid 2LW to play with Kane and Anisimov.
2) Sharp can slot down to 3LW to play with Schmaltz and Hartman to allow the team to roll 3 lines with varying levels of offensive punch.
3) And this would all buy time so as to not rush future potential top-6 LWs like Fortin and DeBrincat and let them develop at a comfortable pace until they are truly ready to graduate to the NHL.

I will say this, in most European players defense, that even though they get up into their middle and late 30s, historically they take their off ice training and stay in way better shape then some of their counterparts on the side of the pond, unlike guys like Brent Seabrook that are sitting on the couch with a bag of five guys cheeseburgers 4 nights a week during the summer probably.