Driving in this morning, NHL Radio had one of the Penguins beat writers on. He said Maata last year was slow on straight away speed, his turns, etc. are still there. He didn't know if the straight away speed issue was because of injury. He said Maata is a very smart hockey player and if he plays to potential the Hawks will be very happy the picked him up. He said Maata was traded because they needed the cap space, and no one wants Jack Johnson and the Kessel trade fell through.
- LAHawk

bingo...

heres the hawks answer to their defense...

https://www.nhl.com/news/...uf-bought-out/c-307865994
- bogiedoc

Ugh, he was horrible this year, was projected on being the 7th defenseman next year. Plus whoever he signs with, he is going to want a NTC, or NMC. I see him going back to Ottawa as a body.

Ugh, he was horrible this year, was projected on being the 7th defenseman next year. Plus whoever he signs with, he is going to want a NTC, or NMC. I see him going back to Ottawa as a body.
- LAHawk

What is his cap hit now that he is bought out?

Here is a look at what Bowman was talking about in terms of Maata helping out.

Here is a picture of unblocked shot rates for the Pens with Maata on the ice 5v5. Note: Red in front of the goalie is bad. Means a high rate of shots compared to league average. The left side wasn't facing the onslaught the right side was. Appears they limited shot right in front of their goalie.



Here is how the Pens did without Maata 5v5.



Here is how the Hawks did as a team. The glaring problem in terms of shots unblocked from dangerous spots. Maata at least seemed to have a positive effect



This isn't everything, but at least as a 2nd pair guy Maata should give the goalies an easier time by holding down the fort on his side a bit better. He is apparently good at that and this is what the charts tend to show here.

Two positives from this trade:
1. Matta should drastically improve the PK and defensive zone. It wasn’t that long ago this kid was being talked about as the next generation of great D. How do you think he got $4M a year at such a young age.

2. I don’t need to watch Kahun stick handle and chop at each side of the puck 1000 times a game!

I think it will turn out to be a great deal for the Hawks.
- Boisy12

You missed #3

3. Maata can be bought out for around $650K. I can't believe it is that low -must be because of his age.

What is his cap hit now that he is bought out?
- powerenforcer

cap hit belong to the kings...he is now a UFA...

remember the Brad Richards signing by the hawks: bought out by the rangers probably still getting paid by them and signed a cheap deal with the hawks for 1 year and won a cup...

and here is your tired old retread coach hire for this sinking ship

https://www.nhl.com/news/...kins-as-coach/c-307873432
- bogiedoc

That’s a good sign that JC will be able to get a job somewhere else after it becomes obvious that he was a bad hire.

NHL.com has their redraft 2006 up saying Toews would have been #1. The interesting thing is who was #1 that year. Erik Johnson is the guy the Blues went with. This just highlights to me the importance of the Hawks scouting at #3. He is a decent player...Johnson was the best Dman from that draft year but didn't quite live up to expectations. I'm not saying this year is the same or that Byram is a bad pick, but I hope the team did their homework.

The Sens have signed Anthony Duclair to a one-year deal worth $1.65 million. He was a RFA

The Sens have signed Anthony Duclair to a one-year deal worth $1.65 million. He was a RFA
- LAHawk

Wow, extreme overpay. Did they watch him play the past two seasons?!

NHL.com has their redraft 2006 up saying Toews would have been #1. The interesting thing is who was #1 that year. Erik Johnson is the guy the Blues went with. This just highlights to me the importance of the Hawks scouting at #3. He is a decent player...Johnson was the best Dman from that draft year but didn't quite live up to expectations. I'm not saying this year is the same or that Byram is a bad pick, but I hope the team did their homework.
- breadbag

Why would anyone think they wouldn't do their homework? But also keep in mind that if the Hawks draft another Cam Barker it doesn't mean they didn't do their homework it means an 18 year old kid didn't project the way most thought he would.

The Athletic had an article by Lazerus this morning with one notion of Pavelski and Filppula signing in Chicago with Pavelski playing top line with Tazer.

