How much do the Hawks really want to invest in the blueline when several young dmen are on the way? I know the "D" was awful this past year, but no way in hell do I go any longer than 3 years for a defenseman unless they are a young defenseman like Trouba. Not saying I necessarily want him, but he is the type of defenseman that will probably still be here when the "D" prospects are playing regularly in the NHL. A veteran defenseman does me know no good if they are signed here for a long term contract. We already have one long term contract that is not going away anytime soon, we definitely do not need 2 bogging down the blueline in Chicago when help at that position is definitely on the way!!
- ChicagoHope

Agree, any new defenders brought in whether through free agency or trade would be ideally on short-term deals or expiring contracts. Some of the examples TC listed fit that criteria. Boilermaker also discussed the option of exposing them in the Seattle expansion draft if they are still on the team at that point.

I'm with ya... I've debated trading Gustafsson many times in from my armchair, but I just can't see them doing it unless they deem Boqvist is ready for next year or they have another offensive weapon to replace him with.

I feel that Boqvist and Gustafsson cannot exist on the same team. It hurts my brain and frankly it makes this team a trainwreck defensively.

So, the question is, if Boqvist stays another year in London and you trade Gustafsson... who fills in for him on the PP? You could make an argument that Jokiharju could.

I would say you definitely don't trade him for bottom 6ers or role players. If you trade Gustafsson, it better be worth it because 60-point dman don't grow on trees.
- Justin Lowe

Have thought the same thing: I can't see a Blackhawks blueline that has both Gustafsson and Boqvist.

Good question if Gustafsson is traded this summer: who replaces his offense and PP duties? Jokiharju is a candidate but I don't think he is no where near Gustafsson's level. Unit #2 would be fine for Jokiharju. I would rather not have Keith or Seabrook being the QB for either unit.

Maybe Forsling? Has a great shot and good passer especially when he has time and space.

Justin i think McNabb is the way to go but other teams have to be thinking the same way. Trade proposal:
Vegas trades mcnabb eakin reevesor carrier to the black hawks for
Sikrua/kauhn forsling/dalhstrom 2020 2nd
Prsce is pipedream unless hawks a is giving up the 3rd overall pick so forget that. Then sign chariot 2 to 3 years 2 to 3 million per those 2 additions not only stablizes your d core. But adds physical play and toughness which plays a big role in the playoffs.

Also when Carolina buys out darling I sign him to a 3 year league min deal. Let him work his way back from the last 2 years in Chicago and Rockford. if he makes it back he is cheap backup for delia so we can resign cat and strome. other wise bury him.
- kmw4631

I know many on these boards would rather not and I would only consider him if all other options come up short but I think Darling is likely being considered. Agree with you that it should be a low-to-zero risk contract where he can be buried in the minors if his career is just derailed completely.

It truly is mind-boggling. I’ve been refraining from responding to every single ‘trade Gus’ post because I’d be responding to dozens and dozens and dozens of posts and I simply don’t have the willpower to argue anymore.

The best posts are the ones people shopping him for mid-round draft picks or bottom-six skaters. It’s truly comical.

Without Gus and the fresh breath of air that was our PP in the second half of the year, this team would have been fighting with the true bottom of the barrel teams this season.

If you don’t want Bo and Gus to play together? Fine, I understand that POV and respect it. But if you’re trading him for the sake of trading him because you feel you might have some sort of logjam or you don’t want to pay him next season, then that is incredibly shortsighted and illogical.

27-year old d-man who just finished up his first FULL season and doesn’t even have TWO full seasons under his belt, is coming off a 60 point campaign, and is the reason your special teams wasn’t as abysmal as it has been for the good part of the past decade, and fans want him gone as if he’s expendable trash.

If Gus is traded, and this team doesn’t acquire a VIABLE top-4 d-man (and don’t make me laugh by saying 20-year-old Joker is that), this defense is leaps and bounds worse than they were this past season, and we won’t be any better than we were this past season.

