Wrong.. those Cup teams at least had some of that element to get after it and scrum for pucks, block shots etc. Not to mention 19, 88, 10, 81, 2, and 7 at the top of their game. Shaw was the last of that group and we have not replaced that. Our team D is sooooo f'n bad it's rediculous.
- z1990z

Wrong? I don’t think so. I never said those teams didn’t have “it”, they did. But lots of people doubted it then. Back in 2013, you couldn’t go two pages on this blog without someone saying this team was too soft to win a cup.

Massive overpay. Malkin is not worth all of that especially 2 current top 6 forwards (one of which is one of the best players in the world if not > than Malkin himself) + a potential future top 6 forward + a potential future top 4 defenseman + a curr,ent 50ish point defenseman who is killer on the PP.
- AEL_Fox

I'd do it then all the team needs is to sign Dutch and we're all set.

If Gustafsson can improve his defense, even just a little bit, then I'm fine giving him top 4 minutes. Otherwise, yes, 3rd pair ES time and all the PP shifts he can handle.
- AEL_Fox

There is a degree of unknown regarding how much better or consistent Gus can become. Ideally he might be best suited for a third pair slot with the right dman. In house candidates whom play the other side of course draw first consideration.

Perhaps Carlsson or Gilbert would work out. Carlsson is able to play both sides - yeah so can Murphy - but Murphy is headlights eventually due to his skating
However, Carlsson compete level and skating would be plus plus.

You have to keep in mind that a stickler for responsibility vis - a - vis his [Colliton] system is only going to make the team defense better. Hence Gus could show better. His mindset i think sometimes is not on same wavelength but that can change when he has better support.

Part and parcel of that support needs to be forwards whom can skate well but moreover two per line are willing to engage for puck control along the boards.

My vision for the team makeover is consistent with fast skating compete level which is keeping everyone from becoming lazy. It is not only playoff hockey but comparable to playing the Bruins regular season. You will get battered and you will give effort. No floaters allowed. To that end even the Strome DeBrincat line has to buy in. And Perlini sits or plays depending upon his commitment level.

Therefore i foresee Hagel and Kursaev as prime candidates. I belive Entwhistle Kahun and Kubuliak with Kampf would make a dynamite makeover. Perhaps an inbetweener who runs his mouth but is skilled too - that's right Barrett - belongs.. Re Johnson may challenge Barrett here. All these young guys though need one year in Rockford

Additionally i would love a naturally aggressive abrasive Cozins or Dach\Turcotte tyoe new on a top line.

I'd do it then all the team needs is to sign Dutch and we're all set.
- paulr

Sign Dutch, trade for Boedker and Hanzal, look to add Kesler at all costs (he wins faceoffs) then the Hawks are set.

Massive overpay. Malkin is not worth all of that especially 2 current top 6 forwards (one of which is one of the best players in the world if not > than Malkin himself) + a potential future top 6 forward + a potential future top 4 defenseman + a current 50ish point defenseman who is killer on the PP.
- AEL_Fox

I think slofire meant to use red font.

I think slofire meant to use red font.
- -Doh-

Red font wasn't needed, the post was dripping in sarcasm

There is a degree of unknown regarding how much better or consistent Gus can become. Ideally he might be best suited for a third pair slot with the right dman. In house candidates whom play the other side of course draw first consideration.

Perhaps Carlsson or Gilbert would work out. Carlsson is able to play both sides - yeah so can Murphy - but Murphy is headlights eventually due to his skating
However, Carlsson compete level and skating would be plus plus.

You have to keep in mind that a stickler for responsibility vis - a - vis his
- jhawk59[Colliton] system is only going to make the team defense better. Hence Gus could show better. His mindset i think sometimes is not on same wavelength but that can change when he has better support.

Part and parcel of that support needs to be forwards whom can skate well but moreover two per line are willing to engage for puck control along the boards.

My vision for the team makeover is consistent with fast skating compete level which is keeping everyone from becoming lazy. It is not only playoff hockey but comparable to playing the Bruins regular season. You will get battered and you will give effort. No floaters allowed. To that end even the Strome DeBrincat line has to buy in. And Perlini sits or plays depending upon his commitment level.

Therefore i foresee Hagel and Kursaev as prime candidates. I belive Entwhistle Kahun and Kubuliak with Kampf would make a dynamite makeover. Perhaps an inbetweener who runs his mouth but is skilled too - that's right Barrett - belongs.

I would love a naturally aggressive abrasive Cozins or Dach\Turcotte tyoe new on a top line.

Problem is, if he keeps putting up numbers like this year he’s gonna want top pair money, and he’s not worth that. So the options are trade him now while his value is high, or likely lose him next off season for nothing.

Problem is, if he keeps putting up numbers like this year he’s gonna want top pair money, and he’s not worth that. So the options are trade him now while his value is high, or likely lose him next off season for nothing.
- Ogilthorpe2

Not to mention they had been playing him often on the "top pair" with Keith and thus he had higher minutes which would - in theory - fuel his argument for higher salary.

