lol. That said. A couple injuries...couple guys bust. 7th in Division and lottery team. Parity...Good luck predicting much in this league!!!
- hawk35

This can be said about every team in the league. THere are a number of variables that will determine how the Hawks fare this year. A few things to remember, you can’t just look at the one for one move and expect that that will be what you get. Different players will fill different roles on different team...wait for it... differently.

My concerns for this year are: can we get all the new faces acclimated fast enough, and settle on lines fast enough to get out of the gate on a good note.

My reasons for optimism are: major areas of concern have, at a minimum, been addressed (PK, defense, “tougher to play against”)

He’s got 2 years left on this expensive (for a 4th liner) Deal - How moveable will he be?
- StLBravesFan

Think Smith doesn't make it pass season one with Hawks..he's a cheap buyout(tad over $1M) after this season.

I'm still reeling from the Jozef Marha jersey sighting, and another poster wanting an Everett Sanipass one...

Saw the "Wirtz $$" jersey many a time in the old barn.

Can anyone honestly say they ever saw any fans wearing an Anisimov jersey...?

Signing perlini has the potential to block a prospect that deserves to make the team.
I just don't see the prospect that fills the role smith does
- dpard

When someone is match making and has a guy/girl who has a great personality, it's usually a tip off that that you'll find the person is unattractive. I'm not hearing how good Smith plays the game, how he can score, how he can defend etc. I'm only hearing what a great guy and teammate he is. What do you think that means? My guess is Smith's biggest role will be the guy who orders the popcorn and hotdogs in the press box.

And if Perlini continues to play 10 uninspired games for 1 outstanding game, you're right, he will be taking a spot for a young player too. Hopefully he can figure it out and demonstrate he can be more consistant.

When someone is match making and has a guy/girl who has a great personality, it's usually a tip off that that you'll find the person is unattractive. I'm not hearing how good Smith plays the game, how he can score, how he can defend etc. I'm only hearing what a great guy and teammate he is. What do you think that means? My guess is Smith's biggest role will be the guy who orders the popcorn and hotdogs in the press box.

And if Perlini continues to play 10 uninspired games for 1 outstanding game, you're right, he will be taking a spot for a young player too. Hopefully he can figure it out and demonstrate he can be more consistant.
- paulr

He brings, as you said, jam- something Hawks were desperately missing and don't have on the farm
He's better on draws....I know, useless stat....until the one extra draw he wins a game is on a pk and allows the Hawks to clear zone instead of trapped and giving up a goal. That's when it will matter.
Better on pk
He needs to chip in 10 goals, of the greasy variety
I've always been AA fan...Hawks had to shore up other areas, he was the cost

He brings, as you said, jam- something Hawks were desperately missing and don't have on the farm
He's better on draws....I know, useless stat....until the one extra draw he wins a game is on a pk and allows the Hawks to clear zone instead of trapped and giving up a goal. That's when it will matter.
Better on pk
He needs to chip in 10 goals, of the greasy variety
I've always been AA fan...Hawks had to shore up other areas, he was the cost
- dpard

Which I think he's capable...around 10 anyway...certainly more than Kruger.

As far as jam, I do think there are some of those guys on the farm now that maybe could compete for jobs in a year like Highmore, Hagel, Entwistle, Reese Johnson...but when or if they ever make the team is another question.

Think Smith doesn't make it pass season one with Hawks..he's a cheap buyout(tad over $1M) after this season.
- Beaver-Warrior

If bought out after this season, his buyout will be 2/3 of his salary, about 2.2M. The cap hit will be spread over 2 years so 1.1M each in 20-21 and 21-22.

Or the Hawks can trade him at the TDL or next year and retain some salary and take the cap hit just for the 20-21 season.

He’s got 2 years left on this expensive (for a 4th liner) Deal - How moveable will he be?
- StLBravesFan

Not moveable without a sweetener - the whole league had a shot at him and passed, I assume because his cap hit is too large.

I'm still reeling from the Jozef Marha jersey sighting, and another poster wanting an Everett Sanipass one...

Saw the "Wirtz $$" jersey many a time in the old barn.

Can anyone honestly say they ever saw any fans wearing an Anisimov jersey...?
- Brownie's_Purse

Ogi MUST have a closet full!!!!

I noticed in Smith's statement him thanking a scout for giving a tall lanky kid from Sask a chance. Sounded a bit familiar as the Hawks just drafted a tall kid who played in Sask. I know there is supposed to be a huge gap in expected talent, but perhaps the Hawks see Smith as a kind of mentor for Dach, like AA might have been for Panarin off the ice.
- 6628

Whether there are naysayers here on the board, I think that these moves were ALL made to help change culture, have short contract returns in trades, and this deal along with the others, is setting an enviroment where ANY draftee walks in gets a room full of help to each their goals of being SOLID all around players and attackers.
And despite the need the zack smith imo only points towards AA not fitting part of that, my friend Steven who did along time skated with one Dineen commented that when AA had Saad subtracted from his line last yr when they tried midgame shake ups, that Anisimov really didn’t like his replacements for what ever we can read into the comment.
My first response was they have seen enough of Kirby Dach to indicate he may not be rushed in playing soon.g
Is this team a contender ? I think not, but more aligned to further addition inside the system tweaks , yeah that.
But IF the kids do come on THAT REALLY COULD CHANGE THINGS

He brings, as you said, jam- something Hawks were desperately missing and don't have on the farm
He's better on draws....I know, useless stat....until the one extra draw he wins a game is on a pk and allows the Hawks to clear zone instead of trapped and giving up a goal. That's when it will matter.
Better on pk
He needs to chip in 10 goals, of the greasy variety
I've always been AA fan...Hawks had to shore up other areas, he was the cost
- dpard

Do you think Bowman makes the trade if they both have the same cap hit?

