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Tyler Cameron: The Blackhawks Shopping List

Stan Bowman really ruined this blog for me.

The purpose of "The Blackhawks Shopping List" is to analyze the Hawks needs and possible UFA and trade targets to improve this team as we head into the free agency frenzy.

Here's a look at what I would do.
- Tyler Cameron

What was the point of acquiring De Haan? You did GREAT job trading for Maata to play #2LD behind Keith, and then you go out and get a guy in his late 20's, lead-footed, 4.55M who will be given the opportunity at 12 minutes a night?????? You guys desperately need a righty and this just does not make much sense to me. Not trying to be a downer tho, Maata was an A+ trade for you guys.

What about Peter Budaj as backup goalie???

Lazzyrus

While everyone's understandably focused on big names like Joe Pavelski and Anders Lee, I'd expect the Blackhawks to bring in a bottom-six guy or two to create some roster competition. Ryan Carpenter, a defensive-minded center, is one name I keep hearing.
- mrpaulish

And I keep hearing - no cup anytime soon.

Lazzyrus

While everyone's understandably focused on big names like Joe Pavelski and Anders Lee, I'd expect the Blackhawks to bring in a bottom-six guy or two to create some roster competition. Ryan Carpenter, a defensive-minded center, is one name I keep hearing.
- mrpaulish

Exactly the type Stan would sign, and not bad

4th liner, wouldn't cost much, RH, can play W or C and kills penalties

An obvious consideration not yet discussed....

I would wager that Stan DOES intend to do more than he represented on the Score. My guess is he doesn't like the asking price of GM's in a crunch and he's trying to leverage his position. At some point, there is a limited number of teams that can help the cap-crunched teams. Look at the Hawks with a "surplus" of cap room. Realistically, they can only take one big dog of a contract.

If Stan plays his cards right, deals AA after 7/1, he might have some people BEGGING him to take an unwanted contract with a cheap RFA/prospect/pick as a sweetener.

Lazzyrus

While everyone's understandably focused on big names like Joe Pavelski and Anders Lee, I'd expect the Blackhawks to bring in a bottom-six guy or two to create some roster competition. Ryan Carpenter, a defensive-minded center, is one name I keep hearing.
- mrpaulish

Carpenter is fine but he's a 4C at best and they already have Kampf for that. Unless the Hawks see Kampf as a wing or 3C, the latter of which would be bad since he's offensive a dub, I'd prefer they focus on 3Cs that are defensive as well or wingers (like Tanev) to add to the 4th line.

As for Pavelski, he's only agreed to visit Dallas and Tampa according to Friedman. Said Chicago would try to convince him to visit them but it's not in his plans currently.

My quick take on the defense so far is that it’s encouraging to have the luxury of starting Jokiharju in Rockford - now that Stan has added some serviceable depth in Maatta and DeHaan. More time for Jokiharju to develop in the minors is never a bad thing for a young defensemen.

Also, I don’t see Murphy as player burning a hole in Stan’s pocket - his presence is part of this newly-formed blue-line depth. I’d be cautious about moving him.

Lastly, I’m interested to see how the play of Keith and Seabrook are impacted with the additions of these defensemen and subsequent pairings/assignment/minutes. I expect to see improved play from both as a result.

I don't like the idea of moving Murphy simply because Seabs and soon Keith will be unmovable (and soon unusable).

We can't keep saying that for the next 3-5 years.

Sooner or later Stan is going to have to do something with them. Yes they were the life blood of the defense but that is in the past and there are too many players coming up behind them. The better players have to play. I don't doubt Stan knows this and it's not fair to Colliton to make him play them.

The buyout savings on Seabs according CapFriendly is crazy the savings go up and down each year they won't be much help. Nobody is going to take that contract there won't be any teams with that kind of cap space to waste no matter what you throw in. The logical move is get him to retire. Keith is owed very little real dollars soon he may retire on his own or actually be movable without a terrible sweetener. If they never dress they will become open to other ideas.
- rpeters01

Keith is fine. He is still a top 4 dman and at 5.35M that is not an anchor. Seabrook on the other hand...

What was the point of acquiring De Haan? You did GREAT job trading for Maata to play #2LD behind Keith, and then you go out and get a guy in his late 20's, lead-footed, 4.55M who will be given the opportunity at 12 minutes a night?????? You guys desperately need a righty and this just does not make much sense to me. Not trying to be a downer tho, Maata was an A+ trade for you guys.
- bikeguy99

You have an incorrect assumption on the Ice time. De Haan will be playing north of 15 minutes a night, probably around 17 to 19 minutes and will be one of the guys on the PK for Chicago. The ice time on the backend of the Hawks is gonna be fairly balanced as they can take some more load off Keith (who is turning 36 next month).

