5’11 180, not sure I’d characterize as a smurf. I think it’s more interesting that he played for Colliton in Mora. Dominos......
- walleyeb1

I'm just wondering what type of player he is.

He didn't overwhelm with his offense finishing 111th (tied) in the SHL scoring leaders. Victor Ejdsell by contrast finished 15th. Obviously offensive output doesn't tell the whole story of the player, but I'm wondering if maybe Nilsson has some defensive tenacity to his game that he can bring to the organization. All pure speculation on my part.

Colliton apparently was Nilsson's coach in Sweden so he must have come highly recommended by the Hogs coach.
- AEL_Fox

He was.

Could be a sneaky good signing due to Colliton's experience with him.

Question to the panel would trade smaltz or dcat for hanifin?
- Scott1977

No. Both are top five forwards on our team and still under their ELC control. Hanifin is RFA.

Question to the panel would trade smaltz or dcat for hanifin?
- Scott1977

Tough call, and I would say the vague "it depends" because of the old "nothing happens in a vacuum" saying. The Hawks will have an easier time filling holes on offense than D, so to me, it comes down to resigning a few RFA up front and the coaches opinion on who is ready to make the jump. My gut says no, because they need those two for the impact they can have. Now if you start with Hinostroza+, I'd explore that for sure.

He was.

Could be a sneaky good signing due to Colliton's experience with him.
- Justin Lowe

I'd love it if he ended up a Frolik or Kruger. But struggling to put up points in Sweden makes me think he's another AHL addition.

It'll be nice once Stan starts making some NHL moves, instead of the last 10 names we've heard that will all likely start in Rockford.

He was.

Could be a sneaky good signing due to Colliton's experience with him.
- Justin Lowe

Looks like a scrappy player:

https://www.facebook.com/.../videos/1726267887430499/

https://www.facebook.com/.../videos/1690071627716792/

i could have explained farther. I am not wanting a Reeves on my team. but when you play a team that has knuckleheads like Wilson who tries to hurt unsuspecting opponent, or a smaller player than himself, well then i am not averse to Reeves being in the lineup.

i do not want one of my big ice minute (TOI) guys retaliating or thinking and looking for an opportunity to retaliate at the expense of constantly making good plays. For years in Chicago I was always worried that Seabrook or Toews get suckered into retaliation and maybe they are then rendered useless for ten minutes. Let Reeves go after Wilson or one of their star players. An eye for an eye, respect ,me or know you are getting the same treatment back. That is where Reeves can be of use. He can do some dirty work. Last thing you hate to see is your star or a key player lost for the duration of the game
- jhawk59

But Reaves isn't stopping Wilson from doing Wilson things and Reaves did not fight Wilson after the hit, so if that is part of his function, then Reaves is failing extremely hard. Instead, Vegas played their game and won after the hit, which is the best type of retaliation.

I do not mind having guys who have duel functions and are willing to step up when needed, like Bickell and Shaw did at one time and Hayden did some this past season, but I do not want a Reaves-type of whom no one is scared of and does not provide enough actual hockey play to be worth it.

Question to the panel would trade smaltz or dcat for hanifin?
- Scott1977

No for Schmaltz for sure; it'd depend on Debrincat but I lean toward no.

But Reaves isn't stopping Wilson from doing Wilson things and Reaves did not fight Wilson after the hit, so if that is part of his function, then Reaves is failing extremely hard. Instead, Vegas played their game and won after the hit, which is the best type of retaliation.

I do not mind having guys who have duel functions and are willing to step up when needed, like Bickell and Shaw did at one time and Hayden did some this past season, but I do not want a Reaves-type of whom no one is scared of and does not provide enough actual hockey play to be worth it.
- L_B_R

That last line is key IMO. The Hawks back in prime of cup runs had a deep roster and could better carry a guy like Reaves. Right now, I think it would be another flaw they can't overcome.

