Agreed ...because Zaitsev asked to get out...
- wiz1901

That and Zaitsev is even worse and costs a bit more for an extra two years.

No poop. Kahun is a solid bottom 6 guy that put up some pts playing in the top 6.

He isn’t anything special. Not like he was a top PK guy... he skated fast and lost puck possession a lot.
- bhawks2241

Yeah I don’t quite understand the debate with losing Kahun for a top 4 d guy....Kahun I liked and would of been a good bottom 6 guy but even versteeg had similar stats playing with our top 6 and I think even stalberg was comparable. I know stats aren’t what determines a players value but from what I saw from sikura, I think he’ll do just fine replacing what Kahun did and maybe give you more offensively

I know Mitchell has said he’s going back to school for his last year, but can he still technically sign with Hawks? Is it until he registers for classes or attends his first class for the first time? Wondering if more D gets moved out....if his mind changes at all.

Yeah, until you watch Maatta. Then you realize there isn't much difference.
- Elbows15

Your opinion which you are entitled to. Dahlstrom is an AHLer on his very best days, it just isnt possible for Maatta, if healthy, to be worse.

And at least Stanbo didnt go down the Jake Gardiner path to hell.

Vince Dunn is fast and one of the main reasons their defense has become so elite.
- SimpleJack

Boqvist Mitchell even Beaudin quick pace up guys...the main reason Blues won was body work and skill Dunn was out for spell so I wouldn't sub Dunn was the 'difference."

I know Mitchell has said he’s going back to school for his last year, but can he still technically sign with Hawks? Is it until he registers for classes or attends his first class for the first time? Wondering if more D gets moved out....if his mind changes at all.
- DrewDawg

Mitchell hasn't sad he's going back for his last season - he's only said so far he's going back for his junior year.

And yes, Mitchell could still sign with the Hawks right now but he's not going to do that. He's already been made captain at Denver and he'd never let his school team down after making that commitment.

I know Mitchell has said he’s going back to school for his last year, but can he still technically sign with Hawks? Is it until he registers for classes or attends his first class for the first time? Wondering if more D gets moved out....if his mind changes at all.
- DrewDawg

He isn't going to change his mind. He was named Captain for this upcoming season and it means a lot to him. His decision was based on him not feeling like he is ready physically and mentally for professional hockey just yet.

And we even sweetened this deal by giving the Pens a draft pick.
- 67hawks

A fifth rounder that is on a draft board that in my opinion, starts to Peter out around the 130's where you start looking for developmental who MIGHT improve and beside they have two 4ths...just how many prospects do we want...already they are having difficulty signing all of them as they find better competitive options in Euro leagues...

Yeah he’s not the fastest but he uses his slowness well, if that makes sense...kinda like chara does
- rwilliams88

Thank you for chiming in Mr, Maatta.

Your opinion which you are entitled to. Dahlstrom is an AHLer on his very best days, it just isnt possible for Maatta, if healthy, to be worse.

And at least Stanbo didnt go down the Jake Gardiner path to hell.
- RickJ

Don't worry Rick...Stanbo's next move is to go after Gardiner...he's just getting warmed up.

Charlie Roumeliotis points out on NBCsportsChicago that Matta was a healthy scratch for 3 games during the Pens first round playoff series this spring. Another vote of confidence..3 more years at 4mil don't know if this is an improvement especially with the injury history...I get it what you're saying regard to some of the guys on the blueline especially after Bowman failed to address it last season when he needed to and the answer was Brandon Manning.

I didn't realize Kahun was the 2nd coming of Mark Stone.

Maata can fill the 5/6 Dman role so I don't have to watch Carl Dahlstrom in action anymore.
- RickJ

LOL

They got to control the scenario by trading amid who might have been edged out by the signings, or a newly drafted player (don't ask not sure) , or a Rockford hopeful.

Yeah, no reason for all the panties here in knots...the team was NOT LOOKING for a goon, so they took a chance on the LHanded young vet to fill spot no more no less.

