Niemi was a mess in goal even though he won the cup
- glennjpawlak22

He was definitely an adventure.

Like Chunk said above... I think a productive Gus at the deadline gets you a 1st rounder + a 2nd tier prospect.

However, he ain't getting moved at the deadline if he's producing and the Hawks are even remotely in the playoff hunt.
- Tyler Cameron

Hypothetically
Gus for middle round #1 or even a tad earlier
+ our own #1
.FOR
Is there a tough good size power forward in top five

Because playoff teams need a few tough hombres who can can play, too, on each line. We may have that in lower lines particularly after some prospects join up. But the next steps for this team are: Dach effect; the skill prospect dmen; and a top line power forwardl.

Hypothetically
Gus for middle round #1 or even a tad earlier
+ our own #1
.FOR
Is there a tough good size power forward in top five

Because playoff teams need a few tough hombres who can can play, too, on each line. We may have that in lowrr lined particularly after some prospects join up. But the next steps for this team are: Dach effect; the skill prospect dmen; and a top line power forward.
- jhawk59

Entwhistle is pretty tough isn't he...maybe he'll be our break out surprise playoff performer. We'd be in great shape if we could have a unexpected player bust onto the scene in the playoffs. We should have that ripple effect of having a solid lineup making younger players better

Entwhistle is pretty tough isn't he...maybe he'll be our break out surprise playoff performer. We'd be in great shape if we could have a unexpected player bust onto the scene in the playoffs. We should have that ripple effect of having a solid lineup making younger players better
- just69sayin

I can see Entwistle as a future Blackhawk who's best value as an impact player comes out in games that matter particularly the playoffs. While he was kind of meh in prospect camp and in the scrimmage, he's been an impact player winning a championship in Canadian juniors as a 1st liner the last two seasons and being a force for Team Canada in the WJC as a checking forward.

I can see Entwistle as a future Blackhawk who's best value as an impact player comes out in games that matter particularly the playoffs. While he was kind of meh in prospect camp and in the scrimmage, he's been an impact player winning a championship in Canadian juniors as a 1st liner the last two seasons and being a force for Team Canada in the WJC as a checking forward.
- AEL_Fox

Fun to think about. I forgot about this prospect among all the other topics lately and then I remembered about this Entwhistle. This guy could be a guy that makes a difference in some grinding games. I assume most teams have prospects that are studs in the lower leagues, but like I mentioned, the Hawks are in great shape roster wise with strength and depth ...so that helps the young guys step in and make a bigger impact. Entwhistle played a lot of serious minutes like you were saying...I'm surprised he was involved in that trade to us

Hawks in 10 let up so few SOG that many goalies would have succeeded with that team
- glennjpawlak22

And...they were studs at clearing rebounds and not allowing 2nd shots. Neimi was a rebound machine. But, in 2010 that was not an issue because the team defense let him make the first save and were on the puck like crazy. I remember thinking ...:Geez Neimi, another rebound right out in the slot"....but, more times than not we were on it like dogs and starting out the other way!!!

Fun to think about. I forgot about this prospect among all the other topics lately and then I remembered about this Entwhistle. This guy could be a guy that makes a difference in some grinding games. I assume most teams have prospects that are studs in the lower leagues, but like I mentioned, the Hawks are in great shape roster wise with strength and depth ...so that helps the young guys step in and make a bigger impact. Entwhistle played a lot of serious minutes like you were saying...I'm surprised he was involved in that trade to us
- just69sayin

In a year or two, I can see Entwhistle as a 3rd line fixture for years to comme. If he developes right. He has some size, can grind, and I think has 15-20 goal potential....as he doesn't mind going to the net!!!

Niemi was a mess in goal even though he won the cup
- glennjpawlak22

He wasn't necessarily great throughout the playoffs, but he had a particularly good series against SJS.

He was good enough and most importantly...he wasn't Huet.