Question to the panel would trade smaltz or dcat for hanifin?
- Scott1977

Why is Hanafin being thrown around so much in rumors? I think it'd be a mistake to trade him if i was CAR.

But Reaves isn't stopping Wilson from doing Wilson things and Reaves did not fight Wilson after the hit, so if that is part of his function, then Reaves is failing extremely hard. Instead, Vegas played their game and won after the hit, which is the best type of retaliation.

I do not mind having guys who have duel functions and are willing to step up when needed, like Bickell and Shaw did at one time and Hayden did some this past season, but I do not want a Reaves-type of whom no one is scared of and does not provide enough actual hockey play to be worth it.
- L_B_R

Last time I checked, Reaves scores the series clinching goal vs Winnipeg and his 4th line had 3 goals in the game 1 victory. Tom Wilson also plays top line to create space and time for Ovi and Backstrom/Kuzy/Eller. Both are effective players in their role and if you asked the defenseman getting pounded into the glass every night by those guys, I’d bet they’d be singing a much different tune than you are from the stands.

I'm just wondering what type of player he is.

He didn't overwhelm with his offense finishing 111th (tied) in the SHL scoring leaders. Victor Ejdsell by contrast finished 15th. Obviously offensive output doesn't tell the whole story of the player, but I'm wondering if maybe Nilsson has some defensive tenacity to his game that he can bring to the organization. All pure speculation on my part.
- breadbag

Here’s one more, I definitely say he’s a gritty type player:

https://twitter.com/cmore...s/846046054143295488?s=21

Last time I checked, Reaves scores the series clinching goal vs Winnipeg and his 4th line had 3 goals in the game 1 victory. Tom Wilson also plays top line to create space and time for Ovi and Backstrom/Kuzy/Eller. Both are effective players in their role and if you asked the defenseman getting pounded into the glass every night by those guys, I’d bet they’d be singing a much different tune than you are from the stands.
- EnzoD

Keep it. Not interested in Reaves. For a low cap hit I wouldn't hate to have Wilson on the team, but Reaves sucks. Part of the loser blues core. Even if he wins, good for him, but it wont be because of him.

Why is Hanafin being thrown around so much in rumors? I think it'd be a mistake to trade him if i was CAR.
- BlazinMike

Friedman put out that what he believes is happening is that the Canes are trying to find the market value for all of their players, rather than relying on what they fell the players are worth.

Francis kept things notoriously close to the vest, which is part of why he was fired, so the new front office wants to know what the rest of the league really thinks about their guys.

It's why you see Trade rumours about Skinner, then Faulk, Then Lindholm, and now Hanifin...
Somebody probably gets traded, but I'd be surprised if it was actually any of the above.

Tough call, and I would say the vague "it depends" because of the old "nothing happens in a vacuum" saying. The Hawks will have an easier time filling holes on offense than D, so to me, it comes down to resigning a few RFA up front and the coaches opinion on who is ready to make the jump. My gut says no, because they need those two for the impact they can have. Now if you start with Hinostroza+, I'd explore that for sure.
- breadbag

Thinking the same thing: no to trading DeBrincat or Schmaltz (or even Sikura) for Hanifin but would be all ears if it started with Hinostroza or Forsling + other assets.

Here’s one more, I definitely say he’s a gritty type player:

https://twitter.com/cmore...s/846046054143295488?s=21
- walleyeb1

If he has an M.O. like Soderlund, then I agree with Justin that Nilsson could be a sneaky acquisition. Gritty middle-6 forward who isn't shy of the tough areas, has snarl, etc. But I agree with breadbag, not sure what his offensive upside is.

I'd be happy with a Kruger or Frolik type of checking forward. Then again, our pipeline is chock full of grinders and role players as far as forwards so is he going to be top of the class of bottom sixers?

If he has an M.O. like Soderlund, then I agree with Justin that Nilsson could be a sneaky acquisition. Gritty middle-6 forward who isn't shy of the tough areas, has snarl, etc. But I agree with breadbag, not sure what his offensive upside is.

