While I was hoping for a little more, I'm happy with the return for Panda and gus. Reading what Tyler wrote about goalie trades, I don't know why people were expecting more than what Stan got for Lehner. Especially when you see him struggle with his rebound control.

Getting a 3rd for Gus is a good to great return. Every game he played he seemed to make at least 2 or 3 horrible mistakes. Every GM in the league could see that. I was in the trade Gus last summer camp. I believed then, and still believe, that there would have been at least one GM willing to overpay for a 60 point dman with a 1.2AAV. I think stan was hoping for another 60 point season. If that happened, he could really get a haul at the TDL. Unfortunately, Gus will be lucky to get 40 points this season, which is about his career average, so a 3rd was the best he could get.

Im not sure what youre trying to point out. the inability to fill in the roster because of top end contracts are all because of mismanagement of the cap. BOTH "inability to fill in" and "top end contracts" are created/all come from the GM. The GM is the architect of the cap and the roster (I'm sure I didn't have to explain this). So to use that as an excuse, or the "top end contracts", why they cant create a competitive roster all falls on the GM.

As for DeHaan and Shaw's injuries, lots of people that mentioned their injury history and the risk BEFORE the trades were made. But SB went for it anyway, do you remember last offseason? There were even rumors that SB was linked to acquiring Ryan Murray, and guess what, that player is also out long term on injuries.
I get your point, you cant predict injuries, but there are injury histories that GMs take into account when acquiring players. Maatta was also coming from major injuries, thank god he is not in IR right now.

As I mentioned, there are a lot of what-ifs and sides are being taken based on them. Right or wrong, who knows. The current state of the team though? They suck because of mismanagement.
- squishy24

Fair enough. I guess the point I was trying to make was more regardless of who is steering the ship, right now it will take more time to get them back to competitive due to the allocated money. I am certainly not defending all of Stan's moves (as I've been droning on about 7's contract since it was signed).

Im not sure what youre trying to point out. the inability to fill in the roster because of top end contracts are all because of mismanagement of the cap. BOTH "inability to fill in" and "top end contracts" are created/all come from the GM. The GM is the architect of the cap and the roster (I'm sure I didn't have to explain this). So to use that as an excuse, or the "top end contracts", why they cant create a competitive roster all falls on the GM.

As for DeHaan and Shaw's injuries, lots of people that mentioned their injury history and the risk BEFORE the trades were made. But SB went for it anyway, do you remember last offseason? There were even rumors that SB was linked to acquiring Ryan Murray, and guess what, that player is also out long term on injuries.
I get your point, you cant predict injuries, but there are injury histories that GMs take into account when acquiring players. Maatta was also coming from major injuries, thank god he is not in IR right now.

As I mentioned, there are a lot of what-ifs and sides are being taken based on them. Right or wrong, who knows. The current state of the team though? They suck because of mismanagement.
- squishy24

Are you one of those powerhouse internet negotiators who would've told Toews and Kane to take $9M each or leave?

Reward Carlsson by sitting him? Great coaching.
- catrisc

Shocking ? Not for Colliton. Here we have a guy who finally gets to hit the ice in the NHL, plays well, and he is rarin' to go. And now he is gonna sit ??? Perfect strategy again by Colliton, who has no clue. But great for making sure we lose games. Need a top 5 pick. Go Blues tonight !!

While I was hoping for a little more, I'm happy with the return for Panda and gus. Reading what Tyler wrote about goalie trades, I don't know why people were expecting more than what Stan got for Lehner. Especially when you see him struggle with his rebound control.

Getting a 3rd for Gus is a good to great return. Every game he played he seemed to make at least 2 or 3 horrible mistakes. Every GM in the league could see that. I was in the trade Gus last summer camp. I believed then, and still believe, that there would have been at least one GM willing to overpay for a 60 point dman with a 1.2AAV. I think stan was hoping for another 60 point season. If that happened, he could really get a haul at the TDL. Unfortunately, Gus will be lucky to get 40 points this season, which is about his career average, so a 3rd was the best he could get.
- tvetter

Go get 'em Gus! In all seriousness, considering they have guys like Monahan and Tkachuk that like to plant themselves in front of the net, I can see Gus's numbers jump a bit.