Gus, for at least another year, is a keeper. If he improves his defense even slightly, he’s worth the contract extension he will soon be receiving.
- TommyHawk

You bring up lots of good points. Personally, I would trade Gustafsson only if the return was a 1st rounder and/or high-end prospect. Doubt a hockey trade of Gustafsson straight up for an established, reliable top 6 forward or top 4 defenseman is doable but you never know.

Otherwise, any lesser return isn't worth it. Keep him for the offensive prowess he brings and continue to work as much as you can on defensive improvements. He has shown some improvement as the season went along. And I actually really like the physical edge he brings. He can show some nasty on the ice when things escalate.

Justin....

Biggest question that needs answering is D zone coverage. Does JC stay with his man coverage or go to a zone scheme. Won't matter who is on the ice if they attempt to run that comedy of errors scheme again. How bout a Barry Trotz style system?


- z1990z

Biggest question is can Colliton get responsible defensive play out of all 5 skaters each shift - all 18 dressed each nite - no matter what system is being used.

And a functional penalty kill.

He has all summer to figure it out - and discuss it with each player (I assume there is some communication during the off-season) and then a full training camp in the fall.

Great post.

I think Stan has more options than are listed here.

1. I’d approach CAR for an AA and Gustafson for Pesce. Car still needs a lot of help down the middle and they have a slew of other defensemen that can balance what Gus brings to maximize what he does. They also get center depth. I’d throw in Sikura and Forsling if it got it done too.

2. I think the Hawks should also part with one of Beaudin or Mitchell in a package if it gets them a guy like Pesce.

Have thought the same thing: I can't see a Blackhawks blueline that has both Gustafsson and Boqvist.

Good question if Gustafsson is traded this summer: who replaces his offense and PP duties? Jokiharju is a candidate but I don't think he is no where near Gustafsson's level. Unit #2 would be fine for Jokiharju. I would rather not have Keith or Seabrook being the QB for either unit.

Maybe Forsling? Has a great shot and good passer especially when he has time and space.
- AEL_Fox

Why does it have to be a defenseman?

How about trying Sikura at the point - he’s good with the puck, sees the ice well, can skate the blue line, can make the passes and get shots on net (he just can’t get the past the goalie). He can also get back to help the PP defenseman when the puck gets cleared.

Great post.

I think Stan has more options than are listed here.

1. I’d approach CAR for an AA and Gustafson for Pesce. Car still needs a lot of help down the middle and they have a slew of other defensemen that can balance what Gus brings to maximize what he does. They also get center depth. I’d throw in Sikura and Forsling if it got it done too.

2. I think the Hawks should also part with one of Beaudin or Mitchell in a package if it gets them a guy like Pesce.
- Bjm84

I wouldn't throw either in unless CAR wanted to add something.

Why does it have to be a defenseman?

How about trying Sikura at the point - he’s good with the puck, sees the ice well, can skate the blue line, can make the passes and get shots on net (he just can’t get the past the goalie). He can also get back to help the PP defenseman when the puck gets cleared.
- StLBravesFan

Excellent point. Think skills (not position) needed to be the QB and have enough speed and agility to get back to defend if a turnover happens.

I like Sikura as an option. Even if he's not the QB, I actually would like him getting PP time next season. He was stellar on the PP for the Hogs playing the role that Kane plays for the Hawks PP.

I wouldn't throw either in unless CAR wanted to add something.
- HawkintheD

Carolina doesn't need Gus, they still have Faulk and Hamilton (18 goals) to run the point on the power play. Nice trade for the Hawks, but I do not see Carolina interested.

Another d man possible to trade for is Martinez from L.A.. Sikrua or kahun and 4th L.A. desperately needs speed in their line up hawks top 4 dman who is soild. Just another idea good or bad its what we will do until the offseason starts. Here is question how soon after the playoffs are done can teams start trading?