At this point in time, I'm kind of undecided on Gus. I wouldn't be all that upset if he was traded or retained this year, but once that next contract is here, I don't want to see any number over 3 even discussed (years or money) if he is on the Hawks.

I think slofire meant to use red font.
- -Doh-

I really hope so.

I'd do it then all the team needs is to sign Dutch and we're all set.
- paulr

If you mean Dutch from the Cobra Kai, then heck yes. He would add toughness and arrogance to the Hawks lineup.

If you mean Dutch from the Cobra Kai, then heck yes. He would add toughness and arrogance to the Hawks lineup.


- AEL_Fox

I’d prefer Dutch from Predator

How about Dutch Schultz, no lavender sniffer there.

How about Dutch Schultz, no lavender sniffer there.
- LAHawk

How about Dutch(ie) Caray?

I always heard that Harry was the “lavender sniffer” in the family...,

I’d prefer Dutch from Predator
- SimpleJack

- AEL_Fox

If you mean Dutch from the Cobra Kai, then heck yes. He would add toughness and arrogance to the Hawks lineup.


- AEL_Fox

I think Tommy from the Cobra Kai Club would provide some of the Shaw like qualities this team is missing. He sure is annoying like Shawzie.

BTW, RNH scored 20 more points than Saad this year. I realize Lucic is a dead contract but would prolly have to include him to entice EDM to make the deal. The fact that the dollars exchanged would be a break-even, it would allow the Hawks to sign a scorer such as Panarin and still have approx $10-$12 mil available of the projected $22 mil cap space next year to extend Cat and Strome. The idea of having a top-6 of: Toews, Kane Panarin, RNH, Cat & Strome may be a slight pipedream but would be awesome. In addition, the defense improves tremendously and allows prospects such as BO, Mitchell & Beaudin to continue to work on their game in the AHL / college over the next year or 2.

BTW, RNH scored 20 more points than Saad this year. I realize Lucic is a dead contract but would prolly have to include him to entice EDM to make the deal. The fact that the dollars exchanged would be a break-even, it would allow the Hawks to sign a scorer such as Panarin and still have approx $10-$12 mil available of the projected $22 mil cap space next year to extend Cat and Strome. The idea of having a top-6 of: Toews, Kane Panarin, RNH, Cat & Strome may be a slight pipedream but would be awesome. In addition, the defense improves tremendously and allows prospects such as BO, Mitchell & Beaudin to continue to work on their game in the AHL / college over the next year or 2.
- Bel4-30

And then how do you pay for ADB and Strome's extensions?

Get ready to be called a Neanderthal for supporting that kind of view. But you are right. Anybody who disagrees should watch more of these playoffs games and see what the winning teams are doing. The kind of hockey we see during the regular season is more like Rec hockey. I am not that confident that this Hawks team can elevate its game to the level required for the playoffs without becoming easy fodder.
- 67hawks

Out of context, i love physical hockey just like football, but go ahead and twist it

It's time to retire the face punching, didn't understand it as a kid and can't believe it's still part of the game

Speaking of face punching, the kid from Carolina playing tonight?

Cole Caufield with 2 goals at the U18 tournament. Cozens with 0.

Just saying...

Out of context, i love physical hockey just like football, but go ahead and twist it

It's time to retire the face punching, didn't understand it as a kid and can't believe it's still part of the game
- BetweenTheDots

Show me all the times a good fight turned the tide of a game or a series in the playoffs. Not saying physicality doesn’t have a place but fighting really doesn’t in playoff hockey.

Cole Caufield with 2 goals at the U18 tournament. Cozens with 0.

Just saying...
- DarthKane

Correction... Caufield scored his 3rd goal as I was typing my past post. He's probably scoring his 4th right now.

Correction... Caufield scored his 3rd goal as I was typing my past post. He's probably scoring his 4th right now.
- DarthKane

Would you trade DeBrincat and the 3rd to move up to the 2nd or 1st spot to have a shot at him?

BTW, RNH scored 20 more points than Saad this year. I realize Lucic is a dead contract but would prolly have to include him to entice EDM to make the deal. The fact that the dollars exchanged would be a break-even, it would allow the Hawks to sign a scorer such as Panarin and still have approx $10-$12 mil available of the projected $22 mil cap space next year to extend Cat and Strome. The idea of having a top-6 of: Toews, Kane Panarin, RNH, Cat & Strome may be a slight pipedream but would be awesome. In addition, the defense improves tremendously and allows prospects such as BO, Mitchell & Beaudin to continue to work on their game in the AHL / college over the next year or 2.
- Bel4-30

Huh? Saad, RNH and Lucic make $6M each, so that trade puts Hawks down $6M. Add $9M for Panarin, and the Hawks spend $15M more on forwards. No way to sign the kids. Perhaps I misunderstood your post, but it seems to have math issues.