Saad is like the scarecrow, needs to find some brains. And a set of hands wouldn't hurt. He might be the biggest and fastest player they have, but I see him as a trade chip. With his toolbox he needs to be more effective. He makes what, about 6 million? He's not worth that. What's he going to want next time?
- 6628

Saad is maxed out long term at his current salary, he won't see another contract at the current amount unless he finds a way to score 25-30 goals a year.

What he is though is an excellent trade chip to a true SC contender looking to add an experienced 2 way winger with speed. He just doesn't have the scoring touch in tight that a star forward possesses. But I do think he would be an excellent player on teams like the Bruins, Islanders, Capitals, Stars or Penguins.

Saad is maxed out long term at his current salary, he won't see another contract at the current amount unless he finds a way to score 25-30 goals a year.

What he is though is an excellent trade chip to a true SC contender looking to add an experienced 2 way winger with speed. He just doesn't have the scoring touch in tight that a star forward possesses. But I do think he would be an excellent player on teams like the Bruins, Islanders, Capitals, Stars or Penguins.
- RickJ

Or the Leafs, now that the Leafs have a new coach I have been assured they have become a contender.

Saad is good at a lot of things, but not great at anything. Nylander is really good (not even great) at one thing. I’d rather ice a forward group consisting of 12 Saad clones than 12 Nylander’s.
- Ogilthorpe2

I wasn't liking Nylander over Saad. Nylander scores when it's easy. In the playoffs I'd be surprised if he did anything. And if you ice 12 of either guy you won't win. A lot of guys here ripped on Leddy for skating pretty and not much else. In my eyes Saad is big, fast, and not the difference maker he could be.

Or the Leafs, now that the Leafs have a new coach I have been assured they have become a contender.
- paulr

I don't believe the Leafs will lose another game this season now that they have unloaded that slug Babcock. After all he was holding back superstars like Freddie the Goat and Justin Holl from reaching their true potential. And that backup goaltender is now going to become another M A Flurry.

I wasn't liking Nylander over Saad. Nylander scores when it's easy. In the playoffs I'd be surprised if he did anything. And if you ice 12 of either guy you won't win. A lot of guys here ripped on Leddy for skating pretty and not much else. In my eyes Saad is big, fast, and not the difference maker he could be.
- 6628

I think that’s a fair assessment on Saad. I like him but no way should he be getting north of $6M on his next deal. He is what he is at this point, a player who can play in your top 9, provide some scoring and good 2 way play but shouldn’t be looked upon as a Core guy or centerpiece.

Leafs should not be looking first at forwards harder to play against. I would try for a dman prospect whom has been touted as possible first pair ceiling. Even a mid round to late first round pick from a previous draft is where I look.

Furthermore, I would try to bring in players who are the long term help at the position which is their weak link. Obviously the defence position is what everyone cites as the Achilles heel. So bringing in forwards with a greater compete physical dimension is more of a lateral/horizontal move. It doesn't address their problems on defense.

I realize too that the team needs to change the quantity of offensive gifted dmen in favor of better defensive dmen.

Changing the style of play and changing out some of those dmen is not something that maybe happens instantly. In fact it is more long term forecast but the right move to bring in the correct style dmen and to let Tavarez go
- jhawk59

That was the problem in Toronto, Babcock, especially after they were knocked off again by Boston last year said they needed to get bigger and be tougher to play against. Dubas is a total analytics guy, and is all speed and skill. Just look at how their roster is built. Babcock was Shanahan's hire, Dubas and Babcock were not on the same page from the start.

I don't believe the Leafs will lose another game this season now that they have unloaded that slug Babcock. After all he was holding back superstars like Freddie the Goat and Justin Holl from reaching their true potential. And that backup goaltender is now going to become another M A Flurry.
- RickJ

No point in continuing the charade pf playing games, may as well award the Leafs the cup now and call off the season.

I would assume a decision will be made about Shaw's availability after the morning skate. Rockford still in town and have an upcoming road trip to Texas this weekend.

So if Shaw and Caggs are scratched tonight, do the Hawks recall someone like Wedin or Sikura today or dress 7D and double shift Kane? If Shaw still out for Saturday's game at Dallas, Hogs will be in the Austin area if they want to recall someone then.

I think that’s a fair assessment on Saad. I like him but no way should he be getting north of $6M on his next deal. He is what he is at this point, a player who can play in your top 9, provide some scoring and good 2 way play but shouldn’t be looked upon as a Core guy or centerpiece.
- HawkintheD

Agree, that is why he seems to thrive as a third line player. His speed and size helps him drive the play, but his creativity and hockey sense are not top 6 material.
when he played with Toews and Hossa, he just needed to be an up and down winger, help with the cycle and chip in every now and then with a goal. Although he had way more pieces to work with Q never played him on the PP either. His only attribute that lends to PP is net front presence, but even then you need the smarts to know how to take the eyes away from the goalie, sniff out where the rebound is going etc.

That was the problem in Toronto, Babcock, especially after they were knocked off again by Boston last year said they needed to get bigger and be tougher to play against. Dubas is a total analytics guy, and is all speed and skill. Just look at how their roster is built. Babcock was Shanahan's hire, Dubas and Babcock were not on the same page from the start.
- LAHawk

As "Burkie' said, analytics won't measure the guy will to put his face in front of a slapshot. Analytics definitely has it's place in all sports. But seeing guys play and getting to know people is just as important.

That was the problem in Toronto, Babcock, especially after they were knocked off again by Boston last year said they needed to get bigger and be tougher to play against. Dubas is a total analytics guy, and is all speed and skill. Just look at how their roster is built. Babcock was Shanahan's hire, Dubas and Babcock were not on the same page from the start.
- LAHawk

Sort of like Q and Stan. The GM always wins out.

