Nailed that contract

Round of applause for myself

Not sure why anyone would cry about that. At that number, he's just an extra body. I don't see the downside. Has shown "some" potential to be a decent NHL player. If he puts it all together, it will be a steal for this year. If not, virtually no issue getting rid of the guy.
- Chunk

Well said. This is probably the smartest signing Stan has made. Low risk , high reward and it doesn't hurt Chicago with their salary cap plans to field a 23 man roster and not be struggling.

Not sure why anyone would cry about that. At that number, he's just an extra body. I don't see the downside. Has shown "some" potential to be a decent NHL player. If he puts it all together, it will be a steal for this year. If not, virtually no issue getting rid of the guy.
- Chunk

Well said. This is probably the smartest signing Stan has made. Low risk , high reward and it doesn't hurt Chicago with their salary cap plans to field a 23 man roster and not be struggling.

Agree, Gilbert is a much desired asset on the blueline as a defensive defensemen who plays the body, skates decently, and shows a mean streak. He may be a suitable replacement for what many were expecting of Stephen Johns who has a derailed career due to head injuries.

IIRC, early in his tenure at Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish coaches wanted him to stop being a puck rusher and more of a stay-at-home defender. Not sure if that change in style was a directive of the Blackhawks. Either way, Gilbert did evolve his game as such while still retaining an average capacity to move the puck.

In his rookie season last year at Rockford, Gilbert was the most improved blueliner over the course of the season going from 6th/7th man to playing top pair with Carlsson by the latter part of the year.
- AEL_Fox

Long term i am guessing the future role of Gilbert is going to depend upon his skating. If he isn't mobile enough or just too slow adjusting or transitioning as the play turns, then he will struggle to even get third pair minutes anywhere. Skill wise and understanding howcm to olay the position.....that is not an issue...he is ok for a third pair....it is just the skating.

In Chicago he would become a nice complement to the speed and skill guys. A player skates slow...not necessariky barring him from nhl
....but it is an issue to consider as the league is continually trending to more speed. An older veteran like Seabrook checks a lot of boxes and perhaps both he and Maata do dress on same set of six defense. I doubt long term teams prefer to keep more than one plodding dman in their pairs. So let us hope that Gilbert can skate at least a tad better in the years ahead less he becomes AHL fodder

I have heard the term how well a dman moves his feet. I do not know if this is applicable here. It is a term not related to skating speed; it is about other things in regards to a dman reaction and agility RIGHT? If someone knows exactly what the term implies then please chirp in.

Well said. This is probably the smartest signing Stan has made. Low risk , high reward and it doesn't hurt Chicago with their salary cap plans to field a 23 man roster and not be struggling.
- Taylorst1

Lehner was a tad bit more important in my book.

Gardiner signs 4 x 4....with the Canes.

BINGO!!!!!
- hawk35

Wow that's surprising considering how stacked they are on Defense. Makes ya wonder if they're gonna trade some of that capital for an impact forward.

Also, food for thought. Gardiner and Gus play similar styles of play. Wonder if this contract would be a good comp for him going into next year's FA. Still don't see a place for him on this team unless one or two of Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, de Haan, or Matta aren't on this team going into next year

Perlini signs, 1 year @ $874,125
- scottak

Damn that's a sneaky good signing by Stan. Wonder if Perlini and his agent finally just caved to get under contract so that he could focus on the season to get a better contract

Lehner was a tad bit more important in my book.
- mohel

Lehner was my favorite move of the summer (although getting de Haan for spare parts was nice too). To not have the large question mark in goal is huge. Obviously, there are some health concerns with both he and Crow, but just knowing we have two options that are above average is huge.

It also lets the younger prospects actually develop their game. Delia and Lankinen both have shown some potential. Don't make them drink from the firehose. Let them both get playing time and build the necessary tools to win at the NHL level.

Lehner was a tad bit more important in my book.
- mohel

I'm referring to Stans past of rewarding/overpaying guys whom have so many question marks and haven't proven , but Chicago still believes in them enough to bring them back.


Lehner was a great signing no question .

Even with Perlini's signing the Hawks still only have 11 forwards on their NHL roster (and some of them are on contracts that could be sent to Rockford). So the prospects in Traverse City should see an opportunity. There could be 2 roster spots still in play.

I would like to see more than pond hockey in Traverse City. Let's see who can play an NHL Style 200' game for 60 minutes game in every game.

I still feel Bowman has one move left before opening night.

Surprising.

I have a couple comments that I have been posting on the Twittersephere:

@TylerTyping

With so many fwds signed/in pipeline for CHI, don't see this is a handshake deal w/ promise of a future, bigger contract.

Perlini will be fighting for a spot in lineup... & now his next contract every game this season.

If this doesn't light a fire in his belly, nothing will.
- Tyler Cameron

Let's hope we see more of that Perlini who looked dominant for a 2 week stretch in the season. If not, no biggie his "potential" along with a good contract make him very easy to move.

I'm referring to Stans past of rewarding/overpaying guys whom have so many question marks and haven't proven , but Chicago still believes in them enough to bring them back.


Lehner was a great signing no question .
- Taylorst1

With the exxception of the Seabrook deal, which we call all agree was a bad signing, what other over rewarded over signed guys are you referring to?

Lehner was my favorite move of the summer (although getting de Haan for spare parts was nice too). To not have the large question mark in goal is huge. Obviously, there are some health concerns with both he and Crow, but just knowing we have two options that are above average is huge.