Hypothetically
Gus for middle round #1 or even a tad earlier
+ our own #1
.FOR
Is there a tough good size power forward in top five

Because playoff teams need a few tough hombres who can can play, too, on each line. We may have that in lower lines particularly after some prospects join up. But the next steps for this team are: Dach effect; the skill prospect dmen; and a top line power forwardl.
- jhawk59

Thing is though, do you think the Hawks would trade their best offensive defenseman and PP QB at the deadline while they try to make or make some noise in the playoffs?

And which trading partner lets a power forward go right before they head into the playoffs?

A trade like this could have happened in the offseason but likely won't now.

I think there is a good chance Gustafsson is a Blackhawk come spring and they'll figure it out in the summer. That's my gut feeling now on August 21st.

Hypothetically
Gus for middle round #1 or even a tad earlier
+ our own #1
.FOR
Is there a tough good size power forward in top five

Because playoff teams need a few tough hombres who can can play, too, on each line. We may have that in lower lines particularly after some prospects join up. But the next steps for this team are: Dach effect; the skill prospect dmen; and a top line power forwardl.
- jhawk59

If Gus gets moved at the TDL, it would probably be for a lower first rounder.

Thing is though, do you think the Hawks would trade their best offensive defenseman and PP QB at the deadline while they try to make or make some noise in the playoffs?

And which trading partner lets a power forward go right before they head into the playoffs?

A trade like this could have happened in the offseason but likely won't now.

I think there is a good chance Gustafsson is a Blackhawk come spring and they'll figure it out in the summer. That's my gut feeling now on August 21st.
- Tyler Cameron

Yes I agree with this. There is no way the team trades a key guy like Gus if we are in the mix for a playoff spot. I do like his idea though of picking up a monster power forward if somehow Gus is deemed expendable but how would that happen. We trade Gus for a guy who is basically a rental ok that's fine if the team will be better. I see Gus as a key guy in making things happen though. Not even sure a power forward is worth what Gus provides.
On the flip side, now that teams know what Gus wants to do I'm sure they are going to make it harder on him. So hopefully Gus and the guys can use that to our advantage

If we’re lucky Perlini will join him.
- DarthKane

Hypothetically
Gus for middle round #1 or even a tad earlier
+ our own #1
.FOR
Is there a tough good size power forward in top five

Because playoff teams need a few tough hombres who can can play, too, on each line. We may have that in lower lines particularly after some prospects join up. But the next steps for this team are: Dach effect; the skill prospect dmen; and a top line power forwardl.
- jhawk59

This means you are trading with a team in the bottom half of the league. What time of year are you doing this? You only have signing rights once the season is over.

Hypothetically
Gus for middle round #1 or even a tad earlier
+ our own #1
.FOR
Is there a tough good size power forward in top five

Because playoff teams need a few tough hombres who can can play, too, on each line. We may have that in lower lines particularly after some prospects join up. But the next steps for this team are: Dach effect; the skill prospect dmen; and a top line power forwardl.
- jhawk59

It's nice for a wish list but how do you squeeze that salary in when the season's over along with 12 and 17's new deals?

If there is a trade out there to make the team better great, but I think the team appears to have some forward depth that they haven't in a while.

Also, as others have mentioned, if the Hawks are looking like a playoff team they likely figure Gus' situation out after the season, which may mean letting him walk.

When that happens and if the Hawks haven't won another Cup, I'm sure the same people who cry about his defense will use their hindsight crystal ball demanding Bowman's head for not trading Gus at the deadline.

I'm cool with playoffs talk & all that, because it has me excited. I'm ready to raise another cup just as much as the next guy. I hate being a buyer at the deadline, because that means good bye potential future player. Price tags on players are way high. I can't think of 1 young player we have stashed away, unsigned or otherwise, that I would want to part with & still have value that will garner a great return. I'd rather not lose a first round pick. Plus, I don't want to screw up some of our boys who will need new contracts.

