Here's something I've been wondering. If SB is let go, would anyone pick him up? And if someone does, is it to pick HIM or to get Scotty? What's Stan's credit level in the league?

Peter Chiarelli traded away Kessel and Seguin as young players and put Boston in cap hell before he was whacked, and now he's driving Edmonton off the cliff with his second chance. He got the chance because he won a Cup. Shero got a mulligan in NJ for the same reason. Stan will get another chance somewhere...

Have no idea if Gallant has a similar style, but I do know no one was picking them to be on top of the Western Conference for most of the year. The talent's not bad but I think coaching likely has something to do with where they're sitting.
- HawkintheD

Gallant has always been respected. He did an amazing job with the Panthers before being ousted by a moronic new GM during a very dysfunctional period. No doubt he has had a huge impact on Vegas. Many see him as a shoo-in for Coach if the Year

Extended and signed!

Defenseman Erik Gustafsson has signed a 2-year contract extension and forward Tyler Sikura has inked a 1-year deal. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/zG7eJsiEPV

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 6, 2018

Extended and signed!

Defenseman Erik Gustafsson has signed a 2-year contract extension and forward Tyler Sikura has inked a 1-year deal. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/zG7eJsiEPV

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 6, 2018

- DarthKane

I was just about to share this lol let the Dylan a$$ kissing to sign begin

Peter Chiarelli traded away Kessel and Seguin as young players and put Boston in cap hell before he was whacked, and now he's driving Edmonton off the cliff with his second chance. He got the chance because he won a Cup. Shero got a mulligan in NJ for the same reason. Stan will get another chance somewhere...
- Davewn

Chiarelli is simply Awful. I was absolutely stunned when he was hired in Edmonton. What was the fact that got him hired? That he gave away Seguin? However, worse trade in decades? Potential MVP Hall for a D-Man you don’t even notice. Absolutely Awful.

Sikura signed a one year deal...

(Make that Tyler Sikura)

Extended and signed!

Defenseman Erik Gustafsson has signed a 2-year contract extension and forward Tyler Sikura has inked a 1-year deal. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/zG7eJsiEPV

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 6, 2018

- DarthKane

I still ask what has Gus done that warrants a contract above the League minimum? Every single dollar impacts the Cap. Gus hasn’t even established himself as an NHL player yet. I also ask again who is StanBo competing against in over-paying?

I still ask what has Gus done that warrants a contract above the League minimum? Every single dollar impacts the Cap. Gus hasn’t even established himself as an NHL player yet. I also ask again who is StanBo competing against in over-paying?
- Z3Hawk

...And he's already 26 years old (or will be next week)

...And he's already 26 years old (or will be next week)
- BINGO!

This team needs to get younger...Gus is on the wrong side of 25, he needs to go.

I still ask what has Gus done that warrants a contract above the League minimum? Every single dollar impacts the Cap. Gus hasn’t even established himself as an NHL player yet. I also ask again who is StanBo competing against in over-paying?
- Z3Hawk

I think any contract that can be fully buried in the AHL is "acceptable"

I think any contract that can be fully buried in the AHL is "acceptable"
- Slofire94

If Gus isn't cutting it he can be buried in Rockford, like you said. If he's sticking in the NHL the assumption (right or wrong) could be that he's worth the contract.

Overall I wanted to see Oesterle, Rutta, Gustafsson and Dahlstrom all replaced. I can live with one of them on the roster as the 7D or even 6D at the most. If Gus is here for the next 2 years I hope that means the others won't be.

I think any contract that can be fully buried in the AHL is "acceptable"
- Slofire94

I don't know what the big deal is all about concerning the $ value of this contract. I would be more concerned about the number of team contracts (&room under 50) than the amount of this buryable contract.
Also, have we suddenly forgotten about the Cap? It would be nice to have all the things we cannot afford.

If Gus isn't cutting it he can be buried in Rockford, like you said. If he's sticking in the NHL the assumption (right or wrong) could be that he's worth the contract.

Overall I wanted to see Oesterle, Rutta, Gustafsson and Dahlstrom all replaced. I can live with one of them on the roster as the 7D or even 6D at the most. If Gus is here for the next 2 years I hope that means the others won't be.
- DarthKane

I agree. Signing these guys is fine. If they improve they make the NHL roster and get playing time. If not they can be buried in Rockford. I look at Gus, Dahlstrom, Oesterle as depth signings. Depth that can play at the Rock.

Rutta I think is a step above. I would like to see him more. I hope they can sign him.

If you can trade, sign, or draft (if we tank far enough and get lucky in the lottery) a first pairing right side D, then you have the new guy, Keith, Seabs, Murphy, Rutta, Forsling, and..... fill in the blank for the 7th and 8th.

