Indifferent towards the deal. The dude is slowwwwww which is bad for a high pressure system but at least they did a thing?

Oh and they did do something before the draft and proactively. That's neat.

If it was any other team besides Chicago Byram would be a strong lock for #3 based on everything I've read since the Draft Lottery. The only reason that Byram isn't a lock at 3 is because of the Hawks recent drafting of Jokiharju, Boquist, Beaudin and Mitchell. IF the Hawks don't want Byram at 3, they would be smart to explore a trade with another team in the Top 10 that is in desperate need of a Top Pair Defense prospect.
- EnzoD

If the Blackhawks think he’s the best player available at #3 they take him, if not they don’t.

Olli Maata is taking number 6? A list of the last 11 Hawks to wear good old number 6.

Anton Babchuk 2004
Jaroslav Spacek 2006
Lasse Kukkonen 2007
Magnus Johansson 2008
Jordan Hendry 2009-2011
Sean O'Donnell 2012
Mike Kostka 2014
Adam Clendening 2015
Trevor Daley 2016
Michal Kempny 2017-2018
Cody Franson 2018
- Rota's Rooter

So that means he is dealt at the trade deadline to the eventual SC winner next season?

If the Blackhawks think he’s the best player available at #3 they take him, if not they don’t.
- walleyeb1

What if they think that Byram is a lock as a # 1 Dman & whichever Center they grade highest (Cozens/Turcotte/Dach) is a Lock as a #1 C?

Edit: then it’s just a debate about what position is more important...#1D or #1C, right?

I don't love Maatta but I will give him a chance to see what he can do and not come into it with preconceived notions that his 10 speed rating is going to nuke this team.

I think they got better with the trade....a ton? No....but they got better and that's the goal as this offseason goes along.
- SteveRain

Seems reasonable. Try to get a bit better with each transaction. Same with AA - trade him if it help makes the team better. They don't need to trade him for cap reasons at this point.

Indifferent towards the deal. The dude is slowwwwww which is bad for a high pressure system but at least they did a thing?

Oh and they did do something before the draft and proactively. That's neat.
- fattybeef

I've not really watched Matta play all that much. Seabrook has never been fast, but he made up for it with positioning/IQ/physicality/etc. Is this guy really as slow/slower than Seabrook? If so how has he been in the league for so long?

All the reports I've read so far say that he is a very hard worker on his overall game. I would think that would help negate a lot of his shortcomings.

One last thing that popped into my mind about everyone worried about speed, of all that teams that employ a majority of "plus skaters" on the backend, how many are really good defensively?

Speed is great if you know what to do with it. How many speedy guys have we had on the team in the last 5-10 years who were basically useless to us? Fortin, Duclair, Stalberg, Runblad, Daley.. I know there are caveats and exceptions all over the place, but I'm all for more players on the team who are just really good at playing hockey and know what to do when.

Seems reasonable. Try to get a bit better with each transaction. Same with AA - trade him if it help makes the team better. They don't need to trade him for cap reasons at this point.
- mohel

I agree.....In my world, I would keep Murphy over AA if you had to trade 1 of them.

I think Bowman is in full on press. I think they are going to make a decent trade at the draft for another D man and throw money at Lee and/or pavelski (if they reach UFA) and depeding upon how much they have to throw will determine how many other guys they have to deal to clear up the room.

I know Kelly is a HUGE USMDT guy so I am guessing they are looking at an American at #3.....as long as the guy they pick pans out I don't care where is from TBH

What if they think that Byram is a lock as a # 1 Dman & whichever Center they grade highest (Cozens/Turcotte/Dach) is a Lock as a #1 C?

Edit: then it’s just a debate about what position is more important...#1D or #1C, right?
- EnzoD

They won’t have a tie, Kelley “people say it’s going to be a hard decision, but with all the information we’ve gathered I think it’s going to be an easy decision”!

I've not really watched Matta play all that much. Seabrook has never been fast, but he made up for it with positioning/IQ/physicality/etc. Is this guy really as slow/slower than Seabrook? If so how has he been in the league for so long?

All the reports I've read so far say that he is a very hard worker on his overall game. I would think that would help negate a lot of his shortcomings.

One last thing that popped into my mind about everyone worried about speed, of all that teams that employ a majority of "plus skaters" on the backend, how many are really good defensively?

Speed is great if you know what to do with it. How many speedy guys have we had on the team in the last 5-10 years who were basically useless to us? Fortin, Duclair, Stalberg, Runblad, Daley.. I know there are caveats and exceptions all over the place, but I'm all for more players on the team who are just really good at playing hockey and know what to do when.
- Chunk

Agreed 100% and Maatta will stand in the lane and block shots so what he lacks in coverage he can make up for in shots.

Turning the page...…..

What if they think that Byram is a lock as a # 1 Dman & whichever Center they grade highest (Cozens/Turcotte/Dach) is a Lock as a #1 C?

Edit: then it’s just a debate about what position is more important...#1D or #1C, right?
- EnzoD

Yes, but is that debate about what is on the team currently, what is in the system currently, or both?

The one thing that has been stuck in my head for a while is that Stan noted that they do not expect all of the drafted D-men to ultimately play on the Hawks (simply by the math/timing involved). I expect that they will ultimately move one or two of them out, but when and for what will be very interesting to track.

Slow Maata as a 21yr old played 17:44 a game in the playoffs en route to a cup, then played over 20min a game the next playoff run to cup #2 as a 22yr old.

I'll take a slow defenceman that's smart and can play well postionally over a speedy player with a 2 cent brain

They won’t have a tie, Kelley “people say it’s going to be a hard decision, but with all the information we’ve gathered I think it’s going to be an easy decision”!
- walleyeb1

Is it Friday yet?!