Yeah I don’t quite understand the debate with losing Kahun for a top 4 d guy....Kahun I liked and would of been a good bottom 6 guy but even versteeg had similar stats playing with our top 6 and I think even stalberg was comparable. I know stats aren’t what determines a players value but from what I saw from sikura, I think he’ll do just fine replacing what Kahun did and maybe give you more offensively
- rwilliams88

Because Maatta isn’t a top 4 guy on a good team?

A fifth rounder that is on a draft board that in my opinion Strats to Peter out around the 130's where you start looking for developmental who MIGHT improve and beside they have two 4ths...just how many prospects do we want...already they are having difficulty signing all of them as they find better competitive options in Euro leagues...
- wiz1901

Who are they having problems signing? If I read that correctly.

Because Maatta isn’t a top 4 guy on a good team?
- Ogilthorpe2

He was projected to be on the bottom pair in Pitts this upcoming season.

Your opinion which you are entitled to. Dahlstrom is an AHLer on his very best days, it just isnt possible for Maatta, if healthy, to be worse.

And at least Stanbo didnt go down the Jake Gardiner path to hell.
- RickJ

There we agree.

Sean Tierney @chartinghockey
Want to see something interesting? Olli Maatta placed 20th among DEF in GAR last year. CHI may have found a competent defender for their top-four.


- walleyeb1

And look who else is there... Jake Gardiner. Considering how much this team values analytics, he could be their guy on July 1.

I checked out HF Boards for the blog on this trade.
- 67hawks

HockeyFuture-----where they team depth charts haven't been updated in years...Vince Dunn is the behind Jordan Schmaltz as defense prospect, and Jordan Binnington all three have "futures grades" of C.

It begs the question: IF the SITE starts with inaccuracy, why would the on the ball message boarders still be there???????????????????????????????????

Yeah I don’t quite understand the debate with losing Kahun for a top 4 d guy....Kahun I liked and would of been a good bottom 6 guy but even versteeg had similar stats playing with our top 6 and I think even stalberg was comparable. I know stats aren’t what determines a players value but from what I saw from sikura, I think he’ll do just fine replacing what Kahun did and maybe give you more offensively
- rwilliams88

I'm okay with the Hawks moving a 3rd line wing and a 5th to get a #4 dman and another guy that can play PK minutes.

Are you saying then that 5/6 defencemen should be paid $4M+ ? ?.
- 67hawks

Why not see if his body of work with the different group actually places whims 5th or 6th.
Maatta is a placeholder three years, because if he fails he is going to be Hossa like IR move so

I don't think is some monument get to loss, just shot blocking left hander who is young vet.

no more no less

Yeah, until you watch Maatta. Then you realize there isn't much difference (from Dahlstrom).
- Elbows15

untrue

I know Mitchell has said he’s going back to school for his last year, but can he still technically sign with Hawks? Is it until he registers for classes or attends his first class for the first time? Wondering if more D gets moved out....if his mind changes at all.
- DrewDawg

Mitchell will not sign now...would the Denver captain be looked upon favorably by bailing on his present team?....but should be man like in his conditioning and "could" get time before th year is out, and maybe edge out a guy who will be playing, IF he shines.

Can anybody see the future...Olli Maata gets exposed to Seattle.
He fills the hawks part of the expansion draft requirement at dee...

Yeah, since this junior evaluation I wrote, I think the kid hasn't played with the jump he is capable...is it the hits and a tentative-ness?

Thanks for recognizing my past works.
- wiz1901

First place I went to check. I’ll say one thing, the guy’s faced a lot of adversity with the cancer and concussion. So he’s a fighter, I’m gonna reserve judgement until I actually see him play 30 or 40 games.

He was projected to be on the bottom pair in Pitts this upcoming season.
- Elbows15

Some of that is just bad coaching decision though - Johnson was playing top 4 for them and he's much worse than Maatta in every way.

I don't like this as a Blues fan.
- Jason Millen

Jason, what's not to like as a Blues fan right now?

Some of that is just bad coaching decision though - Johnson was playing top 4 for them and he's much worse than Maatta in every way.
- L_B_R

true