Sure, you got to give to get, some of our guys haven't played an NHL game to judge potential, the draft is a crapshoot, & it's all at the chance for a cup. Yeah, I get all that, but this is the first time that the cubbards aren't empty. But this is all hypothetical talk anyways. I'm fine with keeping Gus & letting him walk later.

I'm cool with playoffs talk & all that, because it has me excited. I'm ready to raise another cup just as much as the next guy. I hate being a buyer at the deadline, because that means good bye potential future player. Price tags on players are way high. I can't think of 1 young player we have stashed away, unsigned or otherwise, that I would want to part with & still have value that will garner a great return. I'd rather not lose a first round pick. Plus, I don't want to screw up some of our boys who will need new contracts.

Sure, you got to give to get, some of our guys haven't played an NHL game to judge potential, the draft is a crapshoot, & it's all at the chance for a cup. Yeah, I get all that, but this is the first time that the cubbards aren't empty. But this is all hypothetical talk anyways. I'm fine with keeping Gus & letting him walk later.
- I Am The Breadman

Agreed, if Gus goes it will be earlier in the season for a possible multitude of reasons.

Thing is though, do you think the Hawks would trade their best offensive defenseman and PP QB at the deadline while they try to make or make some noise in the playoffs?

And which trading partner lets a power forward go right before they head into the playoffs?

A trade like this could have happened in the offseason but likely won't now.

I think there is a good chance Gustafsson is a Blackhawk come spring and they'll figure it out in the summer. That's my gut feeling now on August 21st.
- Tyler Cameron

I was thinking Gus could be traded either at trade deadline or right before the draft. You are correct to question if Bowman would hesitate to trade him at the trade deadline when the team is in the playoff hunt. The availability coupled with the development of Boqvist and or Beaudin could cause Bowman to recall either player. My guess is that Beaudin first when considering a longer stay and not a cup of coffee

Beaudin may be very close to NHL ready. I suspect his bigger issue than adjusting to the skill and speed factor, is the success he has in all situations anywhere on the ice as it relates to physical battles.

And although you like the experienced Gus over promoting a rookie during the playoff drive, the return price being closer to top ten than mid round means a lottery pick. Possibly bonanza if your sight.is on a power forward. This is merely speculative in nature since it is too early to study the power forwards whom would be worthy. The trading of our #1 plus the #1 from Gus trade
.is all about how to acquire the next big piece of the puzzle. Playoff teams should include a first line power forward on their roster. With the emerging prospects on defense and the forwards slated for bottom lines, we might start to get giddy over our improving exciting team.

All that to say this: trades fans suppose rarely happen. It would be "forward" thinking in more ways than one if the suggested type trades actually were consumated.

Thing is though, do you think the Hawks would trade their best offensive defenseman and PP QB at the deadline while they try to make or make some noise in the playoffs?

And which trading partner lets a power forward go right before they head into the playoffs?

A trade like this could have happened in the offseason but likely won't now.

I think there is a good chance Gustafsson is a Blackhawk come spring and they'll figure it out in the summer. That's my gut feeling now on August 21st.
- Tyler Cameron

Tyler your making a valid point. Just curious if boqvist is borderline or ready to make the team but doesn't maybe for roster space or cap reasons , or just seasoning , would you envision a scenario where Gus takes a step back and Stan moves him ?
Knowing boqvist would give Chicago the offensive impact boqvist brings if his defense is solid enough to compete?

I'm cool with playoffs talk & all that, because it has me excited. I'm ready to raise another cup just as much as the next guy. I hate being a buyer at the deadline, because that means good bye potential future player. Price tags on players are way high. I can't think of 1 young player we have stashed away, unsigned or otherwise, that I would want to part with & still have value that will garner a great return. I'd rather not lose a first round pick. Plus, I don't want to screw up some of our boys who will need new contracts.