What's with the William Nylander love? Because he scored a couple goals in the game against the Hawks? That's it? And the suggestion was to trade DeBrincat for him? What? Nylander, a 0.68ppg career average for DeBrincat, a 0.78ppg career average.

Stand still, grab your ears and give your head a good shake.

Troy Brouwer signs with STL for a year at $750K.

Troy Brouwer signs with STL for a year at $750K.
- boilermaker100

Blowman fail yet again

What's with the William Nylander love? Because he scored a couple goals in the game against the Hawks? That's it? And the suggestion was to trade DeBrincat for him? What? Nylander, a 0.68ppg career average for DeBrincat, a 0.78ppg career average.

Stand still, grab your ears and give your head a good shake.
- EbonyRaptor

Since Phil was traded, some fans have always desired to have brothers on the same team. Understand?

Since Phil was traded, some fans have always desired to have brothers on the same team. Understand?
- powerenforcer

OY - I really hope that wasn't the reason.

Scott Darling on the Spittin Chiclets podcast says he broke his ankle in Charlotte after being sent to the AHL. That was when the org. just sent him home.

Says he also broke his hand this year.

He impressed me in the game against Toronto. Lots of A grade chances and he's been having a good season so far. 17 points in 23 games. +4. He's signed 5 more years at 6.9M

He had 61 points in both '17 and '18 seasons. He's also young (23) and fits our mold of amassing young stars.

Saad has 12 points in 21 games. Is signed for 2 more years at 6M. I don't know if we'll end up resigning him. How much will he demand and for how long? His contract expires when he's 29 (He'll turn 30 when his next contract starts).

I see him as a trade chip, but who wants him? Toronto needs the cap space and a two-way forward. So I can see both teams as potential trading partners. Though, Toronto is in dire need of defense, so Murphy/Maata/De Haan seem like better targets for them.
- RedRevenge

The Hawks need more 2 way forwards, not less.

Scott Darling on the Spittin Chiclets podcast says he broke his ankle in Charlotte after being sent to the AHL. That was when the org. just sent him home.

Says he also broke his hand this year.
- BINGO!

3 games over in Europe with Innsbruck HC this season. 3.31 GA, .915 Save %.

3 games over in Europe with Innsbruck HC this season. 3.31 GA, .915 Save %.
- boilermaker100

I just hope he finds some happiness there.

I wasn't liking Nylander over Saad. Nylander scores when it's easy. In the playoffs I'd be surprised if he did anything. And if you ice 12 of either guy you won't win. A lot of guys here ripped on Leddy for skating pretty and not much else. In my eyes Saad is big, fast, and not the difference maker he could be.
- 6628

I see the same thing that you do. Saad has all the tools he needs except one......his hands. Saad reminds me of so many of the young kids I coached who were just never able to receive a pass softly, keep control while stickhandling, put shots where they wanted, etc. He is like the kid making all the noise of his stick banging the ice while he stickhandles.

He may not have hands of pure stone, but they are close. Watch how many passes he does not control cleanly, watch how many times he is able to deke a goaltender and either loses control, or cant lift the puck

I just hope he finds some happiness there.
- BINGO!

Do you have any input as to what happened to him after he signed that big contract with Carolina. Too much pressure on him to live up to it? I also heard he may have broken up with his girl friend at that time. I hope he didn't fall off the wagon.

Scott Darling on the Spittin Chiclets podcast says he broke his ankle in Charlotte after being sent to the AHL. That was when the org. just sent him home.

Says he also broke his hand this year.
- BINGO!

The guy can't catch a break.

Mike Commodore
@commie22
· 4h
Hey Mike Babcock....simply put your players quit on you. They quit on you because you are a terrible human being. You are an average coach with an extremely oversized ego. You finally got exactly what you deserve you selfish wiener. The hockey world is ecstatic.

this is disturbing and sick...what's his deal...so wrong across the board...

one of the reasons i minimize my use of social media and twitter...

to many people out of control.
- bogiedoc

If I remember correctly, maybe I'm thinking of someone else, he had multiple offers on the table when he signed with Detroit because Babcock promised him a larger role with their team so he did and moved his family closer. Then he barely played him and he was a healthy scratch most of the time. Shortly after the season started he traded him to Tampa. Lotta people thought he did that to keep him from signing with a division rival which is why he has such hatrid for him.

Someone mentioned the Modano stuff too. There's a laundry list of players who have stories about Babcock and how he's not a pleasant person to deal with at all.

As far as his coaching goes, I mean he took over for a Detroit team that was already stacked with great players and coached Team Canada (again STACKED). He's never really done that amazing coaching job that took his team to the next level. You could maybe argue that he did that with the Ducks in '03 but again that team had a some great players as well. That was probably his best coaching job, but other than that he's been fortunate to take over teams that have been set with talent.

Do you have any input as to what happened to him after he signed that big contract with Carolina. Too much pressure on him to live up to it? I also heard he may have broken up with his girl friend at that time. I hope he didn't fall off the wagon.
- boilermaker100

I think the issue was the same as it is for a whole lot of goalies.....they can be effective backups, and even be able to step in for an injured #1 for short periods of time, but are just not good enough to shoulder the heavy load of a true #1. This is true both mentally and physically.

You see a lot of goalies who are outstanding in short periods, but then get the Starter job somewhere and can never live up to the previous numbers. Darling is a classic example, same with guys like Talbot in EDM. Raanta looks great in spurts, but can't stay healthy with a #1 workload. I would be very weary of Delia, he does not impress me as someone who could be a fulltime starter.