Wes Gilbertson‏Verified account @WesGilbertson · 3h3 hours ago

#Flames D Erik Gustafsson working with top power-play unit at morning skate.

Considering we have no idea why he’s not playing or who’s idea it is for him not to be playing I’d say it’s a tad premature to blame anyone, don’t you?
- paulr

If I were Rocky, I'd ask the vets 2,7,8,19,50,88 about Coliton to voice their opinions and then decide if he should stay or go.

I would say 2,7,50,88 says he should go and 8 and 19 would have him stay. There are some good coaches waiting for a call.

I think Bowman and JC and his coaching staff should go. Thank Bowman for inheriting this team and for doing the best he could managing the salary cap the first few years and picking up some players in the interim, but 5 years of being this bad is too much for this group. Sure some of the players are hard to replace and the vets got older and slower, but they need better structure. You can't have the Hall of Fame superstars they have and be as bad as they are.

Yeah, I know.

I'm curious what the reasoning behind it was. Numbers say he's good at getting the puck up the ice but can't do anything with it.
- BINGO!

Maybe the Canes' system will suit him better. He is mobile. At the end of the day, tho, he is still going to be making 5+M as a bottom pair D-man. Pesce might be good enough to make him serviceable on the 2nd pair. Poor Pesce.

Are you one of those powerhouse internet negotiators who would've told Toews and Kane to take $9M each or leave?
- mohel

I have no problem with TK caphits, no problem with Keith and CC either. Seabrook's though, I hated that since it was announced. I'm sure it wasn't just me who predicted that after the first 2-3 yrs, that contract will become an albatross. And I didn't have an extensive background and experience on hockey or accounting or cap management, nor advisers that makes millions to think of that. I'm sure they have a perfectly legit reason (no sarcasm). But if youre suddenly going to tell me that, that's the reason why you cant put out a competitive team or fill in a team correctly? That's pure BS

Gotta make sure Koekkoek gets top pairing minutes too

That will help
- PatShart

Special K is quite the wanderer. He makes Gus look like a genius with some of the decisions he makes out there.

If I were Rocky, I'd ask the vets 2,7,8,19,50,88 about Coliton to voice their opinions and then decide if he should stay or go.

I would say 2,7,50,88 says he should go and 8 and 19 would have him stay. There are some good coaches waiting for a call.

I think Bowman and JC and his coaching staff should go. Thank Bowman for inheriting this team and for doing the best he could managing the salary cap the first few years and picking up some players in the interim, but 5 years of being this bad is too much for this group. Sure some of the players are hard to replace and the vets got older and slower, but they need better structure. You can't have the Hall of Fame superstars they have and be as bad as they are.
- stan-ley-cups

5 years of being bad?

I have no problem with TK caphits, no problem with Keith and CC either. Seabrook's though, I hated that since it was announced. I'm sure it wasn't just me who predicted that after the first 2-3 yrs, that contract will become an albatross. And I didn't have an extensive background and experience on hockey or accounting or cap management, nor advisers that makes millions to think of that. I'm sure they have a perfectly legit reason (no sarcasm). But if youre suddenly going to tell me that, that's the reason why you cant put out a competitive team or fill in a team correctly? That's pure BS
- squishy24

Nope, the cap, imo, isn't the problem right now. It did cause a bunch of good players to have move on. The trouble is that the absolute studs the Hawks have lost in the last five years have not been replaced. The only place to get them young is the draft (maybe a foreign FA once in a while). The Hawks drafted low for a decade and traded picks to win Cups. Tough to do in that scenario, imo. Find me a GM who can do it, and I will join your request for Stan's ouster.

