I'm not as high on Ryczek. From what I've seen he's got a low probability to making it as a pro.

Gravel is still so young but os playing well in the Q. It will be interesting to see how he progresses.
- Justin Lowe

I'm not high on Ryczek either. Think he tops out at the AHL but more realistically the ECHL or Europe. Not sure why the Rink is pumping his tires this season. I was never high on him before and the Rink's recent features on him doesn't really change that. Just wondered what his story is if there is more to him and he is a diamond in the rough.

Gravel does have better stats this season than his previous two years so he is at least trending upward. He did fall considerably in the draft like Wise. Some had him pegged in the 2nd round and even ranked as one of the top goalies in the last draft but he fell to the 6th round. He's bouncing back but, yes, it does remain to be seen how well he will do playing pro.

I'm not high on Ryczek either. Think he tops out at the AHL but more realistically the ECHL or Europe. Not sure why the Rink is pumping his tires this season. I was never high on him before and the Rink's recent features on him doesn't really change that. Just wondered what his story is if there is more to him and he is a diamond in the rough.

Gravel does have better stats this season than his previous two years so he is at least trending upward. He did fall considerably in the draft like Wise. Some had him pegged in the 2nd round and even ranked as one of the top goalies in the last draft but he fell to the 6th round. He's bouncing back but, yes, it does remain to be seen how well he will do playing pro.
- AEL_Fox

I've not watched him play but Ryczek might be one of those guys who is overshadowed by the prospects with the big potential coming. Sitting 18th in league scoring for D isn't bad, but he is on the older side for that league. A lot of guys 1-2 years younger than him. He has a good plus minus, but his team is top of their conference and seems to be excellent defensively. Did he play at the prospects camp for us this summer? I don't remember hearing much about him.

Who are you watching because it is not Gus? Gus doesn’t see the ice at all. That is why he passes into traffic all the time and is a turnover machine. Not to mention he has no hockey IQ and is out of position all time. If he has the requisite hockey IQ he refuses to use it. The money Gus makes is irrelevant. At $25K he’d be overpaid. Hawks must trade him now while some team might still bite. Him leaving will be addition by subtraction as Gus has convinced Colliton he has potential. The Hawks are a much better team when he doesn’t play.

I don’t enjoy being critical of Gus like this but can be because Gus simply doesn’t care to get better. He plays a certain stubborn way and that is the way it is. That is why he doesn’t grow into a better, smarter player.
- Z3Hawk

I will grant you that he is out of position defensively a lot. He makes forays into the offensive zone and does not recover as he should. His gap control is questionable and he takes poor angles on defensive plays (Forsling does this a lot also). Reading plays offensively he is fine. Witness some of the plays he has made like the pass in overtime, timely jumping into plays and creating offense, etc. He gets a fair number of shots on goal as noted by his 7 goals already, though his shooting percentage is higher than it will probably remain at. He is by no means a defensive d-man, and he most likely never will be one, however someone who can put points on the board is not worthless. As a last note, Leddy has 9 years and 600+ games vs. around 100 for Gus, yet still makes many of the same mistakes. Would I rather have Leddy yes, but at $5.5..no.

No offense, but say what you will about Colliton, Smith, Granato and even Bowman, but I will take their experience, opinion and evaluation about whether he has potential or can develop at this point.

More than a point per game player this year
- mrpaulish

good for him...he still a psychopath who is always on the prowl for his next victim from the blindside while taking aim from 50-100 ft away...

he will attack again and i hope they sit his pt a game ass for 30 games...

People forget that he gave away Anti Rannta and Anders Nilsen (not sure spelling) who start as NHL goalies now for free or peanuts. Looking at return Caps got for Grubauer 9getting rid of Orpik) one would think that with someone who has a clue how to manage assets one would get rid of Bickel contract for one of these goalies. Then we still have TT on the team.

On your post, disagree on Hartman trade - he is a decent third liner, every time I watch Preds he is quite noticeable, scores, hits posts, lays body, goes to the net for screening.
Late 1st round pick we got for him has statistically 40% chance to become NHL player level so here you go.

He gives 2 seconds for Kimmo (defense depth) but can get only third rounder for Kempny (same defense depth for Caps)? Case closed on his negotiation skills (and you do not need to be a big negotiator to get Vermette for rental for 1st rounder).
- vshun

Raanta was a backup to a backup when he was traded. Nilssen was either in the system or in Sweden, can't remember...but goalies don't have a ton of trade value and backups even less.

While they start now, it doesn't mean they had that type of trade value then.

I though Schmaltz was turning the corner in learning how to attack the middle of the ice last year. Then, he was concussed early on in 2017 and since then he hasn't been the same in that area IMO.
- Justin Lowe

are you talking about the 2nd game of the season last year vs CBJ...Johnson ran him and he was out about a week.

i can't find the video of that hit...

