I don't think they need to add at forward too much. Draft the other tall Dylan, get big up the middle and that should be fine.

They have enough role playing forwards and dudes who can score. Not a priority IMO if they can figure out an effective system.

Hawks re-signed Nilsson. 1 year, $700,000.
- DarthKane

Horrible overpay, too much term and Stan likely could have gotten him cheaper if he'd waited a week or two.

I was bored- nothing going on here, nothing really happening in TD Garden - at least I got some responses.

I actually favor all of the O-6 teams in the tournament.
- StLBravesFan

And people call TG, True Contrarian. Ok, he is too...wonder if you two are related somehow.

No way should we keep Sakura over perlini. Teach perlini how to hit and you’ve got either a second liner with Strome and adb or a bottom 6 forward with speed and size. Sakura has shown me nothing at all.

And people call TG, True Contrarian. Ok, he is too...wonder if you two are related somehow.
- HawkintheD

The Contrarian Sage

No way should we keep Sakura over perlini. Teach perlini how to hit and you’ve got either a second liner with Strome and adb or a bottom 6 forward with speed and size. Sakura has shown me nothing at all.
- Nmbr1

How about Sikura, the guy who showed he's one of the best 3 or 4 Blackhawks defensively? Or how he had plenty of offensive chances and while he wasn't able to score he had the presence of mind to not panic, overhandle the puck, overpass or over compensate for his inability to get his first goal but instead make good smart safe plays? I'd love to see Perlini figure out how to put it together and he had a two three week period where he was one of the best Hawk players and some nights the best. But in my opinion, based on overall play and hockey smarts Sikura has shown to be the player with the higher upside.

How about Sikura, the guy who showed he's one of the best 3 or 4 Blackhawks defensively? Or how he had plenty of offensive chances and while he wasn't able to score he had the presence of mind to not panic, overhandle the puck, overpass or over compensate for his inability to get his first goal but instead make good smart safe plays? I'd love to see Perlini figure out how to put it together and he had a two three week period where he was one of the best Hawk players and some nights the best. But in my opinion, based on overall play and hockey smarts Sikura has shown to be the player with the higher upside.
- paulr

The Hawks won't be making a decision to keep one or the other, they will try to develop both into low cost effective forwards.

But when you watch the playoffs, specifically the Avs/Flames series and 2 really good players in Milo Rantenen and Johnny Hockey, you see the value of the big man when the going gets tough.

It might never happen, but if Perlini could be developed into a poor man's Rantanen the Hawks are clear cut winners. I doubt Sikura would ever reach that level of contribution at the NHL level. But I still keep him and find the best place to use him.

And people call TG, True Contrarian. Ok, he is too...wonder if you two are related somehow.
- HawkintheD

Ok, then - how about an interesting fact from - from an AP story in today’s Trib:

Scoring in the playoffs this season has been about the same as during the regular season - 5.8 total GPG vs. 6.

But during the regular season, 77.8% of all goals were at even strength. In the tournament, only 59.4% have been.

Special teams and EV defense.

Reeves or Carrier would be nice. I like Simmonds but I would like him more if he was 5 years younger.
- Justin Lowe

As in Ryan Reeves? Oh man. Would love him on our 4th line.

As in Ryan Reeves? Oh man. Would love him on our 4th line.
- z1990z

I’d generally prefer to take a pass on no-skill, dirty, pieces of crap.

The Hawks won't be making a decision to keep one or the other, they will try to develop both into low cost effective forwards.

But when you watch the playoffs, specifically the Avs/Flames series and 2 really good players in Milo Rantenen and Johnny Hockey, you see the value of the big man when the going gets tough.

It might never happen, but if Perlini could be developed into a poor man's Rantanen the Hawks are clear cut winners. I doubt Sikura would ever reach that level of contribution at the NHL level. But I still keep him and find the best place to use him.
- RickJ

Well put, if both players reach their potential Perlini probably has the higher upside but my guess is Sikura is more likely to reach his based on a higher hockey IQ but more Importantly he has shown far more effort on a consistent basis. And yes both should be kept to see if their potential can be reached.

Horrible overpay, too much term and Stan likely could have gotten him cheaper if he'd waited a week or two.
- HawkintheD

Agreed. If Stan waited a few weeks he could have easily re-signed Nilsson for $675,000. I bet Stan gave him a NMC too.

Well put, if both players reach their potential Perlini probably has the higher upside but my guess is Sikura is more likely to reach his based on a higher hockey IQ but more Importantly he has shown far more effort on a consistent basis. And yes both should be kept to see if their potential can be reached.
- paulr

Looks like to two top seeds are going out - and the two highest scoring teams (maybe three if SJ loses one more).

Yeah, defense and goal tending still matters a lot.
- StLBravesFan

Yep, but only if you want a Lord Stanley's cup, and the President's Trophy

Well put, if both players reach their potential Perlini probably has the higher upside but my guess is Sikura is more likely to reach his based on a higher hockey IQ but more Importantly he has shown far more effort on a consistent basis. And yes both should be kept to see if their potential can be reached.
- paulr

Agree and think you’ve mentioned before, the Hawks aren’t in a position to be casting aside young forwards with offensive upside.

To another poster’s comment earlier, I could care less if Perlini becomes a big hitter. I’d rather see him become better defensively and hopefully develop a bit of overall strength, stamina and willpower to win board battles in all three zones.

Elbows has made the comment several times about Perlini not keeping the legs moving and unfortunately that along with defensive awareness seem to be two of his biggest issues.

Colliton has mentioned and not necessarily specific to Perlini, but if the forwards can become more responsible in their own zone they have a better chance of playing with the puck in the other end. Not rocket science so he seems to get it.