Not sure why, but I kind of think Saad still gets traded. Maybe not for much either other than prospects/picks

I think he was brought back as part to help get Toews game back...which didnt happen. With Kubilak in the wings, Wedin as well...then Sikura, Perlini....maybe Dach...

Not that I want him moved, but with them looking at Lee (more than Pavelski), I think Saad is being shopped if they land one of those 2

Carpenter is fine but he's a 4C at best and they already have Kampf for that. Unless the Hawks see Kampf as a wing or 3C, the latter of which would be bad since he's offensive a dub, I'd prefer they focus on 3Cs that are defensive as well or wingers (like Tanev) to add to the 4th line.

As for Pavelski, he's only agreed to visit Dallas and Tampa according to Friedman. Said Chicago would try to convince him to visit them but it's not in his plans currently.
- L_B_R

I think the idea would be a 4th line of Caggulia-Kampf-Carpenter

Kampf/Carpenter can be a PK pair, both take draws depend on whose side of the ice.

Could be a tough line to play against

Chicago isn't the same team they where back than with the amount of talent they had was easy to have patience because the team as a whole was producing and winning .

The team lacks talent so now every player has to contribute in more than just showing up. If in 38 games he hasn't registered a goal and has a combined total of 11 points that doesn't scream elite prospect for a 24 year old goal scorer.

It would be nice to know Chicago has retooled their forwards in 2 areas defensively and scoring .

Saad is to inconsistent and toews had a great year but chances are it was an anomaly for toews production.

Kane is Kane
Debricaant will score
Strome still has a ?

That's Chicago's top 6 I think we can all agree they need more depth
- Taylorst1

You have an incorrect assumption on the Ice time. De Haan will be playing north of 15 minutes a night, probably around 17 to 19 minutes and will be one of the guys on the PK for Chicago. The ice time on the backend of the Hawks is gonna be fairly balanced as they can take some more load off Keith (who is turning 36 next month).
- breadbag

A few blogs ago there was a topic about the capabilities of defensive pairs. I believe the discussion was along the lines of do you want a very good top pair, a good 2nd pair and an average 3rd pair OR 3 evenly balanced good pairs. Looks like the Hawks have chosen the latter option.

Not sure why, but I kind of think Saad still gets traded. Maybe not for much either other than prospects/picks

I think he was brought back as part to help get Toews game back...which didnt happen. With Kubilak in the wings, Wedin as well...then Sikura, Perlini....maybe Dach...

Not that I want him moved, but with them looking at Lee (more than Pavelski), I think Saad is being shopped if they land one of those 2
- PatShart

I like Lee, but he's not as well-rounded as Saad, is older, and will cost more for a longer amount of time. Lee will contribute a bit more offensively (if he plays on the top PP unit), but he's just average defensively and cannot help on the PK. They're not the same type of player despite both being labeled power forwards. I'd question Bowman's intelligence if he thought they were a good swap.

We should probably stop penciling in unproven offensive first players like Kubalik and Perlini as a sub either. Wedin probably won't even make the team, I have high hope for Sikura but also unproven, and Dach may be a year away as well.

Now, if it was Lee in addition to Saad, I'd be down.

A few blogs ago there was a topic about the capabilities of defensive pairs. I believe the discussion was along the lines of do you want a very good top pair, a good 2nd pair and an average 3rd pair OR 3 evenly balanced good pairs. Looks like the Hawks have chosen the latter option.
- boilermaker100

I think it is the make up of the roster. We don't have Keith/Seabrook in their prime where they can do it all and be 2 guys who are top 15/20 blue liners in the NHL anymore. We have to accept the fact that our top pair isn't going to be elite and the entire group has to be more solid and ice time will be more even.

I think the idea would be a 4th line of Caggulia-Kampf-Carpenter

Kampf/Carpenter can be a PK pair, both take draws depend on whose side of the ice.

Could be a tough line to play against
- PatShart

Maybe, though Carpenter was not a top PK player. He can play it, but he's always been in a secondary unit. He also hasn't ever played a full season in the NHL which is concerning for a player at 28. And for a checking line, you'd prefer to see a player have be against at least 2L quality of comp but Vegas used it's 4th line against other 4th lines predominantly.

I don't mind him, he's just not my first choice. But for a 1-year deal on the cheap without giving up assets, he's fine.