More than a point per game player this year
- mrpaulish

With youPaul, so would Vandy and a few others, he plays the game hard which is what pro hockey is supposed to be like. I am sorry guys get hurt, keep your head up out there when he is on the ice.
We just had our goalie rung up and probably done for good now and another player hurt right after, and what did our illustrious guys do? Stand there with their tale between their legs.
Evander Kane plays the game hard, would he have made the same play if he knew he had to face a guy like Tom Wilson? Maybe not.
These sad sacs have no closeness or pushback, maybe you attribute that to Bowman, but at this stage I’d welcome a guy like Tom Wilson or Milan Lucic,please I don’t want to hear about Hayden or Martinsen either, useless, they were dressed against the Sharks and Nadda!
I get the next person that disagrees, your entitled to or you can just change the channel if it is to rough, but this Sad. JMO and have a good nite!

I've not watched him play but Ryczek might be one of those guys who is overshadowed by the prospects with the big potential coming. Sitting 18th in league scoring for D isn't bad, but he is on the older side for that league. A lot of guys 1-2 years younger than him. He has a good plus minus, but his team is top of their conference and seems to be excellent defensively. Did he play at the prospects camp for us this summer? I don't remember hearing much about him.
- breadbag

https://nhl.bamcontent.co...8534/binary-file/file.pdf

I had to check the roster since I couldn't remember, but yes, Ryczek did attend the summer prospect camp. Like him, I don't expect much out of some other prospect defenders like Shea (Northeastern) and Massie (Vermont). Minor league or Europe.

https://nhl.bamcontent.com/images/assets/binary/299438534/binary-file/file.pdf

I had to check the roster since I couldn't remember, but yes, Ryczek did attend the summer prospect camp. Like him, I don't expect much out of some other prospect defenders like Shea (Northeastern) and Massie (Vermont). Minor league or Europe.
- AEL_Fox

I think you are on the ball man.

I though Schmaltz was turning the corner in learning how to attack the middle of the ice last year. Then, he was concussed early on in 2017 and since then he hasn't been the same in that area IMO.
- Justin Lowe

Yep. He was and hasn't done it since. To me that is a player who doesn't want to pay the price to be great.

I think you are on the ball man.
- breadbag

Watch some weird reality play out where Ryczek, Shea, and Massie beat out Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell to be the new anchors of the Blackhawks blueline.

Annnnnd i feel like Sikura is a similar player so sell high on that dude now as well.
- fattybeef

Where is the "high" in Sikura ? I'm thinking you mean potential right ?
He certainly hasn't shown much of anything in his stints with the big club.

Raanta was a backup to a backup when he was traded. Nilssen was either in the system or in Sweden, can't remember...but goalies don't have a ton of trade value and backups even less.

While they start now, it doesn't mean they had that type of trade value then.
- HawkintheD

Raanta and Darling were fighting for the back-up position while Crow had a broken leg from a Rise Against concert. I do like Raanta, alot, as he always plays us well, but I think Darling was the better option to keep. He definitely proved himself in the Nash series of 2015. Plus, he was dependable during Crow's yearly injury.

I think goalies are sought out, they are mainly a ufa thing, but I think there is/could be a good market for them at the deadline. Most teams are in because of their goalies, but not a lot of teams can say they have great back-ups. There should be a steady and dependable back-up behind every starter. We had Emery as a back-up and Darling as a back-up, are you kidding me? Awesome! I think teams want more depth or a proven scorer, but there is a decent market for goalies. At least, I think, but what do I know? I'm in the B class of being a student of the sport.

Raanta and Darling were fighting for the back-up position while Crow had a broken leg from a Rise Against concert. I do like Raanta, alot, as he always plays us well, but I think Darling was the better option to keep. He definitely proved himself in the Nash series of 2015. Plus, he was dependable during Crow's yearly injury.

I think goalies are sought out, they are mainly a ufa thing, but I think there is/could be a good market for them at the deadline. Most teams are in because of their goalies, but not a lot of teams can say they have great back-ups. There should be a steady and dependable back-up behind every starter. We had Emery as a back-up and Darling as a back-up, are you kidding me? Awesome! I think teams want more depth or a proven scorer, but there is a decent market for goalies. At least, I think, but what do I know? I'm in the B class of being a student of the sport.
- I Am The Breadman

Meh. The market for even top notch goalies is not very strong. They generally don't return much. Teams looking for goalies at the TDL usually are looking for back-ups.

There are exceptions, of course.

