Not disagreeing, but look at the Islanders last year and this year. Basically the same defenders with a new coach, new system and new commitment. Worst to best goals against. 7th place to 1st place in their division.

I am not saying the Hawks are on that path. Nor am I saying they should not add a stud defender or shut down forwards. But they can greatly improve their D without a major personal overhaul.
- -Doh-

Agreed. The Hawks Defensive deficiencies are not strictly personnel related. Team D requires commitment and desire. You can’t get 100% of the way there with just those things, but there’s no reason besides them that this team, as currently constructed, shouldn’t be much better than it has been at keeping the biscuit out of the basket.

First, because he's worth it so it's not an overpayment for the Hawks. But the reality is that Toronto would probably have many suitors for Kapanen if they were entertaining trade offers and the Hawks would need to be the most attractive offer to get the trade.
- EbonyRaptor

He's a nice player, no doubt, but so long as he can fit in the long term plans of the org. So no overpayments in trying to acquire his rights or his next contract.

Speaking of Debrincat, his ELC only calls for $132,500 in schedule A bonuses out of a possible maximum of around $850,000. Who the heck is his agent?

https://puckpedia.com/sal...level-performance-bonuses

sounds like Caps waived Smith-Pelley, not Jaskin
- ikeane

Todd Reirden said it was “an organizational decision” to make the waiver switch. Indicated there are things going on behind the scenes. “There is lots going on right now.”

Speaking of Debrincat, his ELC only calls for $132,500 in schedule A bonuses out of a possible maximum of around $850,000. Who the heck is his agent?

https://puckpedia.com/sal...level-performance-bonuses
- boilermaker100

Different bonuses available to 2nd round draft choice as opposed to a 1st round draft choice, per CBA.

Different bonuses available to 2nd round draft choice as opposed to a 1st round draft choice.
- BMWChiFan

oh, thank you.

Koekkoek - I dont care how many times I see this spelling, I just cant get my head to say coo coo?

Oilers on a slide and have lost 5 in a row. Watch them finish near the bottom and win the draft lottery again.

Another comparable is Vladimir Tarasenko (7.5 x 8)

I'll show entry level stats of these players before their contract extensions and compare them to ADB

Tarasenko: 66 Goals 135 points in 179 GP (0.37 GPG, 0.75 PPG)
Pastrnak: 59 Goals 123 points in 172 GP (0.34 GPG, 0.72 PPG)
Forsberg: 60 Goals 133 points in 182 GP (0.33 GPG, 0.73 PPG)
DeBrincat: 60 Goals 112 points in 142 GP (0.42 GPG, 0.79 PPG)


DeBrincat is a better pure goal scorer than all of those players and I could see him realistically getting anywhere from 5.5M to 8M per season.

Another more recent comparable would be William Nylander who signed a 6/45 contract and DeBrincat is a better player.
- Hawks_49

Those are all 1st line talent players. Like you said, Cat is a pure goal scorer and great on the PP. I love his scoring ability, but I dont put him in the same category as the guys above. 6x6 would be great. The guy I worry about is Strome. We put him in a great position to succeed, so I hope we get a home town discount.

I don't think it is so much the defense in the defensive zone, but this team's neutral zone defense is horrific. How many odd man rushes, or players just coming with speed that the defense has to back up and can't challenge at the blueline. The Hawks used to cause turnovers in the neutral zone and pounce on the attack, now it is the opposite. I think if you improve the defense in the neutral zone, the defensive zone will be much better.
- LAHawk

To me, that part in the neutral zone is on the forwards to apply pressure and give support so that the D can be more aggressive. I know last year the Hawks were bad at defending their own blue line and I don't think it has improved really.

Oilers on a slide and have lost 5 in a row. Watch them finish near the bottom and win the draft lottery again.
- boilermaker100

I would hate that, but would it really matter? I bet the player that gets drafted will hold out. Every game McDavid plays he is losing value.

Not saying the hawks should claim Smith-Pelley off waivers, but he's a UFA after this season. How would he look on the Hawks bottom 6 next year?

Of course he may not be interested in signing with the Hawks after last year's incident.
- boilermaker100

He is already signed it a waiver pick up i would claim him pelly hayden kruger toronto should claim him to add much needed grit like the hawks

Don't understand why people keep saying Cat will get between 7.5-8..

Look at Forsberg or Pastarnak with similar numbers. Both of them got ~6 x6.

This is what I expect Debrincat to get. Hopefully 6.6 x 6...
- RedRevenge

C'mon, Red, everyone knows Cat's gonna get at least 8x11.65. Snap out of it.

Oilers on a slide and have lost 5 in a row. Watch them finish near the bottom and win the draft lottery again.
- boilermaker100

Read the Oiler blogger today - would hate to be a fan of that disaster

i read this morning that Silvferberg has signed an extension with ANA but it cant be announced yet because of tagging rules
- jt19

I had no clue what this was and found this that explains it.

https://www.tsn.ca/taggin...erberg-contract-1.1260592

Sweet lord, can they make the salary cap rules any more convoluted? We may want to consider cutting StanBo a little slack if this is the type of stuff he and his staff need to be aware of.

