Feels like a deal is coming via CAR or MTL...

Nordstrom still playing? I remember Nordstrom being basically a replica of kruger in playing style but not a center.
- BlazinMike

He is for now, but shouldn't be.

He'll be the first guy forced out of the lineup in the event of a trade or call-up.

Had a real good stretch playing with J.Staal a couple years ago, but what little offense he had seems to have dried up.

Still plays a real hard game, at least.

He is for now, but shouldn't be.

He'll be the first guy forced out of the lineup in the event of a trade or call-up.

Had a real good stretch playing with J.Staal a couple years ago, but what little offense he had seems to have dried up.

Still plays a real hard game, at least.
- PepinoPamplemousse

Is he still rocking the Fifth Element style hair cut?

Is he still rocking the Fifth Element style hair cut?
- Hank3Henshaw

Nah. He looks like Tilda Swinton with a goatee.

Feels like a deal is coming via CAR or MTL...
- Hank3Henshaw

Put your proposal together Hank, curious to hear what you’re thinking, I know that Bowman is not stupid enough to give up Saad For someone that’s 30+ years old, so I got a believe Max patch is off the table on that one

This is the first time I saw the replay of the bull crap that Alex Burrows pulled on Taylor Hall, problem with that is the game has become to sissified, and these guys know they can get away with it, if there would’ve been a guy like Troy Crowder on the ice or still playing and would kick this guy‘s ass a lot of that would stop, but since these agitators know they can basically get a free pass other than money coming out of there Pocket if they get caught nothing will change. Some of the old tradition needs to be put back into hockey.

Feels like a deal is coming via CAR or MTL...
- Hank3Henshaw

CAR has to do something. Opening up two spots... probably calling up Valentin Zykov and trading pick/prospects for a roster player somewhere.

Nah. He looks like Tilda Swinton with a goatee.
- PepinoPamplemousse

Hahaha. He does!

Tweaked Blackhawks lines:
DeBrincat-Toews-Duclair
Hartman-Anisimov-Kane
Saad-Schmaltz-Hinostroza
Sharp-Kampf-Wingels

New Blackhawks pairings:
Keith-Murphy
Kempny-Oesterle
Gustafsson-Seabrook

So, you ignite Kane's offense by giving him a couple of players who are hit-or-miss in that regard?

Again, no longer really matters, so maybe just trying to see who can do what.
- pdx2ord

The Kempny - Oesterle pairing should be...exciting?

This is the first time I saw the replay of the bull crap that Alex Burrows pulled on Taylor Hall, problem with that is the game has become to sissified, and these guys know they can get away with it, if there would’ve been a guy like Troy Crowder on the ice or still playing and would kick this guy‘s ass a lot of that would stop, but since these agitators know they can basically get a free pass other than money coming out of there Pocket if they get caught nothing will change. Some of the old tradition needs to be put back into hockey.
- wonthecup10

Need to get rid of the instigator penalty.

This is blatant speculation with nothing to back it up. Players don't look disinterested, especially young guys. The core looks tired. The cap has caught them and they aren't as deep. If Q had lost the room, it would be much more evident and the kids wouldn't be playing their asses off.
- JRoenick97

II don't think storming out of the Draft in your own city shows a very good image .And that is not speculation it is fact . And know the core looks disinterested not tired . The Kids are playing for contracts and spots. , A team that plays one great games , then looks disinterested the next is textbook for a team that has quit on a coach . I think Q is more interested in horses then hockey at this point, and if he leaves I don't believe he looks for another job in hockey . His decisions on personnel and line combinations have been suspect to say the least since he received his Big contract .

This is the first time I saw the replay of the bull crap that Alex Burrows pulled on Taylor Hall, problem with that is the game has become to sissified, and these guys know they can get away with it, if there would’ve been a guy like Troy Crowder on the ice or still playing and would kick this guy‘s ass a lot of that would stop, but since these agitators know they can basically get a free pass other than money coming out of there Pocket if they get caught nothing will change. Some of the old tradition needs to be put back into hockey.
- wonthecup10

Ryan Reaves was literally standing a foot away from Crosby getting cheap shotted and he did nothing about it at all.

Enforcers do not stop rats.