I agree. Signing these guys is fine. If they improve they make the NHL roster and get playing time. If not they can be buried in Rockford. I look at Gus, Dahlstrom, Oesterle as depth signings. Depth that can play at the Rock.

Rutta I think is a step above. I would like to see him more. I hope they can sign him.

If you can trade, sign, or draft (if we tank far enough and get lucky in the lottery) a first pairing right side D, then you have the new guy, Keith, Seabs, Murphy, Rutta, Forsling, and..... fill in the blank for the 7th and 8th.
- -Doh-

If the Hawks have 8 D up again next year, I quit. This whole situation was laughable. The best part was that we carried 8D for half the year and didn't really have a solid top 4.

The thing with Kempny is he is UFA after this season. No way he would re-sign here due to all the benchings. Problem with the benchings here, he never showed on ice here he was less than 6D in quality here, comparable to the rest of the d-men while he was here. That leaves only the possibility he was less than a good fit in the locker room.
Whatever they got for him in trade, they were NOT going to get after the season.

If the Hawks have 8 D up again next year, I quit. This whole situation was laughable. The best part was that we carried 8D for half the year and didn't really have a solid top 4.
- Chunk

This did not go over well with the players as well.

Cody Franson is a 10+ year veteran in this league and said that it was like something he's never experienced before.

Expect to see 7D next year.

This team needs to get younger...Gus is on the wrong side of 25, he needs to go.
- DarthKane

Can Gus ever become a solid #4? If not, that's an expensive 5-7.

This did not go over well with the players as well.

Cody Franson is a 10+ year veteran in this league and said that it was like something he's never experienced before.

Expect to see 7D next year.
- Justin Lowe

probably for cap and waiver reasons..just a guess...also they were doing on the job tryouts all year...

StanBo had Gustafson's agent on the phone immediately after he was on the ice for 4 even strength goals against in San Jose.

"Eric, I know that you're terrible at playing defense in the NHL, but I like how you skate and pass the puck. How would you like to be a key piece on a last place team for two more seasons?? Oh and I know you only made $625K this year, and nobody else wants you on their NHL
roster, so how does doubling your salary to $1.2mil sound?? " -Stanley Bowman

StanBo had Gustafson's agent on the phone immediately after he was in the ice for 4 even strength goals against in San Jose.

"Eric, I know that you're terrible at playing defense in the NHL, but I like how you skate and pass the puck. How would you like to be a key piece on a last place team for two more seasons?? Oh and I know you only made $625K this year, and nobody else wants you on their NHK
roster, so how does doubling your salary to $1.2mil sound?? " -Stanley Bowman
- EnzoD

At a time when we all can see the D is horrible that happens. Maybe Stan knows a new HC is coming and maybe Gus can be rehab'd??

StanBo had Gustafson's agent on the phone immediately after he was in the ice for 4 even strength goals against in San Jose.

"Eric, I know that you're terrible at playing defense in the NHL, but I like how you skate and pass the puck. How would you like to be a key piece on a last place team for two more seasons?? Oh and I know you only made $625K this year, and nobody else wants you on their NHL
roster, so how does doubling your salary to $1.2mil sound?? " -Stanley Bowman
- EnzoD

I get it...with entry contract expiration most players will get a 50% bump or more...but this contract should not have been over 900K plus incentives...but really it makes little difference cap wise...

cap goes up and they can move hossa's contract...that will help them upgrade a position or 2...

This did not go over well with the players as well.

Cody Franson is a 10+ year veteran in this league and said that it was like something he's never experienced before.

Expect to see 7D next year.
- Justin Lowe

I can't imagine it would. Any additional rumblings on management/coaching changes expected at the end of the year. We can't continue to trot out the same garbage (whether it is players, coaches, and/or management) and expect any great differences. Not that my stance matters, but I'm not willing to hope for "bounce back" years from multiple players and "continued growth" from ALL of our young guys.

At a time when we all can see the D is horrible that happens. Maybe Stan knows a new HC is coming and maybe Gus can be rehab'd??
- z1990z

Gus has been no stranger to the weight room since his original stint at the NHL level. When he was first up, he more physically resembled Forsling. He looks much bigger/stronger now.

I get it...with entry contract expiration most players will get a 50% bump or more...but this contract should not have been over 900K plus incentives...but really it makes little difference cap wise...

cap goes up and they can move hossa's contract...that will help them upgrade a position or 2...
- bogiedoc

He's not good at playing defense in the NHL is the bottom line. Bowman needs to be replaced as his ability to assess defense talent is clearly terrible. I see no reason why this had to be done...and for two years??