Adding to this, the "Kruger is overpaid" narrative is a mainstay on the HB Bingo Card. He did the team a huge favor when he took that 1 year deal for $1.5 million. The three years at his current salary was an IOU for that one year at the reduced salary. Average the four years out and the money works out to a reasonable annual average. We've gone over this on this board numerous times.

The problem was that he had the wrist injury, and that only amplified the prevailing narrative on here. Just remember, if they screwed him on his subsequent deal just to placate everyone who thought he didn't deserve that money, it sends a message that their word is no good. It means not having dibs in the undrafted free agent market, and gives the front office a reputation that would turn off NHL free agents as well. That contract was a small price to pay in the overall scheme of things. The front office took care of Kruger as they were supposed to do.
- 333inthe3rd

i agree...i wish he was still here..yeah the wrist injury really negated his play the last 2 years he was here...

Hope everyone is well..........

1. Very happy to see Seabrook get scratched. Bold move by Q but something that needed to be done. He needed to send a message to the veterans and benching an older Sharp, or an inconsistent Panik isn't going to cut it. Hopefully this lights a fire under 7s arse and also serves purpose to guys like 2 and 19 who also have been inconsistent at times this year.

2. I have no clue if they will make the playoffs. On paper they should but if 50 is out for an extended period I have grave concerns that 30/31 will be exposed badly by the league. Both are fringe NHL goalies at best. A veteran back up may be on Bowman's shopping list pretty quickly if 50 is out longer then what is led to believe.

Outside of that, I have been pleasantly surprised by 82, 12, 8, 48 taking opportunities and running with them. Hartman I could take or leave as his stiche of trying to be the next Shaw really doesn't work as he has 1/100th the skill or desire, and on most nights I hardly recognize him.

Transition year IMO with a lot of bad cap space and not a lot of picks to work with......if they fall out of playoff contention wouldn't mind them dangling a 15 for picks

I loved the guy too and would defend him and his contributions to the team, but the cap hit was too much for him. He's not worth that much. You gotta have SOME kind of offense for that cap hit.
- BlazinMike

I feel the same way about Toews ... Krugs was a keeper , wish he was still here , yeh the money was wrong , but in hindsight , Toews and seabrooks contracts strap the team for the output given . I feel like krugs gave it his all every game in my opinion ...

in 13-14 and 14-15 Kruger scores a few goals 15 total and avg 55% on FO and played 81 games. That is the Kruger you are talking about. in 15-16 and 16-17 when he as making 1.5 and 3.1 he was more AVG then good IMO. The problem is as his salary went up his domination went down. If he played like the 13-15 in 15-17 then nobody would say anything about it.
- kmw4631

i think alot of that was do to playing through wrist and hand injurys...

wrist sprains and fractures are terribly difficult to heal and play through...alot of torque and pressure on those wrists to play the nhl game...

still take him back...he got rewarded for his great contribute to the cups and a defensive specialist...

unfortunately no metric for goals and scoring chances not allowed...he would be at the top of the league...

there is no body on this team that did what he did...sorry a 5 game nhl guy named kampf at 22...cmon...he could disappear in the next 2 weeks

krugs is not here for only 1 reason...the damn cap...

1. who was on the ice in close games to finish them: krugs
2. who took the top guys from the other team: krugs
3. who played big time tough pk minute: krugs
4. who took the majority of def zone faceoffs: krugs

and by doing all this took alot of tough minutes from toews...

worth every $$ for contributions...he keeps the puck out of the net...could care less about his offensive challenges...
- bogiedoc

I liked Kruger a lot. But the game is a 200' two way game. A shut down center getting paid $3.08 mil (this year and next) is expected to also contribute something on the offensive end. In 37 games he has 1 goal, 4 assists, 53% at the dot and (although this is a worthless number) is a minus 4 playing 11 minutes per night this season. Kampf has played 7 games, has 3 assists, 52% at the dot, has a plus/minus of 0 playing 13 minutes per night and brings some physicality making $925,000 for this year and next.

I like Kruger, but I have to give a stick tap to Bowman and the scouts on signing Kampf.

Although I am still curious if there will be any significant future considerations from Vegas on the Kruger deal. I wonder if they end up getting Carolina's 5th round pick from Vegas (or Vegas's 5th round pick since it will be worse than Carolina's).

I don't feel bad for season ticket holders. If they have the expendable income to purchase season tickets every year then they're probly doing alright for themselves.
- BlazinMike

I agree with you the majority of the season tkt holders have the expendable income. However, most people sitting in the 300 level seats do not and therefore have to sell most of their tkt's because the price of a a tkt has gone up almost 300% in 10 years. I still think the Hawks organization will loose a corporate seats next year because of no tax write offs.