I like Lee, but he's not as well-rounded as Saad, is older, and will cost more for a longer amount of time. Lee will contribute a bit more offensively (if he plays on the top PP unit), but he's just average defensively and cannot help on the PK. They're not the same type of player despite both being labeled power forwards. I'd question Bowman's intelligence if he thought they were a good swap.

We should probably stop penciling in unproven offensive first players like Kubalik and Perlini as a sub either. Wedin probably won't even make the team, I have high hope for Sikura but also unproven, and Dach may be a year away as well.

Now, if it was Lee in addition to Saad, I'd be down.
- L_B_R

I agree with a lot of that...and I'm not a huge "go get Lee type". And if they did, I would prefer both as well.

But it's just a feel I have that like Anisimov (who under JC was put on 4th line LW at times), Saad isnt a JC player

Stan's "not looking to move" Seabrook. I bet. LOL. If someone would take that contract (they won't), Stan should be fired immediately if he didn't move it.

Just GM hot talk is all that is. "Hey look, that Bowman guy isn't looking to move Seabrook, that must mean he has value lets see if we can get him."

Coochie Perry is someone I don't like at all, but for a one-year deal why not? Perry also sounds very motivated. Try to grab lightning in that proverbial bottle ala Bradley Richards who helped us win a Cup not long ago.

Yeah, I would like to see that too...this is a highly advanced defensive system, that holds all accountable to be responsible, read the ice and where the attackers will be...the NHL continues to advance to find ways to stop the rampant fast attacks and personally, I am very happy that the hawks are in the vanguard of a changing dynamic instead of being a follower.

I will never forget prior to 2008-09 how my friend Blackhawk Bob said, "You know what the hawks don't have and need? Look at how all these playoff teams have more than one defender who can GET up in the attack zone quickly, or quickly get the transition going..."
Well the same hold true now with advancing defense to thwart the high end capacities of the entire leagues attackers.

If it doesn't work, find players that fit in it,

or if it doesn't work, after a season, then scrape and move on.
- wiz1901

Play a 1-3-1. Seems more suited to a team that is sketchy on the back end. Might also teach the forwards more responsibility. It would certainly reduce SOG against.

I think it is the make up of the roster. We don't have Keith/Seabrook in their prime where they can do it all and be 2 guys who are top 15/20 blue liners in the NHL anymore. We have to accept the fact that our top pair isn't going to be elite and the entire group has to be more solid and ice time will be more even.
- breadbag

I agree. Maybe my statement that "the Hawks have chosen the latter option" was not quite put right. They "realize they have to go with the latter option" may be more accurate.

In Friedman’s 31 thoughts today:

“14. Is there an extension coming for Chicago GM Stan Bowman? That’s the rumor, but he was coy at the draft. Wouldn’t confirm or deny.”

Maybe, though Carpenter was not a top PK player. He can play it, but he's always been in a secondary unit. He also hasn't ever played a full season in the NHL which is concerning for a player at 28. And for a checking line, you'd prefer to see a player have be against at least 2L quality of comp but Vegas used it's 4th line against other 4th lines predominantly.

I don't mind him, he's just not my first choice. But for a 1-year deal on the cheap without giving up assets, he's fine.
- L_B_R

Bellemare would be the best guy to get, IMO but I can see why they would target Carpenter as a low cost 4th line PKer

What was the point of acquiring De Haan? You did GREAT job trading for Maata to play #2LD behind Keith, and then you go out and get a guy in his late 20's, lead-footed, 4.55M who will be given the opportunity at 12 minutes a night?????? You guys desperately need a righty and this just does not make much sense to me. Not trying to be a downer tho, Maata was an A+ trade for you guys.
- bikeguy99

Actually, I like De Haan more than Maata. Look at his numbers, very impressive. I am not talking about points, but other numbers that show he's a driver of zone exits. He is solid as a rock blue line back, which is exactly what we need with D-men who are terrible at defense (Gustaffson) or simply can't play effectively any longer (Seabrook).

You want slow? that's Maata, although I'll admit he does make up for it with tremendous instincts and feel for the position.

BOTH acquisitions immediately improve the Hawks defense. Expect someone to get moved. Connor Murphy is a name Tyler brought up and while I loved his progress last year that makes some sense. Ideally, we could move Seabrook and keep Murphy, but that's not going to be possible to move #7

I think what’s really key about bowman wanting 1 year contracts is that he wants money coming off the books to sign deb and strome. Best case scenario stab goes out and gets penalty killers from a team in a cap dump type move, looking at frolik as an interesting option.