Remember when some fans tried to argue Saad was a better overall hockey player than Panarin?

LOL
- SimpleJack

There were quiet a few of them. Panarin is only about himself.... except that Saad got paid and his game seems much more passive and he avoid physical contact often. When was the last he laid a check on an opposing d-men?

There were quiet a few of them. Panarin is only about himself.... except that Saad got paid and his game seems much more passive and he avoid physical contact often. When was the last he laid a check on an opposing d-men?

How exactly is a guy who gets double the amount of assists than goals '...about himself' in any way, shape, or form?

Nevermind -the same circular 'logic' stuff I read here all of the time about certain players ...

On the flip side I remember when some fans tried to argue it was the worst trade in the history of the franchise.
- HawkintheD

I have to admit I was one of them. I do not understand what happened to Saad, he was such a clutch during 2015 playoff run and torched some teams like Ducks with shorthanded goals, which took a wind out of Duck attempts to win the series.

On another topic - watched Tampa game yesterday, Rutta was pretty decent in that game, and he was a total disaster here, is this Daley de-ja-vu?

Maybe Saad will have a better year next season. He is getting toward the end of his contract and will be 28 when he hits the UFA market. The chance for another big contract may motivate him.

Yesterday you indicated you didn't believe in selecting the best available player but instead would target needs. BTW I agree defensemen who can play defense and still move the puck etc. are required. Why would you want the team to pass on a more talented player to get a less talented one that fits a need?
- paulr

Maybe you like to watch games that are high scoring. I would like to watch games where the team I am rooting for wins. How many times do I have to say, Look at Edmonton. Most would say they are a team that is not built properly (or was not built properly). McDavid has wasted every season he has been in the NHL because he hasn't won anything yet. Now, are you going to say that is not fair? Well, if a team is built properly, then every season a player drafted to that team can be successful within the team, not just individually.

Hawks are 6 points from a playoff spot, probably will be further at season end. If Crow is healthy all year, they are much closer to or in the playoffs this year.

Saad - Toews - Kahun
ADB - Strome - Kane
AA – UFA/Trade 3C - **
Caggiula - Kampf – UFA Trade/4RW
**

Joki - Keith
Murphy – UFA/Trade LD
Seabs – Gus
^^

Crow
##
_________________________________________________
** = choose from Perlini, Sikura, Hayden, draft pick, prospect
^^ = choose from Koekkoek, Forsling, Dahlstrom, draft pick, prospect
## = choose from Forsberg, Delia, Lankinen, Nalimov

You try to move AA in a package with a prospect/pick for a real 3C or top 4 defender or just for cap space.

Save some cap space for the TDL.

I have to admit I was one of them. I do not understand what happened to Saad, he was such a clutch during 2015 playoff run and torched some teams like Ducks with shorthanded goals, which took a wind out of Duck attempts to win the series.

On another topic - watched Tampa game yesterday, Rutta was pretty decent in that game, and he was a total disaster here, is this Daley de-ja-vu?
- vshun

He was playing with a younger Toews and Hossa. Those 2 would make anyone look good, at both ends of the ice.

Maybe you like to watch games that are high scoring. I would like to watch games where the team I am rooting for wins. How many times do I have to say, Look at Edmonton. Most would say they are a team that is not built properly (or was not built properly). McDavid has wasted every season he has been in the NHL because he hasn't won anything yet. Now, are you going to say that is not fair? Well, if a team is built properly, then every season a player drafted to that team can be successful within the team, not just individually.
- powerenforcer

First of all, I want to see a team play tight defense and take few chances. Defense wins Championships.

Edmonton is a terrible example because you only look at them drafting high draft picks and fail to factor in the real issues of why they are a bad team. Edmonton built a culture of losing in return for high draft positions. They made a horrible free agent signing for a guy you love, Lucic. Lucic has not been able to keep up in the faster NHL for 5 years. Then they packed the team with Lucic, Maroon and kasian guys who couldn't keep up with McDavid yet played on his line. They traded away a very good forward, Taylor Hall for a second pairing defenseman. Edmonton's problems aren't because they drafted talented hockey players, Edmonton's problem is they bungled everything but drafting.

Selecting the most talented player who your scouts believe will reach his potential is never the wrong way to draft. You can use talent on the ice or in a trade to get the player you may need. If two guys are equal in terms of talent and one plays a position you need, then pick that player but if it comes between talent and need talent will always win out.

He was playing with a younger Toews and Hossa. Those 2 would make anyone look good, at both ends of the ice.
- scottak

Saads game hasn't changed much. He is what he always has been. He is a big body, with decent speed and can be strong on his skates. His hands are average at best, and while his shot can be strong, he is not what you would ever consider a sniper. He is most effective scoring in close on breakaways created by his speed or on rebounds/garbage goals. He's above average defensively, mostly because his size and speed allow him to match up well, which other forwards do not. When he is engaged you can see how good he can be, there are games where he dominates play. The issue is and always has been trying to find a way to get him to play that way more often than not.