I agree with you the majority of the season tkt holders have the expendable income. However, most people sitting in the 300 level seats do not and therefore have to sell most of their tkt's because the price of a a tkt has gone up almost 300% in 10 years. I still think the Hawks organization will loose a corporate seats next year because of no tax write offs.
- spanky

It’s expendable income and you decide it’s either something you want to spend money on...or not, no matter where you’re sitting.

I do have an issue with the ticket agencies / brokers whatever you want to call them snatching up all the single game tix at the beginning of the season and then selling them all for 3-4 times face value.

krugs is not here for only 1 reason...the damn cap...

1. who was on the ice in close games to finish them: krugs
2. who took the top guys from the other team: krugs
3. who played big time tough pk minute: krugs
4. who took the majority of def zone faceoffs: krugs

and by doing all this took alot of tough minutes from toews...

worth every $$ for contributions...he keeps the puck out of the net...could care less about his offensive challenges...
- bogiedoc

Toews actually ate a big majority of the top line guys in terms of QoC. Kane and Panarin were a close second.

Kooga won draw, flipped ice, got change and that was literally all he did at evens. Except for the Ducks series - he didn't chase the other teams best players like Bolland did in his prime.

This is a little off the beat but if I read the new U.S. tax laws correctly... Entertainment Venues cannot be written of by by corperations in 2018. If so, there will be a lot of marginal skyboxes, 100 and 200 level seats that will noyfill up like in the past. Maybe, McD will finally be forced to stop increases the tkt prices on season tkt holders. If the Hawks are out in the first round or do not make the playoffs..the new and the new tax law will certainly put a big dent in the number of season tkt holders...The Hawks organization deserve a kick in the but with their gouging of tkt prices.
- spanky

Correct. I've talked to some people who will def not renew.

Justin, nice blog today.

I'll add #6 though - Playing a string of struggling teams has helped a lot.

Winning against division teams is going to be what is required to get the entire train moving in the right direction. Tonight is a good test. No excuses. Bring the same game.

Benching 7 was a bold move. Q and bold move don't always appear in the same sentence. But 7's issues aside, the competition for playing spots has risen all of the boats on the D side of the puck. To me Oesterle and Rutta are the cream rising to the top from the crop of new D players.

David Kampf - I said a month ago he would be better than Kero or Hino at center and has the size and hockey sense to pay big dividends.

But the rest of the season and its outcome are still most dependent upon 19,20, 2, 7 to elevate their games past the country club level of effort EVERY NIGHT. Especially against division rivals.

Time will tell.

I liked Kruger a lot. But the game is a 200' two way game. A shut down center getting paid $3.08 mil (this year and next) is expected to also contribute something on the offensive end. In 37 games he has 1 goal, 4 assists, 53% at the dot and (although this is a worthless number) is a minus 4 playing 11 minutes per night this season. Kampf has played 7 games, has 3 assists, 52% at the dot, has a plus/minus of 0 playing 13 minutes per night and brings some physicality making $925,000 for this year and next.

I like Kruger, but I have to give a stick tap to Bowman and the scouts on signing Kampf.

Although I am still curious if there will be any significant future considerations from Vegas on the Kruger deal. I wonder if they end up getting Carolina's 5th round pick from Vegas (or Vegas's 5th round pick since it will be worse than Carolina's).
- -Doh-

comparing what kruger did his first 6 years in the league to the new guy kampf is based on $$ and offense is apples to broccoli not even in the same category...

i wish kampf well..and hope he continues to develop in key bottom 6 guy...but as I said he could just easily be gone in 2-3 weeks...

Toews actually ate a big majority of the top line guys in terms of QoC. Kane and Panarin were a close second.

Kooga won draw, flipped ice, got change and that was literally all he did at evens. Except for the Ducks series - he didn't chase the other teams best players like Bolland did in his prime.
- fattybeef

...

thats not how i remember it but agree kruger was no dave bolland...

...

thats not how i remember it but agree kruger was no dave bolland...
- bogiedoc

Definitely better at the dot than Bolland, though.

I liked Kruger a lot. But the game is a 200' two way game. A shut down center getting paid $3.08 mil (this year and next) is expected to also contribute something on the offensive end. In 37 games he has 1 goal, 4 assists, 53% at the dot and (although this is a worthless number) is a minus 4 playing 11 minutes per night this season. Kampf has played 7 games, has 3 assists, 52% at the dot, has a plus/minus of 0 playing 13 minutes per night and brings some physicality making $925,000 for this year and next.

I like Kruger, but I have to give a stick tap to Bowman and the scouts on signing Kampf.