5 years of being bad?
- Elbows15

Classic #tempertantrum.

Interesting how at the beginning of the year most on this board said the Hawks were at best a bubble team and most likely not going to make the playoffs. Come almost 75% of the season, and here we are, a bubble team that is not going to make the playoffs, yet most on here thinks with a different coach, Gus would of turned into Bobby Orr, Matta would turn into Victor Hedman, Seabrook would of found the fountain of youth, and if they would of played a different system (that is really not that different than MOST teams in the NHL are trying to play now), the Hawks would be buyers at the TDL and looking to go far in the playoffs.

Well reality is, this team is NOT a playoff team, Toe Blake couldn't get them in the playoffs, Herb Brooks couldn't win a medal with them. What I will blame Stan for is he gets players with the physical tools (Perlini, DuClair), but do not have hockey sense. Why did Panarin work out so well with Kane, and ADB struggles with Kane. Because Panarin can think the game like Kane, ADB to me has not shown that ability. ADB is a specialist, like Jim Paxson/Steve Kerr was with the Bulls, spot up when the ball comes to you shoot.

Saad is another one who I think lacks in hockey sense. yes he plays a 200 f game, but his decisions once he retrieves the puck are head scratchers.

You can't outcoach stupid. The Hawks are talented but stupid. Dach and Bovquist appear to have the Hockey acumen to be players. Hopefully Stan will get a few more. He has already purged Gus. Until the hockey IQ on this team increases, to say another coach would be the elixir is folly.

Shocking ? Not for Colliton. Here we have a guy who finally gets to hit the ice in the NHL, plays well, and he is rarin' to go. And now he is gonna sit ??? Perfect strategy again by Colliton, who has no clue. But great for making sure we lose games. Need a top 5 pick. Go Blues tonight !!
- MadHatter

He was credited with three hits in that game. Tr Murray said he likes what he saw. So Carlsson is not sitting because he was indecdive or performed poorly. The Blues have been a physical match usually and Seeler does have more experience. We shall see if Colliton will sit someone else out and or if Carlsson goes back to the AHL.e

I say facetiously, after 1000 days of trade Gus talks, how many days will we now debate the return...figuring everyone would finally turn the page....and ....NO.

It matters not, percentage wise, whether we received a second or third etc...

Its like my old polish grandma unhappy at a restaurant, she pockets sugar packets and other condiments for her revenge...

From today’s ‘The Athletic’ trade deadline review. Note the bolded.

Chicago Blackhawks: C

Goalies are tough to trade on the last day of the deadline. That GM Stan Bowman found a taker for Robin Lehner and got a second-round pick was a positive. But the return for Erik Gustafsson was a little light (a 2020 third-round pick) for a 27-year-old defenseman coming off a 60-point season. But the market is what the market is.

“Nobody wants to give up assets for a guy who can’t play defense,” said an NHL source.
- scottak

A guy who can't play defense and is a rental. But he did run the worst power play in the league that included Patrick Kane.

yes...but stan is happy with JC...don't be surprised of an extension by early next season...
- bogiedoc

Source?

Fair enough. I guess the point I was trying to make was more regardless of who is steering the ship, right now it will take more time to get them back to competitive due to the allocated money. I am certainly not defending all of Stan's moves (as I've been droning on about 7's contract since it was signed).
- Chunk

there was capspace that opened after last season. I mean how else are they able to fit Lehner, Maatta, DeHaan and Shaws contract? thats 17.5 right there. Regardless of where they used that capspace, im not going to debate whos right or wrong, but in the end, did it make the team better?

I say facetiously, after 1000 days of trade Gus talks, how many days will we now debate the return...figuring everyone would finally turn the page....and ....NO.

It matters not, percentage wise, whether we received a second or third etc...

Its like my old polish grandma unhappy at a restaurant, she pockets sugar packets and other condiments for her revenge...
- TrueGrit

Well, at least a couple. The topic of this blog was basically "what do you think of the trades?"