Re-watched the Hayes GWG and Strome literally did not take a single stride again after the spin move. MOVE YOUR FEET kid!
- EnzoD

Plus there wasn't a defenseman on the ice. How does that happen?

Saads game hasn't changed much. He is what he always has been. He is a big body, with decent speed and can be strong on his skates. His hands are average at best, and while his shot can be strong, he is not what you would ever consider a sniper. He is most effective scoring in close on breakaways created by his speed or on rebounds/garbage goals. He's above average defensively, mostly because his size and speed allow him to match up well, which other forwards do not. When he is engaged you can see how good he can be, there are games where he dominates play. The issue is and always has been trying to find a way to get him to play that way more often than not.
- TheTrob

Yes, completely agree.

Plus there wasn't a defenseman on the ice. How does that happen?
- 11Chaser11

That’s how JC did it with Mora.

First of all, I want to see a team play tight defense and take few chances. Defense wins Championships.

Edmonton is a terrible example because you only look at them drafting high draft picks and fail to factor in the real issues of why they are a bad team. Edmonton built a culture of losing in return for high draft positions. They made a horrible free agent signing for a guy you love, Lucic. Lucic has not been able to keep up in the faster NHL for 5 years. Then they packed the team with Lucic, Maroon and kasian guys who couldn't keep up with McDavid yet played on his line. They traded away a very good forward, Taylor Hall for a second pairing defenseman. Edmonton's problems aren't because they drafted talented hockey players, Edmonton's problem is they bungled everything but drafting.

Selecting the most talented player who your scouts believe will reach his potential is never the wrong way to draft. You can use talent on the ice or in a trade to get the player you may need. If two guys are equal in terms of talent and one plays a position you need, then pick that player but if it comes between talent and need talent will always win out.
- paulr

Where did I ever say I loved Lucic?

First of all, I want to see a team play tight defense and take few chances. Defense wins Championships.

Edmonton is a terrible example because you only look at them drafting high draft picks and fail to factor in the real issues of why they are a bad team. Edmonton built a culture of losing in return for high draft positions. They made a horrible free agent signing for a guy you love, Lucic. Lucic has not been able to keep up in the faster NHL for 5 years. Then they packed the team with Lucic, Maroon and kasian guys who couldn't keep up with McDavid yet played on his line. They traded away a very good forward, Taylor Hall for a second pairing defenseman. Edmonton's problems aren't because they drafted talented hockey players, Edmonton's problem is they bungled everything but drafting.

Selecting the most talented player who your scouts believe will reach his potential is never the wrong way to draft. You can use talent on the ice or in a trade to get the player you may need. If two guys are equal in terms of talent and one plays a position you need, then pick that player but if it comes between talent and need talent will always win out.
- paulr

This is the drafting philosophy of good teams in all sports. Well, I'm not sure about cricket.

Where did I ever say I loved Lucic?
- powerenforcer

Maybe I'm mistaken? I thought you liked the face punchers? The point is drafting talent over need. Do you understand where I'm coming from?

This is the drafting philosophy of good teams in all sports. Well, I'm not sure about cricket.
- mohel

I'm not sure I want to find out about cricket. And the Brits say baseball is dull ......

That’s how JC did it with Mora.
- scottak

Can't do it with Kane on the ice. There is no denying his is a great offensive player, but in our end he is a giant liability.

Any word on the Drake after that attack on him last night. I mean he just came off a concussion so taking punches to the head could not be good for him.

Possibly but I think a critical question and concern is if you are paying your 3rd pair over $12M collectively, then is there enough cap space to pay the top 4 not to mention whoever else needs to get paid at forward and in net. Granted, some of the top 4 may still be in their ELC depending on when they graduate to the NHL so that would help a little.
- AEL_Fox

Both Boquist/Joki fit that category, does Boquist play the 40 like Joki
then get sent down? 2/7 still causing the logjam.