II don't think storming out of the Draft in your own city shows a very good image .And that is not speculation it is fact . And know the core looks disinterested not tired . The Kids are playing for contracts and spots. , A team that plays one great games , then looks disinterested the next is textbook for a team that has quit on a coach . I think Q is more interested in horses then hockey at this point, and if he leaves I don't believe he looks for another job in hockey . His decisions on personnel and line combinations have been suspect to say the least since he received his Big contract .
- oldduffman

He's doing the same thing he's always done, he just doesn't have the talent to do it anymore. I'm not saying he should be here forever, but it's not all on Q.

Ryan Reaves was literally standing a foot away from Crosby getting cheap shotted and he did nothing about it at all.

Enforcers do not stop rats.
- PepinoPamplemousse

Exactly. Who was on the ice when Marc Savards career was ended? Lucic.

Who was on the ice when Nathan Horton was blown the (frank) up in the 2011 finals? Lucic AND Chara, who both at the time were considered to be damn near feared by opponents.

Raffi Torres had no problem trying to kill Hossa even though Brandon Bollig was present.

The list goes on. i love tough teams and sticking up for teammates, but just because you have guys like that, doesn't mean the BS stops.

The great Marcus Kruger cut. Somewhere JJ is beside himself. I don't see the Hawks claiming him. And I certainly don't see the Hawks trading Saad. No way.

Exactly. Who was on the ice when Marc Savards career was ended? Lucic.

Who was on the ice when Nathan Horton was blown the (frank) up in the 2011 finals? Lucic AND Chara, who both at the time were considered to be damn near feared by opponents.

Raffi Torres had no problem trying to kill Hossa even though Brandon Bollig was present.

The list goes on. i love tough teams and sticking up for teammates, but just because you have guys like that, doesn't mean the BS stops.
- BlazinMike

And who the hell actually believes that the instigator penalty is going to stop a guy from destroying someone over a cheap shot? It's not as if the coach is going to stop putting you out there for your 4 minutes per night if you do the one thing you're there to do in the first place.

The great Marcus Kruger cut. Somewhere JJ is beside himself. I don't see the Hawks claiming him. And I certainly don't see the Hawks trading Saad. No way.
- onehundredlevel

good thing StanBo gave him $3.1mil

good thing StanBo gave him $3.1mil
- EnzoD

He started out well, but he's been so bad since 2018 started... so, so bad.

The great Marcus Kruger cut. Somewhere JJ is beside himself. I don't see the Hawks claiming him. And I certainly don't see the Hawks trading Saad. No way.
- onehundredlevel

Just wait, once he puts on that 25lbs of extra muscle the offense will start pouring for him.

He started out well, but he's been so bad since 2018 started... so, so bad.
- PepinoPamplemousse

He's played a lot of hard games with some legit injuries. Not a big guy to begin with.

He started out well, but he's been so bad since 2018 started... so, so bad.
- PepinoPamplemousse

4th line centers should never make $3.1 mil, especially with the Hawks' salary cap commitments.

4th line centers should never make $3.1 mil, especially with the Hawks' salary cap commitments.
- EnzoD

I know it was a nice handshake deal for taking a cut the year before, but it was still too much.

RE: Ek's post on Saad:

I would be surprised to see Saad shipped out of Chicago.

The majority of the team has had a rough year, and in Saad's case, it's been a combination of bad puck luck and lack of ability to finish at times.

He's advanced stats have been great, however, the results have not.

The only way I see the Hawks moving on from him would be for a young(er), mobile top 4 defenceman (or a defender with top 4 potential) in return.
- Justin Lowe

If Montreal is willing to overpay for Saad then sure, otherwise I don't think Stan deals him. Not doubt Saad is having an off season, but I believe he will bounce back and be a long-term successful Blackhawk.

I know it was a nice handshake deal for taking a cut the year before, but it was still too much.
- JRoenick97

I think it was Sharp who said Kampf reminds him of a bigger Kruger in his prime. I think that's a bit unfair to Kampf who is a much better skater than Kruger, but a compliment in terms of tenacity, faceoffs, and defensive ability. It's been said a lot lately, but Kampf certainly has the ability to be an effective bottom 6 center and his speed should allow him to even play 3C if necessary.

4th line centers should never make $3.1 mil, especially with the Hawks' salary cap commitments.
- EnzoD

After this season Kruger has one more year left on that contract. After that, I would love to have Kruger back at $1 million or less.