The Athletic had an article by Lazerus this morning with one notion of Pavelski and Filppula signing in Chicago with Pavelski playing top line with Tazer.
- Assman22

How would that work cap wise? I can see Pavelski asking for $8mil. for like 3 years, plus it would be an over 35 contract.

Here is a look at what Bowman was talking about in terms of Maata helping out.

Here is a picture of unblocked shot rates for the Pens with Maata on the ice 5v5. Note: Red in front of the goalie is bad. Means a high rate of shots compared to league average. The left side wasn't facing the onslaught the right side was. Appears they limited shot right in front of their goalie.



Here is how the Pens did without Maata 5v5.



Here is how the Hawks did as a team. The glaring problem in terms of shots unblocked from dangerous spots. Maata at least seemed to have a positive effect



This isn't everything, but at least as a 2nd pair guy Maata should give the goalies an easier time by holding down the fort on his side a bit better. He is apparently good at that and this is what the charts tend to show here.
- breadbag

Thanks for posting this... as a visual person this helps out learning about the analytics in hockey stats these days. I feel even worse for our goalies last year after seeing the Hawks chart.

The Athletic had an article by Lazerus this morning with one notion of Pavelski and Filppula signing in Chicago with Pavelski playing top line with Tazer.
- Assman22

That was just a hypothetical signing, although I wouldn't mind Pavelski

Looks as if Erik Karlsson will be staying in San Jose...8yrs/88M.
- frafra

Wow, that's a massive deal. The first half will be ok, but after that this deal isn't looking so good.

The Sens have signed Anthony Duclair to a one-year deal worth $1.65 million. He was a RFA
- LAHawk

I wonder if this is the type of deal Perlini will sign?

Come for the hockey, stay for the grammar?
- Marlowe

I just didn't like the trash talk at the end so had to call out on it. Done.

Ugh, he was horrible this year, was projected on being the 7th defenseman next year. Plus whoever he signs with, he is going to want a NTC, or NMC. I see him going back to Ottawa as a body.
- LAHawk

I had wondered about Phaneuf as well, but the Hawks don't need any more 5-7 defensemen.

Honestly, I bet we see him back in Toronto on a bargain.

How would that work cap wise? I can see Pavelski asking for $8mil. for like 3 years, plus it would be an over 35 contract.
- LAHawk

Not sure what he would fetch AAV at 35 years old but did pot 38 goals last season. Why not raid SJ for their free agents(Nyquist, Donskoi, Pavelski) and go for broke? Knocks out the perennial top team in the West to boot.

Ok fully erect.

Laz drops the name Pavelski for the Blackhawks 7/1 . Sign me up for that all day

Maybe the Rangers like him there also.
- HawkintheD

I am sure they do and that would benefit the Hawks GREATLY over the Rangers selecting him.

I just downloads Future Considerations and I have again found some guys who see what I see in Byram's defensive ned deficiencies:
At times, he can look disinterested in his defensive responsibilities and his positioning in his own zone can be iffy. This could be due to the fact that he logs so many minutes for Vancouver on the blue line. He does possess
all the tools to improve his defensive game.[/I]

Nah, he just doesn't possess the awareness and isn't reading the ice...

Why would anyone think they wouldn't do their homework? But also keep in mind that if the Hawks draft another Cam Barker it doesn't mean they didn't do their homework it means an 18 year old kid didn't project the way most thought he would.
- paulr

Obviously I'm not suggesting they didn't prepare for the draft. Don't take the statement that literal. I'm just expressing the hope that they did all they could to make the best selection because while they should get an NHL player, they have the tougher choice since #1 and #2 are pretty much locks. The 3-10 range is way less certain. I hope they choose well.

That was just a hypothetical signing, although I wouldn't mind Pavelski
- DarthKane

Correct. Count me in as well.

How would that work cap wise? I can see Pavelski asking for $8mil. for like 3 years, plus it would be an over 35 contract.
- LAHawk

thats my thinking and wilson will give it to him...not leaving the bay area...