Saads game hasn't changed much. He is what he always has been. He is a big body, with decent speed and can be strong on his skates. His hands are average at best, and while his shot can be strong, he is not what you would ever consider a sniper. He is most effective scoring in close on breakaways created by his speed or on rebounds/garbage goals. He's above average defensively, mostly because his size and speed allow him to match up well, which other forwards do not. When he is engaged you can see how good he can be, there are games where he dominates play. The issue is and always has been trying to find a way to get him to play that way more often than not.
- TheTrob

I mostly agree with your post. But I would add that Saad is like the kid who physically matures early. No kid can stop him so he bulls his way through a game and doesn't learn how to fit in to a team scheme. Eventually he gets to a level where he can't just bull his way through all the time. It is impressive that he still occasionally is able to put on a show, but every time he does it's him all by himself. Rarely does he stand out where multiple guys touch the puck. The best play he ever made was the drop pass to Richards who passed to Kane for the nail in the coffin against Tampa. But he took the puck in his zone with Richards right near him so he knew he was there the whole time. He is a classic example of a guy who gets tunnel vision when he gets the puck in the offensive zone. Useful as a guy who takes it to the house, but not much else. IMHO, he offers very poor value for what he's being paid. NHL body, house league head.

First of all, I want to see a team play tight defense and take few chances. Defense wins Championships.

Edmonton is a terrible example because you only look at them drafting high draft picks and fail to factor in the real issues of why they are a bad team. Edmonton built a culture of losing in return for high draft positions. They made a horrible free agent signing for a guy you love, Lucic. Lucic has not been able to keep up in the faster NHL for 5 years. Then they packed the team with Lucic, Maroon and kasian guys who couldn't keep up with McDavid yet played on his line. They traded away a very good forward, Taylor Hall for a second pairing defenseman. Edmonton's problems aren't because they drafted talented hockey players, Edmonton's problem is they bungled everything but drafting.

Selecting the most talented player who your scouts believe will reach his potential is never the wrong way to draft. You can use talent on the ice or in a trade to get the player you may need. If two guys are equal in terms of talent and one plays a position you need, then pick that player but if it comes between talent and need talent will always win out.
- paulr

Defense and Goaltending. Hawks won Cups based on either strong D or outstanding Goaltending (or both). 2010 team was deep defensively and got just enough goaltending from Niemi to win. Crawford should have won the Conn Smythe in 2013, and in 2015 you had 4 d-men play their asses off and Crawford being very good. Bruins and Kings won cups with outstanding Goaltending and good to great D. Pens and Caps got good to great goaltending to offset average D.


The Hawks need to really look closely at the Organization's defensive depth and potential and make a determination not just for next season but long term. Currently you have three young defensemen that you need to make a decision on. Forsling and Koekkoek are both RFA's, and Dahlstrom you just extended for minimal money. Dahlstrom is a 7th D with still the potential to improve and move up and can be used in a 3rd pairing without killing you. KoekKoek is the oldest of the 3 and a prior 1st round pick. He probably still possesses the highest upside, but most likely needs a regular spot, at least on the 3rd pair, to be able to settle in. Forsling at 22 is hard to give up on potential wise, but the eye test tells you that even after 120 NHL games, he still makes very poor reads, has bad gap control and takes awful angles to pucks. If the strength of his game is on the offensive side, he still has not shown that either.

At this point IMO, you let Forsling walk, you have Dahlstrom as an insurance policy of a player you know can be a responsible NHL D-man and if you can sign KoekKoek to a contract similar to Dahlstrom you have 2 who don't hurt your cap at all and can be used in Rockford if one of the other young d-men step up and can play.

Both Boquist/Joki fit that category, does Boquist play the 40 like Joki
then get sent down? 2/7 still causing the logjam.
- gazza53

The 40 affects when a player becomes a UFA. The ELC starts when the player starts when the player reaches a certain age or plays in the AHL or NHL. So, for Boqvist and Beaudin, another year in juniors delays the start of the ELC.

Sikura reassigned to Rockford.

I mostly agree with your post. But I would add that Saad is like the kid who physically matures early. No kid can stop him so he bulls his way through a game and doesn't learn how to fit in to a team scheme. Eventually he gets to a level where he can't just bull his way through all the time. It is impressive that he still occasionally is able to put on a show, but every time he does it's him all by himself. Rarely does he stand out where multiple guys touch the puck. The best play he ever made was the drop pass to Richards who passed to Kane for the nail in the coffin against Tampa. But he took the puck in his zone with Richards right near him so he knew he was there the whole time. He is a classic example of a guy who gets tunnel vision when he gets the puck in the offensive zone. Useful as a guy who takes it to the house, but not much else. IMHO, he offers very poor value for what he's being paid. NHL body, house league head.
- 6628

I think Saad is completely a "me" kinda guy. I don't think he is necessarily stupid or has a low hockey IQ, I just think his thought process is about himself. His contract ask after the 15 season I think is somewhat proof of that, and most likely is what forced the trade to Coplumbus. A bridge deal coming out of his ELC would have seemed more appropriate as opposed to the $6mil ask.

Sikura reassigned to Rockford.
- DarthKane

Thats an interesting move. While he is not putting up points I think he has been a very effective player over the last few weeks/month since drawing into the lineup. I think this is more maybe a move to try and get the Hogs to the playoffs.