Gustafson has 30 points in 47 games = 52 points over 82 games.
- EnzoD

Points are fantastic but how many defensive mishaps has he caused due to his defensively lack of awareness

Keith was the problem.
Gus gets credit?
- RedRevenge

You also have a much more mobile 1st group, including Kane and Toews (who has come out from behind the net). You’ve got the Kane-DBC pairing looking a little like Kane-Panarin.

Reminds me a bit of last year when the players got together with Dineen and successfully switched it up. Worked for a couple of games then want back to the same ol.

Call me crazy but I would give some consideration to trading Saad to Carolina for Brett Pesce. Defensive minded D-man signed for five or six more years at a little over 4M.

This is the part people may call me crazy...

I'd call up Toronto and see if they'd be interested in Kapanen for Joki. They want a RHD and he'll have two more years of control at his ELC cap hit of 925k which fits perfectly with their impending cap issues. Fits our need for a pure RW who can score, has speed, and plays solidly on D. We havd the cap space to resign him when he becomes an RFA. Seems like the Hawks favor Boqvist over Joki with how they're experimenting with moving him to the left side. Not to mention they have Mitchell on the way along with Beaudin.

May seem crazy to some but I could see both of these being realistic possibilities that make sense for both teams. Whether Carolina or Toronto would actually do it, even if it does make sense for what they're for, who knows but I'd be interested in it to improve our defense now and add another skilled forward to the fold going forward

I understand the literal meaning of “optional” as was this morning’s skate. However, if memory serves, Saad has not seen fit to attend a single one since he returned. With his up-and-down performance and young legs, you’d hope to see a better work ethic.

If they can get a solid d-man for him, I’m good with a trade.

I understand the literal meaning of “optional” as was this morning’s skate. However, if memory serves, Saad has not seen fit to attend a single one since he returned. With his up-and-down performance and young legs, you’d hope to see a better work ethic.

If they can get a solid d-man for him, I’m good with a trade.
- pdx2ord

Totally agree!
For someone who has not been able justify his salary, Saad needs all the extra practice he can get to live up to his contract. All the great athletes have done so in the past .

Call me crazy but I would give some consideration to trading Saad to Carolina for Brett Pesce. Defensive minded D-man signed for five or six more years at a little over 4M.

This is the part people may call me crazy...

I'd call up Toronto and see if they'd be interested in Kapanen for Joki. They want a RHD and he'll have two more years of control at his ELC cap hit of 925k which fits perfectly with their impending cap issues. Fits our need for a pure RW who can score, has speed, and plays solidly on D. We havd the cap space to resign him when he becomes an RFA. Seems like the Hawks favor Boqvist over Joki with how they're experimenting with moving him to the left side. Not to mention they have Mitchell on the way along with Beaudin.

May seem crazy to some but I could see both of these being realistic possibilities that make sense for both teams. Whether Carolina or Toronto would actually do it, even if it does make sense for what they're for, who knows but I'd be interested in it to improve our defense now and add another skilled forward to the fold going forward
- Savetheembers33

I would do the Saad for Pesce, but Carolina won't.

If Toronto is trading Kapanen they would get more than Joki. I don't think the Hawks are trading Joki. This kid is going to be a very good defender for a number of years. Switch Joki for Keith in the deal and Toronto likely wont hang the phone up.

Watched Hockey Central tonight and they are saying Dubas is trying to get Mathews inked soon. They said Marner doeqnt want to talk until the off season.

Dubas is hoping to get Mathews signed early and before the trade deadline. They said if this could happen they would then look at bringing in guys at the trade deadline with term left on there contracts.

I would do the Saad for Pesce, but Carolina won't.

If Toronto is trading Kapanen they would get more than Joki. I don't think the Hawks are trading Joki. This kid is going to be a very good defender for a number of years. Switch Joki for Keith in the deal and Toronto likely wont hang the phone up.
- scott.jackson

Carolina might fits the bill for what they're looking to do in moving one of their RHD for a top 6 forward.

Idk if they would or not seems like a pretty fair trade of skilled young forwards. I know everyone keeps bringing up the Keith to Toronto stuff but would they really give up Kap for a 35 year old D-man? Maybe if we did something like Keith and Joki for Kap, their 1st, a mid round pick, and a prospect or two. Hawks might need to take a salary back to make it work but if a deal of Keith goes down I'd see it be something more along those lines

Watched Hockey Central tonight and they are saying Dubas is trying to get Mathews inked soon. They said Marner doeqnt want to talk until the off season.

Dubas is hoping to get Mathews signed early and before the trade deadline. They said if this could happen they would then look at bringing in guys at the trade deadline with term left on there contracts.
- scott.jackson

I could see Matthews taking an 8 year 10.5M a year deal to get paid but save the team some money from what he could get.

Marner is gonna be interesting to see what he's gonna want this offseason considering the year he's having. I'd think he'd want a similar deal to Matthews. Something is gonna have to give soon here

Carolina might fits the bill for what they're looking to do in moving one of their RHD for a top 6 forward.

