Agree, he’s what 27 now, what he has not learned by now, he ain’t learning, not going to happen.
- Angotti

Why are we expecting so much from Gustafsson - even offensively?

Even going back to his games in Sweden, he was never better than a point every other game - and 16 goals in about 200 games.

Two seasons ago in Rockford - 3+14=17 in 25 games.

This season - 0+4=4 in 16 games.

Last season - an outlier. Perhaps a “one-hit wonder”.

Hmmmm. Hockey reference is showing Gus as a plus two (not plus 6). You would also have to look at his offensive or neutral zone starts versus defensive zone starts and the level of competition (is he playing more against 3rd and 4th lines). As other have said he makes a couple horrible plays per game. Mainly I think it is a lack of focus. He floats and wanders around aimlessly a lot. Maybe at those times he is thinking what will we do when we get the puck instead of thinking about playing defense.
- -Doh-

GF/GA is different than +/-. PP goals don't count, so he's +2 at 5 on 5, and has been on the ice for 4 PP goals.

Can't they sign him at any time? I'd guess they wait until they see the playoff situation before doing anything because of the implications for Crow. Now, if they make the playoffs, I'd guess they'd wait until season was over.
- pdx2ord

I think it's January 1st because he signed as a free agent. If he played for the Hawks last year, and this was his contract year, they could sign him now. So Crow could be resigned now, Lehner has to wait until 1/1.

I think it's January 1st because he signed as a free agent. If he played for the Hawks last year, and this was his contract year, they could sign him now. So Crow could be resigned now, Lehner has to wait until 1/1.
- tvetter

Gotcha - thanks

Why are we expecting so much from Gustafsson - even offensively?

Even going back to his games in Sweden, he was never better than a point every other game - and 16 goals in about 200 games.

Two seasons ago in Rockford - 3+14=17 in 25 games.

This season - 0+4=4 in 16 games.

Last season - an outlier. Perhaps a “one-hit wonder”.
- StLBravesFan

I am not expecting "so much" meaning 60+ points again. But he did put up 60 points last year. He has a better group of forwards and dmen this year surrounding him, he is playing on the PP with Kane he should produce some points, he is getting more offensive zone starts and favorable matchups. Once a player breaks through you reset your expectations. Maybe he does not score 60 points, but he should contribute offensively and play something like he has played the last couple of games. Those are our expectations of his offense.

Defensively our expectation is that he stay engaged and works at minimizing his errors. We realize is always going to be a sub par defender.

I am not expecting "so much" meaning 60+ points again. But he did put up 60 points last year. He has a better group of forwards and dmen this year surrounding him, he is playing on the PP with Kane he should produce some points, he is getting more offensive zone starts and favorable matchups. Once a player breaks through you reset your expectations. Maybe he does not score 60 points, but he should contribute offensively and play something like he has played the last couple of games. Those are our expectations of his offense.

Defensively our expectation is that he stay engaged and works at minimizing his errors. We realize is always going to be a sub par defender.
- -Doh-

Ever since his benching, Keith has been PP1, Gustaffson and Bovquist have been PP2, with Toews, Nylander and Dach up front.

I am not expecting "so much" meaning 60+ points again. But he did put up 60 points last year. He has a better group of forwards and dmen this year surrounding him, he is playing on the PP with Kane he should produce some points, he is getting more offensive zone starts and favorable matchups. Once a player breaks through you reset your expectations. Maybe he does not score 60 points, but he should contribute offensively and play something like he has played the last couple of games. Those are our expectations of his offense.

Defensively our expectation is that he stay engaged and works at minimizing his errors. We realize is always going to be a sub par defender.
- -Doh-

It was mentioned earlier that he has been on the ice for more goals for than against, but he does not pass my eye test, maybe he’s getting bailed out by Crow and Lehner. I say we move on from him, what do we need him for? Either Kane, Toews, or the Cat bring in the puck on the power play. He’s too much of a liability for what he brings offensively, which is not much lately.

Sorry, don't be Chunk. If you don't feel there isn'tany relevance in whether or not they drafted Dach or Byram, and I do, not a deal breaker.

The fact they lucked into the #3 slot and that I hope they don't draft that high for a decade to me the choice was/is a franchise altering moment. Huge is an understatement.