It also lets the younger prospects actually develop their game. Delia and Lankinen both have shown some potential. Don't make them drink from the firehose. Let them both get playing time and build the necessary tools to win at the NHL level.
- Chunk

Stan did a remarkable job this off-season with the signings he made in each key area all while gaining a lot of young promising forwards and depth.

Do you think Colliton will play Crawford and Lehner more so in pre season than normal in years past ?

Perlini signed. 1 year $875,000 per. Cue all the crying about it now.
- GPHawksfan

I question the timing of this deal. Had Stan waited a few more days he could have signed Perlini for the league minimum.

With the exxception of the Seabrook deal, which we call all agree was a bad signing, what other over rewarded over signed guys are you referring to?
- paulr

Panick, rutta, manning for starters off the top of my head.

The new CBA won't happen for another 3 years , not sure how Stan will be able to resign some of these young kids to new contracts or open up any roster spots on defense with Seabrook and Keith still here .

I question the timing of this deal. Had Stan waited a few more days he could have signed Perlini for the league minimum.
- DarthKane

Isn't RFA rules that if salary was under $1 million, minimum you could offer is a 5% raise, which I think is what the amount is.

Panick, rutta, manning for starters off the top of my head.

The new CBA won't happen for another 3 years , not sure how Stan will be able to resign some of these young kids to new contracts or open up any roster spots on defense with Seabrook and Keith still here .
- Taylorst1

There may be a new CBA after this season - with or without a lockout - it’s up to the players to opt out or not (I think by the 15th). The good news is that the league and the PA are still talking - probably about the escrow rules.

I’m no expert and have no sources on the negotiations, but I wouldn’t expect a new CBA to affect the cap - the 50/50 split is probably going to continue.

What would affect the cap would be the new national TV contract(s) to be negotiated after the 2020-21 season.

Stan did a remarkable job this off-season with the signings he made in each key area all while gaining a lot of young promising forwards and depth.

Do you think Colliton will play Crawford and Lehner more so in pre season than normal in years past ?
- Taylorst1

I'm not really sure. Colliton is a different bid than Q when it comes to goalies (hell, he played Ward on a back to back last year). My guess is that he is just going get the lay of the land as to where each goalie is in their game (and assuming both come in completely healthy), and then determine where to go. Colliton is noted for having a lot of communication with his players. I'm sure he will take their input as to how much they think they want/need to play to get ready for the season. Can't discount the fact that they are starting the season overseas this year either.

Perlini signs, 1 year @ $874,125
- scottak

Maybe he finally realized that the part time bagging job at the Jewels paid way less.

Or he figured out that he's going to have to work his ass off to just make the team with the competition that is looking for an NHL job.

Nailed that contract

Round of applause for myself
- Stan_Bowman

Wow that's surprising considering how stacked they are on Defense. Makes ya wonder if they're gonna trade some of that capital for an impact forward.

Also, food for thought. Gardiner and Gus play similar styles of play. Wonder if this contract would be a good comp for him going into next year's FA. Still don't see a place for him on this team unless one or two of Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, de Haan, or Matta aren't on this team going into next year



Damn that's a sneaky good signing by Stan. Wonder if Perlini and his agent finally just caved to get under contract so that he could focus on the season to get a better contract
- Savetheembers33

That’d be my guess, Perlini wanted to get it done before training camp because he’s gonna be fighting for a job.

A roster with money to spare!



In addition, if the Blackhawks go with this 22 man roster it would mean Dahlström, Holm, Nilsson, and Quenneville will have to clear waivers.

There may be a new CBA after this season - with or without a lockout - it’s up to the players to opt out or not (I think by the 15th). The good news is that the league and the PA are still talking - probably about the escrow rules.

I’m no expert and have no sources on the negotiations, but I wouldn’t expect a new CBA to affect the cap - the 50/50 split is probably going to continue.

What would affect the cap would be the new national TV contract(s) to be negotiated after the 2020-21 season.
- StLBravesFan

I read that last week I believe the owners opted to not back out now in the players hands. Just curious though if no new agreement is reached before the expiration which is in 3 years, then as far as buyouts being freebies like the last CBA, Stan would be in a pickle either way keeping Seabrook or buying him out just based on the salary fluctuations and extending those dollars even longer ?

Surprising.

I have a couple comments that I have been posting on the Twittersephere:

@TylerTyping

With so many fwds signed/in pipeline for CHI, don't see this is a handshake deal w/ promise of a future, bigger contract.

Perlini will be fighting for a spot in lineup... & now his next contract every game this season.

If this doesn't light a fire in his belly, nothing will.
- Tyler Cameron

I suggest the same situation applies as far as fighting for a roster spot among the defencemen. Dahlstrom for example can be smart with how he uses his body. He is a big guy but he doesn't to have to pound the opponent with thunderous checks. Leverage your size strength is but one example.

Man oh man were all the salary guesstimates off big time on this!
- 35Tony0

I actually posted that he would get 833,000x1.05%=874,65 so I was close but I did round it off so perhaps I was even closer

A roster with money to spare!


- walleyeb1

I may be the only one, but I would bet Alex Nylander may have something to say about this. I am hoping that they got this right and he was just a bad fit over there in Buffalo. And playing in this environment will bring the best out of him. I don’t know how his dad felt about playing here in Chicago since he was here in the darkest of times. But I am sure seeing what a resurgence has happened would get this kid all excited. It is totally on him.