If I had to handicap it, if Gus goes on a bit of a tear, there are some who will lament the trade and grade it as an F. Most here, me included, see him as just a guy who was mistake prone while offering some O from the backend. I don't see it as a big loss in the long run.

I'm guessing we will see the team try hard for the next few weeks here, until they are eliminated then we will see more kids.

The TDL is over and am I happy? The answer is "yes". Yes I am.

I'm happy because now the silly season of playoff talk has come to an end and we are now in the stream with the other loser teams where we belong. Now we do the post-TDL assessment, which is to say we do a reality check on where the franchise is on and off the ice. So from those perspectives I'm happy after the TDL is over. I wish they cpuld have signed Lehner and then when that didn't happen I wish they could have gotten more. But, he didn't cost anything and he got a couple assets back so all good.

Gustafsson - the time to trade him was last off season - at the draft probably peak time. Stan's roll of the dice is not one I liked when he did it and I was many that stated so here and other places. The problem starts with the probability of Gus having another 60-point type season. If he were to replicate that type of season - it probably means the Hawks are in the playoff hunt so he can't be maximized at the TDL because you can't trade the top scoring d-man in a playoff hunt. So you get him down the stretch but then get nothing for him after the season. But hey - a 3rd. Hopefully a diamond in the rough.

So with the TDL in the rear view mirror - what are we left with? Pretty much the same as when the season started - and that's good. Before the season started, me and a ga-jillion other Hawks fan posted expectations for this season on this blog or somewhere. Mine were fairly low, more realistic than optimistic.

I The main thing I expected from the 2019/20 season is growth in young players translating to growth in the team. I think that has been largely successful. Dach and Boqvist obviously were both huge question marks and both have proven to be what we hoped. Hopefully Strome and Nylander play well down the stretch and show they're good enough to be top-9 on a top team. Ian Mitchell joining the team and maybe another NHL ready draft pick.

So yeah - not bad.

Ben Pope‏Verified account @BenPopeCST · 7m7 minutes ago

Blackhawks post-deadline morning skate underway in St. Louis.

Present: Malcolm Subban, Crawford, Carpenter, Kane, Toews, Strome, Kampf, Dach, DeBrincat, Kubalik, Carlsson, Nylander, Koekkoek, Highmore, Seeler, Boqvist, Keith.

Smith not playing tonight due to a back injury.

P.S. Don't tell Elbows about that last part. I think he is almost done driving Lehner to Vegas and I wouldn't want him to get into an accident.
- Chunk

That’s a shame. I hope it doesn’t force him into early retirement

You may be right. But he is only making $1.3 mil. That is chump change for Rocky (thank God he is not like the late Dollar Bill Wirtz, RIP). Hawks are eating $600,000 on the Lehner contract (50% of $5 mil prorated over 20 games) and will probably eat more when he buys out Smith. If the last 20 games are a disaster I think there could be a coaching change at the end of the season.
- -Doh-

Want to see a disaster, Crow gets hurt for the rest of the season next game.

there was capspace that opened after last season. I mean how else are they able to fit Lehner, Maatta, DeHaan and Shaws contract? thats 17.5 right there. Regardless of where they used that capspace, im not going to debate whos right or wrong, but in the end, did it make the team better?
- squishy24

On paper, compared to the team last year, yes. Easily better on D compared to what we were trotting out. The only real downgrade was Smith for AA.

Bowman gets dogged all of the time. Why don't the people complaining about Bowman point out:
They have had a top pairing defender playing for them for 10 years with a $5.5 mil cap hit.
They have a rookie that scored 26 goals so far that is being paid $925,000 and was acquired for a 5th round pick.
ADB, a 2nd round pick, scored 69 goals in his first two seasons.
Ryan Hartman was traded to Nashville for a 1st round pick.

Really? Seems they take a long time and are often unsuccessful. Look around the league.
- mohel

What was it, 8(?) years between Crosby’s 1st and 2nd cups?