Ogi MUST have a closet full!!!!
- hawk35

Ogi has a red a white and a 2010 Winter Classic third jersey with Lalonde stitched on the back.

Anisimov <>= Smith+Perlini?

Smith is another PK guy bowman's brought in. Carp, Smith, Maata, Dehaan all block shots and have experience killing penalties. Hawks were terrible last year and Bowman has obviously tried to address it. Carp and Shmit can take draws too. I can see thinking behind it.

Perlini is a free asset from Strome deal so bowman is not giving him away. Everyone calling to dump him is not good asset management. He's got speed, showed chemistry with Strome and cat. At worst try and get a pick or prospect for him when timing is right (he's playing well and someone steps up that can take his spot)

Anisimov is a big center, not very fast but new how to use his skills. Played pk, $h!tty on FO, and a few good stints on PP.

In the end we lost on overall skill, but received a competitive player that addressed a weakness and retained an asset with potential. 2 players for one.

Never have I said a bad word aimed at AA. Guy tried his best. But, in all honesty, it was time for him to go. Hawks need to purge personnel periodically, to increase competition levels. Have no problem with the trade.

Why did the hawks want to move on from Anisimov ?
- spazzbot

Too many syllables in his last name.

Stan Bowman is trying to construct a team with a maximum of 2 syllables in their last name. Reduced cost on nameplates on the sweaters.

Too many syllables in his last name.

Stan Bowman is trying to construct a team with a maximum of 2 syllables in their last name. Reduced cost on nameplates on the sweaters.
- Rota's Rooter

So with that thinking, Gus is the next one gone?

Signing perlini has the potential to block a prospect that deserves to make the team.
I just don't see the prospect that fills the role smith does
- dpard

Perlini IS a prospect - maybe he hasn't exactly shown that he deserves to make the team, but he HAS shown some ability to be a contributing skater - yes, only in spurts, but let's see if he can put it together and become a consistent player.

well...tyler explained it pretty well...

not 3rd line kinda guy
he does not have a role
other than net presence he doesn't add that much
hawks wanted to move the last two years of his 4.5 mil cap hit
- bogiedoc

This.

If bought out after this season, his buyout will be 2/3 of his salary, about 2.2M. The cap hit will be spread over 2 years so 1.1M each in 20-21 and 21-22.

Or the Hawks can trade him at the TDL or next year and retain some salary and take the cap hit just for the 20-21 season.
- boilermaker100

Unless something magical occurs, I don't see him on the Hawks past this season.

Stan got rid of our misfit 3rd line C because he was not part of the solution, he was part of the problem. AA didn't complain, but he also didn't play with much emotion, edge or intensity either.

Tyler I'm glad you brought up the Centers of Attention tweet because it does speak volumes about how the Hawks see their C situation in the near future. I'm not saying Kirby Dach is ready to step in at his full potential, but they will give him every opportunity to make this team. Not much different than a guy like Kotkaniemi who was drafted 3rd last year and slotted as 3C for Montreal. There can be pros and cons to doing this and I'm not saying it would be my first choice, but nobody should be surprised if Dach is 3C with guys like Saad, Cagggiula, Shaw, Smith, Perlini, Kubalik etc on his wings.

Trading AA just isn't that big of a loss or downgrade. You could slot AA at 3C and you'll get 30 points on the year (Most of AA scoring happened when he was upgraded to playing with our best wingers).

Perlini IS a prospect - maybe he hasn't exactly shown that he deserves to make the team, but he HAS shown some ability to be a contributing skater - yes, only in spurts, but let's see if he can put it together and become a consistent player.
- StLBravesFan

I think that his new salary if Chicago resigns him isn't worth sacrificing the opportunity for some other potential young kids.

Perlini Houdini act for a majority of the season and his unwillingness to do anything to improve himself , Stan should take a hard pass.

I'm curious Saarela what's his ceiling potential

This.
- Tyler Cameron

And you could add that AA always seemed to suffer an injury every season. A bit brittle.

Never have I said a bad word aimed at AA. Guy tried his best. But, in all honesty, it was time for him to go. Hawks need to purge personnel periodically, to increase competition levels. Have no problem with the trade.
- gabriel

Know I’m in the minority with this, but I like the trade. Glad to see AA move on and think everyone will like Smith once they watch him play. Smith and Shaw on the checking line with Kubalik would be tough yo play against, although I haven’t actually seen Kuba play yet.
My bottom 6:
Kubalik/Smith/Shaw
Caggs/Carpenter/Kampf

I think that his new salary if Chicago resigns him isn't worth sacrificing the opportunity for some other potential young kids.

Perlini Houdini act for a majority of the season and his unwillingness to do anything to improve himself , Stan should take a hard pass.

I'm curious Saarela what's his ceiling potential
- Taylorst1

Of course you know that Perlini is unwilling to do anything to improve himself.

What's he doing right now - laying in bed eating a bag of Fritos?

Ogi has a red a white and a 2010 Winter Classic third jersey with Lalonde stitched on the back.
- paulr

I still have my Alexei Zhamnov autographed jersey hanging in my closet.