Add for me the question of given the choice of a #1 Dman or #1 C, assuming they each turn out that way, for a decade plus is intriguing. I waivered then and still do. ......... Being a Hawks fan and seeing how difficult it's been to fill the 3 center spots after Johnny a gun to my head I take the centerman.

And comparing those drafted around each other is a given in any sport. TrubiNsky will be compared to Mahomes and Watson forever and Pace will wear that till he's dead. Franchise changing/defining moment and the guy could not have failed worse. Who knows how log it will take the franchise to crawl out from the ashes of that decision.

Was my concern with the Hawks on draft day but feel, and did at the time, Dach's floor is a 2C maybe in the Johansen mold.
- Mr Ricochet

I probably was not clear in what I was objecting to. I know that people do it all the time and I understand why they do it. My complaint is that I don't find it a relevant comparison. What does a "win" look like in Dach vs. Bowen? Point differential doesn't make sense as they play notably different positions and have different responsibilities, with different team/line mates in different systems.

I have the same gripe in football. I don't have a problem with the Bears taking Mitch. The number of scout hours and football knowledge in any NFL front office is impressive, and I trust that they believed that he was the best available. I have a problem with what they gave up to move up one spot. The eye test says that you could expect Mahomes or Watson to play better than Mitch, but put either one of those on the Bears under Fox and now Nagy and this offense/offensive line and I have severe doubts that they would be as well regarded. You can't compare the players in a box. There are so many other factors that need to be considered. Hence, my disdain for the comparisons.

And now that I've bored everyone with my petty gripe, I will go back to working and reading all the witty banter provided on this board.

What is the exact date Lehner can resign as a free agent? I know if he jumps teams it is July 1. More concerned about resigning with the same team.
- riozzo

I think the hawks can extend him after Jan 1

I think the hawks can extend him after Jan 1
- bogiedoc

Hope they can do that & hope he wants to stay- facing the shrapnel he faces game in & game out we shall see?

I am cautiously optimistic about the next 10 games.

I think the hawks can extend him after Jan 1
- bogiedoc

I understand that the giant who admits he is horrible in the shoot-out can sign here, and one of the two stays, but long term, they still need to find a high caliber prospect in the upcoming draft (Yaroslav Askarov ?)

I really don't know if Lehner sticks out as a net minder who wins you games.

He may keep you in many games, but honestly he isn't a guy who I over pay to stay.

ohn Shannon
‏

@JShannonhl
11m11 minutes ago
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Don Cherry is no longer with Rogers/HNIC
- LAHawk

after his comments on the weekend...

Duncan Keith played 25 minutes......so? What I saw was him badly out of position twice right after face-offs in the Hawks zone, leading to 2 Leafs goals a couple seconds later.

Duncan Keith played 25 minutes......so? What I saw was him badly out of position twice right after face-offs in the Hawks zone, leading to 2 Leafs goals a couple seconds later.
- Nmbr1

Who should be out there? Gus?

Duncan Keith played 25 minutes......so? What I saw was him badly out of position twice right after face-offs in the Hawks zone, leading to 2 Leafs goals a couple seconds later.
- Nmbr1

When you play 1/2 the game it's going to happen - Keith is going to be in the rafters beside Pierre Pilot & it could be argued he's the best Hawk Dmen ever.

Give the guy a break.
He still has game & has worked his tail off all these years when others have not

There prime minister can were black face and nothing happens. Don Cherry didn’t really say anything that bad. I know he is past his time but people are so ready to jump on anything. Grow up People.
- Hockeygirl222

It has nothing to do about people, everything to do about sponsors. You better believe companies said if you don't remove him we are pulling our advertising money and spending it elsewhere. So comparison to the minister really isn't one.

Tyler. What frustrates me most on Gus is the kind of things he does to get into trouble. It is often not getting beat wide because he is slow (cuz he is a good skater), often not that he gets tossed around, often not he is getting beat to a loose puck.....no, those things happen to him no more than to most. His problem...in my opinion anyway, is much like Gardiner was in Toronto. Being from Canada I see a pile of Leaf games. The similarities of Gardiner and Gus are astounding. The problem with both is NOT a physical or even hockey skill problem. It is "In the Head". It is hockey smarts. It is knowing when to just chip it out, heck even take an icing...rather than the bonehead pass or soft touch play at your own blueline that backfires. And with them both, the timing of these plays...and the fact so many seem to end in their own net....well, frustrating as all Heck.