Sure, you got to give to get, some of our guys haven't played an NHL game to judge potential, the draft is a crapshoot, & it's all at the chance for a cup. Yeah, I get all that, but this is the first time that the cubbards aren't empty. But this is all hypothetical talk anyways. I'm fine with keeping Gus & letting him walk later.
- I Am The Breadman

Or at season's end if the Hawks find a team interested and that team doesn't want to wait until he's full UFA, you move his rights for a 3rd or 4th.

Or at season's end if the Hawks find a team interested and that team doesn't want to wait until he's full UFA, you move his rights for a 3rd or 4th.
- Rota's Rooter

Or depending on his and the clubs season, figure out a way to move the pieces to sign him. Most of the big destinations will not have the money to spend next year, and the ones that do are low budget teams or teams that are at the lower end of the spectrum (a rebuild), and would not be anxious to sign a 28 year old defenseman for long term and big bucks.

Plus the 2020 UFA defenseman currently include Pieterangelo, Barrie, Justin Schultz, Krug, Spurgeon that as offensive defenseman would be rated ahead of Gus, so he could end up being like Jake Gardiner this year, and not signing for anywhere near what he thought he was going to.

Let me add Justin Faulk to the above.

Or depending on his and the clubs season, figure out a way to move the pieces to sign him. Most of the big destinations will not have the money to spend next year, and the ones that do are low budget teams or teams that are at the lower end of the spectrum (a rebuild), and would not be anxious to sign a 28 year old defenseman for long term and big bucks.

Plus the 2020 UFA defenseman currently include Pieterangelo, Barrie, Justin Schultz, Krug, Spurgeon that as offensive defenseman would be rated ahead of Gus, so he could end up being like Jake Gardiner this year, and not signing for anywhere near what he thought he was going to.

Let me add Justin Faulk to the above.
- LAHawk

I forgot about Gardiner... I'm surprised he isn't signed yet. Gardiner's situation will be a good example for what could happens to Gus next summer.

I forgot about Gardiner... I'm surprised he isn't signed yet. Gardiner's situation will be a good example for what could happens to Gus next summer.
- DarthKane

Gardiner may be joining Marner and Perlini in the Swiss league this season.

Gardiner may be joining Marner and Perlini in the Swiss league this season.
- Rota's Rooter

If Gus gets moved at the TDL, it would probably be for a lower first rounder.
- StLBravesFan

Only two teams have already traded their first rounders and that is San Jose to Ottawa so they have two picks in Ottawa, and Carolina gets the Toronto pick unless they implode and finish in the bottom ten teams selecting in 2020...

All our conventional thinking is that a team desiring Gus and willing to pay is a playoff team so they all pick from 16-31.

Is a team finishing in the 16 17 18 area gonna be willing to trade to get them in a better place to challenge by adding Gus?

History shows it USUALLY is the teams who feel REALLY confident they are just a teeny bit away that make the trade deadline overpays. (We know because there is bitterness here about a Hawk deal with the hubs.)

So the question is
in what looks like another really solid draft class for the non playoff teams, does NON-playoff team trade a more valuable lower top 15 pic in 2020 for Gus because they want him as a keeper?

This is really off point of Blackhawk related discussion but I guess the pondering applies to all NHL organizations.
With the Mitch Marner situation:
Everyone in hockey, the press, the discussion boards, is continually “doomsday clock”ing the fact that all these young guys are unsigned what is going to happen, blah blah, but I type Marner, since it seems to be a “fact” that everyone unsigned is waiting for that contract to drop and settle first, domino effecting the others.

What I am curious of is the idea of pressure to get the Marner signing done; where is the pressure coming from? Is it the start of training camp? Is it the ownership group above the GM?
Does someone say in the midsts of discussion between the parties, Kyle where are you at with their camp? Finish it up. Get it done.

When do negotiations start being just that -where sides come off the “stuck contract numbers” and adjust to really agreeing?


I know all situations vary but where does the pressure come from?