Idk if they would or not seems like a pretty fair trade of skilled young forwards. I know everyone keeps bringing up the Keith to Toronto stuff but would they really give up Kap for a 35 year old D-man? Maybe if we did something like Keith and Joki for Kap, their 1st, a mid round pick, and a prospect or two. Hawks might need to take a salary back to make it work but if a deal of Keith goes down I'd see it be something more along those lines
- Savetheembers33

Take out Joki and throw in Forsling and retain some salary on Keith's deal for Kapenan and a pick.

Take out Joki and throw in Forsling and retain some salary on Keith's deal for Kapenan and a pick.
- scott.jackson

Toronto wants a RHD man. They don't need two LHD D-Men and they won't give up Kap without getting something really good in return for him. I'm a big fan of Joki's game and think he will be a Top 4 D-Man in this league but like I said we have three other D-Men who project in the same mold. Toronto needs pieces to help them win now and Joki would fit that mold. Like I said I'm not advocating trading him but if it got us a stud forward in return after swapping Saad for a Top 4 defensively solid D-Man in return that seems like a win-win

I just read a article posted about him and his input after playing with Kane and toews. Kid sounds down to earth and knows his role when playing with those 2. I was impressed , hopefully he gets his points .
- Taylorst1

"You're playing with some of the greatest players in the world right now, and you want to do whatever you can to stay there"

Sounds like a good kid. If he plays well and his game complements one of theirs, maybe he could turn into the Kunitz to our Crosby

Saad for Dougie Hamilton?

Anisimov for....a 2nd?
- EnzoD

Saad for Josh Manson

Toronto wants a RHD man. They don't need two LHD D-Men and they won't give up Kap without getting something really good in return for him. I'm a big fan of Joki's game and think he will be a Top 4 D-Man in this league but like I said we have three other D-Men who project in the same mold. Toronto needs pieces to help them win now and Joki would fit that mold. Like I said I'm not advocating trading him but if it got us a stud forward in return after swapping Saad for a Top 4 defensively solid D-Man in return that seems like a win-win
- Savetheembers33

They would likely go the Pietrangelo route before Joki. The grass doesn't get any greener than Joki. They need a proven defenseman now to win the cup not in 2 or 3 years.

They would likely go the Pietrangelo route before Joki. The grass doesn't get any greener than Joki. They need a proven defenseman now to win the cup not in 2 or 3 years.
- scott.jackson

True that's why I mentioned Joki and Keith as a possibility as well since they want experience now but also could use cheap good players to go with all the I big deals

True that's why I mentioned Joki and Keith as a possibility as well since they want experience now but also could use cheap good players to go with all the I big deals
- Savetheembers33

The one issue I have in your reasoning is that Joki has shown very well in the NHL as a 19 yr old. While we theoretically have other Right handed shots coming up, none of them have proven to be effective yet.

Everyone has been complaining for so long that we haven’t “grown” our own defensemen. We finally get one that looks really good and we trade him? I’d much rather they keep the young guys that they have put the effort into.

True that's why I mentioned Joki and Keith as a possibility as well since they want experience now but also could use cheap good players to go with all the I big deals
- Savetheembers33

I understand what you are thinking for sure. It is a scary thing trading a young D or centre before you really see what you have. The D pipeline looks good, but you never know until they play some games in the show.

I am far from being a scout, but I really like what I have seen from Joki in the first half of his first season.

Watched Hockey Central tonight and they are saying Dubas is trying to get Mathews inked soon. They said Marner doeqnt want to talk until the off season.

Dubas is hoping to get Mathews signed early and before the trade deadline. They said if this could happen they would then look at bringing in guys at the trade deadline with term left on there contracts.
- scott.jackson

What's the incentive for Mathews to sign early unless the Leafs cough up McDavid money or close to it? He could/might get an offer sheet in the summer at huge money from a somebody like the Rangers or Kings or Vegas. Cuba's just spewing BS to the Toronto media.

WC sweaters are out tonight!

Don't care if we win or lose tonight. We have the Islanders beat where it counts FASHION. Damn those jerseys look great!👍

What's the incentive for Mathews to sign early unless the Leafs cough up McDavid money or close to it? He could/might get an offer sheet in the summer at huge money from a somebody like the Rangers or Kings or Vegas. Cuba's just spewing BS to the Toronto media.
- RickJ

I am with you 100% Rick. Growing up in Ontario and being around so many Leaf fans my whole life sucks. I get sick and tired of Leaf fans say that Mathews and Marner are going to do what's best for the team and take a cap friendly deal. Lol

What's the incentive for Mathews to sign early unless the Leafs cough up McDavid money or close to it? He could/might get an offer sheet in the summer at huge money from a somebody like the Rangers or Kings or Vegas. Cuba's just spewing BS to the Toronto media.
- RickJ

Wouldn’t the comp be 4 firsts for the likely offer?

That’s a lot of comp even for a Matthews.

Don't care if we win or lose tonight. We have the Islanders beat where it counts FASHION. Damn those jerseys look great!👍
- BGKarras

Might be my fave iteration of the Winter Classic uni. They should make it their 3rd jersey.

Filppula, 1-0 NY.

Might be my fave iteration of the Winter Classic uni. They should make it their 3rd jersey.
- HawkintheD

Absolutely we can only hope!