Olli Maata is taking number 6? A list of the last 11 Hawks to wear good old number 6.

Anton Babchuk 2004
Jaroslav Spacek 2006
Lasse Kukkonen 2007
Magnus Johansson 2008
Jordan Hendry 2009-2011
Sean O'Donnell 2012
Mike Kostka 2014
Adam Clendening 2015
Trevor Daley 2016
Michal Kempny 2017-2018
Cody Franson 2018
- Rota's Rooter

33 is my guess. He wore 3 in Pitts.

Montour and 6th overall for Gustafsson and 3rd overall.
- Ogilthorpe2

I do that deal then draft dach or zegras at 6 i think considering turcotte bryam and Cozens are gone with 3 4 5 picks . dach would then be my pick.

Agreed 100% and Maatta will stand in the lane and block shots so what he lacks in coverage he can make up for in shots.

Turning the page...…..
- SteveRain

His highest shot block total is 116. He's a machine.

Off topic but Trouba would be such a great acquisition. He’d be worth trading a haul for. Fantastic fit for this team.
- TommyHawk

Winnipeg is not going to get what they want they dealing a position of weaknesses not strength imo.

I agree.....In my world, I would keep Murphy over AA if you had to trade 1 of them.

I think Bowman is in full on press. I think they are going to make a decent trade at the draft for another D man and throw money at Lee and/or pavelski (if they reach UFA) and depeding upon how much they have to throw will determine how many other guys they have to deal to clear up the room.

I know Kelly is a HUGE USMDT guy so I am guessing they are looking at an American at #3.....as long as the guy they pick pans out I don't care where is from TBH
- SteveRain

One thing that I will be watching is the position of the players that are acquired. If he adds a center or two, I'm wondering if they just play out the year and trade the rights to Strome (obviously depending on the play of the acquisitions and any rookies). Yes, he has a ton of chemistry with ADB, but ADB did fine without him the year prior. Strome was not good defensively last year, an with all of the emphasis on defense it could be an option for more/better assets.

I don't hate his game, but Strome is the forward version of Gus to me.

Olli Maata is taking number 6? A list of the last 11 Hawks to wear good old number 6.

Anton Babchuk 2004
Jaroslav Spacek 2006
Lasse Kukkonen 2007
Magnus Johansson 2008
Jordan Hendry 2009-2011
Sean O'Donnell 2012
Mike Kostka 2014
Adam Clendening 2015
Trevor Daley 2016
Michal Kempny 2017-2018
Cody Franson 2018
- Rota's Rooter

Not many stellar players there. Hope it's not a sign of things to come.

Karlsson just signed with San Jose for $92M for 8 years, NMC.

Is it Friday yet?!
- EnzoD

No that’s just what he said today, now if teams start calling with knock your socks off deals for #3, I suppose that could change.

I've not really watched Matta play all that much. Seabrook has never been fast, but he made up for it with positioning/IQ/physicality/etc. Is this guy really as slow/slower than Seabrook? If so how has he been in the league for so long?

All the reports I've read so far say that he is a very hard worker on his overall game. I would think that would help negate a lot of his shortcomings.

One last thing that popped into my mind about everyone worried about speed, of all that teams that employ a majority of "plus skaters" on the backend, how many are really good defensively?

Speed is great if you know what to do with it. How many speedy guys have we had on the team in the last 5-10 years who were basically useless to us? Fortin, Duclair, Stalberg, Runblad, Daley.. I know there are caveats and exceptions all over the place, but I'm all for more players on the team who are just really good at playing hockey and know what to do when.
- Chunk

Its not Maatta's speed, cause he doesn't have any, but Seabrook is far superior in his mobility even now. That is more of what the negatives are about him. He struggles in the turn and chase the puck. He NEEDS a mobile partner to be effective. He has struggled any time he is expected to carry a pairing.

If he can somehow help the PK, and the report are meh at best about that, he can be useful

How about Forsling to the Ducks for Rowney + a 5th? Ducks get a young Dman with upside who needs a change of scene and the Hawks get a forward that can be trusted to play some PK minutes on the bottom 6.
- breadbag

No has concussion issues but like your thinking.

Not many stellar players there. Hope it's not a sign of things to come.
- boilermaker100

Stop yourself! Kukkonen, and Kostka were underappreciated gems! If they just got the chance...

Episode 2 of the “On The Clock” series on YouTube dropped today, and while there was nothing revealing there, if there’s anything to gather here it’s that the three players they analyzed were Byram, Cozens, and Dach. I wonder how they decide which clips to include.

I've not really watched Matta play all that much. Seabrook has never been fast, but he made up for it with positioning/IQ/physicality/etc. Is this guy really as slow/slower than Seabrook? If so how has he been in the league for so long?

All the reports I've read so far say that he is a very hard worker on his overall game. I would think that would help negate a lot of his shortcomings.

One last thing that popped into my mind about everyone worried about speed, of all that teams that employ a majority of "plus skaters" on the backend, how many are really good defensively?

Speed is great if you know what to do with it. How many speedy guys have we had on the team in the last 5-10 years who were basically useless to us? Fortin, Duclair, Stalberg, Runblad, Daley.. I know there are caveats and exceptions all over the place, but I'm all for more players on the team who are just really good at playing hockey and know what to do when.
- Chunk

Good post. Totally agree that you want players with above average to great hockey IQ, compete level, and consistency versus high-end skills but no idea of how/when to use especially at a consistent level.

This is why I'm fine with the trade for Maatta. The biggest things are his health and ensuring he has a partner who can skate better than he can while playing just as reliable defense as him. Not sure if that defenseman is on the team yet. Maybe Jokiharju in due time but not sure if I would do it out of the gate.