Although I am still curious if there will be any significant future considerations from Vegas on the Kruger deal. I wonder if they end up getting Carolina's 5th round pick from Vegas (or Vegas's 5th round pick since it will be worse than Carolina's).
- -Doh-

Same here. That kid looks like he's going to be something and has a higher upside than Kruger.

comparing what kruger did his first 6 years in the league to the new guy kampf is based on $$ and offense is apples to broccoli not even in the same category...

i wish kampf well..and hope he continues to develop in key bottom 6 guy...but as I said he could just easily be gone in 2-3 weeks...
- bogiedoc

I doubt it if he keeps putting up 60% at the dot.

comparing what kruger did his first 6 years in the league to the new guy kampf is based on $$ and offense is apples to broccoli not even in the same category...

i wish kampf well..and hope he continues to develop in key bottom 6 guy...but as I said he could just easily be gone in 2-3 weeks...
- bogiedoc

Kampf looks like he is VERY GOOD defensively. Yes, early sample size, but real reasons to be optimistic.

Kruger, like Hammer, was a warrior and contributed to the team in helping win Stanley Cups, but also is not irreplaceable either. Again, great guy, consummate player and teammate, but the manlove for that guy in here is funny sometimes. Also, if you look at his numbers the trajectory is pretty bad. Maybe the hard miles on his not so big body have taken their toll.

I'm honestly not sure how they just beat TB, SJ, and CBJ.
- JRoenick97

Not sure about that either but this partially explains why they were pushovers last night.

Kampf looks like he is VERY GOOD defensively. Yes, early sample size, but real reasons to be optimistic.

Kruger, like Hammer, was a warrior and contributed to the team in helping win Stanley Cups, but also is not irreplaceable either. Again, great guy, consummate player and teammate, but the manlove for that guy in here is funny sometimes. Also, if you look at his numbers the trajectory is pretty bad. Maybe the hard miles on his not so big body have taken their toll.
- kwolf68

Speaking of hard miles, Seabrook has played 1,128 career NHL games.

Kruger- Don’t miss him at all.

Is Seabs the new Rosie for more money?

https://theathletic.com/208064/2018/01/10/20-thoughts-joel-quenneville-can-help-set-up-brent-seabrook-for-success/

Fantastic look at Seabrook and at our D in general. Forsling is not plying as well as he has been pumped up to be. In fact, he's terrible at both zone entry break ups and zone exits. Oesterle is the best on the team at both of those.
- JRoenick97

Great Scott, what an answer for success with Seabrook:

“Quenneville’s responsibility with Seabrook now is to set him up for success. If Quenneville utilizes Seabrook as a top-4 defenseman, plays him a lot in 5-on-5 situations and matches him against the competition’s top lines, Seabrook will fail. If Quenneville places Seabrook in more of a third pairing role, limits his ice time and has him face more of the opponent's bottom-6, he has a better chance to succeed.“

and we’re paying him how much for how long?

Great Scott, what an answer for success with Seabrook:

“Quenneville’s responsibility with Seabrook now is to set him up for success. If Quenneville utilizes Seabrook as a top-4 defenseman, plays him a lot in 5-on-5 situations and matches him against the competition’s top lines, Seabrook will fail. If Quenneville places Seabrook in more of a third pairing role, limits his ice time and has him face more of the opponent's bottom-6, he has a better chance to succeed.“

and we’re paying him how much for how long?
- walleyeb1

The Phaneuf special.

Great Scott, what an answer for success with Seabrook:

“Quenneville’s responsibility with Seabrook now is to set him up for success. If Quenneville utilizes Seabrook as a top-4 defenseman, plays him a lot in 5-on-5 situations and matches him against the competition’s top lines, Seabrook will fail. If Quenneville places Seabrook in more of a third pairing role, limits his ice time and has him face more of the opponent's bottom-6, he has a better chance to succeed.“

and we’re paying him how much for how long?
- walleyeb1

Apparently not enough for such a glorious role...

"The 10% rule"

I have never spoken to an NHL GM. I've never spoken with anyone even close.
BUT: I theorize that any NHL GM/Owner would happily give their entire team AT LEAST a 10% raise after winning a cup.

Here's where Seabrook and Toews fit in...
They've won 3 cups. And yeah, their contracts are bloated...

factoring in 30% raises for each due to the cups, and suddenly their adjusted cap hit isn't *as* bad when compared to over inflated contracts like Parise/Suter/Phaneuf/others, who haven't won anything...

Just food for thought.

No, AA is not expendable. He was playing at a very high level before his injury. Center depth is a great problem to have. I love Kampf at 3C, but I would also love him at 4C.
- JRoenick97

Teams need a big size center in the playoffs. The more that center can do, the more valuable he becomes. Anisimov has experience, too, which is a plus even though as an alternative at 3 center Kampf is going to be a good keeper.

Speaking of hard miles, Seabrook has played 1,128 career NHL games.
- JRoenick97

the guys on NHL Network said Seabs was I believe 36 games short of 1,000.