OK...I vented.

That's the way I see it though, and I doubt very much ANY kinda coaching can cure it. Unless the player sees it himself and decides to make the smart play at the right times!
- hawk35

In addition to all of the on ice things you mention about Gus, which are factual, the results of his gross defensive misplays not only wind up hurting the team on the scoreboard but they suck the confidence out of the bench which takes time to recover from. And further to that, a partner like Keith starts doing some unusual positional things on the ice to cover up for his partner. #2 must wonder what he ever did to deserve playing time with Rundblad and then Gustaffson.

I didn't think I would advocate it but I hope the Hawks keep Bovqist up and send #56 packing asap.

Hope they can do that & hope he wants to stay- facing the shrapnel he faces game in & game out we shall see?

I am cautiously optimistic about the next 10 games.
- Colbyboy

The guy takes a lot of incoming, and battles through it like a champ. I want him on our team.

In addition to all of the on ice things you mention about Gus, which are factual, the results of his gross defensive misplays not only wind up hurting the team on the scoreboard but they suck the confidence out of the bench which takes time to recover from. And further to that, a partner like Keith starts doing some unusual positional things on the ice to cover up for his partner. #2 must wonder what he ever did to deserve playing time with Rundblad and then Gustaffson.

I didn't think I would advocate it but I hope the Hawks keep Bovqist up and send #56 packing asap.
- RickJ

Unfortunately i think they will keep Gusto till the trade deadline, i think the Hawks want to ease both rookies (Dach) into the season, i remember how good Joker looked and as the season went on the Men's league chewed him up.

Or will Toews go out in the 1st 5 minutes and challenge Reeves to fire up the team?
- Rota's Rooter

If someone would of said the captain would be leading the team in penalty minutes around the 20 game mark I'd of said you're crazy.

If someone would of said the captain would be leading the team in penalty minutes around the 20 game mark I'd of said you're crazy.
- BetweenTheDots

And what would you say if after 17 games, David Kampf has just as many goals as Toews has?

It has nothing to do about people, everything to do about sponsors. You better believe companies said if you don't remove him we are pulling our advertising money and spending it elsewhere. So comparison to the minister really isn't one.
- BetweenTheDots

True - always about the money in a politically pure world.
\

Don Cherry

Yes, he is 85.
Yes, he used the wrong words.
Yes, his heart is in the right place.
Yes, he was fired.

But every Canadian regardless of where they came from should do something simple on November 11th - wear a poopy & be proud to do so

It's 1 day out of 365- not a lot to ask?

Unfortunately i think they will keep Gusto till the trade deadline, i think the Hawks want to ease both rookies (Dach) into the season, i remember how good Joker looked and as the season went on the Men's league chewed him up.
- BetweenTheDots

Agree with you on what they are doing with the kids. The physical grind starts to tell by January. And there are teams like St.Louis, Dallas, Washington, Winnipeg, Boston who love to pound on kids.

With Murphy hurt, Gus has a spot in the lineup at least for now. Maybe there is a Dman in Rockford who is making a case for a look see in Chicago.

Unfortunately i think they will keep Gusto till the trade deadline, i think the Hawks want to ease both rookies (Dach) into the season, i remember how good Joker looked and as the season went on the Men's league chewed him up.
- BetweenTheDots

Maybe Joker wasn't handled/managed correctly? I don't know the answer. What I can see, is that Colliton is giving these kids a night off every so often. Think he's doing the right thing by allowing them to recharge their batteries.

True - always about the money in a politically pure world.
\

Don Cherry

Yes, he is 85.
Yes, he used the wrong words.
Yes, his heart is in the right place.
Yes, he was fired.

But every Canadian regardless of where they came from should do something simple on November 11th - wear a poopy & be proud to do so

It's 1 day out of 365- not a lot to ask?
- Colbyboy

You are freaking 100% spot on! Because all of those servicemen were “over there “it gave all of us the right “to go about our business and do what we want over here”. ,
I am very disappointed at what happened to Don Cherry.I support him 100% also. I do not think he was Trying to be disrespectful, just like those that want to grill Joe Biden about showing his age and talking about things like the “record player “. Everybody is so goddamn sensitive today.Same with what happened in Philadelphia when they took down Kate Smith’s statue. If Mr. Snyder was alive today he would’ve never allowed it. And that’s all I Gotta say politically. Over and out!