With youPaul, so would Vandy and a few others, he plays the game hard which is what pro hockey is supposed to be like. I am sorry guys get hurt, keep your head up out there when he is on the ice.
We just had our goalie rung up and probably done for good now and another player hurt right after, and what did our illustrious guys do? Stand there with their tale between their legs.
Evander Kane plays the game hard, would he have made the same play if he knew he had to face a guy like Tom Wilson? Maybe not.
These sad sacs have no closeness or pushback, maybe you attribute that to Bowman, but at this stage I’d welcome a guy like Tom Wilson or Milan Lucic,please I don’t want to hear about Hayden or Martinsen either, useless, they were dressed against the Sharks and Nadda!
I get the next person that disagrees, your entitled to or you can just change the channel if it is to rough, but this Sad. JMO and have a good nite!
- wonthecup10

its hard for me to understand why you and others can't make a distinction between good hard physical gamesmanship which wilson does well and the thuggery and predation which he he also does well. its always about the victim not having his "head up" or how ya need to answer this or that. why do you look the other way and then blather the mantra its a physical game. gee no kidding but that doesn't give a player like him excuse to head hunt from the blind side from 75 feet away.... and then we all say well that's just good ole tommy boy playing good ole tough hockey

the majority would say the kane/strome/craw hit was a hockey play...i don't think what kane did was dirty or he targeted craw but by your rules kane should now get rung up...just strange very strange

Nick Leddy. Never has a crappy player been the subject of so much angst. Maybe all the other teams saw what we fans did, a guy who can skate but doesn't really bring much else to a team. Fine for a bottom pair, sheltered specialist but gets exposed when forced to play big minutes.

Meh. The market for even top notch goalies is not very strong. They generally don't return much. Teams looking for goalies at the TDL usually are looking for back-ups.

There are exceptions, of course.
- Elbows15

That was the point I was trying to make. I said teams in the playoffs have good starters, but want a good back-up. Sometimes, I'm not that clear.

I will grant you that he is out of position defensively a lot. He makes forays into the offensive zone and does not recover as he should. His gap control is questionable and he takes poor angles on defensive plays (Forsling does this a lot also). Reading plays offensively he is fine. Witness some of the plays he has made like the pass in overtime, timely jumping into plays and creating offense, etc. He gets a fair number of shots on goal as noted by his 7 goals already, though his shooting percentage is higher than it will probably remain at. He is by no means a defensive d-man, and he most likely never will be one, however someone who can put points on the board is not worthless. As a last note, Leddy has 9 years and 600+ games vs. around 100 for Gus, yet still makes many of the same mistakes. Would I rather have Leddy yes, but at $5.5..no.

No offense, but say what you will about Colliton, Smith, Granato and even Bowman, but I will take their experience, opinion and evaluation about whether he has potential or can develop at this point.
- TheTrob

No offence but you should NOT align yourself with Colliton, Smith, Granato and Bowman on Gus because they are all miserably wrong about Gus.

good for him...he still a psychopath who is always on the prowl for his next victim from the blindside while taking aim from 50-100 ft away...

he will attack again and i hope they sit his pt a game ass for 30 games...
- bogiedoc

bog - Wilson is a head-hunter who looks to injure opposing players. Wilson is so predatory and clueless that he doesn’t care if his attacks severely injure. He could actually kill someone some day. He will offend severely again and next time he should be banned.

From Blackhawks website:

D prospect Galvas will be the captain for the Czech Republic's WJC team.

Mitchell is the only Team Canada player who plays in the NCAA.

I am fascinated by the talk of more offer sheets moving forward in this NHL
Hawks clear cap space and then
offer sheet Matthews at $14 Million x 7 years - seems insane but the end result is a firecracker to 6
Matthews - Kane- Strome
Hughes - Cat - Saad
Toews- xxxxx- xxxxx

Free agent the Back end & instant contender

Toronto can’t match - send them the picks

I am fascinated by the talk of more offer sheets moving forward in this NHL
Hawks clear cap space and then
offer sheet Matthews at $14 Million x 7 years - seems insane but the end result is a firecracker to 6
Matthews - Kane- Strome
Hughes - Cat - Saad
Toews- xxxxx- xxxxx

Free agent the Back end & instant contender

Toronto can’t match - send them the picks
- Colbyboy

14 million per????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you crazy? Just sayin'. And I for one didn't appreciate his actions here after scoring a goal. Kaner sure did a great job of mocking that arrogant piece of work! Kudos to Kaner!

Ward is in net, I thought Delia got the nod tonight, my bad guys.

I am fascinated by the talk of more offer sheets moving forward in this NHL
Hawks clear cap space and then
offer sheet Matthews at $14 Million x 7 years - seems insane but the end result is a firecracker to 6
Matthews - Kane- Strome
Hughes - Cat - Saad
Toews- xxxxx- xxxxx

Free agent the Back end & instant contender

Toronto can’t match - send them the picks
- Colbyboy

If we are working with that kind of cap space, why blow it on one guy? He won't save us or turn us around faster towards contention. We aren't bad as far as top 6 goes. I won't mind a top 6 signing, but I'd like to see some depth guys signed, maybe a top d man if our prospects aren't ready to go next year, which is a big possibility.

Gus just saved a goal 15 seconds in...