For me Trouba would be a no thanks. I might be in the minority on it, but I think he will get overpaid and is slightly over-rated. To me, he doesn't fit the mold of what we are missing and he won't help with our issues of giving the puck away as much as we do on the back end. I really hope they target a stay a home type more so.

Another d man possible to trade for is Martinez from L.A.. Sikrua or kahun and 4th L.A. desperately needs speed in their line up hawks top 4 dman who is soild. Just another idea good or bad its what we will do until the offseason starts. Here is question how soon after the playoffs are done can teams start trading?
- Scott1977

Would rather have Forbort, plays a more heavy game, 4 year younger, $1.5 mil. cheaper and 1 less year on his contract.

Would rather have Forbort, plays a more heavy game, 4 year younger, $1.5 mil. cheaper and 1 less year on his contract.
- LAHawk

Ok another don't think L.A. trades him for the point you made he cheaper and younger.

I’m a huge Lowry fan...would love him as our 3C. 6’5” who hits and is 55% at face offs 👍🏻
- DrewDawg

He isn't a 3C. He doesn't score enough for that role. His offense is limited. As a 4C? Maybe

Ok another don't think L.A. trades him for the point you made he cheaper and younger.
- Scott1977

Martinez is not bad, just don't think he fits what the Hawks need on D, too redundant.

For me Trouba would be a no thanks. I might be in the minority on it, but I think he will get overpaid and is slightly over-rated. To me, he doesn't fit the mold of what we are missing and he won't help with our issues of giving the puck away as much as we do on the back end. I really hope they target a stay a home type more so.
- breadbag

Well, you have company. I would pass on him. He is going to want 7-8M and that is too much to me. 6M? For sure. Its no coincidence the Jets' PP struggled when he was on PP1.

Martinez is not bad, just don't think he fits what the Hawks need on D, too redundant.
- LAHawk

IDK. Pair with Murphy. They were dynamite together last year at the World Championships. he is 34 though.

Powers reporting Mitchell going back to Denver. Drafting NCAA players introduces that element of risk.
- EbonyRaptor

Meh. He feels he isn't ready mentally and physically yet. Its a good decision for him.
Course we will have to endure two years of the he is leaving mantra. At least until he signs at the end of next season.

The business side is he gets to his 2nd contract quicker by making this choice. He signs at the end of his Junior year. Burns the 1st year at the end of next season and then has 1 years left on his ELC.

Meh. He feels he isn't ready mentally and physically yet. Its a good decision for him.
Course we will have to endure two years of the he is leaving mantra. At least until he signs at the end of next season.

The business side is he gets to his 2nd contract quicker by making this choice. He signs at the end of his Junior year. Burns the 1st year at the end of next season and then has 1 years left on his ELC.
- Elbows15

Powers also had an article on Mitchell where he asked him about signing with CHI. Mitchell said he had no idea where people would get the idea that he did not want to join the Hawks. He was very positive about the prospect of joining the Hawks in the future.

Yes, there is always the chance that he bolts, but as of right now there is nothing directly from him that states otherwise.

Hawks don't have the players to play a Trotz style system, in Nashville, Washington, and now in NY, he had much bigger players, and his teams play a heavy game.
- LAHawk

An article from the NY Post:

“There are basic principles of structure and playing responsibly on the defensive side of the puck, but I try to assess what I have in terms of personnel and go from there,” Trotz told The Post before his team’s Thanksgiving Eve showdown with the Rangers at the Garden. “I think I’m good at putting players in the right roles where they can be productive.

“In Nashville, we had as good a defense as anybody, so we played to that strength. When I got to Washington, I moved Ovie to the right side because that’s where he’s most effective cutting in toward the net, but there were things I needed from him on the defensive side. And I explained that I needed that so we could get the puck back as quickly as possible to get it onto his stick.

Mitchell finished his second season as to play two more to get to UFA..status

when hawks win the SC next year, he will change his tune

Mitchell finished his second season as to play two more to get to USF status
- Abadseed

I'm not familiar. What is USF?