He's a nice player, no doubt, but so long as he can fit in the long term plans of the org. So no overpayments in trying to acquire his rights or his next contract.
- BetweenTheDots

An argument can be made that Saad is (slightly) overpaid at $6M. Kapanen is at least as good as Saad. He is just as fast if not faster. He is more consistently tenacious and plays a more physical game than Saad by a fair margin. He's 4 years younger. He's not a sniper but neither is Saad and both are about the same offensively. He would be ideal on LW with Toews-Kane or on RW with DCat-Strome. Long term piece to getting back to being an elite team.

The Blackhawks are in control of their own destiny.

22 games left.

Critical games:
3 games against Stars
3 games against Avs
1 game against Yotes
1 game against Nucks

The last 4 games are against, Jets, Blues, Stars, Preds. I bet 3/4 of these teams will field weaker rosters (giving their players rest days).

We might actually sneak in....

WOW Torts lit into Duclair yesterday, I can see the Swiss league for him next year
- LAHawk

Can't be. I read on here early in the season that Stan was an idiot for letting him go. The wise men and women of the board know more than Torts and Stan.

Oilers on a slide and have lost 5 in a row. Watch them finish near the bottom and win the draft lottery again.
- boilermaker100

As you know, winning the lottery is the ticket to the Cup. Just ask the fans of the Oil.

The Blackhawks are in control of their own destiny.

22 games left.

Critical games:
3 games against Stars
3 games against Avs
1 game against Yotes
1 game against Nucks

The last 4 games are against, Jets, Blues, Stars, Preds. I bet 3/4 of these teams will field weaker rosters (giving their players rest days).

We might actually sneak in....
- RedRevenge

Definitely possible. I think too, some of the better teams have already taken their foot off the gas a bit, much like we've seen with the Hawks in years past. They get into the dog days of the season, they are sitting in a playoff position and teams can catch them off guard. Hawks definitely have a good shot if they keep outscoring their problems.

UGh is the west bad.....so bad it's allowed the Hawks to hang around long enough that a run has given fans a sense of playoff hockey.

I always chuckle when I see people rip Gus since he's "so bad" at defense and yet claim Murphy is fine. Or Forsling is fine. Or Dahlbeck is fine. Fact is this unit as a whole is a damn dumpster fire and if the Hawks aren't potting 4+ goals a night they are in deep trouble. The over by the way, has been a nice way to make money for you betters.

Stan should stand pat. There is no sense to mortgage the future here unless you are selling on something you know you may send packing in June before the draft and UFA (see veteran d man or veteran c) and can get back somebody who can help in the long term.

The playoffs will help give experience to the new wave of support players for the core and see what the hawks have there.

Just comical that they can be in the wild card spot tomorrow, yet right now are in last place in the central......

Can't be. I read on here early in the season that Stan was an idiot for letting him go. The wise men and women of the board know more than Torts and Stan.
- mohel

Thanks Mohel, you stole my blog reply - spot on!!! laughed when i read your post

Definitely possible. I think too, some of the better teams have already taken their foot off the gas a bit, much like we've seen with the Hawks in years past. They get into the dog days of the season, they are sitting in a playoff position and teams can catch them off guard. Hawks definitely have a good shot if they keep outscoring their problems.
- breadbag

Not as long as the top of the central is still in play or 2/3 are within a few points. Jets/Blues/preds all could be battling for top spot and then home ice in 1st round vs 3 seed. hard to see them trotting out an AHL lineup late in the year.

UGh is the west bad.....so bad it's allowed the Hawks to hang around long enough that a run has given fans a sense of playoff hockey.

I always chuckle when I see people rip Gus since he's "so bad" at defense and yet claim Murphy is fine. Or Forsling is fine. Or Dahlbeck is fine. Fact is this unit as a whole is a damn dumpster fire and if the Hawks aren't potting 4+ goals a night they are in deep trouble. The over by the way, has been a nice way to make money for you betters.

Stan should stand pat. There is no sense to mortgage the future here unless you are selling on something you know you may send packing in June before the draft and UFA (see veteran d man or veteran c) and can get back somebody who can help in the long term.

The playoffs will help give experience to the new wave of support players for the core and see what the hawks have there.

Just comical that they can be in the wild card spot tomorrow, yet right now are in last place in the central......
- SteveRain

Do the ISLE somewhat prove that a solid system and coach can turn a #31 D team to a top 5 D team - maybe there is something to be said about the Coaching

WOW Torts lit into Duclair yesterday, I can see the Swiss league for him next year
- LAHawk

last year i mentioned that duclair with torts is a not a good thing duclair, i think duclair's days in cbj land are numbered as well as possibly his career.