I'd be happy with a Kruger or Frolik type of checking forward. Then again, our pipeline is chock full of grinders and role players as far as forwards so is he going to be top of the class of bottom sixers?
- AEL_Fox

I’m thinking more Shaw like, looks like he has nice hands too:

https://twitter.com/roadl...s/930550360476962816?s=21

I’m thinking more Shaw like, looks like he has nice hands too:

https://twitter.com/roadl...s/930550360476962816?s=21
- walleyeb1

I'm down with Shaw 2.0.

Last time I checked, Reaves scores the series clinching goal vs Winnipeg and his 4th line had 3 goals in the game 1 victory. Tom Wilson also plays top line to create space and time for Ovi and Backstrom/Kuzy/Eller. Both are effective players in their role and if you asked the defenseman getting pounded into the glass every night by those guys, I’d bet they’d be singing a much different tune than you are from the stands.
- EnzoD

I was replying to a comment suggesting that Reaves was there (at least partially) as a deterrent to guys like Wilson and other dirty play, which he has not been because Wilson is still going Wilson things and the two games have been files with questionable play. And that was my point - Wilson is not scared of Reaves so if that is part of his job - to make guys like Wilson not prey on smaller star players - then he has failed at that. Wilson does not gaf about Reaves. I also wasn't taking away from Wilson's role in the playoffs - Wilson is much more effective than Reaves and it's not even close.

And Reaves has all of 3 points total for these playoffs so he's not very effective at the hockey portion of his job either imo. Btw he wasn't on the ice for for either of Nosek's goals in game 1 because he typically only plays something between 6-8 minutes a night (against the lowest quality of competition) and Gallant shifts a top 6 guy in his place. The same way Q did for lower line guys and Kane.

Question to the panel would trade smaltz or dcat for hanifin?
- Scott1977

Totally....Schmaltz, Debrincat, #8 overall for Hanifin.

Euro smurf
- BlazinMike

I bet Stan gave him a NMC clause too. But the real question is why did Stan need to sign this guy now? He could have waited to sign him for less. Another Bowman fail.

Why is everyone debating Reaves and Wilson like either of them are going to join the Hawks or like either of them would play more than 10 minutes a night?

Reaves has probably 2-3 years left in the league. Wilson has made such a bad name for himself that he'll be involved in some garbage controversy every week next season, no thanks. Q doesn't like guys who take penalties, Wilson would look great in the skybox.

Enough with this exhausting topic.

Interesting tidbit from TSN's article about the Blue Jackets off-season plan (concerning Hawks rumored interest in Jack Johnson):

"Last season was not the best of David Savard’s career, to be sure, but tended to fare better when he wasn’t partnered with Jack Johnson. That should be standard procedure next season and Savard had been steady enough in the previous three years to warrant another chance with a new partner next year."

5'10" 168 forward. Sounds about right. Bowman upset at himself that Kahun was too big.

Kidding aside, go mining long enough and sooner or later you unearth a diamond in the rough.

Given that Rockford is stocked with bottom 6 forwards, it would be ideal if any free agent signings of Euros, college kids, etc. have top 6 potential. Tough to go from potential to realistic performance.
- AEL_Fox

And the ultimate once in a lifetime diamond was signing Panarin who was tragically dumped for no reason and brought back next to nothing. Second worst trade in Blackhawk history closing in on being the worst trade.

Interesting tidbit from TSN's article about the Blue Jackets off-season plan (concerning Hawks rumored interest in Jack Johnson):

"Last season was not the best of David Savard’s career, to be sure, but tended to fare better when he wasn’t partnered with Jack Johnson. That should be standard procedure next season and Savard had been steady enough in the previous three years to warrant another chance with a new partner next year."
- AEL_Fox

The Hawks should not go for Jack Johnson imo - he's been declining and dragging other players down for a little while now. There are better LD options in UFA than him, if that is the route they want to go, but they also just have so many LD in the system to try out.