Tkachuk isn't the brightest hockey player
- BetweenTheDots

I and wonthecup are both old school. But where we differ is he was all over getting Matthew Tkachuk and Manson all year long. Got sick of reading it. I wouldn't mind Manson as I don't think he's an entitled brat unlike the other one. Just starting the pushing and cheap poop in a scrum after the whistle doesn't make you a tough player. I want the guy who eventually straightens out a pos like Matthew Tkachuk.

I and wonthecup are both old school. But where we differ is he was all over getting Matthew Tkachuk and Manson all year long. Got sick of reading it. I wouldn't mind Manson as I don't think he's an entitled brat unlike the other one. Just starting the pushing and cheap poop in a scrum after the whistle doesn't make you a tough player. I want the guy who eventually straightens out a pos like Matthew Tkachuk.
- 6628

Tkachuk reminds me of a better version of Ryan Hartman. The man has hockey skills but he takes some really dumb penalties in the playoffs. These kind of players really hurt you. Again i love the physical game of hockey, but imho it's time to hang up the face punching especially with all this data that's coming out with brain injuries and long term effects.

Tkachuk reminds me of a better version of Ryan Hartman. The man has hockey skills but he takes some really dumb penalties in the playoffs. These kind of players really hurt you. Again i love the physical game of hockey, but imho it's time to hang up the face punching especially with all this data that's coming out with brain injuries and long term effects.
- BetweenTheDots

Maybe some frustration from the Flames.. the great Mr. Hockey couldn’t do anything. And the bigger and faster Avs have just been working the Flames over. Think the Flames realized they couldn’t hang with the Avs and they let the frustration boil over.

Kane Gaudreau comparisons please stop. One thing Kane does better than almost any other player...Gretzky like is he slows the game down in his mind even while his feet and hands are going 100mph.

Watching Gaudreau all night he doesn’t show me much of that. Tons of skill and elite hands. Didn’t see any of that special ability to slow the game down when it matters most.

Maybe some frustration from the Flames.. the great Mr. Hockey couldn’t do anything. And the bigger and faster Avs have just been working the Flames over. Think the Flames realized they couldn’t hang with the Avs and they let the frustration boil over.

Kane Gaudreau comparisons please stop. One thing Kane does better than almost any other player...Gretzky like is he slows the game down in his mind even while his feet and hands are going 100mph.

Watching Gaudreau all night he doesn’t show me much of that. Tons of skill and elite hands. Didn’t see any of that special ability to slow the game down when it matters most.
- bhawks2241

If they’re double and triple teaming Mr. Hockey at the blue line - there’s a lot of open ice somewhere.

It’s not as clear cut as the open players on a double / triple press in basketball - but the Flames players / Peters should have been able to figure out how to relieve the pressure on their star.

If they’re double and triple teaming Mr. Hockey at the blue line - there’s a lot of open ice somewhere.

It’s not as clear cut as the open players on a double / triple press in basketball - but the Flames players / Peters should have been able to figure out how to relieve the pressure on their star.
- StLBravesFan

In prior games yes. Last night he found a lot of open ice and couldn’t covert anything.

Makes me appreciate Kane and Toews even more. They show up when it matters most. Kane had 2 cups at Gadreaus age.

If they’re double and triple teaming Mr. Hockey at the blue line - there’s a lot of open ice somewhere.

It’s not as clear cut as the open players on a double / triple press in basketball - but the Flames players / Peters should have been able to figure out how to relieve the pressure on their star.
- StLBravesFan

Agree, but it does get tougher when the opposition is allowed to slash the crap out of Gadreau's hands. That guy gets abused and usually there's no call.

In prior games yes. Last night he found a lot of open ice and couldn’t covert anything.

Makes me appreciate Kane and Toews even more. They show up when it matters most. Kane had 2 cups at Gadreaus age.
- bhawks2241

The one key word i keep hearing is "matchups"? No one could stop line 1 of the Avs.

To be fair we had one of the best blue lines and 3rd and 4th lines in the league the years we won the SC. Can't say that about Calgary, we all saw what happened in 2016 and 2017 to the Blackhawks.

Reeves or Carrier would be nice. I like Simmonds but I would like him more if he was 5 years younger.
- Justin Lowe

I'd be ALL IN on Reeves as well and NO to Simmons for the reason you state.
5 years ago YES, but a hard pass on him now.

Reeves actually can play a little hockey as well as provide the much needed grit this team desperately needs. He would make opposing teams not ENJOY playing in United Center as they would have to skate with their heads up for once. I'm betting that Kane and Toews would welcome him with open arms.

I'm not sure who in the NHL is tougher and he would surely get that quiet UC crowd on the edge of their seats when he's patrolling the ice.

As for Malkin......... some of the trade proposals that I've just read here are just plain ludicrous. Yes I'd love to see him acquired but he is 32 years old and turning 33 in the summer. The only player that I'd hate to lose but would be in agreement to is Brandon Saad. He is a Pittsburgh boy and I'm thinking that he would have to be part of any package. Now if they'd take Anisimov and his 4.5 along with Saad's 6Mil, then we have a fit. Adding any of our recently drafted young defensemen might be a mistake in a few years. We'll see if the GOAL is to attempt a final run at a CUP with Kane and Toews on a ballsy move like this, doubtful but I'd be for it. I believe his contract runs through 21-22 so that's in line with K and T who are through 23 I believe.

So lets trade for Malkin at 9.5, sign Panarin for 9.5, and there's plenty of money left for the trade with Vegas for Eakin and McNabb, along with Reeves.

Let's see what Stan and management actually do this summer. It's going to be interesting.

What do we have in cap space for free agents?

You know Justin i was rethinking the trade with Vegas, instead of Eakin maybe they have regrets signing Alex Tuch to that contract and are willing to part ways with him, he'd look great in a Blackhawks sweater